The history of the church from our Lords incarnation, to the twelth year of the Emperour Maricius Tiberius, or the Year of Christ 594 / as it was written in Greek, by Eusebius Pamphilius ..., Socrates Scholasticus, and Evagrius Scholasticus ... ; made English from that edition of these historians, which Valesius published at Paris in the years 1659, 1668, and 1673 ; also, The life of Constantine in four books, written by Eusibius Pamphilus, with Constantine's Oration to the convention of the saints, and Eusebius's Speech in praise of Constantine, spoken at his tricennalia ; Valesius's annotations on these authors, are done into English, and set at their proper places in the margin, as likewise a translation of his account of their lives and writings ; with two index's, the one, of the principal matters that occur in the text, the other, of those contained in the notes.

CHAP. LI. Licinius's Treacheries against the Bishops, and his prohibitions of Synods.

ANd in the first place, with great closeness and subtlety he made a strict inquiry into those Ministers of God that lived under his Dominions, who had never committed any Crime against his Government; by hunting out Various Calumnies against them. And when he could not furnish himself with any the least offence of theirs, nor had [any pretext] wherewith he might blame these men; he issued forth a Law, whereby he commanded, that the Bishops should in no wise * 1.1 confer one with another in any place what ever, nor should it be Lawfull for any one of them to go into the Church of his neighbour; nor to convene Synods, nor Councills; or to consult about matters that were usefull and advanta∣gious. Now, this gave him an occasion of vexing and disquieting us. For, if those of our Religion transgrest that Law of his, they were oblieged to undergo punishment; but, if they paid an obedience to this his Order, of neces∣sity they must enervate the Laws of the Church. For, 'tis impossible that the more momentous † 1.2 Controversies should by any other means be composed and rectified, than by Synods. And thus this [Tyrant] highly odious to God, be∣cause he studied in all things to contradict the pious Emperour, issued out such Orders as these [in reference to us Christians.] For Con∣stantine called together God's Priests, in a 1.3 ho∣nour to those consecrated persons, and for the promoting of mutuall Peace and Concord. But Licinius, attempting to abrogate what∣ever was well constituted, endeavoured to ‖ 1.4 disturb the harmonious agreement [of the Churches.]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, Hold communi∣cation.
• † 1.2

  Matters of conside∣ration, or, debates.
• a 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Tur∣nebus at the margin of his Co∣py hath mended it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And this reading I found in Moraeus's Copy also. But I had rather write, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in honour to those consecrated persons. For Eusebius gives reasons, why the Emperour Constantine would ever and anon convene Synods of Bishops. The first reason, says he, was, that he might give honour to Gods Priests when assembled together. Secondly, that he might establish Peace and Concord amongst them. 'Tis certain, Eusebius does usually term The Priests 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as it frequently occurs in these books. But if, with Turnebus, we would rather read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, then it must be made 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that the discourse may agree with what follows; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 must be taken for Religion it self; which is more uncouth, For I had rather express it thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in honour to the sacred Law. Vales,
• ‖ 1.4

  Dissipate, or, tear in sunder.