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. VII. [Constantine] compared with Cyrus King of the Persians, and with Alexander the Macedonian.

ANcient History relates Cyrus [King] of the Persians to have been more re∣nowned and glorious, than all [the Prin∣ces] that ever were. a 1.1 But, the conclu∣sion of his life, 'tis said, was in no wise fortunate, but reproachfull rather, and igno∣minious; in regard he was slain by a woman. The Greeks tell us, that Alexander, [King] of the Macedonians vanquished * 1.2 innumerable Nations: but before he had perfectly arrived at man's estate, he ended his life by an untimely death, and was taken off by † 1.3 Debauchery and Drunkenness. He finished the whole course of his Life within the space of two and thirty years; ^• not much more than a third part of which years determined the time of his Reign. He march't on through bloud and slaughter, being a person that may be compared to thun∣der, and incompassionately enslaved Nations and whole Cities without any respect had to Age. But when he was scarce arrived at c 1.4 the flower of his Age, and whilst he bemoaned his Catamite, Death approach't him * 1.5 on a sudden, and took him off Childless, without any Stock or Kindred, before he had raised a family, and in an Enemies Country far remote; that he might not any longer be the Ruine of Mankind. His Kingdom was imme∣diately rent insunder, each of his Servants [stri∣ving to] pull and tare off some part for them∣selves. And yet this person is extolled for such mischiefs as these.

Notes

• a 1.1

  ▪〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ Lear∣ned men have attempted to restore this place several ways, as 'tis apparent from their Emendations, which are set at the mar∣gin of the Geneva Edition, and written in the Moraean Copy. For some have conjectured it should be written thus; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c, others have men∣ded it thus▪ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Which reading Christophorson has followed, as appears from his Rendition. But in the Moraean Copy this place is mended something otherwise, in this manner: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. From which im∣perfections any one would conjecture that this is a reading of some Manuscript Copy. The latter imperfection is easily supplied, in this manner, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But in regard all these readings abound with faults, nor can any thing that is good be extracted out of them, I had rather expunge these words. Indeed, if these words be razed out, the sense is most plain▪ thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c; which I have followed in my Version. The same was done before us, by Johannes Portesius, who first rendred these Books of Eusebius concer∣ning the Life of Constantine into Latine. In the Kings Sheets, after those words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, at the margin these words are added, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Fuketia•• Manuscript represents this place in the same manner with the Copy of Moraeus and Turne∣bus. Vales.
• * 1.2

  Or, I〈…〉〈…〉 so•••••• of all man∣ner of Na∣tions.
• † 1.3

  Or, Rio∣tous ban∣quetting. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. I think it must be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not much more, which rea∣ding Porte∣sius has fol∣lowed. But Christophor∣son ren∣dred it so as if the reading were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or some∣thing more. 'Tis cer∣tain, A∣lexander the Great Reigned twelve years and above, which make up something more than the third part of two and thirty years, if we go to an accurate computation. But Oratours, whose business it is to amplifie things, don't usually speak so exactly. Therefore Eusebius says well, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not much more. Vales.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Every body sees it should be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the flower of his Age, as 'tis also remarked in Moraus's Copy. In the old sheets the reading is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; but in the Fuketian Manu∣script 'tis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Further, a little after this it must be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And at the close of the chapter I read, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is extolled for such mischiefs as these 3 although the Manuscript Copies varie not. In the Fuketian Manu∣script I found it written, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is truer than 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as 'tis in the common Editions. Vales.
• * 1.5

  Or, Cru∣elly.