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. XXIV. Constantine's Law concerning Piety towards God, and concerning the Christian Reli∣gion.

VICTOR CONSTANTINUS, MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS, a 1.1 To the Provincials of Palestine.

AMongst those whose Sentiments concerning the Deity are right and prudent, it has long since been made apparent by a manifest * 1.2 Evi∣dence, b 1.3 and such as is sufficient far to remove all scruple whatever; how great a difference there hath been between an accurate observancy in reference to the most venerable Worship of Christianity, and those who are its Opposers c 1.4 and desirous of contemning it. But now, by far evi∣denter Actions and more illustrious Exploits, as well the absurdity of the doubt hath been demon∣strated, as also, how great the power of the Su∣pream God is. In as much as, to those who faith∣fully revere the venerable Law, and dare not violate any of its precepts, a plenty of * 1.5 Blessings is presented, and an incomparable strength with good hopes to effect what they have attempted. But, to them who have embraced an impious Opi∣nion, d 1.6 even the Events were correspondent to the designes. For, who ever obtained any thing of good, that would not acknowledge God to be the Authour of Goods, and refused to pay Him a due Worship? e 1.7 Indeed, the things themselves give confirmation to what we affirm.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In the Medicaean Manuscript I found it written, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to the Palestinian Provincials. Further, from these words I began the 24^th Chapter, following the authority of the Kings and Fuketian Manuscripts. Vales.
• * 1.2

  Distin∣ction, or, diversity.
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. From the Medicaean Manuscript make it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. And such as, &c. And a little af∣ter, from the same Manuscript it must be read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, worship of Christianity; and the same is the reading in the Kings Sheets and Fuketian Manuscript. Vales. In Robert Ste∣phens 'tis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Medicaean Manuscript has it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, desirous of contemning it; which rea∣ding seems to me much truer. Vales.
• * 1.5

  Or, Goods.
• d 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The reading in the Medi∣caean Ma∣nuscript is far truer. For thus it runs, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. even the Events, &c. And after the word Worship, it has a point, which is the mark of an interrogation. Vales.
• e 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The reading in the Medicaean Manuscript is far more elegant, thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Indeed, the things, &c. Vales.