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. XI. The Silence of the Synod, after Eusebius the Bi∣shop had made a short Speech.

THen a 1.1 He of the Bishops, who sate first on the right-hand-side, arose, and addrest him∣self to the Emperour in a speech of an indiffe∣rent length, wherein he gave Almighty God

thanks and praise for † 1.2 Him. After he had taken his Seat also, Silence was made, all persons having fixt their eyes on the Emperour. When he had lookt upon them all with joyfull eyes and a pleasing countenance, afterwards He made a re∣collection of his own mind within himself, and with a calm and mild voice uttered these words.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Sozomen attests, book 1. chap. 19. that he who had the first place on the right side, and who in the name of the whole Councill made a speech to the Emperour, was Eusebius Pam∣philus. And so 'tis written in the Title of this chapter. But Theo∣doret (book 1. chap. 7. of his History,) says this Oration was not made by Eusebius but by Eustathius Bishop of Antioch. Baronius has followed Theodoret's opinion; whom any one, from his writings, will easily find to have been of a mind full of anger and hatred against our Eusebius. But The Authour of the Tripartite History, (book 2. chap. 5. where he writes out Theodoret's words,) says that after Eu∣stathius Bishop of Antioch, Eusebius Bishop of Caesarea made a speech likewise concerning the praises of the Emperour. Which nevertheless occurs not now in the Greek Copies of Theodoret; so that it neces∣sarily follows, either that Epiphanius Scholasticus had procured more perfect Copies of Theodoret, or else that he added this of his own head, as 'tis sometimes his usage. Of this nature is that which we have noted above concerning the Bishop of the Imperial City, whom So∣crates from Eusebius relates not to have been present at the Nicene Synod, where Epiphanius Scholasticus by a notorius mistake has added the name of Alexander, when as he ought rather to have said Metro∣phanes. But to return to our business, there are those who write, that that honour was conferred neither on Eustathius, nor Eusebius, but on Alexander Bishop of Alexandria, that in the name of the Councill he should make a speech to the Emperour. Nicetas in his Thesaurus Or∣thodoxae fidei, book 5. chap. 7. affirms this in these words: Eusebius de Vitâ Constantini Libro 3. se primum verba in Synodo fecisse testa∣tur, &c. Eusebius in his third book concerning the Life of Constantine attests, that be made the first speech in the Synod. But if we believe Theodoret, Eustathius was the first, &c. But as Theodorus Mopsuestenus writes, that honour was frcely conferred on Alexander the Pontif of Alex∣andria. But in such a diversity of Writers I should more willingly close with that opinion, which affirms that the first Course of speaking was by the Synod conferred on Eusebius. First of all, because with∣out controversie Eusebius was the Learnedest and most eloquent per∣son amongst them. Secondly, he himself does plainly attest this, at the beginning of this work, in these words: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. We our selves also, by a Panegyrick spoken in his Vicennalia, have lately Venerated the same glorious Conquerour environed with a Synod of Gods Sacred Ministers. See the Preface to the first Book, note (a.) Vales.
• † 1.2

  The Emperour.