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. XXXVI. A description of the Walls, Roof, Beauty, and Gilding * 1.1 of the Church it self.

FOr, to that side placed opposite to the Cave (which [side] lookt towards the rising Sun,) the † 1.2 Basilica was joyned: a Work ad∣mirable and stately, raised to an immense height, and extended to a vast length and breadth. The In sides of which Structure a 1.3 were covered with Crusts of Marble, that were of different colours: but the outward surface of the Walls, being beau∣tified with polisht Stones cemented together by exact joynts, made a most glorious and beauti∣full shew, nothing inferiour to the appearance of Marble. * 1.4 As to the top of the Church, he covered the outward part of the Roof with Lead, in regard that was the strongest defence against Winter showers. But the Inner Roof being † 1.5 set with b 1.6 Carv'd Lacunaria, and spread like some great Sea all over the Church by ‖ 1.7 Tables joyned one with another, and covered all over with the * 1.8 purest Gold, made the whole Church shine, as 'twere, with Rayes of Light.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, Of the Temple of the Church.
• † 1.2

  Or, Roy∣al Church.
• a 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Ancients adorned walls with cut Crusts of Marble of a different colour, as I have noted at book 28. of Amm. Marcellinus, pag. 363. Such Crusts of Marble as these they termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. See Gregor. Nazianz. in Orat. 32; and in His Carmen Anacreonticum ad animum suum. Vales.
• * 1.4

  Or, At the Roofs themselves above.
• † 1.5

  Finished, or fitted.
• b 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. What 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are, Hesy∣chius and the Au∣thour of the Etymologicon do inform us; who interpret 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Tabellae, tecta laqueata, Tablets, Embowed Roofs. Eusebius uses the same word hereafter at chap. 49. Hence therefore it appears, that the Roof of the Church was on the inside covered and adorned with a Lacunar [or Embowed Roof▪] ac∣cording to Constantine's thoughts about it, as he attests in his Letter to Macarius. For on the outside it was covered with Lead, to keep off showers. Therefore the Roof must necessarily have been framed of Stone, which might bear up the Lead laid upon it. Vales.
• ‖ 1.7

  Or, Con∣tinued jun∣ctures.
• * 1.8

  Bright, or clear.