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. LVIII That having demolished Venus's Temple at He∣liopolis, He was the first who built [a Church there.]

a 1.1 ANd these things may deservedly be re∣counted amongst the Emperour's famous Actions; as likewise those matters particularly constituted by him in several Provinces. Of which sort is that [which we have seen per∣formed by him] at Heliopolis a City of Phoenice. In which City the Heathens who honoured obscene Lust with the appellation [of the Goddess Venus,] permit∣ted their wives and daughters to commit whoredom with impunity. But now a new and modest Law is issued out from the Emperour, where∣by 'tis cautioned, that no one of those usages heretofore common amongst them, shall in future be in any wise audaciously practised. And to these per∣sons he again transmitted instructions in writing; for he b 1.2 was * 1.3 appointed by God for this reason chiefly, that he might in∣struct all men in the Laws of Tem∣perance. Wherefore, he accounted it not a thing below himself, to Preach even to these persons by his own Letter, and to exhort them to hasten to the knowledge of God. And in that place he added works consonant to his words, e∣recting even amongst them a c 1.4 most spacious Church with the Edifices belonging thereto. In so much that, d 1.5 what had no where been heard of by any preceding age whatever,

was then first of all really compleated; and a City of men addicted to the superstitious wor∣ship of Daemons, was vouchsafed a Church of God, and Presbyters and Deacons; and a Bi∣shop consecrated to the supream God, presided over the inhabitants of that place. Moreover, the Emperour taking great care that many per∣sons might come over to the Faith of Christ, made large distributions there, in order to the relief of the poor: and in this wise he perswaded and invited men to the salutary Doctrine, in a manner uttering those very words spoken by Saint Paul; * 1.6 whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached.

Notes

• a 1.1

  This whole pas∣sage, as far as the Hea∣thens who honoured, &c▪ is wan∣ting in the Kings Copy and in Robert Ste∣phens's Edition. But it has been added by Learned men, from the authority of Manuscripts. Tur∣nebus and S^r Henry Savil found it in their Copies; and we also saw it written in the Fuketian Copy, at the margin. But the reading in the Fuketian Manuscript is lar∣ger by one word, thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Vales.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The last word is wanting in the Kings Copy and Stephens's Edition. Wherefore 'tis to be considered, whether we had not better read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the first place. But, whereas the Turne∣bian, Savilian, and Fuketian Manuscripts do defend the writing of the Geneva Edition, I am of opinion, that it is to be retained. Vales.
• * 1.3

  Or, Sent.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. I doubt not but it should be written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. For so Eusebius is wont to express himself, as I have remarked above. And by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 he means Basilicam, a Church; but by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 he means the whole compass or inclosure of the Church, that is, the Porch, Atrium or Court, Porticus's, Exhedrae, Baptisteries, and the other Edifices which are wont to be annext to Churches. In the Fuketian Copy the reading is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• d 1.5

  Any one may, not without reason, wonder, why Eusebius should say it was a thing unheard-of by all ages, that a City addicted to the superstitious worship of Daemons, should receive a Church and a Bi∣shop. For that had hapned to other Cities also at that time. But per∣haps Eusebius means, that this was a thing new and unheard-of, that a Church of God had been built in that City, wherein as yet there was no Christians, but all persons equally adored Idols. This Church therefore was built by Constantine at Heliopolis, in hope rather than for necessity; to wit, that he might invite all the Citizens to the profession of the Christian Religion. A little after, the reading in the Fuketian Manuscripts is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, truer than in the ordinary Edi∣tions, where 'tis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• * 1.6

  Philip. 1. 18.