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CHAP. LXI. Constantine's Letter to Eusebius, wherein he commends Him for His Refusal of [the See of] Antioch.
The Emperour's Letter a 1.1 to Us, after our Re∣fusal of the Bishoprick of Antioch.
VICTOR CONSTANTINUS MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS, To Eusebius.
I Have perused your Letter very often; and have found that you do most exactly observe the Rule of Ecclesiastick discipline. For, to persist in those Sentiments which appear both acceptable to God, and agreeable to Apostolick Tradition, is an emi∣nent degree of Piety. You may account your self blessed even in this very thing, because by the testimony of the whole world, as I may say, you have been judged worthy b 1.2 to be Bishop over the whole Church. For, whereas all persons desire you to be [Bi∣shop] amongst them, without question they increase this your felicity. But Your prudence (c 1.3 which hath re∣solved to observe the com∣mands of God, and the A∣postolick Canon, and that of the Church,) has acquitted it self incomparably well, in regard it hath refused the Bishoprick of the Church at Antioch; and hath en∣deavoured to continue in that See rather, the presidency over which by the will of God it had at first under∣taken. Further, concerning this matter I have written a Letter to the people, and to those other persons your Colleagues, who also them∣selves wrote to me in relation to the same affairs. Which Letters when Your * 1.4 Holiness shall have perused, it will easily understand, that, because Justice seemed to Resist them, I have written unto them by the impulse of the Deity. It will behove Your prudence also to be present at their † 1.5 Council, to the end this very thing may be con∣stituted in the Church of Antioch. God keep you, Beloved Brother▪