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. X. That [He speaks] against Idols, and concer∣ning the Glorification of God.

HIm I invoke upon my bended knees; and I have an aversion for all manner of abomi∣nable Bloud, and unpleasant and detestable Odours; and lastly I do avoid all sorts of a 1.1 terrene Fire: of all which the impious and execrable Errour [of superstition] has made use, and has b 1.2 thrust down many of the Heathens, yea almost whole Na∣tions,

to the lowest * 1.3 Hell. For, the supream God can in no wise endure, that those things which by His providence over men, and out of his own benig∣nity [towards them] he has produced for common use, should be † 1.4 perverted to any one's Lust. But, He requires of men a pure mind only, and an immaculate soul; * 1.5 wherewith, as in a Bal∣lance, he weighs the Actions of Virtue and Piety. For he is pleased with the works of Modesty and Lenity; loves the meek, hates the Turbulent; loves Faith, punishes infidelity: destroyes all power joyned with arrogancy, punishes the con∣tempt of the proud. He utterly ruines those who are puft up with insolency, but distributes agree∣able Rewards amongst them that are humble and patient of injuries. † 1.6 Hence 'tis, that he puts an high Value upon that Empire which is just; con∣firms it by his own assistances, and alwayes keeps Imperial Prudence in a Calm of Peace.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Chri∣stophorson renders it Sacrificio∣rum flammam, the flame of sacrifices▪ Camerarius, incantationum igni∣culos, the fires of inchantments; which is a truer Version. For, cer∣tain kinds of fires [were made use of] in the Mysteries of the Pa∣gans, and a sort of light shined after darkness. Which thing the Priests of Daemons performed by magick Art, and I know not what impostures, to the end they might gain an Authority and Reverence to their sacred Rites. Apuleius's words in his 11^th Book are these; Access•• confinium Mortis: & calcato, &c; I approach't the confines of death; and having trod the path of Proserpine, I went back, conveyed through all the Elements. At midnight I saw the Sun glistering with bright Light, &c. Concerning this Rite there is an elegant passage of Themistius, in Sto∣baeus, chap. 274; which deserves to be set down here: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. This passage of Themistius is taken out of his Book concerning the Immortality of the Soul; wherein Themistius asserted that the soul was immortal, as well by several other arguments, as by this, that Gr••cians do term death 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as if it were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, a Mystery. And, as these two terms are exceeding like one to the other, so the things themselves, signi∣fied by these terms, have a wonderfull similitude. For, in the Mysteries there are first unconstant and restless wandrings, and troublesome circuits, and fearfull passages thorow dark places, and most tedious journeys accom∣panied with weariness. Then, before an arrival at the end, all things are terrible; Horrour, trembling, sweat, and amazement. But at last, a certain admirable Light occurs, and pleasant places and Meadows, wherein sacred voices are heard, and holy apparitions seen, &c. To the same Rite belong these words of Origen, in his 4^th Book against Cel∣sus; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In the Fuketian Copy I found it written, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which pleases me better. In the same Copy the reading is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, many of the Nations. Vales.
• * 1.3

  Or, Parts.
• † 1.4

  Or, Drawn.
• * 1.5

  Or, Wherein.
• † 1.6

  Or, And in this manner.