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. XXXV. Constantine's [Letter] to Eusebius, wherein He commends His Oration concerning Easter.

VICTOR CONSTANTINUS MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS, To Eusebius.

IT is indeed a mighty Attempt, and [a work] superiour to all the power of Oratory, to de∣clare the mysteries of Christ agreeably to their dignity, and in a due manner to unfold the a 1.1 Reason and Ground of Easter, and its Institution, and its advantagious and laborious consummation. For, 'tis impossible even to men that are able to un∣derstand things Divine, to declare those matters according to their dignity. Nevertheless, I do highly admire your excellent Learning, and your Extraordinary diligence, and have my self most willingly perused your Book; and, according to your desire, have given order, that it should be put into the hands of many persons who sincerely adhere to the observance of the Divine Religion. Where∣as therefore you understand, with how great a de∣light of mind we receive such Presents as these from Your Prudence, take care to please us in future with more frequent Discourses b 1.2, whereto you con∣fess your self to have been by education accustomed. But (as the saying is,) we incite you who run, to your usuall Studies. In as much as, c 1.3 this so great an opinion does sufficiently demonstrate, that you have not found an unworthy Translatour of Your Writings, who can render Your Labours into d 1.4 Latine: although 'tis impossible, that such a Version should express the dignity of Works that are so egregiously eminent. God keep You, Beloved Brother! Such was his Letter in reference to this matter. But, that which he wrote about pro∣viding [some Copies of the Scriptures] to be read in Churches, runs thus.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The con∣troversie of Easter. It must be written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, reason, or cause, as I also found it mended at the mar∣gin of Mo∣raeu's Co∣py. Which emenda∣tion is con∣firmed by the follow∣ing words. For he adds, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and its in∣stitution, &c. 'Tis certain, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 can∣not be said concerning the original of a controversie. You would do better therefore to ren∣der 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, institution. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 imports the consummation of the Paschal Feast, performed by Christ, who by the Miracle of his own Resurrection, instituted a true Pascha for Christians. Vales.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. After these words in the Greek, in the Kings Copy, and in the Edition of Robert Stephens, these words follow, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c; although 'tis impossible, that such, &c. But Scaliger, Bongarsius, and others have made up this place from I know not what Copies. The same supplement I likewise found in the Fuketian Copy, and in Moraeus's Book, and indeed something more cor∣rect than it is in the Geneva Edition. For, in that the reading is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But it must be written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, This so great a confidence, or perswasion. He means his boldness who by Constantine's order had translated Eusebius's Book concerning Easter: or rather, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is the opi∣nion and judgment of the Emperour himself. The Translatour un∣derstood it as meant concerning the boldness or confidence of Euse∣bius himself, which can in no wise be agreeable here. Doubtless, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cannot here be taken otherwise, than for the judgment and perswasion, as well of Constantine Himself, as of other men, who highly extolled Eusebius's Treatise concerning Easter, which by Con∣stantinc's order had been rendred into Latine. This so great an opi∣nion of all men, says he, does sufficiently shew, that you have met with no unworthy a Translatour. Futher, those words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may be construed two ways, either with the adjective 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or with the term 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. After these words, in Moraeus's Copy there is an empty space left. Questionless the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is wanting. The place therefore must be made good in this manner, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, who can render, &c; or rather, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Eusebius expresses himself above at chap. 32. Indeed, in the Fuketian Copy, the reading is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. . . . 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Vales.