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. I. The Preface makes mention of Easter; and, that * 1.1 Christ, having been several ways bene∣ficial to all men, hath had plots framed against him by those, on whom he has conferred fa∣vours.

THE † 1.2 more [than usual] Bright∣ness and Splendour, both of the Day and Sun; the Preface of the Resur∣rection; the new ‖ 1.3 Reparation of Bodies long since dissolved; a 1.4 the Foundation of the promise, and the way leading to Life eternal, the day [namely] of the Passion is now come, Dearest Doctours, and all the rest of You [My] Friends! b 1.5 Ye Multitudes of Believers are far more Blessed [than others;] Ye [who wor∣ship] God the very [Authour] of Religion, and who, as well by an inward sense of every particular Soul, as by outward Expressions, do without intermission praise Him, according to those Rules [contained] in the Divine Oracles. But, Thou Nature, Mother of all things! What of this sort hast Thou ever conferred upon the world? Or rather, * 1.6 what is in any wise Thy work? In as much as He [who is the Authour] of all things, was the Framer of thy c 1.7 Sancti∣ty also. For He it is, who has adorned Thee:

in as much as the Beauty of Nature, is a d 1.8 Life agreeable to God. e 1.9 But, those things prevailed afterwards, which are di∣rectly contrary to Nature; [namely,] that no one should adore God [the Authour] of all things with a congruous worship; and, that it should be sup∣posed, that all things were managed, not by Providence, but Chance, in a disorderly and * 1.10 discomposed manner. And although † 1.11 the Pro∣phets inspired by the Divine Spirit, particularly and in express words foretold these things, to whom Credit ought to have been given; yet ‖ 1.12 im∣pious injustice made its Resi∣stance by all manner of de∣vices; hating and reproach∣ing the very Light of Truth; and embracing * 1.13 the impe∣netrable darkness of Errour. Nor, was Force and Cruelty wanting; especially, when the Will of Princes gave assi∣stance to the † 1.14 rash and heady ‖ 1.15 impetus of the Vulgar; or rather, when * 1.16 they themselves headed an unseasonable Fury. Where∣fore, this way of Life ha∣ving been confirmed by the usage of many Gene∣rations, was the Occasion of dismal Calamities to the men of those times. But, as soon as ever the presence of our Saviour shined forth, im∣mediately, instead of unjust Actions, Justice [was advanc't;] in place of a † 1.17 most de∣structive Storm, arose a Calm; and all those things which had been predicted by the Pro∣phets, were fulfilled. For, after [that Saviour of ours] was taken up on high to his Father's House, having ‖ 1.18 enlightned the world with the Rayes of Modesty and * 1.19 Continence, He founded a Church on earth, like some sacred Temple of Virtue; a Temple [that is] eternal and incor∣ruptible; wherein might be piously performed due [Acts of worship] both to God the supream Father, and likewise an agreeable [service] to Himself. But what did the mad wickedness of the Nations invent, after these things? It en∣deavoured to † 1.20 reject the Benefits and Favours of Christ, and to ruine the Church, constituted in order to the Salvation of all men; and in place thereof to substitute its own f 1.21 Superstition.

Again [hapned] horrible Seditions, Wars, Fights, g 1.22 Morosity, [a luxurious] Furniture of Life, and a love of Riches: which having its Being in men contrary to nature (a thing that is the property of wickedness,) does some∣times recreate by false and specious hopes; at others, it astonishes with Fear. h 1.23 But, let Her lie prostrate on the ground, being vanquished by Virtue: and (as 'tis fit She should,) let Her rend and tear Her self by reason of Her Re∣pentance. But, at present we i 1.24 must discourse of those matters which appertain to the Divine Doctrine.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, The Word of God.
• † 1.2

  Or, Brighter Splendour both, &c.
• ‖ 1.3

  Or, Joyning to∣gether.
• a 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In Moraeus's Book, as likewise in the margin of the Geneva-Edition, 'tis men∣ded 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which word I doe not remember to have met with any where. But in Scaliger's Copy 'tis corrected 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which comes nearer to the Reading of the Manuscript Copies. Indeed, in the Kings Copy 'tis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: whence I conjectured that it should be written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, the Foundation. He does elegantly term the Resur∣rection of our Lord, the foundation of the promise. Nor has Christo∣phorson done ill in rendring it pignus promissionis, the pledge of the promise; which is in a manner the same. For a pledge is given for an assurance; whence 'tis by Graecians termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In the Fuketian and Savilian Copies I found it written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• b 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. I assent not to Learned men, who joyn these with the foregoing words, and reade thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. For if we read thus, it will be a foolish repeti∣tion, in regard Constantine had said before, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In which words Constantine salutes all the Catholick people, in such a manner as Preachers are wont to do. Wherefore those words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, are the beginning of another period, wherein Constantine sets forth the happiness of the Catholick people. Further, I would more wil∣lingly read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ye multitudes, &c▪ that Constantine may be made to speak to the people. Nevertheless, in the Fuketian and Savilian Copies, this place runs thus; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• * 1.6

  Or, What man∣ner of workman∣ship is thine?
• c 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of thy Sanctitie. At the margin of the Geneva-Edition there is a note set, that 'tis otherwise written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, substance. But having look't into the matter more accurately, I am of opinion, that the common reading is to be retained. For Constantine says▪ that Nature is not the Framer of things, in regard She Her self was made by God; nor is he only the Origine of Nature Herself, but of that Sanctitie also which is in Her. For 'tis God who hath adorned Nature. For the ornament of Nature, is a Life according to the Law and prescript of God. This is the meaning of this place, which Christophorson perceived not. For I say nothing of Portesius, whom I have found most unskilfull, in a manner every where. Yet, in the Fuk. Turneb. and Savil. Copies, and in the Kings Sheets 'tis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, substance. Vales.
• d 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a life agree∣able to Nature. It must be writ∣ten, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a life agree∣able to God, as 'tis apparent from the foregoing note. In one word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Religion, is the Ornament of Nature. But, what sense there can be in the common reading, truly I can't perceive. So our Eusebius gave his books concerning the Life of the Emperour Constantine this Ti∣tle, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In the Kings Sheets 'tis, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• e 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. It must be written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. In∣deed, in the Fuketian Copy 'tis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Vales.
• * 1.10

  Or, Erroneous.
• † 1.11

  Or, Divine inspiration by the Prophets▪ particularly, &c.
• ‖ 1.12

  Or, Wicked impiety.
• * 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the incon••utableness (if I may so say) of darkness.
• † 1.14

  Sudden, or, unthought-on.
• ‖ 1.15

  Motion.
• * 1.16

  Or, Their Will; that is, the Will of Princes.
• † 1.17

  Or, Manifold.
• ‖ 1.18

  Or, Sur∣rounded.
• * 1.19

  Or, Sobriety.
• † 1.20

  Or, Cast forth.
• f 1.21

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ In the Kings Copy, the two last words are wan∣ting, and an empty space is left, capable of one word only. I doubt not but the reading should be, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in place thereof to introduce its own Superstition; that verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 being blotted out, which is wholly super∣fluous. In the Fuketian Copy this place is written thus; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. But in the Kings Sheets 'tis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. S^r Henry Savil at the margin of his Copy hath mended it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but it overturned its own Superstition. Upon a more diligent inspection into the thing. I am of opinion, that this place is thus to be restored; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: that is, The Nations, whe•• they had resolved to ruine the Church of Christ, subverted their own felicity. Diseases [hapned] again, Seditions, &c. The term 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may also be retained, that so the meaning may be this; the Heathens, whilst they persecuted the Church, ruined their own Re∣ligion. For the Church of God being attackt by the persecutions of the Heathens, vanquished the superstition and worship of false Deities. Vales.
• g 1.22

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Turnebus at the mar∣gin of his Book hath mended it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Mo∣rosities. In∣deed, in the Fuketian Copy 'tis written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But in the Kings Sheets the reading is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and then some lines are omitted. And perhaps it should be written in one con∣tinued clause, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, •• morose Furni∣ture of Life. For, unless, we read so, what will be the meaning of those following words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which Constantine reckons amongst the ill things? Musculus seems to have read, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; for he renders it, violenta Victûs astructio. Presently, the Fuketian Copy words it thus; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c; which having its being in men, &c; as we have rendred it. Vales.
• h 1.23

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In Moraeus's Book, and in the Geneva-Edition, it is at the margin mended, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c; excellently well, as those skilled in the Greek tongue do know. The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 wickedness, is understood. The reading is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the Fuk▪ and Turneb. Copies also. Vales.
• i 1.24

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The correction of this place is due to the Fuketian Copy; wherein 'tis plainly written, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, must discourse. Than which Emendation there is nothing more certain. Vales.