Kaina kai palaia Things new and old, or, A store-house of similies, sentences, allegories, apophthegms, adagies, apologues, divine, morall, politicall, &c. : with their severall applications / collected and observed from the writings and sayings of the learned in all ages to this present by John Spencer ...

To be Zealous for the honour of Jesus Christ as he is the eternal Son of God. [ 1353]

IN the dayes of Theodosius, the Arrians through his connivence were grown very bold, and not onely had their meetings in Constantinople, the chief City of the Empire, but would dispute their opinions etiam in foro, and no man could prevail with the Emperour to lay restraints upon them,* 1.1 because (saith the Historian) he thought it nimis severum et inclemens esse; At length comes to Constantinople one Amphilochius Bishop of Iconium,* 1.2 a poor Town; an honest Man, but no great Politician for the World, he petitions the Emperour to restrain the Arrians, but in vain; Next time he comes to the Court, finding the Emperour and his son Arcadius (whom he had lately created joynt-Emperour) standing to∣gether, he doth very low obeysance to the Father, but none to the Son, yet coming up close to him in a familiar manner stroaketh him on the head, and saith; Salve mi fili, God save you my child; The Emperour taking this for a great affront, being full of rage, bids turn the Man out of dores; As the Officers were dragging him forth, he turning to the Emperour, saith; Ad hunc modum ex∣istima, ò Imperator, &c. Make an accompt O Emperour, that thus, even thus is the Heavenly Father displeased with those that do not honour the Son equally with the Father, Which the Emperour hearing, calls the Bishop back again, asks him forgivenesse, presently makes a law against Arrianism, forbids their meetings and disputations, constitutâ paenâ: Here was a blessed artifice by which the Zeal of this Emperour was suddenly turned into the right channel: and he was taught by his tendernesse over his own honour, and the honour of his Son to be tender over the honour of God,* 1.3 and his Son Christ Iesus. Now, so it is that much of Arrius is at this day in England; and more then ever was since the name of Christ was known in England; yet it is much hoped and heartily wish∣ed for, that as there hath been some actings for God, that men may no longer impun•• wickedly, and pertinaciously blaspheme his glorious essence and attributes,

so to shew the like Zeal for the glory of his eternall Son and spirit; This being the will of God, that all men should honour the Son, as they honour the Father, he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father.* 1.4

Notes

• * 1.1

  Theodorer. lib. 5. cap. 18.
• * 1.2

  Cedreni hist. in vitae Theodosii Imp.
• * 1.3

  Matth. New∣comen Serm. at Westm. 1647.
• * 1.4

  Ioh. 5. 23.