The third SECTION. His Education and Qualitie.
A Great Oratour hath heretofore said, speaking of Constantine, that he appeared as much above Kings; as Kings above all other men. It is the Elogie, which afterward S. Gregorie gave to our Kings. Verily he was accomplished with a spirit and bodie in so high a degree of perfection, that there needed no more but to see him, to judge him wor∣thy of an Empire. Nature sometimes encloseth great souls in little bodies ill composed, as fortune hath likewise placed Kings in Shepherds Cottages. It is an unhappiness deserving some compassion, when a great Captain is of so ill a presence, as to be taken for one of his servants, and be made to cleave wood, and set the pot over the fire, to prepare his own dinner, as it heretofore happened to Philopaemen.
Constantine took no care for falling into such ac∣cidents. It seemed, as Eumenius saith, that nature from above had been dispatched, as a brave harbin∣ger, to score out a lodging for this great soul, and to give him a bodie suteable to the vigour of his spirit, so well was it composed. He was of a stature streight as a palm, of an aspect such, that the Oratours of that time called it divine; of a port full of Majestie; his eyes sparkled like two little stars; and his speech was naturally pithie, sweet, and eloquent; his bodie so able for militarie exercises, that he amazed the strongest, and so sound, that he had no disease. In these members so well proportioned, reigned a vigo∣rous spirit, very capable of learning, if the glorie of Arms had not wholly transported him into actions of his profession. His father well enformed of his fair qualities, caused him to come into the East, where he took a tincture of good letters, at the least so much as was needfull for a warlick Emperour, and applied himself seriously to the exercise of Arms, wherein he appeared with so much admiration, that he was alreadie beheld with the same eye, one would an Achilles or an Alexander, were they alive again.
Diocletian, who had not as yet forsaken the Em∣pire, would have him at his Court, to work him from apprehension of Christianitie, to which he might be alreadie much disposed, and draw him to the hatred of our Religion. It was a most dangerous school for this young Prince; for education ordinarily createth manners, and we are all as it were, that which we have learned to be in our younger dayes. Con∣stantine notwithstanding gathered flowers in this garden-bed, not taking the breath of the serpent which was hidden there-under. He soon learned from Diocletian militarie virtue, prudence to govern souldiers, good husbandrie in revenews, authoritie to become awfull: but he took nothing either of his impietie or malice. This Barbarous man in the begin∣ning passionately loved him, and would perpetually. have him by his sides; but when he saw that passing through Palestine and other parts of his Kingdom, the young Constantine was more respected than him∣self (so much his carriage, especially compared to the harsh countenance of the Emperour, had emi∣nence in it) he began to grow into suspicion; and as it is said, desired secretly to be rid of him. But Constantine prevented the blow, retiring under an honourable pretext to the Court of Galerius, the associate of his father Constantius, who most willingly left this son with him in pledge, thereby to hold some good correspondence with him.
This Galerius was a creature of Diocletians, who had heretofore declared him Caesar, yet still retained such power over him, that when he had displeased him, he made him run on foot after his coach, not deigning so much as to look upon him. He in the beginning very courteously entertained the son of his faithfull friend, affording him all manner of fa∣vours, but in process of time he conceived a strong jealousie, beholding in this young Mars more excel∣lent parts, than he had done in all the Courts of the world besides.
Excess of virtues stand in the account of crimes with malign eyes, so as to be culpable one must be an able man. Galerius resolved to overthrow Constan∣tine for those qualities which made him amiable to all the world; and not thinking it safe to take him away by main force, he made war against him, like a fox, persecuting him in that manner, as some∣times Saul did the invincible David. He found by chance, that a King of the Sarmatians made an in∣cursion on the territories of the Roman Empire, and shewed himself ••o furious, that none durst any more encounter him than an enraged beast. Galerius gave commission to Constantine to bid him battel, think∣ing it was a most honourable pretext to be freed from him, and that he had a reasonable excuse with Constantius the father, when he should shew him his son dead in the bed of honour. The young man, who shut up his eyes to danger, and onely opened them to glorie, went thither readily; and all suc∣ceeded so prosperously, that he not onely brake the troops of the Sarmatians, but also led this King along enchained to Galerius. This man, who received not so much joy to see an enemie at his feet, as sorrow for the prosperitie of a friend, very coldly com∣mended this encounter, and determined with himself to involve the virtue of Constantine in other battels, still seeking in his valour the matter of his ruin.
It was at that time a thing very ordinarie, to make condemned men to fight with savage beasts in an Amphitheater, thereby to give con∣tentment to those who are delighted to behold such spectacles. Galerius called for a combat of Lions, and beheld it with Constantine, who was very impatient to see that such as undertook the assault of those beasts performed it, in his opinion, so coldly. He therefore had a desire to adventure himself therein. Galerius, who observed him over-strong for men, thought he might find his tomb in the bellie of Lions. Note, how under colour of withholding him, he thrust this young virtue further on, alreadie much en∣kindled with his proper flames. The valiant Prince descendeth in person into the list, and assail∣eth the Lion, whom he slew with an incomparable strength, whereupon so loud acclamations, and such