Jovian.
Jovian succeeded Julianus in the Empire, which he held but few months; when he was chosen Emperor, as Ruffinus, Theodoret, Socrates and others testifie, he refused it,* 1.1 and being thereto taken by the Soldiers against his will, openly professed, that he being a Christian, would not be Emperor over Infidels; but all of them confessing themselves to be Christians, he accepted the Empire. This Christian magnanimity appeared evi∣dently in this new elected Emperor before in the time of Julian: for Julian apostating and making a Decree, that Soldiers should either sacrifice to Idols, or leave the wars; he being then a Tribune, rather made choice to forsake all hope of temporal prefer∣ment than obey that wicked Edict. Whereupon Julian then standing in need of such Assi∣stants, retained him still in the number of his Commanders, notwithstanding he so cou∣ragiously professed himself a Christian. This renowned Man was at one and the same time, as Ruffinus cals him, a Confessor, Emperor, and Extinguisher of Error;* 1.2 and God wonderfully honored his constancy, even in his life, not only in the conferring the Im∣perial honor upon him, but in the manner thereof,* 1.3 that being so professed a Catholick Christian, the whole Army did with one voice choose him Emperor, which joyned with that is said of them before, upon Jovianus refusing to be Emperor over Pagans, how with one voice they all confessed themselves to be Christians, sufficiently proveth, that either the Edict of Julian to force his Soldiers to sacrifice to Idols was never received or generally observed, or they sinned only in external act of Idolatry by that compulsion, still persevering in judgement and affection Christians.* 1.4 Socrates saith he reigned but 7 months; Ruffinus eight.