A vindication of the primitive Christians in point of obedience to their Prince against the calumnies of a book intituled, The life of Julian, written by Ecebolius the Sophist as also the doctrine of passive obedience cleared in defence of Dr. Hicks : together with an appendix : being a more full and distinct answer to Mr. Tho. Hunt's preface and postscript : unto all which is added The life of Julian, enlarg'd.

Of his Vertues.

I Shall comprise these under the Heads mentioned by Marcellinus, l. 25. c. 5. (viz.) Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude, and Justice: all which (saith that Author) he so studied and attained, as if they had been but One. As to his Temperance in respect of Chastity, he was so unspotted, that after the death of his Wife in France, he never medled with any woman; nor was he accused of the least immodesty while he was young, and in his full strength, by those that were of his Bed-chamber. To which vertue his spare dyet and short sleep very much contributed. His dyet was always so slender, as if he intended to return again to his Books. His Supper was usually a little Gruel, such as a common Souldier would refuse, l. 24. c. 2. which he took standing, and presently went to view his Guards and Sentinels, and then returned to his Study, scarce allowing

himself so much solace as might content the necessities of Nature. What was provided for him as an Emperour, he seldom tasted of, but distributed it amongst his poor Soul∣diers.

He says in his Misopogon, that he had been taught from his youth to wage war with his belly. And never frequented Theatres or Games; which he never beheld but with as much un∣easiness as others did with delight. He usu∣ally lay onely on a Palate spread on the ground, and would scarce eat enough to sa∣tisfie Hunger; abstaining from Feasts and pub∣lick Meetings, saying, No man ought to be e∣steemed as temperate at home, who was dissolute abroad, and took pleasure in the Threatres. His garments and manner of dress was very plain and neglected, and far from curious or court∣ly fashions. Dost thou (saith he) desire to see the Circensian Games? you shall find them most e∣legantly described by Homer; take the Book, and read. Such instructions he says he had from his Tutors, and them he followed with great pleasure, p. 79.

He was extremely delighted in the society of learned Men and good Books, for which he often professed he could willingly leave his Em∣pire. What intercourse he had with the chief Philosophers of his time, appears by his E∣pistles to Libanius, Iamblicus, Eumenius,

Themistius, Elpidius, and Maximus. This last, though one of the worst of them, com∣ing to visit him, of which he was informed while he sate in Judicature, he speedily laid a∣side his business and his Robes, and went forth in a familiar manner to meet him and im∣brace him. To the rest, in his Epistles he desired their presence or their Books; and stiled himself, Their most dear Brother.

For his Prudence. This was a Maxim with him, That it was a shame for a wise man, having a Soul, to seek for commendation from any thing be∣longing to the Body. His proficiency in all manner of learning, gave him great insight as well to Martial as Civil Affairs; which he so mana∣ged, that though he adventured on many great and hazardous attempts, yet he mostly came off with good success. He could by his Eloquence, as by a Mercury-Rod, appease the Tu∣mults and Seditions of his Souldiers; and would threaten them, that if they continued their Mutinies, he would betake himself to a pri∣vate life.

Again, he shewed another instance of his Prudence in remitting many Taxes, rather than to extort them from the poorer sort of people: nor did he exact on the Rich, affirm∣ing, that his treasure was safest in the custody of his good Subjects.

One instance of his Prudence was this, that

he would suffer himself to be reproved for any indiscreet action; being conscious to himself of rashness and precipitancy in many particulars. Marcell. l. 25. c. 6. Praefectis proximis{que} permit∣tebat ut sidenter impetus suos aliorsum tendentes, at{que} decebat Monitu opportuno fraenarent mon∣strabat{que} subinde se dolere delictis, & gaudere correctione.

He professeth that he used deliberation in all his affairs, especially of Judicature: You know (saith he to Ecdicius Praefect of Egypt) how slow I am to condemn any one; and when I have condemned him, how much slower I am to pardon him. P. 120. And of his prudent con∣duct in all his affairs, this is a convincing Ar∣gument, that during his Reign he was nei∣ther disturbed by Sedition at home, nor inva∣ded by any of the barbarous Nations from a∣broad.

His Justice appeared also in many notable instances: for he rather shook the Sword than struck with it: and though he made himself terrible, yet was he never cruel; but sought by the punishment of a few, to restrain the vices of many. He pardoned many that had sought to take away his life. Thalassius an enemy to him and his Brother Gallus was forbid the Court, which encouraged his enemies to ac∣cuse him; but Julian perceiving it to be of Malice, told them, that Thalassius had injured

him, and he must have satisfaction before them: and upon hearing he was reconciled to him, and he discharged him from his Adversa∣ries.

When one accused a great Citizen for a Traytor, hoping to be rewarded out of his E∣state, Julian ask'd him what the condition of the man was: he answered, he was a rich Burger, and had made him purple Cloths against the Insurrection. If that be all (saith Julian) you shall carry him a pair of purple Shoes too; and let him know, how little success he can hope for from such things, without greater power.

He would say of himself, That Justice which in former times had left the earth, was returned again, l. 25. c. 6. And if we believe Marcelli∣nus, although he would sometimes inquire of what Religion the parties litigant were, yet he would do nothing partially against any for their Religion.

As for his Fortitude, besides his patient en∣during of extream cold and heat, he would en∣counter his Enemies hand to hand; and by ex∣posing his own Person, would keep his Soul∣diers from giving ground to the Enemy; which he often did both in Germany and Persia, slay∣ing divers Enemies with his own hand.

But he had a better kind of Fortitude than this; namely, that which more becomes a Man, to conquer his own Passions, to bear

with Reproaches, to endure cross events with patience. As for me (saith he) I resolve to bear whatever falls on me from above with a stout mind; for this is the property of good men, to do their duty, and to be of a good hope, and to ac∣commodate themselves to what ever fatal necessi∣ty shall impose, p. 218. And as men of true valour and magnanimity are seldom cruel, he expressed a natural clemency in all his actions; those against the Christians, towards his later end, only excepted; which yet I cannot per∣ceive to be executed, but upon some great pro∣vocations by the rash and ungovernable among the vulgar sort of Christians. Of which the Historians of that time given many instances.

But all these vertues were sullyed with that one vile act of his, in becoming an Apostate from the best Religion, after that he had pro∣fessed it for Twenty years together, and attain∣ed a competent knowledge therein.