History of the First Ten Persecutions, History 4 · Chapter 2

History of the First Ten Persecutions · History 4 · Chapter 2

p. 27CHAP. II. Of Pastors and Doctors.

AFTER Eusebius, Miltiades gouerned the Romane Bishops of Rome.Church 4. yeeres, 7. moneths, and 8. dayes, as Platina writeth. His ministration was in the dayes of the reigne of Constantine, to whom the Emperour remitted Mil…iader.the controuersie betwixt Cecilianus and the Donatistes, to bee judged by him and his Collegues Rheticus, Maternus, and Marinus. Euseb. lib. 1… cap. 5.The Donatistes would not acquiesce to the determination of Miltiades, and his Collegues. The good Emperour appointed this cause of new againe to be judged in A…les, by a number of Bishops of Spaine, Italie and France, because the Donatists would August. epi… 68.not acquiesce to the determination of Miltiades and his Collegues. In the Councill of A…les, Cecilianus was likewise absolued, and the Donatistcs againe succumbed in their probation. Notwitstanding they appealed to the Emp. Constantine: and when the Emp. heard the cause of Cecilianus pleaded before himselfe, August. epi… 162. & 166.the Donatists could not proue, that either Cecilianus had beene admitted Bishop of Carthage by a man who was Proditor, or yet that hee had admitted any other man culpable of the like fault to an Ecclesiasticall office. If the Bishop of Rome had beene supreame Iudge in all Ecclesiasticall causes, Constantine had done him wrong, to appoint other Iudges to cognosce in this cause, after the Bishop of Rome, and his Collegues, had giuen out their definitiue sentence. His ordinance anent prohibition of fasting vponupon the LORDS day, was expedient at that time to bee a distinguishing note of true Christians, from Manichean heretiques, August Causula…o epist. 86.whose custome was vponupon the LORDES day to fast. The purple garment, the palace of Lateran, the superioritie of the towne of Rome, and gouernament of the West, which honours some alledge were conferred by Constantine to Miltiades and Silvester is a fable, not worthie of refutation: all these honours the Emperours of the West, successours of Constantine, poss…ssed, and not the Bishop of Rome, for the space of many hundreth yeeres.

To Miltiades succeeded Silvester, and ministred 23. yeeres, Silvelter. Platina. de vita Silv…st.10. monethes, & 11. dayes. In his time was the Heretique Arrius p. 28excommunicated by Alexander, without the fore-knowledge of the Bishop of Rome: It was enough, that after excommunication Socrat. lib 1. cap. 6.intimation was made to other bishops, which duety the Bishop of Alexandria neglected not Learned men should be Theod. lib. 1. cap. 2. 3.ashamed of fables, to say that Constantine was baptized by Siluester, for Siluester was dead before Constantine was baptized. And Platina himselfe is compelled to grant that Marcus, the successor of Siluester, gouerned the Church of Rome in Constantines dayes. And Eusebius testifieth, that Constantine was baptized in Nicomedia, immediately before his death. Concerning the donation Euseb. de vita Constant. lib. 4.of Co…stantine, wherein he conferreth the dominion of the West to the Bish. of Rome. it is like vntounto a rotten egge, which is cast out of the basket, lest all the rest bee set at the lesse auaile. No ancient writter maketh mention of any such thing. Yea, Constantine, in his testamentall legacie, allotted the Dominion of the West to two of his sonnes, namely, to Constantinus younger, and to Constans. How then had hee, by an anteriour disposition, resigned these Dominions to the Bishop of Rome? If Papistes bee not better countenanced by Antiquitie in other thinges, then in this point, they hauehave no great cause to bragge of Antiquitie.

To Siluester succeeded Marcus, and ministred 2. yeeres, 8. monethes, and 20. dayes.Marcus. Platin. de vita Mar. Iulius. Sozom lib. 4. cap. 8.

After Marcus, Iulius gouerned the Romane Church, 15. yeeres. Sozomenus attributes to Iulius 25. yeeres. His ministration was in the dayes of the Emperour Constantius and his brethren. Hee was a defender of the true Faith, and a Citie of refuge to those who were persecuted by Arrians: as namely, to Athanasius Bisshop of Alexandria, Paulus Bishop of Constantinople, Asclepas Bishop of Gaza, Marcellus Bishop of Aneyra, and Lucius Bisshop of Adrianopolis: All these were vnjustly deposed from their Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 15.offices by the Arrians, and had recourse to Iulius. Hee was neither ashamed of the Gospell of CHRIST, nor of his afflicted seruantes. In the Councill of Sardica great honour was conferred vntounto him, to wit, that men vnjustly condemned by Arrians shoulde hauehave refug… to Iulius: to whom they gaue power of newe againe, to judge their cause. This was an Act of the Councill of Sardica, and not of the Nicene Councill (as was p. 29confidently alledg…d in the Councill of Carthage) and a personall honour conferred to one man alone, for respectiue causes: but not extended to his successours, as though all the Bishops of Rome at all times shoulde bee Iudges of appellation. The Arrians were sore grieued for this, that Iulius both in worde, and deede, and writ, assisted Athanasius and his complices. The chafing letters, and mutuall expostulations, that passed betwixt Iulius and the Arrians conueened in the Councill of Antiochia, are to bee read in the Historie of Socrates. Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 15. Idem lib. 2 cap. 17.Platina, in the grandoure of his speeches, is inconsiderate, as if Iulius had damned the presumption of the Orientall Bisshops, who durst conuocate an assemblie without licence before obtained from the Bishop of Rome. Noe such thing is Sozom. lib. 3 cap. 10.contained in the letter of Iulius, but onelyonly an expostulation, that they did not aduertise him of their Councill, to the ende hee might hauehave sent his Ambassadours, and giuen vntounto them his best aduise. Iulius knewe the Constitutions of the Nicene Ruffin. lib. 1 cap. 6. Canon. 6.Councill, which gaue power to eueryevery Patriarch within his owne boundes, to conuocate Councils.

To IULIUS succeeded LIBERIUS, and continued sixe Liberius. Damas. Marian. Ierum.yeeres: some assigne vntounto him eighteene yeeres, others ninetecne yeeres: so vncertaine is the computation of the yeeres of their gouernament. Hee gouerned the Church of Rome in the dayes of CONSTANTIUS, by whom also hee was banished to Thracia, because hee woulde not consent to the depositi…n of ATHANASIUS: which point was seriously vrged in the Councill of Millane. THEODORETUS giuegive…h ample testimonie of his constancie and freedome of speaking to the …mperour Theod. lib. 2… cap. 15. 16. 17.(not disagreeing with his name) before his banishment. In his absence FOELIX the second was chosen to be Bishop of Rome: to whome THEODORETUS giueth this praise, that hee adhered firmely to the Nicene Councill: but blameth him for this that hee receaued his ordination from Arrians. N…twithstanding hee was more hated by the Arrians, Theod. ibid.then was LIBERIUS, and was put to death by them, after he had gouerned one yeere, foure monethes, & two dayes. Platina, de vita Foelie.After two yeeres banishment, LIBERIUS returned back again to Rome. THEODORETUS is silent in the matter of his praises after p. 30his returning. Hilarius, Bishop of Poitiers affirmeth, that hee both consented to the deposition of Athanasius, and to the Hilar. in fragmens.councell of Sirmium. There is nothing inlaking now to giuegive out a determinate sentence, whether or no the Bishop of Rome may erre in matters of Faith: but onelyonly the compearance of the great Aduocate of all euill causes Onuphrius, who will needes find out some old partchment, or some vnknown manu-script, to free the chaire of Rome from all suspition of errour in matters of faith. But Bellarmine giues ouer his cause, and can finde Bellarm. de Rom. Pont. lib. 4. cap. 9.no sufficient Apologie for him, because his letters written to the Emp. Constantius after his returning from banishment, smels of Arrianisme.

After the death of Lib…rius, succeeded Damasus, and ruled 18. Damasus.yeeres, in time of the reigne of Iulian, of Iouinian, and of Valentinian: his competitor Ursinus had many fauourers, in so much Socrat. lib. 7 cap. 9. Ruffiin. lib. 2 cap. 10. Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 29.that the question who shoulde bee elected Bishop of Rome, was tried by the sword, rather then by reasons, suffrages, and votes: so that in the Church of Sisinum were slaine to the number of 137. persons. Damasus preuailed, and had the vpperhand. Hee was friendly to Peter Bishop of Alexandria, whom Lucius an Arrian Bishop imprisoned: but he escaped, and fled to Rome, as Athanasius had done before in the dayes of Iulius. Hee damned Theo. lib. 5. cap. 9.the Heresie of Apollinaris, in a Councill conucened at Rome. His Epistle written to the Oriental Bishops, whereinto he intimates vntounto thē the condamnitour sentence pronounced against Apollinaris and his disciple Timotheus, is indi…ed with the swelling pride of a lofty mind, breathing soueranity and preheminence Theod. ibid.aboue all other Churches, as if the Romane Church were that onelyonly Apostolicke chaire, whereunto all other Churches aught homage and reuerence. So that Basilius, Bishop of Casarea in Cappadocia, complaines of the pride of the West, because they cared onelyonly for their own preheminence, but not for the estate Basil. epist. 10. ad Euseb. …mosat.of their persecuted brethren in the East, vnderunder the Arrian Emperour Valen…, whose estate they knew not, neither sent they m…ssengers to visite them, neither woulde they receiue true information concerning the estate of their brethren. Yea, and Basilius saieth, that hee purposed oft times, to hauehave written to the chiefe of them, that is, to Damasus, that hee shoulde not count p. 31the splendor of pride to be true dignitie, & honour. Where it is to be marked, that whē he speakes of Damasus, he calleth him foreign, that is, the principal of them, to wit of the Ch…rches of the west: but not the supreame gouernor of the uniuersal Church, neither the souera…gn cōmander of the Churches of the East. It is ignorance of the Ecclesiastical historie, that makes men to imagine, that the supremacie of the Bishop of Rome is an ancient thing. When Damasus damned the Heresie of Apolbnaris, in the Council conueened at Rome, it was the yeere of our LORD 379. according to the computation of Ierum: and at this time the very aiming to supremacie is counted Splendor Supubiae, that is, the splendor of pride. Damasus wrote concerning the liues of the bishops of Rome preceeding his time: & was familiarly acquainted with Ierom, as Ieroms writings clearly proports.

To Damasus succeeded Siricius, and ministred 15. yee es: at Siricius.what time Gratianus and Valentinian obtained the Emperiall gouernamēt: he ordained, that maried men, who were admitted to Socr…t lib. 7. cap 9. H…st Magd. Cent. 4. Cap 10. Mal…c 2. verse, 14.Mal 2Ecclesiastical offices, after their ordination should absteine from the company of their wiues: as if it were great deuotion to a man to transgresse against the wife of his youth, the wife of his couenant, and his companion in all his wearisome labours His prohibition of the seconde mariage, smelleth of the Heresie of Montanus. In his time with pride of the … at Rome was Platin. de vita Pontis.joined vnsatiable auaritiousnes increasing daily by degrees, so that the Emperours Valentintan the II. and Theodo…us, were compelled by a law, to inhibite widows vnderunder pretence of deuotion, …to leaue their houses, treasures, and house-holde-stuffe, to the Church, to the vtter impouerishing and vndoing the estate of their children.

Bishops of Alexandria.

IN the third CENTURIE wee rested at the name of … Bishop of Alexandria, whose successour was Alexander. His accurate disputation anent the unitie in the Tiinitie, made Alexander.Arrius a presbyter in Alexandria, to thinke that Alexander was intangled with the er…our of Sabellius: Hereof arose contertious dispu…ations, new opinions, exulc…er te minds & open schismes. p. 32This intestine maladie was not vnknowne to the good Emperour Constantine, who sent Hosius Bishop of Corduba, a man singularly beloued of the Emperour, together with persuasiue letters from the Emperour, exhorting both Alexander and Arrius, to leaue accurate & profounde disputations, and keepe inuiolably the peace & unitie of the Church: But no meanes could auaile, vntill this question was desided by the determination of the generall Councill of Nice.

After the Councill of Nice had damned the opinion of Arrius as Hereticall, Alexander continued not aboue 5. monethes Athanasiusaliue: In the last period of his life hee called for Athanasius, but he was not present: Of whom Alexander said, Thou hast escaped, Theod. lib. 1 cap. 25. Sozom. lib. 2 cap. 17.but shalt not escape, fore-prophecying that Athanasius should vndergo that wieghtie charge, which he, giuing place to nature, & to the calling of GOD, was leauing. Athanasius in his young yeeres and childish playes was counterfeiting diuine mysteries, & baptizing children: yet after such due forme of interrogatories & answeres preceeding Baptisme that Alexander then Bishdurst not presume to rebaptize those who apparently in childish Ruffin. lib. 1. cap. 14.simplicitie had beene made partakers of diuine grace. Hee began no sooner to accept the weightie charge of the Church of Alexandria, anno 333. but the Arrians began to fret and offend, Hist. magd. Cent. 4. …ap. 10.knowing how diligently he attended vponupon Alexander his predecessor, at the Councill of Nice, and how vigilantly & wisely hee had detected the lurking absurdities of the vilde … of Arrius: And they thought the preferment of Athanasius was the vtter vndoing of their opinion. Therefore they cōspired against him, and by a multiplied number of false accusations preuailed Socrat. lib. 1. Cap. 35.somewhat against him, euen in the dayes of the good Emper. Constantine. But in the dayes of Const…ntius and Iulian, almost the whole world conspired against him: so that except he had bene vp-holden by that grace that commeth from aboue, it was not possible that hee coulde hauehave consisted and borne out such vnsupportable hatred. Iustly did Nazianzene compare him in time of aduersitie to the Adamant, and in time of prosperitie to the Nazianzen. in laudem Atbanasii.Magnet In time of aduersitie no trouble ouercame him, in time of prosperitie, hee allured the heartes of men more intractable then yron, to embrace the trueth of GOD.

p. 33Now seeing Athanasius liued sixe and fourtie yeeres, gouernour of the Church of Alexandria, his great troubles can not bee comprised in better order, then by declaring shortly what troubles hee susteined: first in Constantines dayes, next vnderunder the reigne of Constantius: thirdly, vnderunder the reigne of Iulian: and last to speake of his peaceable end vnderunder the reigne of the Emperour Valens, albeit he was an Arrian Persecuter. In the dayes of Constantine first he was accused by an effronted harlot, whom the Arrians had suborned to beare false witnesse against him: but Athan. guided the matter with wisedome, & suffered Timotheus a worthie presbyter, to speake (whom hee had brought in with Theod. lib. 1 cap. 29.him to the Councill) but hee was silent himselfe. The impudent woman pointing out Timotheus by the finger (as if he had bene Athanasius) with clamours voide of all womanly modestie, affirmed that hee had abused her in whosedome, so that all who were present were ashamed of her impudencie. This was done in the Councill of Tyrus, to the perpetuall shame of the Arrians, who suborned an harlot to accuse the faithful seruāt of CHRIST without a cause.

Secondly they accused him for this, that hee had cutted off the hand of Arsenius, some time his owne seruant: and for great…r euidence, they produced in the Councill of Tyrus before the Iudges the hand of a man inclosed in a case, which hande they affirmed that Athanasius had cut off from Arsenius. This they spake the more confidently, because they supponed that Arsenius remained still secretly kept in their owne custodie: but by the prouidence of GOD hee escaped, came to Tyrus, and was presented before the Councill, hauing both his handes perfect, Theod. ibid.sounde, and vnmutilated, After this the Councill was full of confusion, for the Arrians cried, that ATHANASIUS by magicke artes deluded the sences of men: and they were purposed, by violence and force to lay handes vponupon him, and to teare him in pieces: But he fled by a ship, and came to Constantinople, where the Emperour was, as shall bee declared, GOD willing, in the fourth CHAPTER. The rest of his accusations, and howe they dealt against him moste vnjustly and falsely, and gaue out a sentence of deposition against him in his absence I remit vntounto the place foresaid.

p. 34VnderUnder the reigne of Constantius, Athanasius was compelled to flie at two diuers times. First, while the Emp. Constans was yet aliue who procured a Councill to be gathered in Sardica, wherein the cause of Athanasius was tried, and he found innocent: and was sent backe againe and re…ored to his place: For Constantius feared the mina…ng letters of his brother Constans, who threatned Theod. lib. 2. cap. 8.to lead an armie to the Fast, and to poss…sse Athanasius in his place againe, incase his brother linguered in doing of it. After Idem. lib. 2. cap. 13.the death of Constans, Sabinianus was sent to kill Athanasius, but he escaped miraculously, as hath beene declared.

Againe he was compelled first to fl…e, and afterward to lurke in the dayes of Iulian: He was restored againe by the good Emp. Iouinian: and he continued in his ministration vntill the dayes of Valentinian and Valens: And although Valens was a crue I persecuter, Ruffin. lib. 1. Cap. 34.yet hee absteined from persecuting of Athanasius, for honour of his gray haires and for that he was reuerently regarded of all men. Thus Athanasius, full of dayes, died in peace, after he Sozom. lib. 6 Cap. 19.had gouerned the Church of Alexandria 46. yeeres.

To worthie Athanasius succeeded Peter, whom the Emp. Valens caused to be imprisoned, and Lucius an Arrian bishop, to be seated Peterin his roome. Lucius was made bishop of Alexandria, against all kind of Ecclesiasticall order: neitheir did the people craue him, nor the Cleargie of Alexandria approue him, nor any Orthodox bishop giuegive him ordination. Peter escaped out of prison, and fled to Damasus bishop of Rome. Lucius like vntounto a rauenous Theod. lib. 4 cap. 22.wolfe, not onelyonly banished the Homousians out of Al…xandria and Aegypt, but also that which was more insolent, and neuer attempted before, he persecuted the Monkes who dwelt in solitarie places of the wildernesse, and banished them, who had …lready banished themselues from all the delicate pleasures of the world. But marke, To what place could men bee banished, who Theod. lib. 4. cap. 21.inhabited the desert places of barren wildern…sses? Hee caused them (especially Macarius & Isidorus) to be transported vntounto an Isle, whereinto no Christians were to be found, but only Pagans and worshippers of deuilles. When these prisoners of CHRIST approached neare vntounto the Isle, the deuill left his olde habitation, to wit the mouth of the image, from whence hee was accustomed to speake, and hee pos…essed the Priests daughte who p. 35ranne vntounto the shore, and cried words not vnlike to those which Actes, 16, verse, 17.were spoken to Paul and Silas in Philipp…, by the maid who had the spirit of diuination: and after this the deuill left her, lying vponupon the ground, as though she had bene dead: But the men of GOD, by their supplications to GOD, restored the young woman to health, and deliuered her to her father. The inhabitants of the Isle, who saw the wonderfull works of GOD, receiued the faith, and were baptized in the Name of CHRIST. LUCIUS was so dashed with the fame of this wonderfull worke, and with the out-crying of the people against him, that hee permitted the foresaid monkes to returne backe againe to their owne places.

Afrer Peter succeeded Timotheus, for one cause worthie to bee blamed, because he fauoured the usurpation of Maximus Cynicus, Timotheus.who presumed without a lawfull calling to bee Bishop of Constantino. And after him Theophilus succeeded, whose attempts against Chrysostome I remit to the next CENTURIE.

Bishops of Antiochia.

IN Antiochia, after Tyrannus, succeeded Vitalius, about the time that the rage of the tenth Persecution began to bee asswaged: Vitalius.therefore hee re-edified a Church in Antiochia, which had beene demolished in time of the Pe…secution of Dioclesian, and his successour Philogonius, perfected the building. To whom Philogonius. Theod. lib. 1. cap. 3. Eustatius, Theod. lib. 1. cap. 7. Socrat. lib. 1 cap. 24.succeeded Eustatius who was present at the Councill of Nice, & was Moderator and Mouth to all the rest. Eusebius, sometime bishop of Berytus, afterward bishop of Nicomedia, and last of al… bishop of Constantinople, did insinuate himselfe in fauour with the Emperour Constantine, and obtained from him libertie to goe to Hierusalem, and to visite the Temples that Constantine had lately builded in Bethlehem. Hierusalem, & vponupon Mount Oliuct. To him resorted a number of Arrian Bishops, who had al… secretly conspired against Eustatius. and suborned a vilde woman to accuse him of whoredome. The Arrians vponupon the simple deposition of a woman suborned by themselues, contrarie …al kind of order, dep…sed Eustatius, and perswaded the Emp…rour to banish him, as a man conuict both of adulterie, and of tyrannie. But p. 36Theodor. li. 5 cap. 21.the LORD laide his correcting hand vponupon the woman, whom the Arrians had suborned, so that she died, sore tormented with a grieuous sickenesse, and confessed that money was giuen vntounto her, to accuse Eustatius, & that she had sworn deceitfully, because the child procreated with her, was begotten by Eustatius a smith of that name, but not by Eustatius bishop of Antiochia.

The Arrians, in the dayes of Constantine, had no great vpperhand, except onelyonly in the matter of Athanasius his banishment to Triere, and in the deposition and banishment of Eustatius to Illyricum. But in the dayes of Constantius they tooke boldenesse, and planted Arrian bishops in all principall places: so that in Antiochia (after Eustatius) Eulalius, Euphronius, Placitus, Leontius, Eudoxius, all these were Arrian bishops, and placed by them in Antiochia. In end Meletius was ordained bishop of Antiochia, Meletius.a man of great giftes, whom the Arrians transported our of Sebastia in Armenia, and placed him in Antiochia, supposing that by the meanes of his excellent learning, many should be allured to their opinion: But it fell out farre otherwise: for Meletius professed the true faith. OnelyOnly the reproueable forme of his entrie, by receiuing ordination from Arrian bishops, was the grounde of remedilesse schismes in the Church of Antiochia. There had beene alreadie two factions in the towne, to wit, Arrians, and Eustatians: now the thirde faction is added of them, who were called Meletiani, with whom Eustatiani did not communicate, but abhorred them as they did the Arrians. This schisme indured after the death of Meletius for the space of fourescore and Theodor. li. 3 cap. 4.fiue yeeres. Meletius was banished in the dayes of Constantius, and Euzoius an Arrian bishop placed in his roome. Hee was restored Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 44.againe by Iulian, onelyonly for desire hee had to vndoe things done by Constantius, and to bring his name to disgrace. Likewise vnderunder the reigne of the Emperour Valens, he was banished Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 1.the seconde time. Hee gouerned the Church of Antiochia fiue and twentie yeeres, and died in Constantinople, immediately after the second generall Councill and was caried to Antiochia, to be Sozom. lib. 6 cap. 7.buried there.

The ordination of Paulinus to bee Bishop of Antiochia, Meletius Paulinus.beeing yet aliue, was the foolish fact of Lucifer bishop of Calaris, in the Isle of Sardinia. He was restored from banishment p. 37in the dayes of Iulian. And tooke purpose, accompanied with Eusebius, bishop of Vercellis in Liguria, who was likewise restored at that same time, to visite the estate of their brethren. Eus…bius addressed himselfe to Alexandria, and conferred with Athanasius: Socra. lib. 3 cap. 6.But Lucifer went to Antiochia, where hee found miserable distractions, euen amongst those, who professed one & the selfe same Faith. When exhortations to unitie could preuaile nothing, but the dissention daily increased, hee ordained Paulinus presbyter of Antiochia, and the chiefe of those who were called Eustatiani, to bee bishop of Antiochia. This fact of Lucifer was like vntounto fewell added vntounto the fire, and mightily augmented Theo. lib. 3. cap. 4.the schisme. Theodoretus blameth him for so doing, and Eusebius Vercellensis, when hee came backe from Alexandria, disliked also the fact of Lucifer. Wherefore Lucifer woulde not communicate any longer with Eusebius. These sorrowfull times of multiplied schismes, alienated the heartes of a great number Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 9.of people from the true CHURCH. Meletius was restored from his seconde banishment, in the dayes of the Emperour GRATIANUS. Paulinus woulde vponupon no condition communicate Idem, lib. 5 cap. 5.with him, because hee had receiued ordination from the Arrians. When Meletius had ended his life, the people woulde not admit Paulinus to be their bishop, because they said, Theodor. lib. 5 cap. 23.it was not meete that hee should bee his successour, who dispised his fellowship and counsell in his life time.

To MELETIUS succeeded FLAVIANUS, a worthie Flavianus.m…n. Paulinus albeit hee appointed Euagrius to bee his successor, yet such formes manifestly repugnant to the approued order of the Church could take no place. The bishops of Rome Theod. lib. 5. cap. 23.Damasus, Siricius, and Anastatius, were great aduersaries to him, and misinformed the good Emperour Theodosius against him: but when hee compeared before the Emperour, he spake before him both freely and wisely, wordes that liked the Emperour well, as they are reported by Theodoretus: O Emperour, if any man doe blame my Faith as peruerse, or my life as vnworthie, I am Theod, ibid.content to be judged by my very aduersaries: but if the disputation onelyonly boe anent principalitie, and eusinent places, I will not contende with any man, but denude my selfe of all superioritie, and com…it the chaire of ANTIOCHIA to whome yee like best. The Emperour p. 38admired his courage and wisedome, and sent him backe againe to gouerne his owne flocke, and was slow to heare friuolous accusations in time to come against Flarianus. This was that worthie Bishop, who associated … Chrysostome to be his fellow-labourer Sozom. lib. 7. cap. 23.in Antiochia: and who mitigated the wrath of Theodosius conceiued aga…nst the Citie of Antiochia, for misusing the imag… of his wife Placilla.

Bishops of Constantinople.

CONSTANTINOPLE was builded by Constantine, anno Functii Chronolog.336. in a pla…e where Asia and Europe neerely confines, b…eing separat…d onelyonly by a narrow firth, called of old Bo…phorus Thracius. The cause wherefore this Emperiall Citie was builded in this place was not to resigne the towne of Rome, and the gouernament of the West to the bishop of Rome: but, as Sozomenus writes, that Constantinople, or new Rome, might be as a soueraigne Sozo…. lib. 2 cap. 3.Lady to all those who in the East, West, North, or South, were obedient to the Romane Empire. Learned men in our dayes are ashamed to mainetaine all the foolish fables of the Romane Church, for they see clearely the cause of the building of this great Citie was to keepe firmely both the East and the West vnderunder the Souerainitie of Constantine, and his successours.

Alexander bishop of Constantinople, proued a worthie man, in the dayes of the Emp. Constantine. The Arrians finding themselues Alexander.to be vtterly rejected by Athanasius, they addressed themselues to Constantinople, vnderunder the conduct of Eusebius, bishop of Nicomedia: and threatned Alexander, that incase hee woulde not voluntarily receiue. Arrius into the fellowship of the Church, T…eod. lib. 4. cap. 4.then they should bring him in authorized with the Emperours commande, to the grieuance of his heart. Alexander clothed himselfe with the armour of GOD, and all the night long prayed in this sence: LORD, if Arrius be to be receiued to morrow into the communione of thy CHURCH, then let thy seruant depart in peace, and destroy not the just with the wicked: but, LORD, if thou wilt spare thy CHURCH. whereunto I am assured. thou wilt be fauourable: then LORD, turne thine eyes toward the wordes of the Eusebians, and giuegive not thine inheritance to a desolation and reproach: and cut of Arrius, lest p. 39while he entreth into the CHURCH, his heresie also seeme to enter with him, and so no difference seeme to bee betwixt Pietie and Jmpietie. The day next following the prayer of Alexander, Eusebius bisshop of Nicomedia, with his retinue came with great confidence Theo…t. ibid.& pompe, to performe all which they had threatned they would doe: But Arrius was compelled to goe to a secret place, whereinto his bowels gusihed out: and hee concluded his wretched life, with ignominie and shame.

To Alexander succeeded Paulus: His lot was to gouerne this Church vnderunder the reigne of an Arrian Emperour Constantius, Paulus.who rejected him, and seated Eusebius, bishop of Nicomedia, in his place: But this great parrone of the Arrian Heresie, scarcely was placed in Constantinople, when he ended his life. The Homousians receiued againe Paulus to bee their bishop: The Arrians choosed Macedonius. This was the c…use of great debate in Constantinople, Saecrat. lib. 2. cap. 7.and the people diuided in factions, hatefully inuaded one another. The Emperour hearing of the tumult, sent Hermogenes, the generall commander of his hors…-men, to remoue Paulus from Constantinople: Hermogenes was very ready to execute the Emperours commandement, but the people being affectioned Sozom. lib. 3 cap. 7.toward their Pastor, arose vp with pop…re tumult, compassed the house of Hermogenes, set it on … sl…w himselfe, and fastned a corde to his legges, and trailed him along the streetes. For this cause the Emper. Constantius willing to punish the authors of this tumult, hastened to come to Constantinople. The people went foorth to meete him, and with reares confessed their fault, and craued pardon. The Emperour absteined from punishing them vntounto the death, but he cutted off the one halfe of the victuall which the liberalitie of his father had bestowed vponupon Constantinople, to bee payed yeerely out of the tributes Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 16.of Aegypt. He banished Paulus the second time and seated Macedo…ius in Co…stantinople, not without effusion of blood. Paulus was againe restored by the meanes of the Emp. Constans: but Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 26.after the death of Constans, he was banish…d to Cucusus, a towne of Armenia, where he was strangled by the bloody Arrians.

The Church of Constantinople was miserably troubled with Nectarius.Arrianis…ne, vnderunder the reignes of Constantius & Valens. The reignes of Graiianus and Theodosius was a breathing time to the professors p. 40of the true Faith. At this time Nazianzenus a constant defender of the Faith, was chosen Bishop of Constantinople, who notwithstanding voluntarily left the great Citie, in regarde the Bishops assembled in the second generall Councill, gaue not a full and uniuers…ll consent to his admission: Yet gaue they all without hesitation their consent to Nectarius, a man of noble birth, of the countrey of Cilicia, at that time foreign, and Ruffin. lib. 2. cap. 21.who had receiued no ecclesiastical preferment before that time. This man (I say) they made Bishop of Constantinople, with full cons…nt and allowance, both of the Councill and people: ouerpassing Nazianzenus: so fraile are the cogitations of men, euen in generall Councils, that they are oft times more ruled with affection then reason. Nectarius continued in that office vntill the third yeere of the reigne of Arcadius, that is, vntill the yeere Hist. magd. Cent. 4. cap. 10.of our LORD 401. In his time the confession of sinnes done in secrete, to presbyter poenitentiarius, was abrogated in the Church of Constantinople, vponupon this occasion as Socrates writeth, A certaine noble woman was confessing in secret her sinnes to presbyter poenitentiarius, and shee confessed adultery, committed with one of the Church Deacons. Eudaemon (this was the name Socrat lib. 5. cap. 19.of the father confessor) gaue counsell to Nectarius, to abrogate this custome of auricular and secrete confession, because the Church was like to bee slandered, and euill spoken of by these meanes. Socrates can scarse giuegive allowance to this fact of Nectarius, in respect that by abrogation of this custome, the vnfruitfull works of darknesse were lesse coargued and reproued. But Socrates considered not, that CHRIST, when hee talked with the Samaritane woman at the Well, sent away his disciples to buy bread, to the ende the poore Samaritane sinner might more freely poure out her secrete sinnes in the bosome of Iohn, 4.CHRIST, who knew all thinges that were done in secrete. It is not my purpose to contend with Socrates, he is writing an historie, I am writing but a short Compend of an historie: hee taketh libertie to declare his judgement concerning this fact of Nectarius, in abrogating confession of secrete sinnes to pres byter poenitentiarius. No man can blame mee to write my judgement concerning auricular confession. It is in our dayes not like vntounto the mantle where with Sem and Iapheth couered the nakednesse p. 41Genes. 9. ve…se, 23.Gen 9of their Father Noe: but it is in very deed a lap of the mantle of the deuill, couering the nakednesse of his children, that is, the horrible treasons that are plotted in secrete by the children of the deuill, against Christian Magistrates. Nowe is auriculare consession for greater causes to bee abrogated, then of olde presbyter poenitentiarius was discharged by Nectarius.

Bishops of Hierusalem.

TO Thermon succeeded Macarius, anno 318. about the 7. Macarius.yeere of the reigne of Constantine: In his time it is thought, that Helena, the mother of Constantine, founde the Crosse of Ruffin. lib. 1. cap. 8. Sacrat. lib. 1. cap. 17. Theod. lib. 1 cap. 18. Ambros. do obitu Theodos.CHRIST: but Ambrose writes, that shee worshipped it not, for that, saith he, had beene Gentilis error, & vanitas impioram, that is, an errour of Pagans, and vanitie of vngodly people. But now to lay aside the inexcusable fault of adoration of the tree wherevpon our LORD suffered, What necessity had Helena to bee so serious to seeke out this tree. and to commit it to the custodie. of all posterities? seeing that Ioseph of Arimathea, who sought the body of IESUS at the hands of Pilate, to the end he might burie Math. 27. verse, 58.Matt 27it honourably, yet sought he not the tree whereon CHRIST was crucified, which with little adoe might hauehave bene obtained. Secondly, during the time that the Crosse was easie to bee found, and e…sie to hauehave bene discerned from other crosses, How could the blessed virgine the mother of the LORD, and holy Apostles, hauehave committed such an ouersight, in not keeping that precious treasure, if so be in the keeping of it there be so great deuotion, as the Romane Church now talks of? Thirdly, what is the cause, that the Romane Church brags so much of antiquity? when as the worshipping of the crosse, one of the maine points of their Religion was vnknowne to the first 300. yeeres of our LORD: & now in the 4 Cent. the crosse is found, but not worshipped yea, and the adoration of it is detested & abhorred, as an error of Pagans.

To Macarius succeeded Maximus, who had be ne his fellowlabourer, as of old Alexander was to Narcissus. Macarius gouerned Maximus.the Church of Hierusalem, in the peaceable dayes of Constantine, but Maximus gouerned that same Church himselfe alone, in the dayes of Constantius. Hee was present at the Councill of p. 42Tyrus: but Paphnutius a Bishop and conf…ssor in Thebaida pitied the simplicitie of Maximus, whom the Arrians with deceitfull Ruffin. lib. 1. Cap. 17.speeches had almost circumueened, and he stepped to him, and suffered him not to sit in the assembly of vngodly people: wher…upon followed a bande of indissoluble conjunction, not onelyonly with Paphnutius, but also with Athanasius, who was charged with many false accusations in that wicked Councill of Tyrus. This warning made him circumspect and wise in time to Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 8.come: so that hee was no… present at the Arriane Councill of Antiochia, gathered vnderunder pretence of dedication of the Temple which Constantine began to build, but his sonne Constantius perfected the building of it.

To Maximus succeeded Cyrillus, a man greatly hated by the Arrians, in so much, that Acacius bishop of Casarea Palestine deposed Cyrillus.him (no doubt by some power granted to him by the Emp. Constantius, with aduise of Arrian Bishops) Notwithstanding Theod. lib. 2. cap. 26.Silvanus Bishop of Tarsus receiued him, and hee taught in that Cong…egation with great liking and contentment of the people. The strife of Acacius against him in the Councill of Seleucia, I remit vntounto the owne place. In time of famine hee had a great regard to poore indigent people and sold the pretious vessel and garments of the Church for their support. This was Sozom. lib. 4. cap. 25.a ground of his accusation aft…rward, because a costly garment bestowed by the Emp. Constantine to the Church of Hierusalem, Cyrillus sold it to a merchant in time of famine, and againe, the merchant s…ld it vntounto a lasciuious woman: and such friuolous thi…ges w…re aggreaged by the Arrians, who hated the men of GOD.

Of other Pastors and Doctors, in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

BESIDES the Patriarchs of principall places, GOD raised vp in this CENTURI… a great number of learned Preachers, who were like vntounto the Ibides of Aegypt, a remedie prepared by GOD, against the multiplied number of venemous and flying Serpents. Euen so learned Fathers of whom I am to speake, were instrumentes of GOD, to p. 43vndoe the Heresies which abounded in this age, aboue al other ages. Did not Nazianzenus vndoe the Heresie of Apollinaris? Basilius the Heresie of Eunomius? Hilarius like vntounto a s…conde Deucalion saw the ouer-flowing speate of Arrianisme abated in FRANCE. Ambrosius, Epiphanius, and Ierom set their hearts against all Heresies, either in their time, or prece…ding their dayes. It were an infinite labour, to write of them all, who in this age, like vntounto glistering starres with the shining light of celesticall doctrine illuminated the darknesse of the blind worlde: but the names of some principall Teachers (GOD willing) I shall remember.

Eusebius Pamphili, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestina liued vnderunder Euseb…us Pamphili.the Emp. Constantine, with whom he was familiarly acquainted. He was desired to supply the place of Eustatius bishop of Antiochia, whose deposition the Arrians without all forme of order had procured most vnrighteously: but he would not consent to accept that charge, so that the chair: of Antiochia vaked without a Bishop e…ght yeeres. Some expecting the restitution of Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 24.Eustatius, others feeding themselues vponupon vaine hopes, that Eusebius woulde accept that place. The Emp. Constantine commended his modestie, and counted him worthie to be bishop of the whole world. Neuerthelesse hee was not altogether free of the Heresie of Arrius before the Nicene Councill, and hee was remisse and slacke in the cause of Athanasius. He was so familiarlie acquainted with Pamphilus, who suffered martyrdome in Caesarea, Sozom lib. 3 cap. 2.that hee clothed himselfe with his name, and called himselfe Eusebius Pamphili. Hee died about the time that Athanasius first returned from banishment by the meanes of Constantine the H…st magd. Cent. 4. cap. 10.youn…er, about the yeere of our LORD 342.

Nazianzenus liued in the dayes of Constantius, Iulian, and Theodosius. He was borne in a little towne of Cappadocia, called Nazianzum, Gregoriu… Nazianzenus. Socrat. lib. 5. cap. 6.from which he receiued his name. Hee was trained vp in learning in Alexandria & in Athens: his familiarity with Basilius Magnus began in Athens, and it was increased in the wildernesse: hee preached in Sasima, but because it was a place vnmeete Ruffin. lib. 2. cap. 9.for studies, hee returned to Nazianzum, and was a helper to his aged father. After his fathers death he went to Constantinople, where he founde the towne in a moste desolate condition, p. 44in regard the Arrian & Macedonian Heresies had so mightily preuailed, that all the principall Churches w…re occupied by them. Nazianzenus only had liberty to preach in a little Church called Anastatia, because the trueth of GOD, which seemed to Sozom. lib. 7 cap. 5.hauehave bene buried, now by the preaching of Nazianzenus was reuiued againe. In the second generall Councill gathered by Theodosius, because some Bishops of Macedonia and Aegypt murmured against his admission, he counterfeited the fact of Ionas, and was content to bee cast out of his place, to procure peace and Ruffin. lib. 2. cap. 9.concord amongst his brethren. He benefited the CHURCH of CHRIST in the dayes of Iulian, by writing bookes of Christian Theodor. lib. 5 cap. 8.Poesie, whereby the Christian Youth shoulde hauehave no harme by the interdiction of Iulian, prohibiting the children of Christians to bee brought vp in the schooles of learning. Hee detected the Heresie of Apollinaris, and the abominations of Heathen idolatrie, whereunto Iulian had sold himselfe, more clearely then any other man had done. A man worthie for excellencie of giftes, to Sozom. lih. 6 cap. 27.bee ca…led THEOLOGUS.

Basilius Magnus Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, was so united in heart and mind with Nazianzenus, that the pen of Socrates will Basilius Magnus.net separate the treatises of their liues. His father Basilius, his mother Eumele, his nuise that fostered him, named Macrina, all Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 26.were Christians. His father was martyred vnderunder the persecuting Emp. Maximus. Hee left behind him fiue sonnes: three of them were Bishops, namely, Basilius bishop of Caesarea, Peter bish. of Sebasta and Gregorius B. of Nyssa. Hee was instructed in all kind of learning in Caesarea, in Constantinople, in Athens vnderunder Himerius and Proaeresius, in Antiochia vnderunder Libanius At his second returning to Athens, hee acquainted himselfe with Nazianzenus. They spent too much time in searching out the deepenesse of humane learning: and it repented Basilius, that he had spent so much time in searching out thinges that are not necessary to eternall life. Hee Basil. Eu… statio, epist. 79.was ordained a Deacon by Meletius B. of Antiochia and a presbyter by Eusebius B. of Caesarea in Cappadocia. The good cariage of Basilius toward Eusebius is worthie of remembrance, albeit Eusebius conceiued indignation against him without a cause yet hee would not expostulate with his Bishop, but he departed to a solitarie place in Pontus, where he remained vntill the dayes of the p. 45Emperour Valens. Then did the Arrian Heresie so mightily preuaile, that necessitie compelled the Churches of Cappadocia to intreat Basilius to returne againe lest in his absence Arrianisme should get a full vpperhand. Basilius returned, not without the fore-knowledge & good aduise of Nazianzenus his deare friend, who counselled him to preueene Ensebius, & to ouercome him Nazian Basilio, epist. 19in courtesie & humanity: So was he reconciled to Euseb. & after his death was ordained B. of Caesarea in Cappadocia, whom GOD so blessed, that the Arrians & Eunomians, who seemed to be excellently learned, when they encountered with Nazianz. & Basilius, Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 26.they were like vntounto men altogether destitute of learning. In the persecution of Valens hee was led to Antiochia, and presented before the deputy of Valens, who threatned him with banishmēt & death: but hee answered with inuincible courage, so that the deputy was astonished at his answeres. He was not afraid of banishment, because the earth is the LORDS: neither was hee afraid Socrat. ibid.of death, but wished to hauehave that honour, that the bandes of his earthly tabernacle might bee loosed for the testimonie of CHRIST. The Emp. sonne Galaces at this time was sick vntounto the death, & the Empresse sent him word, that she had suffered manie things in her dreame for the B. Basilius, so he was dismissed, and suffered to returne to Caesarea. The prouident care of GOD ouer-ruling all humane cogitations, kept before-hande some sponkes that were not quenched in the feruent heat of this Persecution. The multiplied number of his letters sent to the Bisshops of the West, whereof he receiued no comfortable answere, gaue vntounto Basilius just occasion to suspect affectation of supremacy in the West as his owne words do testify, which I cite out of the Latine version as most intelligible: Nihil nos fratres separat, Basil transmarinis, epist. 77.nisi animi proposito, separationi causas robúrque demus: unus est Dominus, una Fides, Spes eadem. Sive caput universalis Ecclesiae vos ipsos esse reputatis, non potest pedibus dicere caput, non est mihi opus vobis, &c. That is, There is nothing, brethren, that separates vsus, except the purpose of our owne mindes furnish both cause and strength to separation, There is one GOD, one Faith, one Hope. Or if yee suppose your selues to bee head of the uniuersall CHURCH, yet the head cannot say vntounto the feete, I hauehave no neede of you.

Nyssa is a Citie of Mysia, of olde called Pythopolis. The brother germane to Basilius Magnus, named Gregorius, was Bishop Gregorius Nyssenus.of this towne. In the second generall Council to him was committed the o…er-sight of the Countrey of Cappadocia. Albeit the volume of his bookes be not extant, yet hee is renowned in the Socrat. lib. 5. cap. 8.mouthes of the L…arned: and the fragments of his writings declare that hee hath beene a man of Note and Marke. Anent sinne he said, that albeit the Serpentes that stinged vsus, were not slaughtered, yet we hauehave sufficient consolation in this, that we are cured from their venemous bits and stinges. Anent pilgrimage to Hierusalem, Mount Olivet, and Bethlehem, he said, that a Numb. 21. verse, 6.Num 21pilgrimage from carnall lusts, to the righteousnesse of GOD, is acceptable to the LORD but not a journeying from Cappadocia to Palestina: and that GOD will giuegive a reward in the worlde to H…st. magd. Cent. 4. cap. 10.come, onelyonly to thinges done in this worlde, by warrand of his owne Commandement.

Epiphanius was borne in a little Village of Palestina, called Barsanduce in the fielde of Eleutheropolis. Hee was brought vp Epiphanius. Sozom. lib. 6. cap. 32.amongst the Monkes of Palestina and Aegypt. In ende hee was ordained bishop of Salamina the Metrapol…tane towne of the Isle of Cyprus. Hee refuted the Heresies preceeding his time in his booke called Panarium, and set downe a summe of the true faith in his booke called Anchoratus. He had a great regarde to the poore: in so much, that hee was called oeconomus pauperum. And like as Cyprus was naturally situated in a place neere approaching to Asia the lesse, and to Syria, and to Aegypt, and Pentapolis, and not farre distant from Europe: so it fell out, that Christians, who were disposed to support their indigent brethren, they sent their collections to Epiphanius, and hee distributed them to the poore. With all these commendable vertues, Socrat. lib. 6 cap. 10.there was mixed a reproueable simplicitie in him: hee was circumueened by Theophilus Bishop of Alexendria, and tooke a dealing against Ihon Chrysostome Bishop of Constantinople, because he would not be suddaine in damning the bookes of Origen. Also he taught in Constantinople, with indeuour to alienate the heartes of the people from their owne Pastour, and celebrated the communion, & ordained a deacon in Constātinople, without the foreknowledge & consent of Chrysostome, & contrary to Church order. p. 47Chrysost. on the other part sent him aduertisement, that incase he receiued any disgrace or harme in the fuery of populare commotions, he should blame himselfe, who by his owne inordinate doinges was procuring the same. After this Epiphanius ceased from such doings, and entered into a ship, of purpose to returne backe againe to Cyprus, but he died by the way. It is reported of him, that when hee entered into the ship, hee said, he left three great thinges behinde him, to wit, a great towne, a Sozom. lib. … cap. 15.great palace, and great hypocrisie.

It were a matter of infinite labour, and not agreeing with the nature of a COMPEND, to write of all the worthie men of GOD in the Easterne partes, who did fight a good Fight, runne a good race, and kept the faith. Asclepas in Gaza, Lucius in Adrianopolis, Basi…us presbyter in Ancyra, a mightie aduersarie Sozom lib. 5 cap. 11.to the Arrians, vnderunder the reigne of Constantius, and to the Pagans vnderunder the reigne of Iulian, in whose time he was martyred: Philogonius bishop of Antiochia, Hellanicus bishop of Tripolis, and Spyridion, who of a keeper of cattell, became bishop of Trimythus, Theod. lib. 1. cap. 5.Hermogenes bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, who was present at the Councill of Nice, Iames bishop of Nisibis, in Misopotamia, in the dayes of Constantius, by whose prayers the armie of Sapores Theo. lib. 2. cap. 30.king of Persia was miraculously disapointed, Paulus bishop of Neocaesarea: this towne is situated vponupon the bankes of Euphrates, and Paphnutius bishop in Th…baida, two notable Confessors, who were both present at the Councill of Nice, Eusebius Samosatenus, to whom many of Basilius Epistles are directed, and who refused to redeliuer vntounto the Emperour Constantius the subscriptions of Th…d. lib. 2. cap. 32.the Arrian Bishops, who consented to the admission of Meletius to bee bishop of Antiochia, which subscriptions were put in his custodie. And albeit the messenger sent from the Emperour, thr…tned to cut off his right hand, incase hee d…liuered not the subscriptions foresaide, yet hee constantly refused to deliuer them: and the Emp. both admired and commended his constancie: Theod. lib. 5 cap. 8.Barses bishop of Edessa in Mesopotamia, Eulogius and Protogenes presbyters there, vnderunder the reigne of Valens were banished to Antinoe in Thebaida, whose trauailes GOD wonderfullie Idem, lib. 4. cap. 18.bl…ssed, to the conuersion of many soules to the kingdome of GOD: Theodulus bishop of Trianopolis, Amphilochius bishop of p. 48Iconium in Lycaonia, Pelagius Laodicenus, whose name is the more famous for his insolent fact: for he maried a young woman. & the first night after her mariage, hee perswaded her to preferre …. lib. 4. cap. 13.Virginall chastitie, to matrimoniall copulation. Antiochus the brother sone of Eusebius Samosatenus could not abide the imposition of the hands of an Arrian bishop. Le…oius bishop of Meletina in Ar…enia, who brunt the Monastrees, or rather as Theodoretus writes, the Dennes of theeues, whereinto the Heretiques Theod. lib. 4. cap. 11.called Massaliani had their abiding. Ephem Syrus a man borne in Nisibis, brought vp in the wildernesse, was counted a famous Writer in the Syriah language. The bookes shrowded vnderunder his name, are thought for the most part to be supposititious. Aeas, who liued in companie with Zenon Bishop of Maioma, neere vntounto Gaza, is much reported of, because hee maried a young Sozom. lib. 7 cap. 27.woman, procreated three children with her, and in end left her, and entered into a Manastrie, forgetting his matrimoniall couenant. Zebennius Bishop of Eleutheropolis in Phaenicia, to whom Sozomenus affirmeth, that by diuine reuelation the places were manifested, whereinto the bodies of the Prophets, Habac…k and Sozom. lib. 7. cap. 28.Micheas were buried: So superstitious are Ecclesiasticall Writers already become that the searching out of thinges nothing appertaining to eternall life are ascriued to diuine reuelations. The judicious reader will pardon mee that I write not in particulare of the liues of a…l the fore-mentioned Bishops and Pastors, because the nature of a short COMPEND cannot permit it to bee done.

Bishops and Doctors in Africke.

IN Africke, ouer and besides the Bishops of Alexandria, was Didymus a Doctor of the schoole of Alexandria, who through Didymus.occasion of a dolour that fell into his eyes, became blind from Sozom. lib. 3 cap. 15.his very youth: Yet by continuall exercise of his minde, hee became excellently learned in all Sciences: But aboue all thinges the exact knowledge of diuine SCRIPTURES made him a terrour to the Arrians. Manie doe write, that the verie last period of time, whereinto Iulian the Apostate concluded his wretched life, was reuealed to Didymus in a dreame, and that hee p. 49Sozom. lib. 6 cap. 2.againe tolde it to Athanasius, who lurked secretly in Alexandria, during the time of the reigne of Iulian.

Arnobius was an Oratour in Africke, afterward hee became a Christian, and craued to bee baptized. Christian Bishops linguered Arnobius.to conferre the holy Sacrament to a man, who had bene a hater of Christian Religion of a long time. Yet hee freede himselfe from all suspition of Paganisme, by writing bookes wherein hee confuted the Idolatrie of the Pagans, and was baptized about the yeere of our LORD 330. Anent the suffering I…, c…n.of our LORD hee writes verie judiciously. That like as the beames of the Sunne, that shine vponupon a tree, when the tree is cutted, the Sunne beames cannot bee cutted: Euen so, in Ar…b. i… Psal. 129.Ps 129the suffering of CHRIST, the diuine Nature suffered noe paine.

Lactantius Firmianus, was the Disciple of Arnobius. In eloquence he was nothing inferior to his Maister: yet it is thought, Ierom a… Paulinu….that hee impugned errours with greater dexteritie, then hee confirmed the Doctrine of the Trueth.

Optatus Bishop of Meleuitanum in Africke, in the dayes of Valentinian and Valens, set his penne against the Donatistes, especially Optatus Meleuitanus.against Parmenianus, whose absurde assertion hee clearelie refutes. First, whereas the Donatistes affirmed, that the CHURCH of CHRIST was onelyonly to bee founde in a corner of Africke. Hee refutes it by Scripture, wherein it is written, Aske of mee, and I will giuegive thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and Psalme, 2. verse, 8.the endes of the world… for thy possession: This place proues the CHURCH to bee Catholicke. Also whereas they saide, that Baptisme was not auaileable, except some of their sect had beene present at the administration thereof: hee answereth, That when GOD first created the Element of water, the presence of the Trinitie was powerfull in operation to create water, albeit none of the Donatistes were then present: Euen so the Trinitie can worke effectually in Baptisme, albeit none of the Donatistes bee present: Yea, and that it was GOD (the author of Baptisme, and not the Minister) that did sanctifie, according as it is written, Wash mee, and I shall bee whiter then the Psalme, 51 verse, 7snowe, &c.

p. 50Bishops and Doctors of Europe.

ACHOLIUS Bishop of Thessalonica, baptized the Emperour Theodosius, after here returned from the slaughter of Acholius.Maximus. The Emp. fell sicke by the way, before hee came to Constantinople, and was desirous to be baptized: Neuerthelesse he would not suffer Acholius to baptize him, vntill he was assured Socrat. lib. 5. cap. 6.that Acholius was not spotted with the Airian Heresie. After baptisme the Emperour recouered his health againe. Acholius Sozon. lib. 7 cap. 4.was brought vp in Monastries, like as Epiphanius, & many other worthie men were brought vp.

Hilarius Bishop of Poitiers in FRANCE, liued vnderunder the Hilarius.reigne of Constantius: a man in Religion constant, in maners meeke and courteous. Hee was banished immediately after the Ruffin. lib. 1. cap. 31.Councill of Millane, to Phrygia, as some suppose. Theodoretus writeth, that hee was banished to Thebaida: and relieued againe from banishment vnderunder Iulian. But it is more apparent, that hee Theod. lib. 3 cap. 4.remained in Phrygia, vntill the Councill of Seleucia: vntounto which Councill he was brought from banishment, not by any speciall commandement from the Emp. but by a generall commandement giuen to his deputie Leonas, to assemble together the Bishops of the East. VnderUnder pretence of obeying this commandement, Hilarius beeing banished in the East, was brought to the Hist magd. Cent. 4. cap. 10.Councill of Seleucia: from Seleucia he went to Constantinople. The Emp. refused to heare him reason with the Arrians in the matters of Faith, but gaue him liberty to returne to his owne countrey againe. Hee tooke great paines to purge the countrey of FRANCE from the poison of Arrian heresie: and he preuailed so farre, that Ierom compares him to Deucalion, who both sawe the flood of waters ouer-flowing Thessalia, and the abating of Ierom. in Chron.them also: Euen so Hilarius sawe both the growth and decay of Arrianisme in FRANCE. Hee liued sixe yeeres after his returning from banishment, and concluded his life vnderunder the reigne of Valentinian.

Ambrose the sonne of Symmachus, was a man of noble parentage: Ambrosiusvnderunder the Emp. Valentinian he was gouernour of Liguria. At this time Auxentius bishop of Millane (an Arrian) died. p. 51Great sedition was in the towne, for the election of a newe bishop, Ruffin. lib. 2. cap. 11.eueryevery man contending to hauehave a bishop chosen of that faith which he himselfe best liked. Ambrose fearing the vndoing of the towne by this intestine contention, exhorted them to unitie and concord, with words and reasons so perswasiue, that the people with one consent cried out, they would be all of one mind, incase that Ambrose were appointed to bee their bishop. Socrat. lib. 4 cap. 30.The Emp. thought this inexpected consent of the people came from GOD, and he consented to the desire of the people. So was Ambrose ordained bishop of Millane. After the death of Valentinian hee was grieuously troubled by Justina, the mother of Valentinian the second: for shee was infected with Arrianisme. Ambrose was sauoured by the people and would not betray the Theod. lib. 5 cap. 13.sheepe-folde of GOD to Wolues. The particulare description of the broile of Iustina may be read at length in the Epistle that Ambrose ad Marcellinam ep: fi. 33. August. Con. fess lib. 9. cap. 7. Theod. lib. 5. cap. 14.Ambrose writes to his sister Marcellina. The miracle wrought at the sepulchres of Protasius and Geruasius, mittigated somewhat the furie of Iustina. But the dolorous tidinges of the slaughter of Gratianus compelled Iustina to flie from Italie to Illyricum for safetie of her owne life, and her sonnes life. Hee sustained also great trouble vnderunder the two Tyrants Maximus and Eugenius: so that he was compelled in the time of Maximus, to flie to Aquileia: H…st. magd. Cent. 4. cap. 10.and in the time of Eugenius to flie to Hetruria. He liued also vnderunder the reigne of Theodosius, whom hee sharpely reproued for the slaughter of the innocent people of Thessalonica: and died in Theodor. li. 5 cap. 18.the third yeere of the reigne of Honorius, after he had gouerned the Church of Millane 22. yeeres.

Prudentius a man of Spaine, a Lawyer at some times, and a warriour Prudentiusat other times in his young yeeres. In his old age he writ of diuine matters. Hee liued vnderunder the reigne of Valentinian the second, of Theodosius, and his sonnes. Hee set foorth his knowledge in bookes of Latine Poesie, albeit Greeke inscriptions be prefixed vntounto them, such as foreign, which intreateth of the Hist. magd. Cent. 4. cap. 10.fight betwixt the spirit & the flesh: foreign, which intreateth of the workes to be done in the day time: foreign, intreateth of Diuinitie and diuine thinges: foreign, intreateth of Originall sinne, against Cerdon and Marcion, the Authors of two beginnings: foreign, a booke conteining the praises of p. 52victorious Martyres. In this booke is frequent inuocation of Saints expresse against holy Scripture: foreign, conteining Psal. 50. veise, 58.Ps 50Histories, both of old and new Testament. The verses, wherein hee argueth the Heresie of Manicheans, who attributed vntounto CHRIST, not a true, but a phantasticall bodie made of aire, are verie judiciously conceiued:

Restat ut aëriam pingas ab origine gentem.

Aërios proceres, Leuim, …udam, Simeonem,

Aërium DAVID, magnorum corpora Regum

Aëria, atque ipsam foecundae virginis alvum

Aëre fallaci, nebulisque & nube tumentem.

The Ecclesiasticall writers, whom I hauehave chiefely followed in this COMPEND, make no mention of him.

Osius bishop of Co…duba, was a Confessor, in the Persecution of Dioclesian and Maximianus. Hee was regarded by the Emp. Constantine, Osius.for the markes of the rebuke of CHRIST. The Emp. employed him to stay the schisme in Aegypt, betwixt Alexander Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 7.and Arrius. Likewise hee sent him to the Bishops of the East, who differed in opinion from the Bishops of the West. Anent the keeping of Easter day, hee was present at the Councill of Nice, where hee damned the Heresie of Arrius: And at the Sozom. lib. 1 cap. 16.Councill of Sardica, hee absolued Athanasius, Paulus, &c. Neither was hee terrified with the minassing letters of Constantius, but answered couragiously, that Athanasius was an innocent man, and that the Emperour did not well to hearken to the calumnies of Ursatius and Valens, men who had by writ confessed to Julius bishop of Rome, that the accusations intended against Theod. lib. 2. cap. 19.Athanasius, were but forged calumnies. And this they did of their owne accord freely, and not compelled. In his decreaped yeeres (for hee liued an hundreth yeeres) some weakenesse was founde in him. At the Councill of Syrmium, hee was compelled to bee present in that assemblie of Arrian Bishops, to whose wicked constitutions (fearing torture and banishment, Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 31.from which hee was lately reduced) hee subscriued.

Ierom was borne in a towne of Dalmatia, called Stridon, and Hieronymus.was instructed in the Rudimentes of Learning at Rome. From Rome hee went to FRANCE, of purpose to encrease his knowledge, and to diuerse other places, and hee returned againe to p. 53Ierom. epist. ad Ger…nt.Rome, where hee acquainted himselfe with honourable women, such as Marcella, Sophronia, Principia, Paula, and Euftochium, to whom he expounded places of holy SCRIPTURE, for he was admitted presbyter: He was counted worthie to succeed to Damasus B. of Rome: his giftes were enuied at Rome: therefore hee left Rome, and tooke his voiage towarde Palestina. By the way hee acquainted himselfe with Epiphanius b. of Cyprus, with Nazian. b. in Constantinople, with Didymus Doctor in the Schoole of Alexandria, and sundrie other men of Note and Marke. In end he came to Iudea, and made choise of the place of the LORDES Natiuitie to bee the place of his death. At Bethlehem, Paula a Noble woman (who accompanied Ierom, and his brother Paulinianus, from Rome) vponupon her owne charges builded foure Monastries. Hist. Magd. Cent. 4. Cap. 10.Ierom guided one Monastrie, wherein were a number of Monkes. The other three, whereinto there was companies of holy Virgines, shee guided her selfe. Ierom was a man of sterne disposition, and more inclinable to a solitarie and Monkish life, then to fellowship and societie. Neither Heliodorus in the Wildernesse, nor Ruffinus out of the Wildernesse, coulde August. epist. 17.keepe inuiolable friendship with him. The letters that passed betwixt August. and Ierom declare, that Ierom knewe not howe great a victorie it was in louelove, in humilitie, and friendeship to ouer-come them, who seemed to contende against him. Ierom Ierom. Aug. epist. 13. 14.wanted not his owne grosse errours. Anent the creation hee thought, that Angels, Thrones, Dominations, were existant Ierom. anar. in tit. cap. 1. Ierom. lib. 18 Comment. in …. Hist. Magd. Cent. 4. Cap. 10.before the worlde was created. In his bookes written against Iouinian, hee writeth not reuerently of Mariage, and hee damneth the seconde Mariage. Hee ended his life about the twelfth yeere of the reigne of Honorius, in the yeere of his age 91.

Ecclesiasticall Writers hauehave filled their Bookes with excessiue commendations of Heremites and Monkes: of whome (GOD willing) I shall write in a particulare TREATISE anent Monasticke life.