Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 1
Eusebius — Church History, Constantine & Oration
SECTION 321
Chapter XXXV.--Massacre of the Roman People by Maxentius.
Chapter XXXV.--Massacre of the Roman People by Maxentius. All men, therefore, both people and magistrates, whether of high or low degree, trembled through fear of him whose daring wickedness was such as I have described, and were oppressed by his grievous tyranny. Nay, though they submitted quietly, and endured this bitter serv…
1,220 wordsSECTION 322Chapter XXXIX.--Constantine's Entry into Rome.
Chapter XXXIX.--Constantine's Entry into Rome. Having then at this time sung these and suchlike praises to God, the Ruler of all and the Author of victory, after the example of his great servant Moses, Constantine entered the imperial city in triumph. And here the whole body of the senate, and others of rank and distinction in …
819 wordsSECTION 323Chapter XLIII.--Constantine's Liberality to the Poor.
Chapter XLIII.--Constantine's Liberality to the Poor. He likewise distributed money largely to those who were in need, and besides these showing himself philanthropist and benefactor even to the heathen, who had no claim on him; [3140] and even for the beggars in the forum, miserable and shiftless, he provided, not with money o…
831 wordsSECTION 324Chapter XLVI.--Victories over the Barbarians.
Chapter XLVI.--Victories over the Barbarians. Thus the emperor in all his actions honored God, the Controller of all things, and exercised an unwearied [3146] oversight over His churches. And God requited him, by subduing all barbarous nations under his feet, so that he was able everywhere to raise trophies over his enemies: an…
929 wordsSECTION 325Chapter LI.--Intrigues of Licinius against the Bishops, and his Prohibition of Synods.
Chapter LI.--Intrigues of Licinius against the Bishops, and his Prohibition of Synods. And at first he made secret enquiry respecting the ministers of God subject to his dominion, who had never, indeed, in any respect offended against his government, in order to bring false accusations against them. And when he found no ground …
785 wordsSECTION 326Chapter LV.--The Lawless Conduct and Covetousness of Licinius.
Chapter LV.--The Lawless Conduct and Covetousness of Licinius. Such were the ordinances of Licinius. But why should I enumerate his innovations respecting marriage, or those concerning the dying, whereby he presumed to abrogate the ancient and wisely established laws of the Romans, and to introduce certain barbarous and cruel i…
1,098 wordsSECTION 327Chapter LIX.--That Maximin, blinded by Disease, issued an Edict in Favor of the Christians.
Chapter LIX.--That Maximin, blinded by Disease, issued an Edict in Favor of the Christians. And still the stroke of God continued heavy upon him, so that his eyes protruded and fell from their sockets, leaving him quite blind: and thus he suffered, by a most righteous retribution, the very same punishment which he had been the …
735 wordsSECTION 328Chapter III.--How Constantine was stirred in Behalf of the Christians thus in Danger of Persecution.
Chapter III.--How Constantine was stirred in Behalf of the Christians thus in Danger of Persecution. He, perceiving the evils of which he had heard to be no longer tolerable, took wise counsel, and tempering the natural clemency of his character with a certain measure of severity, hastened to succor those who were thus grievous…
1,055 wordsSECTION 329Chapter VI.--An Apparition seen in the Cities subject to Licinius, as of Constantine's Troops passing through them.
Chapter VI.--An Apparition seen in the Cities subject to Licinius, as of Constantine's Troops passing through them. While these things were taking place a supernatural appearance is said to have been observed in the cities subject to the tyrant's rule. Different detachments of Constantine's army seemed to present themselves to …
713 wordsSECTION 330Chapter X.--Various Battles, and Constantine's Victories.
Chapter X.--Various Battles, and Constantine's Victories. The van, however, of the enemy, unable to resist the emperor's first assault, threw down their arms, and prostrated themselves at his feet. All these he spared, rejoicing to save human life. But there were others who still continued in arms, and engaged in battle. These …
805 wordsSECTION 331Chapter XIV.--A Farther Mention of his Prayers in the Tabernacle.
Chapter XIV.--A Farther Mention of his Prayers in the Tabernacle. Now these, and a thousand such acts as these, were familiarly and habitually done by the emperor. And on the present occasion he retired, as his custom was before battle, to the privacy of his tabernacle, and there employed his time in prayer to God. Meanwhile he…
753 wordsSECTION 332Chapter XVII.--Constantine's Victory.
Chapter XVII.--Constantine's Victory. But as soon as he perceived that his adversaries persisted in their resolution, and were already drawing their swords, he gave free scope to his indignation, and by a single charge [3177] overthrew in a moment the entire body of the enemy, thus triumphing at once over them and their gods. …
893 wordsSECTION 333Chapter XXI.--His Laws concerning Martyrs, and concerning Ecclesiastical Property.
Chapter XXI.--His Laws concerning Martyrs, and concerning Ecclesiastical Property. Such were the benefits secured by the emperor's written mandates to the persons of those who had thus suffered for the faith, and his laws made ample provision for their property also. With regard to those holy martyrs of God who had laid down t…
742 wordsSECTION 334Chapter XXV.--An Illustration from Ancient Times.
Chapter XXV.--An Illustration from Ancient Times. "For certainly any one who will mentally retrace the course of events from the earliest period down to the present time, and will reflect on what has occurred in past ages, will find that all who have made justice and probity the basis of their conduct, have not only carried the…
830 wordsSECTION 335Chapter XXIX.--Constantine's Expressions of Piety towards God; and Praise of the Confessors.
Chapter XXIX.--Constantine's Expressions of Piety towards God; and Praise of the Confessors. "I said, [3185] under the guidance of his hand; for I would desire never to be forgetful of the gratitude due to his grace. Believing, therefore, that this most excellent service had been confided to me as a special gift, I proceeded as…
789 wordsSECTION 336Chapter XXXIII.--Concerning those Confessors engaged in Military Service.
Chapter XXXIII.--Concerning those Confessors engaged in Military Service. "Once more, with respect to those who had previously been preferred to any military distinction, of which they were afterwards deprived, for the cruel and unjust reason that they chose rather to acknowledge their allegiance to God than to retain the rank …
709 wordsSECTION 337Chapter XXXVII --Lands, Gardens, or Houses, but not Actual Produce from them, are to be given back.
Chapter XXXVII --Lands, Gardens, or Houses, but not Actual Produce from them, are to be given back. "And that there may be no obscurity in this our ordinance, but every one may readily apprehend its requirements, let all men hereby know that if they are now maintaining themselves in possession of a piece of land, or a house, or…
740 wordsSECTION 338Chapter XLII.--An Earnest Exhortation to worship God.
Chapter XLII.--An Earnest Exhortation to worship God. "And now, since it appears by the clearest and most convincing evidence, that the miseries which erewhile oppressed the entire human race are now banished from every part of the world, through the power of Almighty God, and at the same time the counsel and aid which he is pl…
1,235 wordsSECTION 339Chapter XLVII.--That he wrote a Letter in Condemnation of Idolatry.
Chapter XLVII.--That he wrote a Letter in Condemnation of Idolatry. Moreover, the emperor, who continually made progress in piety towards God, dispatched an admonitory letter to the inhabitants of every province, respecting the error of idolatry into which his predecessors in power had fallen, in which he eloquently exhorts his…
717 wordsSECTION 340Chapter LI.--That Constantine, when a Youth, heard from him who wrote the Persecution Edict that "the Righteous Men" were the Christians.
Chapter LI.--That Constantine, when a Youth, heard from him who wrote the Persecution Edict that "the Righteous Men" were the Christians. "I call now on thee, most high God, to witness that, when young, I heard him who at that time was chief among the Roman emperors, unhappy, truly unhappy as he was, and laboring under mental d…
1,076 wordsSECTION 341Chapter LVII.--He gives Glory to God, who has given Light by his Son to those who were in Error.
Chapter LVII.--He gives Glory to God, who has given Light by his Son to those who were in Error. "And truly our worship is no new or recent thing, but one which thou hast ordained for thine own due honor, from the time when, as we believe, this system of the universe was first established. And, although mankind have deeply fall…
703 wordsSECTION 342Chapter LXI.--How Controversies originated at Alexandria through Matters relating to Arius. [3207]
Chapter LXI.--How Controversies originated at Alexandria through Matters relating to Arius. [3207] In this manner the emperor, like a powerful herald of God, addressed himself by his own letter to all the provinces, at the same time warning his subjects against superstitious [3208] error, and encouraging them in the pursuit of …
715 wordsSECTION 343Chapter LXIV.--Constantine's Letter to Alexander the Bishop, and Arius the Presbyter.
Chapter LXIV.--Constantine's Letter to Alexander the Bishop, and Arius the Presbyter. "Victor Constantinus, Maximus Augustus, to Alexander and Arius. "I call that God to witness, as well I may, who is the helper of my endeavors, and the Preserver of all men, that I had a twofold reason for undertaking that duty which I have no…
1,142 wordsSECTION 344Chapter LXX.--An Exhortation to Unanimity.
Chapter LXX.--An Exhortation to Unanimity. "Let therefore both the unguarded question and the inconsiderate answer receive your mutual forgiveness. [3220] For the cause of your difference has not been any of the leading doctrines or precepts of the Divine law, nor has any new heresy respecting the worship of God arisen among yo…
818 wordsSECTION 345Chapter LXXII.--The Excess of his Pious Concern caused him to shed Tears; and his Intended Journey to the East was postponed because of These Things.
Chapter LXXII.--The Excess of his Pious Concern caused him to shed Tears; and his Intended Journey to the East was postponed because of These Things. "Restore me then my quiet days, and untroubled nights, that the joy of undimmed light, the delight of a tranquil life, may henceforth be my portion. Else must I needs mourn, with …
1,343 wordsSECTION 346Chapter II.--Farther Remarks on Constantine's Piety, and his Open Testimony to the Sign of the Cross.
Chapter II.--Farther Remarks on Constantine's Piety, and his Open Testimony to the Sign of the Cross. And when we consider that their iniquities were without example, and the atrocities which they dared to perpetrate against the Church such as had never been heard of in any age of the world, well might God himself bring before …
769 wordsSECTION 347Chapter V.--Of the Disagreement respecting the Celebration of Easter.
Chapter V.--Of the Disagreement respecting the Celebration of Easter. But before this time another most virulent disorder had existed, and long afflicted the Church; I mean the difference respecting the salutary feast of Easter. [3234] For while one party asserted that the Jewish custom should be adhered to, the other affirmed …
971 wordsSECTION 348Chapter VIII.--That the Assembly was composed, as in the Acts of the Apostles, of Individuals from Various Nations.
Chapter VIII.--That the Assembly was composed, as in the Acts of the Apostles, of Individuals from Various Nations. For it is said [3243] that in the Apostles' age, there were gathered "devout men from every nation under heaven"; among whom were Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea, and …
758 wordsSECTION 349Chapter XI.--Silence of the Council, after Some Words by the Bishop Eusebius.
Chapter XI.--Silence of the Council, after Some Words by the Bishop Eusebius. The bishop who occupied the chief place in the right division of the assembly [3248] then rose, and, addressing the emperor, delivered a concise speech, in a strain of thanksgiving to Almighty God on his behalf. When he had resumed his seat, silence e…
778 wordsSECTION 350Chapter XIV.--Unanimous Declaration of the Council concerning Faith, and the Celebration of Easter.
Chapter XIV.--Unanimous Declaration of the Council concerning Faith, and the Celebration of Easter. The result was that they were not only united as concerning the faith, but that the time for the celebration of the salutary feast of Easter was agreed on by all. Those points also which were sanctioned by the resolution of the w…
1,338 wordsSECTION 351Chapter XIX.--Exhortation to follow the Example of the Greater Part of the World.
Chapter XIX.--Exhortation to follow the Example of the Greater Part of the World. "Since, therefore, it was needful that this matter should be rectified, so that we might have nothing in common with that nation of parricides who slew their Lord: and since that arrangement is consistent with propriety which is observed by all th…
1,004 wordsSECTION 352Chapter XXII.--How he dismissed Some, and wrote Letters to Others; also his Presents.
Chapter XXII.--How he dismissed Some, and wrote Letters to Others; also his Presents. Full of joy therefore at this success, the emperor presented as it were pleasant fruits in the way of letters to those who had not been present at the council. He commanded also that ample gifts of money should be bestowed on all the people, b…
985 wordsSECTION 353Chapter XXVII.--How Constantine commanded the Materials of the Idol Temple, and the Soil itself, to be removed at a Distance.
Chapter XXVII.--How Constantine commanded the Materials of the Idol Temple, and the Soil itself, to be removed at a Distance. Nor did the emperor's zeal stop here; but he gave further orders that the materials of what was thus destroyed, both stone and timber, should be removed and thrown as far from the spot as possible; and t…
790 wordsSECTION 354Chapter XXXI.--That the Building should surpass all the Churches in the World in the Beauty of its Walls, its Columns, and Marbles.
Chapter XXXI.--That the Building should surpass all the Churches in the World in the Beauty of its Walls, its Columns, and Marbles. "It will be well, therefore, for your sagacity to make such arrangements and provision of all things needful for the work, that not only the church itself as a whole may surpass all others whatsoev…
714 wordsSECTION 355Chapter XXXIV.--Description of the Structure of the Holy Sepulchre.
Chapter XXXIV.--Description of the Structure of the Holy Sepulchre. This monument, therefore, first of all, as the chief part of the whole, the emperor's zealous magnificence beautified with rare columns, and profusely enriched with the most splendid decorations of every kind. Chapter XXXV.--Description of the Atrium and Porti…
816 wordsSECTION 356Chapter XLI.--Of the Erection of Churches in Bethlehem, and on the Mount of Olives.
Chapter XLI.--Of the Erection of Churches in Bethlehem, and on the Mount of Olives. In the same country he discovered other places, venerable as being the localities of two sacred caves: and these also he adorned with lavish magnificence. In the one case, he rendered due honor to that which had been the scene of the first manif…
792 wordsSECTION 357Chapter XLIV.--Of Helena's Generosity and Beneficent Acts.
Chapter XLIV.--Of Helena's Generosity and Beneficent Acts. For on the occasion of a circuit which she made of the eastern provinces, in the splendor of imperial authority, she bestowed abundant proofs of her liberality as well on the inhabitants of the several cities collectively, as on individuals who approached her, at the sa…
827 wordsSECTION 358Chapter XLVIII.--How he built Churches in Honor of Martyrs, and abolished Idolatry at Constantinople.
Chapter XLVIII.--How he built Churches in Honor of Martyrs, and abolished Idolatry at Constantinople. And being fully resolved to distinguish the city which bore his name with especial honor, he embellished it with numerous sacred edifices, both memorials of martyrs on the largest scale, and other buildings of the most splendid…
890 wordsSECTION 359Chapter LII.--Constantine's Letter to Eusebius concerning Mambre.
Chapter LII.--Constantine's Letter to Eusebius concerning Mambre. "Victor Constantinus, Maximus Augustus, to Macarius, and the rest of the bishops in Palestine. [3286] "One benefit, and that of no ordinary importance, has been conferred on us by my truly pious mother-in-law, [3287] in that she has made known to us by letter th…
1,214 wordsSECTION 360Chapter LV.--Overthrow of an Idol Temple, and Abolition of Licentious Practices, at Aphaca in Phoenicia.
Chapter LV.--Overthrow of an Idol Temple, and Abolition of Licentious Practices, at Aphaca in Phoenicia. The emperor's next care was to kindle, as it were, a brilliant torch, by the light of which he directed his imperial gaze around, to see if any hidden vestiges of error might still exist. And as the keen-sighted eagle in its…
931 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.