Contents
Table of Contents
The Church History of Eusebius.
Eusebius' Birth and Training. His Life in Cæsarea until the Outbreak of the Persecution.
The Persecution of Diocletian.
Eusebius' Accession to the Bishopric of Cæsarea.
The Outbreak of the Arian Controversy. The Attitude of Eusebius.
Continuance of the Arian Controversy. Eusebius' Relations to the Two Parties.
Testimonies of the Ancients in Favor of Eusebius.
Testimonies of the Ancients Against Eusebius.
Summary View of the Pre-existence and Divinity of Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.
The Religion Proclaimed by Him to All Nations Was Neither New Nor Strange.
The Time of his Appearance among Men.
The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in regard to the Genealogy of Christ.
The Cruelty of Herod toward the Infants, and the Manner of his Death.
The High Priests of the Jews under whom Christ taught.
The Course pursued by the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ.
How Tiberius was affected when informed by Pilate concerning Christ.
The Doctrine of Christ soon spread throughout All the World.
Philo's Embassy to Caius in Behalf of the Jews.
The Misfortunes which overwhelmed the Jews after their Presumption against Christ.
The Famine which took Place in the Reign of Claudius.
The Martyrdom of James the Apostle.
The Impostor Theudas and his Followers.
Helen, the Queen of the Osrhœnians.
The Preaching of the Apostle Peter in Rome.
Mark first proclaimed Christianity to the Inhabitants of Egypt.
Philo's Account of the Ascetics of Egypt.
The Works of Philo that have come down to us.
The Calamity which befell the Jews in Jerusalem on the Day of the Passover.
The Events which took Place in Jerusalem during the Reign of Nero.
The Egyptian, who is mentioned also in the Acts of the Apostles.
Paul having been sent bound from Judea to Rome, made his Defense, and was acquitted of every Charge.
The Martyrdom of James, who was called the Brother of the Lord.
Annianus the First Bishop of the Church of Alexandria after Mark.
The Jews, afflicted with Innumerable Evils, commenced the Last War Against the Romans.
The Parts of the World in which the Apostles preached Christ.
The First Ruler of the Church of Rome.
The First Successors of the Apostles.
The Last Siege of the Jews after Christ.
The Famine which oppressed them.
The Signs which preceded the War.
Josephus and the Works which he has left.
The Manner in which Josephus mentions the Divine Books.
Symeon rules the Church of Jerusalem after James.
Vespasian commands the Descendants of David to be sought.
Anencletus, the Second Bishop of Rome.
Abilius, the Second Bishop of Alexandria.
Clement, the Third Bishop of Rome.
The Persecution under Domitian.
The Apostle John and the Apocalypse.
Domitian commands the Descendants of David to be slain.
Cerdon becomes the Third Ruler of the Church of Alexandria.
Ignatius, the Second Bishop of Antioch.
Narrative Concerning John the Apostle.
The Divine Scriptures that are accepted and those that are not.
Nicolaus and the Sect named after him.
The Apostles that were Married.
Symeon, Bishop of Jerusalem, suffers Martyrdom.
Trajan forbids the Christians to be sought after.
Evarestus, the Fourth Bishop of the Church of Rome.
Justus, the Third Bishop of Jerusalem.
The Evangelists that were still Eminent at that Time.
The Epistle of Clement and the Writings falsely ascribed to him.
The Bishops of Rome and of Alexandria during the Reign of Trajan.
The Calamities of the Jews during Trajan's Reign.
The Apologists that wrote in Defense of the Faith during the Reign of Adrian.
The Bishops of Rome and of Alexandria under the Same Emperor.
The Bishops of Jerusalem from the Age of our Saviour to the Period under Consideration.
The Last Siege of the Jews under Adrian.
The Persons that became at that Time Leaders of Knowledge falsely so-called.
The Epistle of Adrian, decreeing that we should not be punished without a Trial.
The Bishops of Rome and of Alexandria during the Reign of Antoninus.
The Apology of Justin addressed to Antoninus.
The Epistle of Antoninus to the Common Assembly of Asia in Regard to our Doctrine.
The Circumstances related of Polycarp, a Friend of the Apostles.
Under Verus, Polycarp with Others suffered Martyrdom at Smyrna.
Justin the Philosopher preaches the Word of Christ in Rome and suffers Martyrdom.
The Martyrs whom Justin mentions in his Own Work.
The Works of Justin which have come down to us.
The Rulers of the Churches of Rome and Alexandria during the Reign of Verus.
The Rulers of the Church of Antioch.
The Ecclesiastical Writers that flourished in Those Days.
Hegesippus and the Events which he mentions.
Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, and the Epistles which he wrote.
Melito and the Circumstances which he records.
The Number of those who fought for Religion in Gaul Under Verus and the Nature of their Conflicts.
The Martyrs, beloved of God, kindly ministered unto those who fell in the Persecution.
The Vision which appeared in a Dream to the Witness Attalus.
Irenæus commended by the Witnesses in a Letter.
God sent Rain from Heaven for Marcus Aurelius Cæsar in Answer to the Prayers of our People.
Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome.
Even down to those Times Miracles were performed by the Faithful.
The Statements of Irenæus in regard to the Divine Scriptures.
Rhodo and his Account of the Dissension of Marcion.
The False Prophets of the Phrygians.
The Schism of Blastus at Rome.
The Circumstances related of Montanus and his False Prophets.
The Manner in which Apollonius refuted the Phrygians, and the Persons whom he Mentions.
Serapion on the Heresy of the Phrygians.
The Writings of Irenæus against the Schismatics at Rome.
How Appolonius suffered Martyrdom at Rome.
The Bishops that were well known at this Time.
The Question then agitated concerning the Passover.
How All came to an Agreement respecting the Passover.
The Elegant Works of Irenæus which have come down to us.
The Persecution under Severus.
The Training of Origen from Childhood.
While still very Young, he taught diligently the Word of Christ.
The pupils of Origen that became Martyrs.
Serapion and his Extant Works.
The Scriptures mentioned by Him.
Origen's Earnest Study of the Divine Scriptures.
Circumstances Related of Origen.
The Extant Works of the Writers of that Age.
The Bishops that were well known at that Time.
The Works of Hippolytus which have reached us.
Origen's Zeal and his Elevation to the Presbyterate.
The Commentaries which he prepared at Alexandria.
His Review of the Canonical Scriptures.
Heraclas becomes Bishop of Alexandria.
How the Bishops regarded Origen.
The Persecution under Maximinus.
Fabianus, who was wonderfully designated Bishop of Rome by God.
The Commentaries which Origen composed in Cæsarea in Palestine.
Dionysius succeeds Heraclas in the Episcopate.
The Dissension of the Arabians.
The Persecution under Decius, and the Sufferings of Origen.
The Events which happened to Dionysius.
Others of whom Dionysius gives an Account.
Novatus, his Manner of Life and his Heresy.
Dionysius' Account of Serapion.
The Wickedness of Decius and Gallus.
The Bishops of Rome in those Times.
The Epistles which Dionysius wrote on this Subject.
The Peace following the Persecution.
The Ungodly Baptism of the Heretics.
Valerian and the Persecution under him.
The Events which happened at this Time to Dionysius and those in Egypt.
The Martyrs in Cæsarea in Palestine.
The Bishops that flourished at that Time.
The Martyrdom of Marinus at Cæsarea.
The Signs at Paneas of the Great Might of our Saviour.
The Statue which the Woman with an Issue of Blood erected.
The Festal Epistles of Dionysius, in which he also gives a Paschal Canon.
The Occurrences at Alexandria.
The Pestilence which came upon them.
Paul of Samosata, and the Heresy introduced by him at Antioch.
The Illustrious Bishops of that Time.
Paul, having been refuted by Malchion, a Presbyter from the Sophists, was excommunicated.
The Epistle of the Bishops against Paul.
The Perversive Heresy of the Manicheans which began at this Time.
The Events which preceded the Persecution in our Times.
The Destruction of the Churches.
The Nature of the Conflicts endured in the Persecution.
The Writings of Phileas the Martyr describing the Occurrences at Alexandria.
Many Others, both Men and Women, who suffered in Various Ways.
The Character of the Enemies of Religion.
The Events which happened to the Heathen.
The Newly Erected Statue at Antioch.
Those who suffered Martyrdom at this Time.
The Decree against us which was engraved on Pillars.
The Misfortunes which happened in Connection with these Things, in Famine, Pestilence, and War.
The Victory of the God-Beloved Emperors.
The Overthrow of the Tyrants and the Words which they uttered before their Death.
The Restoration of the Churches.
The Dedications in Every Place.
Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs.
Copy of an Imperial Epistle in which Money is granted to the Churches.
Supplementary Notes and Tables.
On Bk. III. chap. 3, § 5 (note 17, continued).
On Bk. III. chap. 3, § 6 (note 22, continued).
On Bk. III. chap. 24, § 17 (note 18 continued).
On Bk. III. chap. 25, § 4 (note 18 continued).
On Bk. III. chap. 32, § 6 (note 14a).
On Bk. III. chap. 39, § 1 (note 1, continued).
On Bk. V. Introd. § I (note 3, continued). The Successors of Antoninus Pius.
On Bk. V. chap. 1, § 27 (note 26, continued).
On Bk. VI. chap. 2 (note 1, continued). Origen's Life and Writings.
On Bk. VI. chap. 8, § 5 (note 4). Origen and Demetrius.
On Bk. VI. chap. 23, § 4 (note 6). Origen's Visit to Achaia.
On Bk. VII. chap. 26, § 1 (note 4, continued).
On Bk. VIII. chap. 2, § 4 (note 3, continued). The Causes of the Diocletian Persecution.
On Bk. X. chap. 8, § 4 (note I, a).
The Bishops of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, mentioned by Eusebius.
The Life of Constantine with Orations of Constantine and Eusebius.
General Prolegomena: Constantine the Great.
Preface.--Of the Death of Constantine.
How God honors Pious Princes, but destroys Tyrants.
That he reigned above Thirty Years, and lived above Sixty.
That he was the Servant of God, and the Conqueror of Nations.
Comparison with Cyrus, King of the Persians, and with Alexander of Macedon.
That he conquered nearly the Whole World.
That he was the Son of a Pious Emperor, and bequeathed the Power to Royal Sons.
Of the Need for this History, and its Value for Edification.
That his Present Object is to record only the Pious Actions of Constantine.
That like Moses, he was reared in the Palaces of Kings.
Of the Persecution raised by his Colleagues.
Of his Christian Manner of Life.
Of his Son Constantine, who in his Youth accompanied Diocletian into Palestine.
Flight of Constantine to his Father because of the Plots of Diocletian.
Death of Constantius, who leaves his Son Constantine Emperor.
How, after the Burial of Constantius, Constantine was Proclaimed Augustus by the Army.
A Brief Notice of the Destruction of the Tyrants.
It was by the Will of God that Constantine became possessed of the Empire.
Victories of Constantine over the Barbarians and the Britons.
How he resolved to deliver Rome from Maxentius.
The Making of the Standard of the Cross.
A Description of the Standard of the Cross, which the Romans now call the Labarum.
How Constantine received Instruction, and read the Sacred Scriptures.
Of the Adulterous Conduct of Maxentius at Rome.
How the Wife of a Prefect slew herself for Chastity's Sake.
Massacre of the Roman People by Maxentius.
Magic Arts of Maxentius against Constantine; and Famine at Rome.
Defeat of Maxentius's Armies in Italy.
Death of Maxentius on the Bridge of the Tiber.
Constantine's Entry into Rome.
Of the Statue of Constantine holding a Cross, and its Inscription.
Rejoicings throughout the Provinces; and Constantine's Acts of Grace.
The Honors Conferred upon Bishops, and the Building of Churches.
Constantine's Liberality to the Poor.
How he was present at the Synods of Bishops.
His Forbearance with Unreasonable Men.
Victories over the Barbarians.
Celebration of Constantine's Decennalia.
How Licinius oppressed the East.
How Licinius attempted a Conspiracy against Constantine.
Intrigues of Licinius against the Bishops, and his Prohibition of Synods.
Banishment of the Christians, and Confiscation of their Property.
Edict that Women should not meet with the Men in the Churches.
The Lawless Conduct and Covetousness of Licinius.
At length he undertakes to raise a Persecution.
That Maximin, blinded by Disease, issued an Edict in Favor of the Christians.
Secret Persecution by Licinius, who causes Some Bishops to be put to Death at Amasia of Pontus.
Demolition of Churches, and Butchery of the Bishops.
How Constantine was stirred in Behalf of the Christians thus in Danger of Persecution.
That Constantine prepared himself for the War by Prayer: Licinius by the Practice of Divination.
What Licinius, while sacrificing in a Grove, said concerning Idols, and concerning Christ.
That Victory everywhere followed the Presence of the Standard of the Cross in Battle.
That Fifty Men were selected to carry the Cross.
Various Battles, and Constantine's Victories.
Flight, and Magic Arts of Licinius.
How Constantine, after praying in his Tabernacle, obtained the Victory.
His Humane Treatment of Prisoners.
A Farther Mention of his Prayers in the Tabernacle.
Treacherous Friendship, and Idolatrous Practices of Licinius.
How Licinius counseled his Soldiers not to attack the Standard of the Cross.
Death of Licinius, and Celebration of the Event.
Constantine's Enactments in Favor of the Confessors.
His Laws concerning Martyrs, and concerning Ecclesiastical Property.
How he won the Favor of the People.
That he declared God to be the Author of his Prosperity: and concerning his Rescripts.
Law of Constantine respecting Piety towards God, and the Christian Religion.
An Illustration from Ancient Times.
Of Persecuted and Persecutors.
How the Persecution became the Occasion of Calamities to the Aggressors.
That God chose Constantine to be the Minister of Blessing.
Constantine's Expressions of Piety towards God; and Praise of the Confessors.
Release likewise granted to Exiles in the Islands.
And to those ignominiously employed in the Mines and Public Works.
Concerning those Confessors engaged in Military Service.
The Liberation of Free Persons condemned to labor in the Women's Apartments, or to Servitude.
Lands, Gardens, or Houses, but not Actual Produce from them, are to be given back.
In what Manner Requests should be made for these.
The Treasury must restore Lands, Gardens, and Houses to the Churches.
The Tombs of Martyrs and the Cemeteries to be transferred to the Possession of the Churches.
An Earnest Exhortation to worship God.
How the Enactments of Constantine were carried into Effect.
Statutes which forbade Sacrifice, and enjoined the Building of Churches.
That he wrote a Letter in Condemnation of Idolatry.
Concerning Constantine's Pious Father, and the Persecutors Diocletian and Maximian.
The Manifold Forms of Torture and Punishment practiced against the Christians.
That the Barbarians kindly received the Christians.
What Vengeance overtook those who on Account of the Oracle raised the Persecution.
He prays that All may be Christians, but compels None.
He gives Glory to God, who has given Light by his Son to those who were in Error.
He glorifies him again for his Government of the Universe.
He gives Glory to God, as the Constant Teacher of Good.
An Admonition at the Close of the Edict, that No One should trouble his Neighbor.
How Controversies originated at Alexandria through Matters relating to Arius.
Concerning the Same Arius, and the Melitians.
How Constantine sent a Messenger and a Letter concerning Peace.
Constantine's Letter to Alexander the Bishop, and Arius the Presbyter.
His Continual Anxiety for Peace.
That he also adjusted the Controversies which had arisen in Africa.
That Religion began in the East.
Being grieved by the Dissension, he counsels Peace.
There should be no Contention in Matters which are in themselves of Little Moment.
The Controversy continues without Abatement, even after the Receipt of This Letter.
A Comparison of Constantine's Piety with the Wickedness of the Persecutors.
Farther Remarks on Constantine's Piety, and his Open Testimony to the Sign of the Cross.
Of his Picture surmounted by a Cross and having beneath it a Dragon.
A Farther Notice of the Controversies raised in Egypt by Arius.
Of the Disagreement respecting the Celebration of Easter.
How he ordered a Council to be held at Nicæa.
Of the General Council, at which Bishops from all Nations were Present.
That the Assembly was composed, as in the Acts of the Apostles, of Individuals from Various Nations.
Of the Virtue and Age of the Two Hundred and Fifty Bishops.
Council in the Palace. Constantine, entering, took his Seat in the Assembly.
Silence of the Council, after Some Words by the Bishop Eusebius.
Constantine's Address to the Council concerning Peace.
How he led the Dissentient Bishops to Harmony of Sentiment.
Unanimous Declaration of the Council concerning Faith, and the Celebration of Easter.
How Constantine entertained the Bishops on the Occasion of His Vicennalia.
Presents to the Bishops, and Letters to the People generally.
Constantine's Letter to the Churches respecting the Council at Nicæa.
He speaks of their Unanimity respecting the Feast of Easter, and against the Practice of the Jews.
Exhortation to follow the Example of the Greater Part of the World.
Exhortation to obey the Decrees of the Council.
Recommendation to the Bishops, on their Departure, to Preserve Harmony.
How he dismissed Some, and wrote Letters to Others; also his Presents.
How he wrote to the Egyptians, exhorting them to Peace.
How he wrote Frequent Letters of a Religious Character to the Bishops and People.
That the Holy Sepulchre had been covered with Rubbish and with Idols by the Ungodly.
Discovery of the Most Holy Sepulchre.
Constantine's Letter to Macarius respecting the Building of the Church of our Saviour.
How the Church of our Saviour, the New Jerusalem prophesied of in Scripture, was built.
Description of the Structure of the Holy Sepulchre.
Description of the Atrium and Porticos.
Description of the Walls, Roof, Decoration, and Gilding of the Body of the Church.
Description of the Double Porticos on Either Side, and of the Three Eastern Gates.
Description of the Hemisphere, the Twelve Columns, and their Bowls.
Description of the Inner Court, the Arcades and Porches.
Of the Number of his Offerings.
Of the Erection of Churches in Bethlehem, and on the Mount of Olives.
A Farther Notice of the Churches at Bethlehem.
Of Helena's Generosity and Beneficent Acts.
Helena's Pious Conduct in the Churches.
How she made her Will, and died at the Age of Eighty Years.
How Constantine buried his Mother, and how he honored her during her Life.
How he built Churches in Honor of Martyrs, and abolished Idolatry at Constantinople.
Representation of the Cross in the Palace, and of Daniel at the Public Fountains.
That he erected Churches in Nicomedia, and in Other Cities.
That he ordered a Church to be built at Mambre.
Constantine's Letter to Eusebius concerning Mambre.
That the Saviour appeared in this Place to Abraham.
Destruction of Idol Temples and Images everywhere.
Overthrow of an Idol Temple, and Abolition of Licentious Practices, at Aphaca in Phœnicia.
Destruction of the Temple of Æsculapius at Ægæ.
How the Gentiles abandoned Idol Worship, and turned to the Knowledge of God.
How he destroyed the Temple of Venus at Heliopolis, and built the First Church in that City.
Of the Disturbance at Antioch by Eustathius.
The Emperor's Letter to Eusebius praising him for refusing the Bishopric of Antioch.
Constantine's Letter to the Council, depreciating the Removal of Eusebius from Cæsarea.
How he displayed his Zeal for the Extirpation of Heresies.
Constantine's Edict against the Heretics.
How he honored Many by Presents and Promotions.
Remission of a Fourth Part of the Taxes.
Equalization of the More Oppressive Taxes.
His Liberality, from His Private Resources, to the Losers in Suits of a Pecuniary Nature.
Conquest of the Scythians defeated through the Sign of Our Saviour.
Conquest of the Sarmatians, consequent on the Rebellion of their Slaves.
Ambassadors from Different Barbarous Nations receive Presents from the Emperor.
The Writer denounces Idols, and glorifies God.
Against the Tyrants and Persecutors; and on the Captivity of Valerian.
He bespeaks his Affectionate Interest for the Christians in his Country.
How the Zealous Prayers of Constantine procured Peace to the Christians.
He causes himself to be represented on his Coins, and in his Portraits, in the Attitude of Prayer.
He forbids by Law the Placing his Likeness in Idol Temples.
Of his Prayers in the Palace, and his Reading the Holy Scriptures.
He enjoins the General Observance of the Lord's Day, and the Day of Preparation.
That he directed even his Pagan Soldiers to pray on the Lord's Day.
The Form of Prayer given by Constantine to his Soldiers.
He orders the Sign of the Saviour's Cross to be engraven on his Soldiers' Shields.
Of his Zeal in Prayer, and the Honor he paid to the Feast of Easter.
How he forbade Idolatrous Worship, but honored Martyrs and the Church Festivals.
That he described himself to be a Bishop, in Charge of Affairs External to the Church.
Amendment of the Law in Force respecting Childless Persons, and of the Law of Wills.
His Gifts to the Churches, and Bounties to Virgins and to the Poor.
Of Constantine's Discourses and Declamations.
That he marked out before a Covetous Man the Measure of a Grave, and so put him to Shame.
That he was derided because of his Excessive Clemency.
Of Constantine's Oration which he wrote to the Assembly of the Saints.
How he listened standing to Eusebius' Declamation in Honor of our Saviour's Sepulchre.
That he wrote to Eusebius respecting Easter, and respecting Copies of the Holy Scriptures.
Constantine's Letter to Eusebius, in praise of his Discourse concerning Easter.
Constantine's Letter to Eusebius on the Preparation of Copies of the Holy Scriptures.
Constantine's Letter to the Council at Tyre.
Bishops from all the Provinces attended the Dedication of the Church at Jerusalem.
Various Discourses by the Assembled Bishops; also by Eusebius, the Writer of this History.
That Constantine was displeased with one who praised him excessively.
Marriage of his Son Constantius Cæsar.
Embassy and Presents from the Indians.
That after they had reached Man's Estate he was their Guide in Piety.
Having reigned about Thirty-Two Years, and lived above Sixty, he still had a Sound Body.
Of those who abused His Extreme Benevolence for Avarice and Hypocrisy.
Constantine employed himself in Composition of Various Kinds to the Close of his Life.
Concerning the Building of a Church in Honor of the Apostles at Constantinople.
Farther Description of the same Church.
He also erected his own Sepulchral Monument in this Church.
His Sickness at Helenopolis, and Prayers respecting his Baptism.
Constantine's Appeal to the Bishops, requesting them to confer upon him the Rite of Baptism.
How after his Baptism he rendered Thanks to God.
Constantine's Death at Noon on the Feast of Pentecost.
Lamentations of the Soldiery and their Officers.
Removal of the Body from Nicomedia to the Palace at Constantinople.
He received the same Honors from the Counts and other Officers as before his Death.
Resolution of the Army to confer thence-forward the Title of Augustus on his Sons.
Mourning for Constantine at Rome; and the Honor paid him there through Paintings after his Death.
His Burial by his Son Constantius at Constantinople.
Sacred Service in the Church of the Apostles on the Occasion of Constantine's Funeral.
How Constantine is represented on Coins in the Act of ascending to Heaven.
The God whom he had honored deservedly honored him in Return.