03. BOOK V, CHAPTER II

CHAPTER II.

EFFECT of the Contests between Rome and Persia upon the Church—Intolerance of the Magi—Their History and Character—Zoroaster—Zemlavista—Armenia, the first Christian Country—By whom Christianity was introduced—Struggles and Persecution with which it had to contend—Tiridates—Gregory the Apostle of Armenia, and his Successors—Persian Persecution—Sapor—Simeon, Archbishop of Selencia—His Character—Martyrdom of Usthazares—Of Simeon—Numerous Sufferers—Martyrdom of Pusicus—Persecution increases—Maruthas—Tarbula and others martyred—Martyrdom of Acepsimas, Joseph, and Aithalas—Multitude of Martyrs and Confessors—Bardemus suffers—Case of Narses—Commemoration of Martyrs—Martyrdom of Milles—Effect of these Persecutions—Buoyant Spirit of Christianity—State of the Church—Religious Character of the Sons of Constantine—Death of Eusebius the Historian—And of Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople—Paul his Successor—His Character and untimely End—Altered State of Discipline in the Church—Macedonius and Macedonians—Deposition of Athanasius—Gregory of Cappadocia—Philagrius—Persecuting Acts of Gregory—Athanasius flies to Rome—Sufferings of Potamo—Address of Athanasius to the Orthodox—Remarks of Milner the Historian—Eusebius of Nicomedia translated to Constantinople—His Character—Hermogenes is killed in a Tumult—Constans and Constantius contrasted—Council of Sardica—Proceedings of—Its Objects were frustrated—Hosius of Corduba—Disastrous Appearance of the Church—Council of Milan in 347—Photius condemned—Pretended Recantation of Ursaces and Valens—Feigned Reconciliation of Constantius with Athanasius—Its gross Inconsistency—Athanasius is restored to Alexandria—Onager—Deposition of Stephen the Arian—Persian War—The Admonitions of Constans—Success of the Arms of Constantius—Want of Talent in Constans—Magnentius—Conspiracy against Constans—Magnentius assumes the Purple—And Constans is slain—Constantius refuses to treat with the Usurper—Engages in a severe Contest, which ends in the Defeat of Magnentius, who ultimately falls on his Sword—The Mask is now discarded by Constantius—Athanasius considered a personal Enemy to the Emperor—Distressed State of the Church—Synods of Arles and Milan—Persecution by the Arians—Effects following the late Restoration of Athanasius—Marcellus—The Sabellians and Arians—Athanasius flies to Rome—And other Prelates are banished—Some Bishops were slain or cruelly treated—George, the Arian Bishop of Alexandria—His fearful persecuting Acts—Cruel Treatment of the Exiles—Tragic Scenes on a "Trinity Sunday"—Persecution in Alexandria—Account of Secundus, a Priest—Orthodox Prelates of Egypt and Libya banished—Death of Paul referred to—Triumph of Macedonius—Weakness of Constantius—Baneful Influence of Prosperity—Council of Milan—Lucifer, Bishop of Cagliari—Eusebius, Bishop of Vercellle—Hilary the Deacon is scourged—Liberius, Bishop of Rome—Is summoned to Milan—His Interview with Constantius—Liberius is banished—Felix supersedes him in his See—Drooping State of the Church illustrated in the Defection of Liberius—And also of Hosius, Bishop of Corduba—Extract from one of his Epistles—Continued Privations of Athanasius—His Address to Dracontius—Constantius resorts to Violence—Cathedral of Alexandria invested by Soldiers—In the Confusion the Prelate escapes—Flees among the Monks and Hermits of the Desert—Who protect him—Many Treatises written during this Retreat—Insolence of Paganism—George of Cappadocia—Cruelties perpetrated ix

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by him—Milner quoted—Projected Union of the Orthodox and Novatian Churches—Which proved abortive—Eusebius of Vercella—Persecution increases—The Novatians suffer—Character of Novatianism—Zeal displayed in favour of Christianity—Admonitory Case of Hosius—Treatment he underwent from Constantius—Defection of Hosius—Triumph of the Arians—Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers—Death of Hosius—Council at Ariminum—Meletius, Bishop of Antioch—Is subsequently banished—Euzoius—Eustathians—Melancholy Condition of the Church—Value of Creeds—The Athanasian Controversy prepared the Way for the Church at Rome to assume the Supremacy—Arianism continues in the Ascendant—Felix the elect Bishop of Rome—Hilary on the State of the Church—Council of Seleucia—And of Ariminum—The Orthodox Faith was recognised by the latter—The Machinations and Intrigues of the Arians afterward prevailed—The Synod of Seleucia—Arianism triumphant—Aetius—Eunomians—Macedonius—Eudoxus—The Christian World in Confusion—Miserable Policy of the Emperor—The Persian War—Illness and Death of Constantius—Accession of Julian to the Throne—His Character—Throws the Shield of Protection over Paganism—Which he openly encourages—Policy of his Attempts against the Christian Faith—Athanasius—Previous Career of Julian—Townsend's Remarks on Gibbon—Julian's Attempts to abolish the Name of Christian—Cause of his Dislike to it—Numerous Restrictions inflicted on the Christians—Early Education of Julian seriously defective—The Conduct of Constantius towards him—Whose general Behaviour tended to excite Disgust in the Mind of Julian—The Influence upon him of the Death of Gallus—Effects of the Death of Constantius upon Julian—The unchristian Christianity of the late Emperor—Julian restores Paganism—His indomitable Hatred of Constantine—General Character of Julian—Prosperity of Heathenism—Julian's Mode of Attack on Christianity—Schemes of philosophical Infidels—Ridicule a Weapon in the Hands of the Heathen—Policy of Julian—Professes to abstain from open Persecution—Treatment of the Bishops and inferior Clergy—Vigilant Malice of Julian—Projects the rebuilding of the Temple—Insurmountable Obstacles to its accomplishment—Suppression of Learning among the Christians—The ensuing Artifices of Julian—Martyrdom of Juventinus and Maximinus—Degradation of Caesarea—Maris, Bishop of Chalcedon—Julian attempts to seduce the Followers of Christ—Sufferings of the Presbyter Basil—His Fidelity and Zeal—His Courage and Fortitude—Tortures inflicted by Julian on Basil—Frumentius—Who adds to the Torments—Under which Basil expires—Martyrdom of Gordian—Of John and Paul—Artemius—Cassian—Bonosus and Maximilian—Bibians—Marcus, Bishop of Arethusa—Many Martyrs—Caesarius—Persecutions at Merum—Julian visits Antioch—Death of George of Alexandria—Arianism—Lucifer of Cagliari—Fate of Athanasius—The Persian War—Martyrdom of Theodore—Council of Alexandria—Efforts still made to restore Paganism—Persecutions of Julian—Treatment of the Christians—Removal of Babylas—Temple of Apollo burnt—Profanity of Julian—Miracles—Character of Julian—Publia—Death of Julian—Julian an Author—Remarks on his Decease...