after his sad death Constantius advanced to be reputed the Doctor of the World and was contented to be his Disciple for though he was educated in better principles yet is taught first by Eusebius to disown the Word Con-substantial then by Macedonius to believe That the Son of God is like to the Father Athan. Epist de Synod and lastly by Eudoxius to eat his own words and to affirme Him to be unlike the Father And denying the Eternity of the Son of God to take the same unto himself under that Title of Eternal Emperor which they gave him And thus instead of being exceeding great he is become odious to all good men abhorred by his own souldiers who in an expedition under Julian against the Barbarians renounce Constantius and lift up Julian And then Constantius is loathed by himself he seeing his honour buried before he dies becomes a tormentor to himself by jealousies fears vexations and thus brings on a sever and that death whiles he is dying his conscience revives accusing and condemning himself for three things Nazian Encom Athan. For putting to death his Nephew Gallus who was a good man and for electing Julian to be his Successor who was neither good man nor good Christian And lastly for maintaining new doctrines of Religion and in this confession death takes him away in the five and twentieth year of his Reign about the year Three hundred sixty and one after the Incarnation CAP. XXI Julians Government Athanasius his return to Alexandria The Council there Athanasius his third miraculous escape JuliansDeath COnstantius now thus sadly dying Sect. 1. Julian in the head of his Army and designed by Constantius to be his Successor hath nothing further to do Amian then to take up the Imperial Crown and put it on His victorious successe in the Wars his brave courage his learning wit and other natural endowments and his good education concurring with all the rest do seem to point him out to all the Empire to give him their best entertainment It s true he did delight to hear the disputes of the Heathen Philosophers Athan. Epist de Synod and they no lesse to dispute against the foolishnesse of the Gospel as they accounted it yet was he a Christian and baptised and though it was done by Eurocus an Arian and filled with the spirit of Arius yet Julian held his Profession and studied the Scriptures Amian lib. 21. and therein became so eminent for knowledge as he becomes a Preacher and so far to countenance holinesse as to undertake the profession of a Monk And thus accomplished Commander Theod. lib. 3 c. 2. Soz. lib. 5. cap. 2. Conquerour and Preacher may well challenge the first place of esteem amongst all and to be the most meet person in the World to manage a Christian Empire to defend it against enemies from abroad and the difference of the Church from within For as yet Julian was unbyassed to either Arian or Orthodox and there was cause for in the issue it appeared that he was an enemy to them both and had no more religion then what served to make him the most exquisite Persecuter of Christianity of all that sate in the Throne For he was not led by passion but by sober hatred not against Professors so much as Profession and therein was very cunning for his greatest strife was against the principles of truth in their practice And the best that can be said of him is that he was the last persecuting Emperour and continued but a while And yet it seems he was not so ill Sect. 2. but the times were as ill for even the best of them even those who should be as the salt of the earth had lost their savour I mean their teachers concerning whom Nazianzen hath this observation of those times whether speaking of the general stream of the whole or onely of the Arian teachers I determine not Nazian Encom Athan. but he saith they were such as Nullos labores noque erumnas virtutis Causa pertulerunt discipuli simul Magistrique pietatis designuntur aliosque ante purgant quam ipsi purgati fuerunt heri sacrilegi hodie Sacerdotes heri extra sancta hodie sanctorum arbitri ac antistites c. They never did not suffered much for good Cause but even now learners and in a moment teachers teachers of others to be good before themselves are good but yesterday sacrilegious to day sacred yesterday prophane to day who but they old sinners young saints getting others goods by extortion but godlinesse by oppression more honoured for their Mastership then for their merit and so he proceeded in his elegant manner to decypher the vanity of these teachers amongst whom it seems Julian is the chief being the first president that I finde of a preaching souldier becoming a heathen persecutor In his entry upon the Empire Sect. 3. his principles led him neither to displease Infidels nor Christians his affections led him to the one his reason to the other and so he grants an universal toleration The Temples of all sorts are opened as well Christian as Heathen as well Orthodox as Arian the banished both Orthodox and others are permitted to return and enjoy their places Soz. lib. 5. cap. 5. Soc. lib. 3. cap. 1. and by command of publick Edict the estates of all such as are banished are restored and especial command that the Orthodox shall not be urged to the Heathen Sacrifices nor shall any dare to offer them violence nor vex them with reproach In this condition of affairs it befel that George the Arian Alexandrian Bishop having wasted his zeal or rather madnesse against the Orthodox started another game in his chace and after it he goes with more haste then good speed Soz. lib. 5. cap. 7. for taking occasion to shew his despite against the Heathen Temples he thereby vexed the Gentiles in that manner that they taking advantage of this Interim of Julians coming to the Throne rose in a tumult seize upon Bishop George and tie him to a Camels tail and dragge him through the streets of Alexandria and then they burn both Bishop and Camel in one fire Soc. lib. 3. cap. 3. And this out-rage being related to Julian he is very calme at it and the actors in this Tragedy instead of being well hanged are well chidden for their pains and thus at once God rendred to this Bishop a recompence for all his villanies done to the Orthodox and thereby made way for Athanasius his return to Alexandria without controul Julian is all this while in his journey towards Constantinople Sect. 4. and by the way bethinks himself on what foot to stand before he ascends the same and in Illiria as he comes Baron An. 361. he renounces his Baptisme and Christian Communion for it seems he knew his Army regarded none more then other yet he being come to Constantinople so managed the matter that
Sect. 2. Athan. Epist ad Synod not that the opinions were originally his for opinions of this nature were as ancient as Ebion and taken up by others after him and they were received by Arius from Artemas and even when Arius was but young that Leaven had gained amongst many greater men then Arius was nor did that Sect own the name of Arius till Constantius his time but more ordinarily are called by historians Eusebians from Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia who was their great patron in Constantines time Nor were themselves very confident in any of their Doctors opinions and therefore did endeavour to derive their doctrine from Antiquity Soc. lib. 6. cap. 12. Athan. Orat. cont Arian and would have claimed Origen to be their Patron but Athanasius and others decryed that conceit At the first peeping forth the Arian doctrine was very odious to the Churches and therefore the speedy growth thereof shewed much of divine wrath and judgement At length it is baptised into the name of Arius either because he was the first that founded and gathered Churches upon that Principle or because he was the principal defender of that assertion by disputes and therein opposed the famous Council at Nice the same being the first general Council and therefore the undertaking more notorious And thus the fame of these new or newly revived doctrines is pinned upon the fame of Arius and that upon his parts and education This Arius was born Sect. 3. as Epiphanius saith in Libia but most writers say in Alexandria the chief City in those dayes of all the Land of Egypt and of principal repute for this Euseb Hist lib. 2. cap. 16. that the first Christian Church of all those parts was planted there by the Evangelist St. Mark Where also was a Colledg or School of great Antiquity and fame for humane learning and in that City Religion had so far prevailed as Epiphanius saith that in those dayes there were ten or more Churches builded for the pure publique worship of God Epiphan lib. 2. Tom. 2. Heres 68. each of which had one or more Presbyters who had over-sight of the souls of the people And from that City the Gospel had been sent into several places of Egypt Libia Thebais Pentapolis and Amonica who also had their several respective Presbyters and Bishops And that the Churches of Alexandria were under the over-sight of Presbyters amongst whom one was had in chief repute who was called Bishop of Alexandria who together with the Presbyters there had authority of government of those Churches by Custome And by like Custome the Bishop had under his Survey the Churches Presbyters and Bishops of those places or Countries formerly mentioned to be planted by emanation from Alexandria And in the beginning of this fourth Century Peter was become Bishop of Alexandria by election Sect. 4. a godly man doubtless he was and of blamelesse life and zealous for the Gospel and therein had suffered much for he lived in the persecuting times of Maximinus who together with Licinius and other persecutors striving for the Empire against Constantine grievously afflicted the Christian Churches in all places where they came and thereby many suffered great tortures Niceph. lib. 8. cap. 11. Athan. Orat. cont Arian Epiphan lib. 2. Tom. 2. Heres 68. banishments imprisonments and cruel deaths And amongst others Meletus Bishop of Lyro in Egypt a man of that esteem as Epiphanius observeth that he was in repute chief of all Thebais and was next to the Bishop of Alexandria this man was amongst others imprisoned for the profession of the Gospel and as some others so himself to save his skin became relapsed and offered incense to the Heathen Gods and when the heat of persecution was past he assaied to joyn himself in communion with the Alexandrian Churches again but Peter the Bishop did not suddenly admit him thereunto which Meletus took so to heart that himself with many more for his sake made a separation from the Alexandrian Church and joyned in private communion apart by themselves and from thenceforth stile themselves the Church of Martyrs and the Alexandrian Church call themselves the Catholique Church and these two parties so far disown one another that they refuse to joyn in prayer one with other And thus this Church of Martyrs bring into the Church the first ill president of the peoples usurping Judicature in the government of the Church and power to determine matters concerning the same And also are the first example of a separation or schisme meerly upon that point of Church government Athan. Apol. 2. without any difference at all in any point of Doctrine But the issue is yet much worse for from schisme they grew into enmity and joyn with the heathens in raising persecution against the Alexandrian Churches wherein Peter the good Bishop of Alexandria died honourably a Martyr Separation not well grounded on pure Love to the Truth will end in hatred and persecution of the same if not timely prevented This Schisme of the Meletian Church of Martyrs thus begun Sect. 5. Baron An. 306. Nu'n 44. continued about six and thirty years and mingling with the Arians became fast friends to them and at length wholly Arian For Arius had been now born in Alexandria and was educated at School at Antioch Niceph. lib. 8. cap. 9. where he attained a competency of humane learning and having a natural readinesse of wit and languages grew into fame for Philosophical disputes and then studied Divinity rather to serve his repute then to save his soul and therefore ever made that to stoop to his reason and both it and that to advance his fame After that he was thus furnished he returns to Alexandria and there behaved himself so well as Peter the Bishop of Alexandria had made him one of his Deacons but he being acquainted with some of Meletus his disciples seemed so much to pity their separation that he falls into dislike of the Bishops austerity and under that pretence separates himself also Theed lib. 1. cap. 1 2. Sozom. 1. lib. 1. cap. 14. and becomes a member of Meletus his Church and so continued till Peters Martyrdome After whom Achillas being elected Bishop of Alexandria Arius returns and makes application to the Church of Alexandria and was restored into communion with them again and so continued till he became one of the Presbyters there and so continued there till Achillas died And Alexander being elected Bishop of Alexandria in his stead there appeared some Marks of competitorship in Arius who failing of his expectation became discontented and grew sick of the itch of disputing some principles of Religion which commonly he undertook in the concourse of people according as by Nazianzen is observed of Hereticks Mysticas questiones spectante vulgotractant they debate hard points in the presence of the vulgar well knowing that they understand little beyond common sense lesse beyond common reason and least of all in
the correspondency between the principles of Religion and Phylosophy explained And therefore it is a matter of wonderment to see men that would be eminent for Religion in these dayes to be enemies to a Learned Ministry I might add more concerning Julians cunning against Religion and Teachers Sect. 11. Theod. lib. 4. cap. 4. in taking away their Maintenance thereby destroying not Presbyters but the Presbytery but I am not to mind a History of Julian but Athanasius his cloud which is now indeed passing over apace For the Persians after the death of Constantius had renewed their claim to the Roman Confines and are now drawn down to the borders and Julian is in all haste called to an expedition against them and therefore must leave to pursue the Christians till another time Nazian 2. Orat. in Julian for he made a solemne protestation that after his expedition finished he would utterly root out Christianity and then he goes to consult his Gods about the successe of his Voyage and receives an answer from his Oracle which according to its construction was either a plain lie or the sense so doubtful as might be taken one or other way And however the Emperour is answered according to his desire That he should have the better against the enemy And thus armed sufficiently as he thinketh enters the battail and beats the enemy to a confused retreat so far his Gods said somewhat towards the truth but this is not all For Julian that he might pursue the chase more speedily throws off his armour Amian and being forgetful of the Rule To overcome is glorious but to exceed therein is odious he will have all or nothing and in the heat of his pursuit did meet or rather was met by an arrow or dart that pierced through his arme and entred his side Soc. lib. 3. cap. 18. Ibid. cap. 25. and endeavouring with his other hand to draw it out receives another wound and therewith fell from his horse and receiving his bloud gushing from his wound into his hand threw it up into the aire confessing the judgement of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Victory upon himself though even then under that blasphemous Name of Galilean and so he died as he lived an enslaved Rebel and Enemy to God And if Nazianzen be rightly informed his body was carried away in a tempest Nazian Encom Athan. without Lamentation and without Burial Notwithstanding some Historians make the same or somewhat in the stead thereof to have an honorable Burial CAP. XXII Jovinians Raign and Death Athanasius his third Return to Alexandria and another Council holden there THe rage of Constantius towards his latter end against the Orthodox Sect. 1. succeeded by the hatred of Julian against Christianity made Religion to take flight into the Wildernesse and now the Monkish Life is still advanced from a Profession to be in fashion But Julian now out of the way the times do change and Religion peeps forth of the Wildernesse into the World again having a fair gleame from the Army For that now upon the death of their Emperour beaten to a retreat and intrenched they must have another Emperour or all is lost no Successor was designed by Julian either being confident of his return or knowing none so wicked as himself to succeed him The Souldiers in this exigency pitch their Election upon Jovinian who though none of the Family of the Caesars yet was of a Noble Family a valiant man and successeful in the Wars and had formerly been one of the Tribunes Soc. lib. 3 cap. 11. cap. 19. Theod. lib. 4. c. 1. Soz. lib 6. cap. 3. but disclaimed the place for the sake of his conscience and yet was made one of the Captains although he desired to lay down arms This man the Souldiers lifting up in triumph as the Custome was refused the honour telling them he was a Christian and could not rule over Gentiles But the Souldiers would admit of no denial Ruffin Hist lib. 2 cap. 1. and told him that he must undertake the service and that themselves would be Christians also For Souldiers ordinarily shift their Religion according to the fancy of their chief Commander Jovinian seeing the danger that they were all of them in resolves to do what he can to save the Army now engaged far into the enemies Country and must fight for their bread and yet could get none by fighting and therefore he submitting to his Election makes peace with the Persians upon the best conditions that he can though not such as he would and thereby gained liberty for a quiet return homeward although with the losse of some Territories by surrender The first thing observable that appeareth done by Jovinian in his return home-ward Sect. 2 was his restoring the banished Orthodox Christians to their several Counties Estates and Places And now is Athanasius his cloud quite gone and the skie now clear invites Athanasius to forsake his harbour and make his Voyage for Alexandria which he doth with all speed he can and is entertained not as in the times of Constantius and Julian wherein it was imputed as a crime to rejoyce in the advancement of good men but like unto the times of Jovinian wherein it was an honour to honour such as are worthy of all honour Nazian Encom Athan. For he is met by a multitude prepared by expectation men of all sorts great and small from Alexandria and all the Coasts of Egypt in so great a number as a good Observer said If Constantius had been present he could not believe so great a number would have appeared no nor at the presence of great Athanasius had not his eyes seen it and yet he saw not the bounds of the multitude But when Athanasius came into view then began the acclamations and universal shoutings and continued all the way some feeding themselves with the very sight of him others with the hearing of his voice others that his shadow reached them others with his discourse and so he comes with joy is received with joy and all return home with joy which fully recompensed all their grief at his depature and then all is in peace no opposition from the Arians no competitor for his place For Julian the Emperour cared not to supply vacancies in any Church but sought rather to destroy all Jovinian in his return now come to Antioch Sect. 3. receives addresses from several parts and amongst the rest Athanasius presents himself before him and is courteously received The Arians of Alexandria likewise repair to him with Lucius their Presbyter whom they had designed to be Bishop of Alexandria and by friends whereof they had store at Antioch gained accesse to the Emperour as he was horsing for the Field and they told Jovinian that they were Christians of Alexandria and came to desire his favour that they might have a Bishop set over them The Emperour answered that Athanasius their Bishop was yet alive
confessing their fault acknowledging that all their informations against him were false and feigned and that they cannot alledg any thing in excuse of themselves but do humbly and earnestly beg pardon and to be received into Communion again renouncing Arius and his opinions Soc. lib. 3. cap. 22 23. as execrable and accursed Enough it was to make any charitable Christian believe that they did really intend what they did pretend but their work will be manifest in its day The Bishops also from all parts testifie by their Letters there joyning with Athanasius so as now the current from all parts seems fair to bring Athanasius safe to the Haven Nevertheless though thus nigh the shore he meets with another mighty wave before he can set his foot thereon For he is met by newes of the death of his dear Lord the Emperour Constans and now is Athanasius involved amongst a thousand doubts what shall become of him whither shall he go what shall he do for the Lyons chain is now broken Constantius is now Lord alone and may do what he will and he will do what the Arians will and what will they not do But God helped Athanasius over this wave also For Constantius informed hereof either pitying the condition of Athanasius or which is more probable remembring his own invitation of Athanasius to put himself under his protection his promises and oathes for his assurance and that it would be dishonourable to him to let the world have occasion by the altering of his mind on the sudden to expound all that he had done was done through fear of Constans and deceitfully writes Letters to Athanasius full of encouragement more then once or twice Athan. Epist ad Solit vit assuring him of his favour and real intentions of his good and willing him to make haste to Alexandria without further dread of any danger and thus at length Athanasius arriveth at Alexandria CAP. XV. The estate of Alexandria at Athanasius his Arrival The third charge against him before Constantius and Athanasiushis second strange escape AThanasius now come to Alexandria finds his See vacant Sect. 1. for Gregory who had been made Bishop of Alexandria in the place of Athanasius by the Council of Antioch was put out again as hath been mentioned and translated to Antioch where he was deposed again by the Council at Sardica and slain by the Citizens at Antioch Bind fol. 427. And the Arian party at Alexandria had procured George of Capadocia to be Bishop of Alexandria a man fit for their turn fierce and cruel against the Orthodox in whose dayes ensued a bloudy persecution against them of the Alexandrian Province wherein none were spared that come within his reach whether Men Women Children Theod. lib. 2. cap. 14. Monks Clerks or Virgins but pursued to the utmost by imprisonment banishment tortures and deaths in the most cruel manner that souldiers could invent And this Bishop thus fleshed grew so insatiable and imperious that the Arians themselves grew afraid of him and weary of his government which he observing and that Constans began so stoutly to appear for Athanasius he suddenly flies from Alexandria and leaves the place void for Athanasius who now comes in without interruption with all manner of expressions of joy and love to Athanasius and thankfulnesse to God and to use Athanasius his own expressions his friends are glad and of the rest Athan. Epist ad Solit. Vit. some are ashamed some hide themselves some declare their repentance for their former wayes saying that what they did against Athanasius was done by menace compulsion and force but especially the Presbyters and Egyptian Churches rejoyce not onely to see their ancient friends again but more for the enjoyment of their former liberties the Christians embracing one another and encouraging one another in holding forth constantly their profession yea amongst the more moderate sort of Arians some come to Athanasius by night and acknowledge that though for some private respects they held outwardly communion with the Arians yet in their hearts they are ever for Athanasius and his way After this publick congratulation Athanasius calls a Council of the Alexandrian Churches Soz. lib. 4. cap. 1. and declares to them the proceedings and determinations of the Council at Sardica the Emperours entertainment of him his several Letters to him and his Letters and the Bishop of Romes Letters to the Churches and to the people of Alexandria and to the Governours and people in all places as he came and his acceptance amongst them And thus Athanasius is accepted and declared to be setled in his place at Alexandria with peace and honour But this sun-shine also continued not long though it was longer then his Arian enemies expected Sect. 2. For though Athanasius now seems bare of all shelter against the next blast of Constantius his displeasure which was soon raised by the Arians yet could they not find opportunity to storme Athanasius till Magnentius was taken out of the way For Constans being murthered by him he proceeded to possesse himself of his Empire and hence arose a Civil War in the Empire between Magnentius and Constantius which endured divers years during which time the pursuit of the Arians against Athanasius was but faint for Constantius had his hands full else-where but after that Magnentius was slain and Constantius now possessed of the whole Empire he that before resolved to have all the Eastern Churches of his religion now will have all the World to be of his opinion yet finding many that stand in his way the tempest arises anew and powres in amain upon East and West at once and now the tall Cedars the Bishops of Rome Alexandria Constantinople and all that are taller then the rest of their Profession must look to themselves for Constantius is perswaded that these once levelled his way will be plain and easie For the newes of Constans his death coming to Antioch Sect. 3. Athan. Epist ad Solit. vit seeing the way was now more fair for Constantius to appear in his proper colours Leontius the Bishop there joyned with the Eusebians who all this while had burned with despite at the prosperity of the Orthodox and their great increase For now above four hundred Bishops had declared themselves for the Nicene Confession and Leontius takes occasion to deal with Ursatius and Valens to break their Communion with the Bishop of Rome and Athanasius and to renounce their former retractations as done through fear of Constans his displeasure although it was notoriously known that neither Constans nor any of his Courtiers or Officers was privy to any such submission but that the same was done by private Letters not by the act of any in power Neverthelesse They that will be false in the least point concerning God will not stick to be false with man in any thing Ursatius and Valens make no bones to go now to Constantius and confesse their mistakes in their
notwithstanding his profession the first part of his raign was a riddle For he spared none yet seemed to favour all He put Eusebius the Eunuch to a signal death besides many other Arian Courtiers who had been ring-leaders in the Arian dance of persecution and thus have they also their reward as well as George of Alexandria And yet Julian sends for Aetius from banishment who neverthelesse was as deep in the Arian way as any other and this man returned to Constantinople is outwardly favoured by him And although it is known by all that Julian is none of the Orthodox Christians yet by an especial Letter of high commendations he sends for Basil the Great from banishment and invites him to come unto him He likewise sends for Zeno the famous Phisician from banishment who though Orthodox yet must be nigh him as if he meant to trust him with his life And which is yet much more strange Amian lib. 22. he endeavours to reconcile the differences between the Christian Bishops as if his care should be to maintain Religion in Unity and Peace which is as high a strain as any Christian Emperour reached at And yet at the same time he sacrificed to Idols The meaning of all which at length appears to be this that hereby he endeavoured to ingratiate himself with the people by discountenancing such as were most favoured by Constantius Soz. lib. 5. cap. 5. and seemingly favouring such as Constantius most hated In all the various turnings of Julian in his way Sect. 5. Athanasius seems to be quite out of mind but he not intending to stay for particular invitation Hieron adv Lucif having newes of the death of Constantius he secretly returns from the Wildernesse to Alexandria yet concealed himself till he saw some issue and after finding the way laid open by the Emperours general Edict and the winde blowing fair and the season calme he suddenly discloseth himself and entring his Church is received with joy and well-come no enemy appearing no inclination to any umults For now the Arians can claim no more favour from Julian then the Orthodox And the Gentiles and all are bound by the Emperours Edicts Besides Athanasius is known to be a man of peace and good government and under whom the City of Alexandria had received great blessings by increase of Trade and Wealth confluence of people from all parts for Learning and Religion and so by his coming a flourishing time is expected and all is quiet Athanasius observing the coast so clear Sect. 6. forthwith calls a Council at Alexandria whereunto not onely the banished Bishops of Egypt but from all parts both of Asia and Affrica yea even from Rome do assemble themselves especially for Athanasius his sake on whom as the Sun breaking through a dark cloud all mens eyes are fixed for directions of the Churches in this their sad condition For the persecutions under Constantius instead of driving the Orthodox together drove them asunder whiles some by complying yielded too far to the Arians others stoutly withstanding the Arians too severely not onely censured all that had been of that way but all others who through weaknesse had obscured their Profession and were not so forward in the opposing of the Arians as themselves and not onely censured them but separated from them yea and from such as retained a charitable opinion of such their infirme brethren this was an universal sore and required a suitable plaister from a general Council such as this at Alexandria which through the mercy of God proved a healing Council Soc. lib. 3. cap. 4 5. The Council therefore being met first brought the broken bones of the Church together and bound them up by a Decree That all such as had relapsed to the Arians through infirmity shall upon repentance be received to Communion and to their places By which Decree said Hierome Satanae faucibus ereptus est mundus The World was rescued out of the Devils Jaws Such a Parliament God in his mercy give to these Nations after all the sad distractions under which they now do groan Secondly in the Doctrine concerning the Holy Trinity there appearing a difference between the Greek and Latine Churches in words onely expressing the same thing in substance wherein they both did agree Nazian Encom Athan. Athanasius composed the matter so as having gained them both to subscribe to the same thing in substance and to be contented to lay aside the use of those words that maintained the difference and to use no other words then those that are in the Scriptures unlesse in case of disputes about errours that are or shall arise Then the Council determined against the errour of Eudoxius who denied the similitude between the Father and the Son and also against the errours of the Macedonians Soc. lib. 3. cap. 36. and against the errours of the Apollinarians who observing the differences between the Arians and Semi-Arians separated from them both and took up an opinion That the Son of God assumed the body of Man without a soul and after being convinced of that errour yielded that He had the Soul of a Man but had not the mind of a Man and that His God-head supplied instead thereof and yet they did still maintain the Consubstantiality of the Persons of the God-Head They took also into consideration the multiplicity of Confessions of Faith scattered abroad Sect. 7. and concluded to lay all aside but the Nicene Faith onely and herein they did disown that Confession of the Faith said to be made at the Council at Sardica wherein both Athanasius and many others of this Council were present and would not agree to any Confession distinct from the Nicene Faith Lastly Athanasius at this Council recited his Apology for his flight into the Wildernesse and retiring himself from Alexandria which his Arian enemies by way of scandalous imputation called a diserting of his place and trust Then they sent a Declaration of the conclusions of this Council to the Churches and amongst the rest to Basil the Great which came very opportunely to him who was now beset with harsh censures of such as were more austere against his compliance with such as were penitent for their relapse to the Arians through the dread of persecution And Basil having received Athanasius his Letters holds them forth as a Buckler against such detractors telling them that herein he did follow the direction of the Fathers of the Church signisied to him by Letters from that blessed Father Athanasius of Alexandria wherein he saith that all the Bishops of Macedonia and Acaia did agree unanimously herein Basil Epist 75. ad Neocesar And that Basil could not but submit to the determination of so worthy a man as Athanasius was The Alexandrian Council now ended Sect. 8. Athanasius betakes himself wholly to his Ministry wherein he had such successe as multitudes are converted and amongst others there were some of the Gentile Priests and
their Families Julian being informed hereof dealt more moderately then did Constantius For as if he would be glad that Athanasius should make his escape he lets him know his faults Soz. lib. 5 cap. 14. That Athanasius had been banished and had not onely returned to Alexandria which he might do but had possessed himself of his Church and Government of the alexandrian Churches without the Emperours Warrant which he ought not to have done and so he left Athanasius to judge of the issue but the Emperour concealed the main sore Theod. lib. 4 c. 9. which was the Conversion of the Gentiles and their Priests And Athanasius understood his own condition well enough and that the Emperour loved no Apologies of Christians and that it s no season now to demur or think to hide himself in Alexandria in any secret manner He therefore prepares himself for his departure in an open manner Soc. lib. 3. cap. 12. that Alexandria might not fare the worse for his supposed absconding there at his departure the Conjurers and Witches rejoyce above the rest for they say that so long as Athanasius is in Alexandria their arts avail them not at all But the Churches mourn and flocking to him bewail their own condition beseeching him not to leave them promising they would find out means to pacifie the Emperour although they considered not that the Devil must be first pleased or else the Emperour would not But Athanasius beholding the people so perplexed said to them Be of good courage my brethren it is but a small cloud the storme will soon be over and so having commended the care of the Churches to his most trusty friends Soz. lib. 5. cap. 14. he speedily gets into a Vessel upon the River and away is gone up the same towards the Countrey of Thebais or the Wildernesse He is no sooner gone but the Alexandrians discover by the Governours enquiry after him and his preparations to follow him that nothing lesse then death is intended and thereupon send speedily after Athanasius to informe him thereof and the Governour making what haste he can gets into a boat with an Executioner and follows after as fast as he can also for he was afraid to adventure to put Athanasius to death in Alexandria for fear of the people The Governour thus gone the people some pursue him with prayers for Athanasius others with fears many feed themselves with hopes they shall never be troubled with him any more and many give him over as a dead man and themselves to sorrow and lamentations And Athanasius though never so speedy in his escape is told that danger of death followes him hard behind His company hereupon advises him to land and escape into the Wildernesse but he perceiving them so perplexed said unto them Why are you so fearful my Sons let us return and meet the Executioner They shall know that he that defendeth us is greater then he that pursueth us and accordingly the Vessel turns head into the midst of the stream and is soon within view of their pursuers The Governour espying the Vessel wherein Athanasius was and nothing lesse suspecting then that it was the same Vessel which they pursued or that Athanasius would thus voluntarily thrust himself into danger called to the Vessel as it speedily glanced down the middle of the River if they did see Athanasius and they answered that they saw him but even now a little above upon the River the Governour thereupon speeded the more earnestly after but in vain for Athanasius his Vessel is soon arrived where he hid himself so as none of his enemies could ever finde him out during the Raign of Julian do what either the wit or labour of man or skill of Conjurers or Devils malice can do The Alexandrians informed of the escape of Athanasius from this eminent danger Sect. 9. labour by Mediatorship to mollifie Julians malicious heart towards him but are answered as by an Heathen Emperour with rebukes and blasphemies and which is yet worse the Emperour missing his prey which he accounted so surely his own breaks all his former rules of persecuting by policy and falls to right down blows letting loose the Gentiles and his Governours upon the Christians wherein neither Arian nor Orthodox is spared from imprisonment banishment tortures and what not And complaints being made thereof to the Emperour Soc. lib. 3. cap. 12. he answereth That their Religion teacheth them to suffer patiently But the Emperour finding that his Army is not fatisfied in his way of rigour against the Christians not onely purges the Government from all good Governours but more especially his Army from all Commanders that like not his proceedings For an Army within doors is like a sore in a diseased body if well ordered it consumes the humours if otherwise it infects and wastes the spirits and endangers the whole And thus it befel in Julians time as he was Soc. lib. 3. cap. 11. so must be his Army Christians will not down with him nor Christians abide with them Jovinian Valentinian and Valens amongst other chief Commanders in the Army are Christians who chuse rather to forsake their places of command in the Army and their lively-hood therewith then to lay down their Christian Warfare and Religion by burning incense to the Heathen Gods whereunto they were injoyned by the Emperour and yet are they no loosers thereby in the conclusion for God hereby not onely spared them from the Persian Sword but reserved them for better service whiles in the mean time his displeasure lay heavy upon the Army as appeared afterwards Yet doth not Julian satisfie himself with the wickednesse wrought by him while he lives Sect. 10. but he will do what he can to perpetuate it to posterity when he is dead he will not endure that the Christians children should be trained up no not in humane Learning For well he saw that Athanasius and the Christians were so well studied in the principles of Phylosophy Soc. lib. 3. cap. 14. that they beat the Gentiles at their own weapons and made Phylosophy an Instrument to serve Divinity as a weapon against Gentilisme and that the Colledge at Alexandria abounded with Scholars from all Nations flocking thither and was famous not onely for humane Learning but especially for education of youth in the principles of Religion under that famous Doctor Athanasius under whose influence Gregory Nazianzen Theod. lib. 4. c. 8. amongst others now was a student there And therefore the Emperour sends forth Edicts amongst other places to Alexandria strictly inhibiting all manner of instruction of the children of Christians in any humane Literature It s very true that humane Learning adds no strength to the Gospel yet as to natural men of parts it addeth light and renders them more capable of conviction of the weaknesse of the principles of nature and prepare them for better grounds which also slide more gently into their understanding when they see