3.11.1 “Keeping the holy faith, I partake of the light of the truth. Guided by the light of the truth, I know the holy faith. Therefore, as the facts confirm, I recognize that the holy religion teaches knowledge of the holy God. I lay claim to this worship. With God’s power as my ally, from the remotest ends of the ocean I have gradually awakened the whole world, part by part, with sure hope of salvation. All the peoples who had been enslaved under such mighty tyrants, worn out by calamities day after day and almost extinct, now have legal recourse to the state. As if revived by an effective remedy, they loudly exult and celebrate pompous festivals to God.

3.11.2 I worship God; my army, devoted to him, bears his emblem on their shoulders and goes wherever the cause of justice calls. I will soon reap thanks for these actions in brilliant memorials. With an honest and pure mind, I see clearly that God dwells in the highest heavens.

3.11.3 I appeal to God on bended knee, avoiding all abominable bloodshed and all odious, ill-omened odors and shunning every splendor with which abominable and unlawful error has gladly defiled and overthrown many nations and whole tribes, handing them over to the deepest depths.

3.11.4 For although God in his loving providence for humans has manifestly brought forth things to supply our need, they are perverted toward the desire of the individual. He demands from humans only a pure mind and a spotless soul, weighing their deeds of virtue and piety.

3.11.5 He delights in works of kindness and gentleness, loves the meek, hates troublemakers, loves faith, punishes unbelief, and condemns and strikes down every boastful power. He exacts vengeance for the pride of the arrogant, and those who swell up with vanity he utterly destroys.

3.11.6 He also favors righteous rule and strengthens it with his help. He carefully guards the intelligence of kings with peaceful calm. Therefore, I greatly rejoice, brother. I confess that God is the originator and preserver of all things. Many of my predecessors tried to deny him, led by delusional errors. But they have all met such a dreadful end that, for every generation after them, their misfortunes serve as sufficient warning to those who aspire to do likewise.

3.11.7 One of these, I think, was the one whom divine vengeance, like lightning, drove away from here and delivered to your country, where his shame became a notorious monument.1 Indeed, it seems auspicious that the penalty due to such people has become clearly visible in our age.

3.11.8 I myself have witnessed the end of those who have lately been persecuting the people devoted to God with unlawful decrees. Therefore I fervently thank God that in his perfect providence he has restored peace to all humankind who keep his divine law so that they exult and rejoice.

3.11.9 We ourselves also trust that we certainly have perfect comfort and security since God sees fit to gather everything to himself in divine harmony through their (I mean the people of God’s) pure and genuine worship.

3.11.10 You may well see how delighted I am to hear that this company of my fellow servants—I mean Christians (for my whole message is about them)—abundantly adorns even the finest parts of Persia, in accord with my wishes. Now if you do what is proper and allow them to live happily, then may you accrue happiness, for they are your subjects.

3.11.11 Then God, the Lord of all, will be gentle, gracious, and kind toward you. Since you are so mighty and distinguished by piety, I commend them to you. I entrust the task of guiding them (I mean the Christians) to the overseers of the pious worship of God among them. Love them as befits your philanthropy. You will do an indescribable favor for yourself and for us through faith.”

3.11.12 The all-excellent Emperor Constantine cared for those adorned with piety toward Christ so much that he not only looked after his own subjects but also took care for those living under other regimes, if possible. Therefore he enjoyed the care of God from above, and as he held the reins of all the inhabitants of the Roman world, even of the barbarians, his willing officials and subjects joyfully obeyed the bridle of his will.

3.11.13 The barbarians also served willingly from then on, restrained by fear of war and dreading God, who stood by Constantine. Victory memorials were set up everywhere, and the emperor came out victorious against all enemies. But many others have described these things in more detail, praising the glory of the God of all. Let us, then, return our account to the continuation of the present history.

 

Next Chapter – 3.12 Concerning Constantia, the sister of the all-praiseworthy Emperor Constantine and the Arian presbyter whom she entrusted to his safekeeping

Previous Chapter – 3.10 The Iberians and Lazi and the holy captive woman among them

Click here to read Book 1 in its entirety.

 

Created by RR 6-14-22

  1. According to Hansen, Emperor Valerian is the individual referred to here.

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