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EUSEBIUS, surnamed Pamphilus, writing the History of the
Church in ten books, closed it with that period of the emperor
Constantine, when the persecution which Diocletian had begun against
the Christians came to an end. Also in writing the life of
Constantine, this same author has but slightly treated of matters
regarding Arius, being more intent on the rhetorical finish of his
composition and the praises of the emperor, than on an accurate
statement of facts. Now, as we propose to write the details of what
has taken place in the churches since his time to our own day, we begin
with the narration of the particulars which he has left out, and we
shall not be solicitous to display a parade of words, but to lay before
the reader what we have been able to collect from documents, and what
we have heard from those who were familiar with will be proper to enter
into a brief account of Constantine's conversion to Christianity,
making a beginning with this event.
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