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BEFORE we begin the fifth book of our history, we must beg those
who may peruse this treatise, not to censure us too hastily because
having set out to write a church history we still intermingle with
ecclesiastical matters, such an account of the wars which took place
during the period under consideration, as could be duly authenticated.
For this we have done for several reasons: first, in order to lay
before our readers an exact statement of facts; but secondly, in order
that the minds of the readers might not become satiated with the
repetition of the contentious disputes of bishops, and their insidious
designs against one another; but more especially that it might be made
apparent, that whenever the affairs of the state were disturbed, those
of the Church, as if by some vital sympathy, became disordered also.
Indeed whoever shall attentively examine the subject will find, that
the mischiefs of the state, and the troubles of the church have been
inseparably connected; for he will perceive that they have either
arisen together, or immediately succeeded one another. Sometimes the
affairs of the Church come first in order; then commotions in the
state follow, and sometimes the reverse, so that I cannot believe
this invariable interchange is merely fortuitous, but am persuaded that
it proceeds from our iniquities; and that these evils are inflicted
upon us as merited chastisements, if indeed as the apostle truly says,
'Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and
some men they follow after.' For this reason we have interwoven many
affairs of the state with our ecclesiastical history. Of the wars
carried on during the reign of Constantine we have made no mention,
having found no account of them that could be depended upon because of
their iniquity: but of subsequent events, as much information as we
could gather from those still living in the order of their occurrence,
we have passed in rapid review. We have continually included the
emperors in these historical details; because from the time they began
to profess the Christian religion, the affairs of the Church have
depended on them, so that even the greatest Synods have been, and
still are convened by their appointment. Finally, we have
particularly noticed the Arian heresy, because it has so greatly
disquieted the churches. Let these remarks be considered sufficient in
the way of preface: we shall now proceed with our history.
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