The Ecclesiastical History. Eusebius
Religion which they preached.
Chapter XIV.—The Character of the Enemies of Religion.
Chapter XV.—The Events which happened to the Heathen.
Chapter XVI.—The Change of Affairs for the Better.
Chapter XVII.—The Revocation of the Rulers.
Chapter I.—The Pretended Relaxation.
Chapter II.—The Subsequent Reverse.
Chapter III.—The Newly Erected Statue at Antioch.
Chapter IV.—The Memorials against us.
Chapter VI.—Those who suffered Martyrdom at this Time.
Chapter VII.—The Decree against us which was engraved on Pillars.
Chapter IX.—The Victory of the God-Beloved Emperors.
Chapter X.—The Overthrow of the Tyrants and the Words which they uttered before their Death.
Chapter XI.—The Final Destruction of the Enemies of Religion.
Chapter I.—The Peace granted us by God.
Chapter II.—The Restoration of the Churches.
Chapter III.—The Dedications in Every Place.
Chapter IV.—Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs.
Chapter V.—Copies of Imperial Laws.
Chapter VI.—Copy of an Imperial Epistle in which Money is granted to the Churches.
Chapter VII.—The Exemption of the Clergy.
Chapter VIII.—The Subsequent Wickedness of Licinius, and his Death.
Preface.
The present translation of the Church History of Eusebius has been made from Heinichen’s second edition of the Greek text, but variant readings have been adopted without hesitation whenever they have approved themselves to my judgment. In all such cases the variation from Heinichen’s text has been indicated in the notes. A simple revision of Crusè’s English version was originally proposed, but a brief examination of it was sufficient to convince me that a satisfactory revision would be an almost hopeless task, and that nothing short of a new and independent translation ought to be undertaken. In the preparation of that translation, invaluable assistance has been rendered by my father, the Rev. Joseph N. McGiffert, D.D., for whose help and counsel I desire thus publicly to give expression to my profound gratitude. The entire translation has been examined by him and owes much to his timely suggestions and criticisms; while the translation itself of a considerable portion of the work (Bks. V.–VIII. and the Martyrs of Palestine) is from his hand. The part thus rendered by him I have carefully revised for the purpose of securing uniformity in style and expression throughout the entire work, and I therefore hold myself alone responsible for it as well as for the earlier and later books. As to the principle upon which the translation has been made, little need be said. The constant endeavor has been to reproduce as nearly as possible, both the substance and form of the original, and in view of the peculiar need of accuracy in such a work as the present, it has seemed better in doubtful cases to run the risk of erring in the direction of over-literalness rather than in that of undue license.
A word of explanation in regard to the notes which accompany the text may not be out of place. In view of the popular character of the series of which the present volume forms a part, it seemed important that the notes should contain much supplementary information in regard to persons, places, and events mentioned in the text which might be quite superfluous to the professional historian as well as to the student enjoying access to libraries rich in