rity, any more than other Chriftians did. Next after the two laft mentioned articles fucceeds in Epiphanius, and divers other authors who write of herefies, that of Paul of Samofata. I fhall have occafion to take notice of this in the historie of the above named (F) Dionyfius. (F) See Ch. XLIII. num, viij, CHA P. t A. D. 243. His Hiflo rie. From Je rome. CHA P. XLII. GREGORIE Bishop of Neocaefarea. 1. His Hiftorie. II. Teftimonies to him. III. I. I HAVE already mentioned Gregorie of Neocefarea in Pontus, as (A) one of Origen's most noted scholars, and (B) on account of Origen's letter to him. It is fit, we should now have a more particular historie of this renowned convert and Bishop, of the best times, or near them who is usually called Thaumaturgus, or the Wonder-worker, for the many and great miracles wrought by him. Says (a) Jerome in his Catalogue of Ecclefiaftical Writers, Сс Theodore, who was af (A) Chap. xxxviii. Vol. 3. p. 197. (B) p. 209. "terwards (a) Theodorus, qui poftea Gregorius appellatus eft, Neocaefareae Ponti epifcopus,admodum adolefcens,ob ftudia Grae carum "terwards called Gregorie, Bishop of Neocefarea in Pontus, being yet very young, "for the fake of Greek and Roman learning "came with his brother Athenodore from Cappadocia to Berytus, and thence to Ce"farea in Palestine. Origen perceiving their "fine genius recommended to them the stu"die of philofophie, with which he gradu ally instilled into them the faith of Chrift, " and took them into the number of his difciples. Having stayed with him five years they returned to their mother. [Perhaps, "it should be countrey:] Theodore, before "he went away, compofed a panegyrical "oration to thank Origen, and recited it in " a numerous audience, Origen being prefent, "which is ftill extant. He wrote likewise a "fhort, but very ufeful paraphrafe upon << the caram et Latinarum literarum, de Cappadocia Berytum, et inde Caefaream Palestinae tranfiit, juncto fibi fratre Athenodoro, Quorum cum egregiam indolem vidiffet Origenes, hortatus eft eos ad philofophiam; in qua paulatim fidem introducens, fui quoque fectatores reddidit. Quinquennio itaque eruditi ab eo remittuntur ad matrem, e quibus Theodorus proficifcens πανηγυρικὸν ἐυχαρισίας fcripfit Origeni, et convocata grandi frequentia, ipfo quoque Origene praefente, recitavit, qui ufque hodie exftat. Scripfit et perappar in Ecclefiaften brevem quidem fed valde utilem. Et aliae hujus vulgo feruntur epiftolae, fed praecipue figna atque miracula, quae jam epifcopus cum multa ecclefiarum gloria perpetravit. Hi eron. De Vir. Ill. cap. 65. A. D. 243. A. D. 243. From Gregorie's own Oration. "the book of Ecclefiaftes. There are also "feveral of his epiftles to be found. But "he is chiefly famous for the miracles he wrought when Bishop, to the great ho"nour of the churches." That is a fummarie of Gregorie's whole life. There is an authentic hiftorie of the former part of it in the farewell, or panegyrical oration, at Cefarea, juft mentioned: which was spoken in the year 238. or 239. as is generally fuppofed, though perhaps fome may place it a few years fooner. Gregorie's parents (b) were Gentils. He loft his father, when he was not more than fourteen years of age. Having received those rudiments of learning, which are ufually taught young perfons of a plentiful condition, his (c) mother fent him and his brother Athenodore to a mafter of rhetoric. He had befides another mafter to teach him the Latin tongue: not indeed with a design he should speak it, but that he might not be altogether (b) Gregor, Orat. Paneg. ad Orig. p. 55. B. Ed. Parif. 1621. (c) ἐδόκει τῇ μόνη ἐκ τῶν γονέων κήδεσθαι ἡμῶν παραλειπο μένη μητρί, τ ̓ ἄλλα ἐκπαιδευομένες, για παιδας ἐκ ἀγενείς δῆθεν καὶ οῦντας καὶ τρεφομένες, φοιτᾶν καὶ ρήτορι, ὡς δὴ ρήτορας ἐσομένες. ib. p. 56. Β. с together ignorant of the language of the Empire. This master was well skilled in the Roman Lawes. He earnestly recommended that studie to his fcholar. Gregorie complyed, and his master taught him with great application. It happened, that at this time, Gregorie's fifter, marryed to a Lawyer, in esteem with the Governour of Palestine, and chosen by him to be one of his affeffors or counsellours, was fent for by her husband, to come to him at Cefarea. The (d) officer, who came to conduct the Ladie to her husband, brought with him a good number of carriages, more than fufficient for her and her neceffarie attendents. And Gregorie was induced to accompany his fifter to Cefarea, partly with a view of accommodating her, and rendring her journey more agreeable; partly because of the convenience that offered for going to Berytus in Phenicia, where he might emprove himself in the Lawe under the celebrated Profeffors of that science who refided there. Thus Gregorie by attending his fifter was conducted not to Berytus, but to A. D. 243. (d) p. 57. B. C. |