Constantine the Great (272-337), Roman Emperor from 306-337, made it a priority of his reign to defend the church by suppressing idolatry and heresy. Much of this is detailed in "The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine," written by Eusebius, "the Father of Church History." The following are relevant chapters from this book.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
HE BUILDS CHURCHES IN HONOUR OF MARTYRS, AND
ABOLISHES IDOLATRY ATCONSTANTINOPLE .
ABOLISHES IDOLATRY AT
And being fully resolved to distinguish the city which
bore his name with especial honour, he embellished it with numerous sacred
edifices, both memorials of martyrs on the largest scale, and other buildings
of the most splendid kind, not only within the city itself, but in its
vicinity: and thus at the same time he rendered honour to the memory of the
martyrs, and consecrated his city to the martyrs' God. Being filled, too, with
Divine wisdom, he determined to purge the city which was to be distinguished by
his own name from idolatry of every kind, that henceforth no statues might
be worshipped there in the temples of those falsely reputed to be gods,
nor any altars defiled by the pollution of blood: that there might be no
sacrifices consumed by fire, no demon festivals, nor any of the other ceremonies
usually observed by the slaves of superstition.
[editor's note: we do not endorse Constantine's building of "sacred edifices"]
CHAPTER LIV.
THE IDOL TEMPLES
All these things the emperor diligently
performed to the praise of the saving power of Christ,
and thus made it his constant aim to glorify his Saviour God. On the other
hand he used every means to rebuke the superstitious errors of the
heathen. Hence the entrances of their temples in the several cities were left
exposed to the weather, being stripped of their doors at his command; the tiling of others
was removed, and their roofs destroyed. From others again the venerable
statues of brass, of which the superstition of antiquity
had boasted for a long series of years, were exposed to view in all the public
places of the imperial city: so that here a Pythian, there a
Sminthian Apollo, excited the contempt of the beholder;
while the Delphic tripods were deposited in the circus,
and the Muses of Helicon in the palace itself.
In short, the city of Constantinople was every where filled with brazen statues of the most exquisite workmanship, which had been dedicated in every province, and which the deluded victims of superstition had long vainly honoured as gods with numberless victims and burnt sacrifices, though now at length they learnt to renounce their error, when the emperor held up the very objects of their worship to be the ridicule and sport of all beholders.
In short, the city of Constantinople was every where filled with brazen statues of the most exquisite workmanship, which had been dedicated in every province, and which the deluded victims of superstition had long vainly honoured as gods with numberless victims and burnt sacrifices, though now at length they learnt to renounce their error, when the emperor held up the very objects of their worship to be the ridicule and sport of all beholders.
With regard to those images
which were of gold, he dealt with them in a
different manner. For as soon as he understood that the ignorant
multitudes were inspired with a vain and childish dread of these
bugbears of error, wrought in gold and silver, he judged
it right to remove these also (like stumbling-stones thrown in
the way of men walking in the dark), and henceforward to open
a plain and unobstructed road to all. Having formed this resolution, he considered
no military force needful for the repression of the evil: a
few of his own friends sufficed for this service, and these he sent
by a simple expression of his will to visit each several province.
Accordingly, sustained by confidence in the emperor's pious
intentions and their own personal devotion to God, they
passed through the midst of numberless tribes and nations,
abolishing this ancient error in every city and country. They ordered the priests
themselves, amidst general laughter and scorn, to bring their gods
from their dark recesses to the light of day:
they then stripped them of their ornaments, and exhibited to
the gaze of all the unsightly reality which had been
hidden beneath a painted exterior.
Lastly, whatever part of the material
appeared valuable they scraped off and melted in the fire to prove
its worth, after which they secured and set apart whatever they judged needful
for their purpose, leaving to the superstitious worshippers that
which was altogether useless, as a memorial of their shame. Meanwhile
our admirable prince was himself engaged in a work similar to what
we have described. For at the same time that these costly images of
the dead were stripped, as we have said, of their precious
materials, he also attacked those composed of brass;
causing those to be dragged from their places with ropes
and as it were carried away captive, whom the dotage of antiquity
had esteemed as gods.
 |
| "The Emperor, consistently with his practice, and desire to advance the worship of Him who is at once a jealous God and the true Saviour, gave directions that this temple [of demon worship] also should be razed to the ground." |
CHAPTER LV.
OVERTHROW OF AN IDOL
TEMPLE
LICENTIOUS PRACTICES, AT APHACA INPHOENICIA .
LICENTIOUS PRACTICES, AT APHACA IN
The emperor's next care was to kindle, as it were, a
brilliant torch, by the light of which he directed
his imperial gaze around, to see if any hidden vestiges of error
might still exist. And as the keen-sighted eagle in its
heaven-ward flight, is able to descry from its lofty height the most
distant objects on the earth, so did he, while residing in
the imperial palace of his own fair city, discover as from a
watch-tower a hidden and fatal snare of souls in the province of Phoenicia.
This was a grove and temple, not situated in the midst of any city, nor in any public place (as mostly is the case with a view to splendour of effect), but apart from the beaten and frequented road, at Aphaca, on part of the summit of Mount Libanus, and dedicated to the foul demon known by the name of Venus. It was a school of wickedness for all the abandoned votaries of sensuality and impurity. Here men undeserving of the name forgot the dignity of their sex, and propitiated the demon by their effeminate conduct; here too unlawful commerce of women and adulterous intercourse, with other horrible and infamous practices, were perpetrated in this temple as in a place beyond the scope and restraint of law.
Meantime these evils remained unchecked by the presence of any observer, since no one of fair character ventured to visit such scenes. These proceedings, however, could not escape the vigilance of our august emperor, who, having himself inspected them with characteristic forethought, and judging that such a temple was unfit for the light of heaven, gave orders that the building with its offerings should be utterly destroyed. Accordingly, in obedience to the imperial command, these engines of an abandoned superstition were immediately abolished, and the hand of military force was made instrumental in purging the impurities of the place.
And now those who had heretofore lived without restraint found an inducement to modesty in the emperor's threat of punishment, as did also those superstitious Gentiles who had boasted in their fancied wisdom, but now obtained experimental proof of their own vanity and folly.
This was a grove and temple, not situated in the midst of any city, nor in any public place (as mostly is the case with a view to splendour of effect), but apart from the beaten and frequented road, at Aphaca, on part of the summit of Mount Libanus, and dedicated to the foul demon known by the name of Venus. It was a school of wickedness for all the abandoned votaries of sensuality and impurity. Here men undeserving of the name forgot the dignity of their sex, and propitiated the demon by their effeminate conduct; here too unlawful commerce of women and adulterous intercourse, with other horrible and infamous practices, were perpetrated in this temple as in a place beyond the scope and restraint of law.
Meantime these evils remained unchecked by the presence of any observer, since no one of fair character ventured to visit such scenes. These proceedings, however, could not escape the vigilance of our august emperor, who, having himself inspected them with characteristic forethought, and judging that such a temple was unfit for the light of heaven, gave orders that the building with its offerings should be utterly destroyed. Accordingly, in obedience to the imperial command, these engines of an abandoned superstition were immediately abolished, and the hand of military force was made instrumental in purging the impurities of the place.
And now those who had heretofore lived without restraint found an inducement to modesty in the emperor's threat of punishment, as did also those superstitious Gentiles who had boasted in their fancied wisdom, but now obtained experimental proof of their own vanity and folly.
CHAPTER LVI.
DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE OF ÆG Æ.
(On the coast of Cilicia, near Issus)
For since it happened that many of these
pretenders to wisdom were deluded votaries of the demon
worshipped in Cilicia, whom thousands regarded with reverence as the possessor of saving
and healing power, who sometimes appeared to those who passed the night in his
temple, sometimes restored the diseased to health (though in reality he was
a destroyer of souls, who drew his easily deluded worshippers from the true
Saviour to involve them in impious error), the emperor,
consistently with his practice, and desire to advance the worship of Him
who is at once a jealous God and the true Saviour, gave directions
that this temple also should be razed to the ground.
In prompt obedience to this command, a band of soldiers laid this building, the object of admiration even to noble philosophers, prostrate in the dust, together with its unseen inmate, neither demon nor god, but rather a deceiver of souls, who had seduced mankind for so long a series of years. And thus he who had promised to others deliverance from misfortune and distress, could find no means for his own security, any more than when (as fables feign) he was scorched by the lightning's stroke.* Our emperor's pious deeds, however, had in them nothing fabulous or feigned; but by virtue of the manifested power of his Saviour, this temple as well as others was so utterly overthrown, that not a vestige of the former follies was left behind.
* By Jupiter, for restoring Hippolytus to life, at Diana's request.
In prompt obedience to this command, a band of soldiers laid this building, the object of admiration even to noble philosophers, prostrate in the dust, together with its unseen inmate, neither demon nor god, but rather a deceiver of souls, who had seduced mankind for so long a series of years. And thus he who had promised to others deliverance from misfortune and distress, could find no means for his own security, any more than when (as fables feign) he was scorched by the lightning's stroke.* Our emperor's pious deeds, however, had in them nothing fabulous or feigned; but by virtue of the manifested power of his Saviour, this temple as well as others was so utterly overthrown, that not a vestige of the former follies was left behind.
* By Jupiter, for restoring Hippolytus to life, at Diana's request.
CHAPTER LVII.
HOW THE GENTILES ABANDONED IDOL WORSHIP, AND
TURNED TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.
Hence it was that, of those who had been the slaves of superstition,
when they saw with their own eyes the exposure of the delusion
by which they had been enthralled, and beheld the actual ruin of
the temples and images in every place, some applied themselves to
the saving doctrine of Christ; while others, though they declined to take
this step, yet reprobated the senseless creed of their fathers,
and laughed those falsities to scorn, which they had so long been
accustomed to regard as gods.
Indeed, what other feelings could possess their minds, when they witnessed the thorough uncleanness concealed beneath the fair exterior of the objects of their worship? Beneath this were found either the bones of dead men or dry skulls, fraudulently obtained by designing impostors, or filthy rags full of abominable impurity, or a bundle of hay or stubble. On seeing all these things heaped together within their lifeless images, they denounced their fathers' folly and their own, especially when neither in the secret recesses of the temples nor in the statues themselves could any inmate be found; neither demon, nor utterer of oracles, neither god nor prophet, as they had heretofore supposed: nay, not even a dim and shadowy phantom could be seen.
Accordingly, every gloomy cavern, every hidden recess, afforded easy access to the emperor's emissaries: the inaccessible and secret chambers, the innermost shrines of the temples, were trampled by the soldiers' feet; and thus the mental blindness which had prevailed for so many ages over the gentile world became clearly apparent to the eyes of all.
Indeed, what other feelings could possess their minds, when they witnessed the thorough uncleanness concealed beneath the fair exterior of the objects of their worship? Beneath this were found either the bones of dead men or dry skulls, fraudulently obtained by designing impostors, or filthy rags full of abominable impurity, or a bundle of hay or stubble. On seeing all these things heaped together within their lifeless images, they denounced their fathers' folly and their own, especially when neither in the secret recesses of the temples nor in the statues themselves could any inmate be found; neither demon, nor utterer of oracles, neither god nor prophet, as they had heretofore supposed: nay, not even a dim and shadowy phantom could be seen.
Accordingly, every gloomy cavern, every hidden recess, afforded easy access to the emperor's emissaries: the inaccessible and secret chambers, the innermost shrines of the temples, were trampled by the soldiers' feet; and thus the mental blindness which had prevailed for so many ages over the gentile world became clearly apparent to the eyes of all.
CHAPTER LVIII.
Such actions as I have described may well be reckoned
among the emperor's noblest achievements, as also the wise
arrangements which he made respecting each particular province. We
may instance the Phoenician city Heliopolis , in which-
those who dignify licentious pleasure with a distinguishing title of honour,
had permitted their wives and daughters to commit shameless
fornication.
But now a new statute, breathing the very spirit of modesty, proceeded from the emperor, which peremptorily forbade the continuance of former practices. And besides this, he sent them also written exhortations, as though he had been especially ordained by God for this end, that he might instruct all men in the principles of charity. Hence, he disdained not to communicate by letter even with these persons, urging them to seek diligently the knowledge of God.
At the same time he followed up his words by corresponding deeds, and erected even in this city a church of great size and magnificence: so that an event unheard of before in any age, now for the first time came to pass, namely, that a city which had hitherto been wholly given up to superstition now obtained the privilege of a church of God, with presbyters and deacons, and its people were placed under the presiding care of a bishop consecrated to the service of the supreme God.
And further, the emperor, being anxious that here also as many as possible might be won to the profession of the truth, bestowed abundant provision for the necessities of the poor, desiring even thus to invite them to seek the doctrines of salvation, as though he were almost adopting the words of him who said, "Whether in pretence, or in truth, let Christ be preached."
But now a new statute, breathing the very spirit of modesty, proceeded from the emperor, which peremptorily forbade the continuance of former practices. And besides this, he sent them also written exhortations, as though he had been especially ordained by God for this end, that he might instruct all men in the principles of charity. Hence, he disdained not to communicate by letter even with these persons, urging them to seek diligently the knowledge of God.
At the same time he followed up his words by corresponding deeds, and erected even in this city a church of great size and magnificence: so that an event unheard of before in any age, now for the first time came to pass, namely, that a city which had hitherto been wholly given up to superstition now obtained the privilege of a church of God, with presbyters and deacons, and its people were placed under the presiding care of a bishop consecrated to the service of the supreme God.
And further, the emperor, being anxious that here also as many as possible might be won to the profession of the truth, bestowed abundant provision for the necessities of the poor, desiring even thus to invite them to seek the doctrines of salvation, as though he were almost adopting the words of him who said, "Whether in pretence, or in truth, let Christ be preached."
 |
| (picture: Constantine slaying the lion) "These [heretics] were pests of society, who ruined whole cities under the specious garb of religious docorum ... Accordingly, by an order transmitted to the governors of the several provinces, he effectually banished all such offenders." |
CHAPTER LXIII.
HOW HE DISPLAYED HIS ZEAL FOR THE EXTIRPATION OF HERESIES.
Such were the exhortations to maintain the integrity of
the divine religion which the emperor addressed to the rulers of the churches.
Having by these means banished dissension, and reduced the Church
of God
These were pests of society, who ruined whole cities under the specious garb of religious decorum; men whom our Saviour's warning voice somewhere terms false prophets and ravenous wolves: "Beware of false prophets, who will come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits." Accordingly, by an order transmitted to the governors of the several provinces, he effectually banished all such offenders. In addition to this ordinance he addressed to them personally a severely awakening admonition, exhorting them to an earnest repentance, that they might still find a haven of safety in the trueChurch
of God
These were pests of society, who ruined whole cities under the specious garb of religious decorum; men whom our Saviour's warning voice somewhere terms false prophets and ravenous wolves: "Beware of false prophets, who will come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits." Accordingly, by an order transmitted to the governors of the several provinces, he effectually banished all such offenders. In addition to this ordinance he addressed to them personally a severely awakening admonition, exhorting them to an earnest repentance, that they might still find a haven of safety in the true
CHAPTER LXIV.
"Victor Constantinus, Maximus Augustus, to
the heretics.
"Understand now, by this present statute, ye Novatians,
Valentinians, Marcionites, Paulians, ye who are called Cataphrygians, and all
ye who devise and support heresies by means of your private assemblies, with
what a tissue of falsehood and vanity, with what destructive and venomous
errors, your doctrines are inseparably interwoven; so that through you the
healthy soul is stricken with disease, and the living becomes the prey of
everlasting death. Ye haters and enemies of truth and life, in league with
destruction!
"All your counsels are opposed to the truth, but familiar with deeds of baseness; fit subjects for the fabulous follies of the stage: and by these ye frame falsehoods, oppress the innocent, and withhold the light from them that believe. Ever trespassing under the mask of godliness, ye fill all things with defilement: ye pierce the pure and guileless conscience with deadly wounds, while ye withdraw, one may almost say, the very light of day from the eyes of men. But why should I particularise, when to speak of your criminality as it deserves demands more time and leisure than I can give?
"For so long and unmeasured is the catalogue of your offences, so hateful and altogether atrocious are they, that a single day would not suffice to recount them all. And indeed it is well to turn one's ears and eyes from such a subject, lest by a description of each particular evil, the pure sincerity and freshness of one's own faith be impaired. Why then do I still bear with such abounding evil; especially since this protracted clemency is the cause that some who were sound are become tainted with this pestilent disease? Why not at once strike, as it were, at the root of so great a mischief by a public manifestation of displeasure?"
"All your counsels are opposed to the truth, but familiar with deeds of baseness; fit subjects for the fabulous follies of the stage: and by these ye frame falsehoods, oppress the innocent, and withhold the light from them that believe. Ever trespassing under the mask of godliness, ye fill all things with defilement: ye pierce the pure and guileless conscience with deadly wounds, while ye withdraw, one may almost say, the very light of day from the eyes of men. But why should I particularise, when to speak of your criminality as it deserves demands more time and leisure than I can give?
"For so long and unmeasured is the catalogue of your offences, so hateful and altogether atrocious are they, that a single day would not suffice to recount them all. And indeed it is well to turn one's ears and eyes from such a subject, lest by a description of each particular evil, the pure sincerity and freshness of one's own faith be impaired. Why then do I still bear with such abounding evil; especially since this protracted clemency is the cause that some who were sound are become tainted with this pestilent disease? Why not at once strike, as it were, at the root of so great a mischief by a public manifestation of displeasure?"
CHAPTER LXV.
THE HERETICS ARE DEPRIVED OF THEIR PLACES OF ASSEMBLY,
AND THEIR MEETINGS SUPPRESSED.
AND THEIR MEETINGS SUPPRESSED.
"Forasmuch, then, as it is no longer possible to
bear with your pernicious errors, we give warning by this present statute that
none of you henceforth presume to assemble yourselves together. We have
directed, accordingly, that you be deprived of all the houses in which you are
accustomed to hold your assemblies: and our care in this respect extends so far
as to forbid the holding of your superstitious and senseless meetings, not in
public merely, but in any private house or place whatsoever. Let those of you,
therefore, who are desirous of embracing the true and pure religion, take the
far better course of entering the catholic Church, and uniting with it in holy
fellowship, whereby you will be enabled to arrive at the knowledge of the
truth.
In any case, the delusions of your perverted understandings must entirely cease to mingle with and mar the felicity of our present times; I mean the impious and wretched double-mindedness of heretics and schismatics. For it is an object worthy of that prosperity which we enjoy through the favour of God, to endeavour to bring back those who in time past were living in the hope of future blessing, from all irregularity and error to the right path, from darkness to light, from vanity to truth, from death to salvation.
And in order that this remedy may be applied with effectual power, we have commanded (as before said), that you be positively deprived of every gathering point for your superstitious meetings, I mean all the houses of prayer (if such be worthy of the name) which belong to heretics, and that these be made over without delay to the catholic Church; that any other places be confiscated to the public service, and no facility whatever be left for any future gathering; in order that from this day forward none of your unlawful assemblies may presume to appear in any public or private place. Let this edict be made public."
In any case, the delusions of your perverted understandings must entirely cease to mingle with and mar the felicity of our present times; I mean the impious and wretched double-mindedness of heretics and schismatics. For it is an object worthy of that prosperity which we enjoy through the favour of God, to endeavour to bring back those who in time past were living in the hope of future blessing, from all irregularity and error to the right path, from darkness to light, from vanity to truth, from death to salvation.
And in order that this remedy may be applied with effectual power, we have commanded (as before said), that you be positively deprived of every gathering point for your superstitious meetings, I mean all the houses of prayer (if such be worthy of the name) which belong to heretics, and that these be made over without delay to the catholic Church; that any other places be confiscated to the public service, and no facility whatever be left for any future gathering; in order that from this day forward none of your unlawful assemblies may presume to appear in any public or private place. Let this edict be made public."
CHAPTER LXVI.
ON THE DISCOVERY OF PROHIBITED BOOKS AMONG THE HERETICS,
MANY OF THEM RETURN TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Thus were the lurking-places of the heretics broken up
by the emperor's command, and the savage beasts they harboured (I mean the
chief authors of their impious doctrines) driven to flight. Of those whom they
had deceived, some, intimidated by the emperor's threats, with a false and
time-serving disguise of their real sentiments, crept secretly into the Church.
For since the law directed that search should be made for their books, those of
them who practised evil and forbidden arts were detected, and these were ready
to secure their own safety by dissimulation of every kind.
Others, however, there were, who voluntarily and with real sincerity embraced a better hope. Meantime the prelates of the several churches continued to make strict inquiry, utterly rejecting those who attempted an entrance under the specious disguise of false pretences, while those who came with sincerity of purpose were proved for a time, and after sufficient trial numbered with the congregation. Such was the treatment of those who stood charged with rank heresy: those, however, who maintained no impious doctrine, but had been separated from the one body through the influence of schismatic advisers, were received without difficulty or delay.
Accordingly, numbers thus revisited (as it were) their own country after an absence in a foreign land, and acknowledged the Church as a mother from whom they had wandered long, and to whom they now returned with joy and gladness. Thus the members of the entire body became united, and compacted in one harmonious whole; and the one catholic Church, at unity with itself, shone with full lustre, while no heretical or schismatic body any where continued to exist. And the credit of having achieved this mighty work our Heaven-protected emperor alone, of all who had gone before him, was able to attribute to himself.
Others, however, there were, who voluntarily and with real sincerity embraced a better hope. Meantime the prelates of the several churches continued to make strict inquiry, utterly rejecting those who attempted an entrance under the specious disguise of false pretences, while those who came with sincerity of purpose were proved for a time, and after sufficient trial numbered with the congregation. Such was the treatment of those who stood charged with rank heresy: those, however, who maintained no impious doctrine, but had been separated from the one body through the influence of schismatic advisers, were received without difficulty or delay.
Accordingly, numbers thus revisited (as it were) their own country after an absence in a foreign land, and acknowledged the Church as a mother from whom they had wandered long, and to whom they now returned with joy and gladness. Thus the members of the entire body became united, and compacted in one harmonious whole; and the one catholic Church, at unity with itself, shone with full lustre, while no heretical or schismatic body any where continued to exist. And the credit of having achieved this mighty work our Heaven-protected emperor alone, of all who had gone before him, was able to attribute to himself.
CHAPTER LXXV.
HE SURPASSED ALL PRECEDING EMPERORS IN DEVOTION
TO GOD.
Standing, as he did, alone and pre-eminent among the
Roman emperors as a worshipper of God; alone as the bold proclaimer to all men
of the doctrine of Christ; having alone rendered honour, as none before him had
ever done, to His Church; having alone abolished utterly the superstitious
worship of a plurality of gods, and discountenanced idolatry in every form: so,
both during life and after death, was he accounted worthy of such honours as
none can say have been attained to by any other; so that no one, whether Greek
or Barbarian, nay, of the ancient Romans themselves, has ever been presented
to us as worthy of comparison with him.
photo credit:
Constantine statue, outside York Minster
© Gunnar Larsson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY -SA 3.0)
Note about the Theonomy Applied Series: In quoting any particular law, we do not necessarily endorse every aspect of that law as biblical, whether it be the prohibition, sanction, court procedure, etc. Rather, we are merely showing the more or less attempt to apply biblical law in history, whether or not that application was fully biblical. Moreover, in quoting any particular law, we do not necessarily consider those who passed and/or enforced such a law as being fully orthodox in their Christian theology. Professing Christian rulers in history have ranged in their theology from being orthodox (that is, Reformed Protestants) to heretical (for example, Roman Catholics).
.jpg){kind=link}
No comments:
Post a Comment