CHAPTER X.
THE PASTORAL LETTER OF EUSEBIUS PAMPHILUS,[1] OF CÆSAREA, CONCERNING THE SAME THINGS, WITH OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
"It is likely that you have learnt, from other sources, what was decided respecting the faith of the church at the general Council of Nice; for the fame of great transactions generally precedes the accurate detail of them. But, lest rumors not strictly founded in truth should have reached you, I think it necessary to send to you, first, the formulary of faith originally proposed by us; and, secondly, the additions appended to it by the bishops when setting it forth. The following is our formulary, which was read in the presence of our most pious emperor, and which was fully approved by all:[2]
" 'The faith which we hold is that which we have received from the bishops who were before us,[3] and in the rudiments of which we were in-
- ↑ This letter I copy from Theodoret, who says, in introducing it: "The following letter was written by Eusebius, bishop of Cæsarea, to some of the Arians, who had accused him, it seems, of treachery. They had previously honored him, because ho had adopted their sentiments." But the fact is, he sent this letter to his own diocesans, as several cotemporary writers tell us.—See the statement of Athanasius.
- ↑ In the copy of this letter given by Socrates, the words here used are, it "seemed to meet with universal approbation."
- ↑ Origen says, in reference to those who declare Christ to be God, "Aiming to honor Christ, they teach what is untrue of him." He denies the doctrine of the Patripassians, who believed that the Logos (the Word) is the Eternal Father. He taught that the Son is, in God, what reason is in man, and that the Holy Spirit is nothing else but the divine energy or power of
