(143)
contriving plausible pretences; for his Crimes, when indeed his end was nothing but to ruine the whole World, and get their Estates.
At first, he put in one Paul into the Bishoprick of Alexandria, (at the time when Rhodon, a Phenician, was Governor) to whom he writ to execute what ever Paul recommended to him, and to be sure to assist him; for by his industry he hoped to oblige all the chief persons in that City, and prevail with them to stand for the Council of Chalcedon. There was at that time a native of Palestine, called Arsenius, the wickedest man alive, who having made himself necessary to the Empress, by the management of her intrigues, had got a vast estate, and with it, great credit and authority. This miscreant was of the same Religion with the Samaritans, but he had always pretended to be a Christian, and his Father and Brother dissembling the same Faith, being supported by his interest, and acted by his devilish perswasions, they brought a thousand miseries upon the Christians of Scythopolis where they lived: Whereupon the Citizens revolted, and put them to death, after they had punished them severely, which was the occasion afterwards of much mischeif to Palestine; for as to Arsenius (though he was really the Author of those troubles) the Emperor inflicted no other punishment upon him, but to forbid him the Court, and that he did only to satisfie the Christians who were very importunate against him.
