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146 Credibiliiy of the Gospel History.
' Anatolius; one good man cometh after another, as the say-
' ing- is.'
It may be well supposed that the time of Eiisebius's going
into Syria was the year 264, or thereabout, Avhen the first
councU was held at Antioch upon the case of Paul of Samosata:
then Eusebius entered upon this see, and was succeeded
by Anatolius about the year 270.
IV. ' After' the death of Anatolius,' as Ave are informed
by our historian, ' Stephen was advanced to the president-
' ship of that church, and was the last bishop there before
' the persecution : he was admired by many for his elo-
' quence, and philosophy, and Greek learning. However,
' when the persecution broke out, he did not behave like
' a philosopher; but showed himself rather to be a dis-
' sembler, and mean spirited.' What was his fault is not
certainly known : we may be disposed to think that he
apostatized, and renounced the christian religion, though
Eusebius does not expressly say it : thereby, as 1 apprehend,
showing both his sincerity as an historian, and his tenderness
for the reputation of a brother, and a fellow-creature, overcome
by temptation.
V. Eusebius proceeds: ' Nevertheless^ that church did
' not fall to ruin : it was restored to its wonted splendour by
' Theodotus, who was designed bishop of that church by
' God himself, the Saviour of all men. He by his actions
' showed himself to be Avhat his name signified, [a man given
' of God,] and a true bishop. He was an excellent physician
' for the body ; but for the cure of souls he had not his equal,
' such were his humanity, his integrity, his compassion for the
' afflicted, and his diligence in relieving those who needed
' his assistance: with" which was joined uncommon skill in
' the divine scriptures, or the things of religion.'
To this person Eusebius inscribed his Evangelical Preparation
; there' styling him 'beloved of God, and an orna-
' ment to the episcopal office.'
What Eusebius says of his being an excellent physician
for the body has induced'" Fabricius to put Theodotus into
his Catalogue of ancient Physicians.
This bishop of Laodicea, so much commended by our
Eusebius, is reputed an Arian by several learned moderns,
» Eus. ib. p. 288. A. B. ' lb. p. 288. B. C.
" rioXu es i]v avTM kcu to irtpi ra Srfia fiadr^^ara avvriOKrjfiivov. ib. p.
288. C.
" TYivSt ffoi, Srsiov ETniTKOTrit)v ypi^fia, Otodore, (j>i\r} Sty Kai upa KirpaXr},
rrvvivxaic nrefojvrifra. Prsp. Ev. cap. 1. iiiit. " Vid. Bib. Gr. T.
xjii. p. 433.