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570 Credibility of the Gospel History.
that the beginning' of Arianism is put by that author in 317.
Cave likewise thinks, that Ariiis was not known '^
as an here-
siarch, until after 315, though he speaks of him as flourishing-
about that year. Barnard de Varenne S'ays, that^ Arius
did not open himself fully, till the year 319, when he knew
that he had several bishops and presbyters on his side.
Epiphanius informs us, it was said, that'* Arius was a native
of Libya : he does not speak positively. Constantine
seems to mean Alexandria, when he speaks of' sending back
Arius to his own country. It is now commonly said, that
his father's name was Ammonius : and indeed, Arius sent
his letter to Eusebius of Nicomedia by one*" Ammonius,
whom he calls father. But in what sense he useth the
word, may be questioned, as has been already observed by
' Basnage.
Sozomen says, that"* Arius was made deacon by Peter,
but was afterwards excommunicated by the same bishop,
for not approving of his treatment of Meletius and his adherents.
When Peter had sufl'ered martyrdom, Achillas not
only forgave Arius, and admitted him deacon again, but
ordained him presbyter. After whose death," he was also for
a time much esteemed by Alexander.
It is universally agreed, that Arius was presbyter of
Alexandria, and" officiated in a church of that city. Theodoret
says, heP was intrusted with the interpretation of the
sacred scriptures, whether Theodoret thereby means, as
catechist, or only as preacher in the church allotted to him,
is not'i certain. For it seems to me, that there is no good
reason to conclude from these expressions of Theodoret, that
Arius had the office of catechist at Alexandria.
Arius's particular opinions being known, and spreading*
considerably, Alexander convened a council at Alexandria :
in which Arius and divers others were^ excommunicated, as
' Ccepitque, ut volunt, ab anno 315, lanquam haeresiarcha, innotescere
quod famen paulo serins mihi contigisse videtur, paucis ante synodum Nicsenam
annis. Cav. H. L. in Ario.
8 Histoire de Constantin. 1. v. p. 207. a Paris. 1 728.
*" (pamv Se avrov Ki^vv rtj) y(vu. Epiph. H. 6. 9. n. 69.
' tTTi rjjj/ irarpida n(piK((j6ai Svvr]Qt}Q. ap. Socr. 1. i. c. 25. p. 61. B.
^ Ap. Epiph. H. 69. n. 6. ' Sed ambigiuim patris nomen,
quod episcopis ef iani iVequentissimedebatur, in incerto ponit, naturane an dig-
nitale pater Arii vocetur Ammonius. Basn. A. 318. n. v.
'" Soz. 1. i. c. 15. p. 426. A. B. " yura Se tuvtu icai
AXiKavSpog EV Tifiy Hxtv avrov. Soz. ib. B.
" Vid. Ilpiph. II. 69. n.i.
P ApHog T