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| The Leaders of Arianism at this Time.
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Chapter VI.—The
Leaders of Arianism at this Time.
Dorotheus bishop of the Arians,
who, as we have said,916
was translated by that sect from Antioch to Constantinople, having
attained the age of one hundred and nineteen years, died on the 6th of
November, in the seventh consulate of Honorius, and the second of
Theodosius Augustus.917
After him Barbas presided over the Arian sect, in whose time the Arian
faction was favored by possessing two very eloquent members, both
having the rank of presbyter, one of whom was named Timothy, and the
other George. Now George excelled in Grecian literature; Timothy, on
the other hand, was proficient in the sacred Scriptures. George indeed
constantly had the writings of Aristotle and Plato in his hands:
Timothy found his inspiration in Origen; he also evinced in his public
expositions of the holy Scriptures no inconsiderable acquaintance with
the Hebrew language. Now Timothy had formerly identified himself with
the sect of the Psathyrians;918
but George had been ordained by Barbas. I have myself conversed with
Timothy, and was exceedingly struck by the readiness with which he
would answer the most difficult questions, and clear up the most
obscure passages in the Divine oracles; he also invariably quoted
Origen as an unquestionable authority in confirmation of his own
utterances. But it is astonishing to me that these two men should
continue to uphold the heresy of the Arians; the one being so
conversant with Plato, and the other having Origen so frequently on his
lips. For Plato does not say that the second and third cause, as he
usually terms them, had a beginning of existence:919
| 919The special views of Plato which are here alluded to
are probably those found in the Timæus. Cf. Jowett, The
Dialogues of Plato translated into English, Vol. II. p. 451 et
seq.
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and Origen everywhere acknowledges the Son to be co-eternal920
with the Father. Nevertheless although they remained connected with
their own church, still they unconsciously changed the Arian sect for
the better, and displaced many of the blasphemies of Arius by their own
teachings. But enough of these persons. Sisinnius bishop of the
Novatians dying under the same consulate, Chrysanthus was ordained in
his place, of whom we shall have to speak by and by.
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