The crucifying of the world

Sophronius Bishop of Jerusalem (Prat. spir. c. 195. referente Baronio ad an. 411.) delivereth this History following to posterity, as a most certain thing:

Sophronius Bishop of Ierusalem (Prat. spir. c. 195. referente Baronio ad an. 411.) delivereth this History following to posterity, as a most certain thing:

THAT Leontius Apamiensis a most faithful Religious man that had lived many years at Cyrene assured them, that Synesius (who of a Philosopher became a Bishop) found at Cyrene one Evagrius a Philosopher, who had been his old acquaintance, fellow-student and intimate friend, but an obstinate Heathen: and Synesius was earnest with him to become a Christian, but all in vain: Yet did he still follow him with those Arguments that might satisfy him of the Christian verity; and at last the Philosopher told him, that to him it seemed but a mere fable and deceit that the Christian Religion teacheth men, that this world shall have an end, and that all men shall rise again in these bodies, and their flesh be made immortal and incorruptible, and that they shall so live for ever, and receive the Reward of all that they have done in the body, and that he that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord, and he that gives to the poor and needy shall have Treasures in heaven, and shall receive an hundred-fold from Christ, together with eternal life. These things he derided. Synesius by many arguments assured him that all these things were certainly true: and at last the Philosopher and his children were Baptized. A while after he comes to Synesius, and brings him ⟨image 33⟩three hundred pound of Gold for the poor, and bid him Take it, but give him a Bill under his hand that Christ should repay it him in another world. Synesius took the money for the poor, and gave him under his hand such a Bill as he desired. Not long after the Philosopher being near to death, commanded his sons that when they buried him, they should put Synesius Bill in his hand in the Grave; which they did: And the third day after, the Philosopher seemed to appear to Synesius in the night, and said to him, [Come to my Sepulchre, where I lie, and take thy Bill, for I have received the Debt and am satisfied; which for thy assurance I have subscribed with my own hand.] The Bishop knew not that the Bill was buried with him, but sent to his sons, who told him all; and taking them and the chief men of the City, he went to the Grave, and found the Paper in the hands of the Corpse, thus subscribed, [EGO EVAGRIUS PHILOSOPHUS, TIBI SANCTISSIMO DOMINO SYNESIO EPISCOPO SALUTEM: ACCEPI DEBITUM IN HIS LITERIS MANU TUA CONSCRIPTUM, SATISFACTUMQUE MIHI EST;