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Book III — Historical footnotes

Chapter XXXVII.—The Evangelists that were still Eminent at that Time.; original source section: Chapter 37

Complete historical editorial footnotes. These notes retain the original edition’s wording; individual note authors are unspecified.

English translation and editorial credits: Rev. Arthur Cushman McGiffert (Ph.D.).

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1890 (historical English edition; transcription printing date uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

This Quadratus had considerable reputation as a prophet, as may be gathered from Eusebius’ mention of him here, and also from the reference to him in the anonymous work against the Montanists (see below, Bk. V. chap. 16). We know nothing about this Quadratus except what is told us in these two passages, unless we identify him, as many do, with Quadratus the apologist mentioned below, in Bk. IV. chap. 3. This identification is possible, but by no means certain. See Bk. IV. chap. 3, note 2.

Editorial footnote · Book III, Chapter XXXVII.—The Evangelists that were still Eminent at that Time.; original source section: Chapter 37, editorial note cite_note-1 · Original source

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1. Among those that were celebrated at that time was Quadratus, who, report says, was renowned along with the daughters of Philip for his prophetical gifts. And there were many others besides these who were known in those days, and who occupied the first place among the successors of the apostles. And they also, being illustrious disciples of such great men, built up the foundations of the churches which had been laid by the apostles in every place, and preached the Gospel more and more widely and scattered the saving seeds of the kingdom of heaven far and near throughout the whole world.

1890 (historical English edition; transcription printing date uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

This rhetorical flourish arouses the suspicion that Eusebius, although he says there were “many others” that were well known in those days, was unacquainted with the names of such persons as we, too, are unacquainted with them. None will deny that there may have been some men of prominence in the Church at this time, but Eusebius apparently had no more information to impart in regard to them than he gives us in this chapter, and he makes up for his lack of facts in a way which is not at all uncommon.

Editorial footnote · Book III, Chapter XXXVII.—The Evangelists that were still Eminent at that Time.; original source section: Chapter 37, editorial note cite_note-2 · Original source

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1. Among those that were celebrated at that time was Quadratus, who, report says, was renowned along with the daughters of Philip for his prophetical gifts. And there were many others besides these who were known in those days, and who occupied the first place among the successors of the apostles. And they also, being illustrious disciples of such great men, built up the foundations of the churches which had been laid by the apostles in every place, and preached the Gospel more and more widely and scattered the saving seeds of the kingdom of heaven far and near throughout the whole world.

1890 (historical English edition; transcription printing date uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

That is, an ascetic mode of life. See Bk. VI. chap. 3, note 9.

Editorial footnote · Book III, Chapter XXXVII.—The Evangelists that were still Eminent at that Time.; original source section: Chapter 37, editorial note cite_note-3 · Original source

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2. For indeed most of the disciples of that time, animated by the divine word with a more ardent love for philosophy, had already fulfilled the command of the Saviour, and had distributed their goods to the needy. Then starting out upon long journeys they performed the office of evangelists, being filled with the desire to preach Christ to those who had not yet heard the word of faith, and to deliver to them the divine Gospels.