Philip Schaff · 19 of 60

The Private Creed of Arius. A.D. 328.

The preceding Creed of Lucian seems to have already in view the rising heresy of Arius, Presbyter of Alexandria (d. 336), which kindled one of the greatest theological controversies, and became the occasion of the Nicene Council and Creed. We insert it, therefore, in this place, between Lucian and Eusebius, to show how far Arius agreed with the Catholic faith of that age. His peculiar tenets, however, which were condemned at Nicæa in 325, are skillfully avoided in this private confession. It is heretical not by what it says, but by what it omits. It was to pave the way for his restoration. It was laid before the Emperor Constantine, at his request, and is reported by Socrates, Hist. Eccl. Lib. I. cap. 26, and Sozomen, Hist. Eccl. Lib. II. cap. 27; see also Mansi, Conc. Tom. II. p. 1157, and Hahn, pp. 192 sq.