Note 005 That rite was always used in making a catechumen (see Bingham's Antiquities, 1. x. c. i. p. 419; Dom Chardon, Hist. des Sacremens, tom. i. p. 62), and Constantine received it for the 'first' time (Euseb. in Vit. Constant. 1. iv. c. 61) immediately before his baptism and death. From the connection of these two facts, Valesius (ad loc. Euseb.) has drawn the conclusion which is reluctantly admitted by Tillemont (Hist. des Empereurs, tom. p. 628), and opposed with feeble arguments by Mosheim (p. 968).

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Note to Chapter 20 of DECLINE & FALL by Gibbon