84. The change in the sentiments, or at least in the conduct
of Constantine, may be traced in Eusebius (in Vit. Constant.
1. iii c. 23, 1. iv. c. 41), Socrates (1. i. c. 23-39),
Sozomen (I.ii. c. 16-34), Theodoret (1. i. c. 14-34), and
Philostorgius (l.ii. c. 1 -17). But the first of these
writers was too near the scene of action, and the others
were too remote from it. It is singular enough that the
important task of continuing the history of the church
should have been left for two laymen and a heretic.