But，asiftheconductoftheemperorhadbeenguidedbypassioninsteadofprinciple，threeyearsfromthecouncilofNicewerescarcelyelapsedbeforehediscoveredsomesymptomsofmercy，andevenofindulgence，towardstheproscribedsect，whichwassecretlyprotectedbyhisfavoritesister。Theexileswererecalled，andEusebius，whograduallyresumedhisinfluenceoverthemindofConstantine，wasrestoredtotheepiscopalthrone，fromwhichhehadbeenignominiouslydegraded。Ariushimselfwastreatedbythewholecourtwiththerespectwhichwouldhavebeenduetoaninnocentandoppressedman。HisfaithwasapprovedbythesynodofJerusalem；andtheemperorseemedimpatienttorepairhisinjustice，byissuinganabsolutecommand，thatheshouldbesolemnlyadmittedtothecommunioninthecathedralofConstantinople。Onthesameday，whichhadbeenfixedforthetriumphofArius，heexpired；andthestrangeandhorridcircumstancesofhisdeathmightexciteasuspicion，thattheorthodoxsaintshadcontributedmoreefficaciouslythanbytheirprayers，todeliverthechurchfromthemostformidableofherenemies。^83ThethreeprincipalleadersoftheCatholics，AthanasiusofAlexandria，EustathiusofAntioch，andPaulofConstantinopleweredeposedonvariousfaccusations，bythesentenceofnumerouscouncils；andwereafterwardsbanishedintodistantprovincesbythefirstoftheChristianemperors，who，inthelastmomentsofhislife，receivedtheritesofbaptismfromtheArianbishopofNicomedia。TheecclesiasticalgovernmentofConstantinecannotbejustifiedfromthereproachoflevityandweakness。Butthecredulousmonarch，unskilledinthestratagemsoftheologicalwarfare，mightbedeceivedbythemodestandspeciousprofessionsoftheheretics，whosesentimentsheneverperfectlyunderstood；andwhileheprotectedArius，andpersecutedAthanasius，hestillconsideredthecouncilofNiceasthebulwarkoftheChristianfaith，andthepeculiargloryofhisownreign。^84
[Footnote83:WederivetheoriginalstoryfromAthanasius，tom。
i。p。670，whoexpressessomereluctancetostigmatizethememoryofthedead。Hemightexaggerate；buttheperpetualcommerceofAlexandriaandConstantinoplewouldhaverendereditdangeroustoinvent。ThosewhopresstheliteralnarrativeofthedeathofAriushisbowelssuddenlyburstoutinaprivy
mustmaketheiroptionbetweenpoisonandmiracle。]
[Footnote84:Thechangeinthesentiments，oratleastintheconduct，ofConstantine，maybetracedinEusebius，inVit。
Constant。l。iii。c。23，l。iv。c。41，Socrates，l。i。c。
23—39，Sozomen，l。ii。c。16—34，Theodoret，l。i。c。14—34，
andPhilostorgius，l。ii。c。1—17。Butthefirstofthesewriterswastoonearthesceneofaction，andtheothersweretooremotefromit。Itissingularenough，thattheimportanttaskofcontinuingthehistoryofthechurchshouldhavebeenleftfortwolaymenandaheretic。]
ThesonsofConstantinemusthavebeenadmittedfromtheirchildhoodintotherankofcatechumens；buttheyimitated，inthedelayoftheirbaptism，theexampleoftheirfather。Likehimtheypresumedtopronouncetheirjudgmentonmysteriesintowhichtheyhadneverbeenregularlyinitiated；^85andthefateoftheTrinitariancontroversydepended，inagreatmeasure，onthesentimentsofConstantius；whoinheritedtheprovincesoftheEast，andacquiredthepossessionofthewholeempire。TheArianpresbyterorbishop，whohadsecretedforhisusethetestamentofthedeceasedemperor，improvedthefortunateoccasionwhichhadintroducedhimtothefamiliarityofaprince，whosepubliccounselswerealwaysswayedbyhisdomesticfavorites。Theeunuchsandslavesdiffusedthespiritualpoisonthroughthepalace，andthedangerousinfectionwascommunicatedbythefemaleattendantstotheguards，andbytheempresstoherunsuspicioushusband。^86ThepartialitywhichConstantiusalwaysexpressedtowardstheEusebianfaction，wasinsensiblyfortifiedbythedexterousmanagementoftheirleaders；andhisvictoryoverthetyrantMagnentiusincreasedhisinclination，aswellasability，toemploythearmsofpowerinthecauseofArianism。
WhilethetwoarmieswereengagedintheplainsofMursa，andthefateofthetworivalsdependedonthechanceofwar，thesonofConstantinepassedtheanxiousmomentsinachurchofthemartyrsunderthewallsofthecity。Hisspiritualcomforter，Valens，theArianbishopofthediocese，employedthemostartfulprecautionstoobtainsuchearlyintelligenceasmightsecureeitherhisfavororhisescape。Asecretchainofswiftandtrustymessengersinformedhimofthevicissitudesofthebattle；
andwhilethecourtiersstoodtremblingroundtheiraffrightedmaster，ValensassuredhimthattheGalliclegionsgaveway；andinsinuatedwithsomepresenceofmind，thatthegloriouseventhadbeenrevealedtohimbyanangel。ThegratefulemperorascribedhissuccesstothemeritsandintercessionofthebishopofMursa，whosefaithhaddeservedthepublicandmiraculousapprobationofHeaven。^87TheArians，whoconsideredastheirownthevictoryofConstantius，preferredhisglorytothatofhisfather。^88Cyril，bishopofJerusalem，immediatelycomposedthedescriptionofacelestialcross，encircledwithasplendidrainbow；whichduringthefestivalofPentecost，aboutthethirdhouroftheday，hadappearedovertheMountofOlives，totheedificationofthedevoutpilgrims，andthepeopleoftheholycity。^89Thesizeofthemeteorwasgraduallymagnified；andtheArianhistorianhasventuredtoaffirm，thatitwasconspicuoustothetwoarmiesintheplainsofPannonia；andthatthetyrant，whoispurposelyrepresentedasanidolater，fledbeforetheauspicioussignoforthodoxChristianity。^90
[Footnote85:Quiaetiamtumcatechumenussacramentumfideimeritovideretiupotuissenescire。Sulp。Sever。Hist。Sacra，l。
ii。p。410。]
[Footnote86:Socrates，l。ii。c。2。Sozomen，l。iii。c。18。
Athanas。tom。i。p。813，834。HeobservesthattheeunuchsarethenaturalenemiesoftheSon。CompareDr。Jortin\'sRemarksonEcclesiasticalHistory，vol。iv。p。3withacertaingenealogyinCandide，ch。iv。，whichendswithoneofthefirstcompanionsofChristopherColumbus。]
[Footnote87:SulpiciusSeverusinHist。Sacra，l。ii。p。405，406。]
[Footnote88:CyrilapudBaron。A。D。353，No。26expresslyobservesthatinthereignofConstantine，thecrosshadbeenfoundinthebowelsoftheearth；butthatithadappeared，inthereignofConstantius，inthemidstoftheheavens。Thisoppositionevidentlyproves，thatCyrilwasignorantofthestupendousmiracletowhichtheconversionofConstantineisattributed；andthisignoranceisthemoresurprising，sinceitwasnomorethantwelveyearsafterhisdeaththatCyrilwasconsecratedbishopofJerusalem，bytheimmediatesuccessorofEusebiusofCaesarea。SeeTillemont，Mem。Eccles。tom。viii。p。
715。]
[Footnote89:ItisnoteasytodeterminehowfartheingenuityofCyrilmightbeassistedbysomenaturalappearancesofasolarhalo。]
[Footnote90:Philostorgius，l。iii。c。26。HeisfollowedbytheauthoroftheAlexandrianChronicle，byCedrenus，andbyNicephorus。SeeGothofred。Dissert。p。188。Theycouldnotrefuseamiracle，evenfromthehandofanenemy。]
Thesentimentsofajudiciousstranger，whohasimpartiallyconsideredtheprogressofcivilorecclesiasticaldiscord，arealwaysentitledtoournotice；andashortpassageofAmmianus，whoservedinthearmies，andstudiedthecharacterofConstantius，isperhapsofmorevaluethanmanypagesoftheologicalinvectives。\"TheChristianreligion，which，initself，\"saysthatmoderatehistorian，\"isplainandsimple，heconfoundedbythedotageofsuperstition。Insteadofreconcilingthepartiesbytheweightofhisauthority，hecherishedandpromulgated，byverbaldisputes，thedifferenceswhichhisvaincuriosityhadexcited。Thehighwayswerecoveredwithtroopsofbishopsgallopingfromeverysidetotheassemblies，whichtheycallsynods；andwhiletheylaboredtoreducethewholesecttotheirownparticularopinions，thepublicestablishmentofthepostswasalmostruinedbytheirhastyandrepeatedjourneys。\"
^91OurmoreintimateknowledgeoftheecclesiasticaltransactionsofthereignofConstantiuswouldfurnishanamplecommentaryonthisremarkablepassage，whichjustifiestherationalapprehensionsofAthanasius，thattherestlessactivityoftheclergy，whowanderedroundtheempireinsearchofthetruefaith，wouldexcitethecontemptandlaughteroftheunbelievingworld。^92Assoonastheemperorwasrelievedfromtheterrorsofthecivilwar，hedevotedtheleisureofhiswinterquartersatArles，Milan，Sirmium，andConstantinople，totheamusementortoilsofcontroversy:theswordofthemagistrate，andevenofthetyrant，wasunsheathed，toenforcethereasonsofthetheologian；andasheopposedtheorthodoxfaithofNice，itisreadilyconfessedthathisincapacityandignorancewereequaltohispresumption。^93Theeunuchs，thewomen，andthebishops，whogovernedthevainandfeeblemindoftheemperor，hadinspiredhimwithaninsuperabledisliketotheHomoousion；buthistimidconsciencewasalarmedbytheimpietyofAetius。TheguiltofthatatheistwasaggravatedbythesuspiciousfavoroftheunfortunateGallus；andeventhedeathoftheImperialministers，whohadbeenmassacredatAntioch，wereimputedtothesuggestionsofthatdangeroussophist。ThemindofConstantius，whichcouldneitherbemoderatedbyreason，norfixedbyfaith，wasblindlyimpelledtoeithersideofthedarkandemptyabyss，byhishorroroftheoppositeextreme；healternatelyembracedandcondemnedthesentiments，hesuccessivelybanishedandrecalledtheleaders，oftheArianandSemi—Arianfactions。^94Duringtheseasonofpublicbusinessorfestivity，heemployedwholedays，andevennights，inselectingthewords，andweighingthesyllables，whichcomposedhisfluctuatingcreeds。Thesubjectofhismeditationsstillpursuedandoccupiedhisslumbers:theincoherentdreamsoftheemperorwerereceivedascelestialvisions，andheacceptedwithcomplacencytheloftytitleofbishopofbishops，fromthoseecclesiasticswhoforgottheinterestoftheirorderforthegratificationoftheirpassions。Thedesignofestablishingauniformityofdoctrine，whichhadengagedhimtoconvenesomanysynodsinGaul，Italy，Illyricum，andAsia，wasrepeatedlybaffledbyhisownlevity，bythedivisionsoftheArians，andbytheresistanceoftheCatholics；andheresolved，asthelastanddecisiveeffort，imperiouslytodictatethedecreesofageneralcouncil。ThedestructiveearthquakeofNicomedia，thedifficultyoffindingaconvenientplace，andperhapssomesecretmotivesofpolicy，producedanalterationinthesummons。ThebishopsoftheEastweredirectedtomeetatSeleucia，inIsauria；whilethoseoftheWestheldtheirdeliberationsatRimini，onthecoastoftheHadriatic；andinsteadoftwoorthreedeputiesfromeachprovince，thewholeepiscopalbodywasorderedtomarch。TheEasterncouncil，afterconsumingfourdaysinfierceandunavailingdebate，separatedwithoutanydefinitiveconclusion。
ThecounciloftheWestwasprotractedtilltheseventhmonth。
Taurus，thePraetorianpraefectwasinstructednottodismisstheprelatestilltheyshouldallbeunitedinthesameopinion；andhiseffortsweresupportedbythepowerofbanishingfifteenofthemostrefractory，andapromiseoftheconsulshipifheachievedsodifficultanadventure。Hisprayersandthreats，theauthorityofthesovereign，thesophistryofValensandUrsacius，thedistressofcoldandhunger，andthetediousmelancholyofahopelessexile，atlengthextortedthereluctantconsentofthebishopsofRimini。ThedeputiesoftheEastandoftheWestattendedtheemperorinthepalaceofConstantinople，andheenjoyedthesatisfactionofimposingontheworldaprofessionoffaithwhichestablishedthelikeness，withoutexpressingtheconsubstantiality，oftheSonofGod。^95ButthetriumphofArianismhadbeenprecededbytheremovaloftheorthodoxclergy，whomitwasimpossibleeithertointimidateortocorrupt；andthereignofConstantiuswasdisgracedbytheunjustandineffectualpersecutionofthegreatAthanasius。
[Footnote91:Socuriousapassagewelldeservestobetranscribed。Christianamreligionemabsolutametsimplicem，anilisuperstitioneconfundens；inquascrutandaperplexius，quamcomponendagraviusexcitaretdiscidiaplurima；quaeprogressafusiusaluitconcertationeverborum，utcatervisantistiumjumentispublicisultrocitroquediscarrentibus，persynodosquasappellantdumritumomnemadsuumsahereconanturValesiusreadsconaturreivehiculariaeconcideretservos。
Ammianus，xxi。16。]
[Footnote92:Athanas。tom。i。p。870。]
[Footnote93:Socrates，l。ii。c。35—47。Sozomen，l。iv。c。
12—30。Theodoreli。c。18—32。Philostorg。l。iv。c。4—12，l。
v。c。1—4，l。vi。c。1—5]
[Footnote94:Sozomen，l。iv。c。23。Athanas。tom。i。p。831。
TillemontMemEccles。tom。vii。p。947hascollectedseveralinstancesofthehaughtyfanaticismofConstantiusfromthedetachedtreatisesofLuciferofCagliari。Theverytitlesofthesetreatiesinspirezealandterror；\"MoriendumproDeiFilio。\"\"DeRegibusApostaticis。\"\"DenonconveniendocumHaeretico。\"\"DenonparcendoinDeumdelinquentibus。\"]
[Footnote95:Sulp。Sever。Hist。Sacra，l。ii。p。418—430。TheGreekhistorianswereveryignorantoftheaffairsoftheWest。]
Wehaveseldomanopportunityofobserving，eitherinactiveorspeculativelife，whateffectmaybeproduced，orwhatobstaclesmaybesurmounted，bytheforceofasinglemind，whenitisinflexiblyappliedtothepursuitofasingleobject。TheimmortalnameofAthanasius^96willneverbeseparatedfromtheCatholicdoctrineoftheTrinity，towhosedefenceheconsecratedeverymomentandeveryfacultyofhisbeing。EducatedinthefamilyofAlexander，hehadvigorouslyopposedtheearlyprogressoftheArianheresy:heexercisedtheimportantfunctionsofsecretaryundertheagedprelate；andthefathersoftheNicenecouncilbeheldwithsurpriseandrespecttherisingvirtuesoftheyoungdeacon。Inatimeofpublicdanger，thedullclaimsofageandofrankaresometimessuperseded；andwithinfivemonthsafterhisreturnfromNice，thedeaconAthanasiuswasseatedonthearchiepiscopalthroneofEgypt。Hefilledthateminentstationaboveforty—sixyears，andhislongadministrationwasspentinaperpetualcombatagainstthepowersofArianism。FivetimeswasAthanasiusexpelledfromhisthrone；twentyyearshepassedasanexileorafugitive:andalmosteveryprovinceoftheRomanempirewassuccessivelywitnesstohismerit，andhissufferingsinthecauseoftheHomoousion，whichheconsideredasthesolepleasureandbusiness，astheduty，andasthegloryofhislife。Amidstthestormsofpersecution，thearchbishopofAlexandriawaspatientoflabor，jealousoffame，carelessofsafety；andalthoughhismindwastaintedbythecontagionoffanaticism，Athanasiusdisplayedasuperiorityofcharacterandabilities，whichwouldhavequalifiedhim，farbetterthanthedegeneratesonsofConstantine，forthegovernmentofagreatmonarchy。HislearningwasmuchlessprofoundandextensivethanthatofEusebiusofCaesarea，andhisrudeeloquencecouldnotbecomparedwiththepolishedoratoryofGregoryofBasil；butwhenevertheprimateofEgyptwascalledupontojustifyhissentiments，orhisconduct，hisunpremeditatedstyle，eitherofspeakingorwriting，wasclear，forcible，andpersuasive。Hehasalwaysbeenrevered，intheorthodoxschool，asoneofthemostaccuratemastersoftheChristiantheology；andhewassupposedtopossesstwoprofanesciences，lessadaptedtotheepiscopalcharacter，theknowledgeofjurisprudence，^97andthatofdivination。^98Somefortunateconjecturesoffutureevents，whichimpartialreasonersmightascribetotheexperienceandjudgmentofAthanasius，wereattributedbyhisfriendstoheavenlyinspiration，andimputedbyhisenemiestoinfernalmagic。
[Footnote96:WemayregretthatGregoryNazianzencomposedapanegyricinsteadofalifeofAthanasius；butweshouldenjoyandimprovetheadvantageofdrawingourmostauthenticmaterialsfromtherichfundofhisownepistlesandapologies，tom。i。p。
670—951。IshallnotimitatetheexampleofSocrates，l。ii。c。
l。whopublishedthefirsteditionofthehistory，withoutgivinghimselfthetroubletoconsultthewritingsofAthanasius。
YetevenSocrates，themorecuriousSozomen，andthelearnedTheodoret，connectthelifeofAthanasiuswiththeseriesofecclesiasticalhistory。ThediligenceofTillemont，tom。viii，
andoftheBenedictineeditors，hascollectedeveryfact，andexaminedeverydifficulty]
[Footnote97:SulpiciusSeverusHist。Sacra，l。ii。p。396
callshimalawyer，ajurisconsult。ThischaractercannotnowbediscoveredeitherinthelifeorwritingsofAthanasius。]
[Footnote98:Dicebaturenimfatidicarumsortiumfidem，quaeveauguralesportenderentalitesscientissimecallensaliquotiespraedixissefutura。Ammianus，xv。7。Aprophecy，orratherajoke，isrelatedbySozomen，l。ivc。10，whichevidentlyprovesifthecrowsspeakLatinthatAthanasiusunderstoodthelanguageofthecrows。]
ButasAthanasiuswascontinuallyengagedwiththeprejudicesandpassionsofeveryorderofmen，fromthemonktotheemperor，theknowledgeofhumannaturewashisfirstandmostimportantscience。Hepreservedadistinctandunbrokenviewofascenewhichwasincessantlyshifting；andneverfailedtoimprovethosedecisivemomentswhichareirrecoverablypastbeforetheyareperceivedbyacommoneye。ThearchbishopofAlexandriawascapableofdistinguishinghowfarhemightboldlycommand，andwherehemustdexterouslyinsinuate；howlonghemightcontendwithpower，andwhenhemustwithdrawfrompersecution；andwhilehedirectedthethundersofthechurchagainstheresyandrebellion，hecouldassume，inthebosomofhisownparty，theflexibleandindulgenttemperofaprudentleader。TheelectionofAthanasiushasnotescapedthereproachofirregularityandprecipitation；^99buttheproprietyofhisbehaviorconciliatedtheaffectionsbothoftheclergyandofthepeople。TheAlexandrianswereimpatienttoriseinarmsforthedefenceofaneloquentandliberalpastor。Inhisdistresshealwaysderivedsupport，oratleastconsolation，fromthefaithfulattachmentofhisparochialclergy；andthehundredbishopsofEgyptadhered，withunshakenzeal，tothecauseofAthanasius。Inthemodestequipagewhichprideandpolicywouldaffect，hefrequentlyperformedtheepiscopalvisitationofhisprovinces，fromthemouthoftheNiletotheconfinesofAethiopia；familiarlyconversingwiththemeanestofthepopulace，andhumblysalutingthesaintsandhermitsofthedesert。^100Norwasitonlyinecclesiasticalassemblies，amongmenwhoseeducationandmannersweresimilartohisown，thatAthanasiusdisplayedtheascendancyofhisgenius。Heappearedwitheasyandrespectfulfirmnessinthecourtsofprinces；andinthevariousturnsofhisprosperousandadversefortuneheneverlosttheconfidenceofhisfriends，ortheesteemofhisenemies。