HeobtainedtheprivilegeofasolemninitiationintothemysteriesofEleusis，which，amidstthegeneraldecayoftheGrecianworship，stillretainedsomevestigesoftheirprimaevalsanctity；andsuchwasthezealofJulian，thatheafterwardsinvitedtheEleusinianpontifftothecourtofGaul，forthesolepurposeofconsummating，bymysticritesandsacrifices，thegreatworkofhissanctification。Astheseceremonieswereperformedinthedepthofcaverns，andinthesilenceofthenight，andastheinviolablesecretofthemysterieswaspreservedbythediscretionoftheinitiated，Ishallnotpresumetodescribethehorridsounds，andfieryapparitions，whichwerepresentedtothesenses，ortheimagination，ofthecredulousaspirant，^24tillthevisionsofcomfortandknowledgebrokeuponhiminablazeofcelestiallight。^25InthecavernsofEphesusandEleusis，themindofJulianwaspenetratedwithsincere，deep，andunalterableenthusiasm；thoughhemightsometimesexhibitthevicissitudesofpiousfraudandhypocrisy，whichmaybeobserved，oratleastsuspected，inthecharactersofthemostconscientiousfanatics。Fromthatmomentheconsecratedhislifetotheserviceofthegods；andwhiletheoccupationsofwar，ofgovernment，andofstudy，seemedtoclaimthewholemeasureofhistime，astatedportionofthehoursofthenightwasinvariablyreservedfortheexerciseofprivatedevotion。Thetemperancewhichadornedtheseveremannersofthesoldierandthephilosopherwasconnectedwithsomestrictandfrivolousrulesofreligiousabstinence；anditwasinhonorofPanorMercury，ofHecateorIsis，thatJulian，onparticulardays，deniedhimselftheuseofsomeparticularfood，whichmighthavebeenoffensivetohistutelardeities。Bythesevoluntaryfasts，hepreparedhissensesandhisunderstandingforthefrequentandfamiliarvisitswithwhichhewashonoredbythecelestialpowers。NotwithstandingthemodestsilenceofJulianhimself，wemaylearnfromhisfaithfulfriend，theoratorLibanius，thathelivedinaperpetualintercoursewiththegodsandgoddesses；thattheydescendeduponearthtoenjoytheconversationoftheirfavoritehero；thattheygentlyinterruptedhisslumbersbytouchinghishandorhishair；thattheywarnedhimofeveryimpendingdanger，andconductedhim，bytheirinfalliblewisdom，ineveryactionofhislife；andthathehadacquiredsuchanintimateknowledgeofhisheavenlyguests，asreadilytodistinguishthevoiceofJupiterfromthatofMinerva，andtheformofApollofromthefigureofHercules。^26Thesesleepingorwakingvisions，theordinaryeffectsofabstinenceandfanaticism，wouldalmostdegradetheemperortothelevelofanEgyptianmonk。ButtheuselesslivesofAntonyorPachomiuswereconsumedinthesevainoccupations。Juliancouldbreakfromthedreamofsuperstitiontoarmhimselfforbattle；andaftervanquishinginthefieldtheenemiesofRome，hecalmlyretiredintohistent，todictatethewiseandsalutarylawsofanempire，ortoindulgehisgeniusintheelegantpursuitsofliteratureandphilosophy。
[Footnote23:Thedexterousmanagementofthesesophists，whoplayedtheircredulouspupilintoeachother\'shands，isfairlytoldbyEunapiusp。69—79withunsuspectingsimplicity。TheAbbedelaBleterieunderstands，andneatlydescribes，thewholecomedy，ViedeJulian，p。61—67。]
[Footnote24:WhenJulian，inamomentarypanic，madethesignofthecrossthedaemonsinstantlydisappeared，Greg。Naz。Orat。
iii。p。71。Gregorysupposesthattheywerefrightened，butthepriestsdeclaredthattheywereindignant。Thereader，accordingtothemeasureofhisfaith，willdeterminethisprofoundquestion。]
[Footnote25:AdarkanddistantviewoftheterrorsandjoysofinitiationisshownbyDionChrysostom，Themistius，Proclus，andStobaeus。ThelearnedauthoroftheDivineLegationhasexhibitedtheirwords，vol。i。p。239，247，248，280，edit。
1765，whichhedexterouslyorforciblyappliestohisownhypothesis。]
[Footnote26:Julian\'smodestyconfinedhimtoobscureandoccasionalhints:butLibaniusexpiateswithpleasureonthefactsandvisionsofthereligioushero。Legat。adJulian。p。
157，andOrat。Parental。c。lxxxiii。p。309，310。]
TheimportantsecretoftheapostasyofJulianwasintrustedtothefidelityoftheinitiated，withwhomhewasunitedbythesacredtiesoffriendshipandreligion。^27Thepleasingrumorwascautiouslycirculatedamongtheadherentsoftheancientworship；andhisfuturegreatnessbecametheobjectofthehopes，theprayers，andthepredictionsofthePagans，ineveryprovinceoftheempire。Fromthezealandvirtuesoftheirroyalproselyte，theyfondlyexpectedthecureofeveryevil，andtherestorationofeveryblessing；andinsteadofdisapprovingoftheardoroftheirpiouswishes，Julianingenuouslyconfessed，thathewasambitioustoattainasituationinwhichhemightbeusefultohiscountryandtohisreligion。ButthisreligionwasviewedwithahostileeyebythesuccessorofConstantine，whosecapriciouspassionsaltercatelysavedandthreatenedthelifeofJulian。Theartsofmagicanddivinationwerestrictlyprohibitedunderadespoticgovernment，whichcondescendedtofearthem；andifthePaganswerereluctantlyindulgedintheexerciseoftheirsuperstition，therankofJulianwouldhaveexceptedhimfromthegeneraltoleration。Theapostatesoonbecamethepresumptiveheirofthemonarchy，andhisdeathcouldalonehaveappeasedthejustapprehensionsoftheChristians。^28Buttheyoungprince，whoaspiredtothegloryofaheroratherthanofamartyr，consultedhissafetybydissemblinghisreligion；andtheeasytemperofpolytheismpermittedhimtojoininthepublicworshipofasectwhichheinwardlydespised。Libaniushasconsideredthehypocrisyofhisfriendasasubject，notofcensure，butofpraise。\"Asthestatuesofthegods，\"saysthatorator，\"whichhavebeendefiledwithfilth，areagainplacedinamagnificenttemple，sothebeautyoftruthwasseatedinthemindofJulian，afterithadbeenpurifiedfromtheerrorsandfolliesofhiseducation。Hissentimentswerechanged；butasitwouldhavebeendangeroustohaveavowedhissentiments，hisconductstillcontinuedthesame。VerydifferentfromtheassinAesop，whodisguisedhimselfwithalion\'shide，ourlionwasobligedtoconcealhimselfundertheskinofanass；and，whileheembracedthedictatesofreason，toobeythelawsofprudenceandnecessity。\"^29ThedissimulationofJulianlastedabouttenyears，fromhissecretinitiationatEphesustothebeginningofthecivilwar；whenhedeclaredhimselfatoncetheimplacableenemyofChristandofConstantius。Thisstateofconstraintmightcontributetostrengthenhisdevotion；andassoonashehadsatisfiedtheobligationofassisting，onsolemnfestivals，attheassembliesoftheChristians，Julianreturned，withtheimpatienceofalover，toburnhisfreeandvoluntaryincenseonthedomesticchapelsofJupiterandMercury。Butaseveryactofdissimulationmustbepainfultoaningenuousspirit，theprofessionofChristianityincreasedtheaversionofJulianforareligionwhichoppressedthefreedomofhismind，andcompelledhimtoholdaconductrepugnanttothenoblestattributesofhumannature，sincerityandcourage。
[Footnote27:Libanius，Orat。Parent。c。x。p。233，234。Gallushadsomereasontosuspectthesecretapostasyofhisbrother；
andinaletter，whichmaybereceivedasgenuine，heexhortsJuliantoadheretothereligionoftheirancestors；anargumentwhich，asitshouldseem，wasnotyetperfectlyripe。SeeJulian，Op。p。454，andHist。deJovientomii。p。141。]
[Footnote28:Gregory，iii。p。50，withinhumanzeal，censuresConstantiusforparingtheinfantapostate。HisFrenchtranslatorp。265cautiouslyobserves，thatsuchexpressionsmustnotbeprisesalalettre。]
[Footnote29:Libanius，Orat。Parental。cix。p。233。]
ChapterXXIII:ReignOfJulian。
PartII。
TheinclinationofJulianmightpreferthegodsofHomer，andoftheScipios，tothenewfaith，whichhisunclehadestablishedintheRomanempire；andinwhichhehimselfhadbeensanctifiedbythesacramentofbaptism。But，asaphilosopher，itwasincumbentonhimtojustifyhisdissentfromChristianity，whichwassupportedbythenumberofitsconverts，bythechainofprophecy，thesplendoroformiracles，andtheweightofevidence。Theelaboratework，^30whichhecomposedamidstthepreparationsofthePersianwar，containedthesubstanceofthoseargumentswhichhehadlongrevolvedinhismind。Somefragmentshavebeentranscribedandpreserved，byhisadversary，thevehementCyrilofAlexandria；^31andtheyexhibitaverysingularmixtureofwitandlearning，ofsophistryandfanaticism。Theeleganceofthestyleandtherankoftheauthor，recommendedhiswritingstothepublicattention；^32andintheimpiouslistoftheenemiesofChristianity，thecelebratednameofPorphyrywaseffacedbythesuperiormeritorreputationofJulian。Themindsofthefaithfulwereeitherseduced，orscandalized，oralarmed；andthepagans，whosometimespresumedtoengageintheunequaldispute，derived，fromthepopularworkoftheirImperialmissionary，aninexhaustiblesupplyoffallaciousobjections。Butintheassiduousprosecutionofthesetheologicalstudies，theemperoroftheRomansimbibedtheilliberalprejudicesandpassionsofapolemicdivine。Hecontractedanirrevocableobligationtomaintainandpropagatehisreligiousopinions；andwhilsthesecretlyapplaudedthestrengthanddexteritywithwhichhewieldedtheweaponsofcontroversy，hewastemptedtodistrustthesincerity，ortodespisetheunderstandings，ofhisantagonists，whocouldobstinatelyresisttheforceofreasonandeloquence。
[Footnote30:FabriciusBiblioth。Graec。l。v。c。viii，p。
88—90andLardnerHeathenTestimonies，vol。iv。p。44—47haveaccuratelycompiledallthatcannowbediscoveredofJulian\'sworkagainsttheChristians。]
[Footnote31:AboutseventyyearsafterthedeathofJulian，heexecutedataskwhichhadbeenfeeblyattemptedbyPhilipofSide，aprolixandcontemptiblewriter。EventheworkofCyrilhasnotentirelysatisfiedthemostfavorablejudges；andtheAbbedelaBleteriePrefaceal\'Hist。deJovien，p。30，32
wishesthatsometheologienphilosopheastrangecentaurwouldundertaketherefutationofJulian。]
[Footnote32:Libanius，Orat。Parental。c。lxxxvii。p。313，whohasbeensuspectedofassistinghisfriend，prefersthisdivinevindicationOrat。ixinnecemJulian。p。255，edit。Morel。tothewritingsofPorphyry。Hisjudgmentmaybearraigned，Socrates，l。iii。c。23，butLibaniuscannotbeaccusedofflatterytoadeadprince。]
TheChristians，whobeheldwithhorrorandindignationtheapostasyofJulian，hadmuchmoretofearfromhispowerthanfromhisarguments。Thepagans，whowereconsciousofhisferventzeal，expected，perhapswithimpatience，thattheflamesofpersecutionshouldbeimmediatelykindledagainsttheenemiesofthegods；andthattheingeniousmaliceofJulianwouldinventsomecruelrefinementsofdeathandtorturewhichhadbeenunknowntotherudeandinexperiencedfuryofhispredecessors。
Butthehopes，aswellasthefears，ofthereligiousfactionswereapparentlydisappointed，bytheprudenthumanityofaprince，^33whowascarefulofhisownfame，ofthepublicpeace，andoftherightsofmankind。Instructedbyhistoryandreflection，Julianwaspersuaded，thatifthediseasesofthebodymaysometimesbecuredbysalutaryviolence，neithersteelnorfirecaneradicatetheerroneousopinionsofthemind。Thereluctantvictimmaybedraggedtothefootofthealtar；buttheheartstillabhorsanddisclaimsthesacrilegiousactofthehand。Religiousobstinacyishardenedandexasperatedbyoppression；and，assoonasthepersecutionsubsides，thosewhohaveyieldedarerestoredaspenitents，andthosewhohaveresistedarehonoredassaintsandmartyrs。IfJulianadoptedtheunsuccessfulcrueltyofDiocletianandhiscolleagues，hewassensiblethatheshouldstainhismemorywiththenameofatyrant，andaddnewgloriestotheCatholicchurch，whichhadderivedstrengthandincreasefromtheseverityofthepaganmagistrates。Actuatedbythesemotives，andapprehensiveofdisturbingthereposeofanunsettledreign，Juliansurprisedtheworldbyanedict，whichwasnotunworthyofastatesman，oraphilosopher。HeextendedtoalltheinhabitantsoftheRomanworldthebenefitsofafreeandequaltoleration；andtheonlyhardshipwhichheinflictedontheChristians，wastodeprivethemofthepoweroftormentingtheirfellow—subjects，whomtheystigmatizedwiththeodioustitlesofidolatersandheretics。
Thepagansreceivedagraciouspermission，orratheranexpressorder，toopenAlltheirtemples；^34andtheywereatoncedeliveredfromtheoppressivelaws，andarbitraryvexations，whichtheyhadsustainedunderthereignofConstantine，andofhissons。Atthesametimethebishopsandclergy，whohadbeenbanishedbytheArianmonarch，wererecalledfromexile，andrestoredtotheirrespectivechurches；theDonatists，theNovatians，theMacedonians，theEunomians，andthosewho，withamoreprosperousfortune，adheredtothedoctrineoftheCouncilofNice。Julian，whounderstoodandderidedtheirtheologicaldisputes，invitedtothepalacetheleadersofthehostilesects，thathemightenjoytheagreeablespectacleoftheirfuriousencounters。Theclamorofcontroversysometimesprovokedtheemperortoexclaim，\"Hearme!theFrankshaveheardme，andtheAlemanni；\"buthesoondiscoveredthathewasnowengagedwithmoreobstinateandimplacableenemies；andthoughheexertedthepowersoforatorytopersuadethemtoliveinconcord，oratleastinpeace，hewasperfectlysatisfied，beforehedismissedthemfromhispresence，thathehadnothingtodreadfromtheunionoftheChristians。TheimpartialAmmianushasascribedthisaffectedclemencytothedesireoffomentingtheintestinedivisionsofthechurch，andtheinsidiousdesignofunderminingthefoundationsofChristianity，wasinseparablyconnectedwiththezealwhichJulianprofessed，torestoretheancientreligionoftheempire。^35
[Footnote33:LibaniusOrat。Parent。c。lviii。p。283，284haseloquentlyexplainedthetoleratingprinciplesandconductofhisImperialfriend。InaveryremarkableepistletothepeopleofBostra，JulianhimselfEpist。lii。professeshismoderation，andbetrayshiszeal，whichisacknowledgedbyAmmianus，andexposedbyGregoryOrat。iii。p。72]
[Footnote34:InGreecethetemplesofMinervawereopenedbyhisexpresscommand，beforethedeathofConstantius，Liban。Orat。
Parent。c。55，p。280；andJuliandeclareshimselfaPaganinhispublicmanifestototheAthenians。ThisunquestionableevidencemaycorrectthehastyassertionofAmmianus，whoseemstosupposeConstantinopletobetheplacewherehediscoveredhisattachmenttothegods]
[Footnote35:Ammianus，xxii。5。Sozomen，l。v。c。5。Bestiamoritur，tranquillitasredit……omnesepiscopiquidepropriissedibusfuerantexterminatiperindulgentiamnoviprincipisadacclesiasredeunt。Jerom。adversusLuciferianos，tom。ii。p。
143。OptatusaccusestheDonatistsforowingtheirsafetytoanapostate，l。ii。c。16，p。36，37，edit。Dupin。]
Assoonasheascendedthethrone，heassumed，accordingtothecustomofhispredecessors，thecharacterofsupremepontiff；
notonlyasthemosthonorabletitleofImperialgreatness，butasasacredandimportantoffice；thedutiesofwhichhewasresolvedtoexecutewithpiousdiligence。Asthebusinessofthestatepreventedtheemperorfromjoiningeverydayinthepublicdevotionofhissubjects，hededicatedadomesticchapeltohistutelardeitytheSun；hisgardenswerefilledwithstatuesandaltarsofthegods；andeachapartmentofthepalacedisplacedtheappearanceofamagnificenttemple。Everymorninghesalutedtheparentoflightwithasacrifice；thebloodofanothervictimwasshedatthemomentwhentheSunsunkbelowthehorizon；andtheMoon，theStars，andtheGeniiofthenightreceivedtheirrespectiveandseasonablehonorsfromtheindefatigabledevotionofJulian。Onsolemnfestivals，heregularlyvisitedthetempleofthegodorgoddesstowhomthedaywaspeculiarlyconsecrated，andendeavoredtoexcitethereligionofthemagistratesandpeoplebytheexampleofhisownzeal。Insteadofmaintainingtheloftystateofamonarch，distinguishedbythesplendorofhispurple，andencompassedbythegoldenshieldsofhisguards，Juliansolicited，withrespectfuleagerness，themeanestofficeswhichcontributedtotheworshipofthegods。Amidstthesacredbutlicentiouscrowdofpriests，ofinferiorministers，andoffemaledancers，whowerededicatedtotheserviceofthetemple，itwasthebusinessoftheemperortobringthewood，toblowthefire，tohandletheknife，toslaughterthevictim，and，thrustinghisbloodyhandsintothebowelsoftheexpiringanimal，todrawforththeheartorliver，andtoread，withtheconsummateskillofanharuspex，imaginarysignsoffutureevents。ThewisestofthePaganscensuredthisextravagantsuperstition，whichaffectedtodespisetherestraintsofprudenceanddecency。Underthereignofaprince，whopractisedtherigidmaximsofeconomy，theexpenseofreligiousworshipconsumedaverylargeportionoftherevenueaconstantsupplyofthescarcestandmostbeautifulbirdswastransportedfromdistantclimates，tobleedonthealtarsofthegods；ahundredoxenwerefrequentlysacrificedbyJulianononeandthesameday；anditsoonbecameapopularjest，thatifheshouldreturnwithconquestfromthePersianwar，thebreedofhornedcattlemustinfalliblybeextinguished。Yetthisexpensemayappearinconsiderable，whenitiscomparedwiththesplendidpresentswhichwereofferedeitherbythehand，orbyorder，oftheemperor，toallthecelebratedplacesofdevotionintheRomanworld；andwiththesumsallottedtorepairanddecoratetheancienttemples，whichhadsufferedthesilentdecayoftime，ortherecentinjuriesofChristianrapine。Encouragedbytheexample，theexhortations，theliberality，oftheirpioussovereign，thecitiesandfamiliesresumedthepracticeoftheirneglectedceremonies。\"Everypartoftheworld，\"exclaimsLibanius，withdevouttransport，\"displayedthetriumphofreligion；andthegratefulprospectofflamingaltars，bleedingvictims，thesmokeofincense，andasolemntrainofpriestsandprophets，withoutfearandwithoutdanger。Thesoundofprayerandofmusicwasheardonthetopsofthehighestmountains；andthesameoxaffordedasacrificeforthegods，andasupperfortheirjoyousvotaries。\"^36
[Footnote36:TherestorationofthePaganworshipisdescribedbyJulian，Misopogon，p。346，Libanius，Orat。Parent。c。60，p。286，287，andOrat。Consular。adJulian。p。245，246，edit。
Morel。，Ammianus，xxii。12，andGregoryNazianzen，Orat。iv。
p。121。Thesewritersagreeintheessential，andevenminute，facts；butthedifferentlightsinwhichtheyviewtheextremedevotionofJulian，areexpressiveofthegradationsofself—applause，passionateadmiration，mildreproof，andpartialinvective。]