ButthegeniusandpowerofJulianwereunequaltotheenterpriseofrestoringareligionwhichwasdestituteoftheologicalprinciples，ofmoralprecepts，andofecclesiasticaldiscipline；whichrapidlyhastenedtodecayanddissolution，andwasnotsusceptibleofanysolidorconsistentreformation。Thejurisdictionofthesupremepontiff，moreespeciallyafterthatofficehadbeenunitedwiththeImperialdignity，comprehendedthewholeextentoftheRomanempire。Juliannamedforhisvicars，intheseveralprovinces，thepriestsandphilosopherswhomheesteemedthebestqualifiedtocooperateintheexecutionofhisgreatdesign；andhispastoralletters，^37ifwemayusethatname，stillrepresentaverycurioussketchofhiswishesandintentions。Hedirects，thatineverycitythesacerdotalordershouldbecomposed，withoutanydistinctionofbirthandfortune，ofthosepersonswhowerethemostconspicuousfortheloveofthegods，andofmen。\"Iftheyareguilty，\"continueshe，\"ofanyscandalousoffence，theyshouldbecensuredordegradedbythesuperiorpontiff；butaslongastheyretaintheirrank，theyareentitledtotherespectofthemagistratesandpeople。Theirhumilitymaybeshownintheplainnessoftheirdomesticgarb；theirdignity，inthepompofholyvestments。Whentheyaresummonedintheirturntoofficiatebeforethealtar，theyoughtnot，duringtheappointednumberofdays，todepartfromtheprecinctsofthetemple；norshouldasingledaybesufferedtoelapse，withouttheprayersandthesacrifice，whichtheyareobligedtoofferfortheprosperityofthestate，andofindividuals。Theexerciseoftheirsacredfunctionsrequiresanimmaculatepurity，bothofmindandbody；
andevenwhentheyaredismissedfromthetempletotheoccupationsofcommonlife，itisincumbentonthemtoexcelindecencyandvirtuetherestoftheirfellow—citizens。Thepriestofthegodsshouldneverbeseenintheatresortaverns。Hisconversationshouldbechaste，hisdiettemperate，hisfriendsofhonorablereputation；andifhesometimesvisitstheForumorthePalace，heshouldappearonlyastheadvocateofthosewhohavevainlysolicitedeitherjusticeormercy。Hisstudiesshouldbesuitedtothesanctityofhisprofession。Licentioustales，orcomedies，orsatires，mustbebanishedfromhislibrary，whichoughtsolelytoconsistofhistoricalorphilosophicalwritings；
ofhistory，whichisfoundedintruth，andofphilosophy，whichisconnectedwithreligion。TheimpiousopinionsoftheEpicureansandscepticsdeservehisabhorrenceandcontempt；^38
butheshoulddiligentlystudythesystemsofPythagoras，ofPlato，andoftheStoics，whichunanimouslyteachthattherearegods；thattheworldisgovernedbytheirprovidence；thattheirgoodnessisthesourceofeverytemporalblessing；andthattheyhavepreparedforthehumansoulafuturestateofrewardorpunishment。\"TheImperialpontiffinculcates，inthemostpersuasivelanguage，thedutiesofbenevolenceandhospitality；
exhortshisinferiorclergytorecommendtheuniversalpracticeofthosevirtues；promisestoassisttheirindigencefromthepublictreasury；anddeclareshisresolutionofestablishinghospitalsineverycity，wherethepoorshouldbereceivedwithoutanyinvidiousdistinctionofcountryorofreligion。
Julianbeheldwithenvythewiseandhumaneregulationsofthechurch；andheveryfranklyconfesseshisintentiontodeprivetheChristiansoftheapplause，aswellasadvantage，whichtheyhadacquiredbytheexclusivepracticeofcharityandbeneficence。^39Thesamespiritofimitationmightdisposetheemperortoadoptseveralecclesiasticalinstitutions，theuseandimportanceofwhichwereapprovedbythesuccessofhisenemies。
Butiftheseimaginaryplansofreformationhadbeenrealized，theforcedandimperfectcopywouldhavebeenlessbeneficialtoPaganism，thanhonorabletoChristianity。^40TheGentiles，whopeaceablyfollowedthecustomsoftheirancestors，wererathersurprisedthanpleasedwiththeintroductionofforeignmanners；
andintheshortperiodofhisreign，Julianhadfrequentoccasionstocomplainofthewantoffervorofhisownparty。^41
[Footnote37:SeeJulian。Epistol。xlix。lxii。lxiii。，andalongandcuriousfragment，withoutbeginningorend，p。288—305。ThesupremepontiffderidestheMosaichistoryandtheChristiandiscipline，preferstheGreekpoetstotheHebrewprophets，andpalliates，withtheskillofaJesuittherelativeworshipofimages。]
[Footnote38:TheexultationofJulianp。301thattheseimpioussectsandeventheirwritings，areextinguished，maybeconsistentenoughwiththesacerdotalcharacter；butitisunworthyofaphilosophertowishthatanyopinionsandargumentsthemostrepugnanttohisownshouldbeconcealedfromtheknowledgeofmankind。]
[Footnote39:Yetheinsinuates，thattheChristians，underthepretenceofcharity，inveigledchildrenfromtheirreligionandparents，conveyedthemonshipboard，anddevotedthosevictimstoalifeofpovertyorpervitudeinaremotecountry，p。305。Hadthechargebeenproveditwashisduty，nottocomplain，buttopunish。]
[Footnote40:GregoryNazianzenisfacetious，ingenious，andargumentative，Orat。iii。p。101，102，&c。Heridiculesthefollyofsuchvainimitation；andamuseshimselfwithinquiring，whatlessons，moralortheological，couldbeextractedfromtheGrecianfables。]
[Footnote41:HeaccusesoneofhispontiffsofasecretconfederacywiththeChristianbishopsandpresbyters，Epist。
lxii。&c。Epist。lxiii。]
TheenthusiasmofJulianpromptedhimtoembracethefriendsofJupiterashispersonalfriendsandbrethren；andthoughhepartiallyoverlookedthemeritofChristianconstancy，headmiredandrewardedthenobleperseveranceofthoseGentileswhohadpreferredthefavorofthegodstothatoftheemperor。^42Iftheycultivatedtheliterature，aswellasthereligion，oftheGreeks，theyacquiredanadditionalclaimtothefriendshipofJulian，whorankedtheMusesinthenumberofhistutelardeities。Inthereligionwhichhehadadopted，pietyandlearningwerealmostsynonymous；^43andacrowdofpoets，ofrhetoricians，andofphilosophers，hastenedtotheImperialcourt，tooccupythevacantplacesofthebishops，whohadseducedthecredulityofConstantius。Hissuccessoresteemedthetiesofcommoninitiationasfarmoresacredthanthoseofconsanguinity；hechosehisfavoritesamongthesages，whoweredeeplyskilledintheoccultsciencesofmagicanddivination；
andeveryimpostor，whopretendedtorevealthesecretsoffuturity，wasassuredofenjoyingthepresenthourinhonorandaffluence。^44Amongthephilosophers，Maximusobtainedthemosteminentrankinthefriendshipofhisroyaldisciple，whocommunicated，withunreservedconfidence，hisactions，hissentiments，andhisreligiousdesigns，duringtheanxioussuspenseofthecivilwar。^45AssoonasJulianhadtakenpossessionofthepalaceofConstantinople，hedespatchedanhonorableandpressinginvitationtoMaximus，whothenresidedatSardesinLydia，withChrysanthius，theassociateofhisartandstudies。TheprudentandsuperstitiousChrysanthiusrefusedtoundertakeajourneywhichshoweditself，accordingtotherulesofdivination，withthemostthreateningandmalignantaspect:
buthiscompanion，whosefanaticismwasofaboldercast，persistedinhisinterrogations，tillhehadextortedfromthegodsaseemingconsenttohisownwishes，andthoseoftheemperor。ThejourneyofMaximusthroughthecitiesofAsiadisplayedthetriumphofphilosophicvanity；andthemagistratesviedwitheachotherinthehonorablereceptionwhichtheypreparedforthefriendoftheirsovereign。Julianwaspronouncinganorationbeforethesenate，whenhewasinformedofthearrivalofMaximus。Theemperorimmediatelyinterruptedhisdiscourse，advancedtomeethim，andafteratenderembrace，conductedhimbythehandintothemidstoftheassembly；wherehepubliclyacknowledgedthebenefitswhichhehadderivedfromtheinstructionsofthephilosopher。Maximus，^46whosoonacquiredtheconfidence，andinfluencedthecouncilsofJulian，wasinsensiblycorruptedbythetemptationsofacourt。Hisdressbecamemoresplendid，hisdemeanormorelofty，andhewasexposed，underasucceedingreign，toadisgracefulinquiryintothemeansbywhichthediscipleofPlatohadaccumulated，intheshortdurationofhisfavor，averyscandalousproportionofwealth。Oftheotherphilosophersandsophists，whowereinvitedtotheImperialresidencebythechoiceofJulian，orbythesuccessofMaximus，fewwereabletopreservetheirinnocenceortheirreputation。Theliberalgiftsofmoney，lands，andhouses，wereinsufficienttosatiatetheirrapaciousavarice；andtheindignationofthepeoplewasjustlyexcitedbytheremembranceoftheirabjectpovertyanddisinterestedprofessions。ThepenetrationofJuliancouldnotalwaysbedeceived:buthewasunwillingtodespisethecharactersofthosemenwhosetalentsdeservedhisesteem:hedesiredtoescapethedoublereproachofimprudenceandinconstancy；andhewasapprehensiveofdegrading，intheeyesoftheprofane，thehonoroflettersandofreligion。
^48
[Footnote42:HepraisesthefidelityofCallixene，priestessofCeres，whohadbeentwiceasconstantasPenelope，andrewardsherwiththepriesthoodofthePhrygiangoddessatPessinus，Julian。Epist。xxi。HeapplaudsthefirmnessofSopaterofHierapolis，whohadbeenrepeatedlypressedbyConstantiusandGallustoapostatize，Epist。xxviip。401。]
[Footnote43:Orat。Parent。c。77，p。202。ThesamesentimentisfrequentlyinculcatedbyJulian，Libanius，andtherestoftheirparty。]
[Footnote44:Thecuriosityandcredulityoftheemperor，whotriedeverymodeofdivination，arefairlyexposedbyAmmianus，xxii。12。]
[Footnote45:Julian。Epist。xxxviii。Threeotherepistles，xv。
xvi。xxxix。，inthesamestyleoffriendshipandconfidence，areaddressedtothephilosopherMaximus。]
[Footnote46:EunapiusinMaximo，p。77，78，79，andinChrysanthio，p。147，148hasminutelyrelatedtheseanecdotes，whichheconceivestobethemostimportanteventsoftheage。
YethefairlyconfessesthefrailtyofMaximus。HisreceptionatConstantinopleisdescribedbyLibaniusOrat。Parent。c。86，p。
301andAmmianus，xxii。7。
Note:EunapiuswroteacontinuationoftheHistoryofDexippus。SomevaluablefragmentsofthisworkhavebeenrecoveredbyM。Mai，andreprintedinNiebuhr\'seditionoftheByzantineHistorians。—M。]
[Footnote47:Chrysanthius，whohadrefusedtoquitLydia，wascreatedhighpriestoftheprovince。Hiscautiousandtemperateuseofpowersecuredhimaftertherevolution；andhelivedinpeace，whileMaximus，Priscus，&c。，werepersecutedbytheChristianministers。Seetheadventuresofthosefanaticsophists，collectedbyBrucker，tomii。p。281—293。]
[Footnote48:SecLibaniusOrat。Parent。c。101，102，p。324，325，326andEunapius，Vit。Sophist。inProaeresio，p。126。
Somestudents，whoseexpectationsperhapsweregroundless，orextravagant，retiredindisgust，Greg。Naz。Orat。iv。p。120。
ItisstrangethatweshouldnotbeabletocontradictthetitleofoneofTillemont\'schapters，Hist。desEmpereurs，tom。iv。p。
960，\"LaCourdeJulienestpleinedephilosphesetdegensperdus。\"]
ThefavorofJulianwasalmostequallydividedbetweenthePagans，whohadfirmlyadheredtotheworshipoftheirancestors，andtheChristians，whoprudentlyembracedthereligionoftheirsovereign。Theacquisitionofnewproselytes^49gratifiedtherulingpassionsofhissoul，superstitionandvanity；andhewasheardtodeclare，withtheenthusiasmofamissionary，thatifhecouldrendereachindividualricherthanMidas，andeverycitygreaterthanBabylon，heshouldnotesteemhimselfthebenefactorofmankind，unless，atthesametime，hecouldreclaimhissubjectsfromtheirimpiousrevoltagainsttheimmortalgods。^50
Aprincewhohadstudiedhumannature，andwhopossessedthetreasuresoftheRomanempire，couldadapthisarguments，hispromises，andhisrewards，toeveryorderofChristians；^51andthemeritofaseasonableconversionwasallowedtosupplythedefectsofacandidate，oreventoexpiatetheguiltofacriminal。Asthearmyisthemostforcibleengineofabsolutepower，Julianappliedhimself，withpeculiardiligence，tocorruptthereligionofhistroops，withoutwhoseheartyconcurrenceeverymeasuremustbedangerousandunsuccessful；andthenaturaltemperofsoldiersmadethisconquestaseasyasitwasimportant。ThelegionsofGauldevotedthemselvestothefaith，aswellastothefortunes，oftheirvictoriousleader；
andevenbeforethedeathofConstantius，hehadthesatisfactionofannouncingtohisfriends，thattheyassistedwithferventdevotion，andvoraciousappetite，atthesacrifices，whichwererepeatedlyofferedinhiscamp，ofwholehecatombsoffatoxen。
^52ThearmiesoftheEast，whichhadbeentrainedunderthestandardofthecross，andofConstantius，requiredamoreartfulandexpensivemodeofpersuasion。Onthedaysofsolemnandpublicfestivals，theemperorreceivedthehomage，andrewardedthemerit，ofthetroops。HisthroneofstatewasencircledwiththemilitaryensignsofRomeandtherepublic；theholynameofChristwaserasedfromtheLabarum；andthesymbolsofwar，ofmajesty，andofpagansuperstition，weresodexterouslyblended，thatthefaithfulsubjectincurredtheguiltofidolatry，whenherespectfullysalutedthepersonorimageofhissovereign。Thesoldierspassedsuccessivelyinreview；andeachofthem，beforehereceivedfromthehandofJulianaliberaldonative，proportionedtohisrankandservices，wasrequiredtocastafewgrainsofincenseintotheflamewhichburntuponthealtar。
SomeChristianconfessorsmightresist，andothersmightrepent；
butthefargreaternumber，alluredbytheprospectofgold，andawedbythepresenceoftheemperor，contractedthecriminalengagement；andtheirfutureperseveranceintheworshipofthegodswasenforcedbyeveryconsiderationofdutyandofinterest。
Bythefrequentrepetitionofthesearts，andattheexpenseofsumswhichwouldhavepurchasedtheserviceofhalfthenationsofScythia，Juliangraduallyacquiredforhistroopstheimaginaryprotectionofthegods，andforhimselfthefirmandeffectualsupportoftheRomanlegions。^53Itisindeedmorethanprobable，thattherestorationandencouragementofPaganismrevealedamultitudeofpretendedChristians，who，frommotivesoftemporaladvantage，hadacquiescedinthereligionoftheformerreign；andwhoafterwardsreturned，withthesameflexibilityofconscience，tothefaithwhichwasprofessedbythesuccessorsofJulian。
[Footnote49:UnderthereignofLewisXIV。hissubjectsofeveryrankaspiredtotheglorioustitleofConvertisseur，expressiveoftheirzeaandsuccessinmakingproselytes。ThewordandtheideaaregrowingobsoleteinFrancemaytheyneverbeintroducedintoEngland。]
[Footnote50:SeethestrongexpressionsofLibanius，whichwereprobablythoseofJulianhimself，Orat。Parent。c。59，p。285。]
[Footnote51:WhenGregoryNazianzenOrat。x。p。167isdesiroustomagnifytheChristianfirmnessofhisbrotherCaesarius，physiciantotheImperialcourt，heownsthatCaesariusdisputedwithaformidableadversary。Inhisinvectiveshescarcelyallowsanyshareofwitorcouragetotheapostate。]
[Footnote52:Julian，Epist。xxxviii。Ammianus，xxii。12。Adeoutindiespaenesingulosmilitescarnisdistentioresaginavictitantesincultius，potusqueaviditatecorrepti，humerisimposititranseuntiumperplateas，expublicisaedibus……
adsuadiversoriaportarentur。Thedevoutprinceandtheindignanthistoriandescribethesamescene；andinIllyricumorAntioch，similarcausesmusthaveproducedsimilareffects。]
[Footnote53:GregoryOrat。iii。p。74，75，83—86andLibanius，Orat。Parent。c。lxxxi。lxxxii。p。307，308，。Thesophistownsandjustifiestheexpenseofthesemilitaryconversions。]
Whilethedevoutmonarchincessantlylaboredtorestoreandpropagatethereligionofhisancestors，heembracedtheextraordinarydesignofrebuildingthetempleofJerusalem。Inapublicepistle^54tothenationorcommunityoftheJews，dispersedthroughtheprovinces，hepitiestheirmisfortunes，condemnstheiroppressors，praisestheirconstancy，declareshimselftheirgraciousprotector，andexpressesapioushope，thatafterhisreturnfromthePersianwar，hemaybepermittedtopayhisgratefulvowstotheAlmightyinhisholycityofJerusalem。Theblindsuperstition，andabjectslavery，ofthoseunfortunateexiles，mustexcitethecontemptofaphilosophicemperor；buttheydeservedthefriendshipofJulian，bytheirimplacablehatredoftheChristianname。Thebarrensynagogueabhorredandenviedthefecundityoftherebelliouschurch；thepoweroftheJewswasnotequaltotheirmalice；buttheirgravestrabbisapprovedtheprivatemurderofanapostate；^55
andtheirseditiousclamorshadoftenawakenedtheindolenceofthePaganmagistrates。UnderthereignofConstantine，theJewsbecamethesubjectsoftheirrevoltedchildrennorwasitlongbeforetheyexperiencedthebitternessofdomestictyranny。Thecivilimmunitieswhichhadbeengranted，orconfirmed，bySeverus，weregraduallyrepealedbytheChristianprinces；andarashtumult，excitedbytheJewsofPalestine，^56seemedtojustifythelucrativemodesofoppressionwhichwereinventedbythebishopsandeunuchsofthecourtofConstantius。TheJewishpatriarch，whowasstillpermittedtoexerciseaprecariousjurisdiction，heldhisresidenceatTiberias；^57andtheneighboringcitiesofPalestinewerefilledwiththeremainsofapeoplewhofondlyadheredtothepromisedland。ButtheedictofHadrianwasrenewedandenforced；andtheyviewedfromafarthewallsoftheholycity，whichwereprofanedintheireyesbythetriumphofthecrossandthedevotionoftheChristians。^58
[Footnote54:Julian\'sepistlexxv。isaddressedtothecommunityoftheJews。AldusVenet。1499hasbrandeditwithan；butthisstigmaisjustlyremovedbythesubsequenteditors，PetaviusandSpanheim。ThisepistleismentionedbySozomen，l。
v。c。22，andthepurportofitisconfirmedbyGregory，Orat。
iv。p。111。andbyJulianhimselfFragment。p。295。]
[Footnote55:TheMisnahdenounceddeathagainstthosewhoabandonedthefoundation。ThejudgmentofzealisexplainedbyMarshamCanon。Chron。p。161，162，edit。fol。London，1672andBasnage，Hist。desJuifs，tom。viii。p。120。ConstantinemadealawtoprotectChristianconvertsfromJudaism。Cod。Theod。l。
xvi。tit。viii。leg。1。Godefroy，tom。vi。p。215。]
[Footnote56:EtintereaduringthecivilwarofMagnentius
Judaeorumseditio，quiPatricium，nefarieinregnispeciemsustulerunt，oppressa。AureliusVictor，inConstantio，c。xlii。
SeeTillemont，Hist。desEmpereurs，tom。iv。p。379，in4to。]
[Footnote57:ThecityandsynagogueofTiberiasarecuriouslydescribedbyReland。Palestin。tom。ii。p。1036—1042。]
[Footnote58:BasnagehasfullyillustratedthestateoftheJewsunderConstantineandhissuccessors，tom。viii。c。iv。p。
111—153。]