Theambassadorcondescendedtojustify，orexcuse，theconductofhismaster；andtoprotest，inspeciouslanguage，thatthemurderofGratianhadbeenperpetrated，withouthisknowledgeorconsent，bytheprecipitatezealofthesoldiers。Butheproceeded，inafirmandequaltone，toofferTheodosiusthealternativeofpeace，orwar。Thespeechoftheambassadorconcludedwithaspiriteddeclaration，thatalthoughMaximus，asaRoman，andasthefatherofhispeople，wouldchooserathertoemployhisforcesinthecommondefenceoftherepublic，hewasarmedandprepared，ifhisfriendshipshouldberejected，todispute，inafieldofbattle，theempireoftheworld。Animmediateandperemptoryanswerwasrequired；butitwasextremelydifficultforTheodosiustosatisfy，onthisimportantoccasion，eitherthefeelingsofhisownmind，ortheexpectationsofthepublic。Theimperiousvoiceofhonorandgratitudecalledaloudforrevenge。FromtheliberalityofGratian，hehadreceivedtheImperialdiadem；hispatiencewouldencouragetheodioussuspicion，thathewasmoredeeplysensibleofformerinjuries，thanofrecentobligations；andifheacceptedthefriendship，hemustseemtosharetheguilt，oftheassassin。Eventheprinciplesofjustice，andtheinterestofsociety，wouldreceiveafatalblowfromtheimpunityofMaximus；
andtheexampleofsuccessfulusurpationwouldtendtodissolvetheartificialfabricofgovernment，andoncemoretoreplungetheempireinthecrimesandcalamitiesoftheprecedingage。
But，asthesentimentsofgratitudeandhonorshouldinvariablyregulatetheconductofanindividual，theymaybeoverbalancedinthemindofasovereign，bythesenseofsuperiorduties；andthemaximsbothofjusticeandhumanitymustpermittheescapeofanatrociouscriminal，ifaninnocentpeoplewouldbeinvolvedintheconsequencesofhispunishment。TheassassinofGratianhadusurped，butheactuallypossessed，themostwarlikeprovincesoftheempire:theEastwasexhaustedbythemisfortunes，andevenbythesuccess，oftheGothicwar；anditwasseriouslytobeapprehended，that，afterthevitalstrengthoftherepublichadbeenwastedinadoubtfulanddestructivecontest，thefeebleconquerorwouldremainaneasypreytotheBarbariansoftheNorth。TheseweightyconsiderationsengagedTheodosiustodissemblehisresentment，andtoaccepttheallianceofthetyrant。Buthestipulated，thatMaximusshouldcontenthimselfwiththepossessionofthecountriesbeyondtheAlps。ThebrotherofGratianwasconfirmedandsecuredinthesovereigntyofItaly，Africa，andtheWesternIllyricum；andsomehonorableconditionswereinsertedinthetreaty，toprotectthememory，andthelaws，ofthedeceasedemperor。^17Accordingtothecustomoftheage，theimagesofthethreeImperialcolleagueswereexhibitedtothevenerationofthepeople；norshoulditbelightlysupposed，that，inthemomentofasolemnreconciliation，Theodosiussecretlycherishedtheintentionofperfidyandrevenge。^18
[Footnote17:AmbrosementionsthelawsofGratian，quasnonabrogavithostiatom。iiepist。xvii。p。827。]
[Footnote18:Zosimus，l。iv。p。251，252。Wemaydisclaimhisodioussuspicions；butwecannotrejectthetreatyofpeacewhichthefriendsofTheodosiushaveabsolutelyforgotten，orslightlymentioned。]
ThecontemptofGratianfortheRomansoldiershadexposedhimtothefataleffectsoftheirresentment。HisprofoundvenerationfortheChristianclergywasrewardedbytheapplauseandgratitudeofapowerfulorder，whichhasclaimed，ineveryage，theprivilegeofdispensinghonors，bothonearthandinheaven。^19Theorthodoxbishopsbewailedhisdeath，andtheirownirreparableloss；buttheyweresooncomfortedbythediscovery，thatGratianhadcommittedthesceptreoftheEasttothehandsofaprince，whosehumblefaithandferventzeal，weresupportedbythespiritandabilitiesofamorevigorouscharacter。Amongthebenefactorsofthechurch，thefameofConstantinehasbeenrivalledbythegloryofTheodosius。IfConstantinehadtheadvantageoferectingthestandardofthecross，theemulationofhissuccessorassumedthemeritofsubduingtheArianheresy，andofabolishingtheworshipofidolsintheRomanworld。TheodosiuswasthefirstoftheemperorsbaptizedinthetruefaithoftheTrinity。AlthoughhewasbornofaChristianfamily，themaxims，oratleastthepractice，oftheage，encouragedhimtodelaytheceremonyofhisinitiation；
tillhewasadmonishedofthedangerofdelay，bytheseriousillnesswhichthreatenedhislife，towardstheendofthefirstyearofhisreign。BeforeheagaintookthefieldagainsttheGoths，hereceivedthesacramentofbaptism^20fromAcholius，theorthodoxbishopofThessalonica:^21and，astheemperorascendedfromtheholyfont，stillglowingwiththewarmfeelingsofregeneration，hedictatedasolemnedict，whichproclaimedhisownfaith，andprescribedthereligionofhissubjects。\"ItisourpleasuresuchistheImperialstylethatallthenations，whicharegovernedbyourclemencyandmoderation，shouldsteadfastlyadheretothereligionwhichwastaughtbySt。PetertotheRomans；whichfaithfultraditionhaspreserved；andwhichisnowprofessedbythepontiffDamasus，andbyPeter，bishopofAlexandria，amanofapostolicholiness。Accordingtothedisciplineoftheapostles，andthedoctrineofthegospel，letusbelievethesoledeityoftheFather，theSon，andtheHolyGhost；underanequalmajesty，andapiousTrinity。WeauthorizethefollowersofthisdoctrinetoassumethetitleofCatholicChristians；andaswejudge，thatallothersareextravagantmadmen，webrandthemwiththeinfamousnameofHeretics；anddeclarethattheirconventiclesshallnolongerusurptherespectableappellationofchurches。Besidesthecondemnationofdivinejustice，theymustexpecttosuffertheseverepenalties，whichourauthority，guidedbyheavenlywisdom，shallthinkpropertoinflictuponthem。\"^22Thefaithofasoldieriscommonlythefruitofinstruction，ratherthanofinquiry；butastheemperoralwaysfixedhiseyesonthevisiblelandmarksoforthodoxy，whichhehadsoprudentlyconstituted，hisreligiousopinionswereneveraffectedbythespecioustexts，thesubtlearguments，andtheambiguouscreedsoftheAriandoctors。OnceindeedheexpressedafaintinclinationtoconversewiththeeloquentandlearnedEunomius，wholivedinretirementatasmalldistancefromConstantinople。ButthedangerousinterviewwaspreventedbytheprayersoftheempressFlaccilla，whotrembledforthesalvationofherhusband；andthemindofTheodosiuswasconfirmedbyatheologicalargument，adaptedtotherudestcapacity。Hehadlatelybestowedonhiseldestson，Arcadius，thenameandhonorsofAugustus，andthetwoprinceswereseatedonastatelythronetoreceivethehomageoftheirsubjects。A
bishop，AmphilochiusofIconium，approachedthethrone，andaftersaluting，withduereverence，thepersonofhissovereign，heaccostedtheroyalyouthwiththesamefamiliartendernesswhichhemighthaveusedtowardsaplebeianchild。Provokedbythisinsolentbehavior，themonarchgaveorders，thattherusticpriestshouldbeinstantlydrivenfromhispresence。Butwhiletheguardswereforcinghimtothedoor，thedexterouspolemichadtimetoexecutehisdesign，byexclaiming，withaloudvoice，\"Suchisthetreatment，Oemperor!whichtheKingofheavenhaspreparedforthoseimpiousmen，whoaffecttoworshiptheFather，butrefusetoacknowledgetheequalmajestyofhisdivineSon。\"
TheodosiusimmediatelyembracedthebishopofIconium，andneverforgottheimportantlesson，whichhehadreceivedfromthisdramaticparable。^23
[Footnote19:Theiroracle，thearchbishopofMilan，assignstohispupilGratian，ahighandrespectableplaceinheaven，tom。
ii。deObit。Val。Consolp。1193。]
[Footnote20:ForthebaptismofTheodosius，seeSozomen，l。
vii。c。4，Socrates，l。v。c。6，andTillemont，Hist。desEmpereurs，tom。v。p。728。]
[Footnote21:Ascolius，orAcholius，washonoredbythefriendship，andthepraises，ofAmbrose；whostyleshimmurusfideiatquesanctitatis，tom。ii。epist。xv。p。820；andafterwardscelebrateshisspeedanddiligenceinrunningtoConstantinople，Italy，&c。，epist。xvi。p。822。avirtuewhichdoesnotappertaineithertoawall，orabishop。]
[Footnote22:CodexTheodos。l。xvi。tit。i。leg。2，withGodefroy\'sCommentary，tom。vi。p。5—9。SuchanedictdeservedthewarmestpraisesofBaronius，aureamsanctionem，edictumpiumetsalutare。—Sicituaadastra。]
[Footnote23:Sozomen，l。vii。c。6。Theodoret，l。v。c。16。
TillemontisdispleasedMem。Eccles。tom。vi。p。627，628withthetermsof\"rusticbishop，\"\"obscurecity。\"YetImusttakeleavetothink，thatbothAmphilochiusandIconiumwereobjectsofinconsiderablemagnitudeintheRomanempire。]
ChapterXXVII:CivilWars，ReignOfTheodosius。
PartII。
ConstantinoplewastheprincipalseatandfortressofArianism；and，inalongintervaloffortyyears，^24thefaithoftheprincesandprelates，whoreignedinthecapitaloftheEast，wasrejectedinthepurerschoolsofRomeandAlexandria。
ThearchiepiscopalthroneofMacedonius，whichhadbeenpollutedwithsomuchChristianblood，wassuccessivelyfilledbyEudoxusandDamophilus。Theirdioceseenjoyedafreeimportationofviceanderrorfromeveryprovinceoftheempire；theeagerpursuitofreligiouscontroversyaffordedanewoccupationtothebusyidlenessofthemetropolis；andwemaycredittheassertionofanintelligentobserver，whodescribes，withsomepleasantry，theeffectsoftheirloquaciouszeal。\"Thiscity，\"sayshe，\"isfullofmechanicsandslaves，whoareallofthemprofoundtheologians；andpreachintheshops，andinthestreets。Ifyoudesireamantochangeapieceofsilver，heinformsyou，whereintheSondiffersfromtheFather；ifyouaskthepriceofaloaf，youaretoldbywayofreply，thattheSonisinferiortotheFather；andifyouinquire，whetherthebathisready，theansweris，thattheSonwasmadeoutofnothing。\"^25Theheretics，ofvariousdenominations，subsistedinpeaceundertheprotectionoftheAriansofConstantinople；whoendeavoredtosecuretheattachmentofthoseobscuresectaries，whiletheyabused，withunrelentingseverity，thevictorywhichtheyhadobtainedoverthefollowersofthecouncilofNice。DuringthepartialreignsofConstantiusandValens，thefeebleremnantoftheHomoousianswasdeprivedofthepublicandprivateexerciseoftheirreligion；andithasbeenobserved，inpatheticlanguage，thatthescatteredflockwasleftwithoutashepherdtowanderonthemountains，ortobedevouredbyrapaciouswolves。^26But，astheirzeal，insteadofbeingsubdued，derivedstrengthandvigorfromoppression，theyseizedthefirstmomentsofimperfectfreedom，whichtheyhadacquiredbythedeathofValens，toformthemselvesintoaregularcongregation，undertheconductofanepiscopalpastor。TwonativesofCappadocia，Basil，andGregoryNazianzen，^27weredistinguishedabovealltheircontemporaries，^28bytherareunionofprofaneeloquenceandoforthodoxpiety。
Theseorators，whomightsometimesbecompared，bythemselves，andbythepublic，tothemostcelebratedoftheancientGreeks，wereunitedbythetiesofthestrictestfriendship。Theyhadcultivated，withequalardor，thesameliberalstudiesintheschoolsofAthens；theyhadretired，withequaldevotion，tothesamesolitudeinthedesertsofPontus；andeverysparkofemulation，orenvy，appearedtobetotallyextinguishedintheholyandingenuousbreastsofGregoryandBasil。ButtheexaltationofBasil，fromaprivatelifetothearchiepiscopalthroneofCaesarea，discoveredtotheworld，andperhapstohimself，theprideofhischaracter；andthefirstfavorwhichhecondescendedtobestowonhisfriend，wasreceived，andperhapswasintended，asacruelinsult。^29InsteadofemployingthesuperiortalentsofGregoryinsomeusefulandconspicuousstation，thehaughtyprelateselected，amongthefiftybishopricsofhisextensiveprovince，thewretchedvillageofSasima，^30
withoutwater，withoutverdure，withoutsociety，situateatthejunctionofthreehighways，andfrequentedonlybytheincessantpassageofrudeandclamorouswagoners。Gregorysubmittedwithreluctancetothishumiliatingexile；hewasordainedbishopofSasima；buthesolemnlyprotests，thatheneverconsummatedhisspiritualmarriagewiththisdisgustingbride。HeafterwardsconsentedtoundertakethegovernmentofhisnativechurchofNazianzus，^31ofwhichhisfatherhadbeenbishopabovefive—and—fortyyears。Butashewasstillconsciousthathedeservedanotheraudience，andanothertheatre，heaccepted，withnounworthyambition，thehonorableinvitation，whichwasaddressedtohimfromtheorthodoxpartyofConstantinople。Onhisarrivalinthecapital，Gregorywasentertainedinthehouseofapiousandcharitablekinsman；themostspaciousroomwasconsecratedtotheusesofreligiousworship；andthenameofAnastasiawaschosentoexpresstheresurrectionoftheNicenefaith。Thisprivateconventiclewasafterwardsconvertedintoamagnificentchurch；andthecredulityofthesucceedingagewaspreparedtobelievethemiraclesandvisions，whichattestedthepresence，oratleasttheprotection，oftheMotherofGod。^32
ThepulpitoftheAnastasiawasthesceneofthelaborsandtriumphsofGregoryNazianzen；and，inthespaceoftwoyears，heexperiencedallthespiritualadventureswhichconstitutetheprosperousoradversefortunesofamissionary。^33TheArians，whowereprovokedbytheboldnessofhisenterprise，representedhisdoctrine，asifhehadpreachedthreedistinctandequalDeities；andthedevoutpopulacewasexcitedtosuppress，byviolenceandtumult，theirregularassembliesoftheAthanasianheretics。FromthecathedralofSt。Sophiathereissuedamotleycrowd\"ofcommonbeggars，whohadforfeitedtheirclaimtopity；
ofmonks，whohadtheappearanceofgoatsorsatyrs；andofwomen，moreterriblethansomanyJezebels。\"ThedoorsoftheAnastasiawerebrokeopen；muchmischiefwasperpetrated，orattempted，withsticks，stones，andfirebrands；andasamanlosthislifeintheaffray，Gregory，whowassummonedthenextmorningbeforethemagistrate，hadthesatisfactionofsupposing，thathepubliclyconfessedthenameofChrist。Afterhewasdeliveredfromthefearanddangerofaforeignenemy，hisinfantchurchwasdisgracedanddistractedbyintestinefaction。A
strangerwhoassumedthenameofMaximus，^34andthecloakofaCynicphilosopher，insinuatedhimselfintotheconfidenceofGregory；deceivedandabusedhisfavorableopinion；andformingasecretconnectionwithsomebishopsofEgypt，attempted，byaclandestineordination，tosupplanthispatronintheepiscopalseatofConstantinople。ThesemortificationsmightsometimestempttheCappadocianmissionarytoregrethisobscuresolitude。
Buthisfatigueswererewardedbythedailyincreaseofhisfameandhiscongregation；andheenjoyedthepleasureofobserving，thatthegreaterpartofhisnumerousaudienceretiredfromhissermonssatisfiedwiththeeloquenceofthepreacher，^35ordissatisfiedwiththemanifoldimperfectionsoftheirfaithandpractice。^36
[Footnote24:Sozomen，l。vii。c。v。Socrates，l。v。c。7。
Marcellin。inChron。TheaccountoffortyyearsmustbedatedfromtheelectionorintrusionofEusebius，whowiselyexchangedthebishopricofNicomediaforthethroneofConstantinople。]
[Footnote25:SeeJortin\'sRemarksonEcclesiasticalHistory，vol。iv。p。71。Thethirty—thirdOrationofGregoryNazianzenaffordsindeedsomesimilarideas，evensomestillmoreridiculous；butIhavenotyetfoundthewordsofthisremarkablepassage，whichIallegeonthefaithofacorrectandliberalscholar。]
[Footnote26:Seethethirty—secondOrationofGregoryNazianzen，andtheaccountofhisownlife，whichhehascomposedin1800
iambics。Yeteveryphysicianispronetoexaggeratetheinveteratenatureofthediseasewhichhehascured。]
[Footnote27:IconfessmyselfdeeplyindebtedtothetwolivesofGregoryNazianzen，composed，withverydifferentviews，byTillemontMem。Eccles。tom。ix。p。305—560，692—731andLeClerc，BibliothequeUniverselle，tom。xviii。p。1—128。]
[Footnote28:UnlessGregoryNazianzenmistookthirtyyearsinhisownage，hewasborn，aswellashisfriendBasil，abouttheyear329。ThepreposterouschronologyofSuidashasbeengraciouslyreceived，becauseitremovesthescandalofGregory\'sfather，asaintlikewise，begettingchildrenafterhebecameabishop，Tillemont，Mem。Eccles。tom。ix。p。693—697。]
[Footnote29:Gregory\'sPoemonhisownLifecontainssomebeautifullines，tom。ii。p。8，whichburstfromtheheart，andspeakthepangsofinjuredandlostfriendship。
IntheMidsummerNight\'sDream，HelenaaddressesthesamepatheticcomplainttoherfriendHermia:—
Isallthecounselthatwetwohaveshared。
Thesister\'svows，&c。
ShakspearehadneverreadthepoemsofGregoryNazianzen；hewasignorantoftheGreeklanguage；buthismothertongue，thelanguageofNature，isthesameinCappadociaandinBritain。]
[Footnote30:ThisunfavorableportraitofSasimaeisdrawnbyGregoryNazianzen，tom。ii。deVitasua，p。7，8。Itsprecisesituation，forty—ninemilesfromArchelais，andthirty—twofromTyana，isfixedintheItineraryofAntoninus，p。144，edit。
Wesseling。]
[Footnote31:ThenameofNazianzushasbeenimmortalizedbyGregory；buthisnativetown，undertheGreekorRomantitleofDiocaesarea，Tillemont，Mem。Eccles。tom。ix。p。692，ismentionedbyPliny，vi。3，Ptolemy，andHierocles，Itinerar。
Wesseling，p。709。ItappearstohavebeensituateontheedgeofIsauria。]
[Footnote32:SeeDucange，Constant。Christiana，l。iv。p。141，142。TheSozomenl。vii。c。5isinterpretedtomeantheVirginMary。]
[Footnote33:TillemontMem。Eccles。tom。ix。p。432，&c。
diligentlycollects，enlarges，andexplains，theoratoricalandpoeticalhintsofGregoryhimself。]
[Footnote34:Hepronouncedanorationtom。i。Orat。xxiii。p。
409inhispraise；butaftertheirquarrel，thenameofMaximuswaschangedintothatofHeron，seeJerom，tom。i。inCatalog。
Script。Eccles。p。301。Itouchslightlyontheseobscureandpersonalsquabbles。]
[Footnote35:Underthemodestemblemofadream，Gregorytom。
ii。Carmenix。p。78describeshisownsuccesswithsomehumancomplacency。Yetitshouldseem，fromhisfamiliarconversationwithhisauditorSt。Jerom，tom。i。Epist。adNepotian。p。14，
thatthepreacherunderstoodthetruevalueofpopularapplause。]
[Footnote36:Lachrymaeauditorumlaudestuaesint，isthelivelyandjudiciousadviceofSt。Jerom。]