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WHEN Valens quitted Nicomedia, he went on to Antioch; and in
passing through Cappadocia he did all in his power, according to
custom, to injure the orthodox and to deliver up the churches to the
Arians. He thought to accomplish his designs the more easily on
account of a dispute which was then pending between Basil and
Eusebius, who then governed the church of Caesarea. This dissension
had been the cause of Basil's departing from Pontus, where he lived
conjointly with some monks who pursued the philosophy. The people and
some of the most powerful and the wisest men in the city began to regard
Eusebius with suspicion, particularly as they considered him the cause
of the withdrawal of one who was equally celebrated for his piety and
his eloquence; and they accordingly began to plan a secession and the
holding of separate church. In the meantime Basil, fearing to be a
source of further trouble to the Church, which was already rent by the
dissensions of heretics, remained in retirement in the monasteries at
Pontus. The emperor and the bishops of the Arian heresy, who were
always attached to his suite, were more inspirited in their designs by
the absence of Basil and the hatred of the people towards Eusebius.
But the event was contrary to their judgment. On the first
intelligence of the intention of the emperor to pass through
Cappadocia, Basil quilted Pontus and returned to Caesarea, where
he effected a reconciliation with Eusebius, and by his eloquence he
opportunely aided the Church. The projects of Valens were thus
defeated, and he returned with his bishops without having accomplished
any of his designs.
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