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THIS letter rendered those who constituted the Synod very fearful,
wherefore most of them returned to their respective cities. But
Eusebius, Theognis, Maris, Patrophilus, Ursacius, and
Valens, having gone to Constantinople, would not permit any further
enquiry to be instituted concerning the broken cup, the overturned
communion table, and the murder of Arsenius; but they had recourse to
another calumny, informing the emperor that Athanasius had threatened
to prohibit the sending of corn which was usually conveyed from
Alexandria to Constantinople. They affirmed also that these menaces
were heard from the lips of Athanasius by the bishops Adamantius,
Anubion, Arbathion and Peter, for slander is most prevalent when of
the assertor of it appears to be a person worthy of credit. Hence the
emperor being deceived, and excited to indignation against Athanasius
by this charge, at once condemned him to exile, ordering him to reside
in the Gauls. Now some affirm that the emperor came to this decision
with a view to the establishment of unity in the church, since
Athanasius was inexorable in his refusal to hold any communion with
Arius and his adherents. He accordingly took up his abode at
Treves, a city of Gaul.
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