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WHEN the troops had become acquainted with the emperor's sudden
death, they wept for the departed prince as for a father, and made
Valentinian emperor in his room. It was he who smote the officer of
the temple and was sent to the castle. He was distinguished not only
for his courage, but also for prudence, temperance, justice, and
great stature. He was of so kingly and magnanimous a character that,
on an attempt being made by the army to appoint a colleague to share his
throne, he uttered the well-known words which are universally
repeated, "Before I was emperor, soldiers, it was yours to give me
the reins of empire: now that I have taken them, it is mine, not
yours, to take counsel for the state." The troops were struck with
admiration at what he said, and contentedly followed the guidance of
his authority. Valentinian, however, sent for his brother from
Pannonia, and shared the empire with him. Would that he had never
done so! To Valens, who had not yet accepted unsound doctrines, was
committed the charge of Asia and of Egypt, while Valentinian
allotted Europe to himself. He journeyed to the Western provinces,
and beginning with a proclamation of true religion, instructed them in
all righteousness. When the Arian Auxentius, bishop of Milan, who
was condemned in several councils, departed this life, the emperor
summoned the bishops and addressed them as follows: "Nurtured as you
have been in holy writ, you know full well what should be the character
of one dignified by the episcopate, and how he should rule his subjects
aright, not only with his lip, but with his life; exhibit himself as
an example of every kind of virtue, and make his conversation a witness
of his teaching. Seat now upon your archiepiscopal throne a man of
such character that we who rule the realm may honestly bow our heads
before him and welcomeh is reproofs, for, in that we are men, it
needs must be that we sometimes stumble, as a physician's healing
treatment."
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