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"CONSTANTIUS AUGUSTUS the Conqueror, to the holy
church in Antioch. "Eudoxius came without our authority; let no one
suppose that he had it, for we are far from regarding such persons with
favor. If they have recourse to deceit with others in transactions
like this, they give evidence that they will refine away the truth in
still higher things. For from what will they voluntarily refrain,
who, for the sake of power, follow the round of the cities, leaping
from one to another, as a kind of wanderer, prying into every nook,
led by the desire for more? It is reported that there are among these
people certain quacks and sophists, whose very names are scarcely to be
tolerated, and whose deeds are evil and most impious. You all know to
what set of people I allude; for you are all thoroughly acquainted
with the doctrines of Aetius and the heresy which he has cultivated.
He and his followers have devoted themselves exclusively to the task of
corrupting the people; and these clever fellows have had the audacity
to publish that we approved of their ordination. Such is the report
they circulate, after the manner of those who talk overmuch; but it is
not true, and, indeed, far removed from the truth. Recall to your
recollection the words of which we made use, when we first made a
declaration of our belief; for we confessed that our Saviour is the
Son of God, and of like substance with the Father. But these
people, who have the audacity to set forth whatever enters their
imagination, concerning the Godhead, are not far removed from
atheism; and they strive, moreover, to propagate their opinions among
others. We are convinced that their iniquitous proceedings will fall
back upon their own heads. In the meantime, it is sufficient to eject
them from synods and from ordinary conference; for I will not now
allude to the chastisements which must hereafter overtake them, unless
they will desist from their madness. How great is the evil they
perpetrate, when they collect together the most wicked persons, as if
by an edict, and they select the leaders of heresy for the clergy,
thus debasing the reverend order as though they were allowed to do what
they please! Who can bear with people who fill the cities with
impiety, who secrete impurity in the most distant regions, and who
delight in nothing but in injuring the righteous? What an
evil-working unity it is, which limps forward to enthrone itself in
the diviner seats! Now is the time for those who have imbibed the
truth to come forward into the light, and whoever were previously
restrained through fear, and now would escape from conventionalism,
let them step into the middle; for the artifices of these evil men have
been thoroughly confuted, and no sort of device can be invented which
will deliver them from acting impiously. It is the duty of good men to
retain the faith of the Fathers, and, so to speak, to augment it,
without busying themselves with other matters. I earnestly exhort
those who have escaped, though but recently, from the precipice of
this heresy, to assent to the decrees which the bishops who are wise in
divine learning, have rightly determined for the better."
Thus we see that the heresy usually denominated Anomian was within a
little of becoming predominant at this period.
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