|
ABOUT the same time it happened that another event took place at
Milan well worthy of being recorded. On the death of Auxentius, who
had been ordained bishop of that church by the Arians, the people
again were disturbed respecting the election of a successor; for as
some proposed one person, and others favored another, the city was
full of contention and uproar. In this state of things the governor of
the province, Ambrose by name, who was also of consular dignity,
dreading some catastrophe from the popular excitement, ran into the
church in order to quell the disturbance. As he arrived there and the
people became quiet, he repressed the irrational fury of the multitude
by a long and appropriate address, by urging such motives as they felt
to be right, and all present suddenly came to an unanimous agreement,
crying out 'that Ambrose was worthy of the bishopric,' and demanding
his ordination: 'for by that means only,' it was alleged, 'would
the peace of the church be secured, and all be reunited in the same
faith and judgment.' And inasmuch as such unanimity among the people
appeared to the bishops then present to proceed from some Divine
appointment, immediately they laid hands on Ambrose; and having
baptized him -- for he was then but a catechumen -- they were about
to invest him with the episcopal office. But although Ambrose
willingly received baptism, he with great earnestness refused to be
ordained: upon which the bishops referred the matter to the Emperor
Valentinian. This prince regarding the universal consent of the
people as the work of God, sent word to the bishops to do the will of
God by ordaining him; declaring that 'his choice was by the voice of
God rather than by the votes of men.' Ambrose was therefore
ordained; and thus the inhabitants of Milan who were divided among
themselves, were once more restored to unity.
|
|