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At that time Paul having been removed in the manner described,
Macedonius became ruler of the churches in Constantinople; who,
acquiring very great ascendancy over the emperor, stirred up a war
among Christians, of a no less grievous kind than that which the
usurpers themselves were waging. For having prevailed on his sovereign
to co-operate with him in devastating the churches, he procured that
whatever pernicious measures he determined to pursue should be ratified
by law. And on this account throughout the several cities an edict was
proclaimed, and a military force appointed to carry the imperial
decrees into effect. Accordingly those who acknowledged the doctrine
of con-substantiality were expelled not only from the churches, but
also from the cities. Now at first they were satisfied with
expulsion; but as the evil grew they resorted to the worse extremity of
inducing compulsory communion with them, caring but little for such a
desecration of the churches. Their violence indeed was scarcely less
than that of those who had formerly obliged the Christians to worship
idols; for they applied all kinds of scourgings, a variety of
tortures, and confiscation of property. Many were punished with
exile; some died under the torture; and others were put to death while
they were being led into exile. These atrocities were exercised
throughout all the eastern cities, but especially at Constantinople;
the internal strife which was but slight before was thus savagely
increased by Macedonius, as soon as he obtained the bishopric. The
cities of Greece, however, and Illyricum, with those of the western
parts, still enjoyed tranquillity; inasmuch as they preserved harmony
among themselves, and continued to adhere to the rule of faith
promulgated by the council of Nicea.
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