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THOSE who had obtained entire ascendency over the mind of
Constantius, and influenced him as they pleased, reminded him that
Athanasius had been the cause of the differences between his brother
and himself, which had nearly led to the rupture of the bonds of
nature, and the kindling of a civil war. Constantius was induced by
these representations not only to banish, but also to condemn the holy
Athanasius to death; and he accordingly despatched Sebastianus , a
military commander, with a very large body of soldiery to slay him, as
if he had been a criminal. How the one led the attack and the other
escaped will be best told in the words of him who so suffered and was so
wonderfully saved.
Thus Athanasius writes in his Apology for his Flight: "Let the
circumstances of my retreat be investigated, and the testimony of the
opposite faction be collected; for Arians accompanied the soldiers,
as well for the purpose of spurring them on, as of pointing me out to
those who did not know me. If they are not touched with sympathy at
the tale I tell, at least let them listen in the silence of shame.
It was night, and some of the people were keeping vigil, for a
communion was expected. A body of soldiers suddenly advanced upon
them, consisting of a general and five thousand armed men with naked
swords, bows and arrows, and clubs, as I have already stated. The
general surrounded the church, posting his men in close order, that
those within might be prevented from going out. I deemed that I ought
not in such a time of confusion to leave the people, but that I ought
rather to be the first to meet the danger; so I sat down on my throne
and desired the deacon to read a psalm, and the people to respond,'
For His mercy endureth for ever.' Then I bade them all return to
their own houses. But now the general with the soldiery forced his way
into the church, and surrounded the sanctuary in order to arrest me.
The clergy and the laity who had remained clamorously besought me to
withdraw. This I firmly refused to do until all the others had
retreated. I rose, had a prayer offered, and directed all the people
to retire. 'It is better,' said I, 'for me to meet the danger
alone, than for any of you to be hurt.' When the greater number of
the people had left the church, and just as the rest were following,
the monks and some of the clergy who had remained came up and drew me
out. And so, may the truth be my witness, the Lord leading and
protecting me, we passed through the midst of the soldiers, some of
whom were stationed around the sanctuary, and others marching about the
church. Thus I went out unperceived, and fervently thanked God that
I had not abandoned the people, but that after they had been sent away
in safety, I had been enabled to escape from the hands of those who
sought my life
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