|
ON the emperor's return the admirable Amphilochius, whom I have
often mentioned, came to beg that the Arian congregations might be
expelled from the cities. The emperor thought the petition too
severe, and refused it. The very wise Amphilochius at the moment was
silent, for he had hit upon a memorable device. The next time he
entered the Palace and beheld standing at the emperor's side his son
Arcadius, who had lately been appointed emperor, he saluted
Theodosius as was his wont, but did no honour to Arcadius. The
emperor, thinking that this neglect was due to forgetfulness,
commanded Amphilochius to approach and to salute his son. "Sir,"
said he, "the honour which I have paid you is enough." Theodosius
was indignant at the discourtesy, and said, "Dishonour done to my
son is a rudeness to myself." Then, and not till then, the very
wise Amphilochius disclosed the object of his conduct, and said with a
loud voice, "You see, sir, that you do not brook dishonour done
your son, and are bitterly angry with those who are rude to him.
Believe then that the God of all the world abominates them that
blaspheme the Only begotten Son, and hates them as ungrateful to
their Saviour and Benefactor."
Then the emperor understood the bishop's drift, and admired both what
he had done and what he had said. Without further delay he put out an
edict forbidding the congregations of heretics.
But to escape all the snares of the common enemy of mankind is no easy
task. Often it happens that one who has kept clear of lascivious
passion is fixed fast in the toils of avarice; and if he prove superior
to greed there on the other side is the pitfall of envy, and even if he
leap safe over this he will find a net of passion waiting for him on the
other side.. Other innumerable stumbling blocks the enemy sets in
men's paths, trying to catch them to their ruin.
Then he has at his disposal the bodily passions to help the wiles which
he lays against the soul. The mind alone, if it keep awake, gets the
better of him, frustrating the assault of his devices by its
inclination to what is Divine. Now, since this admirable emperor had
his share of human nature, and was not free from its emotions, his
righteous anger passed the bounds of moderation, and caused the
perpetration of a savage and lawless deed. I must tell this story for
the sake of those into whose hands it will fall; it does not, indeed,
only involve blame of the admirable emperor, but so redounds to his
credit as to deserve to be remembered.
|
|