|
AFTER starting with these threats he was put down by one single
Beroean. Illustrious as this man was from the fact of his holding the
chief place among the magistrates, he was made yet more illustrious by
his zeal. On seeing his son falling into the prevailing paganism, he
drove him from his home and publicly renounced him. The youth made his
way to the emperor in the near neighbourhood of the city and informed
him both of his own views and of his father's sentence. The emperor
bade him make his mind easy and promised to reconcile his father to
him. When he reached Beroea, he invited the men of office and of
high position to a banquet. Among them was the young suppliant's
father, and both father and son were ordered to take their places on
the imperial couch. In the middle of the entertainment Julian said to
the father, "It does not seem to me to be right to force a mind
otherwise inclined and having no wish to shift its allegiance. Your
son does not wish to follow your doctrines. Do not force him. Even
I, though I am easily able to compel you, do not try to force you to
follow mine." Then the father, moved by his faith in divine truth to
sharpen the debate, exclaimed "Sir," said he "are you speaking of
this wretch whom God hates and who has preferred lies to truth?"
Once more Julian put on the mask of mildness and said "Cease fellow
from reviling," and then, turning his face to the youth, "I,"
said he, "will have care for you, since I have not been able to
persuade your father to do so." I mention this circumstance with a
distinct wish to point out not only this worthy man's admirable
boldness, but that very many persons despised Julian's sway.
|
|