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AT this period Athanasius returned from Gaul to Alexandria. It is
said that Constantine intended to have recalled him, and that in his
testament he even gave orders to that effect. But as he was prevented
by death from performing his intention, his son who bore his name, and
who was then commanding in Western Gaul, recalled Athanasius, and
wrote a letter on the subject to the people of Alexandria. Having met
with a copy of this letter translated from the Latin into Greek, I
shall insert it precisely as I found it. It is as follows:
"Constantine Caesar, to the people of the Catholic Church in the
city of Alexandria.
"You cannot, I believe, be unacquainted with the fact that
Athanasius, the interpreter of the venerated law, since the cruelty
of his bloodthirsty and hostile enemies continued, to the danger of his
sacred person, was sent for a time into Gaul in order that he might
not incur irretrievable extremities through the perversity of these
worthless opponents; in order then to make this danger futile, he was
taken out of the jaws of the men, who pressed upon him, and was
commanded to live near me, so that in the city where he dwelt, he
might be amply furnished with all necessaries; but his virtue is so
famous and extraordinary, because he is confident of Divine aid, that
he sets at naught all the rougher burdens of fortune. Our lord and my
father, Constantine Augustus, of blessed memory, intended to have
reinstated this bishop in his own place, and thus especially to have
restored him to your much beloved piety; but, since he was anticipated
by the human lot, and died before fulfilling his intention, I, as
his successor, purpose to carry into execution the design of the
emperor of Divine memory. Athanasius will inform you, when he shall
see your face, in how great reverence he was held by me. Nor is it
surprising that I should have acted as I have done towards him, for
the image of your own desire and the appearance of so noble a man,
moved and impelled me to this step. May Divine Providence watch over
you, my beloved brethren."
In consequence of this letter from the emperor Athanasius went home,
and resumed the government of the Egyptian churches. Those who were
attached to the Arian doctrines were thrown into consternation and
could not keep the peace ; they excited continuous seditions, and had
recourse to other machinations against him. The partisans of Eusebius
accused him before the emperor of being a seditious person, and of
having reversed the decree of exile, contrary to the laws of the
church, and without the consent of the bishops. I shall presently
relate in the proper place, how, by their intrigues, Athanasius was
again expelled from Alexandria.
Eusebius, surnamed Pamphilus, died about this period, and Acacius
succeeded to the bishopric of Caesarea in Palestine. He was a
zealous imitator of Eusebius because he had been instructed by him in
the Sacred Word; he possessed a capable mind and was polished in
expression, so that he left many writings worthy of commendation. Not
long after, the emperor Constantine declared war against his brother
Constans at Aquileia, and was slain by his own generals. The Roman
Empire was divided between the surviving brothers; the West fell to
the lot of Constans and the East to Constantius.
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