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IT has been already related how the defenders of the apostolic
doctrines were divided into two parties; how immediately after the
conspiracy formed against the great Eustathius, one section, in
abhorrence of the Arian abomination, assembled together by themselves
with Paulinus for their bishop, while, after the ordination of
Euzoius, the other party separated themselves from the impious with
the excellent Meletius, underwent the perils previously described,
and were guided by the wise instructions which Meletius gave them.
Besides these Apollinarius of Laodicea constituted himself leader of
a third party, and though he assumed a mask of piety, and appeared to
defend apostolic doctrines, he was soon seen to be an open foe. About
the divine nature he used unsound arguments, and originated the idea of
certain degrees of dignities. He also had the hardihood to render the
mystery of the incarnation imperfect and affirmed that the reasonable
soul, which is entrusted with the guidance of the body, was deprived
of the salvation effected. For according to his argument God the
Word did not assume this soul, and so neither granted it His healing
gift, nor gave it a portion of His dignity. Thus the earthly body is
represented as worshipped by invisible powers, while the soul which is
made in the image of God has remained below invested with the dishonour
of sin. Many more errors did he utter in his stumbling and blinded
intelligence. At one time even he was ready to confess that of the
Holy Virgin the flesh had been taken, at another time he represented
it to have come down from heaven with God the Word, and yet again
that He had been made flesh and took nothing from us. Other vain
tales and trifles which I have thought it superfluous to repeat he
mixed up with God's gospel promises. By arguments of this nature he
not only filled his own friends with dangerous doctrine but even
imparted it to some among ourselves. As time went on, when they saw
their own insignificance, and beheld the splendour of the Church, all
except a few were gathered into the Church's communion. But they did
not quite put away their former unsoundness, and with it infected many
of the sound. This was the origin of the growth in the Church of the
doctrine of the one nature of the Flesh and of the Godhead, of the
ascription to the Godhead of the Passion of the only begotten, and of
other points which have bred differences among the laity and their
priests. But these belong to a later date. At the time of which I
am speaking, when Sapor the General had arrived and had exhibited the
imperial edict, Paulinus affirmed that he sided with Damasus, and
Apollinarius, concealing his unsoundness, did the same. The divine
Meletius, on the other hand, made no sign, and put up with their
dispute. Flavianus, of high fame for his wisdom, who was at that
time still in the ranks of the presbyterate, at first said to Paulinus
in the hearing of the officer "If, my dear friend, you accept
communion with Damasus, point out to us clearly how the doctrines
agree, for he though he owns one substance of the Trinity openly
preaches three essences. You on the contrary deny the Trinity of the
essences. Shew us then how these doctrines are in harmony, and
receive the charge of the churches, as the edict enjoins." After so
silencing Paulinus by his arguments he turned to Apollinarius and
said, "I am astonished, my friend, to find you waging such violent
war against the truth, when all the while you know quite clearly how
the admirable Damasus maintains oar nature to have been taken in its
perfection by God the Word; but you persist in saying the contrary,
for you deprive our intelligence of its salvation. If these our
charges against you be false, deny now the novelty that you have
originated; embrace the teaching of Damasus, and receive the charge
of the holy shrines."
Thus Flavianus in his great wisdom stopped their bold speech with his
true reasoning.
Meletius, who of all men was most meek, thus kindly and gently
addressed Paulinus. "The Lord of the sheep has put the care of
these sheep in my hands: you have received the charge of the rest: our
little ones are in communion with one another in the true religion.
Therefore, my dear friend, let us join our flocks; let us have done
with our dispute about the leading of them, and, feeding the sheep
together, let us tend them in common. If the chief seat is the cause
of strife, that strife I will endeavour to put away. On the chief
seat I will put the Holy Gospel; let us take our seats on each side
of it; should I be the first to pass away, you, my friend, will
hold the leadership of the flock alone. Should this be your lot before
it is mine, I in my turn, so far as I am able, will take care of
the sheep." So gently and kindly spoke the divine Meletius.
Paulinus did not consent. The officer passed judgment on what had
been said and gave the churches to the great Meletius. Paulinus still
continued at the head of the sheep who had originally seceded.
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