Part 19

Thus the very Letter of _Liberius_ is put in the Place where the Letter of the Council of _Sardica_ to the Emperor _Constantius_ ought to have been, as is manifest from what is said immediately before it. A few Lines after, instead of the Letter from the Council of _Egypt_ to _Liberius_, which _Hilarius_ promises, we find one from _Liberius_ to the Bishops of _Italy_, written after the Death of _Constantius_ upon a quite different Subject. What comes immediately after the Letter of _Liberius_ to the _Eusebians_, ought, in all Likelihood, to have been placed after the above-mentioned Letter of the Council of _Sardica_ to _Constantius_: for to me it appears no less improbable than it does or can do to _Baronius_[N14.1], that _Hilarius_, a most zealous Stickler for the Orthodox Faith, should approve of the Pope’s scandalous Letter, tending utterly to subvert it, and express his Approbation in these Terms; _What is there in this Letter that is not holy? What is there that does not proceed from the Fear of God?_ However, I cannot conclude, and much less demonstratively, with the Annalist, that the Letter has been forged by the _Arians_. All I think can be inferred from thence is, that the Letters, like most other Pieces there, have been misplaced; and that the above-mentioned Words of _Hilarius_ ought to be put after the Letter of the Council to _Constantius_, and not after that of _Liberius_ to the _Arians_.

Footnote N14.1:

Bar. ad ann. 352. n. 13.

[Sidenote: _The Council of_ Arles.]

In the mean time _Constantius_, now in quiet Possession of the whole Empire by the Death of _Magnentius_, who, after his Defeat, had laid violent Hands on himself, summoned a Council to meet at _Arles_. At this Council _Liberius_ did not assist in Person, but by his Legates, _Vincentius_ Bishop of _Capua_, and _Marcellus_ Bishop of _Campania_, who, together with some others, had been sent by _Liberius_ some time before to meet the Emperor at _Arles_, and beg him in the Pope’s Name to assemble a Council at _Aquileia_[726]. As the Bishop of _Capua_ was a Man of great Parts, and long Experience, _Liberius_ reposed an intire Confidence in him, not doubting but he would maintain the Dignity of his Legation, and support the Innocency of _Athanasius_ with that Firmness which he had shewn on several other Occasions [N15].

Footnote N15:

For _Liberius_, ashamed of what he had done against _Athanasius_, not only readmitted him soon after to his own Communion, but with great Zeal undertook his Defence.

As the Council consisted chiefly of _Arians_, their great Point in view was, to extort from the _Italian_ Bishops a solemn Condemnation of _Athanasius_. [Sidenote: _The Emperor’s Edict._] This therefore was in the first place proposed in the Council; and, because the orthodox Bishops would not consent to it, an Edict was issued by the Emperor, sentencing all those to Exile who should refuse to sign the Condemnation of _Athanasius_[727]. [Sidenote: _The Pope’s Legates sign the Condemnation of_ Athanasius.] The boasted Firmness and Constancy of _Vincentius_ were not Proof against such a Trial. He did all that lay in his Power to divert the Emperor from the Execution of a Decree utterly inconsistent with the Liberty of a Council; but finding him deaf to all Remonstrances, he began to capitulate, offering to sign the Condemnation of _Athanasius_, on condition the _Eusebians_ signed that of _Arius_, and publicly abjured his Doctrine. This he thought would be some Alleviation of his Guilt, and therefore the Proposal which he had made by Word of Mouth he gave in Writing to the Heads of the _Arian_ Faction, signed by himself and his Fellow-legates. But the _Arians_, too well acquainted with their Weakness to grant them any Terms, peremptorily insisted upon their condemning _Athanasius_, and referring the Cause and Doctrine of _Arius_ to a more proper Juncture. _Vincentius_ and his Collegues, finding the Enemies of _Athanasius_ thus inflexible, and, on the other hand, determined at all Events to keep their Bishopricks, and avoid the Hardships of a painful Exile, complied at last, and _yielded to the troublesome Times_, to use their softening Expression[728]. They were the more inexcuseable, as they had before their Eyes the Example of a great Prelate, whose Constancy was proof against all the Threats and Menaces of a provoked Prince. This was the celebrated _Paulinus_ Bishop of _Treves_, who, after perusing the Formulary, drawn up by the _Eusebians_, to be signed by him and the other Bishops, rejected it with the utmost Indignation, declaring that nothing they could do should ever induce him to betray the Truth, and his own Conscience, by setting his Hand to such a scandalous Piece. The _Eusebians_ left no Art unattempted to gain him, as they had done the Pope’s Legates, but finding he was a Man of a quite different Disposition, and despairing of being ever able to prevail upon him either by Hopes or Fear, they at last had recourse to the Emperor, who, putting his Decree in Execution, sent him into Exile; and in order to tire out his Patience, ordered him to be constantly conveyed from one inhospitable Place to another. [Sidenote: _The glorious Behaviour of_ Paulinus.] But in every Place _Paulinus_ was the same, the Conscience of his suffering for the sake of Justice enabling him to bear, not only with Patience, but Chearfulness, the inexpressible Hardships he underwent[729]. He died in _Phrygia_ in the Fifth Year of his Exile[730], that is, in 358. But his Body is supposed to have been discovered in a Church of his Name at _Treves_, in the Year 1071[731]. How and when it was conveyed thither, let those inquire who adore it.

To return to _Liberius_, he was so sensibly affected with the Fall of _Vincentius_ and his Collegues, that he wished for an Opportunity of losing his Life in so good a Cause, and washing out with his Blood the Stain which the scandalous Conduct of his Legates had brought upon his Character[732]. Thus he expresses himself in the Letter, which he writ on that Occasion to the great Friend of his See _Osius_[733]. However, in the Height of his Affliction, he found great Relief in the Courage and Steadiness of _Cæcilianus_ Bishop of _Spoleto_, of _Eusebius_ Bishop of _Vercelli_, and of _Lucifer_ Bishop of _Cagliari_ in _Sardinia_. The latter advised the Pope to demand of the Emperor another Council, and generously took upon himself to go to _Arles_, where _Constantius_ then was, and make that Demand. _Liberius_ readily accepted his Offer, and named _Pancratius_ and _Hilarius_ for his Collegues, the one a Presbyter, the other a Deacon of the Church of _Rome_. [Sidenote: Liberius _writes to the Emperor for another Council_;] By these he writ an excellent Letter to the Emperor, wherein, with the Liberty that became a Catholic Bishop, but at the same time with all the Respect that is due from a Subject to his Sovereign, he justifies his Conduct in the Defence of _Athanasius_, lays open the Arts and Views of the adverse Party, and begs that a new Council might be assembled, there being no other Means to put a Stop to so many Evils, and restore Peace and Tranquillity to the Catholic Church[734]. At the same time _Liberius_ writ to _Eusebius_ Bishop of _Vercelli_, and _Fortunatianus_ Bishop of _Aquileia_, intreating them to assist his Legates with their Advice, and even with their Presence, should it be thought necessary. The Three Legates, on their Arrival at _Vercelli_, in their Way to _Arles_, were not only kindly received, but joined by _Eusebius_, who repaired with them to the Emperor. [Sidenote: _which is granted, and assembles at_ Milan.] As the _Arians_ were no-ways averse to the Proposal, nay, had even solicited the Emperor to convene a new Council, the Request of the Legates met with no Difficulty; so that a Council was appointed to meet at _Milan_, where it met accordingly in the Beginning of the Year 355[735]. We are told, that it consisted of Three hundred Western Bishops, and that from the East there came but very few[736]. But _Constantius_ and his Army may be said to have supplied their room. For the Council no sooner met, than the Emperor absolutely insisted upon their signing the Condemnation of _Athænasius_, and an Edict, containing the chief Tenets of _Arius_, which had been published in his Name. But in this Attempt he met with a vigorous Opposition from _Dionysius_ Bishop of _Milan_, _Eusebius_ of _Vercelli_, _Lucifer_ of _Cagliari_, and the Two other Legates, _Pancratius_ and _Hilarius_; which provoked him to such a Degree, that he was upon the Point of commanding them to be executed upon the Spot as Rebels. [Sidenote: _Some Bishops banished._] But, upon second Thoughts, he contented himself with sending them into Exile, _Dionysius_ into _Cappadocia_, or _Armenia_, where he died a few Years after, _Eusebius_ to _Scythopolis_ in _Palestine_, and _Lucifer_ to _Germanicia_ in _Syria_. To what Place _Pancratius_ and _Hilarius_ were confined, we know not; but the latter was most cruelly whipped before he was banished[737]. As for the other Bishops, I shall only say, with _Ruffinus_[738], that, out of Three hundred, _Dionysius_, _Lucifer_, and _Eusebius_, alone shewed a Firmness and Intrepidity becoming Men of their Rank and Dignity. Among the rest _Fortunatianus_ Bishop of _Aquileia_ signed the Condemnation of _Athanasius_; which greatly added to the Grief and Concern of _Liberius_, who, till that Time, had entertained the highest Opinion of him.

And now _Constantius_ had the Satisfaction of seeing _Athanasius_ condemned by the far greater Part of the Western Bishops. But the Bishop of _Rome_ still declared openly in his Favour, and did all that lay in his Power to gain others to his Party. [Sidenote: Constantius _endeavours in vain to gain_ Liberius;] To deprive him therefore of so powerful a Protector, the Emperor resolved to spare no Cost nor Labour. With this View he dispatched to _Rome_ the Eunuch _Eusebius_, his great Chamberlain, with rich Presents in one Hand, and a threatening Letter in the other: but with an invincible Firmness _Liberius_ withstood both; so that the Eunuch, who was himself a sworn Enemy to _Athanasius_, returned to Court baffled and disappointed; and there, by the Account he gave of his unsuccessful Embassy, added new Fuel to the Fire, which burnt already with great Violence. The Emperor, who pretended to govern the Church no less despotically than he did the State, transported with Rage at the stout Opposition he met with from the Bishop of _Rome_, immediately dispatched an Order to _Leoncius_, Prefect of that City, injoining him to apprehend _Liberius_, and send him under a strong Guard to Court. [Sidenote: _who is sent Prisoner to_ Milan.] Pursuant to this Order, _Liberius_ was seized in the Night-time, lest the People, by whom he was greatly beloved, should attempt his Rescue, and conveyed to _Milan_, where the Court then resided[739]. Soon after his Arrival he was brought before the Emperor, when, undaunted and unawed by the Presence of so great a Prince, he spoke with all the Liberty of an Apostle, and with all the Eloquence of a great Orator[740]. [Sidenote: _His Interview with the Emperor._] At this Interview were present _Eusebius_ the Eunuch, and _Epictetus_ Bishop of _Centumcellæ_, now _Civita Vecchia_, who, for his ready Compliance with the Emperor’s Will, had been raised by him to great Preferments[741]. The latter told _Liberius_, when he had ended the excellent Speech he made before the Emperor, That he had indeed expressed great Zeal for the Purity of the Faith, and the Liberty of Councils; but the Whole was mere Mummery; and that he only wanted to be looked upon by his Party as a Person of some Significancy, and to brag among the Senators, on his Return to _Rome_, that he had had the Honour to dispute with the Emperor[742]. The Eunuch too thought he must speak, but it was only to betray his Ignorance; for he reproached _Liberius_ with defending _Athanasius_, who had been condemned, he said, as an Heretic, by the Council of _Nice_[743]. As for _Constantius_, the only Reply he made to the Reasons alleged by _Liberius_ in favour of _Athanasius_, and the Faith of _Nice_, was, That the wicked and impious _Athanasius_, as he styled him, had been condemned by the whole World; that, by his arrogant Conduct, he had provoked all Mankind, and himself in particular, by constantly stirring up his Brother against him; that therefore he looked upon the Defeat of _Magnentius_ and _Sylvanus_, who had attempted to bereave him of his Crown, as less important to him than the deposing and condemning of a Man, by whom he had been so highly injured[744]. In answer to this, _Liberius_ begged, that, of all Men, he would not chuse Bishops for the Instruments of his private Revenge. _Constantius_ made no Reply, but only told him, that he must either sign the Condemnation of _Athanasius_, or be sent into Exile; and that he allowed him Three Days to deliberate which of the Two he would chuse. [Sidenote: _His Steadiness._] _Liberius_ answered, with great Intrepidity, that he had already chosen, and was resolved; that in Three Days he should not change his Resolution; and therefore the Emperor might send him that Minute to what Place soever he pleased[745]. The Three Days were not yet expired when the Emperor sent for him anew to Court, hoping the Fear of Banishment had softened him, as it had done most others, into a Compliance. But he found him unalterably fixed in the same Resolution; and therefore, despairing of being ever able to succeed in his Attempt, he ordered him to be conveyed forthwith to _Berœa_ in _Thrace_[746]. [Sidenote: _He is banished to_ Berœa _in_ Thrace.] _Liberius_ had not yet left the Palace, when the Emperor sent him a Present of Five hundred Pieces of Gold to defray his Charges: which he sent back by the same Person who brought them, saying, that the Emperor might want Money to pay his Troops. The like Sum was sent him by the Empress _Eusebia_; which, with the same Answer, he desired might be conveyed to the Emperor, adding, that if he knew not how to employ that Sum better, he might bestow it on _Epictetus_, or _Auxentius_ the _Arian_ Bishop of _Milan_, who would be very thankful for it[747]. He left _Milan_ Three Days after, and set out for the Place of his Exile. His Fate was no sooner known at _Rome_, than the Clergy, assembling the People, bound themselves by a solemn Oath, in their Presence, not to acknowlege any other for their Bishop so long as _Liberius_ lived[748].

[Sidenote: Felix _is chosen in his room._]

_Liberius_ being thus driven from his See, another was placed on it in his room; and the Person, whom the Emperor and the _Arian_ Faction pitched upon, was one _Felix_, then only Deacon of the Church of _Rome_[749]. But the Clergy could not proceed to a new Election, without an open Violation of the Oath they had taken; the People began to mutiny, and, assembling in Crouds, would suffer none of the _Arian_ Faction to enter their Churches. The Imperial Palace therefore served instead of a Church; Three of the Emperor’s Eunuchs represented the People; and Three Bishops, Slaves of the Court, _viz._ _Epictetus_ of _Centumcellæ_, _Acacius_ of _Cæsarea_, and _Basilius_ of _Ancyra_, ordained the new-elected Bishop[750]. Thus was _Felix_ chosen, and thus ordained. As _Liberius_ was greatly beloved by the People, chiefly on account of his vigorous Opposition to _Constantius_, the Intrusion of _Felix_ occasioned a great Sedition, in which many lost their Lives[751]. The Clergy were not so zealous in the Cause as the People; for great Numbers of them, unmindful of the Oath they had taken, were by degrees reconciled to _Felix_, and communicated with him[752]; whereas the People continued to abhor and avoid him at least till the Year 357. When _Constantius_ came to _Rome_[753]. [Sidenote: Constantius _goes to_ Rome.] For that Prince, being desirous to see the Metropolis of his Empire, undertook a Journey to _Rome_ in the above-mentioned Year, and entered it in Triumph on the 28th of _April_[754]. During his short Stay in that City, the _Roman_ Ladies gave a signal Instance of the Zeal and Affection they still retained for their exiled Bishop. They thought a more favourable Opportunity could never offer to solicit the Emperor for his Return; and therefore, by a private Agreement among themselves, they pressed their Husbands, with great Earnestness, to lay hold of it, threatening to abandon them, if they did not, and repairing to their Bishop to share with him the Hardships of his Exile. The Husbands, unmoved by such Menaces, which they well knew would never take place, answered, that by such an Application they might incur the Displeasure of the Prince, which would prove fatal to them, as well as to the Person in whose Behalf they interposed; whereas, should they themselves take such a pious and commendable Office upon them, the Respect due to their Sex would, in all Likelihood, extort from the Prince the desired Favour, at least it would restrain his Resentment, and stifle all Thoughts of Revenge. The Proposal was universally applauded by the Ladies, unwilling to expose their Husbands to the dire Effects of the Emperor’s Indignation. [Sidenote: _The_ Roman _Ladies intercede for_ Liberius.] On an appointed Day therefore, attiring themselves in an Apparel suitable to their Rank, that the Emperor in seeing them might know who they were, and treat them accordingly, they repaired to Court; and being immediately admitted to the Prince’s Presence, they conjured him, with Tears in their Eyes, to take Pity of that great City, of that numerous Flock, bereft of its Pastor, and, in his Absence, devoured by ravenous Wolves. This was not at all a courtly Language: however, _Constantius_, without betraying the least Emotion, said, _I thought you had a Pastor. Is not_ Felix _as capable of discharging the Pastoral Office as any other?_ Felix, replied they, _is detested, and avoided by all_. [Sidenote: _The Emperor promises to recall him._] At these Words the Emperor first looked grave; but, immediately changing his Gravity into a Smile, _If so_, said he, with great Complaisance, _you must have_ Liberius _again: I shall, without Delay, dispatch the proper Orders for his Return_. An Edict was accordingly issued the very next Day, recalling _Liberius_ to govern the Church jointly with _Felix_; for _Constantius_ thought it inconsistent with his Honour, and the Imperial Dignity, to drive _Felix_ from the See, on which he himself had placed him.

[Sidenote: _The Edict recalling him to govern jointly with_ Felix, _raillied by the_ Roman _People._]