First it is known, that the Emperor Constans, that ruled the West part of the world,1 unto whom Athanasius being deposed, fled for aid, wrote in his behalf unto his Brother Constantius, that then was the Emperor of the East, & besought him, to see Athanasius restored unto his room.2 Otherwise he threatened, that he him self would come with his power to Alexandria, & restore him.3 Upon the sight of which letters, the Emperor Constantius wrote unto Athanasius, and willed him to repair with speed unto his Court, that he might be restored unto his Country: and at his coming, he directed out his letters unto the Clergy, and people of Alexandria, commanding them to receive him with favour, and to abolish all such Acts, as they had before made against him. To report the whole letters at large, it would be tedious. Among other words the Emperor Constantius writeth thus,4 Recipiat voluntate Dei, nostroque indicio Patriā suum, pariter & Ecclesiam. And againe, Omnes Episcopū superno judicio, nostraque sententia destinatum, libenter, & pie suscipite. Let him both by God's appointment, and by our Decree recover both his Country, and his Church &c. Further saith Cassiodorus,5 His literis confidens Athanasius, redijt in Orientem. Athanasius upon trust of these letters returned again into the East. Likewise the Bishops in the Council of Jerusalem wrote abroad letters of gratulation upon his return, in this form:6 Debetis ergo etiā &c. You ought also continually to pray for the Emperors Majesties, for that, understanding your desires, they have restored Athanasius again unto you. And Theodoretus touching the same, writeth thus, Procerū Senatorumque Coniuges &c. 7The Lords, and Counsellors ⟨p. 289⟩wives be sought their husbands, to entreat the Emperors Majesty, that he would restore Athanasius unto his flock: and said further, onlesse they would so do, they would forsake them, and go to him.
Firste it is knowen, that the Emperour Constans, that ruled the Weast parte of the worlde,1 vnto whom Athanasius beinge deposed, flead for ayde, wrote in his behalfe vnto his Brother Constantius, that then was the Emperour of the East, & besought him, to sée Athanasius restoared vnto his roome.2 Otherwise he threatened, that he him selfe woulde come with his power to Alexandria, & restoare him.3 Upon the sight of whiche letters, the Emperour Constantius wrote vnto Athanasius, and willed him to repaire with speede vnto his Courte, that he might be restoared vnto his Countrie: and at his comminge, he directed out his letters vnto ye Cleregie, and people of Alexandria, commaundinge them to receiue him with fauour, and to abolishe al suche Actes, as they had before made against him. To reporte the whole letters at large, it woulde be tedious. Emonge other woordes the Emperour Constantius writeth thus,4 Recipiat voluntate Dei, nostroque indicio Patriā suum, pariter & Ecclesiam. And againe, Omnes Episcopū superno iudicio, nostraque sententia destinatum, libenter, & pie suscipite. Let him bothe by Goddes appointement, and by our Decree recouer both his Coūtrie, and his Churche &c. Further saith Cassiodorus,5 His literis cōfidens Athanasius, redijt in Oriētem. Athanasius vpon trust of these letters returned againe into the East. Likewise the Bishopes in the Councel of Hierusalem wrote abroade letters of gratulation vpon his returne, in this forme:6 Debetis ergo etiā &c. You ought also continually to praie for the Emperours Maiesties, for that, vnderstanding your desires, they haue restoared Athanasius againe vnto you. And Theodoretus touchinge the same, writeth thus, Procerū Senatorumque Coniuges &c. 7The Lordes, and Counsellours ⟨p. 289⟩wiues be sought their husbandes, to intreate the Emperours Maiestie, that he woulde restoare Athanasius vnto his flocke: and saide further, onlesse they woulde so doo, they woulde forsake them, and goe to him.
- 1Sozomen. li. 3. Ca. 20.
- 2Theodoret. li. 2. ca. 8.
- 3Theodoret. li. 2. ca. 11.
- 4Cassiodor. li. 4. ca. 31.
- 5Cassiodor. li. 4. ca. 30.
- 6Cassiodor. li. 4. ca. 36.
- 7Theodoret. li. 2. ca. 17.
