THE DECLINE AND FALL
360
CHAP.
XXI.
HU firstexile,
A. D. 336.
however, to disguise their injustice by the imi-tation of judicial forms; the synod appointedan episcopal commission of six delegates tocollect evidence on the spot; and this measure,w hich w as vigorously opposed by the Egyptianbishops, opened new scenes of violence andperjury . 11 After the return of the deputies fromAlexandria, the majority of the council pro-nounced the final sentence of degradation andexile against the primate of Egypt . The decree,expressed in the fiercest language of malice andrevenge, was communicated to the emperor andthe catholic church; and the bishops imme-diately resumed a mild and devout aspect, suchas became their holy pilgrimage to the sepul-chre of Christ . 0
But the injustice of theseecclesiastical judgeshad not been countenanced by the submission,or even by the presence, of Athanasius . He re-solved to make a bold and dangerous experi-ment, whether the throne was inaccessible tothe voice of truth ; and before the final sentencecould be pronounced at Tyre, the intrepid pri-mate threw himself into a bark which was readyto hoist sail for the imperial city. The requestof a formal audience might have been opposedor eluded ; but Athanasius concealed his arri-val, watched the moment of Constantine ’s returnfrom an adjacent villa, and boldly encountered
" Sec, in particular, the second Apology of Athanasius (tom. i,p. 763-808), and hi* epistles to the Monks (p. 808-866). They arejustified by original and authentic documents; but they would inspiremore confidence, if he appeared less innocent, and his enemies lessabsurd.