OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

between the Greek and Latin churches, whichwere separated by the accidental difference offaith, and the permanent distinction of lan-guage.

During his second exile in the West, Athana-sius was frequently admitted to the imperialpresence; at Capua, Lodi, Milan, Verona, Pa-dua, Aquileia , and Treves. The bishop of thediocese usually assisted at these interviews;the master of the offices stood before the veilor curtain of the sacred apartment; and theuniform moderation of the primate might beattested by these respectable witnesses, to whoseevidence hesolemnly appeals.’ Prudence wouldundoubtedly suggest the mild and respectfultone that became a subject and a bishop. Inthese familiar conferences with the sovereign ofthe West, Athanasius might lament the errorof Constantius ; but he boldly arraigned theguilt of his eunuchs and his arian prelates; de-plored the distress and danger of the catholicchurch ; and excited Constans to emulate thezeal and glory of his father. The emperor de-clared his resolution of employing the troopsand treasures of Europe in the orthodox cause;and signified, by a concise and peremptoryepistle to his brother Constantius , that unlesshe consented to the immediate restoration ofAthanasius , he himself, with a fleet and army,would seat the archbishop on the throne of

* As Athanasius dispersed secret invectives against Constantius (seethe Epistle to the Monks ), at the same time that he assured him of hitprofound respect, we might distrust the professions of the archbishop.Tom. i, p. 677.

305

CHAR

XXX.

and resto-ration,

A. l). 349.