CHAPTER XIX

GENERAL REJOICINGS

AND now, the impious being thus removed, the sun once more shone brightly after the gloomy cloud of tyrannic power. Each separate portion of the Roman dominion became blended with the rest; the Eastern nations united with those of the West, and the whole body of the Roman empire was graced as it were by its head in the person of a single and supreme ruler, whose authority pervaded the whole. Now too the bright rays of the light of godliness gladdened the days of those who had heretofore been sitting in darkness and the shadow of death. Past sorrows were no more remembered, for all united in celebrating the praises of the victorious prince, and avowed their recognition of his preserver as the only true God. Thus our emperor, whose character shone with all the graces of religion, with the title of VICTOR (for he had himself adopted this name as a most fitting appellation to express the victory which God had granted him over all who hated or opposed him), assumed the dominion of the East, and thus singly governed the Roman empire, re-united, as in former times, under one head. Thus, as he was the first to proclaim to all the sole sovereignty of God, so he himself, as monarch of the Roman world, extended his authority over the whole human race. Every apprehension of those evils under the pressure of which all had suffered was now removed: men whose heads had drooped in sorrow now regarded each other with smiling countenances, and looks expressive of their inward joy. And first of all, with processions and hymns of praise they ascribed the supreme sovereignty to God, as in truth the King of kings; and then with continued acclamations rendered honour to the victorious emperor, and the Cæsars, his most discreet and pious sons. The former afflictions were forgotten, and all past impieties forgiven; while with the enjoyment of present happiness was mingled the expectation of still future blessings.