CHAPTER XX

ANOTHER LETTER ADDRESSED TO CONSTANTIUS

“THE bishops assembled at Rimini to the emperor Constantius the conqueror.

“We have received the letter dictated by your clemency, most glorious potentate and emperor. It states that, from the pressure of public affairs, you have been unable to give audience to our deputies; you command us to wait for their return until you have heard from them what we have enacted in conformity to the doctrines of our fore-fathers. We again declare, that we have not swerved from our original determination; and this we have also signified to our deputies. We beseech you to have, these letters read to you, and graciously to listen to what our deputies have to declare to you from us. You must be as well aware as we are of the troubles resulting to churches from their being deprived of their bishops, and that too during so happy a reign as yours. Hence we again beseech you, most glorious emperor, to command us, if it be pleasing to your benevolence, to return to our churches before the rigour of winter sets in, that we may be able to unite with the people in offering prayers to God Almighty, and to Christ his Son our Lord and Saviour, for the preservation of your empire, even as we have done, and as we still do.”