CHAPTER XX

AFTER GIVING AUDIENCE TO BOTH PARTIES, THE EMPEROR CONDEMNS THE FOLLOWERS OF ARIUS TO EXILE

THE next debate turned upon the doctrinal controversy. The emperor gave patient attention to the speeches of both parties; he applauded those who spoke well, rebuked those who displayed a tendency to altercation, and, so far as he was able, addressed himself with kindness to all, for he was almost ignorant of the Greek language. At the close of the debate, all the priests came to a conclusion that the Son is con-substantial with the Father. At the commencement of the conference there were but seventeen who defended the opinions of Arius, but eventually the majority of these yielded assent to the decision of the Council. To this judgment the emperor likewise deferred, for he regarded the unanimity which prevailed in the Council to be of Divine appointment, and he ordained that any one who should be rebellions thereto, should be forthwith sent into banishment, as guilty of endeavouring to overthrow the Divine determination. I formerly deemed it necessary to transcribe the confession (or symbol συμβολον) of faith drawn up by the unanimous consent of this Council, in order that posterity might possess a public record of the truth; but subsequently, I was persuaded to the contrary by some godly and learned friends, who represented that such matters ought to be kept secret, as being only requisite to be known by disciples and their instructors, and it is probable that this volume will fall into the hands of the unlearned. I have not, however, entirely suppressed the information derived from my authorities, for I would not that my readers should be in total ignorance as to the decrees of the Council.