the Imperial style) that all the nations, which are governed by our
clemency and moderation, should steadfastly adhere to the religion
which was taught by St. Peter to the Romans; which faithful tradition
has preserved; and which is now professed by the pontiff Damasus, and
by Peter, bishop of Alexandria, a man of apostolic holiness. According
to the discipline of the apostles, and the doctrine of the gospel, let
us believe the sole deity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
under an equal majesty, and a pious Trinity. We authorize the
followers of this doctrine to assume the title of Catholic Christians;
and as we judge, that all others are extravagant madmen, we brand them
with the infamous name of Heretics; and declare that their
conventicles shall no longer usurp the respectable appellation of
churches. Besides the condemnation of divine justice, they must expect
to suffer the severe penalties, which our authority, guided by
heavenly wisdom, shall think proper to inflict upon them." The faith
of a soldier is commonly the fruit of instruction, rather than of
inquiry; but as the emperor always fixed his eyes on the visible
landmarks of orthodoxy, which he had so prudently constituted, his
religious opinions were never affected by the specious texts, the
subtle arguments, and the ambiguous creeds of the Arian doctors. Once
indeed he expressed a faint inclination to converse with the eloquent
and learned Eunomius, who lived in retirement at a small distance from
Constantinople. But the dangerous interview was prevented by the
prayers of the empress Flaccilla, who trembled for the salvation of
her husband; and the mind of Theodosius was confirmed by a theological
argument, adapted to the rudest capacity. He had lately bestowed on
his eldest son, Arcadius, the name and honors of Augustus, and the two
princes were seated on a stately throne to receive the homage of their
subjects. A bishop, Amphilochius of Iconium, approached the throne,
and after saluting, with due reverence, the person of his sovereign,