a province which included the Imperial residence of Milan. At the age
of thirty-four, and before he had received the sacrament of baptism,
Ambrose, to his own surprise, and to that of the world, was suddenly
transformed from a governor to an archbishop. Without the least
mixture, as it is said, of art or intrigue, the whole body of the
people unanimously saluted him with the episcopal title; the concord
and perseverance of their acclamations were ascribed to a
præternatural impulse; and the reluctant magistrate was compelled to
undertake a spiritual office, for which he was not prepared by the
habits and occupations of his former life. But the active force of his
genius soon qualified him to exercise, with zeal and prudence, the
duties of his ecclesiastical jurisdiction; and while he cheerfully
renounced the vain and splendid trappings of temporal greatness, he
condescended, for the good of the church, to direct the conscience of
the emperors, and to control the administration of the empire. Gratian
loved and revered him as a father; and the elaborate treatise on the
faith of the Trinity was designed for the instruction of the young
prince. After his tragic death, at a time when the empress Justina
trembled for her own safety, and for that of her son Valentinian, the
archbishop of Milan was despatched, on two different embassies, to the
court of Treves. He exercised, with equal firmness and dexterity, the
powers of his spiritual and political characters; and perhaps
contributed, by his authority and eloquence, to check the ambition of
Maximus, and to protect the peace of Italy. Ambrose had devoted his
life, and his abilities, to the service of the church. Wealth was the
object of his contempt; he had renounced his private patrimony; and he
sold, without hesitation, the consecrated plate, for the redemption of
captives. The clergy and people of Milan were attached to their
archbishop; and he deserved the esteem, without soliciting the favor,
or apprehending the displeasure, of his feeble sovereigns.