He was again solicited to restore peace to his country, by timely
compliance with the will of his sovereign. The reply of Ambrose was
couched in the most humble and respectful terms, which might, however,
be interpreted as a serious declaration of civil war. "His life and
fortune were in the hands of the emperor; but he would never betray
the church of Christ, or degrade the dignity of the episcopal
character. In such a cause he was prepared to suffer whatever the
malice of the dæmon could inflict; and he only wished to die in the
presence of his faithful flock, and at the foot of the altar; he had
not contributed to excite, but it was in the power of God alone to
appease, the rage of the people: he deprecated the scenes of blood and
confusion which were likely to ensue; and it was his fervent prayer,
that he might not survive to behold the ruin of a flourishing city,
and perhaps the desolation of all Italy." The obstinate bigotry of
Justina would have endangered the empire of her son, if, in this
contest with the church and people of Milan, she could have depended
on the active obedience of the troops of the palace. A large body of
Goths had marched to occupy the Basilica
, which was the object of the dispute: and it might be expected from
the Arian principles, and barbarous manners, of these foreign
mercenaries, that they would not entertain any scruples in the
execution of the most sanguinary orders. They were encountered, on the
sacred threshold, by the archbishop, who, thundering against them a
sentence of excommunication, asked them, in the tone of a father and a
master, whether it was to invade the house of God, that they had
implored the hospitable protection of the republic. The suspense of
the Barbarians allowed some hours for a more effectual negotiation;
and the empress was persuaded, by the advice of her wisest
counsellors, to leave the Catholics in possession of all the churches
of Milan; and to dissemble, till a more convenient season, her