intentions of revenge. The mother of Valentinian could never forgive
the triumph of Ambrose; and the royal youth uttered a passionate
exclamation, that his own servants were ready to betray him into the
hands of an insolent priest.

The laws of the empire, some of which were inscribed with the name of
Valentinian, still condemned the Arian heresy, and seemed to excuse
the resistance of the Catholics. By the influence of Justina, an edict
of toleration was promulgated in all the provinces which were subject
to the court of Milan; the free exercise of their religion was granted
to those who professed the faith of Rimini; and the emperor declared,
that all persons who should infringe this sacred and salutary
constitution, should be capitally punished, as the enemies of the
public peace. The character and language of the archbishop of Milan
may justify the suspicion, that his conduct soon afforded a reasonable
ground, or at least a specious pretence, to the Arian ministers; who
watched the opportunity of surprising him in some act of disobedience
to a law which he strangely represents as a law of blood and tyranny.
A sentence of easy and honorable banishment was pronounced, which
enjoined Ambrose to depart from Milan without delay; whilst it
permitted him to choose the place of his exile, and the number of his
companions. But the authority of the saints, who have preached and
practised the maxims of passive loyalty, appeared to Ambrose of less
moment than the extreme and pressing danger of the church. He boldly
refused to obey; and his refusal was supported by the unanimous
consent of his faithful people. They guarded by turns the person of
their archbishop; the gates of the cathedral and the episcopal palace
were strongly secured; and the Imperial troops, who had formed the
blockade, were unwilling to risk the attack, of that impregnable
fortress. The numerous poor, who had been relieved by the liberality