Ambrose – Letter 17
| Document: | Letter 17 |
| Date: | 384 |
| Addressee: | Valentinian II |
| English Translation: | FC 26.31-37 |
| Summary of Contents: | On Symmachus’ attempt to restore the Altar of Victory |
Not only are all men under the sway of Rome in the service of you, the emperors and princes of the earth, but you yourselves are also in the service of almighty God and of our holy faith. Salvation will not be assured unless each one truly worships the true God, that is, the God of the Christians, by whom all things are governed. He alone is the true God who is worshiped with the inmost being: “For the gods of the gentiles are idols,” as Scripture says.
Whoever serves this true God, receiving Him with deep affection, in order to worship Him, displays not lying and treachery, but a zeal and devotion to the faith. And if he owes not these, he at least owes no worship to idols and to profane ceremonial cults. No one deceives God to whom all things, even the secrets of the heart, are manifest.
Therefore, since you have truly shown your faith in God, most Christian Emperor, I am amazed that your zeal for the faith, your protection and devotion have given hope to some persons that you are now obligated to erect altars to the gods of the heathens and to furnish credit for the upkeep of profane sacrifices. This expense, which for a long time was charged to the revenues or to the treasury, you will appear to expend out of your own resources, rather than to be making restitution from it.
They are complaining of their losses, they who were never sparing of our blood, who ruined our church buildings. They also ask you to give them privileges, who by the recent
Julian law refused to us the ordinary privilege of preaching and teaching, those privileges by which even Christians have often been made to apostatize. By these privileges they have wanted to win some persons by improvidence and others through the difficulty of bearing public offices; and, since all are not found steadfast, several, even under Christian princes, have fallen from the faith.
If these privileges had not already been abolished, I would approve their being done away with by your authority. But, since these were almost universally banned and suppressed by several predecessors and annulled by rescript at Rome by your Clemency’s brother, Gratian of august memory, through the logic of his true faith, do not, I beg you, repeal these measures on religion or tear up your brother’s edicts. It does not occur to anyone to interfere rashly in a civil matter which is a statute of law, and here you are overriding an edict on religion.
Let no one take advantage of your youth; if it is a pagan who makes these demands, he ought not ensnare your mind in the meshes of superstition, but by his zeal he should teach and instruct you how to be zealous for the true faith since he defends untruth with so much zeal. I agree that we must be respectful of the true merits of men of distinction, but it is certain that God should be preferred to all men.
If one is seeking advice on military affairs, he should await the advice of a man skilled in battle and should hold to his opinion. Now that it is a matter of religion, think of God. No one is offended when almighty God is more esteemed than he is. God has His opinion. You do not compel a man to worship what he does not wish, being unwilling. You, too, O Emperor, are allowed the same, and everyone should bear up graciously if he does not secure from the emperor what he would impatiently bear if the emperor desired to wrest it from him. The pagans themselves are wont to detest one who betrays his conscience ; each one should be free to defend faithfully and keep his own principles.
But if some men, Christians in name, think such a decree should be promulgated, let not their mere words overwhelm your mind, their vain assumptions deceive you. Whoever gives this advice or whoever agrees to it is offering sacrifice. But the sacrifice of one is more tolerable than the downfall of all. In this the whole number of Christian Senators is in danger.
If today some pagan emperor – God forbid! – should set up an altar to idols and compel Christians to hold their meetings there, to be present at the sacrifices, so that the Christian’s breath and nostrils would be filled with the ashes from the altar, cinders from the sacrifice, and smoke from the wood; and if he would give his opinion in the curia, where in giving their opinion they would be forced to swear at the altar of the idol (for this is how they interpret the altar erected so that, as they think, each meeting, by his oath, will be held in its midst, although the curia already has a majority number of Christians), the Christian compelled to come into the Senate would on these conditions think it a persecution. This is being done quite generally. They are forced to meet under penalties. Now that you are the emperor, will Christians be forced to take their oath on an altar? What does taking an oath mean except to put one’s trust in the divine power of one who you think is the judge of your good faith? Now that you are the emperor, is this being asked for and expected? Are you bidding that an altar be raised and money allocated for profane sacrifices?
A decree like this cannot be enforced without sacrilege. I beg you not to make such a decree, nor pass a law, nor sign a decree of this sort. As a priest of Christ, I appeal to your faith. All priests would make the appeal with me if the sudden news which came to their ears were not unbelievable that such a measure was suggested in your council or demanded by the Senate. Do not let it be said that the Senate demanded this, A few pagans are usurping the name which is not theirs. When the same thing was tried about two years ago, Damasus, the holy bishop of the Roman Church, elected by God’s judgment, sent me a counter-petition which the Christian senators had given him. In great numbers they protested that they had made no such demand, that they did not agree with such requests of the pagans or give their assent. In public and in private they murmured that they would not come to the Senate if such a measure were decreed. Is it dignified in your day, a Christian day, that Christian Senators be deprived of their dignity so that heathens may have deference paid to their unholy will? I sent this memorandum to the brother of your Clemency, wherein was clear evidence that the Senate had made no provision for the upkeep of superstition.
Perhaps it may be said: “Why were they not present in the Senate when such proposals were being made?” They say clearly enough what they wish, by not being present; they have said enough by speaking to the emperor. Yet it is strange to us that they take from private individuals at Rome the liberty of resisting, while they are unwilling that you be free to withhold ordering what you do not approve and to maintain what you feel is right.
Mindful, therefore, of the commission lately laid upon me I again call upon your faith, I call upon your judgment. Do not think that you have to give an answer favorable to the pagans, nor join to your answer in such a matter the sacrilege of your signature. Refer with assurance to the father of your Piety, Emperor Theodosius, whom you have been accustomed to consult in almost all matters of great importance. Nothing is of more importance than religion; nothing is more exalted than faith.
If this were a civil case, the opposing party would be guaranteed the right of reply. It is a religious case, and I, the bishop, am using that right. Let a copy of the appeal be given me, and I will answer more fully. And may it seem fit to you to consult your faith’s opinion on all these matters. Certainly, if any other decision is reached, we bishops cannot tranquilly allow it and pretend not to notice. You will be allowed to come to the church, but either you will find there no priest or you will find one who will gainsay you.
What will you answer the priest who says to you: “The Church does not want your gifts because you have adorned the heathen temples with gifts. The altar of Christ spurns your gifts since you have made an altar for idols. Yours is the voice, yours the hand, yours the signature, yours the work. The Lord Jesus scorns and spurns your worship since you have worshiped idols, for He said to you: ‘You cannot serve two masters.’ Virgins consecrated to God have no privileges from you, and do Vestal virgins lay claim to them? Why do you ask for God’s priests to whom you have brought the unholy demands of the pagans? We cannot be associated with another’s error.”
What will you answer to these words? That you are but a boy who has fallen? Every age is perfect in Christ, every one full of God. Childhood is not allowed to faith; even babes have confessed Christ before persecutors with fearless words.
What will you answer your brother? Will he not say to you: “Because I left you as emperor, I did not think I was vanquished; I did not grieve dying, because I had you as heir; I did not mourn in leaving my kingdom, because I believed that my imperial commands, especially those on divine religion, would last forever. I had set up these memorials of pious virtue, these trophies from the world, these spoils from the Devil, I offered these victories over the adversary of all in whom there is eternal victory. What more could my enemy take from me? You have annulled my decrees; even he [Maximian], who took up arms against me, did not do this. In this I am wounded by a heavier weapon in that my brother has condemned my decrees. The better part of me is imperiled with you; that was death of the body, this the death of my reputation for virtue. Now my power is annulled and, more serious, is annulled by your acts, is annulled by my own family, and that is annulled which even my enemies had praised in me. If you have acquiesced willingly, you have destroyed my faith in you; if you have yielded unwillingly, you have betrayed your own faith. And this is even more serious, the fact that I am imperiled with you.”
What will you answer your father, who will confront you with great sorrow, saying: “Son, you have judged me very ill, thinking that I would have connived with the pagans. No one ever told me that there was an altar in the Roman Senate House; I had never believed such wickedness, that in the common meeting place of Christians and pagans the pagans offered sacrifice, that is, the pagans reviled the Christians present and Christians unwillingly were forced to attend the sacrifices. When I was emperor, many kinds of crimes were committed. I punished those I detected. If some one escaped my notice, should it be said I approved what no one had appraised me? You have judged me very ill if the Gentiles’ superstition and not my faith preserved the Empire.
Wherefore, O Emperor, you see that if you decree anything of this kind you will offer injury first to God and then to your father and brother; I beg you do what you know will benefit your own salvation before God.
Not only are all men under the sway of Rome in the service of you, the emperors and princes of the earth, but you yourselves are also in the service of almighty God and of our holy faith. Salvation will not be assured unless each one truly worships the true God, that is, the God of the Christians, by whom all things are governed. He alone is the true God who is worshiped with the inmost being: “For the gods of the gentiles are idols,” as Scripture says.
Whoever serves this true God, receiving Him with deep affection, in order to worship Him, displays not lying and treachery, but a zeal and devotion to the faith. And if he owes not these, he at least owes no worship to idols and to profane ceremonial cults. No one deceives God to whom all things, even the secrets of the heart, are manifest.
Therefore, since you have truly shown your faith in God, most Christian Emperor, I am amazed that your zeal for the faith, your protection and devotion have given hope to some persons that you are now obligated to erect altars to the gods of the heathens and to furnish credit for the upkeep of profane sacrifices. This expense, which for a long time was charged to the revenues or to the treasury, you will appear to expend out of your own resources, rather than to be making restitution from it.
They are complaining of their losses, they who were never sparing of our blood, who ruined our church buildings. They also ask you to give them privileges, who by the recent
Julian law refused to us the ordinary privilege of preaching and teaching, those privileges by which even Christians have often been made to apostatize. By these privileges they have wanted to win some persons by improvidence and others through the difficulty of bearing public offices; and, since all are not found steadfast, several, even under Christian princes, have fallen from the faith.
If these privileges had not already been abolished, I would approve their being done away with by your authority. But, since these were almost universally banned and suppressed by several predecessors and annulled by rescript at Rome by your Clemency’s brother, Gratian of august memory, through the logic of his true faith, do not, I beg you, repeal these measures on religion or tear up your brother’s edicts. It does not occur to anyone to interfere rashly in a civil matter which is a statute of law, and here you are overriding an edict on religion.
Let no one take advantage of your youth; if it is a pagan who makes these demands, he ought not ensnare your mind in the meshes of superstition, but by his zeal he should teach and instruct you how to be zealous for the true faith since he defends untruth with so much zeal. I agree that we must be respectful of the true merits of men of distinction, but it is certain that God should be preferred to all men.
If one is seeking advice on military affairs, he should await the advice of a man skilled in battle and should hold to his opinion. Now that it is a matter of religion, think of God. No one is offended when almighty God is more esteemed than he is. God has His opinion. You do not compel a man to worship what he does not wish, being unwilling. You, too, O Emperor, are allowed the same, and everyone should bear up graciously if he does not secure from the emperor what he would impatiently bear if the emperor desired to wrest it from him. The pagans themselves are wont to detest one who betrays his conscience ; each one should be free to defend faithfully and keep his own principles.
But if some men, Christians in name, think such a decree should be promulgated, let not their mere words overwhelm your mind, their vain assumptions deceive you. Whoever gives this advice or whoever agrees to it is offering sacrifice. But the sacrifice of one is more tolerable than the downfall of all. In this the whole number of Christian Senators is in danger.
If today some pagan emperor – God forbid! – should set up an altar to idols and compel Christians to hold their meetings there, to be present at the sacrifices, so that the Christian’s breath and nostrils would be filled with the ashes from the altar, cinders from the sacrifice, and smoke from the wood; and if he would give his opinion in the curia, where in giving their opinion they would be forced to swear at the altar of the idol (for this is how they interpret the altar erected so that, as they think, each meeting, by his oath, will be held in its midst, although the curia already has a majority number of Christians), the Christian compelled to come into the Senate would on these conditions think it a persecution. This is being done quite generally. They are forced to meet under penalties. Now that you are the emperor, will Christians be forced to take their oath on an altar? What does taking an oath mean except to put one’s trust in the divine power of one who you think is the judge of your good faith? Now that you are the emperor, is this being asked for and expected? Are you bidding that an altar be raised and money allocated for profane sacrifices?
A decree like this cannot be enforced without sacrilege. I beg you not to make such a decree, nor pass a law, nor sign a decree of this sort. As a priest of Christ, I appeal to your faith. All priests would make the appeal with me if the sudden news which came to their ears were not unbelievable that such a measure was suggested in your council or demanded by the Senate. Do not let it be said that the Senate demanded this, A few pagans are usurping the name which is not theirs. When the same thing was tried about two years ago, Damasus, the holy bishop of the Roman Church, elected by God’s judgment, sent me a counter-petition which the Christian senators had given him. In great numbers they protested that they had made no such demand, that they did not agree with such requests of the pagans or give their assent. In public and in private they murmured that they would not come to the Senate if such a measure were decreed. Is it dignified in your day, a Christian day, that Christian Senators be deprived of their dignity so that heathens may have deference paid to their unholy will? I sent this memorandum to the brother of your Clemency, wherein was clear evidence that the Senate had made no provision for the upkeep of superstition.
Perhaps it may be said: “Why were they not present in the Senate when such proposals were being made?” They say clearly enough what they wish, by not being present; they have said enough by speaking to the emperor. Yet it is strange to us that they take from private individuals at Rome the liberty of resisting, while they are unwilling that you be free to withhold ordering what you do not approve and to maintain what you feel is right.
Mindful, therefore, of the commission lately laid upon me I again call upon your faith, I call upon your judgment. Do not think that you have to give an answer favorable to the pagans, nor join to your answer in such a matter the sacrilege of your signature. Refer with assurance to the father of your Piety, Emperor Theodosius, whom you have been accustomed to consult in almost all matters of great importance. Nothing is of more importance than religion; nothing is more exalted than faith.
If this were a civil case, the opposing party would be guaranteed the right of reply. It is a religious case, and I, the bishop, am using that right. Let a copy of the appeal be given me, and I will answer more fully. And may it seem fit to you to consult your faith’s opinion on all these matters. Certainly, if any other decision is reached, we bishops cannot tranquilly allow it and pretend not to notice. You will be allowed to come to the church, but either you will find there no priest or you will find one who will gainsay you.
What will you answer the priest who says to you: “The Church does not want your gifts because you have adorned the heathen temples with gifts. The altar of Christ spurns your gifts since you have made an altar for idols. Yours is the voice, yours the hand, yours the signature, yours the work. The Lord Jesus scorns and spurns your worship since you have worshiped idols, for He said to you: ‘You cannot serve two masters.’ Virgins consecrated to God have no privileges from you, and do Vestal virgins lay claim to them? Why do you ask for God’s priests to whom you have brought the unholy demands of the pagans? We cannot be associated with another’s error.”
What will you answer to these words? That you are but a boy who has fallen? Every age is perfect in Christ, every one full of God. Childhood is not allowed to faith; even babes have confessed Christ before persecutors with fearless words.
What will you answer your brother? Will he not say to you: “Because I left you as emperor, I did not think I was vanquished; I did not grieve dying, because I had you as heir; I did not mourn in leaving my kingdom, because I believed that my imperial commands, especially those on divine religion, would last forever. I had set up these memorials of pious virtue, these trophies from the world, these spoils from the Devil, I offered these victories over the adversary of all in whom there is eternal victory. What more could my enemy take from me? You have annulled my decrees; even he [Maximian], who took up arms against me, did not do this. In this I am wounded by a heavier weapon in that my brother has condemned my decrees. The better part of me is imperiled with you; that was death of the body, this the death of my reputation for virtue. Now my power is annulled and, more serious, is annulled by your acts, is annulled by my own family, and that is annulled which even my enemies had praised in me. If you have acquiesced willingly, you have destroyed my faith in you; if you have yielded unwillingly, you have betrayed your own faith. And this is even more serious, the fact that I am imperiled with you.”
What will you answer your father, who will confront you with great sorrow, saying: “Son, you have judged me very ill, thinking that I would have connived with the pagans. No one ever told me that there was an altar in the Roman Senate House; I had never believed such wickedness, that in the common meeting place of Christians and pagans the pagans offered sacrifice, that is, the pagans reviled the Christians present and Christians unwillingly were forced to attend the sacrifices. When I was emperor, many kinds of crimes were committed. I punished those I detected. If some one escaped my notice, should it be said I approved what no one had appraised me? You have judged me very ill if the Gentiles’ superstition and not my faith preserved the Empire.
Wherefore, O Emperor, you see that if you decree anything of this kind you will offer injury first to God and then to your father and brother; I beg you do what you know will benefit your own salvation before God.
Translation from FC 26.31-37, adapted by SMT
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