CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
JOVINIAN AND HIS UNCLE.
Jovinian was treated with much kindness, and allowed all the liberty hedesired--being permitted to visit Amulius and the few other friends hepossessed. He still had doubts of his uncle's sincerity. He could notforget the scheme proposed by Coecus; and Gaius might desire to take thestep he proposed for the sole object of forwarding it.
Still, the temptations to join the religion professed by the emperorwere great. It might pave the way to honour and wealth. Although manydoubted that the emperor was really a Christian, the edicts he hadissued showed that he was influenced by Christian counsellors. Amongthem were those for the abolition of the punishment by crucifixion, theencouragement of the emancipation of slaves, the prohibition ofgladiatorial games, and the discouragement of infanticide.
Another edict ordered the use of prayers for the army; but that to whichperhaps even the idolaters least objected was one for the observance ofthe Sabbath throughout all the cities and towns in the empire. TheChristians, however, were greatly puzzled when they found it designatedas "Dies solis," or Sunday; and it was supposed, not without justice,that the emperor selected that title in consequence of his lingeringaffection towards the worship of the sun, to which he had, in formertimes, been addicted. The other days in the week were, to please theidolaters, called after the names of the various gods, and especiallydedicated to them. The second day was Luna's day, sacred to the moon;the next was Mercury's day; while Jupiter and Venus had also their days;so that the populace were still kept in remembrance of their ancientgods and goddesses, although they were professedly Christians.
Jovinian found it no easy task to instruct his uncle in the truths ofChristianity. Gaius readily understood and remembered the factsmentioned in the Bible; but he appeared utterly unable to comprehendtheir spiritual meaning, although he listened to all his nephew said.
"How is it that I see so many sects and divisions among those who callthemselves Christians?" he asked: "bishops, presbyters, and people inone place quarrelling and disputing with those in another. I hear ofAthanasius and Miletius, Eusebius, Arius, and numberless other heads ofyour sects, condemning each other,--the one party refusing to holdcommunion with the other, while both profess to serve the same Lord,whom you call Christ. Now look at the system of religion which hasprevailed undisturbed for centuries in Rome. We have had no quarrels ordisputes, and all have submitted implicitly to us, their pontiffs, thedirectors of their rites and ceremonies. Our men and women have been atliberty to worship the gods and goddesses they have preferred. We haveadded new demigods as occasion required, nor did we refuse to place thedivinities of other nations in the Pantheon, whenever they could prove agood title to the honour. We have raised our emperors after death,however little we may have loved them in their lifetime, to the sameadvanced rank. I do not say that the religion in which you areattempting to instruct me may not prove in the end the best, especiallyas it has been adopted by the emperor; but you must acknowledge that theworship of the immortal gods has the advantage of antiquity to recommendit, and that under it Rome became great and powerful, and conquered theworld."
Jovinian was puzzled how to answer some of these objections. He couldnot deny that disputes raged furiously among the Christian churches,especially in the East, and that many of the bishops seemed more intenton increasing their worldly wealth and dignity than on spreading theGospel. In regard to the immortal gods, he asked his uncle whether hehad ever seriously believed in their existence, or had the slightestauthority for supposing that they were other than creatures of theimagination?
"Well, well,--as to that, the people believed in them, and we, thedirectors of their religious rites, have reaped the benefit of theirsuperstition," answered Gaius.
"But you must acknowledge," said Jovinian, "that idolatry has debasedthe people with its numberless obscene and cruel rites, that theconsciences of its votaries have become scathed, and have allowed themto indulge in the grossest crimes without shame or remorse. Now, on thecontrary, while we acknowledge that we are vile and sinful beings,utterly unfit to enjoy a pure and holy heaven, yet we know that God hasprovided a way by which we can be made pure and holy, have our sins putaway and forgiven, at the same time that we are bound to strive toimitate our Saviour, and to live pure and holy lives, free from therebuke of a rude and perverse generation."
"That may be," answered Gaius; "but I wish to have the cause of thesedissensions of which I hear explained to me, that I may decide whether Ishall join Athanasius, Miletius, Arius, or any other party."
Jovinian hastened to consult Amulius how he should reply to Gaius.
"Remember that the apostles have told us that from the first thesedissensions have existed among those calling themselves Christians,"answered the presbyter. "Instead of becoming `as little children,' andsubmitting themselves to the teaching of the Holy Spirit through God'swritten Word, they bring their crude philosophy, their pride ofintellect, their passions, their lust of power and wealth, into thecreeds they endeavour to form. Most of them, it is true, profess to beguided by the Holy Spirit; but they act like a person who invites acharioteer to drive his horses, and then seizes the reins and turns themin any direction he may please. I have long watched the fearfulstruggle going on between the Prince of this world, the real supporterof idolatry, and the true faith as it is in Christ; and the signs I haveobserved too surely warn me that the former will triumph.
"Although the emperor professes to be a Christian, all his acts showthat the mists of heathen darkness have not been dispelled from hismind, and that the encouragement he affords nominally to the Christiansis fraught with the greatest danger to the true Church of Christ. Herein Rome, especially, I apprehend the worst. As you well know, theRomans are more wedded to idolatry than the inhabitants of any othercity in the Empire. They still cling to it, notwithstanding the favourshown by the emperor to the Christian Church.
"The emperor, who is resolved to have uniformity of faith, and to makeall his subjects Christians if he can, will not fail to offer suchbribes as are not likely to be refused by the heathen leaders. Still,though he may wish to encourage the Christians in Rome, he has noaffection for Rome itself, and would gladly forget that such a cityexists, for it was here that some of his darkest crimes were committed.
"Here also he was insulted by the idolatrous Romans in a way he cannever forget. I was a witness of the scene. Soon after his arrival amagnificent ceremony was held to celebrate the Battle of Regillus, when,as the idolaters believe, the twin gods Castor and Pollux, having foughtfor Rome, galloped on their fleet steeds to bring the glad tidings tothe city. The aim of the idolaters was to surpass all previousanniversaries. The temples were lighted up, and decorated as usual,victims smoked on every altar, and all the members of the equestrianorder, numbering five thousand horsemen, clothed in purple, and crownedwith olive-leaves, rode in state to the Forum. It was altogether one ofthe most splendid pageants ever seen at Rome; and it was supposed thatConstantino would take part, as previous emperors had done, in thereligious rites usual on the occasion. But this he positively refusedto do, and it was reported that he openly indulged in his sarcastichumour, by jeering at the sham knights and the empty pomp he beheldwhile watching the procession in the distance from his palace.
"I can see him now,--his countenance handsome, his figure tall, althoughsomewhat stout and broad-shouldered,--and his whole appearancebetokening sturdy health and vigour. His eye had a peculiar brightness,such as few men's possess, and I especially noted it when it assumed, asit did several times, a glare which could not fail to remind me of thatof a lion; while, as he uttered his remarks, he threw back his head,bringing out the full proportions of his thick neck. Rough andunrefined in appearance, his voice was remarkable for its gentleness andsoftness. In those days he had not assumed, as is now the case, thatsplendour of costume which he has copied from the princes of the East.He carried simply a spear in his hand, as an insignia of his office, an
dto show that by the spear he had won and intended to keep his Empire.Since then, I hear that he never goes abroad without a helmet boundround with an oriental diadem studded with jewels, that his robe is apurple silk richly embroidered with pearls and flowers worked in gold,while he wears wigs of false hair of various colours, a short beardornamenting his chin. On this occasion he appeared simply as avictorious general. His refusal to join in the religious ceremoniesusual on the occasion _so_ displeased the turbulent populace that theythreatened vengeance of all sorts. Some of the most evil disposedproposed to attack the Christians at whose instigation it was supposedthe emperor had acted; others dared even to throw stones at the head ofhis statue.
"When a courtier rushed in, bringing news of the outrage, he smiled, andpassing his hand over his face, observed,--`Truly it is surprising, butI feel not in the least hurt; nothing do I find amiss in my head,nothing in my face.' Although he had thus received the news so calmly,it created a disgust in his mind, both against the city and religion ofRome, which he has never overcome; and to this day he speaks of Rome--alas! with too much justice--as an `idolatrous and abandoned city.' Inspite of the wealth and influence of our bishop, our numbers, comparedto that of the population, have continued to be small; and had it notbeen for the refuge afforded by the subterranean galleries outside thecity, the church in Rome during the days of persecution would have beenextinguished."
Jovinian was allowed to pursue his studies at home under such tutors asAmulius recommended.
Many months thus passed away, faster than he could have supposedpossible.
Gaius now treated his nephew with apparently perfect confidence,speaking unreservedly to him on matters of all sorts.
Jovinian thus heard much more of what was going on than he otherwiseprobably would have done. He found that both Gaius and Coecus--althoughprofessedly Christians, as were some of the other pontiffs--visited thecollege frequently, on which occasions discussions were held with closeddoors. So great at length became the confidence which Gaius reposed inhis nephew, that he invited him frequently to attend these meetings,--extracting a promise, however, that he would not divulge what he heard.On these occasions the pontiffs discussed the plans that had beenproposed for maintaining their rank and position in Rome. Those whoprofessed to have become Christians appeared to be and evidently were,on most friendly terms with the idolaters, all being united by a commoninterest. Their great object was to maintain their college in itsintegrity.
"We may thus," observed Coecus one day, when visiting Gaius, "by keepingup our influence over the mass of the people, secure the election of thecandidate of whom we approve to the office of bishop or any otherdignities of the Church. We may select some of our own brethren, or anyother persons whom we deem suitable."
The plan was universally approved of. Its fruit was to be observed inafter years, when the bishops of Rome found themselves controlled by thecollege of cardinals, the successors of the pontiffs.
Christianity appeared to be making great progress in Rome. Several newchurches and basilicas were in course of erection, and even some of theheathen temples were being converted so as to suit the worship of theChristians.
The idolaters generally, however, objected to allow their temples to beso employed. Jovinian was greatly struck by the appearance of thestatues which adorned the new places of worship, and he recognised amongthem some which had undoubtedly been heathen idols. In several of thechurches were statues representing the virgin Mary, which had previouslyacted the parts of Isis, Juno, Venus, or some other goddess; and hecould not help remarking that by far the larger number of worshippersbent before these statues and offered them the same respect which theyhad been accustomed to pay to the heathen goddesses. Among those whomet at the college of pontiffs was a visitor who had come from a collegelong-established at Mount Carmel, where students in the Babylonianworship were instructed: he was said to be learnt in magical science.He spoke, however, of his admiration of the Christian faith, and came,it appeared, to discuss with Coecus and the other pontiffs thepossibility of uniting it to the ancient faith without offending thefollowers of the latter. The idolaters seemed so completely in favourof this proposal that Coecus expressed his confidence that it wouldsucceed.
Jovinian was sick at heart at all he saw. His uncle Gaius, although hehad obtained the rank of a presbyter, was too evidently no nearer thetruth than he was before. Idolatry still prevailed in all directions.In few places of Christian worship was the truth faithfully preached.Even Amulius appeared to be going with the stream, or, at all events, tobe making but slight efforts to stem it. "I, too, shall be carried awayif I remain," said Jovinian to himself; "it is a sin to expose myself totemptation."
The bishop, who had long been at the head of the Church, died, andanother was elected whose character was but little known, althoughJovinian observed that Coecus, Gaius, and other pontiffs were veryactive in his election. He had not long been seated in the episcopalchair when he, too, died; and soon after news came that the emperor hadexpired. He had received the rite of baptism on his death-bed; but itwas evident that he was not of Christ when it became known that he hadexpressed his belief that his brothers had poisoned him, and had chargedhis son, Constantius, to put them and their offspring to death,--acharge too faithfully fulfilled.
He was preparing for an expedition against Persia when sickness overtookhim. Feeling that it was mortal, he desired to be baptised--a stop hehad hitherto not taken, although he had for years presided at councilsand preached to his people, and even been designated as the "Bishop ofbishops." He was received as a catechumen in the church of Heliopolis;he then moved to his palace in the suburbs of Nicomedia, when, callingEusebius and several other bishops around him, he desired to have therite administered. Here, having laid aside his purple robes, he washabited in white, and thus, stretched on his death-bed, he receivedbaptism from the hands of Eusebius. One of his last acts was to recallAthanasius, a rival of Eusebius, who had been banished. Thus, withcalmness and dignity, he awaited death. His last will he gave into thecustody of his chaplain Eustiocius, to be delivered to his eldest son,Constantius, who was now absent; and on the 22nd of May, in thesixty-fourth year of his age, after a reign of thirty years, he expired.His body was conveyed in a coffin of gold to Constantinople, where itlay three months in state, with lights burning around and guardswatching. On Eustiocius exhibiting the will to the bishops ofNicomedia, so alarmed were they at the contents that they placed it forsecurity in the hands of the dead man, there to remain until Constantiusshould appear to receive it. When his eldest son arrived and read thedocument, he found that the emperor expressed in it his conviction thathe had been poisoned by his brothers and their children, and he called--so it was expressed--on Constantius to avenge his death. This factalone proves, that whatever amount of Christian knowledge the emperormight have possessed, he had not understood its chief principles, at allevents. Constantius faithfully fulfilled his father's dying bequest bythe massacre of his uncles and their offspring, amounting to no lessthan six persons, two alone escaping.
The idolatrous population of Rome, when the tidings reached them,ignoring the fact of his having professed himself a Christian, resolvedto regard the deceased emperor as one in the series of Caesars. Apicture of his apotheosis was exhibited. Festivals were instituted inhis honour. He was enrolled, as had been his predecessors, whatevertheir character, among the gods of Olympus, and incense was offeredbefore his statues. The true Christians in Rome mourned at what tookplace, but their influence was weak compared to that of the idolaters,supported as the latter were evidently by many who had professed toembrace the new faith. Jovinian resolved no longer to remain in Rome,but to join, as soon as possible, his friend Severus, who, with his wifeand daughter, were anxiously, they wrote word, looking for his arrival.To Jovinian's surprise, Gaius offered no objection. "Go and dwell withthose of like mind with yourself; you are too honest for us Romans, andwill never, I see, make a figure either in the Church o
r State. Men, tosucceed here, must regard all creeds alike; supple courtiers, who arehampered by no ideas of honour or integrity, but know the importance offilling their coffers while the sun shines. You, Jovinian, will die apoor and unknown man if you remain in Rome, whereas in some countrydistrict, should you enter the Church, you may rise to the dignity of apresbyter,"--and Gaius laughed ironically. "Farewell, my nephew; wehave disputed occasionally, but remembering that you are the only childof my poor sister Livia, I have always had the truest regard for you."
Jovinian, feeling that it was his duty, was about once more to place thesimple truths of the Gospel before his uncle, and to entreat him toaccept them.
"Cease, cease! my good nephew," exclaimed Gaius. "I settled that matterin my own mind long ago, when I resolved on the course I am taking. Iintend to enjoy the good things of this life while I can obtain them,and leave the affairs of the future to take care of themselves."
Farewell visits were paid to Amulius and others, who sent brotherlygreetings to Severus; and Jovinian, bidding adieu, as he thought itprobable, for ever to Rome, set out on his journey northward.