File:Constantine the Great; the reorganisation of the empire and the triumph of the church (1905) (14771393984).jpg

Identifier: constantinegreat00firt (find matches)
Title: Constantine the Great; the reorganisation of the empire and the triumph of the church
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors: Firth, John B. (John Benjamin), 1868-1943
Subjects: Constantine I, Emperor of Rome, d. 337 Church history -- Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600
Publisher: New York, London, G.P. Putnam's Sons
Contributing Library: Columbia University Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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the deepest rever-ence for the Divine Will, it seems to me that they oughtto receive the greatest reward the State can bestow. These are two remarkable letters. They clearlyprove that the schism in the African Church wasmaking a stir outside Africa, and that the Emperorhad been instructed in the main points at issue. Thenew convert had cast his all-powerful influence uponthe Catholic side—an Emperor would naturally bebiassed against schism—and he was prepared toutilise the civil power in order to compel the return ofthe schismatics to obedience. So little observantwas he of his own edict of toleration that he wasprepared to use force to secure uniformity withinthe Church! Constantine, indeed, reveals himselfnot merely as a Christian, but as a Catholic Christ-ian ; his bounty is reserved for the Catholic clergy,and the immunity from public duties involvingheavy expense is reserved similarly for them alone. * Ab omnibtis ot?inino publicis fiinctionibus immunes volumus con- servari.
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Constantine and the Donatists 169 Nevertheless, the party of Majorinus petitioned theEmperor to appoint a commission of GalHcan bish-ops to enquire into and report upon their quarrelwith the Bishop of Carthage. We appeal to you, Constantine, best of Emperors,since you come of a just stock, for your father was aloneamong his colleagues in not putting the persecution intoforce, and Gaul was thus spared that frightful crime.Strife has arisen between us and other African bishops,and we pray that your piety may lead you to grant usjudges from Gaul. (Signed by Lucianus, Dignus, Nasutius, Capito, Fidentius, and other bishops of the party of Majorinus.) This petition was forwarded by Anulinus, the pro-consul, whose covering letter, dated April, .^i,^,describes the opponents of Caecilianus as beingresolute in refusing obedience. The Emperor, whowas in Gaul when the petition reached him, grantedkthe desired commission and instructed the bishopsof Cologne, Autun, and Aries to repair to Rome..Cae

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