{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/203/2030108.htm","path":"chr/ecf/203/2030108.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/203/2030108.htm","text":"Chapter II.\u2014Of the return of Athanasius.\nDelighted with these words the emperor undertook for the future to take counsel for the safety of the state, and how to bring home the army without loss from the campaign. He was in no need of much deliberation, but at once reaped the fruit sprung from the seeds of true religion, for the God of all gave proof of His own providence, and caused all difficulty to disappear. No sooner had the Persian sovereign been made acquainted with Jovian\u2019s accession than he sent envoys to treat for peace; nay more, he despatched provisions for the troops and gave directions for the establishment of a market for them in the desert. A truce was concluded for thirty years, and the army brought home in safety from the war. 667 The first edict of the emperor on setting foot upon his own territory was one recalling the bishops from their exile, and announcing the restoration of the churches to the congregations who had held inviolate the confession of Nic\u00e6a. He further sent a despatch to Athanasius, the famous champion of these doctrines, beseeching that a letter might be written to him containing exact teaching on matters of religion. Athanasius summoned the most learned bishops to meet him, and wrote back exhorting the emperor to hold fast the faith delivered at Nic\u00e6a, as being in harmony with apostolic teaching. Anxious to benefit all who may meet with it I here subjoin the letter. 668\nThe terms were in fact humiliating, \u201cpacem cum Sapore necessariam quidem sed ignobilem fecit; multatus finibus, ac nonnulla imperii Romani parte tradita: quod ante eum annis mille centum et duobus de viginti fere ex quo Romanum imperium conditum erat, nunquam accidit.\u201d Eut. brev x. 17.\n108:668\n\u201cGibbon (Chap. xxv) sneers at Athanasius for assuring Jovian \u2018that his orthodox faith would be rewarded with a long and peaceful reign,\u2019 and remarks that after his death this charge was omitted from some mss., referring to Valesius on the passage of Theodoret, and Jortin\u2019s Remarks, iv. p. 38. But the expression is not that of a prophet who stakes his credit on the truth of his prediction, but little more than a pious reflection, of the nature of a wish.\u201d Bp. J. Wordsworth, Dict. Christ. Biog. iii. 463. n. Jortin says \u201cthe good bishop\u2019s \u03bc\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae failed him sadly; and the emperor reigned only one year, and died in the flower of his age.\u201d The note of Valesius will be found below.","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol. III: The Ecclesiastical History, Dialogues, and Letters of Theodoret.: Of the return of Athanasius.","type":"page"}