Although Severus would have gladly remained, and have spread the Gospel
among the benighted inhabitants of the capital, he reluctantly
determined to follow the counsel of his father-in-law, and the advice
now given him by his friends, and to retire to a region on which he had
long fixed his thoughts. It was among the western spurs of the Alps,
where exists a series of secluded vales inhabited by an industrious and
primitive population, and where the great apostle to the Gentiles had,
it was said, converted many to the truth. Here, therefore, he would
receive a welcome from many brethren in the faith, and be the means of
aiding and supporting them, and yet further extending among the
surrounding people the blessings of Christianity.
Instead of travelling by land--a long and tedious journey, with many
steep and rugged passes to traverse--he determined to embark at Ostia,
from whence a pleasant voyage over the waters of the Mediterranean of
three or four days, should the wind prove favourable, would enable him
to reach the port at which he hoped to disembark.
Jovinian, on hearing his plans, entreated that he might be permitted to
accompany him, although Amulius had offered the youth a home, should he
have desired to remain in Rome and continue his studies. Severus gladly
accepted Jovinian's offer to bear him company.
"I would not willingly have parted from you, my son," he said, "although
I wished to leave you free to follow the bent of your own inclination.
I will also gladly assist you in the studies which you may desire to
pursue."
Jovinian expressed his thanks--his only fear being that his uncle Gaius
might attempt to detain him. He was aware that the pontiff, being his
nearest relative, had some legal claim over him; and he knew too well
also, even had such not been the case, that might often prevailed over
right in Rome, as elsewhere. It was therefore settled that he should
pass the time before the commencement of the journey with Severus and
his family.
During their stay news reached the party in the catacombs of the events
which had taken place at Rome: of the pontiffs' last unsuccessful effort
to promote the cause of paganism; of the escape of the vestal Coelia;
and of the strange and almost incredible report that Coecus himself had
declared his readiness to embrace Christianity.
"Then the pontiff has already commenced his project for destroying the
true faith which I heard discussed," observed Jovinian to Severus.
"Would that we could warn our Christian friends not to trust him! They
might influence a few; but I fear that the multitude would rather
confide in one who will ever be ready to pander to their tastes than in
those who have their true interest at heart," answered Severus. "We
must use every effort, however; and Amulius and other faithful friends
will, I trust, not be deceived."
Then came further news from Byzantium. The emperor, although not
baptised, had given undoubted proof of his desire to be considered a
Christian. He had held conferences with Christian bishops and
presbyters, and had issued decrees bestowing rank and dignity on
numerous bishops. It was said that he intended dividing the empire into
four ecclesiastical departments, after the model of the several civil
divisions. Thus there were to be four prefectures, containing thirteen
dioceses, which embraced one hundred and sixteen provinces. Over these
ecclesiastical officers were to preside, bearing the titles of
patriarchs, metropolitans or archbishops, and simple bishops,--dignified
titles hitherto unknown in the Christian Church! One chief object of
the emperor in thus bestowing rank and wealth on the Christian ministers
was to obtain their assistance in governing the State by means of the
religious sentiment or superstition of the people. The Christians had
hitherto been the most docile and loyal of his subjects, as their faith
inculcated implicit obedience to magistrates and all established
authorities. His successors were to find that the semi-paganism which
he had established under the name of Christianity had no such effect on
the minds of their subjects, and that they were as ready to take up arms
and resort to force whenever their passions were aroused as the heathens
had been.
These, and other events of a similar character, confirmed Severus in his
resolution to quit the country.
At length the day he was free to depart arrived. Amulius had made all
the necessary preparation. Three "petorritas"--the ordinary carriages
at that time in use--drawn by mules, arrived at a convenient spot near
the entrance to the galleries. Two litters also came--their occupants
remaining concealed within. Amulius and several friends, who had come
to bid Severus and his family farewell, stepped out of the petorritas.
Garments and several necessary articles had been purchased by Amulius
for the use of the family, and these were already packed in the
carriages. The faithful Rufina was to return to her master, but
remained to the last with those whom she had so essentially served.
Severus led forth his wife, and Jovinian followed with Julia.
They were about to enter one of the carriages, when Amulius remarked,
"We have brought two other travellers who are desirous of accompanying
you." Ongoing to the litters he handed out two females habited in the
ordinary dress of Roman ladies.
Jovinian at once recognised in one of them, although their heads were
veiled, the vestal Marcia. As those around him were all of the
faithful, there was no necessity for concealment.
The other lady was introduced by Marcia,--she was Coelia, whose life she
had been the means of preserving. Marcia now explained that she and
another vestal, who had also become a Christian, and was particularly
attached to Coelia, had been placed by Fausta in charge of the prisoner,
and that, having taken her place, she had allowed her to escape, aided
by Christian friends, who had been watching outside the temple. They
were under the guidance of Eros--he having, with the ever-active Rufina,
been the means of perfecting the plan for her release. "The unhappy
Vestalis Maxima," she added, "when on her return to the temple she
discovered that so many of those under her rule had become Christians
that the sacred fire itself had been allowed to go out, and that even
Coecus, as she supposed, had deserted the ancient faith, stabbed herself
in despair."
Just as Jovinian was stepping into the petorrita he found his hand
grasped. Looking up, he saw Eros.
"I am to accompany you with the other runners on foot," he said, "and I
have a favour to ask: it is that you will entreat Severus to allow me to
go with you, for Rome is no place for me, and I will gladly serve him
faithfully without wages."
Jovinian willingly promised to do what Eros desired, feeling sure that
the request would not be refused.
The direct road to the port of Rome was about sixteen miles; but as a
considerable circuit would have to be made, it would occupy a large
portion of the day. The friends, therefore, who had come out of Rome,
returned, and the travelling party set out. The first part of the
journey was by by-paths, and being somewhat rough, the mules could only
proceed at a slow rate. When once the high road was gained they were
able to move much faster. It was well paved with slabs skilfully
joined, which formed a smooth stony surface, enabling the wheels of the
vehicles to run easily along. Here and there villas were seen, the
inhabitants of which were still wrapt in slumber.
The travellers--although their equipages were simple--were received with
respect at the inns where they stopped to rest their mules or partake of
refreshment. They selected those whose hosts were Christians, and who
welcomed them as brethren. Ostia was inhabited by a considerable number
of Christians, engaged in commercial pursuits, and who had collected
there from various parts of the world. The church of Ostia, said to
have been formed in the days of the apostle Paul, was presided over by
an aged bishop, with several presbyters and deacons. That it was of
great antiquity was certain, as the apostle, while remaining at the
port, when either embarking or landing on his journeys to and from Rome,
would undoubtedly have gained many proselytes to the faith.
Jovinian passed his time happily in company with Julia, to whom he was
attached with all the strength of his ardent nature. Notwithstanding
his present happiness, he did not feel altogether secure while remaining
in the neighbourhood of Rome. His uncle Gaius, who possessed, he
believed, a legal claim over him, might discover his retreat, and
prevent him from quitting the country. About Eros he had no fear, for
having been once set free, the emancipated slave could not again legally
be forced back into captivity, Eros himself, however, was not quite so
well satisfied about the matter, and had, with the permission of the
master of the _Dolphin_, gone on board, and obtained concealment in the
hold. It might have been wise in Jovinian to have followed his
example--at all events to have lived on board the vessel until his
friends were ready to embark. Instead of that he went everywhere about
the town with them, and attended public worship. They were to go on
board early in the morning, and to sail as soon as the tide was high
enough to enable the _Dolphin_ to cross over the bar. Many of the
principal Christians in Ostia accompanied the party down to the place of
embarkation, where a boat was waiting to convey them on board the
_Dolphin_, which lay with her sails loose out in the stream.
Severus, with his wife, and Marcia and Coelia, had already taken their
seats; and Jovinian, who had walked down by the side of Julia, was on
the point of assisting her on board, when he felt his arm seized, and a
man in the dress of an emissary of the law exhibited an official
document before his eyes. "You are, young sir, still a minor; your
uncle Gaius claims you as his ward; resistance is vain, for I can summon
those who would compel you to obey," said the officer.
Julia clung to Jovinian's other arm. "Oh, come, come!" she whispered:
"he cannot detain you, and the boat will in an instant be away from the
shore."
Jovinian felt greatly inclined to follow this hint. As he was strong
and active, by a strenuous effort he might shake himself free from the
officer's grasp. It was a great trial to him. Severus, whose attention
had been called to what was occurring, stepped forward at once to his
assistance; but the officer, fearing that a rescue was intended,
summoned his attendants, dragged Jovinian from the strand, and delivered
him to them. His numerous Christian friends could not, on principle,
resist the law under which the officer professed to be acting.
In vain Julia entreated Jovinian to return to the boat; he was too
securely held to make his escape. The mariners were anxious to sail,
and not to lose the advantage of the wind and tide.
Severus had but a short time to speak a few words to his young friend.
"The law must not be disobeyed," he said; "but let me urge you to hold
fast to the truth; we will pray for you and welcome you joyfully
whenever you can quit Rome and join us."
"I look forward to the day when I shall be free, and able to hasten to
wherever you are settled," answered Jovinian. "Your prayers will
support me; I, too, will pray for myself, that I may be kept to the
truth."
The heathen officer could not be induced to allow Jovinian to exchange
further farewells with his friends, being still afraid--seeing the
number of persons around--that an attempt might be made to rescue his
prisoner. They did their utmost to console him, after the boat pushed
off; but it was with an aching heart that he saw the sails spread, and
the _Dolphin_ gliding out into the blue sea, which shone brightly in the
rays of the rising sun, beyond the harbour.
Jovinian, with a heavy heart, walked with the officer to the inn, where
the vehicle was waiting which was to convey him back to Rome. The blow
he had received was so sudden that he could not for some time recover
from it. He had been looking forward to days of happiness in the
company of Julia and her parents, when his faith would have been
strengthened, and he would have been able to profit by the guidance and
instruction of Severus. He was now, once more, he supposed, to be
exposed to the importunities of his uncle to turn idolater: and although
he trusted that he should not be moved, it would be painful to be
continually engaged in controversies with his relative. From the
treatment he had before received, he was not much afraid that force
would be used; at the same time he could not tell to what devices Gaius
might resort to influence him. He fervently prayed that he might have
strength to resist them.
On reaching the inn, the officer desired him to enter the petorrita
which stood with the horses put to, before the door, and then took a
seat by his side. The driver urging on his steeds, the carriage moved
forward, the officials in attendance, with their garments girt about
them, following rapidly on foot. The road, worn by the heavy waggons
passing along it, was in several places full of ruts and holes, over
which the vehicle went jolting on, the driver caring very little for the
shaking his passengers were receiving. No stoppages were made, as the
officer had been directed to return without delay to Rome. At length
the Appian way--the high road between the capital and the south--was
reached, when the carriage moved on more smoothly. They now passed
between numerous sepulchres,--monuments erected on both sides the road,
in which the ashes of many generations of the noble dead reposed.
Jovinian recognised more than one in which his own heathen ancestors
were interred. A feeling of gratitude to heaven rose to his heart at
the thought that his own beloved mother had accepted the truth in her
early youth, and that he had been born under the full light of the
Gospel. Several large buildings were passed--that of the sanctuary of
Mars, as it was called, beyond the city, within whose walls criminals
flying from justice could obtain safety. The carriage then, passing
under one of those vast structures of masonry erected to carry water
into the city, entered Rome by the Porta Caperia. The vehicle could now
proceed but slowly, as obstacles of all sorts occurred every moment.
Sometimes a large waggon conveying building materials stopped the way.
The streets were also blocked up by the booths of hucksters, butchers,
vintners, pastry-cooks, and vendors of articles of all descriptions.
Some of the passengers of the lower orders amused themselves by jeering
at the young occupant of the carriage, when they recognised the officer
of the law, and suggested that he was probably some Thespio who had been
robbing his master, or filching the goods from the stalls. Egyptian
jugglers were performing their wonderful tricks, allowing the most
venomous snakes to wind themselves round their arms and necks,--the
crowd which had collected around them showing no inclination to make way
for the carriage. Here also could be seen boys selling sulphur matches,
others carrying huge basins of boiled pease, a dish of which they
dispensed to the poorest classes for the smallest coin.
As they entered the city Jovinian was much struck by observing masons
dismantling two or three of the smaller heathen temples, which had been
held in but slight consideration--mules and carts being engaged in
carrying off the materials.
In their places new edifices were in course of erection, the beams and
stones being wound aloft by cranes fixed on the summit of the portions
already erected. It appeared to him that there was much more life and
bustle in the city than he had ever before observed; but his silent
custodian would afford him no information on the subject. "That is not
my business," he answered, when Jovinian asked a question; "your uncle
Gaius will inform you all about the matter, young man."
Jovinian had expected to drive up to the college of the pontiffs; but
before reaching it the carriage turned off to the left, and stopped at a
mansion under the Palatine hill. As it drew up before the _ostium_--the
entrance to the house--two slaves came forth, whose countenances
Jovinian did not recognise. They seemed, however, to expect him, and
the officer, without hesitation, delivered him into their hands,
following, as they conducted him through the _atrium_ into an inner
court, in a small room at the side of which he saw his uncle reclining.
Several books were on the table before him. Gaius rose, and put out his
hand to receive his nephew, his countenance exhibiting no sign of anger.
The officer, having formally delivered his charge into the hands of
Gaius, retired, and the uncle and nephew were left alone.
"And so you would have deserted me, your only relative, and followed the
fortunes of strangers?" said Gaius, in a half-pathetic, half-comic tone,
but which certainly exhibited not the slightest feeling of resentment.
"I escaped from you, my uncle, because you desired me to embrace a faith
I abhor; and although I have now been brought back, I shall be still, I
trust, withheld from following your counsels."
"Ah! that is a matter which troubles me. I am thankful I did not
succeed," exclaimed Gaius, in the same tone as before; "I have seen that
the system of idolatry is rotten, since the emperor and other good men
have deserted it; and I wish to be instructed in the doctrines of the
faith you hold."
Jovinian was struck, as he well might be, with astonishment at hearing
this, although he did not express his feelings. As he gazed steadily at
the countenance of Gaius, he thought that he detected a twinkle in his
eye which much belied his assertion. "I would thankfully be the means
of bringing you to a knowledge of the truth," he said at length, "but
God alone can enlighten your mind."
"Well, well, all I require you to do is to instruct me in the articles
of your belief, and in the forms of your worship, and I may hope in a
few weeks to make a very respectable appearance as a Christian; and if
you prove an intelligent tutor I will allow you all the liberty you may
desire. You can visit our relative, the presbyter Amulius, or any other
friend you may desire to see, and report to them the progress I am
making."
"What, my uncle, are you really serious in your wish to become a
Christian?" asked Jovinian, who had not forgotten the discussion he had
overheard among the pontiffs, although he felt it would not be prudent
to let his uncle know that he had been an eavesdropper on the occasion.
"Of course I am," answered Gaius. "Surely the religion which the
emperor adopts must be one we must all desire to follow."
Jovinian sighed; he knew the truth too well to be deceived by his
uncle's remark, and he felt that, even should Gaius have some faint wish
to become a Christian, he was very far as yet from the kingdom of
heaven. He resolved, however, to do what he conceived to be his duty,
and to instruct Gaius as far as he was able in the principles of
Christianity. He judged it wise not to complain of being dragged away
from his friends--supposing his uncle had a legal power to act as he had
done--and he hoped when his services were no longer required that he
should be allowed to rejoin Severus.