Sidenote: 1 Cor. i. 8.
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘In another place also it is written; _God
is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son_.
I say that the Father is greater in respect of the assumption of the
flesh, which the Son of God took upon Him, not in respect of the Son’s
Godhead.’
Palladius said; ‘What then is the comparison of the Son of God? And can
flesh say, God is greater than I? Did the flesh speak or the Godhead
because the flesh was there?’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘The flesh does not speak without the soul.’
Sidenote: S. John viii. 40.
Eusebius, Bishop, said; ‘God in the flesh spoke according to the flesh,
when He said, _Why do ye persecute[30] me, a man?_ Who said this?’
Palladius said; ‘The Son of God.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘Then the Son of God is God in respect of His
Godhead and is man in respect of His flesh.’
Palladius said; ‘He took flesh upon Him.’
Eusebius, Bishop, said; ‘Accordingly He made use of human words.’
Palladius said; ‘He took man’s flesh upon Him.’
41. AMBROSE, Bishop, said; ‘Let him say that the Apostle did not call
Him subject in respect of His Godhead, but in respect of His flesh; for
it is written, _He humbled himself and became obedient unto death_. In
what then did He taste death?’
Palladius said; ‘In that He humbled Himself.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘Not His Godhead but His flesh was humbled and
subject.’ And he added; ‘Did Arius well or ill in calling him a perfect
creature?’
Palladius said; ‘I do not answer you, for you have no authority.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘Profess what you please.’
Palladius said; ‘I do not answer you.’
42. SABINUS, Bishop, said; ‘Do you not answer on behalf of Arius? do
you not answer to what has been asked?’
Palladius said; ‘I have not answered on behalf of Arius.’
Sabinus, Bishop, said; ‘You have answered so far as to deny that the
Son of God is mighty, to deny that He is true God.’
Palladius said; ‘I do not allow you to be my judge, whom I convict of
impiety.’
Sabinus, Bishop, said; ‘You yourself forced us to sit.’
Palladius said; ‘I gave in a request that you might sit, in order that
I might convict you. Why have you practised upon the Emperor? You have
gained by intrigue that the Council should not be a plenary one.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘When Arius’ impieties were read, your impiety
also, which harmonized with his, was condemned equally. You have
thought fit while the letter was in the midst of being read, to bring
forward whatever passages you would: you were told in answer in what
way the Son has said that the Father is greater, because in respect
of His taking flesh upon Him, the Father is greater than He. You have
urged also that the Son of God is subject; and on this head you were
answered that the Son of God is subject in respect of His flesh, not
in respect of His divinity. You have our profession. Now hear the rest.
Since you have been answered, do you answer to what is read.’
43. PALLADIUS said; ‘I do not answer you, because what I have said has
not been recorded; only your words are recorded. I do not answer you.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘You see that every thing is recorded. Moreover,
what has been written is abundant for the proof of your impiety.’ And
he added; ‘Do you say that Christ is a creature or do you deny it?’
Palladius said; ‘I do not answer you.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘An hour ago, when it was read that Arius called
Christ a creature, you denied it: you had an opportunity offered you of
condemning his perfidy; you would not. Say now at last whether Christ
was begotten of the Father or created.’
Palladius said; ‘If you please, let my reporters come and so let the
whole be taken down.’
Sabinus, Bishop, said; ‘Let him send for his reporters.’
Palladius said; ‘We will answer you in a full Council.’
44. AMBROSE, Bishop, said; ‘Attalus subscribed the formula[31] of the
Council of Nicæa. Let him deny it, as he has come to our Council. Let
him say to-day, whether he subscribed the formula of the Council of
Nicæa or no?’
Attalus remaining silent,
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘Though the presbyter Attalus is an Arian,
yet we give him permission to speak: let him frankly state whether
he subscribed the formula of the Council of Nicæa under his Bishop
Agrippinus, or no.’
Attalus said; ‘You have already said that I have been several times
condemned. I do not answer you.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘Did you subscribe the formula of the Council of
Nicæa or no?’
Attalus said; ‘I do not answer you.’
45. PALLADIUS said; ‘Do you now wish the formula to be regarded as
general or no?’
Chromatius, presbyter, said; ‘You have not denied that He is a creature,
you have denied that He is mighty. You have denied every thing which
the Catholic Faith professes.’
Sabinus, Bishop, said; ‘We are witnesses that Attalus subscribed
the Council of Nicæa, and that he now refuses to answer. What is the
opinion of all?’
As Attalus did not speak,
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘Let him say whether he subscribed the formula
of the Council of Nicæa or no.’
46. PALLADIUS said; ‘Let your reporter and ours stand forward and write
down every thing.’
Valerian, Bishop, said; ‘What you have said and what you have denied is
already all written.’
Palladius said; ‘Say what you please.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘Since Palladius who has been already many
times condemned, wishes to be condemned still oftener, I am reading
the letter of Arius which he has not chosen to condemn: do you state
whether you approve of my doing so.’
All the Bishops said; ‘Let it be read.’
Then the words were read. “But begotten not putatively,” &c.
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘I have answered you on the Father’s being
greater: I have answered you also on the Son’s being subject: do you
yourself answer now.’
47. PALLADIUS said; ‘I will not answer unless arbiters come after the
Lord’s day.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘You were come with a view to discussion, but
since I have charged you with its doctrines, you have seen the letter
of Arius which you have not chosen to condemn and which you cannot
support: you now therefore shrink back and cavil. I read it to you
fully point by point. Tell me whether you believe Christ to have been
created; whether there was a time when he was not; or whether the only
begotten Son of God has always existed. When you have heard Arius’
letter, either condemn it or approve of it.’
48. PALLADIUS said; ‘Since I convict you of impiety, I will not have
you for judge. You are a transgressor.’
Sabinus, Bishop, said; ‘Say, what impieties you object to our brother
and fellow-bishop Ambrose.’
Palladius said; ‘I have already told you, I will answer in a full
Council, and with arbiters present.’
Ambrose, Bishop, said; ‘I desire to be confuted and convicted in the
assembly of my brethren. Say then what I have said impiously; but I
appear impious to you because I support piety.’
Sabinus, Bishop, said; ‘Does then he seem impious to you, who censures
the blasphemies of Arius?’