* 1.1XVII. CHAP.
1.2. &c. Maximus and his wife honour S. Martin.
5.6. Theodosius overcomes Maximus.
1. THE Emperour Maximus, for that Title Theodosius allow'd him after the death of Gratianus,* 1.2 was zealous in defence of the Catholick Faith. Insomuch as he wrote an efficacious letter in behalf of S. Ambrose Bishop of Milan to the Emperour Valentinian, who instigated by his Mother Iustina an Arian,* 1.3 persecuted him. In which Letter likewise, saith Theodoret, he denounc'd warre against him in case he would not desist from his iniustice against the holy Bishop.* 1.4
2.* 1.5 Sulpitius Severus likewise at large declares what great honour and respect the same Maximus shewd to the Blessed Bishop S. Mar∣tin of Tours; And particularly the Emperours Wife did most officiously reverence him. For having with great earnestnes obtain'd his presence at a privat Feast prepared for him in her own chamber, she would not permitt any servants to attend, but she her self with all humility ministred to him, and with great devotion layd up the fragments, which she valewd above all her Imperiall delicacies
3. Who this Lady was, and from what coun∣trey or family, it does not appear in ancient Story. The same Authour comparing her with the Queen of Saba, and saying that she also came from the ends of the earth to heare the wisedom of another Salo∣mon, argues her very probably to have been a Brittish Lady: though we can scarce allow her to have been the daughter and heyr of an unheard of King of Brittany call'd Octavius.
4. Maximus after this,* 1.6 not content with so large a portion of the Empire as Gaule, Spain, and Brittany, march'd with his Army into Italy. At whose approach the Emperour Valen∣tinian fled into Illyricum, having now learnt by experience, saith Theodoret, how unhappy he had been in following his Mothers counsels against the Holy Bishop S. Ambrose.
5. There is extant a Letter which Maximus wrote in answer to Pope Siricius, who lately had succeeded S. Damasus: in which he pro∣fesses the Orthodox Faith, which he learnt in Brittany: where likewise he was baptis'd, and immediatly after his baptism was proclam'd Emperour. In the same letter he likewise gives him account of the abominable doctrines and crimes of the Priscillianists, which he calls Manichees, known not by uncertain suspicions, but their own publick confes∣sions in iudgment. Crimes so enormous and obscene, that out of modesty he could not relate them, and therfore sent him a Coppy of the Processe.
6. Now the Emperour Theodosius solicited by Valentiniam,* 1.7 whose Sister Galla he had ma∣ried, came with an Army into the West. To which warr he prepared himself by earnest prayer and fasting.* 1.8 And having understood, saith S. Augustin, that in the Desart of Egypt there was a certain Monk, a great servant of God who had the Spirit of prophecy, Theodosius sent to him, and receiv'd a most certain message of Victory.
7. Thus arm'd he readily and quickly ob∣tain'd a Victory against Maximus, who only wanted a good cause. After the discomfiture of his Army, Maximus being taken prisoner was brought before Theodosius, who was in∣clin'd to take pitty of him. At which his soldiers conceiving great indignation, re∣mov'd him from his presence and kill'd him. Our Historian Gildas mentions both