him, not through fear of his arms, but for the hor∣rour he had conceived of his sacriledges. The false Emperour failed not to write to the holy Bishop to require his friendship, which he would make use of to support his authoritie: but holy Ambrose shewed so generous a contempt of his letters, that he deign∣ed not so much as to make answer, untill such time that being informed how Eugenius under-hand fa∣voured the Sect of Pagans, having already allowed them this Altar of Victorie, for which so many bat∣tels had been fought, he wrote to him a most coura∣gious letter; where, not touching his election nor affairs of State, as then not well known, he repre∣hendeth him for his impietie, and said among other things:
I ow the retreat, which I made from Milan, not at∣tending you, to the fear of God, which shall perpetually be the rule of my actions. The grace of our Saviour shall ever be more precious with me, than that of Caesars, nor will I at any time flatter a man to betray my conscience. I wrong no person, if I render to God that which is due to him; and I profit all men, when I conceal not a truth from great-ones. I understand you have granted to Pagans that which constantly hath been denied by Catholick Em∣perours. God knoweth all the secrets of your heart. It is a very ill business if you unwilling to be beguiled by men, think to deceive God, who seeth all that is to be done, even to nothing. The Gentiles, who so much have impor∣tuned you to satisfie their passion, taught you to be urgent to make a good refusal of that which you cannot give, but with committing sacriledge. I am no Controller of your liberalities, but an interpreter of your faith. Give of your treasures what ever you think good; I envie no man: but you shall not give any thing of the rights of God which I will not resist with the utmost extent of my power. You make a goodly matter to present offerings to Jesus Christ; you will find few▪ that make account of these dis∣simulations; every man hereafter will regard, not what you do, but what you have a will to do. As for my part, I enter not now into consideration of your estate, but if you be true Emperour, you will begin with the service of the divine Majestie: This is it which I cannot hide from you, because my life and flatterie are two things incompatible.
As for the rest, the Emperour Theodosius seeing the tyrannie of Eugenius in a readiness, well foresaw necessitie must needs put arms into his hands to be mannaged with pietie. Whilest the infamous Eugeni∣us made slaughter of beasts, amusing himself on the consideration of their entrails, from thence to judge the events of war, the brave Theodosius prostrated himself before the Altars of the living God, covered with hair-cloth, imploring the assistance of Saints for his succour, and all the prayers of souls the most purified, which at that time lived within Monaste∣ries. He departed from Constantinople with these aids, causing the Standard of the Cross to march before him. Eugenius was alreadie encamped on the Alps to hinder the passage of his adversarie, and had in a manner covered them with Statues of false Gods, as of Jupiter and Hercules, so bestial was this man.
The Emperour seeing he needs must fight, com∣manded Gaynes, Colonel of the Goths, who led the vanguard, to break the trenches of his enemies, which he quickly did: but they being yet very fresh, and having a notable advantage of place taken by them, sustained the first assault with much resolution, and infinite loss on the Emperours part; for it is thought that Gaynes, who was a valiant Captain in his own person, yet too wilfully opinionative to force this passage of the Alps, lost there about ten thousand men, which were killed like flies: so that needs a re∣treat must be made, very shamefull for Theodosius his army.
Eugenius, whose head was not made for a diadem, thinking the whole business ended, after so great a slaughter of his enemies, was so puffed up with this success, that he rather thought how to glorifie his victorie, than foresee his defence. The sage Emperour on the other side, seeing his Army grown very thin, and the courage of his souldiers wavering, more stedfastly made his address to God. He was seen up∣on the top of a rock prostrate on the earth, and cry∣ing aloud, My God, you know that I in the name of your Son enterprized this war, and have opposed the arms of the Cross against Infidelitie. If in me their rest any blame, I beseech you to revenge my sins on my culpable head, and not abandon the cause of Religion, lest we become a reproch to Infidels.
The same night God for his assurance shewed him a vision of two Apostles, S. John and S. Philip, who should be, as indeed they were, the Conductours of his Legions. The next morning about break of day, he ranged his forces in battel array, and charged Eu∣genius, not as yet througly freed from his drunken prosperitie: And when he saw that those who had the vanguard proceeded therein somewhat fearful∣ly, remembering themselves of the usage of their companions, he did an act of admirable confidence, for he alighted from his horse, and marching on foot in the head of his Army cried out: Where is the God of Theodosius? At this word the ayd of Hea∣ven was so propitious, that a furious whirl-wind was raised, which persecuted the enemies of Theodosius, casting a huge cloud of dust into their eyes, and re∣turning all their own darts back to their proper fa∣ces, in such sort, that as it is confessed by Claudian, a very obstinate Pagan, it seemed the good Emperour that day had the winds and tempests at command, and that he had nothing to do but to give the word, to make them obedient to his Standards. Heaven fought for its beloved Theodosius, and all the powers of the ayr were in arms to favour his victories. The souldiers at this instant were all changed, so much hope had they in their hearts, & fire in their courages.
Bacurius, one of the Emperours greatest Captains, with his enflamed Legions, brake through the ranks, penetrated the strongest resistances, and gained the Alps. Eugenius, his people dejected as men fallen from the clouds, could not sufficiently admire this alteration. The discreetest among them disposed themselves to treat of peace, crying aloud, that never would they bear arms against a man, who had the ayr and winds in his pay.
Theodosius sortified them with his clemencie; all dispositions by a most remarkable miracle of God, who exerciseth his power as well over hearts as winds, were changed in an instant, and that which is admirable, the most faithfull to Eugenius promised the Emperour to put him into his hands, which they performed: for they went to take this miserable man, who sat on his Throne entertaining his goodly imaginations, and crying, Bring him alive, (speaking of Theodosius) when they laying hold of his collar, and most shamefully binding his hands: It is you (said they) we must bring alive to Theodosius, and that in∣stantly. They trussed him up like a beast astonished, and presented him to the Emperour, who having re∣proched him in presence of all the world for his im∣pietie and treacherie, caused him presently to be put to death, to make an end of his imaginarie Empire.
The wicked Arbogastus who had at other times been so happy, when he followed the counsels of S. Ambrose, seeing the ill success of his designs, became so enraged, that himself thrust two swords through his own bodie, being not able to endure life nor light, which seemed to upbraid him with his crimes.
Some hold that Flavianus died in the throng, that he might not survive his own shame: others think he escaped, and that Theodosius extended his ordinarie clemencie to him.
Briefly behold the course of the tyrannie of Euge∣nius, still more and more to verifie the Oracles of