2. For why, august Emperor, should your
Majesty learn that Faith which, from your earliest childhood, you have
ever devoutly and lovingly kept? “Before I formed thee in
thy mother’s belly I knew thee,” saith the Scripture,
“and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified
thee.” “By
sanctification is meant the grace of regeneration, which comprises
virtues inspired, including both the habit of faith and the gifts of
the Holy Spirit. Now these support especially the innocent soul,
so that with pious affection it nurses the doctrine revealed to it, is
inclined thereto, loves it, takes it to itself, and advances in
it.”—Hurter ad loc. The Emperor’s
constant zeal in defence of the Faith against the Arians is to be
regarded as due to his habit of faith and to the gifts of the
Spirit. The citation is from Jeremiah i. 5.
Sanctification, therefore, cometh not of tradition, but of inspiration;
therefore keep watch over the gifts of God. For that which no man
hath taught you, God hath surely given and inspired.