27. But when from this hurricane of
unrighteousness, this corrupter of godliness, this precursor of the
wicked one, such satisfaction had been exacted, in a way I cannot
praise, for we must consider not what he ought to have suffered, but
what we ought We ought,
etc. S. Gregory seems to imply that the deed had been done by
Christians. Historical writers and Julian’s letter to the
people make it clear that this was not really the case. to do:
exacted however it was, as the result of the public anger and
excitement: and thereupon, our champion was restored from his
illustrious banishment, for so I term his exile on behalf of, and under
the blessing of, the Trinity, amid such delight of the people of the
city and of almost all Egypt, that they ran together from every side,
from the furthest limits of the country, simply to hear the voice of
Athanasius, or feast their eyes upon the sight of him, nay even, as we
are told of the Apostles, that they might be hallowed by the
shadow Acts v. 15. and unsubstantial
image of his body: so that, many as are the honours, and welcomes
bestowed on frequent occasions in the course of time upon various
individuals, not only upon public rulers and bishops, but also upon the
most illustrious of private citizens, not one has been recorded more
numerously attended or more brilliant than this. And only one
honour can be compared with it by Athanasius himself, which had been
conferred upon him on his former entrance into the city, when returning
from the same exile for the same reasons.