Complete Extant Works of Saint Ambrose, Vol. I

deceived by the splendor of the purple, ought you to be ignorant of the infirmity of the body which is covered beneath it. You rule over men of the same nature as yourself, indeed even your fellow servants, O Emperor. For there is one Lord and Emperor of all, He who created all things. With what eyes, therefore, will you look upon the temple of the common Lord? With what feet will you tread upon the holy ground? How will you extend your hands, still dripping with the blood of the unjustly slaughtered? How will you receive the most holy body of the Lord with such hands? How will you bring the precious blood to your mouth, you who have unjustly spilled the blood of so many men by the word of your fury? Depart, therefore, and do not wish to increase your former sin with subsequent acts. Accept the bond, which God, the Lord of all, approves from above by His own sanction. For it is medicinal, and has the power to restore health." (Theodoret, Book 5, ch. 18)

To these things, the Emperor replying that David also had been an adulterer and a murderer, the intrepid pontiff immediately responded: "You who have followed him in his sin, follow him also in his repentance." (Paulinus, in his Life.)

"The Emperor obeyed... Weeping and groaning, he returned to the palace. A long time after, (for eight months had passed) the day of our Savior's birth arrived. The Emperor