Complete Extant Works of Saint Ambrose, Vol. I

you close the door, which the Lord has opened to all who perform penance. To this Ambrose replied: "What penance, then, have you shown after such a grave crime? With what medicines have you treated your wounds?" The Emperor replied: "It is for you to show and apply the medicines; it is my duty to accept what is offered." Then divine Ambrose said: "Since you permit judgment to be given to fury, and it is not reason but anger that pronounces sentence, write a law that renders the sentences of fury void and empty, and let the written sentences regarding the slaughter and the proscription of goods remain for a space of thirty days, awaiting the judgment of reason. When these days have passed, let those who wrote the edict show you what you have ordered; and then, with the heat of anger calmed, reason itself, exercising judgment, will examine what has been decreed and will look to see whether they are just or unjust. And if it finds them to be unjust, it will undoubtedly tear up the writings; if just, it will confirm them; and the passage of days will not bring any detriment to those things justly judged." When the Emperor had heard this advice, and deemed it most useful, he immediately ordered the law to be written, and confirmed it with his own signature. With this done, divine Ambrose released his bonds.

» And thus, at last, he dared to enter the temple of God.