mself and the
indispensable rules of decency and prudence, it was not long before he
surpassed his predecessor in insolence, ambition, and covetousness.
Wholesome advice, even from a Chrysostom, served only to exasperate a
heart devoted to the world, and open to flatterers, who added
continually new flames to its passions. In the mean time, the murmurs
and indignation of the whole empire at the pride and avarice of
Eutropius were a secret to him, till the pit was prepared for his fall.
Gainas, general of the auxiliary Goths in the imperial army, was stirred
up to revenge an affront which his cousin Trigibildus, a tribune, had
received from the haughty minister. At the same time the empress
Eudoxia, having been insulted by him, ran to the emperor, carrying her
two little babes in her arms, and cried out for justice against the
insolent servant. Arcadius, who was as weak in abandoning, as he was
imprudent in choosing favorites, gave orders that the minister should be
driven out of the court, and his estates confiscated. Eutropius found
himself in a moment forsaken by all the herds of his admirers and
flatterers, without one single friend, and fled for protection to the
church, and to those very altars whose immunities he had infringed and
violated. The whole city was in an uproar against him; the army called
aloud for his death, and a troop of soldiers surrounded the church with
naked swords in their hands, and fire in their eyes. St. Chrysostom went
to the emperor, and easily obtained of him that the unhappy criminal
might be allowed to enjoy the benefit of sanctuary; and the soldiers
were prevailed upon, by the tears of the emperor and the remonstrances
of the bishop, to withdraw. The next day the people flocked to behold a
man whose frown two days before made the whole world to tremble, now
laying hold of the altar, gnashing his teeth, trembling and shuddering,
having nothing before his eyes but drawn swords, dungeons, and
executioners. St. Chrysostom on this occasion made a pathetic discourse
on the vanity and treachery of human things, the emptiness and falsehood
of which he could not find a word emphatical enough to express. The poor
Eutropius could not relish such truths a few days ago, but now found his
very riches destructive. The saint entreated the people to forgive him
whom the emperor, the chief person injured, was desirous to forgive: he
asked them how they could beg of God the pardon of their own sins if
the