rom the top of his pillar, had converted
the Prefect of the Fleet to the faith of the apostles and the Nicaean
fathers. The believers found a figurative meaning in the last words
uttered by Aurelius Cotta; to them, the supper to which this important
personage had invited the ascetic, was a holy communion, a spiritual
repast, a celestial banquet. The story of this meeting was embroidered
with wonderful details, which those who invented were the first to
believe. It was said that when Cotta, after a long argument, had
embraced the truth, an angel had come from heaven to wipe the sweat from
his brow. The physician and secretary of the Prefect of the Fleet had
also, it was asserted, been converted at the same time. And, the miracle
being public and notorious, the deacons of the principal churches of
Libya recorded it amongst the authentic facts. After that, it could be
said, without any exaggeration, that the whole world was seized with a
desire to see Paphnutius, and that, in the West as well as the East, all
Christians turned their astonished eyes towards him. The most celebrated
cities of Italy sent deputations to him, and the Roman Caesar, the
divine Constantine who favoured the Christian religion, wrote him a
letter which the legates brought to him with great ceremony. But one
night, whilst the budding city at his feet slept in the dew, he heard a
voice, which said--

"Paphnutius, thou art become celebrated by thy works and powerful by thy
word. God has raised thee up for His glory. He has chosen thee to work
miracles, heal the sick, convert the Pagans, enlighten sinners, confound
the Arians, and establish peace in the Church."

Paphnutius replied--

"God's will be done!"

The voice continued--

"Arise, Paphnutius, and go seek in his palace the impious Constans, who,
far from imitating the wisdom of his brother, Constantine, inclines
to the errors of Arius and Marcus. Go! The bronze gates shall fly open
before thee, and thy sandals shall resound on the golden floor of the
basilica before the throne of the Caesars, and thy awe-inspiring voice
shall change the heart of the son of Constantinus. Thou shalt reign over
a peaceful and powerful Church. And, even as the soul directs the
body, so shall the Church govern the empire. Thou shalt be placed above
senators, comites, and patricians. Thou shalt repress the greed of the
people, and check the boldness of the barbarians. Old Cotta, knowing
that thou art the head of t