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| Truth the defence of Thrones.
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12. Truth the defence of Thrones.
Had I been accused before any other, I should
have appealed to your Piety; as once the Apostle appealed unto
Cæsar, and put an end to the designs of his enemies against him.
But since they have had the boldness to lay their charge before you, to
whom shall I appeal from you? to the Father of Him who says, ‘I
am the Truth1322
,’ that He may incline your heart
into clemency:—
O Lord Almighty, and King of eternity, the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who by Thy Word hast given this Kingdom to
Thy servant Constantius; do Thou shine into his heart, that he, knowing
the falsehood that is set against me, may both favourably receive this
my defence; and may make known unto all men, that his ears are firmly
set to hearken unto the Truth, according as it is written,
‘Righteous lips alone are acceptable unto the King1323
.’ For Thou hast caused it to be said
by Solomon, that thus the throne of the kingdom shall be
established.
Wherefore at least enquire into this matter, and
let the accusers understand that your desire is to learn the truth; and
see, whether they will not shew their falsehood by their very looks;
for the countenance is a test of the conscience as it is written,
‘A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of
the heart the spirit is broken1324
.’ Thus they
who had conspired against Joseph1325
were convicted
by their own consciences; and the craft of Laban towards Jacob was
shewn in his countenance1326
. And thus you see
the suspicious alarm of these persons, for they fly and hide
themselves; but on our part frankness in making our defence. And the
question between us is not one regarding worldly wealth, but concerning
the honour of the Church. He that has been struck by a stone, applies
to a physician; but sharper than a stone are the strokes of calumny;
for as Solomon has said, ‘A false witness is a maul, and a sword,
and a sharp arrow1327
,’ and its
wounds Truth alone is able to cure; and if Truth be set at nought, they
grow worse and worse.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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