the compassion of the most
tender father, and was accustomed to cry out: "If you are fallen a
second time, or even a thousand times into sin, come to me and you shall
be healed."[15] But he was firm and severe in maintaining discipline,
though without harshness; to impenitent sinners he was inflexible. To
mention one instance of the success of his holy zeal out of the many
which his sermons furnish; in the year 399, the second of his
episcopacy, on Wednesday in Holy Week, so violent a rain fell as to
endanger the corn, and threaten the whole produce of the country.
Hereupon public processions were made to the church of the apostles by
the bishop and people, to avert the scourge by imploring the
intercession chiefly of St. Peter, St. Andrew, (who is regarded as the
founder of the church of Byzantium,) St. Paul, and St. Timothy.[16] The
rain ceased, but not their fears. Therefore they all crossed the
Bosphorus to the church of SS. Peter and Paul, on the opposite side of
the water. This danger was scarce over, when on the Friday following
many ran to see certain horse-races, and on Holy Saturday to games
exhibited at the theatre. The good bishop was pierced to the quick with
grief, and on the next day, Easter-Sunday, preached a most zealous and
eloquent sermon, Against the Games and Shows of the Theatre and Circus.
Indignation made him not so much as mention the paschal solemnity;{242}
but by an abrupt exordium he burst into the most vehement pathos, as
follows: "Are these things to be borne? Can they be tolerated? I appeal
to yourselves, be you your own judges. Thus did God expostulate with the
Jews."[17] This exclamation he often repeated to assuage his grief. He
put the people in mind of the sanctity of our faith; of the rigorous
account we must give to God of all our moments, and the obligation of
serving him incumbent on us from his benefits, who has made for us the
heaven and earth, the sun, light, rivers, &c. The saint grieved the
more, because, after all, they said they had done no harm, though they
had murdered not only their own souls, but also those of their children.
"And how will you," said he, "after this approach the holy place? How
will you touch the heavenly food? Even now do I see you overwhelmed with
grief, and covered with confusion. I see some striking their foreheads,
perhaps those who have not sinned, but are moved with compassion for
their brethren. On this account do I grieve and suffer, that the dev