Attalus said; 'You have already said that I have been several times condemned. I do not answer you.'
Ambrose, Bishop, said; 'Did you subscribe the formula of the Council of Nicaea or no?'
Attalus said; 'I do not answer you.'
45. PALLADIUS said; 'Do you now wish the formula to be regarded as general or no?'
Chromatius, presbyter, said; 'You have not denied that He is a creature, you have denied that He is mighty. You have denied every thing which the Catholic Faith professes.'
Sabinus, Bishop, said; 'We are witnesses that Attalus subscribed the Council of Niceea, and that he now refuses to answer. What is the opinion of all?'
As Attalus did not speak,
Ambrose, Bishop, said; 'Let him say whether he subscribed the formula of the Council of Nicaea or no.'
46. PALLADIUS said; 'Let your reporter and ours stand forward and write down every thing.' |51
Valerian, Bishop, said; 'What you have said and what you have denied is already all written.'
Palladius said; 'Say what you please.'
Ambrose, Bishop, said; 'Since Palladius who has been already many times condemned, wishes to be condemned still oftener, I am reading the letter of Arius which he has not chosen to condemn: do you state whether you approve of my doing so.'
All the Bishops said; 'Let it be read.'
Then the words were read. "But begotten not putatively," &c.
Ambrose, Bishop, said; 'I have answered you on the Father's being greater: I have answered you also on the Son's being subject: do you yourself answer now.'
47. PALLADIUS said; 'I will not answer unless arbiters come after the Lord's day.'
Ambrose, Bishop, said; 'You were come with a view to discussion, but since I have charged you with its doctrines, you have seen the letter of Arius which you have not chosen to condemn and which you cannot support: you now therefore shrink back and cavil. I read it to you fully point by point. Tell me whether you believe Christ to have been created; whether there was a time when he was not; or whether the only begotten Son of God has always existed. When you have heard Arius' letter, either condemn it or approve of it.'
48. PALLADIUS said; 'Since I convict you of impiety, I will not have you for judge. You are a transgressor.'
Sabinus, Bishop, said; 'Say, what impieties you object to our brother and fellow-bishop Ambrose.'
Palladius said; 'I have already told you, I will answer in a full Council, and with arbiters present.'
Ambrose, Bishop, said; 'I desire to be confuted and convicted in the assembly of my brethren. Say then what I have said impiously; but I appear impious to you because I support piety.'
Sabinus, Bishop, said; 'Does then he seem impious to you, who censures the blasphemies of Arius?'
49. PALLADIUS said; 'I have not denied that the Son of God is good.' |52
Ambrose, Bishop, said; 'Do you say that Christ is a good God?'
Palladius said; 'I do not answer you.'