Religious Intolerance in the Later Roman Empire - Bad request ...

of God was such that even at this late stage they could still avail themselves of God’s
benevolence, as he hoped. However, and immediately thereafter, Constantine
returned to his initial condemnatory theme and indicated that the Donatists were
utterly divorced from God. He says that their rejection of the Arles decision, which
was of no use to them, showed that “the mercy of Christ withdrew from these
[Donatists]” 78 and they were “abhorrent even to the heavenly dispensation.” 79 After
dealing with their rejection of Arles, Constantine devoted a greater part of the letter to
condemning the Donatists’ attitude. They were of “so great a madness… with
incredible arrogance” 80 and possessed “strong wickedness;” 81 moreover, these “wicked
men, who as I have truly said, are officers of the devil.” 82 Therefore the Donatists were
unmasked 83 and Constantine asked what their opinion of humanity would be as they
had already “ruthlessly assaulted God himself.” 84
For Constantine, the separation of the Donatists from the divine is linked to
their obstinacy and arrogance; indeed, since Constantine made no mention of their
theological positions, nor their different views of ecclesiastical hierarchy and discipline,
it would appear that their apparent rejection of authority and their insistence on
continuing appeals is more indicative of their “abhorrent” and damned status than
anything that they might have to say on religious affairs. The Donatist dispute had
become concerned with authority in more than just one way; Constantine's own
authority (which he had from God) and prestige, was being damaged by these
troublesome clerics and their endless appeals to him. Constantine (following 1
Corinthians 6.1) linked the Donatists’ appeals to those of the “heathen” and indicated
that his judgement was insufficient, since he would be judged by God; thus his actions
were merely following those prescribed by God in scripture. Moreover, the
78
Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 209; Edwards 190; ab his procul adscesserit Christi clem entia
79
Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 209; Edwards 190; ut eos etiam a caelesti prov isione exosos cernam us
80
Opt. App. 5 Ziwas 209; Edwards 190; in ipsos tanta v esania perseuerat, cum incredibili arrogantia
persuadent sibi
81
Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 209; Edwards 190; quae v is m alignitatis in eorundem pecrotibus perseuerat
82
Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 209; Edwards 190; quid igitur sentiunt m aligni hom ines officia, ut v ere dixi, diaboli
83 Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 209; proditores
72