The Election of Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

So the emperor spoke. Then the council begged him, as a wise and devout prince, to make the choice himself. He replied: “The responsibility is too great for us. You, who have been honored with divine grace and have received light from above, will make a better choice.” So they left the emperor’s presence and began to deliberate by themselves. Meanwhile the people of Milan were torn by factions, some eager to promote one man, some another. Those who had been infected with the unsoundness of Auxentius wanted to choose men of the same opinions, while those of the orthodox party in their turn were anxious to have a bishop who thought as they did. [a]

Ambrose held the chief civil office of the district. When he was told of the quarrel, he hurried to the church, afraid that some violent riot might be attempted, and at once the strife died down. The people cried out with one voice, “Make Ambrose our pastor!” And yet up to this time he was still unbaptized. News of what was happening was brought to the emperor, and he at once ordered that this admirable man be baptized and ordained. For he knew that his judgment was as straight and true as a carpenter’s rule, and his sentences more exact than the beam of a scale. He also concluded from the agreement reached by men of opposite opinions that the choice was from God. So Ambrose received the divine gift of holy baptism and the grace of the archbishop’s office. The most excellent emperor was present on the occasion, and is said to have offered this hymn of praise to his Lord and Savior: “We thank you, Almighty Lord and Savior. I entrusted to this man’s keeping men’s bodies; you have entrusted to him their souls, and you have shown my choice to be right.”

Not many days later the divine Ambrose spoke to the emperor with the greatest freedom, and found fault with certain actions of the magistrates as improper. Valentinian remarked that this freedom of speech was nothing new to him. He had known it well, and yet he had not merely made no objection to his appointment as bishop but had gladly agreed to it. The emperor went on: “Go on as God’s law bids you, healing the errors of our souls.” Such were the deeds and words of Valentinian at Milan.