His Defense Before Constantius

I know that you have been a Christian for many years, most religious Augustus, and that you come from a godly family. So I gladly undertake to make my defense at this time. I will use the words of the blessed Paul and make him my advocate before you, since he was a preacher of the truth and you are an attentive listener to his words. As for the church matters that have been made the ground of a conspiracy against me, it is enough to refer Your Piety to the testimony of the many bishops who have written on my behalf. The recantation of Ursacius and Valens is also enough to prove to everyone that none of the charges they set up against me had any truth in it. For what evidence can others produce as strong as what they themselves declared in writing? “We lied; we made these things up; all the accusations against Athanasius are full of falsehood.” To this clear proof may be added, if you will be kind enough to hear it, the fact that the accusers brought no evidence against Macarius the presbyter while we were present. Only in our absence, when they were by themselves, did they handle the matter as they pleased. Now the divine law first of all, and then our own laws, have expressly declared that such proceedings have no force whatever. From these things Your Piety, as a lover of God and of the truth, will, I am sure, see that we are free from all suspicion, and will pronounce our opponents false accusers. [a]