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| John dies in Exile.
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Chapter XXI.—John dies
in Exile.
John taken into exile died in
Comana on the Euxine, on the 14th of September, in the following consulate, which was the seventh of
Honorius, and the second of Theodosius.893
A man, as we have before observed,894
who on account of zeal for temperance was inclined rather to anger than
forbearance: and his personal sanctity of character led him to indulge
in a latitude of speech which to others was intolerable. Indeed, it is
most inexplicable to me, how with a zeal so ardent for the practice of
self-control and blamelessness of life, he should in his sermons appear
to teach a loose view of temperance. For whereas by the Synod of
bishops repentance was accepted but once from those who had sinned
after baptism; he did not scruple to say, ‘Approach, although you
may have repented a thousand times.’895
| 895These words are not found in any of
Chrysostom’s extant homilies. There is no reason, however, for
thinking that they were not uttered by him in a sermon now not in
existence. Socrates’ remarks on Chrysostom’s attitude made
here are among the considerations which have led some to think that he
was a Novatian. Cf. Introd. p. x.
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For this doctrine, many even of his friends censured him, but
especially Sisinnius bishop of the Novatian; who wrote a book
condemnatory of the above quoted expression of Chrysostom’s, and
severely rebuked him for it. But this occurred long before.896
| 896For further particulars on Chrysostom’s life
and the circumstances of his death, see authorities mentioned in chap.
2, note 3.
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