[Sidenote: _The Edict recalling him to govern jointly with_ Felix, _raillied by the_ Roman _People._]
When this Edict was read, in the Presence of the Emperor, to the People assembled in the _Circus_, they applauded it at first, by way of Raillery, saying, That since the Spectators, at the public Sports, were divided into Two Parties, it was just and reasonable there should be Two Bishops to head them. The Multitude, not satisfied with thus pleasantly expressing their Dissatisfaction, cried out, immediately after, with one Voice, _There is but One God, One Christ, One Bishop_[755]. And yet the Emperor was rather delighted than displeased with the Humour of the People, and the Liberty they took; for to what happened on this Occasion _Ammianus Marcellinus_ probably alludes, where he writes, that _Constantius_, in exhibiting public Sports at _Rome_, was pleased with the Liberty they took to railly him, knowing it did not proceed from Pride or Ill-nature[756]. _Theodoret_ tells us, that to Acclamations so worthy of the _Roman_ Piety the Emperor granted the Return of _Liberius_[757]; and with him agree _Sulpitius Severus_[758], and _Ruffinus_[759]. But _Sozomen_[760], and all the Writers of those Times, assure us, that his Return did not happen this, but the following Year 358. when he bought it dear, by signing the Condemnation of _Athanasius_, and the Symbol or Creed, composed by the _Semi-Arians_ at _Sirmium_, now _Sirmish_ in _Sclavonia_. _Constantius_, at the Request of the _Roman_ Ladies and People, promised to recall him, as I have related; but it was on Condition, says _Sozomen_[761], that he should agree with the Bishops of the Court, that is, with the _Semi-Arians_. The Firmness which _Liberius_ had hitherto shewn, left no room to doubt of his rejecting such a Proposal with the greatest Indignation. But he now felt what before he had only beheld at a Distance: he began to compare the Ease and Plenty in which he had lived at _Rome_, with the Inconveniencies and Hardships of his present Exile. Besides, from the Menaces thrown out against him by the Emperor’s Officers, he apprehended his Life to be in Danger[762]. 'Tis true, he had wished for an Opportunity of shedding his Blood in so good a Cause, as I have related above. But who is not brave at a Distance from Danger? The Jealousy he had of _Felix_, who, sitting in his Chair, acted the High Pontiff at _Rome_, was the _Dalila_, says _Baronius_[763], speaking of his signing the Condemnation of _Athanasius_, who bereft this _Samson_ of all his Strength and Courage. [Sidenote: Liberius _signs the Condemnation of_ Athanasius, _and embraces the Doctrine of_ Sirmium.] However that be, it is certain, that the Strength and Courage, which he had with great Glory exerted on other Occasions, vanished at once. For he not only signed the Condemnation of _Athanasius_, but moreover approved and received as Catholic, the Confession or Symbol of _Sirmium_[764]. Thus, to ingratiate himself with the Emperor, and return to _Rome_, did _Liberius_ abandon, at last, his persecuted Friend, renounce the Catholic Faith, and solemnly promise to maintain inviolable the Doctrine of _Sirmium_[765]. As he was impatient to be reinstated in his See, he took care immediately to acquaint the Emperor with the Steps he had taken. With this Letter he dispatched _Fortunatianus_ Bishop of _Aquileia_, charging him to solicit _Constantius_ for his Return, since he had done all he had required of him[766]. _Constantius_ took no Notice of, nor returned any Answer to, this Letter. On the other hand, _Liberius_ was heartily sick of his Exile, heartily sick of suffering for the sake of Justice. [Sidenote: _His Letter to the Eastern Bishops._] In Hopes therefore of putting a speedy End to his Exile, and the Hardships attending it, he writ in a most submissive and cringing Style to the Eastern Bishops, assuring them, that it was merely out of Respect to his Predecessor _Julius_, and to maintain his Judgment, that he had undertaken the Defence of _Athanasius_; that as soon as it had pleased God to open his Eyes, and discover to him how justly he had been condemned, he had separated himself from his Communion, and joined them; that all their Decrees concerning him should be inviolably observed by the Apostolic See, as indeed they ought to be; that he sincerely and willingly received the true Catholic and Orthodox Faith, as it had been expounded and defined by several of his Brethren and Collegues at _Sirmium_, and had been proposed to him by his Collegue _Demophilus_; that he received every Article of that Symbol, and had nothing to object against any.