19. At length came the command, ‘Deliver up the Basilica;’ I reply, ‘It is not lawful for us to deliver it up, nor for your Majesty to receive it. By no law can you violate the house of a private man, and do you think that the house of God may be taken away? It is asserted that all things are lawful to the Emperor, that all things are his. But do not burden your conscience with the thought that you have any right as Emperor over sacred things. Exalt not yourself, but if you would reign the longer, be subject to God. It is written, _God’s to God and Cæsar’s to Cæsar_. The palace is the Emperor’s, the Churches are the Bishop’s. To you is committed jurisdiction over public not over sacred buildings.’ Again the Emperor is said to have issued his command, ‘I also ought to have one Basilica;’ I answered ‘_It is not lawful for thee to have her_. What hast thou to do with an adultress who is not bound with Christ in lawful wedlock?’ Sidenote: Ps. lxxix. 1. 20. While I was engaged with this subject, it was reported to me that the Imperial hangings were taken down, the Church filled with people, and that my presence was required; straightway I turned my discourse to this, saying, How deep and profound are the oracles of the Holy Spirit! Remember, brethren, what was read at matins and how we responded with deep grief of mind, _O God the heathen are come into Thine inheritance_. And truly the heathen came, nay, even more than the heathen, for the Goths came and men of divers nations, they came armed with weapons, and surrounded and seized the Basilica. Ignorant of Thy Greatness we grieved for this, but our ignorance was mistaken. Sidenote: Ps. lxxvi. 2, 3. Sidenote: Ps. xxx. 9. Sidenote: Ps. xxx. 11, 12. 21. The heathen came, but truly _into Thine inheritance_ they came, for they who came as heathen were made Christians. They who came to invade Thine inheritance, were made coheirs of God; those whom I accounted enemies are become my defenders; I have as comrades those whom I esteemed adversaries. Thus has that been fulfilled which the prophet David spake of the Lord Jesus, that _His Dwelling is in peace[106], there brake He the horns of the bow, the shield, the sword, and the battle_. For whose office, whose work is this but Thine, Lord Jesus? Thou sawest armed men coming to Thy temple, on the one hand the people groaning and collecting in a crowd that they might not seem to give up the Basilica, on the other hand the soldiers commanded to use force. Death was before my eyes, lest in the midst of all this madness should break out into licence. But Thou, O Lord plantedst Thyself in the midst, and madest the twain one. Thou restrainedst the soldiers, saying, If ye run to arms, if they who are within My temple are disturbed, _What profit is there in My blood?_ All thanks therefore be to Thee, O Christ. It was not an enemy, not a messenger but _Thou O Lord hast delivered Thy people, Thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness_.