Cyril expels the Jews out of Alexandria; Orestes complains to the Emperor; Cyril and Orestes become irreconcileable Enemies.

One main Reason why Cyril could not bear the Governor, as we are told by Socrates, was, that Orestes hated the Principality of the Bishops; as well because they transferred to themselves much of the Power belonging to those appointed Governors, by the Emperor; as, in particular, because Cyril would needs be prying into his Actions. Their Enmity became sufficiently known to the Publick, by a Sedition raised against Orestes, occasioned by one Hierax a pitiful School-Master, but a profest Admirer of the Bishop, and a most diligent Attendant at his Sermons, where he was sure to clap and reclap, according to the rare Custom of those Times. The Jews spying him in the Theatre, while the Governor was there on some publick Business, cryed out, that he came purposely thither to cause Mischief; and the Uproar, whereof the Particulars may be read in the just quoted Socrates, terminated in this, that Cyril expelled all the Jews out of the City, where they had liv’d in great Opulence from the Time of Alexander the Great, to the no small Benefit of the Place. Were I not accustomed to read monstrous Lies of this unfortunate Nation, especially that thread-bare Fiction of crucifying a Child (objected to them here as a thousand Times afterwards) I should think them very rightly served. But even in that Case, who can justify Cyril’s licensing the Multitude to seize on their Goods? And yet why do I ask such a Question; when this has ever been the true Motive of the Barbarities to which they have been exposed, tho’ Zeal for Religion has been as shamelessly as wickedly pretended. Orestes, as became a good Governor, being grievously concerned at what had happened (to speak in the Words of the Historian) and sadly afflicted, that so great a City should be so suddenly emptied of such a Multitude of Inhabitants, gave the Emperor an Account of the whole Matter. We might be certain, were we not expressly told it, that Cyril was not behind Hand on his Part. Yet conscious of his Guilt, as every Reader may collect, he would fain make up with Orestes, and conjured him by the holy Gospels to be Friends; being constrained to this, as Nicephorus observes, by the People of Alexandria, who loved their Governor. But this last knew him too well to trust him, upon which their Difference became irreconcileable. You may therefore expect to hear of Vengeance from the Priest, whom the same Nicephorus represents proud, seditious, a Boutefeu, a Persecutor: while the Emperor might thank himself for the Disorders that desolated one of his principal Cities; for where was it ever otherwise, when the Clergy were permitted to share in the Government of civil Affairs.