The pride, or the humility, of Gregory prompted him to decline a contest which might have been imputed to ambition and avarice; and he publicly offered, not without some mixture of indignation, to renounce the government of a church which had been restored, and almost created, by his labors.

His resignation was accepted by the synod, and by the emperor, with more readiness than he seems to have expected.

At the time when he might have hoped to enjoy the fruits of his victory, his episcopal throne was filled by the senator Nectarius; and the new archbishop, accidentally recommended by his easy temper and venerable aspect, was obliged to delay the ceremony of his consecration, till he had previously despatched the rites of his baptism.

[46] After this remarkable experience of the ingratitude of princes and prelates, Gregory retired once more to his obscure solitude of Cappadocia; where he employed the remainder of his life, about eight years, in the exercises of poetry and devotion.

The title of Saint has been added to his name: but the tenderness of his heart, [47] and the elegance of his genius, reflect a more pleasing lustre on the memory of Gregory Nazianzen.
[Footnote 45: See Gregory, tom.ii.de Vita sua, p.