Meanwhile, when Auxentius, the bishop of the heretics, had died at Milan, the peoples of both parties were carried along by their differing zeals. A grave dissension and a dangerous sedition were preparing a swift ruin for that city, if neither party, when each wanted something different, should in any way obtain what it had proposed. Ambrose at that time bore the fasces as Consular governor of that province. When he saw destruction hanging over the city, in keeping with his place and office, he at once entered the Church to calm the sedition of the people.
And when he had there spoken at length, according to the laws and public discipline, for the sake of quiet and tranquility, suddenly a shout and one single voice arose from the people who had been fighting and dissenting among themselves, demanding Ambrose as bishop; they cried out that he be baptized at once (for he was a catechumen) and that he be given to them as bishop, and that the people would not be one nor the faith one unless Ambrose were given to them as priest. Though he struggled against it and resisted greatly, the people's desire was reported to the Emperor, and it was ordered to be fulfilled with all dispatch. For he said it was of God that a sudden conversion should recall the discordant faith of the people and their dissenting minds into one consent and one judgment.