“I have written this, not in order to confound you, but that the examples of these kings…”

I have written this, not in order to confound you, but that the examples of these kings may stir you up to put away this sin from your kingdom

Ambrose · Letters, and the funeral orations · NPNF2 X, Letter LI

To Theodosius after the massacre at Thessalonica in 390, where imperial troops killed thousands in the hippodrome. Ambrose tells the most powerful man alive that he will not offer the eucharist in his presence, and frames it as David being rebuked by Nathan. The emperor did public penance.