enter into the Church where Caecilian was, but being receiv'd by those who call'd them, they cited him to come before them and defend himself. This Bishop without being daunted answer'd them boldly. If there be any Proofs against me, let my Accuser appear and produce them. But his Enemies having nothing Personal to object against him, accus'd Felix of Aptungis who had Ordain'd him, and said that this Bishop having been a Traditor could not give a valid Ordination, and consequently Caecilian was not then a Bishop. Caecilian either because he mistrusted the innocence of Felix, or because he would not enter upon this Controversy, made answer to his Enemies. That if Felix had not conferr'd upon him Episcopal Orders, they might Ordain him a-new as if he had been still a Deacon. Purpurius Bishop of Limata, a cunning and dextrous Man, advis'd those of his Party, to make a show of accepting this Proposition, and when Caecilian should come to receive Ordination, then to put him under Penance instead of laying hands on him to Ordain him Bishop. This Advice had been put in execution, if Caecilian had not been detain'd by his Friends, who would not suffer him to trust himself to the fury of his Enemies. Then the Bishops of Numidia condemn'd him, tho' absent, and Ordain'd Majorinus in his room. They alledg'd Three Reasons for the Deposition of Caecilian. The First was, because he would not appear before the Council. The Second, because he had been Ordain'd by Traditors. The Third, because being Archdeacon he had hindred, say they, the carrying of Victuals to the Con∣fessors of Jesus Christ who were in prison. We have only one Article pronounc'd by the 70 Bishops produc'd by St. Austin in his Book against Fulgentius the Donatist. It is express'd in these Words, by the Bishop who pronounc'd it call'd Marcianus: Our Lord has said in the Gospel, I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Husbandman; he will cut off and cast forth every Branch that is in me, and beareth not fruit. And therefore since it is said, That the Branch which beareth not Fruit should be cast forth, we may truly say, That neither Traditors nor Idolaters, nor those who are Schismatically Ordain'd by Tra∣ditors can continue in the Church of God, unless they be reconciled by Penance, after they have acknow∣ledged and bewailed their Sin. Wherefore Caecilian being Schismatically Ordain'd by Traditors ought to be Excommunicated. After the Bishops had thus pronounc'd severally their Sentences against Caeci∣lian, and Ordain'd Majorinus, they sent a Circular Letter to all the Bishops of Africa, exhorting them to separate themselves from the Communion of Caecilian: But notwithstanding this Letter, Caecilian continued in Communion with a great part of the Bishops of Africa, and with all the other Bishops of the World, who declar'd themselves in his favour, against the Numidians who made the Schism, and were call'd Donatists. Thus Caecilian continued in his See, notwithstanding the Judg∣ment of this Synod, and did not so much as assemble a Council to absolve himself from this Sentence, believing himself sufficiently secur'd against the Conspiracy of his Enemies, says St. Austin, by the Communion of the Roman Church, and of all the other Churches beyond the Sea, from whom ••e received, and to whom he wrote Letters of Communion. What we have said of this Council is taken out of Optatus and St. Austin.