Of the COUNCIL of Rome.
COnstantine becoming Master of Africk, after he had conquered the Tyrant Maxentius, wrote * 1.1 to Anulinus Proconsul of Africk, to maintain the Party of Caecilian, and to endeavour to re-establish Peace in the Church of Africk. This Wise Magistrate sent for Caecilian and his Adver∣saries, read to them the Emperour's Letter, and exhorted them to be reconcil'd to one another: But some Days after, those of Majorinus's Party presented to him two Memorials; one was entitled, A Manifesto of Caecilian's Crimes, presented by Majorinus's Party: And the other was a Petition, wherein they prayed that some Bishops of Gaul might be given them for Judges. Those who pre∣sented these two Papers to Anulinus, earnestly prayed him to send them to the Emperour. He did so, and the Emperour having regard to their Petition, gave them for Judges, Miltiades Bishop of Rome, together with Rheticius Bishop of Autun, Marinus Bishop of Arles, and Maternus Bishop of Cologne. Miltiades joyn'd to these Four, Fifteen Bishops of Italy, and these Nineteen Bishops assembled in the City of Rome in the Year 313, and undertook to judge the Cause of Caecilian. The first Day that they assembled, Majorinus's Party presented to the Council a Memorial of the Crimes, whereof they accus'd Caecilian: But the Judges having desir'd them to produce their Accusers and Witnesses, they introduc'd some who were oblig'd to withdraw immediately, because they de∣clar'd, that they had nothing to say against Caecilian. He for his part accus'd Donatus of having made a Schism at Carthage, and urged him to present before the Council, the Witnesses and Accusers which he had brought. Donatus promised that he would present them, and in the mean time was con∣victed of having re-baptiz'd, and re-ordain'd. The Second Day a New Memorial was given in against Cae∣cilian, but sufficient Evidence could not be produc'd. The Judgment of the Seventy Bishops of Nu∣midia was alledg'd, for which the Judges had no great respect. The Third Day, the whole Cause was determined, Donatus was condemn'd as being convicted of having re-baptiz'd, and laid his Hands upon Bishops who were already Ordain'd: And Caecilian was absolv'd by the Sentence of all the Bishops, and even by the suffrage of Miltiades who concluded the Decision. The Council having thus judg'd the Cause of Caecilian and Donatus, endeavour'd to restore Peace among the other Bishops, by ordering that in those places where there had been a Bishop of each Party, he who had been Ordain'd first should continue Bishop, and Care should be taken to give another Bishoprick to the other. Letters of Communion were also offer'd to be sent to the Bishops of Majorinus's Party, provided they would be reconcil'd. At last, the Bishops wrote to Constantine, inform'd him of their Decision, and assur'd him, that they had given their Judgment according to Justice and Equity. The Acts of this Council were extant in St. Austin's time, and they were also produced in the Confe∣rence