The Conference of Jerusalem.
PELAGIUS, Coelestius's Tutor, being retired into Palaestine, was well received by John * 1.1 of Jerusalem, who had protected Rufinus, whose Disciple Pelagius was: But Paulus Oro∣sius being then in that Country, and being well acquainted with Pelagius, and Coelestius's Er∣rors, with the judgments given against the latter, and with the Writings both of St. Jerom, and of St. Augustin against them, accused Pelagius in a Synod, or rather in a Conference held at Je∣rusalem the 30th. of July, in the Year 415. in the presence of John, Bishop of that City, who caused Pelagius though a Lay-Man, to come in, and shewed him much Respect. Orosius having opposed to him both St. Jerom, and St. Augustin's Authority, it was little regarded. He then accused him of believing, That Man may be without Sin. John of Jerusalem affirmed, That if he maintained that Man could be free from Sin, without God's Help, that was indeed impious, but since he acknowledged that Man needeth divine Succour, he could not be accused: And he asked Orosius, whether he would deny the Assistance of God. Orosius professed, that he did not, and anathematized all those that said it; but he saw, that they understood not one another, and that the Interpreter was not Faithful; so that he was obliged to say, That Pela∣gius was an Heretick; and that they ought to send him to those Judges that understood Latin; and that John having declared himself, his Protector could not be his Judge. After several Al∣tercations it was agreed, that they should write to Pope Innocent about it. In the mean time, Orosius coming to John, Bishop of Jerusalem, Seven and forty Days after, was called by him Heretick, and Blasphemer; having affirmed, That Man could not be without Sin, no not with God's Grace. Orosius gives an Account of this whole Matter, in his Apology; which certainly, is an Ancient Monument.