Against the Donatists 2

I. The Proceedings before Zenophilus. II. The Acts of the Acquittal of Felix, bishop of Aptungi. III. The Letter of Constantine to Aelafius. IIII. The Council of Bishops at Arles to Pope Silvester. V. The Letter of Constantine to the catholic bishops. VI. The Letter of Constantine to the bishops of Donatus's party. VII. The Letter of Constantine to Celsus, vicar of Africa. VIII. The Letter of the praetorian prefect Petronius to Celsus. VIIII. The Letter of Constantine to the catholic Church. X. The Letter of Constantine concerning the basilica wrested from the catholics. C = the Paris codex of the eleventh century, no. 1711, formerly Colbertinus no. 1951. I. The Proceedings before Zenophilus. Here begin the proceedings in which it is established that the traditor was Silvanus, who, together with the others, ordained Maiorinus, whom Donatus succeeded.

In the consulship of Constantine Maximus Augustus and of Constantine the younger, most noble Caesar, on the Ides of December. At Thamugadi, for the sixth time, Victor the grammarian having been brought in and presented, with the deacon Nundinarius also being present, Zenophilus, a most distinguished man of consular rank, said: What are you called? He answered: Victor. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Of what condition are you? Victor said: I am a professor of Roman letters, a Latin grammarian. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Of what rank are you? Victor said: My father was a decurion of the people of Constantina, my grandfather a soldier; he had served in the imperial retinue; for our descent comes from Moorish blood. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said:

Mindful of your faith and your honesty, declare plainly what was the cause of the dissension among the Christians. Victor said: I do not know the origin of the dissension; I am one of the common people of the Christians. For when I was at Carthage, Secundus the bishop, when he had at last at some time come to Carthage, they are said to have found Caecilianus appointed bishop — I know not by whom — not rightly, and they against him appointed another. From there, there at Carthage, the dissension began, and from there I cannot fully know the origin of the dissension, since our city always has one church and, if it had a dissension, we do not know of it at all. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Do you communicate with Silvanus? Victor answered: With him. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular,

the consular, said: Why then, passing over the one whose innocence has been cleared? And he added: It is moreover asserted that you most certainly know something else, that Silvanus is a traditor; confess concerning that. Victor answered: This I do not know. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius the deacon: Victor denies that he knows that Silvanus is a traditor. Nundinarius the deacon said: He himself knows it, for he handed over the codices. Victor answered: I had fled. May I perish if I lie about that storm. When we were suffering the onset of a sudden persecution, we fled to the mountain of Bellona. I was sitting with Mars the deacon and Victor the presbyter. When all the codices were sought from this same Mars, he denied that he had any. Then Victor gave the names of all the readers.

They came to my house while I was absent. The magistrates went up, and my codices were carried off. When I came, I found the codices carried off. Nundinarius the deacon said: You then answered in the official record that you handed over the codices. Why are these things denied, which can be brought to light? Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Victor: Confess plainly, lest you be questioned more rigorously. Nundinarius the deacon said: Let the records be read. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Let them be read; and Nundinarius produced them, and the clerk recited: «In the consulship of Diocletian, for the eighth time, and of Maximian, for the seventh, on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of June, from the acts of Munatius Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the colony of the people of Cirta.

When they had come to the house in which the Christians used to assemble, Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator, said to Paulus the bishop: Bring out the writings of the law and whatever else you have here, as has been commanded, that you may be able to obey the order. Paulus the bishop said: The readers have the Scriptures, but what we have here, we give. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator, said to Paulus the bishop: Point out the readers, or send to them. Paulus the bishop said: You all know them. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said: We do not know them. Paulus the bishop said: The public office knows them, that is, Edusius and Iunius, the clerks. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said: The question of the readers, whom the office will point out, remaining open;

you, give what you have. While Paulus the bishop was sitting, with Montanus and Victor Deusatelius and Memorius the presbyters, with Mars present together with Helius the deacons, with Marcuclius, Catullinus, Silvanus and Carosus the subdeacons, with Ianuarius, Meraclus, Fructuosus, Miggin, Saturninus, Victor and the other gravediggers, while Victor son of Aufidius wrote it down, in a brief inventory thus: two golden chalices, likewise six silver chalices, six silver pitchers, a silver cooking-pot, seven silver lamps, two candlesticks, short bronze candlesticks with their seven lamps, likewise eleven bronze lamps with their chains, eighty-two women's tunics, thirty-eight veils, sixteen men's tunics, thirteen pairs of men's boots, forty-seven pairs of women's boots, nineteen rustic clasps.

Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Marcuclius, Silvanus and Carosus the gravediggers: Bring out this that you have. Silvanus and Carosus said: What was here, we have thrown it all out. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Marcuclius, Silvanus and Carosus: Your answer is recorded in the acts. Afterwards, when in the libraries [there] were found empty cupboards, Silvanus brought forth a silver headpiece and a silver lamp, which he said he had found behind a jar. Victor son of Aufidius said to Silvanus: You would have been a dead man, if you had not found them. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Silvanus: Search more carefully, lest anything has remained here. Silvanus said: Nothing has remained; we have thrown it all out.

And when the dining-room was opened, there were found four large jars and six vats. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said: Bring out the writings that you have, that we may be able to obey the emperors' commands and the order. Catullinus brought forth one exceedingly large codex. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Marcuclius and Silvanus: Why have you given only one codex? Bring out the writings that you have. Catullinus and Marcuclius said: We have no more, because we are subdeacons; but the readers have the codices. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Marcuclius and Catullinus: Point out the readers! Marcuclius and Catullinus said: We do not know where they live.

Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Catullinus and Marcuclius: If you do not know where they live, tell their names. Catullinus and Marcuclius said: We are not betrayers. Here we are, order us to be killed. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said: Let them be taken into custody. And when they had come to the house of Eugenius, Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Eugenius: Bring out the writings that you have, that you may be able to obey the command. And he brought forth four codices. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Silvanus and Carosus: Point out the other readers. Silvanus and Carosus said: The bishop has already said that Edusius and Iunius, the clerks, know them all; let them point them out to you at their houses.

Edusius and Iunius the clerks said: We will point them out, lord. And when they had come to the house of Felix the tailor, he brought forth five codices; and when they had come to the house of Victorinus, he brought forth eight codices; and when they had come to the house of Proiectus, he brought forth five larger and two smaller codices; and when they had come to the grammarian's house, Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator, said to Victor the grammarian: Bring out the writings that you have, that you may be able to obey the command. Victor the grammarian offered two codices and four quaternions. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Victor: Bring out the writings; you have more. Victor the grammarian said: If I had had more, I would have given them.

And when they had come to the house of Euticius of Caesarea, Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Euticius: Bring out the writings that you have, that you may be able to obey the command. Euticius said: I have none. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Euticius: Your declaration is recorded in the acts. And when they had come to the house of Coddeon, his wife brought forth six codices. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said: Search, lest you have more; bring them out. The woman answered: I have none. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Bovis, a public slave: Go in and search, lest she has more. The public slave said: I have searched and found nothing. Felix, the perpetual flamen and curator of the commonwealth, said to Victorinus, Silvanus and Carosus:

If anything has been done short of the requirement, the danger falls upon you.» When these things had been read, Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Victor: Confess plainly! Victor answered: I was not present. Nundinarius the deacon said: We have read the letters of the bishops written by Fortis. And there is read by Nundinarius the deacon: «Christ and His angels are witness that those whom you communicated with handed over, that is, Silvanus of Cirta is a traditor and a thief of the goods of the poor; which all you bishops, presbyters, deacons, and elders know concerning the four hundred folles of Lucilla, a most distinguished woman, for whose sake you conspired together that Maiorinus might be made bishop, and from there the schism came to be;

for Victor too — I appeal to the presence of you and of the people — gave twenty folles to be made a presbyter, which Christ and His angels know.» And a copy of a letter was recited: «Purpurius the bishop to Silvanus his fellow bishop, greeting in the Lord. Nundinarius the deacon, our son, came to me and asked that I should send these intercessory letters from me to you, most holy one, so that, if it could be done, there might be peace between you and him. For I wish this to be done so that no one may know what is transacted between us, if you would by your writing agree, that I alone may come there to the matter at hand and cut off the very dissension that is between you. For with his own hand he handed over to me a written account of the affair, on account of which case he was stoned by your order.

It is not right that a father should chastise a son contrary to the truth, and I know that the things written in the account handed to me are true. Seek a remedy whereby this malice may be extinguished there, before the flame rises up which afterward cannot be extinguished without spiritual bloodshed. Bring in fellow clergy and elders, ecclesiastical men of the people, and let them diligently inquire what these dissensions are, so that the things which are done may be done according to the precepts of the faith. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left, and be unwilling to lend your ear willingly to evil counsellors who do not want peace. You are all killing us... and in another hand: Farewell.» Likewise a copy of a letter:

«Purpurius the bishop to the clergy and elders of the people of Cirta, eternal salvation in the Lord! Moses cries out to all the senate of the children of Israel, and told them what the Lord commanded to be done. Without the counsel of the elders nothing was done. So you also, dearest ones, who I know possess all heavenly and spiritual wisdom, with all your strength learn what this dissension is, and bring it to peace. For Nundinarius the deacon says that nothing is hidden from us as to whence this dissension is between our dearest Silvanus and himself. For he handed me an account in which all things are written down. And he said that it is not hidden from you either. I know that there is no ear.

Seek a good remedy in due manner, how this matter may be extinguished without peril to your soul, lest suddenly, when you show partiality of persons, you come into judgment. Render a just judgment between the parties according to your gravity and your justice. Take heed for us, that you turn not aside to the right or to the left: it is God's affair that is being transacted, who searches the thoughts of each one. Labor that no one may know what this conspiracy is. The things contained in the account are yours. It is not good; for the Lord says: «By your own mouth you shall be condemned, and by your own mouth you shall be justified.» Likewise another was recited: «To Silvanus his dearest brother, Fortis, eternal salvation in the Lord!

Our son Nundinarius the deacon came to me and reported the things which have befallen between you and him through the intervention of a malevolent one, who wishes to turn the souls of the just from the way of truth. When I heard these things, I was struck down in mind, that such a dissension has come between you. For it ought not come to pass that the priest of God should come to this, which is not expedient for us. Now therefore ask him that, as far as may be, the peace of the Lord and Savior Christ may be with him, that we may not come into public court and be condemned by the heathen. For it is written: «See that, while you bite and devour one another, you be not consumed by one another.» Therefore I beseech the Lord that this scandal may be taken from our midst, that the affair of God may be celebrated with thanksgiving, the Lord saying:

«My peace I give to you, my peace I leave to you.» What peace can there be where there is dissension, where there are rivalries? For when I was separated from a soldier and had come into that situation with such injury, I commended my soul to God and forgave you, because God sees the minds of men and of those by whom I was led away from them to those others. But God delivered us, and with you we serve. Therefore, just as it has been forgiven us, do you also be reconciled to peace, that in the name of Christ we may be able to celebrate peace with joy. Let no one know.» «To the brethren and sons, the clergy and elders, Fortis, eternal salvation in the Lord! Your son Nundinarius the deacon came to me and reported concerning the things that have been done against you;

and it surely ought to have been settled by us, that it should not come to the point where, having suffered such madness, you should be stoned by those for the truth — which both you and we know, just as you have reported to us; and it is written: «Is there not a wise man among us who can judge between brethren? But even brother is judged with brother, and that before unbelievers,» just as you, when you do not press your case in court. Has it come to this, that we should give such an example to the heathen, so that those who through us believed in God should themselves curse us, when we come into public court?

Therefore, that it may not come to this, you who are spiritual, see to it that no one may know, so that we may celebrate the Passover in peace; and exhort them to be reconciled to peace, and let there be no dissension, lest, when it has come to public court, you yourselves too begin to be in peril, if this is done, and afterward you charge it to us. You will give your utmost effort, you, Possessor the presbyter of Donatus, the several Valeri and Victor, who know all that was done; take pains that peace may be with you.» Likewise another was recited: «Eternal salvation in the Lord! Nundinarius your son has reached us, bringing a grave complaint not only to me but also to our brother Fortis. I marvel that your gravity has so acted with your son, whom you nourished and ordained.

For if an edifice be built on the ground, is not something heavenly added, which is built up through the hand of the priest? But you need not wonder, since the Scripture says: «I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and reject the prudence of the prudent,» and again it says: «Men loved darkness rather than the light,» just as you also do. Let it suffice us to know all things. Concerning which our brother Fortis too has written to you; now I would ask of your charity, most kindly brother, that you may fulfill the word of the prophet Isaiah: «Cast out malice from your souls, and come, let us reason together, says the Lord,» and again: «Cast out the evil from your midst.» So do you also: subdue and turn away the sedition of those who have been unwilling that there should be peace between you and your son.

But let your son Nundinarius celebrate the Passover with you in peace, lest the affair come to public court — which is moreover now known to us all. I would ask you, most kindly brother, that you fulfill the petition of my littleness; let no one know.» Likewise another was recited: «To brother Fortis, Sabinus, eternal salvation in the Lord! What charity there is, I am especially certain of, beyond all my colleagues; yet according to the will of God, who said: «Some I love above my own soul,» I am certain that you have loved Silvanus. Wherefore I did not hesitate to send these writings to you, because I had your writings made for him delivered to him for the sake of Nundinarius; and whoever acts unwearyingly, the affair of God always proceeds with impetus. Do not put forth an excuse;

for occupation presses upon us in these days and unceasingly stirs us up concerning these things right up to before the most solemn day of the Passover, that through you there may come about a most rich peace, that we may be found worthy fellow heirs of Christ, who said: «My peace I give to you, my peace I leave to you,» and again I ask that you do it — and in another hand: I hope that you fare well in the Lord and are mindful of us. Farewell; but I beg you, let no one know.» When these things had been read, Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: From the acts and the letters that have been recited, it is established that Silvanus is a traditor. And he said to Victor: Confess plainly whether you know that he handed anything over. Victor said: He handed things over, but not in my presence. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: What office did Silvanus then hold among the clergy?

Victor answered: Under Paulus the bishop the persecution arose, and Silvanus was a subdeacon. Nundinarius the deacon answered: When it came to the point there, he says, that he should be made bishop, the people answered: Let another be made; hear, O God! Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Victor: Was it said by the people: Silvanus a traditor? Victor said: I myself struggled against him being bishop. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Victor: Then you knew him to be a traditor? Confess concerning this. Victor answered: He was a traditor. Nundinarius the deacon said: You elders were crying out: Hear, O God! we want our fellow citizen; that man is a traditor. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Victor:

You then cried out with the people that Silvanus was a traditor and ought not to be made bishop? Victor said: I cried out, both I and the people. For we were asking for our fellow citizen, an upright man. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: For what reason did you think him unworthy? Victor said: We were asking for an upright man and our fellow citizen, for I knew that we would come to this matter of the emperors' concern, since such things are entrusted to such men. Likewise, Victor son of Samsuricus and Saturninus the gravediggers having been brought in and presented, Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: What are you called? He answered: Saturninus. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Of what condition are you? Saturninus answered: A gravedigger. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Do you know that Silvanus is a traditor?

Saturninus said: I know that he handed over a silver lamp. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Saturninus: What else? Saturninus answered: I know nothing else, except that he threw it out from behind a jar. And, Saturninus having been removed, Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to the one standing by: What are you called? He answered: Victor son of Samsuricus. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Of what condition are you? Victor said: I am a craftsman. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Who handed over a silver tablet? Victor answered: I did not see it; what I know, this I say. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Victor: Although it has already been established from the answer of those who were questioned above, nevertheless do you confess whether Silvanus is a traditor. Victor said:

At my second request — how did he let it pass that we should be led to Carthage? — from the mouth of the bishop himself I heard: «A silver lamp and a silver headpiece were given to me, and I handed these over.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Victor son of Samsuricus: From whom did you hear it? Victor said: From Silvanus the bishop. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Victor: From him you heard that he had handed it over? Victor said: From him I heard that with his own hands he had handed those things over. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Where did you hear it? Victor said: In the basilica. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: At Constantina? Victor said: There he began to address the people, saying: «Concerning what do they say that I am a traditor — concerning the lamp and the headpiece?» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius:

What else do you think ought to be asked from these matters? Nundinarius said: Concerning the casks of the treasury, who took them away. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius: What casks? Nundinarius said: They were in the temple of Sarapis, and Purpurius the bishop took them away; the vinegar which they contained, Silvanus the bishop, Dontius the presbyter, and Lucianus took it away. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius: Do those who are present know that this was done? Nundinarius answered: They know. Saturninus the deacon said: Our elders used to say that they were taken away. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: By whom are they said to have been taken away? Saturninus said: By Purpurius the bishop, and the vinegar by Silvanus and Dontius and Superius the presbyters and Lucianus the deacon. Nundinarius said:

Did Victor give twenty folles and was made a presbyter? Saturninus said it. And as he was speaking, Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Saturninus: To whom did he give it? Saturninus said: To Silvanus the bishop. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Saturninus: So in order to be made a presbyter, he gave twenty folles as a reward to Silvanus the bishop? Saturninus said: He gave them. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Saturninus: Was it placed before Silvanus? Saturninus said: Before the chair of the bishops. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius: By whom was the money taken away? Nundinarius said: The bishops themselves divided it among themselves. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius: Do you desire that Donatus be produced? Nundinarius said:

By all means let him come, concerning whom the people cried out two days after the peace: «Hear, O God! we want our fellow citizen.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius: Did the people certainly cry this out? He answered: They cried it out. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Saturninus: Did they cry out that Silvanus was a traditor? Saturninus said: By all means. Nundinarius said: When he was made bishop, we did not communicate with him, because he was said to be a traditor. Saturninus said: What he says is true. Nundinarius said: I saw that Mutus the sand-arena man carried him on his neck. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Saturninus: Was it so done? Saturninus said: So. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said:

Are all the things that Nundinarius says true — that Silvanus was made bishop by arena-men? Saturninus said: True. Nundinarius said: There were prostitutes there. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Saturninus: Did the arena-men carry him? Saturninus said: They themselves and the people carried him; for the citizens were shut up in the area of the martyrs. Nundinarius the deacon said: Was the people of God present there? Saturninus said: It was shut up in the larger house. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: Are all the things certainly that Nundinarius says true? Saturninus said: True. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: What do you say? Victor said: All things are true, lord. Nundinarius said: Purpurius the bishop took a hundred folles.

Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius: «Concerning the four hundred purses, whom do you think ought to be questioned?» Nundinarius said: «Let the deacon Lucianus be brought forward, for he knows the whole matter.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius: «Do these men here know of it?» Nundinarius said: «They do not know.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «Let Lucianus be brought forward.» Nundinarius said: «These men know that the four hundred purses were received, but because the bishops divided them among themselves, they do not know what became of them.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius and Victor: «Do you know that the purses were received from Lucilla?» Saturninus and Victor said: «We know it.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «Did the poor not receive any of it?» They said: «No one received anything.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular...

...the consular said to Saturninus and Victor: «Was nothing taken from the shrine of Sarapis?» Saturninus and Victor said: «Purpurius carried off the casks, and bishop Silvanus and the presbyters Donatius and Superius and the deacon Lucianus carried off the vinegar.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «By the testimony of Victor the grammarian, and of Victor of Samsuricus, and of Saturninus, it has become clear that everything which Nundinarius has laid before us is true. Let them be dismissed and go out.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «Whom else do you think ought to be questioned?» Nundinarius said: «The deacon Castus, that he may say whether Silvanus is not a traditor; for Silvanus himself ordained him.» And when the deacon Castus had been brought in and set before him, Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «What is your name?» He answered: «Castus.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular...

...the consular said to Castus: «Of what condition are you?» Castus said: «I hold no rank of dignity.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Castus: «Although now, through Victor the grammarian and likewise through Victor of Samsuricus and through Saturninus, the charges which Nundinarius brings have come to confession, nevertheless do you also confess whether Silvanus is a traditor.» Castus answered: «He used to say that he found a lamp behind a wine-jar.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Castus: «Confess also concerning the casks taken from the shrine of Sarapis and concerning the vinegar.» Castus answered: «Bishop Purpurius carried off the casks.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «Who took the vinegar?» Castus answered that bishop Silvanus, and the presbyters Donatius and Superius, carried the vinegar off from there. Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular...

...the consular said to Castus: «Confess how many purses Victor gave that he might be made presbyter.» Castus said: «He offered a money-bag, my lord, but what was in it I do not know.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Castus: «To whom was the money-bag given?» Castus said: «He carried it there into the larger house.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Castus: «Was the money not divided among the people?» Castus answered: «It was not given, nor did I see it.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Castus: «Of the purses which Lucilla gave, did the common people receive nothing?» Castus said: «I saw no one receive anything.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Castus: «Where then did it go?» Castus said: «I do not know.» Nundinarius said: «Surely you either heard or saw, if it was said to the poor:»

«Lucilla gives to us also from her own property»? Castus said: «I did not see anyone receive anything.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «Castus' confession is plain: that he did not know that the purses which Lucilla gave were divided among the people; and therefore let him be removed.» Likewise, when the subdeacon Crescentianus had been brought in and set before him, Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «What is your name?» He answered: «Crescentianus.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus: «Confess plainly, as the others have done, whether you know Silvanus to be a traditor.» Crescentianus said: «The former clergy, those who came before, themselves reported the particulars.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus: «What did they report?» Crescentianus said: «They reported that he was a traditor.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular...

...the consular said to Crescentianus: «Did they call him a traditor?» And he added: «Who were they that said so?» Crescentianus said: «Those who lived with him among the people said that he had at some time handed over the Scriptures.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus: «Were they speaking of Silvanus?» Crescentianus said: «Yes, indeed.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus: «When he was made bishop, were you present?» Crescentianus said: «I was present with the people, shut up in the larger house.» The deacon Nundinarius said: «Country-folk and sand-diggers made him bishop.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus: «Surely Mutus the sand-digger raised him up?» He said: «Plainly so.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus:

«Do you know that casks were carried off from the shrine of Sarapis?» Crescentianus said: «Many said that bishop Purpurius himself carried off the casks, and the vinegar, which came to our old man Silvanus; and the sons of Aelio said so too.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus: «What did you hear?» Crescentianus said: «That the vinegar was taken by the old man Silvanus and by the presbyters Donatius and Superius and by the deacon Lucianus.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus: «Of the four hundred purses which Lucilla gave, did the people receive anything?» Crescentianus said: «No one received anything of it; I do not know who distributed them.» Nundinarius said: «Did the old women never receive anything of it?» Crescentianus said: «Nothing.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular...

...the consular said: «Surely, whenever any such gift is made, all the people receive of it publicly?» Crescentianus said: «I neither heard nor saw that he gave any to anyone.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus: «Nothing then was given to the people out of the four hundred purses?» Crescentianus said: «Nothing; surely some little portion would have reached us.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «Where then were they taken?» Crescentianus said: «I do not know; no one received anything.» Nundinarius said: «How many purses did Victor give, that he might be made presbyter?» Crescentianus said: «I saw baskets brought in with money.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Crescentianus: «To whom were the baskets given?» Crescentianus said: «To bishop Silvanus.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said:

«Were they given to Silvanus?» Crescentianus said: «To Silvanus.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «Was nothing given to the people?» He answered: «Nothing; for it would have been necessary that we too receive something, if it were distributed, as is customary.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said to Nundinarius: «What else do you think ought to be inquired of Crescentianus?» Nundinarius said: «That is all.» Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «Since the subdeacon Crescentianus has confessed plainly concerning all matters, let him be removed.» Likewise, when the subdeacon Ianuarius had been brought in and set before him, Zenophilus, the most distinguished consular, said: «What is your name?» He answered ... ... II. The Acts of the Vindication of Felix, bishop of Abthugni. In the municipality of the Abthugnenses, Gallienus the duumvir said:

«Since you are present, Caecilianus, hear the letter of my lord Aelius Paulinus, a man of distinction discharging the vicarial prefecture, what he has deigned to command according to the letter sent to us — which letter compels both you to make a declaration, and the clerk whom you then had at the time of your administration, and the registrar. But since the registrar of that time has departed this life, you must produce together with yourself all the acts of your administration, in accordance with the tenor of the letter of this same my lord, and it is necessary that you proceed to the colony of Carthage with your clerk. The curator is present, into whose presence we compel you. What do you answer to this?» Caecilianus said:

«As soon as you delivered to me the letter of Aelius Paulinus, a man of distinction discharging the vicarial prefecture, I at once sent to my clerk Miccius, that he should come and produce for me the acts drawn up at that time; and he is still searching for them. And since it is no small time since I administered the duumvirate — it is eleven years — therefore, when he has found them, I will obey so great a command.» Gallienus the duumvir said: «It is in your interest to obey the order; for you see that it is a sacred order.» Caecilianus said: «I am devoted to so great a command.» Likewise, when shortly afterward the clerk Miccius arrived, Fuscius the duumvir said:

«You too have heard, Miccius, that you also, together with Caecilianus, are required to go to the office of the most distinguished vicarius, so that you may bring with you the records of that time. What do you say to this?» Miccius answered: «When the magistrate's year was completed, he carried all his acts to his own house. *** If a wax-tablet can be found among them, I will search for it.» And when he was making inquiry, Quintus Sisenna the duumvir said: «What the office has learned, he has answered.» Apronianus said: «If the magistrate carried off all his own acts, whence come the acts which were then issued or drawn up so long ago?» And when he was speaking, Aelianus the proconsul said: «Both my interrogation and the answer of each individual person is contained in the acts.» Agesilaus said: «There are besides other letters necessary to this matter;»

«it is to the point that they be read.» Aelianus the proconsul said: «Read them in the hearing of Caecilianus, that he may recognize whether he himself dictated them.» Agesilaus read aloud: «In the consulship of Volusianus and Annianus, on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of September, in court before Aurelius Didymus Speretius, priest of Jupiter Best and Greatest, duumvir of the splendid colony of the Carthaginians, Maximus said: I speak in the name of the elders of the Christian people of the catholic law. Before the most mighty emperors a case must be argued against Caecilianus and Felix, who strive with all their force to seize the headship of that same law. Against these men documents of their crimes are being gathered together;»

«for when persecution had been decreed against the Christians — namely, that they should sacrifice, or hand over to the flames whatever Scriptures they possessed — Felix, who was then bishop of Abthugni, had given his consent that the Scriptures should be handed over from the hand of Galatius, so that they might be burned in the fire. And the magistrate at that time was Alfius Caecilianus, whom you deign to see here present.»

«And since the office of that time made it incumbent that, by proconsular order, all should sacrifice and, if they had any Scriptures, should offer them up according to the sacred law, I ask that — since he is present and you see him to be an old man and unable to go to the sacred court — he may, according to what is just, lodge a deposition among the acts: namely, whether he has already given a letter concerning the agreement made by the same man according to the acts, and whether the things he set down in his letter are true, so that the record of these matters and their reliability may be brought to light in the sacred judgment.» To Caecilianus standing by, Speretius the duumvir said: «Do you hear what has been deposited among the acts?» Alfius Caecilianus said: «I had gone to Zama to procure linen with Saturninus, and when we came there, the Christians themselves sent to me in the praetorium, to say:»

«'Has the sacred command reached you?' I said: 'No, but I have already seen examples of it — both at Zama and at Furni I saw basilicas being demolished and Scriptures being burned. So bring out whatever Scriptures you have, that the sacred order may be obeyed.' Then they sent into the house of bishop Felix, to remove the Scriptures from there, so that they might be burned according to the sacred command. So Galatius went with us to the place where they had been accustomed to hold their prayers. From there we carried off the bishop's chair and the letters of greeting, and all the doors were burned according to the sacred command. And when we sent to the house of the same bishop Felix, the public officials reported that he was absent.»

«Now afterward, when the clerk Ingentius of Augentius arrived — with whom I had administered the aedileship — I dictated a letter to that same colleague, which I made to that same bishop Felix.» Maximus said: «He is present; let the same letter be offered to him, that he may recognize it.» He answered: «It is the very one.» Maximus said: «Since he has recognized his own letter, I read it, and I pray that, in full, it be entered into the acts.» And he recited: «'Caecilianus to his kinsman Felix, greeting! When Ingentius met my colleague Augentius, his friend, and inquired whether, in the year of my duumvirate, any Scriptures of your law had been burned according to the sacred law *** which my Galatius brought forth publicly, the letters of greeting from your law, out of the basilica.'»

«'I wish you good health.' This was the token: that the Christians had sent me a petition, and the very man whose praetorium it was, and you said: 'Take the key, and whatever you find — the books in the bishop's chair and the codices upon the stone — those you shall take. But take care that the officials do not carry off the oil and the wheat.' And I said to you: 'Do you not know that, where Scriptures are found, that very house is demolished?' And you said: 'What then shall we do?' And I said to us: 'Let some one of yours take them up into the open place where you hold your prayers, and let them be put there.' And I come with the officials and take them. And we came there and carried off everything according to the sacred command.» Maximus said:

«Since the reading of his letter has been recited among the acts — which he himself acknowledged that he sent, and the things he said — we ask that they be attached to the acts.» Speretius the duumvir said: «The things you have said are written down.» Agesilaus said: «To the present letter he gave recognition; but the remaining part, which he has now read, he says is false.» Caecilianus said: «My lord, I dictated up to this point, up to where it has: 'I wish you, dearest kinsman, good health.'» Apronianus said: «It has always thus been falsely contrived, through terror, through play-acting, through an irreligious mind, by those who refused to be in accord with the catholic Church.»

«For while Paulinus was here administering the office of the prefects, a certain private man was suborned, who had a little of the courier's part, to come to the faithful of the catholic unity and lead them astray and terrify them. The plot, therefore, was uncovered. For it was being contrived against the most religious bishop Felix by means of a lie, that he might seem to have betrayed and burned the Scriptures. Ingentius indeed — since all that he did was prejudicial to the holiness and religion of Caecilianus — was suborned to come with a letter, as if from bishop Felix, to Caecilianus the duumvir, and to feign to him that he had been commissioned by Felix. Let him state the very words by which this was fabricated.» Aelianus the proconsul said: «Speak.» Apronianus said:

«He said: 'Say to my friend Caecilianus that I received eleven precious sacred codices, and that someone is now pressing me to restore them; say that in the year of your magistracy you burned them, so that I need not give them back.' Concerning this matter, then, inquiry must be made of Ingentius — to what extent these things were contrived and fabricated, and how far he wished to deceive the magistrate into a lie, in order to besmirch Felix with infamy. Let him say by whom he was sent — yet whether he set this contrivance upon the conscience of Felix... so as to detract from the honor and standing of Caecilianus. For there is a certain man who has been sent as a legate through Mauritania and Numidia from the opposing party.» And while Ingentius stood by, Aelianus the proconsul said: «By whose command did you undertake to do the things which are charged against you?»

Ingentius said: «Where?» Aelianus the proconsul said: «Since you pretend not to understand what I am asking, I will say it more plainly: who sent you to the magistrate Caecilianus?» Ingentius said: «No one sent me.» Aelianus the proconsul said: «How then did you come to the magistrate Caecilianus?» Ingentius said: «When we had come, and the case of Maurus, bishop of Utica, was being tried — who had bought the bishopric for himself — Felix, bishop of Abthugni, went up to the city to deal with it, and said: 'Let no one be in communion with him, because he committed a falsehood.' And I said to him in turn: 'Neither with you nor with him, because you are a traditor.' For I grieved for the case of Maurus my host, because I had been in communion with him abroad, since I had escaped the persecution.»

«Thereupon I went to Felix's own homeland; I took three elders with me, that they might see whether he had really handed over the Scriptures or not.» Apronianus said: «Not so; he came to Caecilianus; inquire of Caecilianus.» Aelianus the proconsul said to Caecilianus: «How did Ingentius come to you?» Caecilianus answered: «He came to my house; I was dining with my workmen when he came there, and he stood in the doorway. 'Where is Caecilianus?' he said. I answered: 'Here.' I say to him: 'What is it? Is all well?' 'All is well,' he says. I answered him: 'If you do not disdain to dine, come and dine.' He says to me: 'I will return here.' He came there alone. He began to say to me: 'Lo, see to it for me and inquire whether a Scripture was burned in the year of my duumvirate.' I say to him:»

«'You are troublesome to me; you are a man sent in by others; take yourself away from me.' And I spurned him from me. And he came there again with my colleague, with whom I had been aedile. My colleague says to me: 'Our bishop Felix has sent this man here, that you may make him a letter, because he received precious codices and would not give them back. Write to him that, in the year of your duumvirate, they were burned.' And I said: 'Is this the faith of Christians?'» Ingentius said: «My lord, let Augentius also come. And I am a man of honor — let my honor perish — and we have his confirmation.» Aelianus the proconsul said to Ingentius: «You will be convicted on another count.» Aelianus the proconsul said to the office: «Make him ready.» And when he had been made ready, Aelianus the proconsul said:

«Let him be hung up.» And when he had been hung up, Aelianus the proconsul said to Caecilianus: «How did Ingentius come to you?» He answered: «He said: 'Our Felix sent me here, that you may write to him, because there is a certain lost fellow, I know not who, holding in his keeping most precious codices of mine, and I do not wish to restore them. So make a letter saying that they were burned, lest he reclaim them.' And I said: 'Is this the faith of Christians?' And I began to rebuke him; and my colleague says: 'Write to our Felix.' And so I dictated the letter which is here, up to where I dictated.» Aelianus the proconsul said: «Hear without fear the reading of your letter; recognize how far you dictated.» Agesilaus read aloud: «'....'»

«'I wish you, dearest kinsman, good health for many years.'» Aelianus the proconsul said to Caecilianus: «Did you dictate up to here?» He answered: «Up to here; the rest is false.» Agesilaus read aloud: «'This was the token: that you sent me a petition, unless it was I and you and the man whose praetorium it is; and he said: Take the key, and whatever books you find in the bishop's chair and the codices upon the stone, take them. But take care that the officials do not carry off the oil and the wheat. And I said: Do you not know that, where Scriptures are found, that very house too is demolished? And you said: What then shall we do? And I said to us: Let some one of us take them into the open places where you hold your prayers, and let them be put there. And I come with the officials and take them.'»

«'And we came there and carried off everything according to agreement, and burned them according to the sacred command.'» Maximus said: «Since the tenor of his letter has also been recited among the acts — which he himself acknowledged that he had recognized and sent — we ask that this be attached to your acts.» Speretius said: «The things you have said are written down.» Caecilianus answered: «From that point it is false; my letter goes only up to where I said: 'farewell, dearest kinsman.'» Aelianus the proconsul said: «Whom do you say added to the letter?» Caecilianus said: «Ingentius.» Aelianus the proconsul said: «Your declaration is attached to the acts.» Aelianus the proconsul said to Ingentius: «You are put to torture, lest you lie.» Ingentius said: «I erred; I added to this letter, grieving for the case of Maurus my host.»

Aelianus the proconsul said: «Constantine Maximus, ever Augustus, and Licinius the Caesars deign to show such piety to the Christians that they wish discipline not to be corrupted, but rather that this religion be observed and honored. Do not therefore flatter yourself that, because you tell me you are a worshiper of God, you cannot for that reason be tortured. You are tortured, lest you lie — which is shown to be alien to Christians. And therefore speak plainly, that you be not tortured.» Ingentius said: «I have already confessed without torture.» Apronianus said: «Deign to inquire of him by what authority, by what guile, by what madness he went round all the Mauritanias, and the Numidias also, and by what design he stirred up sedition against the catholic Church.» Aelianus the proconsul said:

«Were you in the Numidias?» He answered: «No, my lord; let there be one to prove it.» Aelianus the proconsul said: «Nor in Mauritania?» He answered: «I was there for business.» Apronianus said: «And in this he lies, my lord — for one cannot reach the region of Mauritania except through the Numidias — inasmuch as he says he was in Mauritania but was not in Numidia.» Aelianus the proconsul said to Ingentius: «Of what condition are you?» Ingentius answered: «I am a decurion of the Ziquenses.» Aelianus the proconsul said to the office: «Set him down.» And when he had been set down, Aelianus the proconsul said to Caecilianus: «The things you have said are false.» Caecilianus answered: «No, my lord. He who wrote the letter — order him to come; he is the man's friend; he himself will say how far I dictated the letter.» Aelianus the proconsul said:

«Who is the man whom you desire to come?» Caecilianus said: «Augentius, with whom I was aedile. I cannot prove it except through Augentius himself, who wrote the letter; he himself can say how far I dictated to him.» Aelianus the proconsul said: «It is established, then, that the letter is false?» Caecilianus answered: «It is established, my lord; I do not lie at the peril of my own blood.» Aelianus the proconsul said: «Since you exercised the duumvirate in your own homeland, your words ought to be given credit.» Apronianus said: «Nor is it new for them to do this. For they have added to the acts as well whatever they wished: it is already a regular practice with them.» Aelianus the proconsul said:

«By the declaration of Caecilianus, who says that the acts were falsified and that very much was added to the letter, it has been made manifest with what intent Ingentius did these things; and therefore let him be received into prison; for he is needed for a more rigorous interrogation. But that Felix, the religious bishop, is free from the charge of burning the sacred instruments is manifest, since no one has been able to prove anything against him — namely that he handed over or burned the most religious Scriptures. For the interrogation of all, written above, has shown that no sacred Scriptures were either found, or corrupted, or burned.»

«This is contained in the acts: that the religious bishop Felix, in those times, was neither present, nor lent his conscience to it, nor ordered any such thing to be done.» Agesilaus said: «Concerning those who came to inform your authority, what does your authority command?» Aelianus the proconsul said: «Let them return to their own seats.» III. The Letter of Constantine to Aelafius. Constantine Augustus to Aelafius.

Already indeed, before this, when it had been brought to my knowledge that in our Africa very many had begun, with insane fury and empty accusations, to fall away from one another over the observance of the most holy catholic law, I had resolved — in order to put an end to a dissension of this kind — that both Caecilianus, bishop of Carthage, against whom above all many have often appealed to me, and also some of those who had believed they had certain charges to bring against him, should present themselves at the city of Rome.

For I had also ordered certain bishops from the Gauls to go to our aforesaid city of Rome, so that both these — for the integrity of their life and praiseworthy conduct — and also seven bishops of the same communion, as well as the bishops of the city of Rome, and those who, together with them, would investigate the matter, might be able to give due credit to the affair which seems to have been set in motion. And they indeed reported to my knowledge, with acts duly drawn up, all that had been done in their presence, affirming moreover in word that their judgment had been delivered according to the equity of the matters, and saying that those rather were liable to the case who thought to stir up certain things against Caecilianus — to such a degree that, after the judgment had been given, they forbade those men to return to Africa.

Thence, on account of all these things, by a probable estimation of the matters I had hoped that to all the seditions and contentions whatsoever, which seemed to have been suddenly stirred up among other men, a due end had been put. But when I had read the writings of your dictation, which your gravity had thought ought to be sent to Nicasius and the others concerning these same pretenses, I clearly recognized that they are willing to set before their eyes neither regard for their own salvation nor — what is greater — reverence for almighty God, seeing that they persist in doing those things which pertain not only to their own disgrace and infamy, but also give occasion of detraction to those men who are known to turn their thoughts far from this most holy observance.

For this too it is fitting that you should know: that from among these same people there came men asserting that the same Caecilianus is held to be less worthy of the worship of the most holy religion; and contrary to that which I had answered them — namely, that they boast this in vain, since the matter had been settled at the city of Rome by suitable and most approved men, the bishops — they judged that an answer should be given stubbornly and obstinately, alleging that the whole case had not been heard, but rather that the same bishops had shut themselves up in a certain place and, as had suited them, had given judgment.

Wherefore, since I perceived these dissensions, so many and so great, being drawn out altogether too stubbornly, so that in no way could an end seem to be put to them unless both that same Caecilianus, and three from among those who dissent against him, should come to the town of Arles for the judgment of those who hold opinions against Caecilianus and who owe their consent — I judged that it must be enjoined upon your diligence that, as soon as you receive this my letter, you cause both the aforesaid Caecilianus, with some of those whom he himself shall choose — but also from Byzacena, Tripolitana, the Numidias and Mauritanias and from the several provinces, those who must bring along a number of their own, whom they themselves shall think ought to be chosen — and also some of those who dissent against this same Caecilianus, with a public conveyance granted them through Africa and Mauritania, to sail thence to the Spains by a short crossing, and from there likewise grant to each of these bishops, severally, individual passes, so that they may...

...might be able to arrive at the aforesaid place within the day of the Kalends of August; you being quick to make known to them that, before they set out, they ought to make arrangements, so that, in their absence, both fitting discipline may be maintained and no sedition perhaps, nor any contention of quarreling parties — such as tends to the greatest disgrace — may arise. Let an end be put to it by full cognizance of the secret matter received; for, when all shall have presented themselves, the things which are now known to be in contention, and which not undeservedly ought to receive a ripe conclusion, may at once be brought to a term and composed.

For since it is certain to me that you too are a worshiper of the supreme God, I confess to your gravity that I in no way deem it lawful that contentions and altercations of this kind should be passed over in silence by us — by which perhaps the supreme Divinity might be moved, not only against the human race, but even against me myself, to whose care he has by his heavenly nod committed all earthly things to be governed, and might decree something otherwise, being thus far provoked. For then indeed, and most fully, shall I be able to be secure and ever to hope for all things most prosperous and best from the most ready benevolence of the most powerful God, when I shall have perceived all men venerating the most holy God by due worship of the catholic religion in the concordant brotherhood of observance. Amen. IIII.

The Council of Bishops at Arles to Pope Silvester. To the most beloved Pope Silvester: Marinus, Acratius, Natalis, Theodorus, Proterius, Vocius, Verus, Probatius, Caecilianus, Faustinus, Surgentius, Gregorius, Reticius, Ambitausus, Termatius, Merocles, Pardus, Adelfius, Hibernius, Fortunatus, Aristasius, Lampadius, Vitalis and Maternus, Liberius, Gregorius, Crescens, Avitianus, Dafnus, Orantalis, Quintasius, Victor, Epictetus — eternal salvation in the Lord! Cleaving together in the common bond of charity and in the unity of the bond of mother the catholic Church, brought by the will of the most pious emperor to the city of the people of Arles, from thence we salute you, most glorious Pope, with due reverence.

There we endured a grave and ruinous injury against our law and tradition, and against men of unbridled mind, whom both the present authority of our God and the tradition and rule of truth so reject that in them no reasonable case for speaking could stand, nor any manner of accusation, nor any proof could be agreed. Therefore, with God as judge and the Church as mother — who knows and approves her own — they were either condemned or driven out. And would that, most beloved brother, you had thought it worth your while to be present at so great a spectacle! Surely we believe that an even sterner sentence would have been pronounced against them, and that, with you judging together with us, our assembly would have rejoiced with greater gladness.

But since you were quite unable to withdraw from those regions in which the apostles daily sit enthroned and their very blood without ceasing bears witness to the glory of God, yet these were not the only matters that seemed to us worthy of discussion, dearest brother, to which we had been invited; rather we judged that we ought also to take counsel for our own concerns. And because the provinces from which we have come are diverse, so too various matters arise which we judge we ought to observe. It was therefore resolved, with the Holy Spirit present and His angels, that from those things which moved each one of us, we should bring forth a judgment concerning the present peace; it was also resolved that beforehand a letter be written to you, who hold the greater dioceses, so that through you above all these things might be made known to all.

Now what our resolution was, we have appended in the writing of our humble selves. And this was the first matter to be treated, concerning our life and benefit: that, since He who is One died and rose again for the many, the time itself should be observed by all with so devout a mind that no divisions or dissensions might arise in so great an act of devotion. We resolve, therefore, that the Lord's Passover be observed throughout the whole world on one and the same day. Concerning those also who have been ordained ministers in any places whatsoever, that they remain in those same places. For it concerns those who cast away their arms in time of peace: it was resolved that they abstain from communion. Concerning charioteers of the circus who are faithful, it was resolved that, so long as they drive, they be separated from communion;

Concerning theatrical performers, it was resolved that, so long as they so act, they be separated from communion. It concerns those who are placed in sickness and wish to believe: it was resolved that hands be laid upon them. Concerning governors, however, who are faithful and rise to a governorship, it was thus resolved that, when they have been promoted, they receive ecclesiastical letters of communion, yet on this condition: that, in whatever places they hold office, care for them be taken by the bishops of that same place; and if they begin to act against discipline, then at last they be excluded from communion. And concerning those likewise who wish to engage in public affairs, the same applies.

But concerning Africa, in that they follow their own peculiar law of rebaptizing, it was resolved that, if any heretic comes to the Church, they question him on the Creed; and if they perceive that he was baptized in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, only a hand be laid upon him; but if, being questioned on the Creed, he does not confess this Trinity, then he is rightly baptized, and so forth. Then, growing weary, he ordered all to return to their seats. Amen. V. Letter of Constantine to the Catholic bishops. Constantine Augustus to the Catholic bishops, his dearest brethren, greeting!

The eternal and devout, incomprehensible mercy of our God by no means permits the human condition to wander long in darkness, nor does it suffer the hateful wills of certain men to prevail to such a degree, but, once more opening with His most splendid lights the path of salvation, He grants them to be turned to the rule of righteousness. For I have come to know this by many examples, and I measure these very things from my own self. For there were first in me things that seemed to lack righteousness, nor did I think that any supernal power saw what I carried within the secret places of my breast. Indeed these things, as I have said, what fortune did they deserve to obtain? Surely one overflowing with all evils. But Almighty God, seated upon the watchtower of heaven, bestowed what I did not deserve:

Truly now the things which His heavenly benevolence has granted to me, His servant, can neither be told nor numbered. Most holy bishops of Christ the Savior, dearest brethren! I rejoice therefore, indeed I especially rejoice, that at last, a most just adjudication having been held, you have recalled to better hope and fortune those whom the malice of the devil seemed, by its wretched persuasion, to have turned away from the most splendid light of the Catholic law. O truly victorious providence of Christ the Savior, that it took thought even for these who, already falling away from the truth and in a manner taking up arms against it, had joined themselves to the heathen;

because, if even now with sincere faith they should be willing to render obedience to the most holy law, they will be able to understand how greatly it has been provided for them by the nod of God. And this indeed, most holy brethren, I hoped might be reproved even in those in whom the greatest hardness of soul is innate. But right adjudication availed nothing with them, nor did propitious divinity enter into their minds; for truly, not undeservedly has the clemency of Christ withdrawn far from those in whom it shines forth by manifest light that they are of such a kind that we discern them to be hateful even to the heavenly provision.

What so great madness persists in them, since with incredible arrogance they persuade themselves of things which it is not lawful either to speak or to hear, falling away from the right judgment that was given — by which judgment they have found out, through heavenly provision, that they demand my judgment! What force of malice persists in the breasts of these men. How often have they already, by their most shameless petitions to me myself, been overwhelmed with a fitting reply! Surely, if they had been willing to set this before their eyes, they would by no means have interposed this very thing. They demand my judgment — I, who myself await the judgment of Christ. For I declare, as the truth itself holds, that the judgment of priests ought to be so regarded as if the Lord Himself were seated and judging.

For it is not lawful for them to think or to judge anything other than what they have been taught by the teaching of Christ. What then do these malicious men think — agents, as I have truly said, of the devil? They seek out worldly things, forsaking the heavenly. O the rabid boldness of fury! As is wont to be done in the lawsuits of the heathen, they have lodged an appeal. Indeed the heathen, sometimes fleeing lesser tribunals where justice can be quickly grasped, are accustomed rather to betake themselves to greater tribunals, by interposing higher authority, and to resort to an appeal. What of these detractors of the law, who, refusing the heavenly tribunal, have thought that mine must be petitioned? Is this to think rightly of Christ the Savior?

Behold, now they are traitors; behold, without any sharper investigation, they have by themselves betrayed their own crimes. What humanity is to be perceived in those who have leapt out monstrously against God Himself? Indeed, dearest brethren, although these things seem to have been detected in them, nevertheless you who follow the way of the Lord and Savior, exercise patience, an option being still given to them as to what they think should be chosen. And if you see them persist in these same things, straightway set out together with those whom the Lord has judged worthy of His worship, and return to your own seats, and remember me, that our Savior may always have mercy upon me.

For the rest, I have dispatched my men to bring these same unspeakable deceivers of religion at once to my court, that there they may dwell, there foresee for themselves a death worse than death. I have also given suitable letters to him who oversees the vicarial prefecture throughout Africa, that, however many he finds like to this madness, he send them straightway to my court, lest under so great a brightness of our God those things any longer be done by them which could provoke the greatest wrath of the heavenly providence. May Almighty God grant you safe, according to my prayers and yours, throughout the ages, dearest brethren. VI. Letter of Constantine to the bishops of the party of Donatus. Constantine Augustus to the bishops.

A few days ago indeed, according to your petition, it had pleased me that you should return to Africa, so that there the whole case, which seems to belong to us against Caecilian, might be examined by my friends whom I had chosen, and might receive its due conclusion.