_Melchiades_, or _Miltiades_, as he is called in the antient Manuscripts, was chosen to succeed _Eusebius_, on the 2d of _July_ 311. after a Vacancy of Nine Months, and upwards [519]; which Historians do not account for. [Sidenote: Constantine _converted to the Christian Religion_. _His Edicts in favour of the Christians._] In his Time happened the ever memorable Conversion of _Constantine_ to the Christian Religion. That Prince, having overcome and utterly defeated the Usurper _Maxentius_, on the 28th of _October_ 312. soon after issued an Edict, jointly with _Licinius_, who was upon the point of marrying his Sister, allowing the Christians the free Exercise of their Religion, and likewise the Liberty of building Churches[520]. By the same Edict he ordered the Places, where they had held their Assemblies before the Persecution, and which had been taken from them, to be restored[521]. He left _Rome_ in the Beginning of the Year 313. and, arriving at _Milan_, he there issued a Second Edict, to correct some Mistakes that had given Offence in the former[522]. What these Mistakes were, we know not; for the Decree itself has not reached our Times; but _Valesius_ conjectures, that the high Commendations bestowed on the Christian Religion alarmed the Pagans, imagining, that the Intention of the Two Princes was to suppress theirs; and likewise, that some Christians had taken Offence at the odious Name of Heretics; given in that Decree to the various Sects sprung from them[523]. Be that as it will, it is certain, that, by the Second Decree, an intire Liberty of Conscience was granted to all sorts of Persons, every one being allowed to honour and worship what Deity he pleased; and in what manner soever he thought best. The Second Edict strictly injoins all those, who had purchased of the Exchequer, or held by Grant, any Place formerly destined for the Assemblies of the Christians, to restore them forthwith, and apply to the Exchequer; where they should be indemnified[524]. The same Year 313. _Licinius_, having gained a complete Victory over _Maximinus_, a sworn Enemy to the Christians, made himself Master of _Nicomedia_, and there caused the Edict of _Milan_ to be proclaimed, and set up in the Market-place, on the 13th of _June_[525]. Thus Peace was restored to the Church, in the East as well as in the West, after a most cruel and bloody Persecution of Ten Years, and almost Four Months; for the First Edict against the Christians had been published in that very City on the 24th of _February_ 303[526] [Sidenote: _The Schism of the_ Donatists _in_ Africa.]