Another remarkable Incident of this Pontificate was, the famous Schism, formed in _Africa_ against _Cæcilianus_, the Catholic Bishop of _Carthage_; whereof a succinct Account will not be foreign to my Subject, as _Melchiades_ was chiefly concerned in most of the Transactions relating to it. The first Decree against the Christians, published by _Dioclesian_, which I have just now mentioned, ordered the Churches to be every-where laid level with the Ground, the Books of the Scripture to be carefully sought for, and publicly burnt; and that such Persons of Quality as should persist in the Profession of the Christian Faith, should be deemed infamous, and excluded from all Honours and Employments. This Edict was executed with such Rigour in _Africa_, that it was a capital Crime in the Magistrates of the Cities, and punishable with Death, to shew any Mercy or Compassion to a Christian, who, owning he had the sacred Books, should refuse to deliver them into the Hands of the proper Officers. [Sidenote: Traditores _who_.] Those who, in Compliance with this Edict, delivered them up, which great Numbers did, were styled _Traditores_, a Name, which afterwards became famous in the History of the Church, by affording the _Donatists_ a plausible Pretence to separate themselves from the Communion of the Catholic Bishops[527]. Of this Crime _Mensurius_, Bishop of _Carthage_, was falsly accused; but, though the Charge could not be proved against him, yet some of his Flock, encouraged by _Donatus_, Bishop of _Casænigræ_ in _Numidia_, separated from his Communion[528]. _Mensurius_ dying some Years after, _Cæcilianus_, Deacon of the Church of _Carthage_, was chosen in his room, in Spite of the Cabals and Intrigues of _Botrus_ and _Cælesius_, Two chief Presbyters, who aspired to that Dignity. [Sidenote: _The chief Authors of the Schism against_ Cæcilianus.] _Cæcilianus_, soon after his Election, summoned some Persons, in whose Custody his Predecessor had left the Money of the Church, to deliver it up to him: but they not only refused to comply with his Demand, but began to stir up the People, and form a Party against him. _Botrus_ and _Cælesius_ were not idle on this Occasion; but, animated with Jealousy and Envy, lest no Art unpractised to blacken his Character, and discredit him with those who had preferred him to them. But the chief Support of this Faction was _Lucilla_, a Woman of great Quality, Wealth, and Interest, and an avowed Enemy to _Cæcilianus_, who, while he was yet Deacon, had publicly reprimanded her for kissing the Relique of a Martyr, as she was upon the Point of receiving the Eucharist. An undeniable Proof, that the Worship of Reliques was at this time disapproved by the Church. Such Liberty taken with a Person of her Rank, was what she could not brook; and therefore she laid hold of the first Opportunity that offered, and no better could offer, to revenge the Affront[529]. It is not to be doubted but those,