_Sylvester_ was chosen in the room of _Melchiades_ on the last of _January_ 314[560]. In his time were held the two great Councils of _Arles_ and _Nice_. The former was convened by _Constantine_’s Order at the Request of the _Donatists_, who, instead of acquiescing to the Judgment of the Council of _Rome_, loudly complained to the Emperor of the Bishops who composed it, as partial, prejudiced, and over-hasty in deciding a Controversy of the greatest Importance[561]. _Constantine_ heard them with great Patience; and that he might leave them no Colour or Pretence whatsoever to continue in their Schism, [Sidenote: _The Council of_ Arles.] he summoned a second Council to meet at _Arles_, inviting several Bishops to it with most pathetic Letters under his own Hand, and ordering the Proconsuls and Governors of Provinces to acquaint the rest with his Desire and Intention. _Chrestus_, or _Crescentius_, Bishop of _Syracuse_, was allowed, and so, without all doubt, were the rest, to bring two Presbyters with him, and three Attendants, as we learn from the Emperor’s Letter to him, which is still extant[562]. They were all to be supplied with Conveniences for traveling, and every thing else, at the public Expence. The Time appointed for their Meeting was the first of _August_ 314. and on that Day they met accordingly[563], not from all Parts of the World, as we read in the Acts of the Second Council of _Arles_[564], but from _Africa_, and most other Provinces of the West. _Sylvester_ Bishop of _Rome_ was invited to it; but he excused himself on account of his Age, and sent in his room the two Presbyters, _Claudianus_ and _Vitus_, with _Eugenius_ and _Cyriacus_, Deacons; the Bishop of _Ostia_ sent likewise two Presbyters in his room[565]. [Sidenote: Cæcilianus _declared innocent._] By this Assembly _Cæcilianus_ was again declared innocent, and those who should falsly accuse their Brethren cut off from the Communion of the Church, without Hopes of being ever re-admitted, except at the Point of Death[566]. As to the schismatic Bishops, it was agreed, that such of them as abandoned the Schism should not forfeit their Dignity, but sit alternatively with the Catholic Bishop till one of them died[567]. The Council, before they broke up, acquainted the Bishop of _Rome_ with their Proceedings, and at the same time sent him the Decrees they had made concerning the Discipline of the Church, not to be confirmed by him, as _Baronius_ would make us believe[568], but that _by his means, as he held larger Dioceses, they might be the sooner known_. These are the very Words of the Council[569][N10]. ----- Footnote N10: