While the Council of _Rome_ was yet sitting, the Pope’s two Deputies, _Elpidius_ and _Philoxenes_, returning from the East, delivered to _Julius_ a Letter from the _Eusebians_, which may pass for a Master-piece of the Kind; for, without departing from, or intrenching upon, the Respect that was due to the Bishop of the Imperial City, they, at the same time, commend, censure, menace, and rally him in a most cruel Manner. They begin with alleging several frivolous Excuses for not appearing at the Council, such as the _Persian_ War, which, by the way, did not prevent their assembling at _Antioch_; the Shortness of the Term prescribed for their Meeting; the Pope’s writing only to some of them, and not to all, as he ought to have done; and finally, his writing to them in his own Name alone, which was tacitly taxing him with taking too much upon him. They then launch out ironically, it seems, into the highest Encomiums on the Church of _Rome_, styling her the first of all Churches, the School of the Apostles, the Metropolis of true Piety. However, the first Preachers of the Gospel, add they, came out of the East; and, after all, we ought to be looked upon as Inferiors to none, though perhaps we may not have such numerous and flourishing Churches as some have, since the want of Numbers may be abundantly supplied by the Piety of a few. As to Rank, we are all equal, the Greatness of the Cities, in which we preside, adding nothing to the Dignity we all enjoy. In the next place, they express great Concern at the little Regard shewn by some to the Decisions of Councils, which ought to be revered by all, and deemed immutable. This was modestly censuring the Pope for not acquiescing to the Decrees of the Councils of _Tyre_ and _Constantinople_ condemning _Athanasius_. [Sidenote: _and threaten to separate themselves from his Communion_.] In the End they allege several Things both against _Athanasius_, and _Marcellus_ Bishop of _Ancyra_; and conclude with telling _Julius_, that if he renounced all Correspondence and Intercourse with the Bishops they had deposed, and acknowleged those they had placed in their room, they would continue to communicate with him; but if he refused to comply with their Decisions and Decrees, they should think themselves obliged to act in a very different Manner[687]. _Julius_ was so mortified with this Letter, that he suppressed it for some time, hoping the _Eusebians_ would send Deputies, who, he presumed, would express their Sentiments by Word of Mouth, and in a different Style. But, none appearing, he was obliged to lay the Letter he had received before the Fathers of the Council, who, after expressing the greatest Indignation against the _Eusebians_, advised the Pope to answer it; which he did accordingly, by that excellent Letter, which has been preserved intire among the Works of _Athanasius_. [Sidenote: Julius_’s Answer to their Letter_.] He begins with complaining, in very modest Terms, of the Animosity they betrayed