At this Council the Pope’s Legates assisted; but Osius presided, as we are told in express Terms by _Theodoret_[700], by _Sozomen_[701], and by the Fathers of the Council of _Chalcedon_[702]. Besides, his Name is the first in the Subscriptions, as they have been transmitted to us by _Athanasius_, who assures us, that _Osius_ was the Chief, and presided in all the Councils at which he assisted. He signed the first, and in his own Name: after him signed the Legates, not in their own, but in the Pope’s Name; _Julius Romæ per Archidamum & Philoxenum Presbyteros_; which is a sufficient Confutation of _De Marca_, and the other Popish Writers, pretending, without the least Foundation, that _Osius_ presided in the Name of _Julius_. [Sidenote: _The Council of_ Sardica _a Council of no great Authority_.] It is to be observed, that the Canons of this Council were never received in the East, nor even in the West by the Bishops of _Africa_; and that they were not inserted by the Council of _Chalcedon_ into the Code of Canons approved by them, as Rules to be universally observed: so that, after all, the so much boasted Council of _Sardica_ is a Council of no great Authority. Of this the Popes themselves were well apprised; and therefore, recurring to Fraud, attempted, as we shall see hereafter, to impose upon the World the Canons of _Sardica_ as the Canons of _Nice_. [Sidenote: Athanasius _retires to_ Naissus.] _Athanasius_, though declared innocent by the Council, did not think it adviseable to return to his See, being informed, that the _Eusebians_ had prevailed upon the Emperor _Constantius_ to issue an Order, impowering and commanding the Magistrates of _Alexandria_ to put him to Death, without further Tryal, in what Place soever he should be found within the Precincts of that Jurisdiction[703]. [Sidenote: _Is recalled by_ Constantius.] He therefore retired to _Naissus_ in _Upper Dacia_, and there continued from the year 347. to 349. when _Constantius_ chose rather to recall him, and the other exiled Bishops, than engage in a Civil War, with which he was threatened by his Brother, if he did not[704]. Before his Departure for the East he went to _Rome_, to take his Leave of that Church, and his great Protector _Julius_, who, on that Occasion, writ an excellent Letter of Congratulation to the Presbyters, Deacons, and People of _Alexandria_. Of this Letter we have Two Copies, the one in _Socrates_[705], and the other in _Athanasius_[706]. The former contains great Commendations of that Prelate, which, out of Modesty, were, as I conjecture, omitted by him. [Sidenote: Ursacius _and_ Valens _retract all they had said against_ Athanasius.]