its proper Place, between _Cæcilianus_ and the _Donatists_ of _Africa_, _Osius_ undertook, with great Zeal, the Defence of the former, and prevailed in the End upon _Constantine_ to espouse his Cause, and declare against the _Donatists_[825], whom he thenceforth punished with great Severity, taking their Churches from them, and sending the most obstinate among them into Exile. _Constantine_ being become Master of the East in the Year 323. his first Care was to put an End to the unhappy Divisions that reigned in those Churches about the Celebration of _Easter_, and some other controverted Points. [Sidenote: _He is sent by him to compose some Disputes there._] With this View he dispatched _Osius_ into the East, who, upon his Arrival there, summoned a Council to meet at _Alexandria_, which, under his Influence, condemned the Heresy of _Sabellius_, put a Stop to the Schism of one _Colluthus_, and greatly allayed the Animosity of the contending Parties about the Day on which _Easter_ was to be kept[826]. On his Return to Court, the Account he gave of the _Arians_, whose Heresy he had endeavoured in vain to suppress, made so deep an Impression in the Mind of the Emperor, that, for a long time, he continued highly prejudiced against them[827]. It was at the Suggestion of _Osius_ that _Constantine_ assembled the Council of _Nice_ in 325. at which he assisted, and distinguished himself above the rest[828]; for of all Councils he was the Head and Leader, as _Athanasius_ styles him[829]. [Sidenote: _He assists at the Council of_ Nice _and draws up the_ Nicene _Creed_.] By him was worded and drawn up the famous _Nicene_ Symbol or Creed, as we are told in express Terms by _Athanasius_[830]. He presided at the Council of _Sardica_, which, at his Request, was assembled by the Emperor _Constans_ in 347[831]. From that Council he retired to his Bishoprick, and continued there undisturbed till the Year 355. when _Constantius_ seeing himself Master of the West, as well as of the East, undertook to oblige all the Bishops to condemn _Athanasius_, whose Cause was looked upon as inseparable from that of the Orthodox Faith. As _Osius_ had on all Occasions declared highly in his Favour, and the Example of a Prelate so venerable for his Age, for the glorious Title of Confessor, and the Figure he had made for many Years in the Church, greatly prejudiced the World against the Enemies of the persecuted Bishop, the Emperor resolved to deprive, if possible, the Orthodox Party of so powerful a Support. [Sidenote: Constantius _attempts in vain to gain him over to the_ Arian _Party_.] With this View he ordered _Osius_ to repair to _Milan_, where the Court then was, well knowing that he was not, like most other Bishops, to be terrified with threatening Letters. _Osius_, in Compliance with the Emperor’s Orders, set out without Delay from _Cordoua_, notwithstanding his great Age; and, arriving at _Milan_, was there received by the Emperor with all the Respect that was due to