The Western Bishops, that is, those of _Illyricum_, _Italy_, _Africa_, _Spain_, _Gaul_, and _Britain_, being assembled at _Rimini_, in all 400 and upwards[881], the Emperor writ to _Taurus_, the _Præfectus Prætorio_ of _Italy_, charging him to be present at all the Debates, and not to suffer the Bishops to separate, till, in Points of Faith, they had all agreed: if he succeeded therein, he was to be rewarded with the Consular Dignity[882]. [Sidenote: _The Emperor’s Letter to the Western Bishops._] At the same time he writ to the Bishops, injoining them to treat only of such Matters as related to the Faith, Unity, and Order of the Church, and forbidding them to meddle, on any Pretence whatsoever, with what concerned the Eastern Bishops, who, he said, would take care to settle their own Affairs, since they were met for that Purpose[883]. This was to prevent their entering upon the Cause of _Athanasius_, whom he well knew the Western Bishops would have declared innocent. The Emperor’s Letter is dated the 27th of May 359[884]. At this Council _Restitutus_ Bishop of _Carthage_ is supposed to have presided, as he was, both for Piety and Learning, the most conspicuous in the Assembly. [Sidenote: _The_ Arians _propose a new Confession drawn up at_ Sirmium;] At their first Meeting, the Two _Arian_ Bishops, _Ursacius_ and _Valens_, appeared with a Paper in their Hands, containing a new Confession of Faith, composed lately at _Sirmium_ by the Emperor, by a small Number of _Arian_ and _Semi-Arian_ Bishops, and several Presbyters and Deacons, who, after a Debate, which lasted the whole Day, had at length agreed to suppress the Word _Consubstantial_; and introduce the Word _like_ in its room; so that the Son was no more to be said _consubstantial_, but _like to the Father in all Things_; the Three last Words _Constantius_ added, and, by obliging all who were present to sign them, defeated, say the _Semi-Arians_, the wicked Designs of the Heretics, meaning the _Pure Arians_[885]. However, excepting those Words, the whole Confession was thought to favour their Doctrine[886]; whence the _Semi-Arians_ held out till Night, when the Emperor, well satisfied with the Words _like in all things_, obliged them to sign it. This Confession of Faith was drawn up, and signed, on the Eve of _Pentecost_[887], that is, on the 22d or 23d of _May_ 359[888]. _Easter_ having fallen that Year on the 4th of _April_[889][N17]. _Ursacius_ and _Valens_ read it to the Council, adding, when they had done, that it had been approved of by the Emperor, and therefore that they ought all to be satisfied with it, without recurring to any other Councils or Creeds, without demanding any other Confession of the Heretics, or inquiring too narrowly into their Doctrine and Opinions, which would be attended with much Trouble, endless Disputes, and eternal Divisions; that the Catholic Truths, which all Men were bound to believe, ought not to be darkened with