The Fathers of the Council not only approved of the Bishop of _Cagliari_’s Resolution, but appointed _Eusebius_ of _Vercelli_, and _Asterius_ of _Petra_ in _Arabia_, to assist him in so pious an Undertaking. What seemed chiefly to obstruct the so much wished for Union, was a great Attachment on one Side to _Meletius_, and an equal Obstinacy on the other, in refusing to acknowlege one preferred by the _Arians_. The Confessors therefore assembled in _Alexandria_ (for of Confessors alone that Assembly was composed) were of Opinion, that, if every other Remedy proved ineffectual, their Deputies should apply to _Meletius_; and, having persuaded him to resign his Dignity, chuse another in his room, equally acceptable to both Parties. They did not in the least doubt but _Meletius_ would readily, nay, with great Joy, sacrifice his Dignity, and every other private View, to the public Tranquillity[1041]; so great was the Opinion they entertained of his Virtue. Had this wise Resolution taken place, it had, in all Likelihood, been attended with the desired Effect. [Sidenote: _All Means of an Accommodation cut off by the imprudent Conduct of the Bishop of_ Cagliari.] But before the Deputies could reach _Antioch_, _Lucifer_, more commendable for Zeal than Prudence, had cut off all means of an Accommodation, by conferring, of his own Authority, the Episcopal Dignity on the Presbyter _Paulinus_, who was at the Head of the _Eustathians_, and had with more Warmth than any other opposed _Meletius_, and those who adhered to him. He was assisted in that irregular Ordination by Two other Confessors[1042]; _viz._ _Gorgonius_ of _Germanicia_, and _Cymatius_ of _Gabala_, or rather of _Paltos_[1043]. This Step he took to oblige the _Eustathians_, when he found that they could by no means be induced to acknowlege _Meletius_. But, instead of closing, he thereby widened, the Breach, the _Meletians_ declaring, that they would never abandon a Bishop of their own Party, to acknowlege one of another, chosen without their Consent, or even their Knowlege[1044]. This unhappy Division, thus settled and confirmed between the Two Orthodox Parties in _Antioch_, did not continue long confined to that particular Church, but soon extended to the Church universal; some owning _Meletius_ for lawful Bishop of _Antioch_, and others _Paulinus_. _Athanasius_ communicated with _Paulinus_, and not with _Meletius_; and his Example was followed by the Bishops of _Egypt_, of _Cyprus_, and all the Bishops in the West[1045]. On the other hand, all the Orthodox Bishops in the East, except _Athanasius_, and those I have mentioned, espoused, with great Warmth, the Cause of _Meletius_[1046]. They all continued, however, notwithstanding this Disagreement, to communicate with each other, though with some Indifference and Coldness. The Ordination of _Paulinus_ gave Rise to another Schism; for _Eusebius_ of _Vercelli_, finding, on his Arrival at