Magistrate, without the least Distinction between him and other Vassals. _But this Subjection_, says he, in his Apology against King _James_[1132], _the Emperors exacted by Force, because the Power of the Pope was not known to them_. Nor to any body else, he might have added, since the Writers of those Times seem to have been no better acquainted with the Power of the Pope than the Emperors; at least, they take no Notice of it, even in describing, as some of them have done, the State of the Church at the time they writ, and relating the Customs, Laws, and Practices, that then obtained. Besides, how could the Power of the Pope be unknown to the Christian Emperors, if it was one of the chief Tenets of the Christian Doctrine? Neither _Damasus_, nor any of his Predecessors, can be justly charged with Bashfulness, in acquainting the World with the Power they had or claimed. We may further observe here, that the Emperor requires the Bishop of _Rome_, in judging according to the Power granted him, to act with the Advice of Five or Seven other Bishops: a plain Proof, that he was as little acquainted with the Pope’s Infallibility, as with his Power. [Sidenote: _A new Accusation brought against_ Damasus.] The Council of the _Italian_ Bishops, assembled at _Rome_, no sooner broke up, than the Emissaries and Partisans of _Ursinus_ began to raise new Disturbances in that City, by stirring up the Pagans against _Damasus_, and, at the same time, charging him _with things_, to use the Expression of the Council of _Aquileia_, _not fit to be uttered by a Bishop, nor heard by such an Emperor as_ Gratian[1133]. _Anastasius_ writes, that he was accused of Adultery by the Two Deacons _Concordus_ and _Callistus_[1134]. And truly, that some Crime of that Nature was laid to his Charge, is pretty plain, from the Terms in which it was expressed by the Council. _Valerian_, then Governor of _Rome_, immediately acquainted the Emperor with the Accusation[1135]; but what Part _Gratian_ acted on this Occasion, we are not told by any antient Writer. We read in the Pontificals, and most of the modern Writers, that the Cause was referred by the Emperor to the Council then sitting at _Aquileia_; and that _Damasus_ was declared innocent by all the Bishops who composed it. [Sidenote: _The Council of_ Aquileia _writes to the Emperor in his Behalf_.] But, as neither is related by any credible Author, I am inclined to believe, that _Gratian_ took no Notice of the Charge, in Compliance with the Request of the Bishops assembled at _Aquileia_; for, by a Letter, they earnestly intreated him not to hearken to _Ursinus_, because his giving ear to him would occasion endless Disturbances in _Rome_; and, besides, they could by no means communicate with a Man who thus wickedly aspired to a Dignity, to which he had no Claim or Title; who, by his scandalous Behaviour, had incurred the Hatred of all good Christians; who had impiously joined the