Erudition, and chiefly with the Knowlege he had of the Scripture, had long before lived in great Intimacy with him, and upon his leaving _Rome_ writ frequent Letters to him, not thinking it beneath the Rank he held in the Church to consult him as his Master about the true Meaning of some difficult Passages in holy Writ[1212]. Thus in one of his Letters he desires him to explain the Parable of the Prodigal Son[1213], and in another to interpret the Word _Hosanna_, which he says was differently interpreted by different Writers, who seemed to contradict each other[1214]. In Compliance with this Request, _Jerom_ writ the Piece on that Subject, which is still extant. It was likewise at the Desire of _Damasus_ that he corrected the _Latin_ Version of the New Testament, and revised at _Rome_ the _Latin_ Version of the Psalms, comparing it with the _Greek_ Text of the _Septuagint_. But as to the Letter, with which _Damasus_ is supposed to have encouraged him to undertake that Work, it is evidently supposititious, and altogether unworthy of him. [Sidenote: _Psalmody falsly ascribed to him._] _Anastasius_ ascribes to _Damasus_ the Custom of Singing, instead of Reading, the Psalms at Divine Service[1215]. But it is manifest from _Austin_, that this Practice was brought from the East, and first complied with by the Church of _Milan_[1216], in the Year 386. that is, Two Years after the Death of _Damasus_. So long as _Damasus_ lived, _Jerom_ continued at _Rome_; but as, by his Learning and exemplary Life, he was an Eye-sore to the lewd, ignorant, and haughty Clergy of _Rome_, or as he styles them, _the Senate of Pharisees_[1217], he thought it adviseable to abandon the City upon the Death of his great Friend and Protector, and retire to _Jerusalem_, hoping to find there that Quiet and Tranquillity which he despaired of being able to enjoy while he dwelt with _the Scarlet Whore_[1218], that is, while he lived at _Rome_. [Sidenote: _His Character._] As for the Character of _Damasus_; _Jerom_ styles him, _a Virgin Doctor of the Virgin Church_; and, in his Letter to _Eustochium_, _a Man of great Excellence_. _Theodoret_ commends him as a Man of a holy Life, as one who declined no Fatigue or Labour to support and maintain the Doctrine of the Apostles, and who struck the _Arians_ with Terror, though he attacked them at a Distance[1219]. Elsewhere he calls him the _famous Damasus_[1220], and places him at the Head of the most celebrated Teachers of Truth, who, till his Time, had appeared in the West[1221]. That _Greek_ Writer could not be biassed in his Favour, though _Jerom_ perhaps was. The Orientals declared, in 431. that they followed the Example of _Damasus_, and other Persons eminent for Learning[1222]; and the Council of _Chalcedon_, speaking of his Letter to _Paulinus_ of _Antioch_, styles him the Honour and Glory of _Rome_ for Piety and Justice[1223]. The Church of _Rome_ honours him as