The first Thing I read of _Syricius_ is his answering a Letter or Relation which _Himerius_, Bishop of _Tarragon_ in _Spain_, had sent to _Damasus_ by _Bassianus_, a Presbyter of that Church, requiring the Advice of the Church of _Rome_ concerning some Points of Discipline, and certain Abuses that prevailed in _Spain_. _Damasus_ being dead before the Arrival of _Bassianus_, _Syricius_, who had succeeded him, caused this Relation or Letter to be read, and carefully examined, in an Assembly of his Brethren, that is, perhaps, of the Bishops who had assisted at his Ordination; and, having maturely weighed and considered every Article, he first acquainted _Himerius_ with his Promotion, and then returned to each the following Answers[1227]. The First was concerning the Sacrament of Baptism, which was by some Bishops of _Spain_ rejected as null and invalid, when conferred by an _Arian_ Minister. In Opposition to them, _Syricius_ alleges the Authority of _Liberius_, and of the Council of _Nice_, the Practice of the Church of _Rome_, and that of all other Churches both in the East and West[1228]. _Isidorus_ of _Seville_ takes particular notice of this Point of Discipline, which he says was established by the Letter of _Syricius_[1229]. By the Second Article he forbids the Sacrament of Baptism to be administred at _Christmas_, or the _Epiphany_, on the Feasts of the Apostles or Martyrs, or at any other Time but _Easter_, and during the _Pentecost_ of that Festival, meaning, in all Likelihood, all _Easter_ time, or the Fifty Days between _Easter_ and _Pentecost_, or _Whitsuntide_; for such, adds he, is the Practice of the Church of _Rome_, and of all other Churches. From this Rule, however, he excepts Children, and all Persons, who are any-ways in Danger[1230]. By the Third Article, he forbids granting the Grace of Reconciliation to Apostates, that is, forgiving and readmitting them to the Communion of the Church, except at the Point of Death[1231]. By the Fourth, a Woman, who, being betrothed to one Man, has received the Priest’s Blessing to marry him, is debarred from marrying another. The Fifth Article commands all Persons, who, being guilty of a Crime, have performed Penance for it, to be treated as the Apostates, if they relapse into the same Crime; and the Sixth, all religious Persons, whether Men or Women, guilty of Fornication, to be dealt with in the same Manner, and, moreover, to be excluded from partaking of the sacred Mysteries, that is, of the Eucharist, except at the Point of Death[1232]. How different is the present Practice of the Church of _Rome_ from that of the same Church in the Fourth Century! which was perhaps even too severe. [Sidenote: _Priests and Deacons obliged to observe Celibacy._]