[Sidenote: Chrysostom _studies to reconcile the Eastern and Western Bishops_.] _Chrysostom_ had been consecrated by _Theophilus_ Bishop of _Alexandria_, whom the Council of _Capua_ had appointed to decide, with the other Bishops of _Egypt_, the Difference between _Flavianus_ and _Evagrius_, as I have related above. To him therefore, before he left _Constantinople_ to return to _Egypt_, the new Bishop of that City, impatient to see so great a Work brought to a happy Issue, imparted his Intention of attempting a Reconciliation between _Flavianus_ and _Syricius_ Bishop of _Rome_, earnestly intreating him to second and promote with his Endeavours an Undertaking truly worthy of the Two first Bishops of the East. [Sidenote: Flavianus _and_ Theophilus _reconciled_.] There had subsisted a Misunderstanding between _Theophilus_ and _Flavianus_ ever since the Year 391. when the Council of _Capua_ was held. _Flavianus_ had refused to submit his Cause to the Judgment of _Theophilus_, pursuant to the Resolution of that Council; which he had highly resented; and, in the Height of his Resentment, as he was a Man of a fiery and choleric Temper, he had written to _Flavianus_ in a very haughty and imperious Style. To these Letters _Nestorius_, no doubt, alludes, where he tells us, that _Egypt_ could not, by her menacing Letters, though written in the Style, and with all the Haughtiness, of an imperious Tyrant, move or terrify the blessed _Flavianus_[1323]. It was necessary, in the first place, to remove the Misunderstanding which had so long subsisted between these Two Prelates; and in this _Chrysostom_ met with no Difficulty or Obstruction, _Theophilus_ readily agreeing to the Terms he proposed in the Name of _Flavianus_, and _Flavianus_ ratifying them, upon the first Notice, without the least Exception or Limitation. [Sidenote: Chrysostom _attempts a Reconciliation between_ Flavianus _and_ Syricius.] What these Terms were, we are no-where told; but it is certain, that, all Disputes being thereby composed, the Bishops of _Alexandria_ and _Antioch_ were intirely reconciled, and the Communion between them renewed, to the great Satisfaction of both[1324]. The next Thing to be attempted, and, as was apprehended, the most difficult to be accomplished, was the reconciling of _Syricius_ with the Bishop of _Antioch_, who had now held that See Seventeen Years, but had not been able, notwithstanding the great Character he bore, to obtain the Communion of _Syricius_, or any of his Predecessors, on account of their strong Prejudice against him, as well as his Predecessor _Meletius_, and their obstinate Attachment to the contrary Party, in Opposition to the far greater Part of the Eastern Bishops. [Sidenote: _His prudent Conduct._] But the Zeal of _Chrysostom_ was Proof against all Difficulties. Not despairing therefore of Success, he took the most effectual Means a consummate Prudence could dictate, to obtain it, advising the Bishops of _Antioch_ and _Alexandria_ to