_Syricius_ did not long enjoy the Satisfaction he had, to see the Schism of _Antioch_ ended in his Days, and a good Understanding settled anew between the East and the West. He died the same Year 398. and, according to the most probable Opinion, on the 26th of _November_[1332]. He is said, in his Epitaph, quoted by _Baronius_[1333], to have been a Man of a tender, compassionate, and generous Temper; to have studied the Happiness of the People committed to his Care; to have spared no Pains in procuring them the Blessings that flow from Peace and Tranquillity; and to have screened several Persons from the Wrath of the Emperor, to maintain the Rights of the Church[1334]. [Sidenote: _Was once honoured as a Saint._] He is commended by _Ambrose_, and the whole Council of _Milan_, as _a vigilant Pastor_[1335], by _Isidore_ of _Seville_ as _an illustrious Pontiff_[1336]; and he has even a Place among the other Saints, in most of the antient Martyrologies[1337]. However _Baronius_ has not thought him worthy of a Place in the _Roman_ Martyrology. It is well known, that the Charge of revising and correcting the _Roman_ Martyrology was committed, by Pope _Gregory_ XIII. to _Baronius_, with full Power to reject such as he should judge unworthy, and admit others in their room, whom he should declare worthy of the public Worship, and a Place there[N39]. [Sidenote: _Why expunged by_ Baronius _out of the Calendar of Saints_.] _The Keys of Heaven_, says a modern Writer, speaking of that Charge, _were taken from_ Peter, _and given to_ Baronius; _for it was not by_ Peter, _but by_ Baronius, _that some were excluded from, and others admitted into, Heaven_[1338]. He then shews, that by this _Second Minos_, as he styles him, several were driven from the Seats they had long held in Heaven, and to which they had a just Claim, to make room for others, who had no Claim. Among the former he names _Syricius_, whom he thinks _Baronius_ ought to have treated in a more friendly manner, upon the Recommendation of _Ambrose_, of the Council of _Milan_, and of _Isidore_. What thus prejudiced _Baronius_ against him, and outweighed, in his Scales, all the Recommendations that could be produced in his Favour, was his Indifference for _Jerom_ and _Paulinus_, and the Kindness he shewed to _Ruffinus_, _Jerom_’s Antagonist. _Syricius_, instead of protecting _Jerom_, as his Predecessor _Damasus_ had done, against the _Roman_ Clergy, whom he had provoked with his Writings, gave him, in a manner, up to their Resentment; which obliged him to abandon _Rome_, and return into the East, as I have related above. The Name of _Paulinus_, afterwards Bishop of _Nola_, is famous in the History of the Church, and celebrated by _Jerom_, _Ambrose_, _Austin_, and all the Writers of those Times. He had abandoned the World, and the immense Wealth he possessed, to lead a retired Life; and, in the Year 395. he passed through _Rome_, in his Way to _Nola_, which he had chosen for the Place of his Retirement.