On the Demise of _Anastasius_, _Innocent_ was immediately, and with one Consent, chosen by the Clergy, and the People[1392]. He was, according to _Anastasius_[1393], a Native of _Albano_, and the Son of another _Innocent_; but, according to _Jerom_, both the Son and Successor of _Anastasius_[1394]. _Theodoret_ styles him a Man of great Address, and a lively Genius[1395]; _Prosper_, a worthy Successor of St. _Peter_[1396]; and _Austin_ distinguishes him, after his Death, with the Title of the _Blessed_ Innocent[1397]. _Orosius_ says, that God withdrew that holy Bishop from _Rome_, when the City was taken, as he did _Lot_ from _Sodom_[1398]; and _Jerom_, in writing to _Demetrias_, exhorts her to adhere steadily to the Faith of _Innocent_[1399]. _Austin_, in the Letter he writ to him in the Name of the Council of _Milevum_, ascribes his Election to a particular Providence; and adds, that the Fathers of the Council thought it a Duty incumbent upon them to suggest to him what might be done for the Good of the Church, since they could not think him capable of hearing any thing of that Nature with Contempt or Indifference[1400]. [Sidenote: _He writes to_ Anysius _of_ Thessalonica.] _Innocent_ was no sooner chosen and ordained, than he writ to _Anysius_ of _Thessalonica_, acquainting him with his Election, and charging him, as his Three immediate Predecessors had done, with the Care of the Churches of _East Illyricum_[1401]. In the End of the following Year 403. the Emperor _Honorius_ visited the City of _Rome_; and, during his Stay there, _Innocent_ went frequently to wait on him, in order to obtain, in Behalf of some Bishops, and other Ecclesiastics, an Exemption from executing certain Civil Offices hereditary in their Families. He succeeded in his Suit; but it cost him a great deal of Trouble and Uneasiness[1402]. [Sidenote: Innocent_’s Letter to_ Victricius.] _Victricius_ Bishop of _Rouen_, who happened to be then at _Rome_, having applied to him for Information, with respect to the Practice and Discipline of the _Roman_ Church, _Innocent_, to gratify him, and _that he might not seem to approve, by_ _his Silence, the Abuses that prevailed in some Churches_, sent him a _Book of Rules_, as he styled it, containing several Regulations, which had been originally established, says he, by the Authority of the Apostles and Fathers, but were now, in many Places, either quite unknown, or utterly neglected. He therefore intreats _Victricius_ to communicate them to the neighbouring Churches and Bishops, that they might be acquainted with the Discipline of the _Roman_ Church, and conform to it in instructing the new-converted Christians[1403]. [Sidenote: _The Articles it contains._]