lieutenants to enable him to bring the schismatics to order. The latter endeavored to justify themselves before the prince, claiming that the bishops who had condemned them were judges in their own cause, and praying the Emperor to allow them to be tried by bishops from Gaul, where he then was. He consented, and named as judges three of the most learned and distinguished bishops of the age — Maternus of Cologne, Rheticius of Autun, and Marinas of Arles. He sent them to Rome, to join with Miltiades, bishop of that city, and Mark,[1] in hearing the conflicting depositions of Cæcilianus and his opponents. Eusebius has preserved the letter which Constantine wrote upon this occasion to the Bishop of Rome and to Mark. We will translate that letter, together with an extract from the petition of the Donatists to Constantine. These documents will determine the character of the appeal of the Donatists, and will prove that the Romish theologians are wrong in citing it in support of their opinions.
Here is, first, the extract preserved by St. Optatus.[2]
"We beseech thee, O Constantine! most excellent emperor, thou that comest from a righteous family, (for thy father was not a persecutor like his colleagues; and Gaul is free from this crime,)[3] since between us bishops in Africa there are dissensions, we beseech thee let thy piety give us judges who are of Gaul!"
In consequence of this petition, Constantine chose the three bishops we have mentioned, adding to their number the Bishop of Rome and Mark, to examine and give judgment in the case. Constantine writes thus to the two Roman judges:[4]
- ↑ It is very generally admitted by the learned that Mark was an influential priest, who was Bishop of Rome after Sylvester.
- ↑ St. Optat. Book I. against Parmenianus.
- ↑ The Donatists here refer to the crime of having given up the Holy Scriptures during the persecutions.
- ↑ Euseb. Eccl. Hist. Book X. ch. v.
