Appendix of Ten Documents on the Donatist Controversy

I. Proceedings before Zenophilus. Here begin the proceedings by which it is established that Silvanus was a traitor, who with the others ordained Maiorinus, whom Donatus succeeded. In the consulship of Constantine the Greatest, Augustus, and Constantine the younger, most noble Caesar, on the Ides of December. At Thamugadi, Victor the grammarian having been brought in and set before the court, the deacon Nundinarius also being present, Zenophilus, a man of senatorial rank, consular governor, said: "What is your name?" He answered: "Victor." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What is your condition?" Victor said: "I am a professor of Roman letters, a Latin grammarian." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What is your rank?" Victor said: "My father was a decurion of the people of Constantina, my grandfather a soldier; he had served in the imperial retinue; for our origin comes down from Moorish blood." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Mindful of your good faith and honor, state simply what was the cause of the dissension among the Christians." Victor said: "I do not know the origin of the dissension; I am one of the Christian people. Indeed, when I was at Carthage, and bishop Secundus had at last come to Carthage, they are said to have found that bishop Caecilian had been installed improperly by some persons or other; they installed another against him. From that time a dissension began there at Carthage, and so I cannot fully know the origin of the dissension, since our city has always had one church, and if it has had a dissension, we know nothing at all of it." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Do you communicate with Silvanus?" Victor answered: "With him." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Why, then, did you leave the one whose innocence has been cleared?" And he added: "It is asserted besides that you know another thing most certainly, that Silvanus is a traitor; confess about this." Victor answered: "I do not know this." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to the deacon Nundinarius: "Victor denies that he knows that Silvanus is a traitor." The deacon Nundinarius said: "He knows himself, for he handed over books." Victor answered: "I had fled this storm, and if I lie, may I perish. When we suffered the onset of the sudden persecution, we fled to the hill of Bellona. I was sitting with Mars the deacon and Victor the presbyter. When all the books were demanded of this Mars, he denied that he had them. Then Victor gave the names of all the lectors. They came to my house while I was away. The magistrates went up and my books were taken away. When I came, I found my books taken away." The deacon Nundinarius said: "So you answered in the record that you gave the books. Why are these things denied which can be brought out?" Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Victor: "Confess simply, so that you are not questioned more strictly." The deacon Nundinarius said: "Let the proceedings be read." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Let them be read." And Nundinarius handed them over, and the clerk read: "In the eighth consulship of Diocletian and the seventh of Maximian, on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of June, from the proceedings of Munatius Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the colony of the people of Cirta. When they had come to the house in which the Christians used to meet, Felix, perpetual flamen, curator, said to bishop Paul: 'Bring out the scriptures of the law and anything else you have here, as has been commanded, so that you may obey the order.' Bishop Paul said: 'The lectors have the scriptures. But what we have here, we give.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator, said to bishop Paul: 'Point out the lectors, or send to them.' Bishop Paul said: 'You all know them.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said: 'We do not know them.' Bishop Paul said: 'The public office knows them, that is, Edusius and Junius, the clerks.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said: 'With the matter of the lectors reserved, whom the office will point out, you give what you have.' With bishop Paul seated, and Montanus, Victor of Deusatelium and Memorius, presbyters, with Mars and Helius, deacons, standing by, and Marcuclius, Catullinus, Silvanus and Carosus, subdeacons, and Januarius, Meraclus, Fructuosus, Miggin, Saturninus, Victor and the other grave-diggers, with Victor son of Aufidius writing a short list on the other side, thus: two golden chalices; likewise six silver chalices; six silver jugs; a silver kettle; seven silver lamps; two candlesticks; seven short bronze candelabra with their lamps; likewise eleven bronze lamps with their chains; eighty-two women's tunics; thirty-eight veils; sixteen men's tunics; thirteen pairs of men's shoes; forty-seven pairs of women's shoes; nineteen peasant belts. Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Marcuclius, Silvanus and Carosus, the grave-diggers: 'Bring out what you have.' Silvanus and Carosus said: 'What was here, we have thrown out all of it.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Marcuclius, Silvanus and Carosus: 'Your answer is fixed in the record.' After the cupboards in the libraries were found empty, Silvanus there brought out a silver box and a silver lamp, saying that he had found them behind a jar. Victor son of Aufidius said to Silvanus: 'You would have been a dead man if you had not found them.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Silvanus: 'Look more carefully, in case anything remains here.' Silvanus said: 'Nothing remains; we have thrown out all of it.' And when the dining room was opened, four casks and six jars were found there. Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said: 'Bring out the scriptures you have, so that we may obey the precepts and order of the emperors.' Catullinus brought out one very large book. Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Marcuclius and Silvanus: 'Why have you given only one book? Bring out the scriptures you have.' Catullinus and Marcuclius said: 'We have no more, because we are subdeacons; but the lectors have the books.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Marcuclius and Catullinus: 'Point out the lectors!' Marcuclius and Catullinus said: 'We do not know where they live.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Catullinus and Marcuclius: 'If you do not know where they live, tell their names.' Catullinus and Marcuclius said: 'We are not betrayers. Here we are; order us to be killed.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said: 'Let them be taken into custody.' And when they had come to the house of Eugenius, Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Eugenius: 'Bring out the scriptures you have, so that you may obey the precept.' And he brought out four books. Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Silvanus and Carosus: 'Point out the other lectors.' Silvanus and Carosus said: 'The bishop has already said that Edusius and Junius, the clerks, know them all; let them point out their houses to you.' Edusius and Junius, the clerks, said: 'We will point them out, sir.' And when they had come to the house of Felix the tailor, he brought out five books; and when they had come to the house of Victorinus, he brought out eight books; and when they had come to the house of Projectus, he brought out five large books and two small; and when they had come to the house of the grammarian, Felix, perpetual flamen, curator, said to Victor the grammarian: 'Bring out the scriptures you have, so that you may obey the precept.' Victor the grammarian offered two books and four quires. Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Victor: 'Bring out the scriptures; you have more.' Victor the grammarian said: 'If I had had more, I would have given them.' And when they had come to the house of Euticius of Caesarea, Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Euticius: 'Bring out the scriptures you have, so that you may obey the precept.' Euticius said: 'I do not have any.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Euticius: 'Your declaration is fixed in the record.' And when they had come to the house of Coddeo, his wife brought out six books. Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said: 'Look, in case you have more; bring them out.' The woman answered: 'I have none.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Bos, the public slave: 'Go in and look, in case she has more.' The public slave said: 'I have looked and not found any.' Felix, perpetual flamen, curator of the city, said to Victorinus, Silvanus and Carosus: 'If anything has been done short of this, the danger falls on you.'" When these had been read, Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Victor: "Confess simply!" Victor answered: "I was not present." The deacon Nundinarius said: "We have read letters of the bishops written by Fortis." And the deacon Nundinarius reads: "Christ and his angels are witness that those with whom you have communicated handed over, that is, Silvanus of Cirta is a traitor and a thief of the goods of the poor, which all you bishops, presbyters, deacons and elders know, regarding the four hundred folles of Lucilla, a woman of senatorial rank, for which you conspired so that Maiorinus might be made bishop; and from this the schism came about. For Victor the fuller too, in your presence and the people's, gave twenty folles so that he might be made a presbyter, as Christ and his angels know." And a copy of a letter was read: "Bishop Purpurius to his fellow bishop Silvanus, greeting in the Lord. Our son the deacon Nundinarius has come to me and asked that I should send this letter of entreaty from me to you, most holy one, so that, if it can be done, there may be peace between you and him. For I do not want this to happen, that anyone should know what is going on between us. If you will, by your writing, I alone will come there to the matter in person and cut off this dissension between you. For he handed me with his own hand a memorandum of what was done, for which reason he was stoned at your command. It is not right that a father should chastise a son against the truth; and I know that what is written in the memorandum handed to me is true. Seek a remedy, how that malice can be extinguished there before a flame arises which cannot afterward be extinguished without spiritual blood. Call your fellow clergy and the elders of the people, men of the church, and let them inquire carefully what these dissensions are, so that what is done may be done according to the precepts of the faith. You shall not turn aside to the right or to the left; but do not willingly lend your ear to evil advisers, who do not want peace. You are all killing us ..." and in another hand: "Farewell." Likewise a copy of a letter: "Bishop Purpurius to the clergy and elders of the people of Cirta, eternal greeting in the Lord! Moses calls to the whole senate of the sons of Israel and told them what the Lord commanded to be done. Nothing was done without the counsel of the elders. So you too, dearest ones, whom I know to have all heavenly and spiritual wisdom, learn with all your strength what this dissension is, and bring it to peace. For the deacon Nundinarius says that nothing is hidden from us about the source of this dissension between our dearest Silvanus and himself. For he handed me a memorandum in which everything is written. He said that it is not hidden from you either. I know that it is not .... Seek a good remedy, how this matter may be extinguished without danger to your souls, lest suddenly, when you show partiality, you come into judgment. Judge a just judgment between the parties according to your gravity and justice. Beware for us, lest you turn aside to the right or to the left: it is the cause of God, who searches the thoughts of each. Work at it; let no one know what this conspiracy is. Yours are the things contained in the memorandum. It is not good; for the Lord says: 'By your mouth you will be condemned, and by your mouth you will be justified.'" Likewise another was read: "To Silvanus, dearest brother, Fortis, eternal greeting in the Lord! Our son the deacon Nundinarius has come to me and reported what has happened between you and him, through the intervention of the malicious one, who wishes to turn the souls of the just from the way of truth. When I heard this, I was faint in mind that such a dissension had come between you. For that a priest of God should come to this ... which is not expedient for us, let it not happen. Now therefore ask him that, as far as possible, the peace of the Lord Savior Christ may be with him, that we may not come to the public and be condemned by the Gentiles. For it is written: 'See that while you bite one another you are not consumed by one another.' So I ask the Lord that this stumbling block of ours be removed from our midst, so that the cause of God may be celebrated with thanksgiving, as the Lord says: 'My peace I give you, my peace I leave you.' What peace can there be where there is dissension, where there are rivalries? For when I had been separated by a soldier ... and had come to that with such an injury, I commended my soul to God and forgave you, because God sees the minds of men, and of those by whom ... I was brought by you to them. But God set us free and we serve with you. So, just as it was forgiven us, you too be reconciled to peace, so that in the name of Christ we may celebrate peace with joy. Let no one know." "To the brothers and sons, the clergy and elders, Fortis, eternal greeting in the Lord! My son Nundinarius, your deacon, has come to me and reported what has been done against you; and surely it ought to have been settled by us, so that it should not have come to this, that, having suffered such madness, they should have been stoned for the truth, which both you and we know, as you have reported to us. And it is written: 'Is there no wise man among you who can judge between brothers? But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers,' as when you are not taking us to court. Has it come to this, that we give the Gentiles such an example, that those who believed in God through us should themselves curse us when we come before the public? So, lest it come to this, you who are spiritual, see to it that no one knows, so that we may celebrate Easter in peace, and urge them to be reconciled to peace and that there be no dissension, lest, when it has come into public, you too begin to be in danger, if this happens, and afterward lay it to our charge. You will give very many [greetings?]: you, Donatus the presbyter, owner, and each of you, Valerius and Victor, who know all the proceedings, see to it that there is peace with you." Likewise another was read: "Eternal greeting in the Lord! Your son Nundinarius has come to us, not only to me but also to our brother Fortis, and bringing a grave complaint. I wonder that in your gravity you have acted thus with your son, whom you nourished and ordained. For if a building of earth is built, is not something heavenly added, which is built by the hand of a priest? But you should not wonder, since Scripture says: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and reject the prudence of the prudent'; and again it says: 'Men loved darkness rather than light,' as you too do. Let it suffice us to know everything. On this our brother Fortis too has written to you; now I would ask of your charity, most kind brother, that you fulfil the saying of the prophet Isaiah: 'Drive out malice from your minds, and come, let us dispute, says the Lord'; and again: 'Cast out the evil from among you.' So you too do: subdue and turn back the sedition of those who did not want there to be peace between you and your son. But let your son Nundinarius celebrate Easter in peace with you, so that the matter does not come into public, being besides already known to all of us. I would ask you, most kind brother, to fulfil the petition of my humble self. Let no one know." Likewise another was read: "To brother Fortis, Sabinus, eternal greeting in the Lord! What charity is, I am particularly sure, as are all colleagues; yet according to the will of God, who said, 'Some I love above my soul,' I am sure that you have cherished Silvanus. So I did not hesitate to send this writing to you, because I had your letter written to him delivered for the sake of Nundinarius; and for one who acts briskly, the cause of God always proceeds with vigor. Do not put forward an excuse; for occupation presses us in these days and urges us without delay about these things until before the most solemn day of Easter, so that through you a most rich peace may come about, that we may be found worthy coheirs of Christ, who said, 'My peace I give you, my peace I leave you'; and again I ask you to do ..." and in another hand: "I wish you good health in the Lord, and that you be mindful of us. Farewell; but I ask you, let no one know." When these had been read, Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "From the proceedings and letters that have been read, it is established that Silvanus is a traitor." And he said to Victor: "Confess simply whether you know that he handed over anything." Victor said: "He handed over, but not in my presence." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What office did Silvanus then hold in the clergy?" Victor answered: "The persecution arose under bishop Paul, and Silvanus was a subdeacon." The deacon Nundinarius answered: "When it came to the point," he said, "that he should be made bishop, the people answered: 'Let another be made; hear us, God.'" Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Victor: "Was it said by the people, 'Silvanus is a traitor'?" Victor said: "I myself struggled against his being bishop." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Victor: "So you knew he was a traitor? Confess about this." Victor answered: "He was a traitor." The deacon Nundinarius said: "You elders were shouting: 'Hear us, God, we want our fellow citizen; that man is a traitor.'" Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Victor: "So you shouted with the people that Silvanus was a traitor and ought not to be made bishop?" Victor said: "I shouted, both I and the people. For we were asking for our fellow citizen, a man of integrity." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "For what reason did you think he did not deserve it?" Victor said: "We were asking for a man of integrity and our fellow citizen; for I knew that we would come to this, into the emperors' business, when the matter is entrusted to such men." Likewise, Victor son of Samsuricus and Saturninus, grave-diggers, having been brought in and set before the court, Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What is your name?" He answered: "Saturninus." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What is your condition?" Saturninus answered: "Grave-digger." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Do you know that Silvanus is a traitor?" Saturninus said: "I know that he handed over a silver lamp." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Saturninus: "What else?" Saturninus answered: "I know nothing else, except that he brought it out from behind a jar." And when Saturninus had been removed, Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to the one standing by: "What is your name?" He answered: "Victor son of Samsuricus." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What is your condition?" Victor said: "I am a craftsman." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Who handed over the silver tablet?" Victor answered: "I did not see; what I know, I say." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Victor: "Although it has already been established from the answers of those questioned above, yet confess whether Silvanus is a traitor." Victor said: "... when he let it go so that we should be taken to Carthage, I heard from the mouth of the bishop himself: 'A silver lamp and a silver box were given me, and these I handed over.'" Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Victor son of Samsuricus: "From whom did you hear it?" Victor said: "From bishop Silvanus." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Victor: "You heard from him himself that he had handed over?" Victor said: "I heard from him himself that he had handed them over with his own hands." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Where did you hear it?" Victor said: "In the basilica." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "At Constantina?" Victor said: "There he began to address the people, saying: 'About what do they say I am a traitor, about a lamp and a box?'" Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius: "What else do you think should be asked of these?" Nundinarius said: "About the casks of the treasury, who took them." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius: "What casks?" Nundinarius said: "They were in the temple of Serapis, and bishop Purpurius took them; the vinegar they held was taken by bishop Silvanus, Dontius the presbyter and Lucianus." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius: "Do those who stand by know that this was done?" Nundinarius answered: "They know." The deacon Saturninus said: "Our elders used to say that they were taken away." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "By whom are they said to have been taken away?" Saturninus said: "By bishop Purpurius, and the vinegar by Silvanus and Dontius and Superius, presbyters, and Lucianus the deacon." Nundinarius said: "Did Victor give twenty folles and was made a presbyter?" Saturninus said [so]. And as he was speaking, Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Saturninus: "To whom did he give it?" Saturninus said: "To bishop Silvanus." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Saturninus: "So, to be made a presbyter, he gave bishop Silvanus twenty folles as a fee?" Saturninus said: "He gave it." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Saturninus: "Was it placed before Silvanus?" Saturninus said: "Before the chair of the bishops." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius: "By whom was the money taken?" Nundinarius said: "The bishops themselves divided it among themselves." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius: "Do you wish Donatus to be produced?" Nundinarius said: "By all means let him come, about whom the people shouted two days after the peace: 'Hear us, God, we want our fellow citizen.'" Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius: "Did the people certainly shout this?" He answered: "They shouted." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Saturninus: "Did they shout that Silvanus was a traitor?" Saturninus said: "Certainly." Nundinarius said: "When he was made bishop, we did not communicate with him, because he was said to be a traitor." Saturninus said: "What he says is true." Nundinarius said: "I saw that Mutus the arena-fighter carried him on his neck." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Saturninus: "Was it done so?" Saturninus said: "So." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Is everything Nundinarius says true, that Silvanus was made bishop by arena-fighters?" Saturninus said: "True." Nundinarius said: "There were prostitutes there." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Saturninus: "Did the arena-fighters carry him?" Saturninus said: "They carried him, and the people; for the citizens were shut in the cemetery of the martyrs." The deacon Nundinarius said: "Was the people of God there?" Saturninus said: "It was shut in the great house." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Is everything Nundinarius says certainly true?" Saturninus said: "True." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What do you say?" Victor said: "All is true, sir." Nundinarius said: "Bishop Purpurius took a hundred folles." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius: "Whom do you think should be questioned about the four hundred folles?" Nundinarius said: "Let the deacon Lucianus be produced, for he knows everything." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius: "Do these know?" Nundinarius said: "They do not know." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Let Lucianus be produced." Nundinarius said: "These know that four hundred folles were received, but since the bishops divided them, they do not know." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius and Victor: "Do you know that folles were received from Lucilla?" Saturninus and Victor said: "We know." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Did the poor not receive them?" They said: "No one received anything." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Saturninus and Victor: "Was nothing taken from the shrine of Serapis?" Saturninus and Victor said: "Purpurius took the casks, and bishop Silvanus and Dontius and Superius, presbyters, and Lucianus the deacon took the vinegar." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "From the answer of Victor the grammarian and Victor son of Samsuricus and Saturninus it has become clear that everything Nundinarius alleged is true. Let them be removed and go out." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Whom else do you think should be questioned?" Nundinarius said: "Castus the deacon, so that he may say whether he is not a traitor; he himself ordained him." And Castus the deacon having been brought in and set before the court, Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What is your name?" He answered: "Castus." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Castus: "What is your condition?" Castus said: "I have no rank." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Castus: "Although now, through Victor the grammarian as well as through Victor son of Samsuricus and Saturninus, the things Nundinarius charges have come to confession, yet you too confess whether Silvanus is a traitor." Castus answered: "He used to say that he found the lamp behind a jar." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Castus: "Confess also about the casks taken from the shrine of Serapis and the vinegar." Castus answered: "Bishop Purpurius took the casks." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "The vinegar, who?" Castus answered that bishop Silvanus and Dontius and Superius, presbyters, took the vinegar from there. Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Castus: "Confess how many folles Victor gave to be made a presbyter." Castus said: "He offered a little bag, sir, and what it held I do not know." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Castus: "To whom was the little bag given?" Castus said: "He took it there in the great house." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Castus: "Was the money not divided to the people?" Castus answered: "It was not given, nor did I see it." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Castus: "Of the folles Lucilla gave, did the common people receive nothing?" Castus said: "I did not see anyone receive." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Castus: "Where, then, did they go?" Castus said: "I do not know." Nundinarius said: "Surely you either heard or saw, whether it was said to the poor, 'Lucilla gives to us too from her property'?" Castus said: "I did not see anyone receive." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Castus's confession is plain, that he did not know that the folles Lucilla gave were divided to the people; and so let him be removed." Likewise, Crescentianus the subdeacon having been brought in and set before the court, Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What is your name?" He answered: "Crescentianus." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "Confess simply, like the others, whether you know Silvanus to be a traitor." Crescentianus said: "The elders who were clergy reported each thing themselves." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "What did they report?" Crescentianus said: "They reported that he was a traitor." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "They called him a traitor?" And he added: "Who said so?" Crescentianus said: "Those who lived with him among the people said that he had once handed over." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "Did they say it of Silvanus?" Crescentianus said: "Certainly." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "When he was made bishop, were you present?" Crescentianus said: "I was present with the people, shut in the great house." The deacon Nundinarius said: "Country people and arena-fighters made him bishop." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "Did Mutus the arena-fighter certainly lift him up?" He said: "Plainly." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "Do you know that casks were taken from the shrine of Serapis?" Crescentianus said: "Many said that bishop Purpurius himself took the casks, and that the vinegar had come to our old man Silvanus; and the sons of Aelio said so." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "What did you hear?" Crescentianus said: "That the vinegar was taken by the old man Silvanus and Dontius and Superius, presbyters, and Lucianus the deacon." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "Of the four hundred folles Lucilla gave, did the people receive anything?" Crescentianus said: "No one received anything from them, I do not know, nor who paid them out." Nundinarius said: "Did the old women never receive anything from them?" Crescentianus said: "Nothing." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Surely, whenever any such thing is given, all the common people receive from it publicly?" Crescentianus said: "I did not hear or see that he gave any." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "So nothing of the four hundred folles was given to the people?" Crescentianus said: "Nothing; surely some little portion would have come to us." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Where, then, were they taken?" Crescentianus said: "I do not know; no one received anything." Nundinarius said: "How many folles did Victor give to be made a presbyter?" Crescentianus said: "I saw baskets brought with money." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Crescentianus: "To whom were the baskets given?" Crescentianus said: "To bishop Silvanus." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Were they given to Silvanus?" Crescentianus said: "To Silvanus." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Was nothing given to the people?" He answered: "Nothing; it would have been necessary that we too receive something, if they were distributed, as is usual." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said to Nundinarius: "What else do you think should be asked of Crescentianus?" Nundinarius said: "That is it." Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "Since Crescentianus the subdeacon has confessed simply about everything, let him be removed." Likewise, Januarius the subdeacon having been brought in and set before the court, Zenophilus, v.c., consular, said: "What is your name?" He answered ...

II. Proceedings for the clearing of Felix, bishop of Abthugni. ... In the municipality of the people of Abthugni, Gallienus the duumvir said: "Since you are present, Caecilianus, hear the letter of my lord Aelius Paulinus, a man of eminent rank, acting as deputy prefect, what he deigned to order according to the letter given to us, which compels you to produce both the clerk you had at the time of your administration and the registrar. But since the registrar of that time has died, you will also have to bring with you all the acts of your administration, according to the tenor of the letter of the same my lord, and you must set out for the colony of Carthage with your clerk. The curator is present, in whose presence we summon you. What do you answer to this?" Caecilianus said: "As soon as you brought me the letter of Aelius Paulinus, a man of eminent rank, acting as deputy prefect, I at once sent to the clerk Miccius to come, so that he might bring me the acts drawn up at that time; and he is still searching. And since it is no short time since I administered the duumvirate (it is eleven years), when he finds them, I will obey so great a command." Gallienus the duumvir said: "It is in your interest to obey the order; for you see that the order is sacred." Caecilianus said: "I am devoted to so great a command." Likewise, when the clerk Miccius had arrived a little later, Fuscius the duumvir said: "You too have heard, Miccius, that you too must go together with Caecilianus to the office of the eminent vicar, so that you may bring with you the documents of that time. What do you say to this?" Miccius answered: "The magistrate, when his year was completed, took all his acts to his own house ... if wax tablets can be found among them, I am searching." And while he was searching, Quintus Sisenna the duumvir said: "What the office knew, it answered." Apronianus said: "If the magistrate had taken all his acts, from where do the acts come that were then issued or drawn up so long ago?" And as he was speaking, Aelianus the proconsul said: "Both my questioning and the answer of each person are contained in the record." Agesilaus said: "There are besides other letters necessary to this matter; it is important that they be read." Aelianus the proconsul said: "Read, with Caecilianus listening, so that he may recognize whether he dictated it himself." Agesilaus read: "In the consulship of Volusianus and Annianus, on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of September, in court before Aurelius Didymus Speretius, priest of Jupiter Best and Greatest, duumvir of the splendid colony of Carthage, Maximus said: 'I speak in the name of the elders of the Christian people of the Catholic law. A case will have to be pleaded before the greatest emperors against Caecilian and Felix, who are trying with all force to invade the leadership of the same law. Against them documents of their crimes are being gathered. For when the persecution was proclaimed against the Christians, that is, that they should sacrifice or hand over to the fire whatever scriptures they had, Felix, who was then bishop of Abthugni, had given consent that the scriptures should be handed over by the hand of Galatius, so that they could be burned with fire. And at that time the magistrate was Alfius Caecilianus, whom you deign to see present. And since it was the duty of the office of that time that, by the proconsul's order, all should sacrifice and offer whatever scriptures they had according to the sacred law, I ask that, since he is present and you see he is an old man and cannot proceed to the sacred court, he state in the record whether, concerning the agreement, according to the acts held by him, he gave a letter, and whether what he set down in the letter is true, so that their acts and good faith may be disclosed at the sacred judgment.' With Caecilianus standing by, Speretius the duumvir said: 'Do you hear what has been stated in the record?' Alfius Caecilianus said: 'I had gone to Zama with Saturninus to buy linen, and when we came there, the Christians themselves send to me in the praetorium to say: Has the sacred command reached you? I said: No, but I have already seen examples, and at Zama and Furni I saw basilicas torn down and scriptures burned. So bring out whatever scriptures you have, so that the sacred order may be obeyed. Then they send to the house of bishop Felix to take the scriptures from there, so that they could be burned according to the sacred command. So Galatius went with us to the place where they used to hold prayers. From there we took the chair and letters of greeting, and all the doors were burned according to the sacred command. And when we sent to the house of the same bishop Felix, the public officials reported that he was absent. For when, at a later time, Ingentius, the clerk of Augentius, with whom I administered the aedileship, came, I dictated a letter to that colleague, which I made to the same bishop Felix.' Maximus said: 'He is present; let the same letter be offered to him so that he may recognize it.' He answered: 'It is the same.' Maximus said: 'Since he has recognized his letter, I read it and ask that it be inserted in full in the record.' And he read: 'Caecilianus to his father Felix, greeting! When Ingentius met my colleague Augentius, his friend, and asked whether in the year of my duumvirate any scriptures of your law were burned according to the sacred law ... than that my Galatius publicly brought out letters of greeting from your law from the basilica. I wish you good health.' This is the sign of entreaty that the Christians had sent me, and he whose praetorium it is, and you said: 'Take the key, and whatever books you find on the chair and the volumes on the stone, take them. But see that the officials do not take the oil and the wheat.' And I said to you: 'Do you not know that where scriptures are found, the house itself is torn down?' And you said: 'What, then, are we to do?' And I said to you: 'Let one of your people take them into the courtyard where you hold your prayers, and let them be placed there.' And I come with the officials and take them. And we came there and took everything according to the sacred command. Maximus said: 'Since the reading of the letter has been recited in the record, which he himself acknowledged that he sent, we ask that what he said be fixed in the record.' Speretius the duumvir said: 'What you have said has been written.'" Agesilaus said: "He has recognized the present letter; the remaining part, which he has now read, he says is false." Caecilianus said: "Sir, I dictated up to this point, up to where it has: 'I wish you good health, dearest father.'" Apronianus said: "Forgery has always been worked thus, by terror, by stagecraft, by an irreligious mind, by those who would not agree with the Catholic Church. For when Paulinus was here acting as deputy of the prefects, a certain private man was suborned, who had a little of the courier's office, to come to the faithful of Catholic unity and lead them on and terrify them. The faction, then, was exposed. For a lie was being put together against Felix, the most devout bishop, so that he would seem to have betrayed and burned the scriptures. Ingentius indeed, since all this that he was doing was against the holiness and devotion of Caecilian, was suborned to come with a letter, as if from bishop Felix, to Caecilianus the duumvir and to pretend to him that he had been sent by Felix. Let him say the very words in which this was made up." Aelianus the proconsul said: "Speak." Apronianus said: "'Say,' he said, 'to my friend Caecilianus that I received eleven precious divine books, and since I am now being pressed to return them, say that you burned them in the year of your magistracy, so that I need not return them.' Therefore Ingentius must be questioned about this: how far these things were plotted and fabricated, and how far he wished to entrap the magistrate into a lie so as to stain Felix with infamy. Let him say by whom he was sent, ... whether this plot ... against Felix's knowledge, so as to detract from the honor and beginning (?) of Caecilian. For there is someone who was sent as envoy from the other side through Mauretania and Numidia." And with Ingentius standing by, Aelianus the proconsul said: "By whose order did you undertake to do the things charged against you?" Ingentius said: "Where?" Aelianus the proconsul said: "Since you pretend not to understand what I ask, I will say it more openly: who sent you to the magistrate Caecilianus?" Ingentius said: "No one sent me." Aelianus the proconsul said: "How, then, did you come to the magistrate Caecilianus?" Ingentius said: "When we had come and the case of Maurus, bishop of Utica, who bought himself the episcopate, was being pleaded, Felix, bishop of Abthugni, went up to the city to deal with it and said: 'Let no one communicate with him, because he committed a forgery.' And I said to him in reply: 'Neither with you nor with him, because you are a traitor.' For I resented the case of Maurus, my host, because I had communicated with him abroad, since I escaped the persecution. Then I went to Felix's own home town; I took three elders with me, so that they might see whether he had truly handed over or not." Apronianus said: "Not so; he came to Caecilianus; ask Caecilianus." Aelianus the proconsul said to Caecilianus: "How did Ingentius come to you?" Caecilianus answered: "He came to me at home; I was having lunch with my workmen; he came there and stood at the door. 'Where is Caecilianus?' he said. I answered: 'Here.' I said to him: 'What is it? All well?' 'All well,' he said. I answered him: 'If you do not disdain to lunch, come, have lunch.' He said to me: 'I will come back here.' He came back alone. He began to say to me: 'Look, take care for me and inquire whether scripture was burned in the year of your duumvirate.' I said to him: 'You are a nuisance to me; you are a man sent in; take yourself away from me.' And I rejected him. And he came there again with my colleague, with whom I was aedile. My colleague said to me: 'Our bishop Felix has sent this man here, so that you may write him a letter, because he received precious books and did not wish to give them back. Write to him that they were burned in the year of your duumvirate.' And I said: 'Is this the good faith of Christians?'" Ingentius said: "Sir, let Augentius come too. I too am a man of honor; let my honor perish, and we have his sides." Aelianus the proconsul said to Ingentius: "You will be refuted under another heading." Aelianus the proconsul said to the attendants: "Make him ready." And when he was being made ready, Aelianus the proconsul said: "Let him be hung up." And when he was being hung up, Aelianus the proconsul said to Caecilianus: "How did Ingentius come to you?" He answered: "'Our Felix,' he said, 'sent me here, so that you may write to him, because there is some lost man or other, and I have very precious books in my keeping and do not want to return them. So write a letter that they were burned, so that he may not demand them back.' And I said: 'Is this the good faith of a Christian?' And I began to rebuke him, and my colleague said: 'Write to our Felix.' And so I dictated the letter, as far as it shows, up to where I dictated." Aelianus the proconsul said: "Hear without fear the reading of your letter; recognize how far you dictated." Agesilaus read: "... I wish you, dearest father, good health for many years." Aelianus the proconsul said to Caecilianus: "Did you dictate up to here?" He answered: "Up to here; the rest is false." Agesilaus read: "This is the sign of entreaty that you sent me, ... I and you, and he whose praetorium it is, and he said: 'Take the key, and whatever books you find on the chair and the volumes on the stone, take them. But see that the officials do not take the oil and the wheat.' And I said: 'Do you not know that where scriptures are found, the house itself is torn down?' And you said: 'What, then, shall we do?' And I said to you: 'Let one of us take them into the courtyards where you hold prayers, and let them be placed there.' And I come with the officials and take them. And we took everything according to the agreement and burned it according to the sacred command." Maximus said: "Since the tenor of the letter has also been recited in the record, which he said he recognized and sent, we ask that this be fixed in your record." Speretius said: "What you have said has been written." Caecilianus answered: "From that point it is false; my letter goes up to where I said: 'Good health, dearest father.'" Aelianus the proconsul said: "Whom do you say added to the letter?" Caecilianus said: "Ingentius." Aelianus the proconsul said: "Your declaration is fixed in the record." Aelianus the proconsul said to Ingentius: "You are being tortured so that you will not lie." Ingentius said: "I erred; I added to this letter, grieving over the case of Maurus, my host." Aelianus the proconsul said: "Maximus, ever Augustus, and the Licinii, Caesars, deign to show such kindness to the Christians that they do not wish discipline to be corrupted, but rather wish this religion to be observed and practiced. So do not flatter yourself, since you tell me that you are a worshiper of God, ... that you are being tortured so that you will not lie, which seems foreign to Christians. And so speak simply, so that you are not tortured." Ingentius said: "I have already confessed without torture." Apronianus said: "Deign to ask him by what authority, with what guile, with what madness he went round all the Mauretanias and the Numidias too, for what reason he stirred up sedition against the Catholic Church." Aelianus the proconsul said: "Have you been to the Numidias?" He answered: "No, sir; let there be someone to prove it." Aelianus the proconsul said: "Nor in Mauretania?" He answered: "I went there to trade." Apronianus said: "In this too he lies, sir (for one does not go to the region of Mauretania except through the Numidias), in that he says he was in Mauretania and was not in Numidia." Aelianus the proconsul said to Ingentius: "What is your condition?" Ingentius answered: "I am a decurion of the people of Ziqua." Aelianus the proconsul said to the attendants: "Let him down." When he had been let down, Aelianus the proconsul said to Caecilianus: "Is what you have said false?" Caecilianus answered: "No, sir. Order the man who wrote the letter to come; he is his friend; he will say how far I dictated the letter." Aelianus the proconsul said: "Who is the man you want to come?" Caecilianus said: "Augentius, with whom I was aedile. I cannot prove it except through Augentius himself, who wrote the letter; he can say how far I dictated it to him." Aelianus the proconsul said: "So it is established that the letter is forged?" Caecilianus answered: "It is established, sir; I do not lie, on my life." Aelianus the proconsul said: "Since you held the duumvirate in your home town, your words must be believed." Apronianus said: "Nor is it new for them to do this; besides, they have also added what they wanted to the record: it is now their craft." Aelianus the proconsul said: "By the declaration of Caecilianus, who says that the record was falsified and much added to the letter, it has been made plain with what intent Ingentius did these things; and therefore let him be taken back to prison, for he is needed for stricter questioning. But it is plain that Felix, the devout bishop, is free of the burning of the divine documents, since no one has been able to prove anything against him, that he betrayed or burned the most holy scriptures. For the questioning of all those written above has made it plain that no divine scriptures were either found or damaged or burned. It is contained in the record that Felix, the devout bishop, was not present at those times, nor gave his knowledge, nor ordered any such thing to be done." Agesilaus said: "Concerning those who came to inform your authority, what does your authority order?" Aelianus the proconsul said: "Let them return to their homes."

III. Letter of Constantine to Aelafius. Constantine Augustus to Aelafius. Already before this, when it had been brought to my knowledge that in our Africa many had begun, with mad fury, to break away from one another with empty accusations concerning the observance of the most holy Catholic law, it had pleased me, for the sake of settling a dissension of this kind, that both Caecilian, bishop of Carthage, against whom above all they all often came to me, and also some of those who had thought certain things should be charged against him, should present themselves at the city of Rome. For I had also ordered certain bishops from the Gauls to go to our city of Rome named above, so that both these, on account of the integrity of their life and their praiseworthy conduct, and also seven of the same communion, as well as the bishop of the city of Rome and those who were to hear the case with them, might bring due credence to the matter that seems to have been stirred up. They indeed reported to my knowledge all that had been done in their presence, with the record of proceedings, affirming besides by word that their judgment had been given according to the equity of the facts, and saying that rather those were liable in the case who thought they should stir up certain things against Caecilian, so much so that after that judgment was held they forbade them to return to Africa. Hence, on account of all this, by a reasonable estimate of things, I had hoped that a due end had been put to absolutely all the seditions and contentions that seemed to have been suddenly stirred up by other men. But when I had read the writings of your dictation, which your gravity thought should be sent to Nicasius and the others about these same pretenses, I clearly recognized that they will set before their eyes neither regard for their own salvation nor, what is greater, the veneration of almighty God, since they persist in doing things that not only lead to their own disgrace and infamy but also give an opportunity for disparagement to those men who are known to turn their minds far away from this most holy observance. For it is fitting that you also know this: that some of these same men came asserting that this Caecilian is held less worthy of the worship of the most holy religion; and when I answered them that they were boasting of this in vain, since the matter had been ended at the city of Rome by suitable and most approved men, bishops, they thought they should answer stubbornly and obstinately that the whole case had not been heard, but rather that the same bishops had shut themselves up in a certain place and had judged as it suited them. Therefore, since I saw that these many and so great dissensions were being prolonged too stubbornly, so that it seemed that no end could be given to them in any way unless both this same Caecilian and three of those who are at odds with him came to the town of Arles, to the judgment of those who hold against Caecilian and ought to give their assent, I thought it should be enjoined on your diligence that, as soon as you receive this letter of mine, you should cause both Caecilian named above, with some of those whom he himself shall choose (and also from Byzacena, Tripolitania, the Numidias and the Mauretanias, and from the several provinces, who will have to bring some of their own whom they think should be chosen), and also some of those who are at odds with the same Caecilian, to sail, the public post being granted, through Africa and Mauretania, and thence by a short course to the Spains; and likewise from there you should give to each of the bishops a travel warrant, so that they may reach the place named above by the day of the Kalends of August; informing them quickly that, before they set out, they ought to arrange that in their absence suitable discipline is kept and no sedition or contention of any quarrelers arises, which would lead to the greatest disgrace. With full examination undertaken in private, let an end be applied; because when all have presented themselves, the things that are now known to be in contention, and which not undeservedly ought to receive a timely end, may at once be ended and settled. For since it is certain with me that you too are a worshiper of the highest God, I confess to your gravity that I shall by no means consider it right that contentions and quarrels of this kind should be overlooked by us, from which perhaps the highest divinity could be moved not only against the human race but also against myself, to whose care he has by his heavenly will committed all earthly things to be governed, and, provoked, he may decree something otherwise than hitherto. For then truly and most fully shall I be able to be secure and always hope for all the most prosperous and best things from the most ready benevolence of the most powerful God, when I perceive that all venerate the most holy God in the due worship of the Catholic religion, with a concordant brotherhood of observance. Amen.

IV. The council of bishops at Arles to Pope Silvester. To the most beloved Pope Silvester: Marinus, Acratius, Natalis, Theodorus, Proterius, Vocius, Verus, Probatius, Caecilianus, Faustinus, Surgentius, Gregorius, Reticius, Ambitausus, Termatius, Merocles, Pardus, Adelfius, Hibernius, Fortunatus, Aristasius, Lampadius, Vitalis, Maternus, Liberius, Gregorius, Crescens, Avitianus, Dafnus, Orantalis, Quintasius, Victor, Epictetus, eternal greeting in the Lord! Clinging to the common bond of charity and to the chain of unity of mother Catholic Church, brought to the city of Arles by the will of the most pious emperor, we greet you from there, most glorious pope, with due reverence. There we have endured grave and pernicious injury to our law and tradition, and men of unbridled mind, whom both the present authority of our God and the tradition and rule of truth so reject that no ground of speech remained in them, nor any manner of accusing, nor did any proof fit; therefore, with God as judge and mother church, which knows and approves her own, they were either condemned or rejected. And would, most beloved brother, that you had thought it worth so much to be present at so great a spectacle! Surely we believe that a more severe sentence would have been passed against them, and that, with you judging together with us, our assembly would have exulted with greater joy. But since you could by no means leave those parts in which the apostles sit daily and their blood bears witness without ceasing to the glory of God, it did not seem to us, most dear brother, that only those matters should be dealt with to which we had been called; but we judged that we should also take counsel for ourselves; and since the provinces from which we have come are different, so different things happen, which we judge we ought to observe. It pleased us, then, in the presence of the Holy Spirit and his angels, that from the things that troubled each of us we should bring forth judgments concerning the present peace; it pleased us also to write first to you, who hold the greater dioceses, so that through you above all they might be made known to all. What it is that we have decided we have added to the writing of our humble selves. And in the first place it had to be dealt with concerning our life and benefit, that, as one died for many and rose again, the time itself should be observed by all with such devout mind that divisions or dissensions could not arise in so great a service of devotion. We decree, then, that the Pascha of the Lord be observed throughout the whole world on one day. Concerning those too who have been ordained ministers in any places, that they remain in those places. For it concerns those who throw down their arms in peace: it pleased us that they be kept from communion. Concerning charioteers of the circus who are believers, it pleased us that they be separated from communion as long as they drive. Concerning actors of the theater, it pleased us that they be separated from communion as long as they perform. It concerns those who are in sickness and wish to believe: it pleased us that a hand be laid on them. Concerning governors who are believers and attain the governorship, it pleased us thus: that, when they have been promoted, they receive indeed ecclesiastical letters of communion, but on this condition, that in whatever places they hold office, care be taken of them by the bishops of the same place, and if they begin to act against discipline, then at last they be excluded from communion. And likewise concerning those who wish to hold public office. Concerning Africa, however, since they use their own law of rebaptizing, it pleased us that, if any heretic comes to the church, they ask him the creed; and if they see that he has been baptized in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, only a hand should be laid on him; but if, when asked the creed, he does not answer this Trinity, he should rightly be baptized, and so on. Then, weary, he ordered all to return to their sees. Amen.

V. Letter of Constantine to the Catholic bishops. Constantine Augustus to the Catholic bishops, his dearest brothers, greeting! The eternal, devout and incomprehensible kindness of our God by no means permits the human condition to wander longer in darkness, nor does it allow the hateful wills of some to prevail so far that it does not, by again opening a saving way with its most brilliant lights, grant that they be converted to the rule of righteousness. I have learned this indeed from many examples; I measure these same things from myself. For there were in me at first things that seemed to lack righteousness, nor did I think that the power above saw the things I carried on within the secret places of my heart. What fortune, as I have said, ought these things to have obtained? Surely one overflowing with every evil. But almighty God, sitting in the watchtower of heaven, granted what I did not deserve: certainly the things that he has granted to me, his servant, by his heavenly goodwill can now be neither told nor counted. Most holy bishops of Christ the Savior, dearest brothers! I rejoice, then, I rejoice especially, that at last, after a most just judgment had been held, you have called back to a better hope and fortune those whom the malice of the devil seemed, by its wretched persuasion, to have turned away from the most brilliant light of the Catholic law. O truly victorious providence of Christ the Savior, that it should take thought even for those who, already falling away from the truth and as it were bringing arms against it, had joined themselves to the Gentiles! For if even now they are willing to pay obedience to the most holy law with pure faith, they will be able to understand how much has been provided for them by God's will. And this indeed, most holy brothers, I hoped could be checked even in those in whom the greatest hardness of mind is inborn. But a right judgment has not profited them, nor has the gracious Godhead entered their minds. Truly not undeservedly has the clemency of Christ withdrawn far from those in whom it shines with plain light that they are such that we see them hated even by heavenly providence. What great madness persists in them, when with incredible arrogance they persuade themselves of things that it is not right either to say or to hear, falling away from the right judgment given, from which, by heavenly providence, I learned that they are demanding my judgment! What force of malice persists in their breasts! How often have they already been crushed by me with a fitting answer to their most shameless approaches! If they had been willing to keep this before their eyes, they would by no means have interposed this very thing. They demand my judgment, who myself await the judgment of Christ. For I say, as the truth is, that the judgment of priests ought to be regarded as if the Lord himself were sitting in judgment. For it is not permitted to them to think otherwise or to judge otherwise than as they have been taught by Christ's teaching. What, then, do these malicious men think, who are, as I truly said, the instruments of the devil? They seek worldly things, leaving heavenly ones. O raging boldness of madness! As is usually done in the cases of pagans, they have lodged an appeal. Indeed, pagans, sometimes fleeing lower courts where justice can be quickly reached, are accustomed, by interposing authority, to betake themselves to higher courts, to appeal. What of these disparagers of the law, who, refusing a heavenly judgment, thought my judgment should be demanded? Do they think thus of Christ the Savior? Behold, now they are betrayers; behold, without any sharper inquiry they have themselves betrayed their own crimes. What humanity is felt by those who have leapt out monstrously against God himself? Indeed, dearest brothers, although these things seem to have been detected in them, nevertheless you who follow the way of the Lord Savior, show patience, giving them still the choice of what they think they should choose. And if you see them persisting in the same things, at once set out with those whom the Lord has judged worthy of his worship, and return to your own sees, and remember me, so that our Savior may always have mercy on me. For the rest, I have sent my men to bring these unspeakable deceivers of religion at once to my court, so that they may live there and there see for themselves something worse than death. I have also given suitable letters to the one who holds the deputy prefecture through Africa, that he may at once send to my court as many as he finds like them in this madness, so that, under so great a brightness of our God, they may no longer do things that could stir up the greatest anger of heavenly providence. May almighty God keep you safe through the ages, as I and you pray, dearest brothers.

VI. Letter of Constantine to the bishops of the party of Donatus. Constantine Augustus to the bishops. A few days ago, indeed, in accordance with your request, I had decided that you should return to Africa, so that there the whole case which you think you have against Caecilian might be examined by friends of mine whom I had chosen, and receive its due end. But as I thought about it long and, not without reason, turned it over in my mind, this seemed best: since I know that some of your people are turbulent enough and with obstinate mind have no regard for right judgment and for the account of the whole truth, and that it might therefore happen that, if the case were heard there, the matter would not reach its end as is fitting and as the account of truth demands, and that, through your excessive obstinacy, something might happen that would displease the heavenly Godhead and greatly hinder my reputation, which I wish always to remain unblemished: I decided, as I said, that Caecilian, according to what was discussed before, should rather come here; and I believe he will soon be present in accordance with my letter. And I promise you that if, in his presence, you prove anything yourselves about even one crime or deed of his, it will count with me as if everything you charge against him had been proved. May almighty God grant you perpetual security.

VII. Letter of Constantine to Celsus, vicar of Africa. To Celsus, vicar of Africa. That Menalius, whom madness had long since taken hold of, persists, and the others who, departing from the truth of God, have given themselves to most perverse error, your gravity's latest letter has also attested, in which you mentioned, dearest brother, that, holding to our command, you have checked them in keeping with the deserts of their sedition and the tumult they were preparing. Hence, since it has become plain from this that they have plotted wicked things, in that, when I had decided to inquire most fully between them and Caecilian about the various allegations, they labored to withdraw themselves from my presence by flight, by this most shameful deed they have confessed that they are hastening to return to what they did before and persist in doing now. But since it is established that no one at all profits from his own offenses, even if their restraint has been put off for a little, I have thought I should instruct your gravity in the meantime to leave them alone and to understand that you should overlook them for now. But when you have read this letter, make it known openly both to Caecilian and to them that, when by the favor of divine kindness I come to Africa, I shall show most fully to all, both to Caecilian and to those who seem to act against him, by reading out a clear judgment, what and what kind of veneration is to be given to the highest Godhead and what kind of worship seems to please him; and with diligent examination applied I shall most fully discover and bring into the light the things that some now think they hide by the allurements of their mind and their ignorance; and those persons who stir up things of this kind and cause the highest God not to be worshiped with the veneration that is due, I shall destroy and scatter. And since it is quite clear that no one can obtain the blessedness of a martyr by a kind of conduct that is plainly foreign to and out of keeping with the truth of religion, those whom I find to be against right and religion itself, and whom I detect as guilty of violating the fitting veneration, I shall without any hesitation make pay the deserved penalties of their madness and rash obstinacy. Let them know, then, for certain what they must hold for the fullest assurance (my salvation too being called to witness): that I shall inquire most diligently both about the people and about those of the clergy who are first, and shall judge what is plainly most true and most devout, and shall show them too what and what kind of worship is to be given to the Godhead. For I do not believe that I can otherwise escape the greatest guilt than by not thinking at all that what is wicked should be overlooked. What should be done by me rather, according to my resolve and the office of the prince himself, than that, errors dispelled and all rashness cut away, I should bring all to present true religion, harmonious simplicity, and the worship due to almighty God?

VIII. Letter of the praetorian prefects Petronius to Celsus. Petronius Annianus and Julianus to Domitius Celsus, vicar of Africa. Since his Dignity has ordered Lucianus, Capito, Fidentius and Nasutius, bishops, and Mammarius, presbyter, who by the heavenly command of the lord Constantine the Greatest, unconquered, ever Augustus, had come to the Gauls with other men of their persuasion, to return to their own homes, we have given them, brother, the public post with a suitable allowance of provisions as far as the port of Arles, according to the order of the eternity of the same most clement prince, so that from there they may sail to Africa, which it is fitting that your diligence should know by our letter. We wish you, brother, the best of health. Hilarius, chief of staff, presented it on the fourth day before the Kalends of May, at Trier.

IX. Letter of Constantine to the Catholic Church. Constantine Augustus to all the bishops throughout Africa and to the people of the Catholic Church. You know very well that, as far as faith required, as much as prudence availed, as purity could, I have tried by every office of humanity and moderation that, according to the teachings of our law, that peace of most holy brotherhood, whose grace the highest God has mingled in the breasts of his servants, might be established and kept in complete concord. But since the reasoning of our intent could not tame that force of wickedness poured in, clinging stubbornly, though in the minds of few, this wickedness still favoring itself with patronage, so that they would not let be wrested from them at all that in which they rejoiced to have offended, we must look to it that, while all this has settled in a few, it may be softened toward the people by the mercy of almighty God. For from him we must hope for a remedy, since all good prayers and deeds are referred to him. But until the heavenly medicine proceeds, our counsels must be so far moderated that we cultivate patience, and whatever their insolence attempts or does, according to the habit of their intemperance, we tolerate it all with the virtue of tranquility. Let nothing be paid back in return for injury; for it is the part of a fool to usurp with his hands the vengeance we must reserve to God, especially since our faith ought to trust that whatever it suffers from the fury of men of this kind will avail with God for the grace of martyrdom. For what else is it in this world to conquer in the name of God than to bear with steadfast heart the disorderly attacks of men harassing the people of the peaceful law? If your sincerity observes this, you will quickly see, by the grace of the highest Godhead, that, as the designs and ways of those who offer themselves as standard-bearers of a most wretched contention grow feeble, all will know that they ought not, perishing by the persuasion of a few, to give themselves to everlasting death, when by the grace of repentance, their errors corrected, they can always be restored to eternal life. Farewell through the ages, dearest brothers, by God's command, as we all pray.

X. Letter of Constantine about the basilica taken from the Catholics. Constantine, Victor, Greatest and Triumphant, ever Augustus, to Zeuzius, Gallicus, Victorinus, Sperantius, Januarius, Felix, Crescentius, Pantius, Victor, Babbutius and Donatus, bishops. Since it is plain that it is the will of the highest God, who is the author and father of this world, by whose kindness we enjoy life, look up at the sky and rejoice in human society, that the whole human race should agree in common and be glued together by a certain affection of fellowship as if in mutual embraces, there is no doubt that heresy and schism have come from the devil, who is the head of malice; and therefore there is no doubt that whatever is done by heretics is done at the prompting of him who has taken possession of their senses, minds and thoughts. For when he has brought men of this kind into his power, he rules them in every way. And what good can a madman do, a faithless, irreligious, profane man, opposed to God, an enemy of the holy church, who, departing from God, holy, true, just, highest and Lord of all (who made us and brought us into this light, who gave the breath for the life we enjoy, and who made us what he wished to be his, and accomplished all things by his will), runs with headlong error to the devil's side? But since a mind once possessed by evil must press on with the works of its teacher, so as to accomplish things that are plainly contrary to equity and justice, therefore those who are possessed by the devil obey his falsehood and wickedness. Nor is it surprising that the wicked depart from the good; for so it is rightly marked by the proverb: like gathers with like. Those who are infected with the evil of an impious mind must separate from our fellowship. For the evil man, as Scripture says, brings forth evil out of an evil treasure, but the good man brings forth good out of a good one. But since, as has been said, the heretics and schismatics, who, leaving the good and following evil, do what displeases God, are proved to cling to the devil, who is their father, your gravity has acted most rightly and wisely, and according to the holy precept of faith, in refraining from their perverse contentions and in giving up to them what they strive to usurp, though it is not due to them and belongs to others, lest, as their perversity is malignant and faithless, they should break out into seditions and stir up their like among crowds and gatherings, and so something should arise that ought not to be quelled. For their wicked purpose always seeks to accomplish the works of the devil. And so, when they are overcome, together with their father himself, by the patience of the priests of God, the worshipers of the highest God win glory for themselves, but those win damnation and fitting punishments. For from this the judgment of the highest God becomes greater and more just, in that he bears with them calmly and condemns them by patience, enduring all that has come from them; for God has promised himself as the avenger of all. And so, when vengeance is left to God, punishment is taken more sharply on enemies. I have learned that you, servants and priests of God, have now gladly done this, and I have greatly rejoiced that you ask no vengeance on the impious and wicked, the sacrilegious and profane, the faithless and irreligious, the ungrateful to God and enemies of the church, and rather ask that they may obtain pardon. This is truly and thoroughly to know God; this is to hold to the precepts; this is to believe happily; this is to think truly; this is to know that a greater vengeance is called down on the opponents of the church when they are spared in this world. Having received, then, the letter of your wisdom and gravity, I have learned that the heretics or schismatics, with their usual wickedness, thought fit to invade the basilica of the Catholic Church which I had ordered to be built in the city of Constantina, and that, though often admonished both by us and by our judges at our order, they would not give back what was not theirs; and that you, imitators of the patience of the highest God, calmly leaving to their malice what is yours, ask instead for another place for yourselves, namely one belonging to the treasury. This petition, according to my custom, I gladly embraced, and at once gave suitable letters to the accountant, that he should cause the house of our property to pass with all its rights into the ownership of the Catholic Church, which I have given with ready generosity and ordered to be handed over at once. In that place I have ordered a basilica to be built at the treasury's expense, and I have commanded that it be written also to the consular governor of Numidia, that he should help your holiness in every way in the building of that church. The lectors too of the Catholic Church, and the subdeacons, and also the others who, at the prompting of the men mentioned, have been called by some, according to custom, to public duties or to the decurionate, I have decided, according to the statute of my law, are to be called to no duty; and those too who have been taken at the heretics' prompting we have ordered to be released at once from troublesome services. For the rest, I have also ordered my law given concerning the Catholic clergy to be kept; all of which has been written down in the testimony of this letter so that it may be made plain to your patience. And would that the heretics or schismatics would at some time take thought for their salvation, and, their darkness wiped away, open their eyes to the sight of the true light, and depart from the devil, and flee, even late, to God, who is one and true, who is the judge of all! But since it is plain that they remain in their malice and prefer to die in their crimes, our admonition and our earlier constant exhortation are enough for them. For if they had been willing to obey our orders, they would be set free from all evil. Let us, however, brothers, follow what is ours, hold to the commands, keep the divine precepts by good deeds; defending our life from errors, let us direct it, with God's mercy favoring, along the right path. Given on the Nones of February, at Serdica.