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NOT long after these events, the emperor returned to Sirmium from
Rome; on receiving a deputation from the Western bishops, he
recalled Liberius from Beroea. Constantius urged him, in the
presence of the deputies of the Eastern bishops, and of the other
priests who were at the camp, to confess that the Son is not of the
same substance as the Father. He was instigated to this measure by
Basil, Eustathius, and Eusebius, who possessed great influence
over him. They had formed a compilation, in one document, of the
decrees against Paul of Samosata, and Photinus, bishop of
Sirmium; to which they subjoined a formulary of faith drawn up at
Antioch at the consecration of the church, as if certain persons had,
under the pretext of the term "consubstantial," attempted to
establish a heresy of their own. Liberius, Athanasius, Alexander,
Severianus, and Crescens, a priest of Africa, were induced to
assent to this document, as were likewise Ursacius, Germanius,
bishop of Sirmium, Valens, bishop of Mursa, and as many of the
Eastern bishops as were present. They partially approved of a
confession of faith drawn up by Liberius, in which he declared that
those who affirm that the Son is not like unto the Father in substance
and in all other respects, are excommunicated. For when Eudoxius and
his partisans at Antioch, who favored the heresy of Aetius, received
the letter of Hosius, they circulated the report that Liberius had
renounced the term "consubstantial," and had admitted that the Son
is dissimilar from the Father. After these enactments had been made
by the Western bishops, the emperor permitted Liberius to return to
Rome. The bishops who were then convened at Sirmium wrote to
Felix, who governed the Roman church, and to the other bishops,
desiring them to receive Liberius. They directed that both should
share the apostolical throne and discharge the priestly duties in
common, with harmony of mind; and that whatever illegalities might
have occurred in the ordination of Felix, or the banishment of
Liberius, might be buried in oblivion. The people of Rome regarded
Liberius as a very excellent man, and esteemed him highly on account
of the courage he had evinced in opposing the emperor, so that they had
even excited seditions on his account, and had gone so far as to shed
blood. Felix survived but a short time; and Liberius found himself
in sole possession of the church. This event was, no doubt, ordained
by God, that the seat of Peter might not be dishonored by the
occupancy of two bishops; for such an arrangement is a sign of
discord, and is foreign to ecclesiastical law.
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