Section 497
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COUNCIL OF NICE. 15 at another time, that he had never read their libels. He declared that the delinquencies of the prelates ought not to be published, lest they should prove an occasion of offence to the people ; and even added, that if he should surprise a bishop in adultery, he would cover him with his imperial mantle, for fear that the ex ample of the crime should be prejudicial to those who might wit ness it. He then commanded them to desist from their unseemly recriminations, and ordered their memorials to be thrown into the fire.J The day appointed by the emperor for the public session of the council was under the consulate of Paulinus and Julian, the thir teenth of the calends of July, answering to the nineteenth of June,* A. D. 325. On the arrival of that day, says Eusebius,f all those who were to be present at the council, assembled in an apartment in the centre of the palace, which was larger than any of the others. Many benches were disposed on each side, and every one took his proper place. When all were seated with suitable decorum, they awaited the coming of the emperor. First one, then another, and then a third, of his attendants entered the hall. Others also preceded, not armed men, nor any of his usual guard, but only his particular friends. At the signal which an nounced the entrance of the emperor, all arose, and he appeared in the midst of them, his purple robe, resplendent with gold and precious stones, dazzling the eyes of the beholders. That his mind was impressed with religious awe was evident in his down cast eyes, his blushing countenance, and his modest step and movement. He was taller than any of those, by whom he was surrounded. Nor was he in stature only, but also in elegance of form, and robustness of frame, superior to the others. These ex ternal advantages were heightened by courteousness of behavior, * Socrates says, that it was on the 20th of May, but Valesius thinks he was mistaken. Atticus, bishop of Constantinople, mentions the 14th of June, but the date assumed by the writer is supported by the council of Calcedon and the Alexandrian Chronicle. The reader who may wish to see a full examination of thw difficulty, is referred to Tillemont, memoires pour servir £ 1'histoire ecclesiastique, Tom. VI. Note I, sur le Concile de Nicee. t Vit. Cons. III. 7.