_Osius_ having thus gratified the Emperor, by communicating with the _Arians_, and signing the _Sirmian_ Confession of Faith, he was immediately reinstated in his See, and suffered to return to his native Country, where he gave some Trouble, it seems, to the Orthodox Bishops; for _Gregory_ Bishop of _Elvira_ is highly commended by _Eusebius_ of _Vercelli_, who lived then in Exile, _for opposing the Transgressor_ Osius, as I have observed above. The unfortunate Prelate did not live long after his Fall, but died in the Latter-end of the same Year 357. according to the most probable Opinion. He did not forget the Crime he had committed, says _Athanasius_[858]; but grievously complained, at the Point of Death, of the Violence that had been offered him, anathematized the Heresy of _Arius_, and exhorted, as by his last Will, all Mankind to reject it[859]. To his Repentance _Athanasius_, no doubt, alludes, where he writes, that _Osius_ yielded only for a time[860]; which he says of no other, not even of _Liberius_. As for the Account, which some Writers give of his tragical End[861], it is not worthy of Notice. The _Greek_ Church honours him as a Saint, and his Festival is kept on the 27th of _August_[862]; but they are certainly mistaken in supposing him to have died in Banishment. The Case of _Osius_ deserves, without all Doubt, to be greatly pitied. But it would be still more worthy of our Pity and Compassion, had he been himself an Enemy to all Persecution. But it must be observed, that he was the Author and Promoter of the First Christian Persecution. For it was he who first stirred up _Constantine_ against the _Donatists_; many of whom were sent into Exile, and some even sentenced to Death, nay, and led to the Place of Execution. I dare not interpret the very severe Treatment he met with, or his Fall and Apostasy, as a Judgment; but cannot help thinking him, on that Consideration, less worthy of our Compassion and Concern, than a Man of his Years and Merit would otherwise have been.
[Sidenote: Constantius _appoints a Council to meet at_ Nicomedia;]