[P. 47.]—Semi-Pelagianism at Lerinus.—Vincentius, author of the Commonitorium (which Neander justly describes as “ein für die Geschichte des Begriffs von der Tradition epochemachendes Buch,” Kirchengeschichte, iii. 262), held semi-Pelagian views (cp. ib. iv. 405). Faustus was also a strong exponent of modified Pelagianism, though severe in condemnation of Pelagianism; his work, De gratia dei et libero arbitrio, is extant (Opp. ed Engelbrecht; Migne, 58, 783 sqq.). On the other hand, Hilary of Arles was a follower of Augustine, and Lupus a decided anti-Pelagian. Cp. Duchesne, Fastes épiscopaux de l’ancienne Gaule, pp. 129-30.
[P. 42.]—Victoricus: appears transformed into an angel in Muirchu; and in later biographers the name is changed to Victor. In Tírechán (330₂₂) we meet a Victoricus whom Patrick ordained bishop for Domnach Maigen.
[P. 43.]—Pelagius, a Scot, but probably born in Britain. See Bury, “The Origin of Pelagius,” in Hermathena, xxx. p. 26 sqq., where the evidence is set out. Zimmer holds that he was born in Ireland (Pelagius in Ireland, pp. 18-20). For a general account of the Pelagian theory and the course of the controversy, see Harnack, History of Dogma, vol. x.
[P. 47.]—Patrick’s reluctance to go to Ireland: cp. esp. Conf. 365₁₉, contra, Hiberione non sponte pergebam donec prope deficiebam (cp. Ps. 18.37, White).
[P. 49.]—Autissiodorum.—For the connexion of Patrick with Auxerre see Muirchu, pp. 496, 272; cp. Hymn Gen. Patr. 19, 20 (p. 98, Lib. Hymn. vol. i.). The authenticity of the record that Patrick received his theological training in Gaul is borne out by the desire to visit the brethren in Gaul which he expresses in the Confession, 370₁₂.—For Amator, see [Appendix C, 9]. For Iserninus and Auxilius: Muirchu, p. 273; Add. Notices, p. 342 (Patricius et Isserninus, 1. epscop Fith, cum Germano fuerunt in Olsiodra ciuitate, etc., a passage which shows that Iserninus was an Irishman); and [Appendix C, 9]. The notice in Ann. Ult. s.a. 439 might seem to imply that Iserninus was already a bishop when he went to Ireland in that year; but Tírechán says that Patrick ordained Eserninus at Killcullen. See below, [p. 310].
[Pp. 49-50.]—Patrick ordained deacon: Confession, 365₁₂ (see [Appendix C, 9]). Patrick discouraged in his enterprise: Conf. 371₁₁, multi hanc legationem prohibebant, etc.
[P. 50.]—Germanus: see [Appendix A, i. 7], on the Vita Germani of Constantius, and W. Levison’s monograph there cited. On the apparent inconsistency of the statement that he held a military command with the fact of his civil career (see Levison, op. cit. p. 117).
[P. 51.]—Germanus in Britain: Prosper, Chron. s.a. 429—the source for the fact that Germanus was sent by Celestine as his representative ad insinuationem Palladii diaconi. We are not told whether Palladius was a deacon of Rome or of Auxerre. It is to be observed that this notice is strictly contemporary; the first edition of the Chronicle was published only four years later. Constantius, in the V. Germani, does not mention the part played by Celestine. He represents the mission of Germanus, with whom Lupus of Troyes was associated, as decided by a synod of Gallic bishops which assembled in response to an appeal from Britain (c. 12). It is difficult to say how far we should be justified in accepting the statement of Constantius and reconciling it with Prosper’s, in the sense that a Gallic synod decreed the mission and Celestine sanctioned and approved it (so Tillemont, Mém. ecc. xv. 15, and others). But it may be so far correct, that an appeal was made from Britain to Gaul, probably to Auxerre, and that Auxerre enlisted the intervention of Rome. The question is discussed in Levison, op. cit. pp. 120-2.
[Ib.]—British Pelagians: Agricola was prominent. Writings of a British Pelagian are edited by Caspari, Briefe, Abhandlungen und Predigten aus den zwei letzten Jahrhunderten des kirchlichen Alterthums (1890), who ascribes them to Agricola. For Fastidius cp. Tillemont, xv. 16, 17; but Mr. H. Williams seeks to defend him against the charge of heresy (Transactions of Society of Cymmrodorion, 1893-4, p. 71 sqq.).