Hilary of Poitiers: Conflicts of Conscience and Law in the Fourth-Century Church

A translation of two texts of Hilary of Poitiers who was an important theologian in the Western Church who promoted the cause of the creed of Nicaea during the fourth century. The first is what remains of a historical work Hilary wrote against two distinguished contemporary bishops, Valens and Ursacius which throws light upon the violence and betrayal in church life during the fourth century. The second text is an open letter to the Emperor Constantius urging him to throw his weight behind the Nicene creed. An eloquent piece, it failed to move the Emperor but had its effect elsewhere.