“When Valentinian was journeying from Constantinople to Rome…some bishops despatched Hypatian…to request permission to assemble themselves together for deliberation on questions of doctrine.…Valentinian made the following reply: ‘I am but one of the laity, and have therefore no right to interfere in these transactions; let the priests, to whom such matters appertain, assemble where they please.’” Sozomen, Eccl. Hist. VI. 7 [Vol. II. of this series]. The law referred to is not extant.