HILARY, Bishop of Arles, was born in Gaul at the beginning of the fifth century. Belonging to a family of distinction, he received a good education and gave early proof of ability and perseverance. Through the influence of Honoratus, abbot of Lerins, he became a monk; and after some strong opposition on his part, he consented to become bishop of Arles, at the early age of 29. The part which
he took in the deposition of Chelidonius involved him in a quarrel with Leo the Great. Both Hilary and Chelidonius betook themselves to Rome, but Hilary, though willing to consult Leo, was not willing to submit to his authority. This at once provoked the hostility of the Pontiff. The deposition of Chelidonius was cancelled, and Hilary was obliged to make his escape, as best he could, back to Gaul. After being deprived of his authority by Leo, the well-known edict of Valentinian III. decreed, "Ut Episcopis Gallicanis omnibusque pro lege esset quicquid apostolicæ sedis auctoritas sanxisset, &c." This encroachment upon Gallican ecclesiastical liberty is important in the controversy between Romanists and Protestants, as showing, first, that about the middle of the 5th century supreme power was claimed by the Roman Pontiff; and, secondly, that this claim was resisted by the metropolitan of Gaul. Hilary died A.D. 449, 49 years of age. He wrote numerous epistles, of which that addressed to Eucherius is extant. We have also his life of Honoratus his preceptor.