First, such a state of affairs would have been to be desired, that we ourselves through our own persons might seek out the City venerable to the world, for the discharge of duties divine and human. But since this has now long since ceased to be possible by reason of the times, let us be willing—for it must be confessed—to attain at least this much of security, that what ought to be entreated in the common cause, your greatness might learn by the report of the assembled priests of Gaul. Yet since this province too, hemmed in by the fixed boundaries of the kingdoms, does not render us capable even of this wish, I beg as soon as possible, with suppliant prayer, that this page may not stir up in your most renowned order any disdain, as though dictated by one man alone:
since by all my Gallican brethren I am charged with this very thing, no less by commissions than by letters, whatever we all seek from you, I alone have undertaken to lay before you. While we were anxious-minded and trembling concerning the cause of the Roman Church—inasmuch as we felt our own state to totter when its summit was assailed: for one single accusation had struck all of us, surely without the odium of the multitude, if it had overwhelmed the state of the chief—there was brought to our solicitude from Italy, in copies, the priestly form of a decree, which the bishops of Italy, gathered at the City, issued concerning Pope Symmachus.
Although the assent of a numerous and reverend council renders that constitution worthy of observance, we nevertheless understand that holy Pope Symmachus, if he had first been accused before the world, ought rather to have won the consolation of his fellow-priests than to have received their judgment. For just as the Arbiter of heaven commands that subjects be not subject to earthly powers, foretelling that we shall stand before kings and princes under any accusation whatsoever: so it is not easily given to understand by what reason or by what law the more eminent should be judged by his inferiors. For when the Apostle cries out with a celebrated precept (1 Tim. V, 19) that an accusation ought not to be received even against a presbyter, what is to be judged permissible against the chief man in accusations against the general Church?
And that very venerable synod, providing for this by a praiseworthy constitution, rather reserved to the divine examination the cause which—be it said saving its reverence—it had almost rashly undertaken to investigate: yet touching briefly, as briefly it could, that nothing had appeared, either to itself or to that most glorious man King Theoderic, of the charges which were said to be laid against the pope. These things being known, as though I myself were a Roman senator, as though a Christian bishop, I thus adjure you: so may the wished-for prosperity, by the gift of heavenly divinity, attend your times; so may the dignity in which you flourish preserve for the whole world the appearance of the Roman name amid a failing world—that in your sight the state of the Church may be no less than that of the commonwealth;
and that what God has granted you to be able to do may profit us also; and that you may love the See of Peter in your Church no less than the summit of the world in your city. If with that profound counsel of your deliberation you see the matter aright, not only the cause that is transacted at Rome is to be pondered. But among the other priests too something can perhaps be reformed if aught has gone astray; yet if the Pope of the City is called into doubt, it will now seem that the episcopate, not a bishop, is tottering. You know well amid what tempests of heresies, as with winds blowing about us, we steer the ship of faith. If you dread perils of this kind together with us, it is expedient that you protect your helmsman by sharing his labor.
Otherwise, what vengeance is it, if, when the sailors rage against the master, one yields to that danger not without their own peril? He who presides over the Lord's fold shall render an account by what administration he dispenses the care of the lambs committed to him: but it is not the flock's part to terrify its own shepherd, but the judge's. Wherefore restore to us the principal concord, if indeed it is not yet restored: since upon your client, the venerable presbyter Symmachus, we have laid the labor of this exertion for this very purpose, that he might bring back to us, in the oracle of your letters, the effect of our supplication through the tidings of a peace made whole again.