Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 360

Gregory to Sabinianus the deacon. Concerning the cause of our brother, the most reverend John, bishop of Constantinople, I was unwilling to compose two letters. But one has been made briefly, which would seem to have both mingled together, that is, both uprightness and blandishment. Let your affection therefore take pains to deliver that letter which I have now sent, on account of the emperor's wish. For concerning what follows, another such will be sent, in which his pride will not rejoice. For he has come to this point, that on the occasion of the presbyter John he sent hither the acts, in which through almost every line he named himself patriarch. But I hope in Almighty God that the majesty from on high will dissolve his hypocrisy.

But I marvel how your affection could be so deceived, that you allowed the lord emperor to be persuaded to send me his writings concerning this cause, in which he admonished that I ought to have peace with him. Who, if he wishes to hold to justice, ought rather to admonish him to restrain himself from the proud title, and forthwith peace would be made between us. Yet by what craft this was done by our aforesaid brother John, I suspect you have not at all weighed. For he did this for this purpose, that the lord emperor might be heard, and that either he himself might seem to be confirmed in his vanity, or that I might not be heard, and his mind be irritated against me. But we shall hold the chosen way, fearing nothing in this cause save the Almighty Lord.

Wherefore let your affection tremble in nothing. Let it despise for the sake of truth all things which it sees in this world to be lofty against the truth, and let it confide in the grace of Almighty God and the help of the blessed apostle Peter. Let it recall the voice of Truth, saying: Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4); and in this cause let whatever is to be done be done with the highest authority. For since we can in no way be defended from the swords of our enemies, since for the love of the commonwealth we have lost silver, gold, slaves, and garments, it is exceedingly ignominious that through them we should lose even our faith. For to consent to this wicked title is nothing else than to lose the faith.

Wherefore, as I have already written to you in past letters, presume never to proceed with him. (Cf. John the Deacon, Book III, no. 55. See above, letter 10; below, letters 20, 21, 43.)