Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 449

Gregory to Dominicus, bishop of Carthage. Truly wonderful is the power of charity, beloved brother, which, after the coming of supernal grace inclined it to spiritual things, after it pacified man himself, at variance with his own self through carnal enticements, so dilated itself in human minds that it inclined lofty things and exalted lowly ones, pacified the discordant, tamed the fierce, glued together the dissociated, mended and bound with one bond of unity the nations of men divided by the great spaces of waters and lands and by the diversity of climes, joining their peoples into one. When could the tongue of human infirmity suffice to set forth the praises of this greatness?

But the praise of this charity is made perfect in heaven, while on earth its form is rather to be shown than to be told, so that what it is and how great it is, since it cannot be fully expressed by our mouth, may rather be manifested from our compassion. And even if we somehow praise it with the mouth, at the same time it is necessary that we confess it by the hand; for if anyone is only its praiser and not its doer, he rather sharpens the sentence against himself, because in the sight of the Judge he exaggerates by his approbation that which he has omitted. This charity we, though sundered by intervals of place and set in body far from you, by the help of God's power, preserve most studiously toward you; this you ought to display not only toward us, but toward your brethren and sons, with fatherly and brotherly affection.

For how should this not be done most studiously, when its perfection lies not so much in the love of brethren and sons as also in the love of enemies? Wherefore, most dear brother, let us who are bound by the office of pastoral care love the brethren (1 John 3:14). Let us also join our very adversaries to us in our affection, for the sake of the Lord's command (Matt. 5:44). Let us follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one shall see God (Heb. 12:14). Let us be occupied in pious works, let us abound in virtues, let the rational of judgment shine in our breast, joined with the action of the ephod (Exod. 28:28 f.). So let us proceed in the sight of God and of all Israel.

Let us afford examples to the flock committed to us, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16). Let there be speech in the tongue, let there be the fervour of zeal in the soul, that we may truly be said to be of the number of those of whom it is written: There appeared to them divided tongues as of fire, and it sat upon each of them (Acts 2:3). For truly fiery tongues rest in us, if in the exhortation of brethren and sons we are kindled with the fervour of the divine Spirit. Let us till the Lord's field committed to us while it is allowed; let us sow in fear while there is time; doing good let us not fail; for in due time we shall reap, not failing (Gal. 6:8-9). Let us be of those of whom the Psalmist says:

They went forth and wept, casting their seeds (Ps. 125:6). And provoking us to the fruit of this thing, he added: But coming they shall come with exultation, carrying their sheaves. Let us therefore watch, and, leaving earthly business, let us pant after heavenly things; and forgetting the things that are behind, let us the more earnestly stretch ourselves toward the things that are before (Phil. 3:13). Let not our mind flow away in worldly variety; but let it wholly run and flow together toward one end, which David had regarded with wondrous sweetness when he said: One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life (Ps. 26:4). With this love let the hearts of a good ruler be melted. In these let the whole mind be suspended.

While we are yet set upon earth, let the frequent shower of tears from us bring forth fruit in heaven within the cloud of compunction. For then well and truly, my beloved brother, we descend to the love of our neighbours, if we persist in the love of God with the whole heart, with the whole soul and mind, and with all our strength. But the temporal gifts sent by you, although we do not stand in need of such things, we have nevertheless received with due charity. Yet we do stand in need to rejoice over your due charity and over the solicitude of the governance committed to you. For these things become far more sweet to us when they are seasoned with the sweetness of a priestly mind and a pious manner of life.