Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 497

Gregory to Candidus, abbot of the monastery of Saint Andrew at the Clivus Scauri. Just as the consideration of our position admonishes us to provide that a zeal for peace may bring the affairs of monasteries to a wholesome end, so again we are constrained by reason to strengthen, by the authority of our consent, those things which have been usefully decided, lest perhaps, when someone's plea of excuse is raised—which greatly dissents from a religious purpose and from equity—a recurring contention should bring something back into doubt, and beget litigation out of peace. Accordingly, since between you, Candidus, abbot of the monastery of Saint Andrew the Apostle, situated in this city of Rome, on the Clivus Scauri,

managing the interests of that same monastery—and the glorious Maurentius, master of soldiery, concerning the matter of the succession and inheritance of John, the blood-brother of the aforesaid man, who was converted in the above-written monastery and there died, a decision was reached with our consent also, a document of a convenient and careful settlement intervening; and finally, since the sincerity of the faith of the said most glorious master of soldiery has long been truly known and well ascertained by us, so that it might altogether suffice for satisfaction, he confirmed even by an oath given corporally that he had engaged in no fraud, nor concealed anything, but had brought forth everything entirely;

therefore, by the tenor of this our decree and injunction, holding as ratified the settlement and decision reached between you and the aforesaid glorious Maurentius, we confirm it in all respects, and we decree that it be in no wise, whether in whole or in part, upset by any argument, but that it have perpetual firmness. And if anyone—which we do not believe—should in any way attempt to bring a contrary will against this matter, let him indeed know that he is guilty before God, who strives to rescind those things which have been usefully concluded; for let him recognize that he detracts nothing from that same decision and settlement. Therefore, that both the security of the oft-mentioned glorious Maurentius may remain unimpaired, and that you may be able to doubt nothing concerning those things which have been decided, we have granted a like precept for the protection of both parties.