Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 643

Gregory to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples. Augustinus, the bearer of the present letter, who said he had been sent on behalf of the rest of the soap-makers of your city, has complained to us that John, a most illustrious man, a palatine, afflicts them in vain with many inconveniences, and strives prejudicially to impose very many new burdens upon their body. Finally, that, as he says, he compels them to promise him that if anyone should wish to be associated with their craft, whatever profit accrues from his entry-fee should benefit him.

Adding also that a pact had been made among themselves, according to ancient custom, by the consent of all, concerning certain reasonable regulations of their craft, with a penalty interposed, and confirmed by the intervention of an oath; and that certain ones of their number, relying namely on his patronage, now wish to withdraw from it, and that he thus extends protection to those wishing to contravene it, so that — a thing grievous to say — they have more presumption in his defense than they can have either want from the penalty, or fear from the oath they have given.

But if the matter stands thus, since even to him what he does is adverse — inasmuch as by his own defense he constitutes himself a participant in another's sin — let your fraternity approach him with fatherly exhortation, that he restrain himself from an act of this kind, and impose nothing prejudicially upon them, nor afflict them with any losses whatever contrary to reason. Likewise it must also be provided that the pact, where oaths have been given, be preserved, and that they not, by contravening it, seek temporal gains with loss of their soul, lest they both incur the crime of perjury, and not obtain the advantages wrongly desired.

And if, which we do not believe, you see that the aforesaid John, the most illustrious man, perhaps defers your admonition, speak strictly with our most eminent son the prefect, that he himself, in whatever way he shall foresee, may reasonably cause this to be amended, as we have caused to be said at present; so that both the unjust will of certain persons may not oppress those who have sought the supports of our protection, and that he may recognize himself prohibited from an unbecoming work, rather for the benefit of his own soul. Given in the month of May, in the third indiction. Gregory to Zitanus, master of the soldiers. I signify that I have received your letters, dictated in the Greek tongue, in which you say that certain religious places disdain to render answer to the public law concerning matters that pertain to it.

Which matter has altogether saddened me, since it is the character of our estate not only by no means to inflict prejudices, but even to bear with equanimity those inflicted upon us — unless perchance we are reasonably compelled to defend the affairs of the poor, lest we be found culpable before the almighty God. Therefore I have transmitted to your glory what I have written to Fantinus the defensor, that he himself may compel any religious persons in the regions of Panormus to come before chosen judges and render account of their acts. May almighty God grant you the bounty of His heavenly mercy, that through all the things you do you may serve His grace. In the month of May, in the third indiction.