Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 705

Gregory to John the religious. Although those who, with a pious intention, expend the care of solicitude upon the weak and needy are able, by their devotion, to be safeguarded before all, yet it is better if, for their own peace, they be fortified concerning the things they have done, lest thence arise for them an occasion of disquiet from that very thing for which they are rather to be praised. Since, therefore, moved by the zeal of your intention, we choose you, John the religious, to be set over the tables of the poor and over the administration of the deaconry, lest any doubt should arise for you from this administration, we have provided that you be fortified with this safeguard;

establishing that, concerning that which you have received for the tables of the poor or for the maintenance of the deaconry, or which you shall thereafter receive to be disbursed, you shall never be compelled by any man, in any manner or by any device whatsoever, to render an account, nor shall you have to sustain any trouble. But because we wish you thus to be absolved from all human reckonings, in such a way that you may know you will render to our God an account of those things which we have committed to you, we exhort that sincerity of faith may be vigorous in you;

let your mind be more intent upon these matters, your care more diligent, your will more ready, your zeal more watchful, your devotion more shining, your dispensing more effective; so that, when by divine help you shall have skillfully fulfilled this work, both those for whom you bear solicitude may be usefully consoled by the comfort of your zeal, and you yourself may receive the good of your reward in eternal life, the grace of our Redeemer making recompense. Given in the month of December, in the 4th indiction. (Cf. John the Deacon, Book II, chapter 51.)