Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 811

Gregory to Paschalis and Consolantia. We have received the letter of your Greatness, delivered by the bearer of the present. And although the time given in the reprieve for restoring the money has run out, we have by no means judged that your petition should be met with sorrow. And so to Adrian, our chartulary, whom we have directed thither to govern the patrimony of our Church, we have for the present enjoined what he ought to discuss with you concerning it, so that neither may the ecclesiastical interest be in any way neglected, nor may your request fail of its effect. Since therefore you ought to be more anxious for the salvation of your soul than for the profit of earthly things, saluting you

and with fatherly affection we exhort that your mind, oppressed by the burden of tribulation, may not murmur against God, lest after the loss of goods there follow also the losses of the soul. Hasten to acquire nothing from wicked deeds, nothing with sin, as though necessity were compelling it; but, having hope in the mercy of our Redeemer, who does not desert those who trust in Him, endure with patience the misfortunes you have suffered. Lift up your spirits. Let not tribulation crush your strength. Let patience overcome the world's adversity. Let a secure mind despise the pomp of the world. Let your action occupy itself with the things that are God's, considering how worthless is whatever is subject to chance, whatever is enclosed by an end.

And let not your heart afflict itself beyond what is fitting, but let it strive so that it may rightly trust in the protection of Almighty God, who both gives what is not possessed, and repairs what is lost, and guards what is repaired. For He is able, if He knows you to walk in the way of His commandments, both to make good the losses inflicted with manifold recompense, and to grant you life eternal — which is above all to be sought with every effort.