Chapter I. — As far as we have learned from the report of our deacon Hilarus, a great crime has been committed, with the Alexandrian bishop as its author and executor, in that, while old rivalries and private hatreds rage against our brother Flavian, there was spared neither the most approved priest nor the Christian faith. Wherefore we greatly rejoice with your Charity that, when you desired to go to that synod, the divine hand detained you by timely obstacles: lest, being sure to abstain from so great a wickedness, you should lie under unworthy injuries, and should be unable to withstand an impious fury propped up, as we say, by soldiers and arms.
Quiaergoprorupitinapertumperfidiaquaelatebat, etinnefandissimumhaeresimuniusimperitisssimisenisasseclaetransierunt,tempusprobationisnostraedebemusagnoscere, etcontraimpetusadversantiummunitionibuacœlestibusfreti, incommutabilisanimiconstantiampraeparare. Scimus, fratercharissime, quiasacramentomagnaepietatissuaeaderitdivinaprotectio, CAp. II. -. Siquidigiturfraternitatituaedeimpiisconstitutionibusfueritingestum, protestamurpariteracmonemusnevelindamnationemfratrisinsontis, velinreceptionemnefariidogmatisconsensumtuicordisjmmisoeas. Majorestenimquiinnobiaestquamquiadversusnos (IJoan. IV, 4).
Since therefore the perfidy which lay hidden has burst forth into the open, and the followers of one most ignorant old man have passed over into a most abominable heresy, we ought to recognize the time of our testing, and, relying on heavenly fortifications against the assaults of the adversaries, to prepare the constancy of an unchangeable mind. We know, most dear brother, that by the sacrament of His great mercy the divine protection will be present. Chapter II. — If therefore anything of the impious decrees shall have been urged upon your Fraternity, we both protest and admonish that you mingle not the assent of your heart either to the condemnation of an innocent brother or to the reception of a wicked dogma. For greater is He who is in us than he who is against us (1 John 4:4).
Strive rather, as far as He who took up and glorified our nature shall Himself help you, to confirm the hearts of all our brethren. For to us, who in no way depart from the Gospel of the generation, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is most definitely resolved that those shall not be in the number of our communion who attempt to tear up the ancient foundations of the catholic faith. Given on the third day before the Ides of October, in the consulship of the most illustrious men Asturius and Protogenes.