Long did we detain in the City our sons Petronius the presbyter and Regulus the deacon: since both they merited this from our grace, and the concern of the faith, which is now assailed by the error of certain persons, so required. For we willed that they should be present at our deliberation, and should learn all things which we desire, through you, to come to the knowledge of all our brethren and fellow-priests, most dear one; specially delegating this to your Charity, that by the solicitude of your vigilance our letter, which we have directed to the East for the defence of the faith, or that of Cyril of holy memory, which wholly accords with our own sentiments, may be made known to all the brethren:
so that, being made more certain, they may with spiritual strength fortify themselves against those who by depraved persuasions deem that the Incarnation of the Lord is to be violated. You have a laudable opportunity by which you may commend the beginnings of your episcopate to all the Churches and to our God, if you fulfil these things thus, as we believe and have commanded, most dear brother. But those things which were not to be committed to letters, when you shall have learned them by the intimation of our aforesaid sons, relying on the help of the Lord you will, as we have said, effectually and laudably carry out. May God keep you unharmed, most dear brother. Given on the third day before the Nones of May, in the seventh consulship of the most glorious Valentinian Augustus and of Avienus, the most illustrious, being consuls.
Having reviewed the letter of your Blessedness, which you addressed to the bishop of Constantinople, composed for the instruction of the faith, we have judged it fitting that, enriched by the abundance of so great a doctrine, we should render due thanks at least by the offered office of a letter. For approving the solicitude of your fatherly piety toward us, we confess ourselves the more indebted to the anticipation of your healing, in that we have come to know the benefits of the remedies before the experience of the evils. For knowing that those remedies which are applied when wounds have already been inflicted are almost too late, you forewarn us with the voices of provident piety, that we may be clothed with those apostolic fortifications.
We clearly recognize, most blessed pope, with what particular affection you have imparted to us the inmost sentiments of your heart, you who by your care for others come to the aid of their well-being; and while you draw forth from the breasts of others the venoms of the ancient serpent that had been poured into them, you cry aloud, as it were stationed upon some watchtower of charity, with that apostolic care and solicitude, lest an unforeseen enemy fall upon the unsuspecting, lest heedless security expose a place to wounding, O holy lord, most blessed father, and pope most worthy of the apostolic see. Moreover, we, who are peculiarly yours, grow up with a great and ineffable rejoicing, in that:
that page of your special teaching is so celebrated throughout the assemblies of all the Churches, that—so that by the truly harmonious verdict of all it may be declared—the primacy of the apostolic see is rightly established there, whence even now the oracles of the apostolic spirit are unsealed. CHAPTER II. Therefore, if you graciously permit, we entreat that your holiness would deign to peruse this work, which will profit both present and future times, and which we have taken pains to commit to writing with zeal for its preservation; and that, should anything be lacking through a copyist's error, you would deign to correct it; or, if you have added to it any increase of your own study to make the page more wholesome for all its readers, you would command by careful piety that this very thing be added to this little book:
so that not only may many holy bishops, our brethren throughout Gaul, but also many of the laity, your sons, who greatly long for that letter for the manifestation of the truth, be counted worthy to transcribe, read, and hold it, once it has been sent back to us corrected by your holy hand. We desire that those sent on this business, if you judge it worthy, may soon return: so that, since your well-being is our exultation and salvation, the joys of your welfare may come back to us the more swiftly by a longed-for report. And in another hand: May Christ the Lord preserve to a long age your crown, mindful of our lowliness, O holy lord, most blessed father, and pope most worthy of the apostolic see. I, Ceretius, having been received, salute your apostolate, commending myself to your prayers.
I, Salonius, your venerator, salute your apostolate in the Lord, asking for the help of your prayers. I, Veranus, a cultivator of your apostolate, salute your blessedness, and beg that you pray for me.