教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 196 章

Gregory to Gennadius, patrician and exarch of Africa. As the Lord has made your Excellency shine forth with the light of victories in the hostile wars of this life, so it behoves it to withstand the enemies of His Church with all liveliness of mind and body, so that from both triumphs its renown may glisten more and more, since you both vehemently resist the adversaries of the Catholic Church in outward wars on behalf of the Christian people, and, like warriors of the Lord, fight bravely in ecclesiastical battles.

For it is well known that men of the heretical religion, if—which God forbid—there is opportunity of doing harm to them, rise up vehemently against the Catholic faith, in order that, if they are able, they may transfuse the poisons of their heresy to corrupt the members of the Christian body. For we have learned that they, with the Lord opposing them, lift up their necks against the Catholic Church, and wish to bend down the faith of the Christian name. But let your Eminence crush their attempts, and press their proud necks under the yoke of rectitude. Command also that the council of Catholic bishops be admonished not to make a primate according to the order of place, setting aside the merits of life, since with God it is not the more elegant rank, but the action of a better life, that is approved.

But let the primate himself reside not at random, as is the custom, throughout the country estates, but in one city according to their election, so that by the better spirit of the dignity attained, a possibility of resisting the Donatists may be arranged. And from the council of Numidia, if any desire to come to the Apostolic See, permit it; and if anyone wish to gainsay their manner of life, oppose it. With great advantage does the glory of your Excellency profit before the Creator, if through it the fellowship of the scattered Churches can be restored. For when He beholds the gifts He has bestowed recalled to the glory of His name, He grants the more bountifully, the more He sees the dignity of His religion enlarged through them.

Rendering moreover the affection of a father's charity, we entreat the Lord, who makes your arm strong to crush your enemies, and sharpens your mind, by zeal for the faith, as it were the edge of a brandished sword.