教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 199 章

Gregory to all the bishops of Numidia. Whenever, most dear brethren in Christ, among the green standing corn some untimely admixture of tares thrusts itself in, the cultivator's hand must needs pluck it out by the roots, lest the coming fruit of the fertile crop should be cut off. Let us therefore also, who, though unworthy, have undertaken the tillage of the Lord's field, hasten to render the crop free from every scandal of tares, so that the Lord's field may bring forth fruit with a more abundant return. For you have asked, through Hilarus our chartulary, from our predecessor of blessed memory, that all the customs of former times should be preserved for you, which from the beginnings of the ordinance of blessed Peter, chief of the apostles, long antiquity has hitherto preserved.

And we indeed, according to the tenor of your report, concede that the custom—which nevertheless is recognized to usurp nothing against the catholic faith—shall remain unmoved, whether concerning the appointing of primates or the other chapters; excepting those who come to the episcopate from the Donatists, whom by all means we forbid to be advanced to the dignity of primacy, even when the order of clergy would bring them forward to that same place. Let it suffice for them to bear only the care of the people committed to them, and not, moreover, to go before as bishops those prelates whom the catholic faith has both instructed and begotten in the bosom of the Church, to the attaining of the summit of primacy.

You therefore, most dear brethren, forestall our admonitions by the zeal of the Lord's charity, knowing that the strict Judge will bring to examination all that we do, and will approve each one of us not from the prerogative of a loftier rank, but by the merits of his works. I beseech you therefore, love one another mutually in turn with peace in Christ, and with one intent of heart withstand the heretics and enemies of the Church. Be solicitous for the souls of your neighbours: those whom you are able, persuade to the faith by the preaching of charity, holding forth also the terror of the future judgement, since you are appointed shepherds, and the Lord of the flocks awaits from those shepherds to whom He entrusted them the fruit of a multiplied flock.

And if he, applying a more diligent zeal, shall provide for the increase of his own flock, He will assuredly adorn you with the manifold gifts of the heavenly kingdom. Rendering moreover the address of brotherly love, I pray the Lord, who has chosen you as shepherds of souls, that He may make you worthy before Himself, and that He Himself may so dispose our acts here that He may worthily receive them in the life to come.