教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 229 章

Gregory to Rusticiana the patrician lady. Receiving the letter of your Excellency, I was relieved by the longed-for news of your safety, praying that the Lord may by His mercy protect and dispose your life and deeds. But I marveled greatly why you have turned aside the intention and vow of a good work, namely of the resolved journey of going to the holy places; for if ever some good thing is conceived in the heart by the gift of the Creator, it must needs be completed with swift devotion, lest, while the cunning ensnarer strives to entangle the mind, he should thereupon suggest impediments by which the mind, weakened by occupations, may hardly bring its desires to effect.

Hence it is necessary that your Excellency go before all impediments by opposing them with pious causes, and with all the efforts of your heart pant after the fruit of a good work; that both in the present age you may live tranquilly, and in the future may be able to possess the heavenly kingdom. But as for what you wrote, that Passivus had contrived certain calumnies against you, whereas the most pious emperors not only heard them unwillingly but even received them harshly—consider whose gift this was;

and toward Him who powerfully withstands those men who in this age would harm as much as they desire, bend the whole hope of your mind, so that He may with the shield of His protection beat back the wicked wills of men, and Himself, as He is wont, mercifully break their attempts. The glorious lord Appio and lady Eusebia, lord Eudoxius and lady Gregoria, I beg through you to be greeted with a salutation on my behalf.