教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 502 章

Gregory to Agnellus, bishop of Terracina. It has come to us that certain persons there—a thing which it is impious to say—worship trees, and commit many other unlawful things against the Christian faith. And we marvel why Your Fraternity has deferred to amend this by strict retribution. On that account we exhort you by the present writings, that you diligently seek them out by careful investigation, and, the truth being known, that you cause such punishment to be exercised upon them, whereby both God may be appeased, and their punishment may be to others an example of correction. But we have also written to Maurus the vicecomes, that he ought to furnish assistance to Your Fraternity in this matter, provided you cannot find any excuse for apprehending them.

But since we have discovered that many excuse themselves from the watches of the walls, let Your Fraternity be solicitous that you suffer no one to be defended from the watches, neither by the name of us or of his church, nor in any other way whatsoever, but that all in general be compelled; so that, with all keeping watch, the guarding of the city may, with the Lord's help, be the better provided for. Gregory to Maurentius, master of soldiers. Our most beloved son Cyprian the deacon, on coming, has indicated to us the praiseworthy zeal of Comitiolus, and what utility he has wrought for us at the fortress of Urbinum. But we also learned many good things about him long ago from various testimonies.

And since we have heard that he is now not with you, as he formerly was, we beseech Your Glory that, if there is anything whereby he has perhaps justly offended your feelings, you would remit it to us, whatever it be, and render him full favour, and receive him into that familiarity which he lately enjoyed with you, and extend to him your favour, as truly your own, saving reason, wherever occasion shall require. So act, therefore, that we may be able to learn that grace has been fully restored to him, either by his own report, or by the account of others.