教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 595 章

Gregory to Callinicus, exarch of Italy. With Your Excellence the things we ask are so much the more to be hoped for, and we already believe them as good as granted, inasmuch as what is asked does not differ from our office, and for this an accumulation of eternal recompense also awaits you amid the cares of worldly fluctuations. For the bearers of this letter, coming to us from the regions of Istria, shunning the error of the schismatics among whom they had been placed, have wholesomely desired to be made subject to the unity of the Church. Weighing the good intention of their work, we have received them into the bosom of Mother Church with fitting exhortation, and, as they desired to serve in our Church, we have graciously granted it.

Wherefore, having first offered to Your Excellence the affection of a father's greeting, we ask that, for the good of their desire whereby they hastened to the firm rock of the Prince of the Apostles, lest, still mingled with the errors of those who waver, they should suffer shipwreck of a salvation despaired of, you would deign to hold them commended; so that, returning to their own homes, they may not on account of this good which they are known to have sought be disturbed by any harassments of the perverse, but rather may find in all things the aid of your protection; that from their tranquility the hearts of others still set in schism may be bent, and, stirred up by the good of your patronage, they may become followers of these.

For it pertains to the increase of your reward if, amid the cares of war, just as you protect the body from the enemy without, so you protect the soul from the assault of the inward plotter.