教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 692 章

Gregory to Cononus, abbot of the monastery of Lérins. The solicitude of superiors is the safeguard of their subjects, because he who keeps watch over a thing entrusted to him turns aside the ambushes of the enemy. But how skilful you are in ruling the brethren, and with how great zeal vigilant in their guardianship, we have learned from the report of our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop Menna. And just as the incautious remissness of your predecessor, when heard, has often saddened us, so the solicitude of your foresight gladdens us; because it is not doubtful that the watchfulness of your zeal profits both you unto recompense, and others unto an example of usefulness.

But since our adversary recognizes how much one guards himself on every side, the more he seeks to break in through hidden ways, and strives by cunning art to cast down the one who resists him, let the light of your Charity ever kindle itself with a more ardent care of vigilance; and so fortify all things beforehand, God helping, that the raging wolf, running hither and thither, may have no place of entering into the Lord's sheep. Let it therefore be part of your zeal in all things to prohibit and to guard those who are committed to you from gluttony, from pride, from avarice, from vain speech, and from all uncleanness, by the supporting grace of our Redeemer, so that the greater a reward may accrue to you from the governance committed to you, the more your subjects shall have been victors, with you vigilant, against the wickednesses of the adversary.

And so let the good feel you to be sweet, the wicked feel you to be a corrector. In which correction you must know this order to be observed: that you love the persons and persecute the vices; lest, if perchance you should wish to act otherwise, the correction pass over into cruelty, and you lose those whom you desire to amend. For so ought you to cut off the wound, that you may not be able to ulcerate what is sound; lest, if you press in the iron more than the matter requires, you harm the one whom you hasten to benefit. Let your very sweetness in you be cautious, not remiss; and let your correction be diligent, not severe. But let the one be so seasoned by the other, that the good may have, by loving, that which they may guard, and the wicked, by fearing, that which they may love.

These things, most beloved son, solicitously attend to, studiously guard, so that while by such moderation you render back safe to our God those whom you have received, on the day of eternal recompense you may be worthy to hear Him say: Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your Lord (Luke xix, 17; cf. Matt. xxv, 21). Moreover, our son Columbus the presbyter, who has been commended to your Charity by his own merits, we desire to advance in your love, and by our commendation as well.