教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 732 章

Gregory to Arigius, bishop of the Gauls. Since in brotherly love there is one heart and one mind, just as the mind rejoices in another's prosperity, so it is afflicted in his adversities, because in either case it is bound, by the law of charity, to be a partaker. And therefore the greater grief had come upon us over your sorrow, lest perchance the affliction of a prolonged mourning should smite your heart with continual pain, and burden your life with groanings. But, having received the letters of your charity, we were consoled with the joy we longed for, and gave thanks to almighty God, because we learned both that your concord is safe, and that your mind has returned to consolation.

For it was not to be otherwise judged of you than that whatever adversity there might be, you would without doubt overcome it by priestly patience. Moreover, how the zeal of your fraternity once burned in cutting off the simoniac heresy, we well remember. Wherefore we exhort that, bestowing your labour more studiously, it may — among the other matters of which we have written — be condemned by the strict definition of a council; so that, when the aim of our will shall have been fulfilled by the labour of your solicitude, you may both offer to almighty God a most acceptable oblation from the correction of vices, and may show forth for the edification of others how the care of the pastoral office shines in you.

The experience of your life, moreover, which we have known to excel that of very many, provokes us to presume a great comfort from you in this matter. And therefore accomplish your good will, as, with God as author, you have begun it, that the good things which have been begun in you with right intention may, by the help of God the Creator of all, be the more rightly fulfilled. Moreover, to the monks whom we have sent to our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop Augustine, let your fraternity bestow its charity, as it is wont; and so strive to give them comfort for their journey, both by yourself and through others whom you can, that, while by your provision they have no difficulties

or delays, both we may perceive concerning you what we trust of you, and almighty God may recompense to you His grace for the conversion of the souls for whom they have been sent.