If it had seemed good to me, or had it possessed such justice that I ought to hear the case with the nobles of my palace, I could have treated it in such a way as would have pleased God, and would not have been ungrateful to posterity; but because the cause is God's and the clerics', therefore now, at the petition of the senate and clergy, the prelates have come together from the various cities, with God, as it were, in the midst, according to what you read in the Gospel and in the Apostle to the Corinthians — follow this. For if you require my mind, as I said above, follow that which God commands in the Gospel. But if it shall seem good to you to end the cause without discussion, or, the case having been discussed, judge it in whatever way it seems good. Do not fear my person, you who are to render account before the sight of God:
it is enough that you dismiss the senate, clergy, and people in peace, and that you write down what you have judged. But we approve this — that you ordain well, if you restore entire peace to the people, the senate, and the clergy. But if you do this in any less degree, you will show that you have favored one party. Therefore hold no man's person before your eyes: although, if anyone should wish to impose violently upon you things that are unjust, you ought, your own concerns being set aside, to keep justice. For many bishops both of your region and of ours have, for the causes of God, been cast out both from their churches and from their possessions, and yet they live. I not only impose, but I also entreat, that you do the things which God has commanded, and which you have read in the Gospel and the Apostle.
But if you discuss the cause, or under some pretext judge the cause better. But if you dismiss it undiscussed, you give an example to priests of conducting themselves altogether ill. When he said these things, he set forth a similitude: At one time, when he himself was to be made emperor, it was said to Aspar by the senate; who is reported to have given this answer: 'I fear lest through me a custom of sinning be born in the realm.' So say I also now, lest our holy Fathers be angry, lest through them — when they have not discussed and have yet so judged — a custom of sinning come to be for all priests generally. Likewise, if he should wish to discuss the cause, that he may go out secure, Arigernus, Gudila, and Bedeulphus shall give him oaths.
But concerning the area, or concerning the Lateran house, as shall have been judged, let the synod restore it to the same man. Concerning the vengeance which they hope for from the discussion, if it shall please them, either let them avenge it themselves, or let those whom we appoint pursue the faults according to the laws.