Our men having already set out, whom we directed to you in the cause of the faith, we have received through our son the deacon Basil the writings of your charity, in which you rightly imparted little concerning the business of our common solicitude, since both the acts previously brought had sufficiently instructed us about all things, and the discourse of the aforesaid man was suited to a familiar inquiry. Rendering thanks through the address of our God, we exhort your charity—through whom we now render thanks—using the words of the Apostle, and saying:
In nothing be terrified by your adversaries: which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation (Phil. 1:28). For what is so pernicious as, by denying the truth of Christ's incarnation, to wish to dissolve all hope of human salvation, and to contradict the Apostle who plainly says: Great is the sacrament of piety, which was manifested in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16)? What is so glorious as to fight for the evangelical faith against the enemies of the nativity and the cross of Christ? Concerning whose most pure light and unconquered power, in letters already given to your charity, we have made plain what was in our heart: lest anything concerning those things which according to catholic doctrine we have learned and teach could seem ambiguous between us.
But because the testimonies of the truth are so clear and so strong, that he must be held too blind and too hardened who does not at once shake himself free from the darkness of falsehood at the flashing of light and reason; for the healing of the madness of the ignorant, we wish you also to apply the medicine of patience: so that through paternal rebukes those who in the old age of their flesh are children in mind may learn to obey their elders. And if, laying aside the vanity of their ignorance, they come to their senses, and, every error being condemned, receive the true and singular faith, let not the mercy of the same episcopal benevolence be denied them: the judgment which preceded remaining in force, if the impiety deservedly condemned should persist in its own perversity.
Given on the tenth day before the Kalends of August, in the consulship of the most illustrious men Asturius and Protogenes. Your silence increases our solicitude, in that for a long time now we have received no writings of your charity; when we, the chief of your cares, solicitous for the defense of the faith, have frequently through suitable occasions sent letters to your charity: that by the consolations of our exhortations we might help you, that you might not yield to the goads of the adversaries in the defense of the faith, since you were proving us partakers of your labor.
We believe that our men reached your fraternity long ago, through whom you retain that you have been more fully instructed by our writings and commands; and we have sent Basil back to you, as you had wished. Now, lest you should think anything omitted through any occasion, we have given this page through our son Eupsychius, a man honorable and lovable to us, so that with all speed you may respond to our writings, and may forthwith make us more certain about your actions and those of our men, and about the settlement of the whole cause; that we may soften the solicitude which we now bear for the defense of the faith with more prosperous tidings. Given on the third day before the Ides of August, in the consulship of the most illustrious men Asturius and Protogenes.
Just and reasonable is our cause for rejoicing, when we learn from the Lord's priests such things done as agree both with the rules of the paternal canons and with the apostolic institutions. For it is necessary that the whole body of the Church should grow with wholesome increase, if the members which preside both excel in the vigor of authority and in the tranquillity of governance. Therefore, in that, upon the death of Hilary of holy memory, you have with one mind consecrated in the city of the Arelatenses (Arles) our brother Ravennius—a man proved also to us—according to the desire of the clergy, the men of honor, and the people, we strengthen this good work of your fraternity by our judgment.
For an election that is peaceful and concordant, to which neither merits of character nor the zeal of the citizens were wanting, we believe to have been indeed of human request, but of divine inspiration. Let therefore the aforementioned prelate, dearest brethren, use the gift of God, and according to the harmonious wishes of all the orders let him understand what is expected from his own devotion: that, as a diligent and temperate executor of the dispensation entrusted to him, he may be not inferior to your testimony, and in all things more worthy of our favor. May God keep you unharmed, dearest brethren. Given on the eleventh day before the Kalends of September, in the consulship of Asturius and Protogenes. That the advancement of your charity, which has attained the dignity of the highest priesthood, so pleases us, know, so that not only
rejoice for you concerning the increase of honor, but also for the Church of Arles, over which the Lord has set you. For it redounds to the honor and profit of all the faithful, when such a prelate is had, by whose protection very many are aided, and by whose example they are incited. Wherefore, since you are not ignorant what we have felt concerning the sincerity of your soul according to previous acquaintance, you most justly recognize that we require you to prove by deed what we presume, dearest brother.
Therefore let authority not be wanting to your modesty, let gentleness commend your constancy, let mildness temper your justice, let patience restrain your liberty; and, pride being shunned—to which it is next that it should fall—let humility be loved, to which it is always owed that it should grow. Your charity is not ignorant of the ecclesiastical laws, so that you may contain all the rights of your power within their rules and measures. For rightly is it said that the law is not laid down for the just (1 Tim. 1:9), because he fulfills the norm of precept by the judgment of his will, since true love of the right holds within itself both the apostolic authorities and the canonical sanctions.
Whose devout follower and diligent executor you will without doubt glory in the fellowship of those who deserved to hear concerning the profits of the talents entrusted to them: 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 (Matt. 25:23; Luke 19:17). But that you may not doubt to have confidence in our charity toward you, make us more certain the more often about the progress of your actions: since, mindful of our judgment, we desire always to glory in your advancements in the Lord. May God keep you unharmed, dearest brother.