Epistle LIX.
To Theoderic, King of the Franks.
Gregory to Theoderic, &c.
The letter of your Excellency, which is the index of
your heart, has so shewn, in its flow of lucid language, what great
prudence is conspicuous in you, along with royal power, that there can
be no doubt of the truth of whatever fame has reported in your
praise. And inasmuch as you signify, by what you say in praise of
it, that our exhortation has so pleased your royal mind that you wish
whatever you know to pertain to the worship of our God, to the
veneration of Churches, or to the honour of priests, to be both
carefully established and in all ways guarded, we appeal to you with a
renewed exhortation, with a view to your greater reward, that you would
order a synod to be assembled, and, as we have before written, cause
corporal vices in priests and the pravity of simoniacal heresy to be
condemned by the definition of all the bishops, and to be cut off
within the limits of your kingdom, and allow not any longer money to
have more effect than the precepts of the Lord. For, since all
avarice is the service of idols, whosoever does not watchfully guard
against it, and especially in the bestowal of ecclesiastical honours, is subjected to the perdition of infidelity, even though he may seem to hold the faith which he disregards. As, then, against external enemies, so also against adversaries of souls among yourselves, take ye earnest heed, that on account of this your faithful opposition to God’s enemies you may both reign prosperously here under His protection, and also come hereafter by the leading of His grace to eternal joys.
Furthermore, what benefits your Excellence bestowed on
our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop Augustine on his progress
to the nation of the Angli we have been told by certain monks who have
returned to us from him. Wherefore, returning abundant thanks, we
beg that you will deign to afford your support in full measure to these
monks also who have been sent to him, and to aid them on their onward
journey, so that the more amply you shew your kindness to them, the
greater return you may expect from Almighty God, whom they
serve.