Letter 195: At all times I have esteemed your Blessedness with becoming reverence and honour, and have loved the Lord and Saviour dwelling in you. But now we add, if possible, something to that which has already reached a climax, and we heap up what was already full, so that we do not suffer a single hour to pass without the mention of your name, because yo...
Jerome→Augustine of Hippo|c. 418 AD|Augustine of Hippo|Human translated
conversionpelagianism
Theological controversy
At all times I have venerated your Blessedness with the honor that is fitting, and I have loved the Lord and Savior who dwells in you. But now, if it is possible, I heap something upon the summit and fill what is already full, so that I do not let a single hour pass without mention of your name. You have stood firm with the ardor of faith against the blowing winds, and you have preferred, as far as it lay in you, to escape alone from Sodom rather than remain with those who perish. Your prudence knows what I mean. Go forth in virtue! You are celebrated throughout the world. Catholics venerate and look up to you as the restorer of the ancient faith. And what is a sign of still greater glory, all the heretics [specifically the Pelagians, who denied the necessity of divine grace for salvation] detest you — and they pursue me with equal hatred, so that those whom they cannot kill with swords, they would kill with their wishes. May the mercy of Christ the Lord keep you safe and mindful of me, venerable lord and most blessed bishop.
From Jerome to Augustine (A.D. 418)
To His Holy Lord and Most Blessed Father, Augustine, Jerome Sends Greeting.
At all times I have esteemed your Blessedness with becoming reverence and honour, and have loved the Lord and Saviour dwelling in you. But now we add, if possible, something to that which has already reached a climax, and we heap up what was already full, so that we do not suffer a single hour to pass without the mention of your name, because you have, with the ardour of unshaken faith, stood your ground against opposing storms, and preferred, so far as this was in your power, to be delivered from Sodom, though you should come forth alone, rather than linger behind with those who are doomed to perish. Your wisdom apprehends what I mean to say. Go on and prosper! You are renowned throughout the whole world; Catholics revere and look up to you as the restorer of the ancient faith, and — which is a token of yet more illustrious glory— all heretics abhor you. They persecute me also with equal hatred, seeking by imprecation to take away the life which they cannot reach with the sword. May the mercy of Christ the Lord preserve you in safety and mindful of me, my venerable lord and most blessed father.
EPISTOLA 195
Scripta forte a. 418.
Hieronymus gratulatur A. quod Pelagianorum aliorumque haereticorum errores devicerit ideoque illorum meruerit odium, quod quidem gaudet sibi cum ipso esse commune.
DOMINO SANCTO, AC BEATISSIMO PAPAE AUGUSTINO, HIERONYMUS.
1. Omni quidem tempore Beatitudinem tuam eo quo decet honore veneratus sum, et habitantem in te dilexi Dominum Salvatorem: sed nunc, si fieri potest, cumulo aliquid addimus et plena complemus, ut absque tui nominis mentione ne unam quidem horam praeterire patiamur; qui contra flantes ventos ardore fidei perstitisti, maluistique, quantum in te fuit, solus liberari de Sodomis, quam cum pereuntibus commorari. Scit quid dicam prudentia tua. Macte virtute; in orbe celebraris, Catholici te conditorem antiquae rursum fidei venerantur atque suspiciunt, et quod signum maioris gloriae est, omnes haeretici detestantur: et me pari persequuntur odio; ut quos gladiis nequeunt, voto interficiant. Incolumem, et nei memorem te Christi Domini clementia tueatur, domine venerande, et beatissime papa.
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At all times I have venerated your Blessedness with the honor that is fitting, and I have loved the Lord and Savior who dwells in you. But now, if it is possible, I heap something upon the summit and fill what is already full, so that I do not let a single hour pass without mention of your name. You have stood firm with the ardor of faith against the blowing winds, and you have preferred, as far as it lay in you, to escape alone from Sodom rather than remain with those who perish. Your prudence knows what I mean. Go forth in virtue! You are celebrated throughout the world. Catholics venerate and look up to you as the restorer of the ancient faith. And what is a sign of still greater glory, all the heretics [specifically the Pelagians, who denied the necessity of divine grace for salvation] detest you — and they pursue me with equal hatred, so that those whom they cannot kill with swords, they would kill with their wishes. May the mercy of Christ the Lord keep you safe and mindful of me, venerable lord and most blessed bishop.
Human translation - New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Latin / Greek Original
EPISTOLA 195
Scripta forte a. 418.
Hieronymus gratulatur A. quod Pelagianorum aliorumque haereticorum errores devicerit ideoque illorum meruerit odium, quod quidem gaudet sibi cum ipso esse commune.
DOMINO SANCTO, AC BEATISSIMO PAPAE AUGUSTINO, HIERONYMUS.
1. Omni quidem tempore Beatitudinem tuam eo quo decet honore veneratus sum, et habitantem in te dilexi Dominum Salvatorem: sed nunc, si fieri potest, cumulo aliquid addimus et plena complemus, ut absque tui nominis mentione ne unam quidem horam praeterire patiamur; qui contra flantes ventos ardore fidei perstitisti, maluistique, quantum in te fuit, solus liberari de Sodomis, quam cum pereuntibus commorari. Scit quid dicam prudentia tua. Macte virtute; in orbe celebraris, Catholici te conditorem antiquae rursum fidei venerantur atque suspiciunt, et quod signum maioris gloriae est, omnes haeretici detestantur: et me pari persequuntur odio; ut quos gladiis nequeunt, voto interficiant. Incolumem, et nei memorem te Christi Domini clementia tueatur, domine venerande, et beatissime papa.