Letter 4054: Gregory to all bishops of the kingdom of Childebert.

TO ALL THE BISHOPS OF THE KINGDOM OF CHILDEBERT. [Heading:] That they should obey Virgilius of Arles, to whom he has entrusted his office; that when summoned by him they should come to the synod; and that they should not journey to distant places without his authorization. Gregory to all the bishops of the Gauls who are under the kingdom of Childebert. To this end the provision of the divine dispensation has established that there be distinct grades and orders set apart, so that, while the lesser show reverence to the greater, and the greater extend love to the lesser, one harmonious whole might arise out of diversity, and the administration of the several offices might rightly be carried on. For the universe could not subsist on any other principle, unless an order of differentiation of this kind preserved it. And because the creation cannot be governed or live in one and the same equality, the example of the heavenly hosts instructs us: for since there are angels, and there are archangels, it is clear that they are not equal, but in power and order, as you know, one differs from another. If, therefore, among those who are without sin this distinction is established, what man would refuse to submit himself willingly to that ordering which he knows even the angels obey? For from this, peace and mutual charity embrace one another in turn, and sincerity, in a love that is steadfast and pleasing to God, abides firm in lasting concord. Since, therefore, every office is then carried out wholesomely when there is one appointed to whom recourse can be had, we have accordingly judged it fitting that in the churches which are under the kingdom of our most excellent son King Childebert we grant our office, according to the ancient custom, to our brother Virgilius, bishop of the city of Arles, so that both the integrity of the catholic faith, that is, of the four holy synods, may, God protecting it, be preserved with watchful devotion; and if perchance some contention should arise among our brothers and fellow-priests, he may, by the force of his authority, discharging indeed the office of the Apostolic See, restrain it with discerning moderation. We have also enjoined upon him that, if such a dispute should arise in certain cases in which the presence of others is needed, he should, having gathered to himself a suitable number of our brothers and fellow-bishops, examine the matter wholesomely, with equity preserved, and determine it with canonical integrity. But if any contention—which may the divine power keep far off—should happen to arise concerning a matter of faith, or some business should emerge whose doubtfulness is perhaps grave, and which, on account of its magnitude, requires the judgment of the Apostolic See, then, the truth having been more diligently examined, he should take care to bring it by his report to our knowledge, so that by us a fitting sentence may without doubt be brought to a conclusion. And since it is necessary that, as often as he shall judge it needful, the bishops ought to assemble at suitable times before him to whom we have granted our office, in order to hold conference, we exhort that no one presume to be disobedient to his commands, nor neglect to be present at the common assembly—unless perhaps bodily infirmity should prevent someone, or the just excuse of some cause should in no way permit him to come. Those, however, who through some preventing necessity are unable to assemble at the synod, should send in their place a presbyter or a deacon, so that the things which have been determined by our vicar, with God's help, may reach him who is absent, through the very one whom he has sent, by faithful report, so that they may be kept with unshaken firmness, and that no excuse of any pretext may dare to violate them. This also we have foreseen that you should be admonished of equally: that none of you should in any way set out to journey to more distant places without the authorization of our aforesaid brother and fellow-bishop Virgilius, knowing that the commands of our predecessors also, who granted their office to his predecessors, thus without doubt define it. We exhort, moreover, that each of you be diligent concerning his own office, so that he who desires to receive the promised reward of his pasturing may guard with diligence and prayer the flock committed to him, lest the lurking wolf, by attacking, tear apart the sheep entrusted to him, and lest punishment instead of reward come in the recompense. We desire, therefore, most beloved brothers, and with all our prayers we beseech the omnipotent Lord, that he may make your love grow more and more fervent in the constancy of his charity, and may grant that you be greatly held together in the peace of the Church and in one concord. It has been reported to us, however, that through the simoniacal heresy certain persons are brought to sacred orders; and we have commanded our above-written brother and fellow-bishop Virgilius that this be prohibited in every way; which your fraternity should likewise recognize and zealously guard against, and the letter itself should be read out in your presence. Given on the 12th day of the month of August, in the 15th indiction.

AD UNIVERSOS REGNI CHILDEBERTI EPISCOPOS, Virgiiio Are/atensi, cai tices $has commisit, obediant : ab eo rocati reniant ad synodum; nec ad longinqua loca 8ine illius auctoritale pergant. Gregorius ® universis episcopis Galliarum qui sub regno Childeberti sunt. 4d hoc dispensationis divine provisio gradus di- vers0s et ordines conslituit esse distinctos, ut dum reverentiam minores potioribus exhiberent, ct polio- Vide Cyprianum, epi>tvla 55>; Hilarum papam, epi= $lola 8. Quid in Simili cas fieret apud Judzos, vide Josephum, Antiquitat. Judaic. lib. 1v, cap. 8, cujus testimonium retvlimus epist. 4, indict. 10, ubi de lisdem causis majoribus. GUsSANY. Pani. At in duobus Teller. et in Excus's seripta le- gitnr epislola Die 6 mensts Junii, indict. 15. Eeisr. LIV [Al. 52]. — ® Episcopi $8vb regno Childeberti erant omnes fere Gallicanj antistiies. Nam regaum Augtrasiorum ac Teguun Burgundie, PR dix: fieret ex Giversitate contextio, et recte officio- rum gererelur adminisratio singulorum. Neque enim universitas alia poterat JB ratione $ubsistere, nisi hujusmodi maznus eam diſferentie ordo $ervaret. Quia vero creatura in Þ una eademque zqualitate gubernari vel vivere non pote«t, ccelestium militiarum ex-mplar nos instruit, quia dum $unt angeli, et sunt archang-li, liquet quod non $sunt zxquale+, $sed in po teslale et ordine, sicut n»slis, diflert alter ab altrro Si ergo inter hos qui sine peccato sunt isla Cconsta! esse dislincti9, quis bominum abnuat huic se li benter dispositioni suhmiltere, cui novit eliam ange los obedire ? Hinc elenim pax et charitas niutua $e vice complectuntur, et manet firma concordiz in al- B terna, et Deo placita dilectione $inceritas. Quia igitur unumquodque tunc salubriter comple- tur officium, cum fuerit unus ad quem possit recurri prepositus, ideirco opportunnm es<e persPexi mus in Ecclesiis quz $ub regno praecellentissimi (ilii_nostri Childeberli regis $sunt, Secundum antiquam consue- tudinem, fratri nostro Virgilio Arelatensis civitalis episcopo vices nostras tribuere, qualenus et catho- lice lidei integrilas, id est 8anCtarum quatuor $YnO- dorum, Deo protegente, $ollicita devot.one Servelur ; et $i inter ſratres con-acerdotesque nostros aliqua cvenerit forte contenlio, auctoritatis $uz vigore, Vie cibus nempe $edis apostolice ſunctus, discreta mo- deratione compescat., Cui etiam injunximus ut $i quarumdam causarum tale fuerit certamen exorium in quo aliorum preseniia opus Sil, © congregalis sibi in numero competenti ſratribus et coepiscopis no- St1is, Salubriter hoc servala 2quitlate discutiat, el Ca- - nonica integritale definiat. Si quam vero contentio- nem, quod longe ſaciat divina potentia, de fidei causa evenire contigerit, aut negotium emerserit cujus ve- henens $i! ſortasse dubietis, ct p70 Sul magnitmliue judicio sedis aposlolice indigeat, examinala dili- gentius veritale, relatione 8ua ad nostram studeat | perducere notionem, qualenus a nobis: valeat con- grna sine dubio Sententia terminari. Et quoniam necesse est ut ad eum 4 cuj nostras vices indulsimus, quoties oporlere perspexcrit, pro facienda collatione aptis debeant episcopi temporibus quod morte ac tes!amento Guntchramni patrui que- Sierat, Child:-bertus obtinebat. Clotarins, rater ejus pairuelis, paucas in Neustria ai Ligerim, Sequa= nam, et Isaram fluvios, atque ad Oceanum civilates possidebat ; quibus exceptis, cum Goihia, que (Go- thorum erat, reliqua omnis Gallia parebat tum Chil- deberto. De finibus regni Anstrize et regni Burgundize Adrianum Valesium consnle, in lib. vi et ix Fr ram Francicarum. Gussaxv. In Reg., et in duohus Vatic. Bet C, $'c legitur hnjus epistolz titnius : Univeras episcopis Galliar um qui 8ub regno filti noztri excellen- lissimi Childeberti £unt. Excusi, quibus panci ſavent Mss., una eademque quilitate. Nostram lectionem exhibent omnes Anglic., Norm., Corb., duo Valic. Veram esse probant qua £equuniur : quod non sint equales, : © Ne Solus definiat, ni>i in levioribus, elsi Romani ponlivcis gereret vices. 4 Excusi, injunzimus. SANCTI GREGORIH MAGNI = 38 convenire, hortamvr ut nullus mandatis ejus inobe- A diligitis, et Christiana devolione quidquid ad eorum diens esse presumal, nec. communi congregation! in- leresse pos! ponat, ni>i aut corporis infirmitas quem- piam ſoriasse vetnerit, aut cujusdam eum cous2 justa excusaltio minime venire permiserit. Hi {amen qui prohibente aliqua necessitate neqreunt in $yno- dum convenire, loco suo presbyterum aut diaconum dirigant, quatenus que a nostro vicario, Deo auxi- liante, ſuerint definita, ad eum qui absens est_ per jpsum quem m8erit fida relatione pervenian!, * ut inconvulsa JB firmitate serventur f, et nullius ca audeat occasionis excusatio violare. Hoc etiam vos pariter pr:evidimus admonendos , vi nullas vestrum ad longinquivra loca sine prefaii ſralris et coepiscopi nostri Virgilii auctorilale tetet aliquo modo proficisci, scientcs quia et pryderess0- rum nostrorum, qui vices $uas ejus predecessoribus conce>seruut, sic procul dubio mandata definiunt. _ Hortamur prz#terea ut de officio sno sit quisque vestrum $Sollicitus, ut qui promis-am cupit mcree- dem pastionis accipere commissum Kibi gregem $61- licituine ct oratione custodiat, ne lupus insidians oves creditas invailendo dilaniet, et it in retribu- tione pena pro munere. Optamus igitur, ſratres cha- rissimi , et tlolis omnipotentem Dominum precibus exoramus, ut dilectionem vesiram in amoris $ui constantia facial magis magisque ſervescere, alque In pace Kcclesize, et in una vos concedal magno- pere retineri concordia. Nuniiatum vero gobis est quod per $simoniacam heresim ad g8acros quidam ordines adducantvr, et hoe 8vprascripto lratri et coepiscopo nos1tro Virgilio per omnia prohibendum mandavimus ; quo-l ut ve- slra fraternitas cognoscat et studiose custodiat, et ipsa coram vobis et epistola relegenda. & Data die 12 mensis Augusli, indict. 15. EPISTOLA LY. AD CHILDEBERTUM REGEM. Virgilio 8e vices suas et pallium regis p2titu conces- 8188e ; hortalur vicissim ul ili ſaveat in prohibenda simonia , et ne ex laicis repente fiant episcopi. Gregarius * Childeberto regi Francorumn. Lz1os nos excellentie vesire vehementer ſecit epivtola, quz pia v»s affectione de honore et reve- rentia sacerdotali teslatur ex8e sollicitos. Hinc ete- nim cunctis oslenditis fideles Dei vos esse cultores , dum $acerdotes ipsius grata ac debita veneratione © lidem, inconcus<a; a quibus non recederemus, Nisi communis Ms<. covsensns nos abripe:et. 5 ha Colbert, vet. et Pauli Collectio. In duobus Teller. conveniun mensis et indiclo; sed pro die 12 as-ignatur 11 Augusli. EmisT. LY | Al. 53]. — * Erat bic Chi!debertus Juy- nior, AusSirasiorum rex, Sigiberti regis et Brunickil- dis lilius. © kamdem $entevtiam ahis in Jocis semel iterum- que resumit vir sanctus, dignam certe qu:r. incuice- tur, crebraque iteratione lirietur ; ne qui repeilunt Ecienliam , aut anguslis cam finibus concludunt, re- B C augmentum pertizct agere ſeslinatis. Unde et gra- loner ea quz Scripsistis accepimus, et que voluis- tis animo libentj concessimns ; atque ideo ſratri n0- sIr0 Virgilio, Arelatensis civitatis episcopo, vices nostras juxla antiquum morem el Excellent: vestre desiderium Deo ſavente commisimus, cui etiam et pallii usum , sicut prisca habuit consuetudo , con- cesSiMns. Sed quia al'qua ad nos perlata sunt, que et om- nipotenlem Deum nimis ofſendunt, et quamplurimum >acerdotii honorem reverentiamque conlundunt, q1;ysumnus wt poteslatis vesirze Þ annitente censura wodis omnibus emendentur, ne dum laudande de- votioni vesira res lemerarie ac perversz repugnant, aliorum, quod absit, culpa TYG aut regnum ve- SIrum gravelur, aut anima. Pervenit autem ad nos, obeuntibus episcopis, quosdam ex laicis tonsurari, atque ad episcopatum precipiti saltu conscendere. Et qui discipulus non ſuit, inconsiderata ambitione magister efficitur. EL quoniam © quod possit docere non didicit, sacerdo- tium tantummodo gerit in nomine, nam laicus in sermone pristino perseverat et opere. Quomodo ergo pro aliorum peccatis intercessurus est, qui $ua pri- mitus non deflevit? Talis enim Pastor non munit gregen, sed decipit, quia dum conlradicente vere- cundia non potest aliis hoc quod ipse non facit sua- Cere , quid est aliud nisi ut plebs dominica prxdo- nibus populanda remane1l, et inde sumat interitam, unde saluliſerz protectionis magnum debvit babere Subsidium ? Quod quam pravum Sit, quamve per- versum , ex $a quoque ordinatione excellentiz ve- slre celsitudo perpendat. Certum namque est non vos ante exercitui ducem preponere, nisi vobis la- bor ejus 4 fidesque constiterit, nisi eum anteact?e vile virtus et sollicitudo aptum esse monstraverit, Si vero non aliis nisi hvjusmodi viris commiltitur gubernandus exercitus, qualis dux esse debeat ani- marum ex islius hene rei comparatione colligitur. Sed verecundum nobis est, et dicere pudet, quia ducatum sibi sacerdotes arripiunt qui exordium reli- gios:e militiaz non viderunt. Simul autem et illud valde exsecrandum nobis est nuntiatum , quod sacri ordines per simoniacam h@- resim , id est accepto premio , conſeruntur. Et quia pestiſerum nimis est, et sanciz Ecc'esiie universali pellanmtur a Deo. Magnnm est prelationis pondus propter infinitates difficultatum rircumstantinm : grav:s autem pre cxteris necessilas prieylicandi, qua Se non exsolvel facile qui totam Scropturam Sacram non imbiberit. Legendus Joanu. Gerson , sermone habiio in concil. Rhtem. , considerat. 2, uhi. post molt; qun ad hanc rem ſacrru:t, Erigitur, inquit, coqnitio Scripturarum $acrarum cum ceteris ommbus que ad mores” spect -nl. Inde est illa, dum Pastor conse"ratur, interrogatio, Scis utrumque leslamenium ? quorum aliqui qua conscientia respondeant 8cio, ip riderinl, lac ile. Gussaxyv. : 4 \uigati, -fidesque probata. Et infra, ex tslius res consideraiione 8eu comparatione beie colligitur. OTE en De — —— — 189 EPISTOLARUM LIB. V. — INDICT. Xi. — EPIST. LYII. 790 contrarium , in sacrum quempiam ordinem non me- A largiente Domino percepisti, ita etiam morum alque "3t's, £ed pretio collocari, hortamur ut tam detesta- bile ſacinus de regno $40 excellentia vesira prohiberi precipial. Nam ipse +e ad hoc officium ostendit pror- Sus indignum , qui donum Dei pecunia mercari non __ Neluit, et commodis prasumit appetere quod habere per gratiam non meretur. lIzc igitur, pracellentis- Sine (ili, idcirco admoneo,- quia animam vesiram $alvari desidero. Quz etiam dudum * scriberem, $i voluntateia meam innumere occupationes minime prepedissent. At poslquam Se congruum rescribendi tempus ingessil, quod facere me oportuit non omisi. Salutantes itaque exce!lentiam vestram , patern:e charitatis affectu petimus ut cuncla que Suprascri- pto ſratri et coepiscopo Nnostro ficri servarique man- davimus ſavoris vestri prasidio compleantvr, ne Cu- jusquam ea aliquo modo elatione aut superbia con- relli permittatis. f Sed sicut a praxdecessore $ub gloriosi palris ves(ri regno servala sunt, ila quoque auxilio vestro s0llicita et motlo devolione Serventur. Oporiet ergo ut hoc nobis vicarie rependatur, et si- cut nos vestram implere non distulimus voluntatem , jta et vos propter Deum et beatum Petrum aposto- torum principen J&7 nostra facialis in oninibus ser- vari Statula, quatenus excellentiz vestrz. laudabilis et Deo placita «e circumquaque tendat opinio. 8 Data die 12 mensis Augnsti, indict. 15. EPISTOLA LY. AD MARINIANUM EPISCODUM Pallii usum concedit , firmat pririlegia Ravennatis Ecclesie. Gregorius * Mariniano episcopo Ravenne. Apcslolicx sedis benevolentia et antiqua consue- tudinis ordine provocati, fraternitati tuz, quam in Ravennati Ecclesia gubernationis suscepisse constat oſſicium, pallii ugum previdimus concedendum. yYuo non aliter te uti memineris, nisi in propria luz. Ct, vitatis Þ dimissis jam filiis Ecclesia, procedens © a Salutatorio ad sacra missarum $solemnia celebranda ; peractis vero missis, idem in $alutatorio rvyrsum cu- rabis depo! ere. Extra Ecclesiam vero non amplius illo libi, nisi quater in anno, in litaniis quas ad deces- Sorem Lluum Joannem expressimus, uti permittimus, hoc nihilominus admonentes, nt sicut a nobis hujus- modi decoris usum ad $acerdotalis oflicii honorem Eer>rT. VE [AL 54]. — ® Moriuo Joanne Raven- nale episcv»P), anno 595, Ravennaies Marinianum pre-byterum , civem svum, quenr din cum Sanclo Gregorio in monaslerio versatum noverant, com- Mtn consensu episcopum elegernut, cui diu Tesi- Slenti vix perswadere putuit Gregorius ut electioni % >e ſacle consentiret. Hic licet fuisset monachus , Paul's laten iwmonachis infcusior visus esl, ex epist. 24 lib, V, nhuiic lib, yi. De eo eliam Paulus diaconus, lib. iv, cap. 11. Gussanv. FR actuum probitale ad Christi gloriam sisceplum ador- nare contenilas officium. Sie etenim alterno eris in-. vicem decore con>picuus, $i ad hujusmodi corporis habitum mentis quoque tuz bona concordent. Om- nia etiam privilegia , qua luz pridem Cconcessa esse conslat Ecclesize, nostra auctoritale ſirmamus, et illibata decernimus permanere,