Letter 22: When I consider the depth of Your Wisdom, most merciful Emperor, I do not believe that a man looking out for his own...

Hormisdas to Anastasius Augustus, through the bishops Ennodius and Peregrinus. When, most merciful emperor, I consider the depths of your wisdom, I do not suppose that those who look out for their own salvation are displeasing to you; for neither the divine admonitions nor human institutions hold that a man who takes thought for good hope ought to be blamed with any reproach, since your piety above all professes that it burns with affection for unity and peace. This matter has compelled me, both for confidence in your conscience and for the duty of the stewardship entrusted to me, as the occasion arose, not to keep silent about the business. John, my brother and fellow bishop, prelate of the city of Nicopolis, following the example of his predecessor Alcison of holy memory, has sought communion with the see of the blessed apostle Peter through his synod, condemning those whom the Church abhors. He is now harassed by grave plots. I beseech your gentleness: oppose those who contrive iniquitous things, remove the troubles, and cherish the corrected man, upon whom, in order that he might correct himself, pressure ought to have been brought. For those who have delayed will know that they will be held guilty, when they see those who have already returned cherished by you. I confess, most merciful emperor: I marvel that the obstinacy of the plotters is moved neither by regard for God nor by regard for you; for those who hate in a man the zeal of a good desire pursue it, because they judge that they themselves are being judged thereby. Those brought back to the right path may rightly be reproached if they do not convert those who go astray; but clear proofs will be given of the faith you have pledged, if you are present to those who have been brought back to unity: that this be brought about, give thought with every exhortation.

HOMnSDA ANASTASIO AUGU8T0. PER ENNODIUM ET PEREGRINUM 20 EPiscopos. Dum sapientiae uestrae, clementissime imperator, profunda considero, prouidentes saluti propriae uobis displicere non aestimo, neque enim aut diuina monita aut humana continent instituta, ut qui consulit bonae spei, qualibet debeat reprehensione culpari, cum maxime pietas quoque » uestra affectu se unitatis et pacis flagrare fateatur. quae nra F 18 exibenda F 127. Dat (simul cum epp. 133—135) a. 517 die 12 Apr. Edd, Car. P 469; Bar,^d a. 517, 42; Collect. Concil; BTA I 405; Thiel 812. 20 INA8TA8I0 AG F Per Ennodium , . episcopos charactere minuHore V; quae nota quomodo hic explicanda $it Ennodio et Peregrino iam die 3 Apr. Boma profeciis uidesis 'Beitrdge^ p. 14 sq. 24 ut o*: aut F Epi8t. cxxvi 15 — cxxvm 1. 545 res me quoque uel pro fidueia conscientiae uestrae uel pro creditae mihi dispensationis ofGcio emergente compulit non sopersedere negotio. lohannes frater et coepiscopus meus 2 Nicopolitanae ciuitatis antistes decessoris sui sanctae recorda- tionis Alcisonis secutus exemplum beati Fetri apostoli commu- nionem cum synodo sua damnatis his, quos ecclesia detestatur, expetiit. is nunc grauibus fatigatur insidiis. precor mansuetu- dinem uestram: iniqua molientibus obuiate et remouete molestias et correctum fouete, cui ut comgeret, debuisset insisti. scient enim, qui tardauerint, se reos futuros, cum a uobis foueri uiderint iam reuersos. fateor, clementissime 3 imperator: miror insidiantium pertinaciam neque dei neque uestro intuitu permoueri; nam qui oderunt in homine studium desiderii boni, quod de se aestimant iudicari, insequuntur. ad recta reduces iure culpandi, si non conuerterint deuiantes; datae fidei uestrae clara documenta, si affueritis ad unitatem reductis: <quod>effici omni adhortatione cogitetis.