Epistle
VI.
To Mauricius Augustus.
Gregory to Mauricius Augustus.
Almighty , who has
made your Piety to be the guardian of ecclesiastical peace, preserves
you by the same faith which, through unity among priests, you preserve; and when you submit your heart humbly to the yoke of heavenly loving-kindness, it is brought to pass by heavenly grace that you tread your enemies under the foot of valour. For it cannot be of small advantage that, when John of holy memory had departed this life, your Piety long hesitated, and somewhat deferred the time, while seeking counsel in the fear of Almighty , in order, to wit, that the cause of might be ordered, as it should be, with great fear. Whence also I think that my brother and fellow-priest Cyriacus is proved to be exceedingly fit for pastoral rule, in that the long deliberation of your Piety has raised him to this degree. And we all know how diligent and how practised he has long been in the administration of ecclesiastical affairs. Whence also I doubt not that it has been brought about by Divine ordering that one who had administered
the least things well should
fitly undertake the greater, and should pass from the charge of affairs
to the government of souls. Wherefore in all our prayers we
beseech Almighty to repay this good work
to the Serenity of our lords and to their pious offspring both in the
present world and also with a perpetual recompense, and to grant to my
aforesaid brother and fellow-priest, who has been put over the
flock, to shew himself fully
solicitous in the care of souls; that he may be able irreprovably both
to correct what is wrong in his subjects and to foster what is right
unto further increase; to the end that the judgment of your Piety
concerning him may be approved, not only before men, but also before
the eyes of the Supernal Majesty.
The venerable men, George the presbyter and Theodore the
deacon, in consideration of the command of my lords and the imminence
of the winter season, I have not allowed to be delayed in this
city.