A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

319the things which ought to have been accurately investigated hadbeen examined—on account of all this it has happened that thosevery ones who ought to hold brotherly and harmonious relationstoward each other are shamefully, or rather abominably, dividedamong themselves, and give occasion for ridicule to those menwhose souls are alien as to this most holy religion. Whereforeit has seemed necessary to me to provide that this dissension,which ought to have ceased after the judgment had been alreadygiven, by their own voluntary agreement, should now, if possible,be brought to an end by the presence of many. Since,therefore, we have commanded a number of bishops from a greatmany different places to assemble in the city of Arles, before thecalends of August, we have thought proper to write to thee alsothat thou shouldest secure from the most illustrious Latronianus,Corrector of Sicily, a public vehicle, and that thou shouldest takewith thee two others of the second rank whom thou thyself shaltchoose, together with three servants, who may serve you on theway, and betake thyself to the above-mentioned place before theappointed day; that by thy firmness and by the wise unanim- [291]ity and harmony of the others present, this dispute, which hasdisgracefully continued until the present time, in consequenceof certain shameful strifes, after all has been heard, which thosehave to say who are now at variance with one another, and whomwe have likewise commanded to be present, may be settled inaccordance with the proper faith, and that brotherly harmony,though it be but gradual, may be restored. May Almighty Godpreserve thee in health many years.(b) Synodal Epistle addressed to Sylvester, Bishop of Rome,Bruns, II, 107. Cf. Kirch, nn. 330-337.The following extracts give the canons of most importance inthe history of the times. The exact wording of the canons has