3. I meant to have come to an end long before
this, but the pain at my heart does not allow me. Now I charge
you by the Fathers, by the true faith, by our blessed friend, lift up
your souls, each man making what is being done his own immediate
business, each reckoning that he will be the first to reap the
consequences of the issue, whichever way it turn out, lest your fate be
that which so very frequently befalls, every one leaving to his
neighbour the common interests of all; and then, while each one makes
little in his own mind of what is going on, all of you unwittingly draw
your own proper misfortunes on yourselves by your neglect. Take,
I beg you, what I say with all kindliness, whether it be regarded as an
expression of the sympathy of a neighbour, or as fellowship between
fellow believers, or, which is really nearer the truth, of one who
obeys the law of love, and shrinks from the risk of silence. I am
persuaded that you are my boasting, as I am yours, till the day of the
Lord, and that it depends upon the pastor who will be granted you
whether I shall be more closely united to you by the bond of love, or
wholly severed from you. This latter God forbid. By
God’s grace it will not so be; and I should be sorry now to say
one ungracious word. But this I do wish you to know, that though
I had not that blessed man always at my side, in my efforts for the
peace of the churches, because, as he himself affirmed, of certain
prejudices, yet, nevertheless, at no time did I fail in unity of
opinion with him, and I have always invoked his aid in my struggles
against the heretics. Of this I call to witness God and all who
know me best.