Epistle XCIV.
To Romanus the Guardian (Defensorem).
Gregory to Romanus, &c.
The bearers of these presents, who came hither from the
parts of Istria to find their bishop who is now living in the parts of
Sicily, have asked us to speed them in their way, and we have arranged
for their journey hence. Let, then, thy Experience receive them,
and arrange for their reaching their said bishop as soon as possible;
lest, as they allege may be the case, others of the schismatics in
those parts should be beforehand to persuade them. For, so far as
they indicate, the bishop himself has a desire to come to us in behalf
of the unity of the faith. Assistance therefore should be given
them, that, with the help of the Lord, they may accomplish the good
things they desire. But let thy Experience, in person if he is
near at hand or otherwise by letter, exhort this same bishop to lose no
time in hastening, with the Lord’s good favour, to the threshold
of the Apostles, being assured that he will be received by us with all
affection. We also desire thee to pay him the cost of his journey
to enable him to come to us. But, if he finds coming here
burdensome, and arranges to live in Sicily, and consents, with his
security given, to remain in the unity of the Church among the
perverters of Scripture, this also do not thou delay to inform us of,
that we may arrange, with the help of the Lord, how provision may be
made for his expenses there. But lend also thy concurrence and
succour for the bearers of these letters to come to their said bishop,
so that after leaving us they may experience no less
attention.