3. As to what the Churches might say in their own
behalf, perhaps it is better for me to be silent: they reap the
result of our disagreement, and it is not to their gain. I am not
speaking to indulge my grief but to put a stop to it. And your
intelligence, I am sure, has suffered nothing to escape you. You
will yourself be better able to discern and to tell to others points of
far greater importance than I can conceive. You saw the mischief
done to the Churches before I did; and you are grieving more than I am,
for you have long learnt from
the Lord not to despise even the least. cf.
Matt. xviii.
10. And now the mischief is not confined
to one or two, but whole cities and peoples are sharers in my
calamities. What need to tell what kind of report will spread
about me even beyond our borders? It were well for you, large
hearted as you are, to leave the love of strife to others; nay rather,
if it be possible, to root it from their hearts, while you yourself
vanquish what is grievous by endurance. Any angry man can defend
himself, but to rise above the actual anger belongs only to you, and
any one as good as you, if such there be. One thing I will not
say, that he who has a grudge against me is letting his anger fall on
the innocent. Do then comfort my soul by coming to me, or by a
letter, or by inviting me to come to you, or by some means or other.
My prayer is that your piety may be seen in the Church and that
you may heal at once me and the people, both by the sight of you and by
the words of your good grace. If this be possible it is best; if
you determine on any other course I shall willingly accept it.
Only accede to my entreaty that you will give me distinct information
as to what your wisdom decides.