3. If any one enquires what my opinion is,
he will learn it from the actual little document, to which is appended
their own autograph signature. This they wish to destroy, and
they are anxious to conceal their own change of position in slandering
me. For they do not like to own that they have repented of their
subscription to the tract I gave them; while they charge me with
impiety from the idea that no one perceives that their disruption from
me is only a pretext, while in reality they have departed from that
faith which they have over and over again owned in writing, before many
witnesses, and have lastly received and subscribed when delivered to
them by me. It is open to any one to read the signatures and to
learn the truth from the document itself. Their intention will be
obvious, if, after reading the subscription which they gave me, any one
reads the creed which they gave Gelasius, cf.
Letter cxxx. p. 198.
and observes what a vast difference there is between the two
confessions. It would be better for men who so easily shift their
own position, not to examine other men’s motes but to cast out
the beam in their own eye. cf.
Matt. vii. 4. I am making a
more complete defence on every point in another letter; i.e.
Letter ccxxiii. this will satisfy readers who want fuller
assurance. Do you, now that you have received this letter, put
away all despondency, and confirm the love to me, cf.
2 Cor. ii. 8. which makes me eagerly long for union with
you. Verily it is a great sorrow to me, and a pain in my heart
that cannot be assuaged, if the slanders uttered against me so far
prevail as to chill your love and to alienate us from one
another. Farewell.