Letter 2014: The enemy might count it a profit if, among the dangers that Christians face, the voices of those who share their...

14. To the Africans. The enemy would perhaps reckon it a gain if, amid the perils which he has declared against the Christians, he had subdued the hearts of believers, and if, the Lord's flock having been scattered in different directions, there did not survive even among a few any by whom, with their faith persevering, he might be trodden down. He still reigns within your number, he who took pleasure in himself not so much in a multitude as in devotion. For it is written that power was given to Satan to sift the servants of Christ, so that whatever could be found of the wheat might be joined to the granaries, and whatever was of the chaff might pass over to feed the fires. To you in particular it was said: Fear not, little flock; it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. The sword of the faithless has come among you, to cut away the rotted members of the Church and to lead the sound ones through to heavenly glory. The contest shows which soldiers Christ has; who may deserve the triumph is learned through the wars. Do not be afraid because they have taken from you the fillets of the pontifical crown [the insignia of episcopal office]. With you is that priest, indeed that victim, who has not been accustomed to rejoice so much in honors as in minds. The rewards of confession are greater than the gifts of a named dignity. To the latter, human favor for the most part brings even persons of lesser merit; the former, grace from above alone bestows. For he himself both fought and conquered in you, he whom faith deserves to have as a companion even amid the torments of men. There is no need of long conversations to kindle the heavenly fervor in you. The fire of divine power has its own increase. Nor is there need that those already set in their trophy be exalted with praises, who conquered without a prompter. Whatever the flatteries of acclamation bring weighs down the conscience of a Christian. The deed you have done is indeed a deed of virtue, yet one to be surpassed by the recompense of the highest reward. Yet what you have hoped for in the letters directed to our son the deacon, requesting the blessing of the blessed martyrs Nazarius and Romanus, we do not deny to the faithful. Receive the venerable patronage of the unconquered soldiers, since the Emperor [Christ] has now also recognized your faith in the battles: happily complete the gifts of confession. God will give, when it shall please him, returning quiet to the churches, so that he may console with the sweetness of peace the grief which adversity has brought in.

XIIII. AFRIS. Lucrum forsitan putaret inimicus, si inter pericula, quae Christianis indixit, credentium animos subegisset et perdiuersa domini grege disperso non superesset uel inter paucos a quibus possit fide perseuerante calcari. regnat adhuc ille in numero uestro, qui sibi non tam in multitudine quam in deuotione conplacuit. scriptum enim est datam Satanae potestatem, ut seruos Christi cribraret, ut quod de tritico inueniri posset horreis iungeretur, quod de paleis ad ignium alimenta transiret. ad uos specialiter dictum est: nolite timere, pusillus 27 Luc. 12, 32 1 estimatnr Tl ut uidetwr quo* T ofo m mg. add. T captiaas B 2 ego] ergo Sirm . 4 fibolam B 14 si quae b 16 pec∗∗toris L, peccatoris TVl XlIII. 18 afria om. T1; cohortatio ad constaDtiam add . m. rec. T 22 posset fort . 28 qui sibi non tam T in ras. m. 2 24 Mtane BL, sathane PT 25 cribaret BxV1 ut] et B posset Sirm., posBit BLPTVb 26 horręis L ingnium L grex: conplacuit patri uestro dare uobis regnum. uenit inter uos gladius perfidorum, qui marcidae ecclesiae membra resecaret et ad caelestem gloriam sana perduceret. quos habeat Christus milites certamen ostendit: qui triumphum mereantur per bella cognoscitur. nolite metuere, quod pontificalis a uobis apicis infulas abstulerunt. uobiscum est sacerdos ille uel hostia, qui non tam honoribus consueuit gaudere quam mentibus. maiora sunt confessionis praemia quam nominatae munera dignitatis. ad illa plerumque etiam minoris meriti personas fauor humanus adducit: ista nisi gratia superna non tribuit. ipse enim in uobis et pugnauit et uicit, quem fides meretur et inter hominum tormenta sociari. prolixis non est opus feruorem in uobis caelestem animare conloquiis. habet incrementa sua diuinae uirtutis incendium. nec opus est eos in tropaeo iam positos adtolli laudibus, qui sine monitore uicerunt.- grauat conscientiam Christiani quicquid adferunt blandimenta praeconii. res quidem uirtutis est, quam fecistis, sed summi praemii restitutione superanda. quod tamen directis ad filium nostrum diaconum litteris sperastis, beatorum martyrum Nazari et Romani benedictionem poscentes, fidelibus non negamus. accipite ueneranda patrocinia inuictorum militum, quia et uestram iam fidem in proeliis imperator agnouit: feliciter confessionis munera consummate. dabit deus, cum ipsi placuerit, reducem ecclesiis quietem, ut maerorem, quem induxit aduersitas, pacis dulcedine consoletur. 1 grex ex rex L post cdplacuit ras. 10—12 litt. L 2 membra eccleaie T in ras. m. 2 eclesiae B 4 quod P, quot Sirm . 5 pontificales B 6 apices B infolaa B abuit stulerunt u. eet T in ras. m. 2 9 a*d (b eras.) L 11 pugna. L Q eras . 13 opos Lx ut uidetur 15 tropeo B, tropheo LP TV attollit L si L 16 quidquid BPb 19 post nostrum spatium, 8-9 litt. uacuum m V, -H. add. Pb; nomen intercidisse non uidetur diač BL 20 nazarii T, nazarqi b 22 et quia Sirm . iam] piam add. ed. Crabb . imperator. T 23 munera in muoia corr. T m . 2 consummatQ V, consumate PT, consummare ed. Labbei acum T 24 reducSin ex reducere T m. 2, reducare ed. Labbei eclesiis B merorem BPTVb, memorem L . indixit Pb 25 consuletar B