Letter 3001: The first and finest thing — beyond any doubt fitting for a man of holy vocation — is to do spontaneously for the...

Ennodius to Bishop Senator. The first thing befitting a holy purpose is, without hesitation, to do of one's own accord on behalf of justice whatever others are accustomed to render only when admonished; but next to that, and second best, is not to be burdened by upright suggestions. In this respect, even if he who is admonished does not hold the first place, he nevertheless has the grace of God, in that he does not resist the promptings of truth. I therefore set forth the reason for this preface, lest I too should seem to put off my own advantage by the long-windedness of my words. Some time ago I petitioned humbly through my own person that, of the slaves who, it was established, had been enticed from my household by your people, the one who remained should be restored to me. You gave answer to my entreaties with a holy promise, that even if the boy himself rightly belonged to you, you would nevertheless set goodwill before your own interests. After I had returned from Ravenna, what is a sin even to say, on account of my own sins the priestly decision could not take effect. I ascribe it to my own deserts that he by whose mouth falsehood is condemned violated his own pledges. Behold, again I refer myself to your conscience; behold, I display what befits a son, that through the sublime and magnificent man Lord Victor I may bring to a state of humility whatever could have been granted to me by the authority of the secular laws. See whether I am guilty, who have chosen a man congruent with the character of bishops, one who, even against the unbridled hearts of those who resist, could soften them contrary to their inequity. I have already promised the accomplishment of the business to me, I who have proven the merit of the envoy: consider whether it befits religion, whether it is worthy of a bishop, that he who is able to command the very rocks should be scorned. Two things plead my cause with me: the sincerity of the business and the spirit of the suppliant; whatever shall stand in the way of this soon deserves the verdict of good men.

I. SENATORI EPISCOPO ENNODIVS. Prima res est sancto conueniens sine dubitatione proposito sponte pro iustitia facere quicquid alii solent monitis exhibere, sed honestati proxima uel secunda rectis suggestionibus non grauari. in qua parte et si principem locum non possidet qui monetur, habet tamen dei gratiam, quod ueritatis insinuationibus non repugnat. causam ergo praefationis insinuo, ne et ego utilitatem meam differre uidear prolixitate sermonum. dudum per me suppliciter postulaui, ut de mancipiis, quae de casa mea a uestris sollicitata constabat, unum mihi quod remanserat redderetur. dedistis precibus meis sancta promissione responsum, ut etiamsi uobis puer ipse iure conpeteret, uos tamen gratiam commodis anteferre. regresso me de Rauenna, quod dictu nefas est, pro peccatis meis effectum sacerdotalis definitio habere non potuit. adscribo meritis meis, quod cuius ore damnatur mendacium statuta uiolauit. ecce iterum me ad conscientiam uestram refero, ecce quod filium decet exhibeo, ut per sublimem et magnificum uirum domnum Victorem ad humilitatem conferam quicquid mihi poterat legum saecularium auctoritate praestari. uidete si reus sum, qui elegi uirum antistitum moribus congruentem, qui uel contra aequitatem repugnantium indomita posset corda mollire. effectum mihi I. 2 Ennodiui om. T 4 quidquid B aliia. T 5 hone* state T suggestibus T1 6 posse4it B 7 *quod L 9 prolexitate B 10 pro me fort . suppleciter poatolaui B 11 unum ex ufi T m. a 13 ut idem ualet ac scilicet, cf. Wiener StwHen II p. 249 14 antefarit T1 ut uidetur 16 diffiuitio PTb 17 damnantur L 18 filium] fidelium B 19 uirum om . 1 B 20 secularium B, saecularum L 22 equitatem B, equitatum T1 negotii iam promisi, qui legati meritum conprobaui prouidete, si religionem deceat, si a pontifice dignum sit illum, qui potest cautibus inperare, contemni. duo sunt quae mecum faciunt, negotii sinceritas et genius subplicantis: quicquid contra hoc obstiterit, bonorum sententiam mox meretur.