Letter 10084: Gregory to Innocentius, prefect of Africa.

TO INNOCENTIUS, PREFECT OF AFRICA. [Editorial summary:] He rejoices over Innocentius's prefecture out of affection; he grieves at the weight of the office, which he greatly wishes may become for him an occasion of reward. He indicates that a truce has been made with the king of the Lombards. He commends the books of Augustine to one who seeks them for [a commentary on] Job. He gives thanks for the patrimony of the Roman Church that has been protected. Gregory to Innocentius, Prefect of Africa. The brilliant eloquence of your Eminence, seasoned with the honey hidden in your heart, has so poured its savor into our inmost being, and so carried us away into love of you, that what you write is sweet to us, and what you do has a pleasant taste; and not without cause, since one who is adorned with good pursuits is great by judgment, not by favor. But learning that you have taken up the belt [of office] of the prefecture, a sadness has mingled itself with our joy. For on the one hand we rejoiced at the advancement of our most dear son; on the other we were saddened, because we feel from our own grief how grave it is, in confused times, to be set over greater places. Hence we must by all means strive that a harsh matter may become an occasion of reward. For, as you know, from a land full of thistles grain comes forth, and from thorns a rose is brought forth. While, therefore, the time suitable for sowing is yours, do not cease to sow the seeds of good works, so that you may carry back greater sheaves of joy on the day of harvest, and may come to eternal glory by the merit of a transitory honor. Learning, therefore, what zeal you have shown in preparing the warships [dromones], we relieve your anxiety with the desired news, indicating that, the Lord being favorable, agreement has been reached with the king of the Lombards concerning peace, to last until the month of March of the coming fourth indiction. Whether it will be kept we do not know, since the same king has since been reported to have died, though this is still held uncertain. Concerning Anamundarus, moreover, we have done what you wrote, but would that the result may follow the intention; because, so far as it pertains to us, we do not deny to the afflicted the solace of our intercession. But as to the fact that you wished a manuscript [codex] of the exposition on holy Job to be sent to you, we rejoice altogether at your zeal; ... we perceive that you apply yourself, [to a study] which neither permits you to go forth into deceits, nor [allows you] again to gather back to the heart those things scattered by worldly cares. But if you desire to be fed with delightful nourishment, read the little works of the blessed Augustine, your fellow countryman, and do not seek our bran in comparison with that fine wheat of his. What patronage, moreover, and what affection your Glory has shown in the needs of the poor of blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, his lover, we declare on the testimony of Hilarus, our notary [chartularius]. For which reason, paying abundant thanks ... [we pray that] the things promised to them by the Almighty may be preserved, so that He may permit neither others to prevail outwardly, nor malignant spirits inwardly; but may so dispose your actions in His propitious fear, that, as He has done among men, so too, after the courses of a long life, He may make you glorious in the number of His saints. (Cf. John the Deacon, Book IV, chapter 78.)

AD INNOCENTIUM AFRICE PRAEFECTUM, De Innocentii praſectura gaudet ex dilectione ; dolet er gravitate muneris, quam ill: tern mercedis 0c- casionem fieri peroptat. Factas indicat cum Lango- bardorum rege inducias. Suos in J0b postulanti lou- dat Augustini libros. De protecto Romane LEcelesi patrimonio gratias agit. Gregorius lunocentio * Aſrice prelecto. Luculenta eminentie vestre, et copdita cordis melle ſacundia ita Sui nobis saporem wedullitus in- fudit, et in $u0 amore nos rapuit, ut nobis et dulce Ssonel quod $cribitis, et Sapiat Suave quod agilis ; nee iiamerito, quia qui bonis $tudiis comptus est, judicio magnus est, non fayore. > Prefecture autem yos Suscepisse cingula cagnoscentes, lelitie se miscuit nostr.c trislitia. Nam ex una parle lztati de pro- vectu dnlcissimi (lii, contristati sumus ab altera, quia quam graye sit conſusis temporibus locis majo- ribus es8e pra:positos, ex no&ro prorsns dolore sen- timus. Unde omnino studendum est ut res a-pera fiat mercedis occasia. Nam, sicut nostis, de terra plena carduis ſrumentum egreditur, et de spinis ro- 8a prodncitur. Dum ergo $eminandi yobis congruum tempus est, honorum operum $erere Semina non Cces- $etis, ut majores in die messis letitie manipnlos re- C Portetis, atque ad zternam -gloriam ex transi!orii honoris merito veniatis. Cognoseentes igitur quale studinum in praparandis © dromonihns gesseritis, $s0llicitudinem vestram, .de- Siderato nuntio, relevamus, indicantes cum Lango- bardorum rege usque ad mensem Martium ſuture quartze indictionis , de pace, propitiante Domino , convenisse. Quz si retineatur ignoramus, quia idem rex 0hiisse postea nuntiatus est, licet adhuc habea- tur in:ertum. | De Anamundaro autem quz S$cripsistis fecimus, Sed voluntatem utinam $sequalur effectus quia quan- Codicis nota hc eadem manuscripta esl : quia epige copus pre@ſecturam 8usceperut contristatur. Ad episco- pun non esse $sCcriptam hanc epistolam legenti pale» bit, modo in Gregorianis epistolis peregrinus non SIL. Stolus, Gall., une flollte vautixes G70)05, Navales Copies GUSSANY. SANCTI GREGORII MAGNI tum ad nos pertinet, aſflictis intercessionis nostrz A illis ſuerint promissa serventur , quatenus nec aliis solatium non negamus. (uod vero in expositionem 8ancti Job transmitii vobis codicem voluistis, de vesiro omnino studio gaudemus : Studere conspicimus, quz nec tlolos ſoras vos exire permittat, et ad cor iterum £zxcularibus curis disper- 80s recolligat. Sed si delicioso cupitis pabulo sagina- ri, beati Auguslini patriot vestri opuscula legite, et ad comparationem « siliginis illius nostrum ſurſurem non quzratis. | Quale przterea patrocinium , qualemque affectum in vtilitatibus pauperum beati Petri apostolorum principis LOGS amatoris sui gloria vestra prebue- rit, Hilaro chartulario nostro lestificante Gdicimus. Ex qua re uberes gratias exsolventes omnipotentis exterius, nec malignos $piritus interius przxvalere permitiat; sed ita actiones vestras in $u0 propitius timore disponat, ut sicut ſecit inter homines, ita quoque post longzvze ztatis- discursus in Sanctorum Suorum vos esse ſaciat numero gloriosos. (Cf. Jcan Diac. |. 1v, c. T8.)