Chapter 3.—Why He Addresses His Book to Boniface.

But these words which I am answering to their two letters,—the one, to wit, which Julian is said to have sent to Rome, that by its means, as I believe, he might find or make as many allies as he could; and the other, which eighteen so-called bishops, sharers in his error, dared to write to Thessalonica, not to any and every body, but to the bishop of that place itself, with a view of tempting him by their craftiness and bringing him over, if it could be done, to their views;—these words which, as I said, I am writing in answer to those two letters of theirs in respect of that argument, I have determined to address especially to your sanctity, not so much for your learning as for your examination and, if perchance anything should displease you, for your correction. For my brother intimated to me that you yourself condescended to give those letters to him, which could not come into your hands except by the most watchful diligence of my brethren, your sons. And I thank your most sincere kindness to me that you have been unwilling that those letters of the enemies of God’s grace should be hidden from me, seeing that in them you have found my name calumniously as well as openly expressed. But I hope from my Lord God that not without the reward which is in heaven do those tear me with their scurrilous teeth to whom I oppose myself on behalf of the little ones, that they may not be left for destruction to the deceitful flatterer Pelagius, but may be presented for deliverance to the truthful Saviour Christ.

3. Haec autem quae duabus Epistolis eorum respondeo: uni scilicet quam dicitur Romam misisse Julianus, credo ut per illam, quos posset, suos aut inveniret, aut faceret, alteri autem quam decem et octo velut episcopi participes ejus erroris, non ad quoslibet, sed ad loci ipsius episcopum sua calliditate tentandum, et ad suas partes, si posset fieri, traducendum, ausi sunt Thessalonicam scribere: haec ergo quae istis, ut dixi, duabus Epistolis illorum, ista disputatione respondeo, ad tuam potissimum dirigere Sanctitatem, non tam discenda quam examinanda, et ubi forsitan aliquid displicuerit, emendanda constitui. Indicavit enim mihi frater meus, quod eas illi dare ipse dignatus es, quae in tuas manus, nisi vigilantissima diligentia fratrum nostrorum filiorum tuorum, venire non possint. Ago autem gratias sincerissimae in nos benevolentiae tuae, quod eas me latere noluisti Litteras inimicorum gratiae Dei, in quibus reperisti nomen meum calumniose atque evidenter expressum. Sed spero de Domino Deo nostro, quod non sine mercede quae in coelis est, illi me lacerant dente maledico, quibus me pro parvulis, ne fallaci laudatori Pelagio perditi relinquantur, sed veraci salvatori Christo liberandi offerantur, oppono.