Epistle IV.29    Oxford ed.: Ep. v.

To the Presbyters and Deacons.

Argument.—Cyprian Exhorts His Clergy from His Place of Retirement, that in His Absence They Should Be United; That Nothing Should Be Wanting to Prisoners or to the Rest of the Poor; And Further, that They Should Keep the People in Quiet, Lest, If They Should Rush in Crowds to Visit the Martyrs in Prison, This Privilege Should at Length Be Forbidden Them. a.d. 250.

1. Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his beloved brethren, greeting. Being by the grace of God in safety, dearest brethren, I salute you, rejoicing that I am informed of the prosperity of all things in respect of your safety also; and as the condition of the place30    Scil. Carthage, where the populace had already demanded Cyprian’s blood. does not permit me to be with you now, I beg you, by your faith and your religion, to discharge there both your own office and mine, that there may be nothing wanting either to discipline or diligence.  In respect of means, moreover, for meeting the expenses, whether for those who, having confessed their Lord with a glorious voice, have been put in prison, or for those who are labouring in poverty and want, and still stand fast in the Lord, I entreat that nothing be wanting, since the whole of the small sum which was collected there was distributed among the clergy for cases of that kind, that many might have means whence they could assist the necessities and burthens of individuals.

2. I beg also that there may be no lack, on your parts, of wisdom and carefulness to preserve peace. For although from their affection the brethren are eager to approach and to visit those good confessors, on whom by their glorious beginnings the divine consideration has already shed a brightness, yet I think that this eagerness must be cautiously indulged, and not in crowds,—not in numbers collected together at once, lest from this very thing ill-will be aroused, and the means of access be denied, and thus, while we insatiably wish for all, we lose all. Take counsel, therefore, and see that this may be more safely managed with moderation, so that the presbyters also, who there offer31    “Qui illic apud confessores offerunt,” scil. “the oblation” (προσφορὰ, Rom. xv. 16), i.e., “who celebrate the Eucharist.” with the confessors, may one by one take turns with the deacons individually; because, by thus changing the persons and varying the people that come together, suspicion is diminished. For, meek and humble in all things, as befits the servants of God, we ought to accommodate ourselves to the times, and to provide for quietness, and to have regard to the people. I bid you, brethren, beloved and dearly longed-for, always heartily farewell; and have me in remembrance.  Greet all the brotherhood. Victor the deacon, and those who are with me, greet you. Farewell!

EPISTOLA IV. (Pamel., V; Rig., Baluz., Pariss., IV; Oxon. Lips., V.)AD PRESBYTEROS ET DIACONOS.

0230A

ARGUMENTUM.---Hortatur clerum suum D. Cyprianus, jam in secessu constitutus, ut vice sua rite fungantur, neve quid aut constitutis in carcere aut caeteris pauperibus desit: deinde ut plebem in quiete contineant, ne, si glomeratim ad martyres in carcere visitandos concurrant, tandem id illis interdicatur.

I. Cyprianus presbyteris et diaconibus fratribus charissimis salutem. Saluto vos incolumis per Dei gratiam, fratres charissimi, laetus quod circa incolumitatem quoque vestram omnia integra esse cognoverim. 0230B Et quoniam mihi interesse nunc non permittit loci conditio, peto vos pro fide et religione vestra fungamini illic et vestris partibus et meis, ut nihil vel ad disciplinam vel ad diligentiam desit. Quantum autem ad sumptus suggerendos, sive illis qui, gloriosa voce Dominum confessi, in carcere sunt constituti, sive iis qui pauperes et indigentes laborant et tamen in Domino perseverant, peto, nihil desit, cum summula omnis quae redacta est illic sit apud clericos distributa propter ejusmodi casus, ut haberent plures unde ad necessitates et pressuras singulorum operari possint.

II. Peto quoque ut ad procurandam quietem solertia et sollicitudo vestra non desit . Nam etsi fratres 0231A pro dilectione sua cupidi sunt ad conveniendum et visitandum confessores bonos quos illustravit jam gloriosis initiis divina dignatio, tamen caute hoc, et non glomeratim, nec per multitudinem simul junctam puto esse faciendum, ne ex hoc ipso invidia concitetur, et introeundi aditus denegetur, et dum insatiabiles totum volumus, totum perdamus. Consulite ergo et providete ut cum temperamento hoc agi tutius possit , ita ut presbyteri quoque qui illic apud confessores offerunt, singuli cum singulis diaconis per vices alternent, quia et mutatio personarum et vicissitudo convenientium minuit invidiam. Circa omnia enim mites et humiles, ut servis Dei congruit, temporibus servire et quieti prospicere et plebi providere debemus. Opto vos, fratres carissimi ac desiderantissimi 0231B , semper bene valere et nostri meminisse. Fraternitatem universam salutate. Salutant vos Victor diaconus et qui mecum sunt. Valete.