Epistle VI.43    Oxford ed.; Ep. xiii. [Rogatian was a bishop afterwards.]

To Rogatianus the Presbyter, and the Other Confessors. a.d. 250.

Argument.—He Exhorts Rogatianus and the Other Confessors to Maintain Discipline, that None Who Had Confessed Christ in Word Should Seem to Deny Him in Deed; Casually Rebuking Some of Them, Who, Being Exiled on Account of the Faith, Were Not Afraid to Return Unbidden into Their Country.

1. Cyprian to the presbyter Rogatianus, and to the other confessors, his brethren, greeting. I had both heretofore, dearly beloved and bravest brethren, sent you a letter, in which I congratulated your faith and virtue with exulting words, and now my voice has no other object, first of all, than with joyous mind, repeatedly and always to announce the glory of your name. For what can I wish greater or better in my prayers than to see the flock of Christ enlightened by the honour of your confession? For although all the brethren ought to rejoice in this, yet, in the common gladness, the share of the bishop is the greatest. For the glory of the Church is the glory of the bishop.44    A beautiful aphorism. See below, note 8, this page.] In proportion as we grieve over those whom a hostile persecution has cast down, in the same proportion we rejoice over you whom the devil has not been able to overcome.

2. Yet I exhort you by our common faith, by the true and simple love of my heart towards you, that, having overcome the adversary in this first encounter, you should hold fast your glory with a brave and persevering virtue. We are still in the world; we are still placed in the battle-field; we fight daily for our lives. Care must be taken, that after such beginnings as these there should also come an increase, and that what you have begun to be with such a blessed commencement should be consummated in you. It is a slight thing to have been able to attain anything; it is more to be able to keep what you have attained; even as faith itself and saving birth makes alive, not by being received, but by being preserved.  Nor is it actually the attainment, but the perfecting, that keeps a man for God. The Lord taught this in His instruction when He said, “Behold, thou art made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”45    John v. 14. Conceive of Him as saying this also to His confessor, “Lo thou art made a confessor; sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” Solomon also, and Saul, and many others, so long as they walked in the Lord’s ways, were able to keep the grace given to them. When the discipline of the Lord was forsaken by them, grace also forsook them.

3. We must persevere in the straight and narrow road of praise and glory; and since peacefulness and humility and the tranquillity of a good life is fitting for all Christians, according to the word of the Lord, who looks to none other man than “to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at”46    Isa. lxvi. 2. His word, it the more behoves you confessors, who have been made an example to the rest of the brethren, to observe and fulfil this, as being those whose characters should provoke to imitation the life and conduct of all. For as the Jews were alienated from God, as those on whose account “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles,”47    Rom. ii. 24. so on the other hand those are dear to God through whose conformity to discipline the name of God is declared with a testimony of praise, as it is written, the Lord Himself forewarning and saying, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”48    Matt. v. 16. And Paul the apostle says, “Shine as lights in the world.”49    Phil. ii. 15. And similarly Peter exhorts:  “As strangers,” says he, “and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify the Lord.”50    1 Pet. ii. 11, 12. This, indeed, the greatest part of you, I rejoice to say, are careful for; and, made better by the honour of your confession itself, guard and preserve its glory by tranquil and virtuous lives.

4. But I hear that some infect your number, and destroy the praise of a distinguished name by their corrupt conversation; whom you yourselves, even as being lovers and guardians of your own praise, should rebuke and check and correct. For what a disgrace is suffered by your name, when one spends his days in intoxication and debauchery,51    [The shame of the Church is the shame of the bishop. See above, note 1; also 1 Tim. v. 22.] another returns to that country whence he was banished, to perish when arrested, not now as being a Christian, but as being a criminal!52    Either as criminals having returned from banishment without authority, or as having committed some crime for which they became amenable to punishment. See 1 Pet. iv. 15: “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer.” I hear that some are puffed up and are arrogant, although it is written, “Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee.”53    Rom. xi. 20, 21. [How significant this warning to Rome!] Our Lord “was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.”54    Isa. liii. 7. “I am not rebellious,” says He, “neither do I gainsay. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to the palms of their hands. I hid not my face from the filthiness of spitting.”55    Isa. l. 5, 6. And dares any one now, who lives by and in this very One, lift up himself and be haughty, forgetful, as well of the deeds which He did, as of the commands which He left to us either by Himself or by His apostles? But if “the servant is not greater than his Lord,”56    John xiii. 16. let those who follow the Lord humbly and peacefully and silently tread in His steps, since the lower one is, the more exalted he may become; as says the Lord, “He that is least among you, the same shall be great.”57    Luke ix. 48.

5. What, then, is that—how execrable should it appear to you—which I have learnt with extreme anguish and grief of mind, to wit, that there are not wanting those who defile the temples of God, and the members sanctified after confession and made glorious,58    “Illustrata.” The Oxford translation has “bathed in light.” with a disgraceful and infamous concubinage, associating their beds promiscuously with women’s! In which, even if there be no pollution of their conscience, there is a great guilt in this very thing, that by their offence originate examples for the ruin of others.59    [That is, if they have not actually committed the great sin themselves, yet, etc. See vol. ii. p. 57.] There ought also to be no contentions and emulations among you, since the Lord left to us His peace, and it is written, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”60    Lev. xix. 18. “But if ye bite and find fault with one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”61    Matt. xxii. 39. From abuse and revilings also I entreat you to abstain, for “revilers do not attain the kingdom of God;”62    Gal. v. 15. [See note 9, infra.] and the tongue which has confessed Christ should be preserved sound and pure with its honour. For he who, according to Christ’s precept, speaks things peaceable and good and just, daily confesses Christ. We had renounced the world when we were baptized; but we have now indeed renounced the world when tried and approved by God, we leave all that we have, and have followed the Lord, and stand and live in His faith and fear.

6. Let us confirm one another by mutual exhortations, and let us more and more go forward in the Lord; so that when of His mercy He shall have made that peace which He promises to give, we may return to the Church new and almost changed men, and may be received, whether by our brethren or by the heathen, in all things corrected and renewed for the better; and those who formerly admired our glory in our courage may now admire the discipline in our lives.63    The following is found only in one ms. Its genuineness is therefore doubted by some: “And although I have most fully written to our clergy, both lately when you were still kept in prison, and now also again, to supply whatever was needful, either for your clothing or for your food, yet I myself have also sent you from the small means of my own which I had with me, 250 pieces; and another 250 I had also sent before. Victor also, who from a reader has become a deacon, and is with me, sent you 175. But I rejoice when I know that very many of our brethren of their love are striving with each other, and are aiding your necessities with their contributions.” I bid you, beloved brethren, ever heartily farewell; and be mindful of me.

EPISTOLA VI. (Erasm., I, 5; Pamel., VII; Rig., Baluz., Paris., VI; Oxon., Lips., XIII.)AD ROGATIANUM PRESBYTERUM ET CAETEROS CONFESSORES.

ARGUMENTUM.---Rogatianum et caeteros confessores exhortatur ad disciplinam observandam, ne qui Christum voce confessi fuerant, operibus abnegare viderentur: obiter increpans quosdam eorum qui, extorres 0235B facti ob fidem, in patriam tamen injussi reverti non verebantur, atque hoc est quod Cyprianus infra dicit, Epistola XV, extorribus quando oportuit objurgationem non defuisse: nam in secessu scriptam hanc Epistolam patet.

I. Cyprianus Rogatiano presbytero et caeteris confessoribus fratribus salutem. Et jampridem vobis, fratres charissimi ac fortissimi, litteras miseram, quibus fidei et virtuti vestrae verbis exultantibus gratularer, et nunc non aliud in primis vox nostra complectitur quam ut laeto animo frequenter ac semper gloriam vestri nominis praedicemus. Quid enim vel majus in votis meis potest esse vel melius quam cum video confessionis vestrae honore luminatum gregem 0235C Christi? Nam, cum gaudere in hoc omnes fratres oporteat, tum in gaudio communi major est episcopi 0236A portio: Ecclesiae enim gloria praepositi gloria est. Quantum dolemus ex illis quos tempestas inimica prostravit, tantum laetamur ex vobis, quos diabolus superare non potuit.

II. Hortamur tamen per communem fidem, per pectoris nostri veram circa vos et simplicem charitatem, ut, qui adversarium prima hac congressione vicistis, gloriam vestram forti et perseveranti virtute teneatis. Adhuc in saeculo sumus, adhuc in acie constituti, de vita nostra quotidie dimicamus. Danda opera est ut post haec initia ad incrementa quoque veniatur, et consummetur in vobis quod jam rudimentis felicibus esse coepistis. Parum est adipisci aliquid potuisse; plus est quod adeptus es posse servare; sicut et fides ipsa et nativitas salutaris, 0236B non accepta, sed custodita, vivificat. Nec statim consecutio, sed consummatio hominem Deo servat. Dominus hoc magisterio suo docuit dicens: Ecce sanus factus es, jam noli peccare, ne quid tibi deterius fiat (Joan. V, 14). Puta hoc illum et confessori suo dicere: «Ecce confessor factus es, jam noli peccare, ne quid tibi deterius fiat.» Salomon denique et Saul et caeteri multi, quamdiu in viis Domini ambulaverunt, datam sibi gratiam tenere potuerunt . Recedente ab iis disciplina Dominica, recessit et gratia.

III. Perseverandum nobis est in arcto et in angusto itinere laudis et gloriae; et cum quies et humilitas et bonorum morum tranquillitas Christianis omnibus congruat, secundum Domini vocem, qui neminem alium respicit nisi humilem et quietum et trementem sermones 0236C suos (Isa. LXVI, 2), tum magis hoc observare et implere confessores oportet, qui exemplum facti 0237A estis caeteris fratribus, ad quorum mores omnium vita et actus debeat provocari. Nam, sicut Judaei a Deo alienati sunt, propter quos nomen Dei blasphematur in Gentibus, ita contra Deo chari sunt per quorum disciplinam nomen Domini laudabili testimonio praedicatur, sicut scriptum est, Domino praemonente et dicente: Luceat lumen vestrum coram hominibus, ut videant opera vestra bona, et clarificent Patrem vestrum qui in coelis est (Matth. V, 16). Et Paulus apostolus dicit: Lucete sicut luminaria in mundo (Philip. II, 15). Et Petrus similiter hortatur: Sicut hospites, inquit, et peregrini, abstinete vos a carnalibus desideriis, quae militant adversus animam, conversationem habentes inter gentiles bonam, ut, dum detractant de vobis quasi de malignis, bona opera vestra aspicientes de magnificent 0237B Dominum (I Pet. II, 11, 12). Quod quidem maxima pars vestrum cum meo gaudio curat, et confessionis ipsius honore melior facta, tranquillis et bonis moribus gloriam suam custodit et servat.

IV. Sed quosdam audio inficere numerum vestrum et laudem praecipui nominis prava sua conservatione destruere: quos etiam vos ipsi, utpote amatores et conservatores laudis vestrae, objurgare et comprimere et emendare debetis. Cum quanto enim nominis vestri pudore delinquitur, quando aliquis temulentus et lasciviens demoratur, alius in eam patriam 0238A unde extorris factus est regreditur, ut apprehensus, non jam quasi Christianus, sed quasi nocens pereat? Inflari aliquos et tumere audio, cum scriptum sit: Noli altum sapere, sed time. Si enim Dominus naturalibus ramis non pepercit, ne forte nec tibi parcat (Rom. XI, 20, 21). Dominus noster sicut ovis ad victimam ductus est, et sicut agnus coram tondente se sine voce sic non aperuit os suum (Isa. LIII, 7). Non sum, inquit, contumax, neque contradico . Dorsum meum posui ad flagella et maxillas meas ad palmas. Faciem autem meam non averti a foeditate sputorum (Isa. L, 5, 6). Et quisquam per ipsum nunc atque in ipso vivens extollere se audet et superbire, immemor et factorum quae ille gessit , et mandatorum quae nobis vel per se vel per Apostolos suos tradidit? 0238B Quod si non est major domino suo servus (Joan. XIII, 15, 16), qui Dominum sequuntur, humiles et quieti et taciturni vestigia ejus imitentur, quando quisque inferior fuerit sublimior fiat, dicente Domino: Qui minimus fuerit in vobis, hic erit magnus (Luc. IX, 48).

V. Quid deinde illud, quam vobis execrandum debet videri, quod cum summo animi nostri gemitu et dolore cognovimus non deesse qui Dei templa et post confessionem sanctificata et illustrata membra turpi et concubitu suo plus maculent, cubilia sua 0239A cum feminis promiscua jungentes, quando, etsi stuprum conscientiae eorum desit, hoc ipso grande crimen est quod illorum scandalo in aliorum ruinas exempla nascuntur . Contentiones quoque et aemulationes inter vos nullas esse oportet, cum pacem suam nobis dimiserit Dominus, et scriptum sit: Diliges proximum tuum tamquam te. Si autem mordetis et incusatis invicem, videte ne consumamini ab invicem (Gal. V, 14, 15). A conviciis etiam et maledictis , quaeso vos, abstinete, quia neque maledici regnum Dei consequuntur (I Cor. VI, 10), et lingua quae Christum confessa est, incolumis et pura cum suo honore servanda est: nam qui pacifica et bona et justa, secundum praeceptum Christi, loquitur, Christum quotidie confitetur. Saeculo renuntiaveramus cum baptisati 0239B sumus. Sed nunc vere renuntiavimus saeculo quando tentati et probati a Deo, nostra omnia relinquentes, Dominum secuti sumus, et fide ac timore ejus stamus et vivimus.

VI. Corroboremus nos exhortationibus mutuis, et magis ac magis proficiamus in Domino, ut, cum, pro sua misericordia, pacem fecerit, quam se facturum repromittit, novi et pene mutati ad Ecclesiam revertamur, et excipiant nos, sive fratres nostri, sive gentiles, circa omnia correctos atque in melius reformatos, et 0240A qui admirati fuerant prius in virtutibus gloriam, nunc admirentur in moribus disciplinam. Et quamquam clero nostro, et nuper cum adhuc essetis in carcere constituti, sed nunc quoque denuo, plenissime scripserim ut, si quid vel ad vestitum vestrum vel ad victum necessarium fuerit, suggeratur, tamen etiam ipse de sumpticulis propriis quos mecum ferebam misi vobis CCL, sed et alia CCL proxime miseram. Victor quoque ex lectore diaconus, qui mecum est, misit vobis CLXXV. Gaudeo autem quando cognosco plurimos fratres nostros pro sua dilectione certatim concurrere et necessitates vestras suis collationibus adjuvare. Opto vos, fratres charissimi, semper bene valere et nostri meminisse.