Epistle VII.64    Oxford ed.; Ep. xi. a.d. 250.

To the Clergy, Concerning Prayer to God.

Argument.—The Argument of the Present Epistle is Nearly the Same as that of the Two Preceding, Except that He Exhorts in This to Diligent Prayer.

1. Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his brethren, greeting. Although I know, brethren beloved, that from the fear which we all of us owe to God, you also are instantly urgent in continual petitions and earnest prayers to Him, still I myself remind your religious anxiety, that in order to appease and entreat the Lord, we must lament not only in words, but also with fastings and with tears, and with every kind of urgency. For we must perceive and confess that the so disordered ruin arising from that affliction, which has in a great measure laid waste, and is even still laying waste, our flock, has visited us according to our sins, in that we do not keep the way of the Lord, nor observe the heavenly commandments given to us for our salvation. Our Lord did the will of His Father, and we do not do the will of our Lord; eager about our patrimony and our gain, seeking to satisfy our pride, yielding ourselves wholly to emulation and to strife, careless of simplicity and faith, renouncing the world in words only, and not in deeds, every one of us pleasing himself, and displeasing all others,65    [Compare, in former letters, similar complaints, to which brief notes are subjoined. And mark the honest simplicity of these confessions. 2 Peter ii. 13, 14, 15.]—therefore we are smitten as we deserve, since it is written: “And that servant, which knoweth his master’s will, and has not obeyed his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.”66    Luke xii. 47. But what stripes, what blows, do we not deserve, when even confessors, who ought to be an example of virtuous life to others, do not maintain discipline? Therefore, while an inflated and immodest boastfulness about their own confession excessively elates some, tortures come upon them, and tortures without any cessation of the tormentor, without any end of condemnation, without any comfort of death,—tortures which do not easily let them pass to the crown, but wrench them on the rack until they cause them to abandon their faith, unless some one taken away by the divine compassion should depart in the very midst of the torments, gaining glory not by the cessation of his torture, but by the quickness of his death.

2. These things we suffer by our own fault and our own deserving, even as the divine judgment has forewarned us, saying, “If they forsake my law and walk not in my judgments, if they profane my statutes and keep not my commandments, then will I visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquities with stripes.”67    Ps. lxxxix. 30–32. It is for this reason that we feel the rods and the stripes, because we neither please God with good deeds nor atone68    Satisfacimus. for our sins.  Let us of our inmost heart and of our entire mind ask for God’s mercy, because He Himself also adds, saying, “Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not scatter away from them.”69    Ps. lxxxix. 33. Let us ask, and we shall receive; and if there be delay and tardiness in our receiving, since we have grievously offended, let us knock, because “to him that knocketh also it shall be opened,”70    Luke xi. 10. if only our prayers, our groanings, and our tears, knock at the door; and with these we must be urgent and persevering, even although prayer be offered with one mind.71    [A comment on Luke xviii. 3, compared with Matt. xviii. 19. Importunity necessary, even in the latter case.]

3. For,—which the more induced and constrained me to write this letter to you,—you ought to know (since the Lord has condescended to show and to reveal it) that it was said in a vision, “Ask, and ye shall obtain.” Then, afterwards, that the attending people were bidden to pray for certain persons pointed out to them, but that in their petitions there were dissonant voices, and wills disagreeing, and that this excessively displeased Him who had said, “Ask, and ye shall obtain,” because the disagreement of the people was out of harmony, and there was not a consent of the brethren one and simple, and a united concord; since it is written, “God who maketh men to be of one mind in a house;”72    Ps. lxviii. 6. [Vulgate and Anglican Psalter version.] and we read in the Acts of the Apostles, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.”73    Acts iv. 32. And the Lord has bidden us with His own voice, saying, “This is my command, that ye love one another.”74    John xv. 12. And again, “I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that you shall ask, it shall be done for you of my Father which is in heaven.”75    Matt. xviii. 19. But if two of one mind can do so much, what might be effected if the unanimity prevailed among all? But if, according to the peace which our Lord gave us, there were agreement among all brethren, we should before this have obtained from the divine mercy what we seek; nor should we be wavering so long in this peril of our salvation and our faith. Yes, truly, and these evils would not have come upon the brethren, if the brotherhood had been animated with one spirit.

4. For there also was shown that there sate the father of a family, a young man also being seated at his right hand, who, anxious and somewhat sad with a kind of indignation, holding his chin in his right hand, occupied his place with a sorrowful look. But another standing on the left hand, bore a net, which he threatened to throw, in order to catch the people standing round.76    [After the manner of Hermas.  Vol. ii. p. 24, note 2.] And when he who saw marvelled what this could be, it was told him that the youth who was thus sitting on the right hand was saddened and grieved because his commandments were not observed; but that he on the left was exultant because an opportunity was afforded him of receiving from the father of the family the power of destroying. This was shown long before the tempest of this devastation arose. And we have seen that which had been shown fulfilled; that while we despise the commandments of the Lord, while we do not keep the salutary ordinances of the law that He has given, the enemy was receiving a power of doing mischief, and was overwhelming, by the cast of his net, those who were imperfectly armed and too careless to resist.

5. Let us urgently pray and groan with continual petitions. For know, beloved brethren, that I was not long ago reproached with this also in a vision, that we were sleepy in our prayers, and did not pray with watchfulness; and undoubtedly God, who “rebukes whom He loves,”77    Heb. xii. 6. when He rebukes, rebukes that He may amend, amends that He may preserve. Let us therefore strike off and break away from the bonds of sleep, and pray with urgency and watchfulness, as the Apostle Paul bids us, saying, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same.”78    Col. iv. 2. For the apostles also ceased not to pray day and night; and the Lord also Himself, the teacher of our discipline, and the way of our example, frequently and watchfully prayed, as we read in the Gospel: “He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”79    Luke vi. 12. And assuredly what He prayed for, He prayed for on our behalf, since He was not a sinner, but bore the sins of others. But He so prayed for us, that in another place we read, “And the Lord said to Peter, Behold, Satan has desired to sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.”80    Luke xxii. 31, 32. But if for us and for our sins He both laboured and watched and prayed, how much more ought we to be instant in prayers; and, first of all, to pray and to entreat the Lord Himself, and then through Him, to make satisfaction to God the Father! We have an advocate and an intercessor for our sins, Jesus Christ the Lord and our God, if only we repent of our sins past, and confess and acknowledge our sins, whereby we now offend the Lord, and for the time to come engage to walk in His ways, and to fear His commandments.  The Father corrects and protects us, if we still stand fast in the faith both in afflictions and perplexities, that is to say, cling closely to His Christ; as it is written, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”81    Rom. viii. 35. None of these things can separate believers, nothing can tear away those who are clinging to His body and blood. Persecution of that kind is an examination and searching out of the heart. God wills us to be sifted and proved, as He has always proved His people; and yet in His trials help has never at any time been wanting to believers.

6. Finally, to the very least of His servants although placed among very many sins, and unworthy of His condescension, yet He has condescended of His goodness towards us to command:82    [A vision granted to the pastor in behalf of his flock. See Vulgate version of Ps. lxxxix. 19, which Cyprian’s, doubtless, anticipated.] This prediction of settled times was published in unsettled ones; and it was fulfilled by the sudden and unexpected death of Decius, in his expedition against the Goths.  “Tell him,” said He, “to be safe, because peace is coming; but that, in the meantime, there is a little delay, that some who still remain may be proved.” But we are admonished by these divine condescensions both concerning a spare diet and a temperate use of drink; to wit, lest worldly enticement should enervate the breast now elevated with celestial vigour, or lest the mind, weighed down by too abundant feasting, should be less watchful unto prayers and supplication.

7. It was my duty not to conceal these special matters, nor to hide them alone in my own consciousness,—matters by which each one of us may be both instructed and guided. And do not you for your part keep this letter concealed among yourselves, but let the brethren have it to read. For it is the part of one who desires that his brother should not be warned and instructed, to intercept those words with which the Lord condescends to admonish and instruct us. Let them know that we are proved by our Lord, and let them never fail of that faith whereby we have once believed in Him, under the conflict of this present affliction. Let each one, acknowledging his own sins, even now put off the conversation of the old man. “For no man who looks back as he putteth his hand to the plough is fit for the kingdom of God.”83    Luke ix. 62. And, finally, Lot’s wife, who, when she was delivered, looked back in defiance of the commandment, lost the benefit of her escape.84    Gen. xix. 26. Let us look not to things which are behind, whither the devil calls us back, but to things which are before, whither Christ calls us. Let us lift up our eyes to heaven, lest the earth with its delights and enticements deceive us. Let each one of us pray God not for himself only, but for all the brethren, even as the Lord has taught us to pray, when He bids to each one, not private prayer, but enjoined them, when they prayed, to pray for all in common prayer and concordant supplication.85    [Saying, “our Father,” not “my Father.”  Vol. i. p. 62.] If the Lord shall behold us humble and peaceable; if He shall see us joined one with another; if He shall see us fearful concerning His anger; if corrected and amended by the present tribulation, He will maintain us safe from the disturbances of the enemy. Discipline hath preceded; pardon also shall follow.

8. Let us only, without ceasing to ask, and with full faith that we shall receive, in simplicity and unanimity beseech the Lord, entreating not only with groaning but with tears, as it behoves those to entreat who are situated between the ruins of those who wail, and the remnants of those who fear; between the manifold slaughter of the yielding, and the little firmness of those who still stand. Let us ask that peace may be soon restored; that we may be quickly helped in our concealments and our dangers; that those things may be fulfilled which the Lord deigns to show to his servants,—the restoration of the Church, the security of our salvation; after the rains, serenity; after the darkness, light; after the storms and whirlwinds, a peaceful calm; the affectionate aids of paternal love, the accustomed grandeurs of the divine majesty whereby both the blasphemy of persecutors may be restrained, the repentance of the lapsed renewed, and the stedfast faith of the persevering may glory. I bid you, beloved brethren, ever heartily farewell; and have me in remembrance. Salute the brotherhood in my name; and remind them to remember me. Farewell.

EPISTOLA VII. (Erasm., IV, 4; Pamel., VIII; Oxon., Lips. XI; Rigalt., Baluz., Paris., VII.)AD CLERUM, DE PRECANDO DEO.

0240B

ARGUMENTUM.---Ejusdem fere est argumenti cum duabus praecedentibus, praeterquam quod hic ad preces exhortetur assiduas.

I. Cyprianus presbyteris et diaconibus fratribus salutem. Quamquam sciam, fratres charissimi, pro timore quem singuli debemus Deo, vos quoque illic 0241A assiduis orationibus et enixis precibus instanter incumbere, admoneo tamen et ipse religiosam sollicitudinem vestram ut ad placandum atque exorandum Dominum, non voce sola, sed et jejuniis et lacrymis et omni genere deprecationis ingemiscamus. Intelligendum est enim et confitendum pressurae istius tam turbidam vastitatem, quae gregem nostrum maxima ex parte populata est et adhuc usque populatur, secundum peccata nostra venisse, dum viam Domini non tenemus, nec data nobis ad salutem coelestia mandata servamus. Fecit Dominus noster voluntatem Patris, et nos non facimus Domini voluntatem, patrimonio et lucro studentes, superbiam sectantes, aemulationi et dissensioni vacantes, simplicitatis et fidei negligentes, saeculo verbis solis et non factis renuntiantes, 0241B unusquisque sibi placentes et omnibus displicentes. Vapulamus itaque ut meremur, cum scriptum sit: Servus autem ille qui cognoscit voluntatem domini sui, et non paruerit voluntati ejus, vapulabit multis (Luc. XII, 47). Quas autem plagas, quae verbera non meremur, quando nec confessores, qui exemplo caeteris ad bonos mores esse debuerant, teneant disciplinam? Itaque, dum quosdam insolenter extollit confessionis suae tumida et inverecunda jactatio, tormenta venerunt, et tormenta sine fine tortoris, sine exitu damnationis, sine solatio mortis, tormenta quae ad coronam non facile dimittant, sed tamdiu torqueant quamdiu dejiciant; nisi si aliquis, divina dignatione subtractus, inter ipsa cruciamenta profecerit , adeptus gloriam non termino supplicii, sed 0241C velocitate moriendi.

II. Haec patimur delicto et merito nostro, sicut praemonuit divina censura dicens: Si dereliquerint legem meam et in judiciis meis non ambulaverint, si justificationes meas profanaverint et praecepta mea non observaverint, visitabo in virga facinora eorum et in flagellis delicta eorum (Psal. LXXXVIII, 31-33). Virgas igitur et flagella sentimus, qui Deo nec bonis factis placemus, nec pro peccatis satisfacimus. Rogemus de intimo corde et de tota mente misericordiam Dei, quia et ipse addidit dicens: Misericordiam autem meam non dispergam ab eis (Ibid.). Petamus, et accipiemus; et si accipiendi mora et tarditas fuerit, quoniam graviter offendimus, pulsemus, quia et pulsanti aperietur (Matth. VII, 7, 8, XVIII, 19; Luc. XI, 9, 10), 0242A si modo pulsent ostium preces, gemitus et lacrymae nostrae, quibus insistere et immorari oportet, etsi sit unanimis oratio.

III. Nam quod magis suasit et compulit ut has ad vos litteras scriberem, scire debetis, sicut Dominus ostendere et revelare dignatus est ; dictum esse in visione: Petite, et impetratis ; tunc deinde praeceptum plebi assistenti ut pro quibusdam personis designatis sibi peterent, in petendo autem fuisse dissonas voces et dispares voluntates, et vehementer hoc displicuisse illi qui dixerat, Petite, et impetratis, quod plebis inaequalitas discreparet, nec esset fratrum consensio una et simplex et juncta concordia, cum scriptum sit, Deus qui inhabitare facit unanimes in domo (Psal. LXVII, 7), et in Actis Apostolorum legamus, 0242B Turba autem eorum qui crediderant anima ac mente una agebant (Act. IV, 32); et Dominus sua voce mandaverit dicens: Hoc est mandatum meum, ut diligatis invicem (Joa. XV, 17). Et iterum: Dico autem vobis quoniam, si duobus ex vobis convenerit in terra, de omni re quamcumque petieritis continget vobis a Patre meo qui in coelis est (Matth. XVIII, 19). Quod si duo unanimes tantum possunt, quid si unanimitas apud omnes esset? Quod si secundum pacem quam nobis Dominus dedit universis fratribus conveniret, jampridem de divina misericordia impetrassemus quod petimus, nec tamdiu in hoc salutis et fidei nostrae periculo fluctuaremus. Immo vero, nec venissent fratribus haec mala, si in unum fraternitas fuisset animata.

0242C IV. Nam et illud ostensum est, quod sederet paterfamilias, sedente sibi ad dexteram juvene; qui juvenis, anxius et cum quadam indignatione subtristis, maxillam manu tenens, moesto vultu sedebat. Alius vero in sinistra parte consistens rete portabat, quod se mittere, ut circumstantem populum caperet, minabatur. Et cum miraretur quid hoc esset ille qui vidit, dictum est ei juvenem qui ad dexteram sic sederet, contristari et dolere quod praecepta sua non observarentur; illum vero in sinistra exultare quod sib daretur occasio ut a patrefamilias potestatem sumeret saeviendi. Hoc prius longe ostensum est, quam tempestas vastitatis hujus oriretur . Et vidimus impletum quod fuerat ostensum, ut, dum Domini praecepta contemnimus, dum datae legis mandata salutaria 0243A non tenemus, facultatem nocendi inimicus acciperet, minus armatos et ad repugnandum minus cautos jactu retis operiret.

V. Oremus instanter et assiduis precibus ingemiscamus. Nam et hoc nobis non olim per visionem, fratres charissimi, exprobratum sciatis, quod dormitemus in precibus, nec vigilanter oremus. Et Deusutique, qui quem corripit diligit (Prov. III, 12), quando corripit ad hoc corripit ut emendet, ad hoc emendat ut servet. Excutiamus itaque et abrumpamus somni vincula, et instanter ac vigilanter oremus, sicut Paulus apostolus praecipit dicens: Instate orationi vigilantes in ea (Coloss. IV, 2). Nam et Apostoli orare diebus ac noctibus non destiterunt, et Dominus quoque ipse disciplinae magister et exempli nostri via frequenter et vigilanter 0243B oravit, sicut in Evangelio legimus: Exiit in montem orare, et fuit pernoctans in oratione Dei (Luc. VI, 12). Et utique quod orabat orabat ille pro nobis, cum peccator ipse non esset, sed aliena peccata portaret. Adeo autem pro nobis ille deprecabatur ut legamus alio loco: Dixit autem Dominus ad Petrum: Ecce Satanas postulavit ut vos vexaret quomodo triticum. Ego autem rogavi pro te ne deficiat fides tua (Luc. XXII, 31). Quod si pro nobis ac pro delictis nostris ille et laborabat et vigilabat et precabatur, quanto nos magis insistere precibus et orare, et primo ipsum Dominum rogare, tum deinde per ipsum Deo Patri satisfacere debemus? Habemus advocatum et deprecatorem pro peccatis nostris Jesum Christum Dominum et Deum nostrum, si modo nos in praeteritum peccasse poeniteat, 0243C et confitentes atque intelligentes delicta nostra, quibus nunc Dominum offendimus, vel de caetero nos ambulare in viis ejus et praecepta ejus metuere spondeamus. Pater nos corrigit et tuetur, stantes tamen in fide et pressuris atque angustiis, scilicet Christo ejus firmiter adhaerentes, sicut scriptum est: Quis nos separabit a dilectione Christi? pressura, an angustia, an persecutio, an fames, an nuditas, an periculum, an gladius (Rom. VIII, 35)? Nihil horum potest separare credentes, nihil potest avellere corpori ejus et sanguini cohaerentes. Persecutio ista examinatio est atque exploratio 0244A pectoris nostri. Excuti nos Deus voluit et probari, sicut suos semper probavit; nec tamen in probationibus ejus aliquando auxilium credentibus defuit.

VI. Denique ad minimum famulum suum et in delictis licet plurimis constitutum et dignatione ejus indignum, tamen ille pro sua circa nos bonitate mandare dignatus est. «Dic illi, inquit, securus sit, quia pax ventura est; sed quod interim morula est, supersunt adhuc aliqui qui probentur.» Sed et de victu parco et sobrio potu divinis dignationibus admonemur; scilicet ne vigore coelesti sublime jam pectus illecebra saecularis enervet, vel ne largioribus epulis mens gravata minus ad preces orationis evigilet.

0244B VII. Dissimulare haec singula et apud conscientiam meam solus occultare non debui, quibus unusquisque nostrum et instrui et regi possit. Nec ipsi denique apud vos hanc epistolam teneatis occultam, sed legendam fratribus suggeratis. Intercipere enim quibus nos Dominus admonere et instruere dignatur, ejus est qui admoneri et instrui fratrem suum nolit. Probari nos a Domino nostro sciant, nec umquam a fide qua in eum semel credidimus, praesentis pressurae conflictatione deficiant. Delicta sua singuli recognoscentes, vel modo conversationem veteris hominis exponant. Nemo enim retro attendens et superponens manum suam super aratrum aptus est regno Dei. Denique et uxor Lot, quae liberata, contra praeceptum, retro respexit, quod evaserat perdidit. 0244C Attendamus non posteriora, quo diabolus revocat, sed priora, quo Christus vocat. Oculos erigamus ad coelum, ne oblectamentis et illecebris nos suis terra decipiat. Unusquisque oret Deum, non pro se tantum, sed pro omnibus fratribus, sicut Dominus orare nos docuit; ubi non singulis privatam precem mandat, sed oratione communi et concordi prece orantes pro omnibus jussit orare. Si nos Dominus humiles et quietos, si nobis invicem copulatos, si circa iram suam timidos, si praesenti tribulatione correctos emendatosque conspexerit, tutos ab inimici infestationibus 0245A exhibebit. Praecessit disciplina, sequetur et venia.

VIII. Nos tantum, sine cessatione poscendi et cum fide accipiendi, simplices et unanimes Dominum deprecemur, cum gemitu pariter et fletu deprecantes, sicut deprecari oportet eos qui sint positi inter plangentium ruinas et timentium reliquias, inter numerosam languentium stragem et exiguam stantium firmitatem. Rogemus pacem II. Eant nunc magistratus et consules sive proconsules, annuae dignitatis insignibus et duodecim fascibus glorientur. Ecce dignitas coelestis in vobis honoris annui claritate signata est, et jam revertentis anni volubilem circulum victricis gloriae diuturnitate transgressa est. illuminabat mundum sol oriens et luna decurrens: sed vobis idem qui solem fecit et lunam, majus in carcere lumen fuit; et in corde ac mentibus vestris Christi claritudo resplendens, horribiles caeteris atque funestas poenalis loci tenebras aeterna illa et candida luce radiavit. Per vicissitudines mensium transmeavit hibernum: sed et vos 0266B inclusi tempora hiemis persecutionis hieme pensabatis . Successit hiemi verna temperies rosis faeta et floribus coronata: sed vobis rosae et flores de paradisi deliciis aderant, et caput vestrum serta coelestia coronabant. Aestas ecce messium fertilitate foecunda est, et area frugibus plena est: sed vos, qui gloriam seminastis, frugem gloriae metistis, atque, in Domini area constituti, exuri paleas inextinguibili igne conspicitis ; ipsi, ut tritici grana purgata et frumenta pretiosa, jam purgati et conditi, hospitium 0267A carceris horreum computatis. Nec deest autumno ad munera fungenda temporis gratia spiritalis. Vindemia foris premitur, et profutura poculis in torcularibus uva calcatur. Vos de Domini vinea pingues racemi, et jam maturis fructibus botri, pressurae saecularis infestatione calcati, torcular vestrum carcere torquente sentitis, et vini vice sanguinem funditis; ad passionis tolerantiam fortes, martyrii poculum libenter hauritis. Sic apud servos Dei annus evolvitur; sic spiritalibus meritis et coelestibus praemiis temporum vicissitudo celebratur.

III. Beati satis qui, ex vobis per haec gloriarum vestigia commeantes, jam de saeculo recesserunt, confectoque itinere virtutis ac fidei, ad complexum et osculum Domini, Domino ipso gaudente, venerunt. 0267B Sed et vestra non minor gloria, qui adhuc in certamine constituti et comitum glorias secuturi, pugnam diu geritis, immotaque et inconcussa fide stabiles quotidie spectaculum Deo vestris virtutibus exhibetis. Quo longior vestra pugna , hoc corona sublimior. Agon unus, sed multiplici praeliorum numerositate congestus. Famem vincitis et sitim spernitis, et squalorem carceris ac receptaculi poenalis horrorem roboris vigore calcatis. Poena illic subigitur, cruciatus obteritur, nec mors metuitur, sed optatur; quae scilicet immortalitatis praemio vincitur, ut vitae aeternitate qui vicerit coronetur . Qui nunc in vobis animus, quam sublime, quam capax pectus, ubi talia et tanta volvuntur, ubi non nisi Dei 0268A praecepta et Christi praemia cogitantur! Voluntas est illic tantum Dei; et in carne adhuc licet vobis positis, vita jam vivitur non praesentis saeculi, sed futuri.

IV. Nunc est, fratres charissimi, ut memores mei sitis, ut inter magnas atque divinas cogitationes vestras nos quoque animo ac mente volvatis, simque in precibus et orationibus vestris cum vox illa, purificatione confessionis illustris et jugi honoris sui tenore laudabilis, ad Dei aures penetrat, et aperto sibi coelo, de his subacti mundi partibus ad superna transmissa, impetrat de Domini bonitate quod postulat. Quid enim petitis de indulgentia Domini quod non impetrare mereamini, qui sic Domini mandata servastis qui evangelicam disciplinam sincero fidei vigore tenuistis, qui incorrupto honore virtutis cum praeceptis 0268B Domini et cum Apostolis ejus fortiter stantes, nutantem multorum fidem martyrii vestri veritate solidastis? Vere Evangelii testes et vere martyres Christi, radicibus ejus innixi, super petram robusta mole fundati, disciplinam cum virtute junxistis, ad timorem Dei caeteros provocastis, martyria vestra exempla fecistis. Opto vos, fortissimi ac beatissimi fratres, semper bene valere et nostri meminisse.