Epistle XXXV.260    Oxford ed.: Ep. vii. a.d.circa 251.

To the Clergy, Concerning the Care of the Poor and Strangers.

Argument.—He Cautions Them Against Neglecting the Widows, the Sick, or the Poor, or Strangers.

Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his beloved brethren, greeting. In safety, by God’s grace, I greet you, beloved brethren, desiring soon to come to you, and to satisfy the wish as well of myself and you, as of all the brethren. It behoves me also, however, to have regard to the common peace, and, in the meantime, although with weariness of spirit, to be absent from you, lest my presence should provoke the jealousy and violence of the heathens, and I should be the cause of breaking the peace, who ought rather to be careful for the quiet of all. When, therefore, you write that matters are arranged, and that I ought to come, or if the Lord should condescend to intimate it to me before, then I will come to you. For where could I be better or more joyful than there where the Lord willed me both to believe and to grow up? I request that you will diligently take care of the widows, and of the sick, and of all the poor. Moreover, you may supply the expenses for strangers, if any should be indigent, from my own portion, which I have left with Rogatianus, our fellow-presbyter;261    [Here, as elsewhere, spoken of in this way, in imitation of 1 Pet. v. 1.] which portion, lest it should be all appropriated, I have supplemented by sending to the same by Naricus the acolyte another share, so that the sufferers may be more largely and promptly dealt with. I bid you, beloved brethren, ever heartily farewell; and have me in remembrance. Greet your brotherhood in my name, and tell them to be mindful of me.

EPISTOLA XXXVI. (Erasm., III, 24. Pamel., Rig., Baluz., XXXVI. Paris. XXXV. Oxon., Lips., VII.)AD CLERUM, DE CURA PAUPERUM ET PEREGRINORUM.

ARGUMENTUM.---Monet ne glomeratim martyres visitent, ne viduas, infirmos, pauperesve aut peregrinos negligant.

Cyprianus presbyteris et diaconibus, fratribus charissimis, salutem. Saluto vos, fratres charissimi, per Dei gratiam incolumis, optans cito ad vos venire, 0326B ut desiderio tam meo quam vestro et omnium fratrum satisfiat . Oportet nos tamen paci communi consulere et interdum, quamvis cum taedio animi nostri, deesse vobis, ne praesentia nostra invidiam et violentiam gentilium provocet, et simus auctores rumpendae pacis, qui magis quieti omnium consulere debemus. Quando ergo vos scripseritis, rebus compositis, me venire debere, aut si ante dignatus fuerit Dominus ostendere, tunc ad vos veniam. Ubi enim mihi aut melius possit esse aut laetius quam illic ubi me Deus et credere voluit et crescere? Viduarum et infirmorum 0327A et omnium pauperum curam peto diligenter habeatis. Sed et peregrinis, si qui indigentes fuerint, sumptus suggeratis de quantitate mea propria quam apud Rogatianum compresbyterum nostrum dimisi. Quae quantitas ne forte jam universa erogata sit, misi eidem per Naricum acolythum aliam portionem, ut largius et promptius circa laborantes fiat operatio. Opto vos, fratres charissimi, semper bene valere et nostri meminisse. Fraternitatem vestram meo nomine salutate, et ut nostri memores sint admonete.