Epistle XLII.307    Oxford ed.: Ep. xlvii. a.d. 251.

To the Same, on His Having Sent Letters to the Confessors Whom Novatian Had Seduced.

Argument.—The Argument of This Letter Sufficiently Appears from the Title. It is Manifest that This Letter and the Following Were Sent by One Messenger.

Cyprian to Cornelius his brother, greeting.  I have thought it both obligatory on me, and necessary for you, dearest brother, to write a short letter to the confessors who are there with you, and, seduced by the obstinacy and depravity of Novatian and Novatus,308    [On the frequent confusion of these names see Wordsworth, Hippol., p. 109.] have departed from the Church; in which letter I might induce them, for the sake of our mutual affection, to return to their Mother, that is, to the Catholic Church. This letter I have first of all entrusted to you by Mettius the sub-deacon for your perusal, lest any one should pretend that I had written otherwise than according to the contents of my letter. I have, moreover, charged the same Mettius sent by me to you, that he should be guided by your decision; and if you should think that this letter should be given to the confessors, then that he should deliver it. I bid you, dearest brother, ever heartily farewell.

EPISTOLA XLIII. ANNO CHRISTI CCLI. EPISTOLA III. EJUSDEM AD EUMDEM. (Erasm. II, 9; Pamel. Rigalt. Baluz. XLIII, Paris. XLII, Lips. Coustant. p. 130, Galland. III, 335.)

0708B

ARGUMENTUM.---De litteris quas ad confessores a Novatiano ac Novato seductos fecit.

CYPRIANUS CORNELIO FRATRI SALUTEM.

Et religiosum vobis et necessarium existimavi, 0709A frater charissime, ad confessores qui illic sunt, et Novatiani ac Novati obstinatione et pravitate seducti de Ecclesia recesserunt, litteras breves facere, quibus eos pro affectione mutua convenirem, ut ad matrem suam, id est Ecclesiam catholicam, revertantur. Quas litteras tibi a Mettio hypodiacono legi prius mandavi, ne quis aliud me scripsisse fingeret, quam quod meis litteris continetur. Mandavi tamen eidem Mettio a me ad vos misso, ut de tuo arbitrio rem gerat, et si easdem litteras confessoribus putaveris esse reddendas , tunc eas tradat. Opto te, frater charissime, semper bene valere.