Letter XC.

(a.d. 408.)

To My Noble Lord and Brother, Worthy of All Esteem, Bishop Augustin, Nectarius Sends Greeting.

I do not dwell upon the strength of the love men bear to their native land, for you know it. It is the only emotion which has a stronger claim than love of kindred. If there were any limit or time beyond which it would be lawful for right-hearted men to withdraw themselves from its control, I have by this time well earned exemption from the burdens which it imposes. But since love and gratitude towards our country gain strength every day, and the nearer one comes to the end of life, the more ardent is his desire to leave his country in a safe and prosperous condition, I rejoice, in beginning this letter, that I am addressing myself to a man who is versed in all kinds of learning, and therefore able to enter into my feelings.

There are many things in the colony of Calama which justly bind my love to it. I was born here, and I have (in the opinion of others) rendered great services to this community. Now, my lord most excellent and worthy of all esteem, this town has fallen disastrously by a grievous misdemeanour on the part of her citizens,684    He refers to a riot in which the Pagans, after celebrating a heathen festival, attacked the Christians on June 1, 408 A.D. which must be punished with very great severity, if we are dealt with according to the rigour of the civil law. But a bishop is guided by another law. His duty is to promote the welfare of men, to interest himself in any case only with a view to the benefit of the parties, and to obtain for other men the pardon of their sins at the hand of the Almighty God. Wherefore I beseech you with all possible urgency to secure that, if the matter is to be made the subject of a prosecution, the guiltless be protected, and a distinction drawn between the innocent and those who did the wrong. This, which, as you see, is a demand in accordance with your own natural sentiments, I pray you to grant. An assessment to compensate for the losses caused by the tumult can be easily levied. We only deprecate the severity of revenge. May you live in the more full enjoyment of the Divine favour, my noble lord, and brother worthy of all esteem.

EPISTOLA XC . Augustino Nectarius paganus, agens ut suis civibus coloniae Calamensis condonentur quae expetendae erant ab ipsis poenae, non modo violati Caesaris edicti recentissimi prohibentis ne sacra solemnia idolis fierent, sed etiam injuriarum quibus ipsi, sacrorum suorum occasione, Christianos affecerant.

Domino insigni et merito suscipiendo fratri, AUGUSTINO episcopo, NECTARIUS.

Quanta sit charitas patriae, quoniam nosti, praetereo. Sola est enim quae parentum jure vincat affectum. Cui si ullus esset consulendi modus aut finis bonis, digne jam ab ejus muneribus meruimus excusari. Sed quoniam crescit in dies singulos dilectio et gratia civitatis, quantumque aetas fini proxima est, tantum incolumem ac florentem relinquere patriam cupit : idcirco gaudeo primum quod apud instructum disciplinis omnibus virum mihi hic est sermo institutus. In Calamensi colonia multa sunt quae merito diligamus; vel quod in ea geniti sumus, vel quod eidem magna contulisse videmur officia. Haec ergo, domine praestantissime et merito suscipiende, non levi populi sui erratu prolapsa est. Quod quidem si juris publici rigore metiamur, debet plecti severiori censura. Sed episcopum fas non est, nisi salutem hominibus impertire, et pro statu meliore causis adesse, et apud omnipotentem Deum veniam aliorum mereri delictis. Quamobrem quanta possum supplicatione deposco, ut si defendenda res est, innoxius defendatur, ab innocentibus molestia separetur. Praesta hoc quod secundum naturam tuam pervides postulari. De damnis facilis potest haberi taxatio; tantum supplicia deprecamur. Acceptior Deo vivas, domine insignis et merito suscipiende frater.