Letter 5047: Gregory to Mastalo [a layman in Visigothic Spain].

To Mastalo. Gregory to Mastalo. From the report of our representatives we have learned that, out of love for the unity of the Church, so great an ardor of divine zeal has kindled you that whomever you have been able, you do not cease to call back to the bosom of mother Church, and that, like a good and faithful servant, you do not cease to make profit daily for our Lord and Redeemer, [acquiring it] with the fullest intention of mind. And indeed, when you came to us, we came to know, as far as we could, from the showing of your bodily presence; but the good which from divine inspiration remained hidden in the charity of your mind, we now recognize more desirably by the testimony of the work itself. Wherefore, rendering thanks to the divine mercy with ineffable praise, we exhort your affection, and with such admonitions as we are able we strengthen you, so that, as much as the penalty of one hiding a talent received disturbs you, so much may the invitation of the Lord's own voice strengthen you to seek desirably the gain of those who make profit, and through this rejoice in attaining the heavenly kingdom. For it is fitting, most beloved son, that you know that the fruit of this zeal which you have undertaken does not lack the end [reward] of its own recompense. And therefore let no opposition of those who hinder you, or if there be any, disturb you, because the more, with the Lord cooperating, the good is able to be accomplished out of the difficulty of the cause, the more glorious will be your hope of recompense. For a more excellent victory is born out of desperation, whatever victory has been won by the sweat of exceeding labor. We have also come to know that Theodosius our son, your follower and good fellow-worker in zeal, equally with you watches diligently in the solicitude of winning souls. For him we trust that almighty God, through the intercession of blessed Peter the chief of the apostles, will the sooner be a rewarder.

AD MASTALONEN. Ipsius pro Ecclesie unitale zelum laudat, A procuran- da s8chismaticorum reversione 10n delerrealur. | Gregorius Maslaloni. Responsalium nostrorum relatione comperimus quod pro amore unilatis Ecclesiz tantus vos divini zeli ardor accenderit, ut quoscunque valueritis, non desinatis ad sinum matlris . Ecclesizz revocare, alcue, ut bonus lidelisque famulus lucrum quoltidie de a\. Victorino, in Remigiano 700 ann., alio a Rhemensi jam sxpe commemorato, et in unico ex YVaticanis. EersT. XLVI | Al. 94, indict. 2]. — * In Vatic. A, Basilio episcopo, Sed mendose, ut probat titulus ma- guitudinis Basilio datus. Preterea 8auctus Giegorius in line epistol:e meminit filivrum ejus, quod episcopo rarv convenire pulest. - b Vel acquirant, scilicet actus, ut legitur in tribus at. © In jisdem, paterna ros dulcedine. EersT. XL VII. Al. 95, indict. 2. 717 * EPISTOLARUM LIB. V. — INDICT. XI. — EPIST. XLIX. 773 cepto dono tuo, Domino et Redemptori nostro cum A >Þ non prxvidimus consentire. Sed nec Joannen gumma mentis intentione fſacere non desistatis. Et quidem venientem ad nos, ut potuimus, ex corpora» tis visus ostensione didicimus ; bonum vero quod ex divina inspiratione in mentis tuz2 charitate manebat occultum desiderabilins nunc operis atteslatione co- gnoscimus. Unde divine misericordiz gratias ineffa- bili laude reddentes, hortamur dilectionem tuam, alque quibus valemus admonitionibus confortamus, ut quantum 8e acceplum talentum occultantis pena pertu: bat, tantum lucrum facientium, atque per hoc de ccelestis regni perceptione lztantium, dominice yocis invitatio te desiderabiliter appetenda corrobo- ret. Scire te namqne , dilectissime Fili , convenit, quod fructus hajus quem apprehendisti studii retri- butionis $u2 non careat ſine. Et ideo prepedientium te nulla, vel si est, debet contrarietas perturbare, quia quanto ex difficultate causx bonum perfici, Do» mino cooperante, valuerit, lanto tibi erit et gloriosior relributionis 8pes. Excellentior namque nascitur ex desperatione victoria quzecunque fuerit laboris nimii adepta 8udoribus. Cognovimus etiam quod Theodo- S$ius filins no>ter, tui sequax, bonique cooperator stu- dii, pariter tecum in sollicitudine lucrandarum ani- marum solerter invigilet. Cui omnipotentem Deum intercessione beati Petri apostolorum principis relri- butorem citius esse confidimus.