Letter 286

286. To a Registrar

Since certain men who do evil were caught at this synod, stealing—against the commandment of the Lord—the cheap garments of poor men, whom they ought rather to have clothed than stripped, those who have charge of the good order of the Church arrested them; and thinking that the receiving of such persons concerns you, as one who manages public affairs, I have written to you, making it known that the sins committed in the churches ought to receive from us the correction that befits them, and that judges should not be troubled about these matters. For this reason I have ordered that the stolen goods, which the document deposited with you sets forth, together with the inventory made in the presence of all who were there, be received: some to be kept in store for those who are to come, and some to be distributed to those present; and that the men themselves be turned back to amendment in the discipline and admonition of the Lord, whom I hope, in the name of God, to make better for the future. For what the blows of the law-courts do not accomplish, this we have often known the dread judgements of the Lord to bring about. But if it seems good to you to refer these matters also to the count, we have such confidence in the justice of the cause and in the man's uprightness that we leave you free to do as you wish.