Letter 12016: The season reminds us that it perpetually accommodates human affairs, reconciling even harsh realities through the...

XVI. ON THE OFFICE OF THE CANONICARIUS [the official charged with collecting the canon, the regular fiscal tax]. [1] The season warns us that it is unceasingly suited to human affairs, since by always seizing the opportune moment it makes even harsh matters agreeable to us, so that we may renew the care of fiscal payments at the annual festival, when the order of the commonwealth is seen to stand firm by such an arrangement. And it is rightly to be wished for, since it is provided for the benefit of all. These things are to be cherished, whereby the commonwealth seems to be most firmly established, for while it is restored by the recurring assessment, it is held together by the most solid strength of its own condition. [2] Therefore devotion shown at any time is great, but it is rendered more welcome at the moment when it is more needed. Let the landholders, then, furnish the payments that will profit their own favor. For a debt which cannot be avoided ought always to be offered with a ready mind, so that it may become a benefit, since it is brought in without compulsion. [3] And so, that it may be spoken under good fortune, we command you to admonish the landholder in your district during the first indiction, so that, the threefold payment being observed, he may devoutly pay out the tributary as [the full unit of assessment], in such a way that no one may groan that it was exacted from him under premature compulsion, nor again that anyone, the remission having been prolonged, may say that he was passed over. Let no one exceed the amount of just weighing, and let the balance be most just: there will be no measure to plundering, if it be permitted that the weights be exceeded. [4] You shall also solemnly send to our offices a faithful account of expenditures every four months, so that, the obscurity of all error being wiped away, the truth may shine forth in the public reckonings. But that you may more easily, with God's help, accomplish what has been decreed, we command that such-and-such soldiers of our see, mindful of their own perils, press upon you and your office, so that what you recognize as commanded may attain its effect without blame. Beware, therefore, lest the fault either of dishonest bribery or of sluggish idleness regard you, and lest what you have neglected to expedite bring losses upon your own fortunes.

XVI. CANONICARIA. [1] Tempus ammonet humanis rebus indesinenter accommodum, dum res nobis etiam asperas captata semper opportunitate conciliat, ut illationum fiscalium curam annua festivitate reparemus, quando rei publicae ordo tali consistere cernitur instituto. et merito votivum, quod pro cunctorum utilitate praestatur. diligenda sunt ista, unde res publica videtur esse firmissima, quae dum redeunte censu reficitur, status sui firmissimo robore continetur. [2] Quapropter magna est quolibet tempore monstrata devotio, sed tunc acceptior redditur, quando necessaria plus habetur. praebeant igitur possessores stipendia suae gratiae profutura. debitum siquidem quod non potest evitari, prona debet mente semper offerri, ut fiat beneficium, quod sine compulsione constat illatum. [3] Atque ideo, quod feliciter dictum sit, per indictionem primam in dioecesi tua possessorem te praecipimus ammonere, ut trina illatione servata assem tributarium devotus exsolvat, quatinus nec aliquis se sub immatura compulsione ingemiscat exactum nec iterum remissione protelata quisquam se dicat esse praeteritum. nullus quantitatem iustae ponderationis excedat sitque libra iustissima: modus non erit rapiendi, si pondera fas sit excedi. [4] Expensarum quoque fidelem notitiam per quaternos menses ad scrinia nostra sollemniter destinabis, ut totius erroris obscuritate detersa rationibus publicis veritas elucescat. sed quo facilius possis iuvante deo quae sunt statuta complere, illum atque illum sedis nostrae milites tibi officioque tuo periculorum suorum memores praecipimus imminere, quatinus quod agnoscis iussum, inculpabiliter sortiatur effectum. cave ergo ne te aut improbae redemptionis aut torpentis desidiae culpa respiciat et quod expedire neglexeris, tuis inferat damna fortunis.