Letter 9119: The man Hilarius, whom I have commended to others as well, comes to you in need of a powerful patron.

To Asclepiodotus, patrician [in Gaul]. He commends Hilary, that he may take up his protection. Gregory to Asclepiodotus, patrician in Gaul. Those who are attached to earthly kings ought, in proportion to the place granted them for rendering service, to be the more ready in cases that earn reward, so that by the fruit of good work they may both here enjoy the favor of those whom they serve, and afterward deserve to enter the hall of the heavenly kingdom. Hence, although we are confident that you love this and are intent upon it, nevertheless, because a fatherly word always adds something to good minds, we exhort you that, as often as a fitting time for helping presents itself, you in no way defer what is to be done by you. For he who relieves a brother in his grief, raises up the oppressed, and consoles the mourning, let him not doubt that it will be repaid to him by Him to whom he devotes the whole, who says: "What you have done to one of the least of these, you have done to me" (Matthew 25:40). Since, therefore, Hilary, the bearer of the present letter, because he declares that the enmities of certain persons have been kindled against him in vain, has asked that our letter commend him to your protection, being certain that, with you as his protectors, no one's adversity contrary to reason can avail to harm him: therefore, greeting your Glory with fatherly affection, we ask that he may be fortified by the favor of your grace; and that what you grant to outsiders who seek just things, you may also bestow more generously upon this man for the sake of our intercession, and that you may not permit him to be oppressed contrary to equity, but may extend to him the hand of help, where the order of reason shall call for it; so that toward the reward of your Glory [...] [Editorial note in the source, not part of the letter: He is reported to have lived and died. Certainly, if those letters were written in indiction 2, another Hilary is meant; for Gregory of Tours, who speaks of the death and burial of Hilary the senator, himself died long before indiction 2.] [...] you may find it, and you may be seen to have come to the aid of one afflicted and humbly supplicating, which is exceedingly glorious.

AD ASCLEPIADOTUM PATRICIUM.. Hilarium commendat , ut ejus patrocinium suscipiat. Gregorius Asclepiadoto * patricio in Galliis. (ui terrenis Þ regibus adherent, quantum eis pre- sttandi locus conceditur, tanto dehent in causis mer- cedis proniores existere, ut ſructu boni operis et hic eorum quibus serviunt gratia perſruantur, et coles- lis regni aulam introire postea mereantur. Unde licet FR hoe diligere, et in hoc vos esse conſlidamus intentos ; verumtamen quia palernum alloquium aliquid bonis mentibus semper addit , horlamur ut quoties con- gruum juvandi tempus astiterit , nequaquam © quod operandum vobis est differatis. Nam qui ſratrem luctu relevat, oppressum erigit , mcerentem cons0- latur, ab illo 8ibi retribui, cui totum impendit, non dubitet, qui ait : Quod uni ex minimis istis ſecistis, miki fecistis (Maith. xxv, 40). Quia igitur Hilarius presentium portitor, pro eo quod frustra contra 88 quorumdam perhibet inimicitias exarsisse, vestre 5 tuitioni nostra petiit epistola commendar'i ; certus quod, ' patrocinantibus vobis , cujusquam coutra rationem adversitas ei nocere non valeat , idcirco paterno gloriam vestram salutantes affectu , pelimus ut ſavoris vestri gratia muniatur ; et quod exteris justa petentibus indulgetis huic quoque pr9 nostra intercessione largius impendatis , at- que eum contra zquitalem opprimi non sinatis , td manum illi auxilii, ubi rationis ordo vocave- | fit, porrigatis; quatenus ad mercedem gloriz ves- Vixis8e et obiisse ſertur. Cerle si illz epistolz scripte Sunt indict. 2, de alio agitur Hilario; nam Grego- rius Turon., qui de Hilarii senatoris morie ac Sepul- lura loquitur, obiit ipse longe ante indict. 2. inveniat , et vos afflicto et humiliter supplicanti vi- deamini, quod valde gloriosum est, subvenisse.