Letter 7008: To the Lord Bishop Euphronius [Bishop of Autun].

To the Lord Bishop Euphronius [Bishop of Autun]. Since the chains of clerical office bind me, I would pronounce the state of my modest position the most fortunate in the world if only our residences were as close as our dioceses. I would consult your wisdom on every matter great and small, and the course of my actions would flow as smoothly and harmlessly as a gentle river, if it could spring from the healthiest of sources — your counsel. Then it would never be foamy with boasting, or turbid with pride, or muddy with a guilty conscience, or headlong with youth. Rather, whatever was foul or rotten in it would be entirely washed clean by the admixture of your advice. But since long distances stand as obstacles between such hopes, I earnestly ask that you resolve my perplexity on a point of doubt. The people of Bourges are demanding that Simplicius, a man of distinguished rank, be ordained as their bishop — and I ask you to determine what I should do in so great a matter. For your standing with me and your authority with others is such that whatever you wish — and you will wish only what is fairest — you need not so much persuade as command. About this Simplicius, I should tell you that many good reports come from many good people. These testimonials at first did not entirely satisfy me, since they seemed too friendly. But when I observed that his rivals could do nothing more than keep silent, and that even those who held the Arian faith could bring no charge against the man — though he had not yet entered our profession — I concluded that a man must be of the highest quality when bad citizens cannot find words against him and good ones cannot stop praising him. But why have I foolishly added these thoughts, as though I were giving advice when I came seeking it? Rather, let everything be arranged according to your judgment, decision, and letters — and made known to the clergy and the people. For we are not so far gone in folly that we would decide to summon you first — if it is possible for you to come — and otherwise certainly to consult you, unless we intended to follow your guidance in all things. Be mindful of us, my lord bishop.

EPISTULA VIII Sidonius domino papae Euphronio salutem. 1. Quandoquidem me clericalis officii vincula ligant, felicissimum mediocritatis meae statum pronuntiarem, si nobis haberentur quam territoria vicina tam moenia. de minimis videlicet rebus coronam tuam maximisque consulerem, fieretque actionum mearum quasi cuiuspiam fluvii placidus cursus atque inoffensus, si e tractatu tuo veluti ex saluberrimo fonte manaret. procul dubio tunc ille non esset aut spumosus per iactantiam aut turbidus per superbiam aut caenosus per conscientiam aut praeceps per iuventutem. quin potius in illo squalidum si quid ac putre sorderet, totum id admixta consilii tui vena dilueret. 2. sed quoniam huiuscemodi votis spatia sunt longa interposita praepedimento, sedulo precor, ut consulentem de scrupulo incursae ambiguitatis expedias et, quia Simplicium, spectabilem virum, episcopum sibi flagitat populus Biturix ordinari, quid super tanto debeam negotio facere, decernas. huius es namque vel erga me dignationis vel erga reliquos auctoritatis, ut si quid fieri voles (voles autem quicquid aequissimum est), non suadere tam debeas quam iubere. 3. de quo tamen Simplicio scitote narrari plurima bona, atque ea quidem a plurimis bonis. quae testimonia mihi prima fronte conloquii non satis grata, quia satis gratiosa, iudicabantur. at postquam aemulos eius nihil vidi amplius quam silere, atque eos maxume, qui fidem fovent Arianorum, neque quippiam nominato, licet necdum nostrae professionis, inlicitum opponi, animum adverti exactissimum virum posse censeri, de quo civis malus loqui, bonus tacere non posset. 4. sed cur ego ista haec ineptus adieci, tamquam darem consilium qui poposci? quin potius omnia ex vestro nutu arbitrio litterisque disponentur sacerdotibus, popularibus manifestabuntur. neque enim ita desipimus in totum, ut evocandum te primum, si venire possibile est, deinde, si quid sequius, certe consulendum decerneremus, nisi in omnibus obsecuturi. memor nostri esse dignare, domine papa.