The Dispute Goes On Despite the Letter

In this way the devout emperor tried, by means of this letter, to promote the peace of the church of God. The excellent man to whom it was entrusted did his part, not only by delivering the letter itself but also by supporting the aims of the one who sent it; for he was, as I have said, a man of devout character in every way. But the evil was too great to be cured by a single letter. The bitterness of the opposing parties kept growing, and the effects of the mischief spread to all the Eastern provinces. These things were the work of jealousy, and of some evil spirit that looked with envious eyes on the prosperity of the church. [a]