His Farewell Charge to the Bishops to Keep the Peace

And now, when the council was about to be finally dissolved, he called all the bishops to meet him on an appointed day, and when they arrived he addressed them in a farewell speech. In it he urged them to work hard at keeping the peace and to avoid quarrelsome disputes among themselves. They were not to be jealous if one of their number seemed to stand out for wisdom and eloquence, but to count the excellence of one a blessing shared by all. On the other hand, he reminded them that the more gifted should not raise themselves up at the expense of their humbler brothers, since it is God’s right to judge who is truly superior. Rather, they should considerately come down to the level of the weaker, remembering that complete perfection in anyone is a rare thing indeed. Each, then, should be willing to grant the other pardon for slight offenses, to look kindly on mere human weaknesses and pass them over, and to hold harmony with one another in the highest honor, so that their quarrels might give no occasion for mockery to those who are always ready to blaspheme the word of God. These, he said, we should do everything in our power to save, and this cannot happen unless our conduct seems attractive to them.

But you know very well that bearing witness by no means brings a blessing to everyone. Some who listen are glad to secure the supply of their mere bodily needs, while others seek the patronage of those above them. Some give their affection to those who treat them with hospitable kindness, and others, honored with presents, love their benefactors in return. But few really desire the word of witness, and it is rare indeed to find a friend of the truth. That is why we must try to meet the needs of everyone, and, like a physician, give each one what will serve the health of his soul, so that the saving teaching may be fully honored by all. Such was the first part of his exhortation, and at the end he charged them to offer earnest prayers to God on his behalf. Having taken leave of them in this way, he gave them all permission to return to their own countries. This they did with joy, and from then on the unity of judgment they had reached in the emperor’s presence continued to prevail, and those who had long been divided were bound together as members of the same body.