The Charge Rests on Forgery

It is this that has thrown the churches everywhere into such confusion. Pretexts have been invented, and bishops of great authority and advanced age have been banished for being in communion with me. If matters had stopped there, our prospects would be good, through your gracious intervention. But so that the evil may not spread further, let Truth prevail before you. Do not leave every church under suspicion, as though Christian men, and even bishops, could be guilty of plotting and writing like this. Or if you are unwilling to investigate the matter, it is only right that we who offer our defense should be believed rather than our slanderers. They, like enemies, are busy with wickedness; we, contending earnestly for our cause, present our proofs to you. And truly I wonder how it comes about that while we address you with fear and reverence, they are possessed by so shameless a spirit that they dare to lie even before the emperor. But I beg you, for the Truth’s sake, and as it is written, “search diligently” in my presence on what grounds they assert these things and where these letters were obtained. But none of my servants will be proved guilty, nor will any of his people be able to say where the letters came from; for they are forgeries. And perhaps it is better not to inquire further. They do not want it, for fear that the writer of the letters would certainly be found out. For the slanderers alone, and no one else, know who he is. [a]