To Virgilius, Bishop of Arles, Commending Augustine

Gregory to Virgilius, and so on. [a]

How much affection should be shown to brothers who come to us of their own accord is clear from the fact that brothers are usually invited to visit us for love’s sake. And so, if our common brother, Bishop Augustine, should happen to come to you, let your love receive him, as is fitting, so warmly and kindly that you both refresh him with the gift of your comfort and teach others too how brotherly love should be cultivated. And since it often happens that those placed at a distance learn first from others of things that need correcting, if he should perhaps point out to your fraternity any faults in priests or others, look into them together with him with all careful investigation. And show yourselves, both of you, so strict and watchful against things that offend God and provoke him to anger that, for the correction of others, vengeance may strike the guilty and false report may not wound the innocent. God keep you safe, most reverend brother. Given on the tenth day before the Kalends of July, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our most pious lord Maurice Tiberius Augustus, the eighteenth year after the consulship of the same our lord, in the fourth indiction. [b]