"Go in and search whether she has not any more."
'The public official said:
"I have searched and have not found anything else."
'Felix the perpetual flamen and guardian of the state said to Victorinus, Silvanus and Carosus:
"If anything has been kept back, the danger is yours." '
After these things had been read, Zenophilus said to Victor:
'Now confess without more ado.'
Victor answered:
'I was not there.'
Nundinarius the deacon said:
'We have seen letters to Bishops written by Fortis.'
And he read out a copy of the accusation delivered to the Bishops by Nundinarius the deacon.
'Christ is witness and His Angels, that they with whom you have been in communion have been Betrayers----that is |359 to say, Silvanus of Cirta is a Betrayer, and a thief of the goods of the poor----a thing which all of you Bishops, priests, deacons, elders, know to be true concerning the four hundred pieces of money, that were given by the noble woman Lucilla, for the sake of winch you conspired together that Majorinus might be made Bishop, whence came the schism. For Victor the fuller gave twenty pieces of money, to be made priest, in your presence and in that of the people, as Christ knows and His angels.'
And a copy of a letter was read aloud:
'Purpurius, the Bishop, to his fellow Bishop Silvanus----Health in the Lord! Nundinarius the deacon, our son, has come to me and has begged of me to send this letter of supplication to your Holiness, that, if it be possible, there may be peace between you and him. For I wish this to be done in writing by you, if you are willing, in order that no one may know what is going on between us, so that I may alone be concerned with you in this present matter, and may bring to a conclusion the dissension between you. For he has handed to me a petition written by his hand concerning the affair, on account of which, by your command, he was degraded. |360
It is not right for a father to chastise a son against the truth, and I know that the things which were written in the bill of accusation that was handed to me are true. Search for a remedy by which this ill-will may be extinguished before the flame burst forth which it may not be possible afterwards to extinguish without the spiritual shedding of blood. Call together your fellow clerics and the elders of the people who belong to the Church, and let them carefully inquire what are these dissensions of yours, that whatever is done may be done according to the precepts of the Faith. You shall not decline to the right hand nor to the left. Be not willing to lend your ear to evil teachers who refuse peace. You slay us all ... [and, in another hand] Fare you well.'
And a copy of another letter:
'Purpurius the Bishop to the Clerics and Elders of Cirta----eternal health in the Lord! Moses cried out to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and told them what the Lord commanded to be done. Nothing was to be done without the advice of the Elders. So do you too, my beloved, whom I know to have all heavenly and spiritual wisdom, search out with all your strength what is the nature of this dissension and bring [men] to peace. For Nundinarius the deacon says that you have knowledge of all the circumstances from which this dissension has arisen between our well-beloved Silvanus and himself. For he has handed me a petition in which all these things have been written. And he said that you too are acquainted with them. I know that no one can overhear. Do you search out a satisfactory remedy that this thing may be extinguished without danger to your soul, for fear lest when |361 you respect persons you should unawares find yourself before the Judge. Judge just judgement between the parties in accordance with your gravity and justice. Be careful not to decline either to the right hand or to the left. There is question of a matter which belongs to God who searcheth the thoughts of every man. Be careful that no one knows the story of this conspiracy. What is contained in the bill of accusation is true. It is not good, for the Lord says "Out of thy mouth thou shalt be condemned and out of thy mouth shalt thou be justified." '
This also was read out:
'Fortis to our well-beloved brother Silvanus, eternal health in the Lord! Our son Nundinarius the deacon has come to me and related the things which have taken place between you and him, through the intervention of the Evil One, who wishes to turn aside the souls of the just from the way of truth. When I heard these things I fainted in my spirit that such a dissension had come between you----that a priest of God should arrive at that . . . which is not expedient for us to be done. Now therefore beseech him that you may have, as is possible, the peace of the Lord, the Saviour Christ, with him. Let us not come into a public court and be condemned by the Gentiles. For it has been written "Take heed lest, whilst you bite and accuse one another, you be devoured one by another." Therefore I beseech the Lord that this scandal may be removed from our midst, so that this business, which concerns God, may be carried through with the giving of thanks, as the Lord says "My peace I give unto you, My |362 peace I leave to you." What peace can there be, where there is dissension and where there are rivalries? For when I was roasted by the soldiers, and set apart, and had come to that pass with such foul treatment, I commended my soul to God and forgave you, for God sees the minds of men, and [how, just like you, I was led into the deed you know of ]. But God has delivered us and we serve Him together with you. Therefore even as we have been forgiven, so be you two reconciled to peace, that you may be able to celebrate the peace of Easter with joy in the Name of Christ. Let no one know about it. . . .'
There was also read out:
'Fortis to the brethren and sons, to the clergy and seniors, eternal health in the Lord! Your deacon, Nundinarius, has come to me and told me of the things that have been done against you, which surely ought to have been adjusted by you in such a way that you should not have arrived at so great a |363 pitch of madness that men should be degraded for telling the truth----a thing which both you and we know, even as you have related to us. And it is written "Is there not any wise man amongst you who can judge between brethren? But does brother go to law with brother----and this amongst the unbelievers?" ----just as you now strive in judgement. Have things then come to this pass, that we should give such an example to the Gentiles, so that they who have believed in God through us, should themselves speak evil of us, when we come before the public? Therefore, that it may not come to this, do you who are spiritual see to it that no one should know, so that we may keep Easter with peace, and do you exhort them to be reconciled to Peace, and that there may be no dissension, lest, should things be made public, you too commence to be in danger (if this should occur), and afterwards blame yourselves. You especially will take care, you, Possessor, Donatius the priest, and Valerius and Victor, each of you, who know all that was done ----take care that you be at peace one with another.'
Another letter was also read out:
'Sabinus to his brother Silvanus, eternal health in the Lord! Nundinarius your son has come to us----not only to |364 me but also to our brother Fortis, bringing a serious complaint. I am surprised at your lordship, that you have acted thus with your son, whom you brought up and ordained. For if an earthly building has been erected, is not something heavenly added to it, which is built by the hand of a priest? However, we ought not to be surprised at you, for the Scripture says "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and I will reject the prudence of the prudent," and again it says "Men have loved the darkness rather than the light," just as you are doing. It should be enough for you to know all the facts. Our brother Fortis has written to you about this. Now I would ask of your charity, my very kind brother, to fulfil the saying of the prophet Isaiah: "Cast evil forth from your souls, and come let us dispute together, saith the Lord." And again, "Cast forth wickedness from your midst." So do you now act after this manner. Overcome and avert the plot of those who have been unwilling that there should be peace between you and your son. No! let your son Nundinarius keep Easter in peace with you, that the matter which is already known to all of us may not became public as well. I would beg of you, my very kind brother, to fulfil the petition of my mediocrity. Let no one know about it.'
Also another letter was read aloud: