'Sabinus to his brother Fortis, eternal health in the Lord! How great is your charity according to the witness of all your colleagues, I know very well ; but that you have had a special |365 friendship with Silvanus, according to the will of God, who has said "Some I love above my soul," I know too. Wherefore I have not hesitated to send you these writings, because I caused yours concerning Nundinarius to be given to him. If we act with diligence God's affair always goes vigorously. Do not put forward an excuse. For business presses upon us during these days, and urges us without delay to see to these things before the most solemn Feast of Easter, that through you there may be brought about a peace full of fatness, and we may be found worthy co-heirs of Christ, who has said "My peace I give unto you, My peace I leave to you." And once again I beseech you to do as I ask.' [And in another hand] 'I pray that you have good health in the Lord and are mindful of us. Fare you well. But I entreat you let no one know about it.'
After these documents had been read, Zenophilus said:
'From the Acts and letters which have been read aloud, it is clear that Silvanus is a Betrayer.'
And he said to Victor:
'Frankly confess whether you know that he betrayed anything.'
Victor said:
'He did betray, but not in my presence.'
Zenophilus said:
'What office did Silvanus hold at the time amongst the clergy?'
Victor answered:
'The persecution broke out when Paul was Bishop; Silvanus was then a sub-deacon.' |366
Nundinarius the deacon replied:
'When he came here, as he said to be made Bishop, the people answered "Let it be another, hear us, O God." '
Zenophilus said to Victor:
'Did the people cry out "Silvanus is a Betrayer"?'
Victor said:
'I myself fought against his being made Bishop.'
Zenophilus said:
'So you did know that he was a Betrayer! Confess to this.'
Victor answered:
'He was a Betrayer.'
Nundinarius the deacon said:
'You seniors cried out "Hear us, O God! We want our fellow-citizen. This man is a Betrayer." '
Zenophilus said to Victor:
'So you cried out with the people that Silvanus was a Betrayer and ought not to be made Bishop?'