I have however taken care to admonish earnestly
the same my brother and fellow-bishop that, if he desires to have peace and
concord with all, he must refrain from the appellation of a foolish
title. As to this, the piety of my lords has charged me in their orders, saying
that offence ought not to be engendered among us for the appellation of a
frivolous name. But I beseech your imperial Piety to consider that some
frivolous things are very harmless, and others exceedingly harmful. Is it
not the case that, when Antichrist comes and calls himself God, it will be very
frivolous, and yet exceedingly pernicious? If we regard the quantity of
the language used, there are but a few syllables; but if the weight of the
wrong, there is universal disaster. Now I confidently say that whosoever
calls himself, or desires to be called, Universal Priest, is in his elation the
precursor of Antichrist, because he proudly puts himself above all others.
Nor is it by dissimilar pride that he is led into error; for, as that perverse
one wishes to appear as above all men, so whosoever this one is who covets being
called sole priest, he extols himself above all other priests. But, since
the Truth says, “Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled,” (Luke 14:11;
18:14), I know that every kind of elation is the sooner burst as it is the more
inflated. Let then your Piety charge those who have fallen into an
example of pride not to generate any offence by the appellation of a frivolous
name. For I, a sinner, who by the help of God retain humility, need not
to be admonished to humility. Now may Almighty God long guard the life of
our most serene Lord for the peace of holy Church and the advantage of the
Roman republic. For we are sure, that if you live who fear the Lord of
heaven, you will allow no proud doings to prevail against the truth.
Gregory I, Epistle XXXIII. To Mauricius Augustus.
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