The Epistles of Cyprian 78
78.0 The Reply to the Same of Lucius and the Rest of the Martyrs PL 4, 420
Argument.—The Argument of the Present Letter Is, in Substance, the Same as that of the Preceding; And Therefore It is Not a Letter of Lucius the Roman Bishop, But of Lucius the African Bishop and Martyr.
78.1 The Reply to the Same of Lucius and the Rest of the Martyrs PL 4, 420
1. To Cyprian our brother and colleague, Lucius, and all the brethren who are with me in the Lord, greeting. Your letter came to us, dearest brother, while we were exulting and rejoicing in God that He had armed us for the struggle, and had made us by His condescension conquerors in the battle; the letter, namely, which you sent to us by Herennianus the sub-deacon, and Lucian, and Maximus, and Amantius the acolytes, which when we read we received a relaxation in our bonds, a solace in our affliction, and a support in our necessity; and we were aroused and more strenuously animated to bear whatever more of punishment might be awaiting us. For before our suffering we were called forth by you to glory, who first afforded us guidance to confession of the name of Christ. We indeed, who follow the footsteps of your confession, hope for an equal grace with you. For he who is first in the race is first also for the reward; and you who first occupied the course thence have communicated this to us from what you began, showing doubtless the undivided love wherewith you have always loved us, so that we who had one Spirit in the bond of peace might have the grace of your prayers, and one crown of confession.
Cypriano fratri Nemesianus, Dativus Felix, et Victor in Domino aeternam salutem. Semper magnis sensibus pro temporis conditione litteris tuis locutus es, Cypriane dilectissime; quibus assidue lectis et pravi corriguntur et bonae fidei homines corroborantur. Dum enim non desinis tractatibus tuis sacramenta nudare, sic nos in fide facis crescere et de saeculo homines ad credulitatem accedere. Nam quaecumque bona in multis libris tuis intulisti, nescius ipsum te nobis designasti; es enim omnibus hominibus in tractatu major, in sermone facundior, in consilio sapientior, in patientia simplicior, in operibus largior, in abstinentia sanctior, in obsequio humilior, et in actu bono innocentior. Scis ei ipse, charissime, nostrum optabile votum esse quod te videamus, doctorem et amatorem nostrum, ad coronam magnae confessionis pervenisse.
78.2 PL 4, 421
2. But in your case, dearest brother, to the crown of confession is added the reward of your labours—an abundant measure which you shall receive from the Lord in the day of retribution, who have by your letter presented yourself to us, as you manifested to us that candid and blessed breast of yours which we have ever known, and in accordance with its largeness have uttered praises to God with us, not as much as we deserve to hear, but as much as you are able to utter. For with your words you have both adorned those things which had been less instructed in us, and have strengthened us to the sustaining of those sufferings which we bear, as being certain of the heavenly rewards, and of the crown of martyrdom, and of the kingdom of God, from the prophecy which, being filled with the Holy Spirit, you have pledged to us in your letter. All this will happen, beloved, if you will have us in mind in your prayers, which I trust you do even as we certainly do.
Nam, quasi bonus et verus doctor, quid nos discipuli secuti apud praesidem dicere deberemus, prior apud acta proconsulis pronuntiasti, et tuba canens Dei milites, coelestibus armis instructos, ad congressionis praelium excitasti, et in acie prima pugnans spiritali gladio diabolum interfecisti, agmina quoque fratrum hinc et inde verbis tuis composuisti, ut insidiae inimico undique tenderentur, et cadaveris ipsius publici hostis nervi concisi calcarentur. Crede nobis, charissime, quoniam non est a centesimo praemio minor tua innocens anima, quae nec saeculi primos impetus timuit, nec ire in exsilium recusavit, nec relinquere civitatem dubitavit, nec in deserto loco commorari horruit; et, quoniam multis documentum confessionis dedit, ipsa martyrum prior duxit. Alios enim ad martyria facienda exemplo suo provocavit; et non tantum martyrum de saeculo jam excedentium socia esse coepit, sed cum et futuris coelestem amicitiam copulavit.
78.3 PL 4, 421
3. And thus, O brother most longed-for, we have received what you sent to us from Quirinus and from yourself, a sacrifice from every clean thing. Even as Noah offered to God, and God was pleased with the sweet savour, and had respect unto his offering, so also may He have respect unto yours, and may He be pleased to return to you the reward of this so good work. But I beg that you will command the letter which we have written to Quirinus to be sent forward. I bid you, dearest brother and earnestly desired, ever heartily farewell, and remember us. Greet all who are with you. Farewell.
Agunt ergo tibi nobiscum damnati maximas apud Deum gratias, Cypriane dilectissime, quod litteris tuis laborantia pectora recreasti, fustibus vulnerata membra curasti, compedibus pedes ligatos resolvisti, semitonsis capitis capillaturam adaequasti, tenebras carceris illuminasti, montes metalli in planum deduxisti, naribus etiam fragrantes, flores imposuisti, et tetrum odorem fumi exclusisti. Fecit autem et prosecutum ministerium tuum et Quirini dilectissimi nostri quod per Herennianum hypodiaconum, et Lucianum et Maximum et Amantium acolytos distribuendum misisti quaecumque necessitatibus corporum defuerant expediri. Simus ergo orationibus nostris alterutrum adjutores, et rogemus, sicut mandasti, ut Deum et Christum et Angelos in omnibus actibus nostris habeamus fautores. Optamus te, domine frater 162, semper bene valere et nostri meminisse. Saluta omnes qui tecum sunt. Omnes nostri qui nobiscum sunt te amant et salutant, et videre desiderant.