Gilberti Cognati Nozereni aliquot epistolae

corycaeus informant, but because it could have been done by someone. In those who spread these things, however, I miss not only a Christian mind, but prudence altogether: who, when they do these things, sprinkle more filth on their own name than on mine. What, indeed, are those who have a nose for such things going to suspect? To harm one who has done nothing to deserve it is of malice. But they say, "Thus we will elevate the authority and fame of Cognatus." O Christian counsels. Suppose the authority of Cognatus extinguished among all, which is already either nothing or as minimal as possible, will you immediately be gods? How much more rightly would you fortify your own authority, not by defaming others through calumny, but by manners worthy of Christianity, which the world has long since desired in you. Nothing will be achieved by tricks of this sort, and if the foolish are imposed upon for a time, then truth will eventually burst forth once the deceptions are exposed. However, it seems best to despise the enmity of these kakologōn slanderers from now on: a good part of whom seem devoted to affecting works, so that they may live in contumely among posterity: capturing, forsooth, such a little glory as once the arsonist of the Temple of Diana at Ephesus did. Pyrilampas Fire-shiner, physignathos puffed-jaw/loud-mouth, lykolōpis wolf-eyed, and Paulinus Rapicius are men of very crafty genius, and not at all sincere, for whom profit is more ancient than piety and the tranquility of the church. I do not bring forth anything secret: our entire region will testify that what I say is very true. With Paulinus