Fortifying A Bishop

Acceptis litteris tuis, frater sancte, laetus de salute tua, sed tristis de tribulatione et persecutionibus, quas te pati a gente tua in illis tuis apicibus agnovi. Attamen beatos esse, Domino dicente, legimus, qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam, quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum. Quapropter suadeo tibi, frater venerande, ut viriliter in fide integra et devotione infatigabili, pro commissis tibi a Christo ovibus certare non cesses, ne mercenarius fugiens, et non pastor firmus ab ipso Domino et pastore omnium deputeris. Aspice in eum, qui pro ovibus suis animam suam posuit, qui omnibus generaliter praecipiens dixit: Qui vult venire post me, abneget semetipsum, et tolla crucem suam et sequatur me. Cui gregem Christi abiturus relinquis? Nec haec dico quasi me excusando ad benefaciendum servis Dei, sed magis te adhortando, ut bona, quae incepisti facere, ad finem aeternae salutis perducas. Qui perseveraverit usque in finem, hic salvus erit. Idcirco scripsi ad Offanum regem ut te adjuvaret, et defenderet sanctam Ecclesiam secundum suam possibilitatem: quatenus tibi liceat Deo servire, et talentum tuum multiplicare in loco, ubi accepisti eum; et mercedem exspectare perpetuae beatitudinis, dicente Domino tuo: Euge serve bone et fidelis. Alcuinus, Epistola LVII, Aethelredo Episcopo Source: Migne PL 100.148b-c

Receiving your letter, holy brother, I rejoiced at your health but grieved at the tribulation and persecution which you suffer from your people regarding the affairs of your high position. However, 'Blessed are they,' the Lord says, we read, 'who suffer persecution on account of righteousness, for of them is the kingdom of heaven.' 1 For which reason I exhort you, venerable brother, that without rest you struggle manfully firm in faith and with tireless devotion for the flock that Christ has committed to you, lest you flee like some mercenary, not like a shepherd strong from the same Lord and pastor whom you should imitate in everything. Look to him who laid down his soul for his sheep, who speaking to all said, 'He who wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' 2 Having fled, to whom shall you leave the flock of Christ? I do not say these things as if excusing myself from the good work of the servant of God, but more to encourage you to lead the good things you have begun to that end of eternal salvation. He who perseveres to the end shall be saved. 3 Therefore I shall write to King Offa that he might aid you and defend the holy church insofar as he is able, seeing that it is given to you to serve God and to multiply your talents in the place which you have received, and to hope for the wealth of perpetual beatitude, with your Lord saying, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' 4 Alcuin of York, Letter 57, To the Bishop Ethelred 1 Mt 5.10 2 Lk 9.23 3 Mt 10.23 4 Mt 25.21