Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume VII/Letters of Gregory Nazianzen/Miscellaneous Letters/To Theodore, Bishop of Tyana/To Bosporius, Bishop of Colonia

Ep. CLIII.&#160; To Bosporius, Bishop of Colonia.

(S. Gregory had to carry out his threat.&#160; He resigned the care of Nazianzus, and nothing would induce him to withdraw his resignation.&#160; Bosporius wrote him an urgent letter with this object, but he replied as follows:)

Twice I have been tripped up by you, and have been deceived (you know what I mean), and, if it was justly, may the Lord smell from you an odour of sweet savour; if unjustly, may the Lord pardon it.&#160; For so it is reasonable for me to speak of you, seeing we are commanded to be patient when injuries are inflicted on us.&#160; But as you are master of your own opinions, so am I of mine.&#160; That troublesome Gregory will no longer be troublesome to you.&#160; I will withdraw myself to God, Who alone is pure and guileless.&#160; I will retire into myself.&#160; This I have determined; for to stumble twice on the same stone is attributed by the proverb to fools alone.