Page:Nestorius and his place in the history of Christian doctrine.djvu/45

Rh which in his statement needs explanation—that the real cause of the controversy is to be found in the intrigues of Cyril of Alexandria. These intrigues on their part, according to what Nestorius tells in the continuation of the above-quoted passage, originated in accusations which were brought against Cyril himself. Cyril is regarded by Nestorius as having framed the dogmatic controversy for no other reason than to keep these accusations in the background. Nestorius raised this reproach against Cyril as early as in the late summer of 430 in a letter to the bishop of Rome ; and that this reproach was well grounded, I tried to show as far back as 1903 by pointing to a letter, written by Cyril to his clerical agents in Constantinople. After long explanations about the perverted doctrine of Nestorius he says in this letter: ''I had till now no quarrel with him and wish him betterment; but for supporting my enemies he shall give answer before God. No wonder if the dirtiest persons of the city, Chairemon, Victor and others, speak ill of me. May he, who incites them, learn that I have no fears about a journey or about answering them. Often the providence of the Saviour brings it about that little things cause a synod to be held, through which His church is purified. But even if others and honourable men should accuse me on his instigation—that wretched''