Page:History of the Nonjurors.djvu/365

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
History of the Nonjurors.
347

and promises after his return to forward their reply to the Patriarchs. In a postscript he requests, that future letters to him may be written in Latin.

The British Bishops reply to the Letter of Arsenius as follows:

"To the Most Rev. and Holy Lord, The Lord Arsenius, &c. The Bishops of the Catholic Church of Britain wish all prosperity and happiness in Christ.

"Your letter, most eminent Prelate, full of all love and affection, dated at Moscow, we have received with all joy and thankfulness, chiefly delighted, that so earnest a desire of peace and concord fills your heart, as that we may assuredly expect everything in your power to procure it. You have done us the greatest kindness in delivering our Letters to the most eminent Lord, the Lord Great Chancellor, to whom we are also exceedingly obliged, that of his goodness, he has promised us his favour. Nor are we less obliged to you, for your purpose to recommend our letter and our cause to the protection of His Imperial Majesty, and to incline the heart of that great Emperor to be favourable to us. We assure you, that we are not discouraged by the distance of place, or any other obstacle that may occur to obstruct an union between us, but with most earnest and sincere desires hope for an agreement, to obtain which we shall leave nothing undone, that may be done with a good conscience.

The Archimandrite Gennadius, a man worthy of all commendation, is most dear to us: and we are very sorry that the strait circumstances, under which we labour have hindered us from giving him greater testimonies of our friendship. To your labours the