The Life of Augustine of Hippo
Part Three: The Pelagian Crisis (411–430)
Edited By Frederick Van Fleteren
Article 330: Leporius (2)
Extract
ARTICLE 330
Leporius (2)
Leporius was sincerely convinced of his doctrine and promulgated his errors both uiua uoce and by letter.1 His letter was heterodox and caused scandal. Protests were justly made against him. He defended himself, but only succeeded in increasing the scandal. In responding to objections, he fell into new errors. Apparently he held a conference. Cassian may well have been in Provence in 415 and together with other capable Gauls advised Leporius to correct his teaching.2
In this matter human discourse was useless, but divine providence willed to cure Leporius otherwise.3 Through the authority of prelates condemning his errors and punishing his presumption, God struck his proud heart. Out of solicitude and piety, the Gallic bishops wished no long disputes with him lest the evil increase.4 Leporius was banished from Gaul. The bishops condemning him were Proculus, probably bishop of Marseilles, and Quilenius (or Cylinnus), probably a bishop near Marseilles or perhaps bishop of Bellay, where Leporius may have been living. The historians of Ste. Marthe do not mention Cylinnus among the bishops of Bellay except perhaps under the name of Aquilinus who is listed as the eighth bishop in the sixth or seventh century.5 Le Cointe finds nothing more.6 The episcopal see, previously at Nion on Lake Geneva, was transferred to Bellay. Audax was its first bishop in 412 and two other bishops are placed between him and Vincent, bishop in 555. Leporius may have been condemned at Bellay by...
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