Bede: The Ecclesiastical History of the English People - Chapter 28

This chapter contains a letter that Pope Gregory wrote in 600/601 AD to Vergilius, the bishop of Arles, in advance of Augustine's visit as a bishop. Gregory advises Vergilius to welcome Augustine with "kindness and goodwill," as they are now spiritual brothers. As if Gregory knew that Augustine's criticism might provoke indignation from Vergilius, he instructs him that if Augustine should notice any faults regarding the "bishops and others," these claims are to be thoroughly investigated.

In the previous chapter, Augustine had written a letter to Gregory asking him "How ought we to deal with the bishops of Gaul and Britain?" This question makes it seem as if some of the bishops were up to no good. What those faults were, were never discussed, but they were probably serious allegations since phrases such as "restore the minds of the depraved"and "check whatever is contrary to our Creator's commands," and "the perverse corrected" are used. Augustine noted these problems and brought it to Gregory's attention. Gregory tells him that he has no jurisdiction over Arles, although he is given authority over the bishops of Britain. However, he is only encouraged to discuss matters and point out his concerns to the bishop in Gaul.

Also, it seems that Augustine was not exactly welcome in Arles. Pope Gregory writes, "The fact that we usually invite our brethren because we love them shows how much affection ought to be lavished on those brethren who come uninvited." Was Augustine vocal in his admonitions? In Chapter 27, he was told that he has no authority over the Gaulish bishops, but was advised to bring up his concerns without "put[ting] a sickle" "through the standing corn of another." Gregory is obviously concerned about what is going on, but does not want Augustine, perhaps in his "zeal," to rub them the wrong way. The word "zeal" is used several times to describe Augustine: "Augustine, the servant of God, of whose zeal we are assured" (p. 38), "If he should happen to be slack in his discipline he must be kindled by your zeal (p. 46).

Augustine is Gregory's trusted man as he was chosen by Gregory to be sent to Britain to convert the people.