Let us see what manner of things the same man wrote also to Novatus, who at that time was disturbing the brotherhood of the Romans. Since, then, he made some of the brethren the pretext of his apostasy and schism, as though he had been forced by them to come to this course, observe in what manner Dionysius writes to him: “Dionysius to Novatus the brother, greeting. If, as you say, you were led on unwillingly, you will prove it by withdrawing willingly. For one ought indeed to suffer anything whatever rather than rend the Church of God; and the martyrdom undergone to avoid causing schism would be no less glorious than that undergone to avoid idolatry—nay, in my judgement, even greater. For in the one case a man is a martyr for the sake of his own single soul, but in the other for the sake of the whole Church. And even now, if you should persuade or compel the brethren to come to concord, your setting-right will be greater than your fault; and the one will not be reckoned against you, while the other will be praised. But if you cannot, because they will not obey, then by all means save your own soul. I pray that you may fare well, holding fast to peace in the Lord.” Thus much also to Novatus.