Leo the Great on the Dialectic between Justice & Mercy as between Church & State

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And yet, if he grieves over it faithfully and to good purpose, and, late though it be, acknowledges how rightly the bishops’ authority has been set in motion; or if with his own mouth and hand in your presence he recants his wrong opinions, no mercy that is shown to him when penitent can be found fault with³⁰⁷: because our Lord, that true and “good shepherd” who laid down His life for His sheep³⁰⁸ and who came to save not lose men’s souls³⁰⁹, wishes us to imitate His kindness³¹⁰; in order that while justice constrains us when we sin, mercy may prevent our rejection when we have returned.