03.04.2013 Views

Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

To Gregory his uncle.<br />

Letter LX. 2221<br />

Formerly I was glad to see my brother. Why not, since he is my brother <strong>and</strong> such a<br />

brother? Now I have received him on his coming to visit me with the same feelings, <strong>and</strong><br />

have lost none of my affection. God forbid that I should ever so feel as to forget the ties of<br />

nature <strong>and</strong> be at war with those who are near <strong>and</strong> dear to me. I have found his presence a<br />

comfort in my bodily sickness <strong>and</strong> the other troubles of my soul, <strong>and</strong> I have been especially<br />

delighted at the letter which he has brought me from your excellency. For a long time I<br />

have been hoping that it would come, for this only reason, that I need not add to my life<br />

any doleful episode of quarrel between kith <strong>and</strong> kin, sure to give pleasure to foes <strong>and</strong> sorrow<br />

to friends, <strong>and</strong> to be displeasing to God, Who has laid down perfect love as the distinctive<br />

characteristic of His disciples. So I reply, as I am indeed bound, with an earnest request for<br />

your prayers for me, <strong>and</strong> your care for me in all things, as your relative. Since I, from want<br />

of information, cannot clearly underst<strong>and</strong> the meaning of what is going on, I have judged<br />

it right to accept the truth of the account which you are so good as to give me. It is for you<br />

of your wisdom to settle the rest, our meeting with one another, the fitting time <strong>and</strong> a convenient<br />

place. If your reverence really does not disdain to come down to my lowliness <strong>and</strong><br />

to have speech with me, whether you wish the interview to take place in the presence of<br />

others or in private, I shall make no objection, for I have once for all made up my mind to<br />

submit to you in love, <strong>and</strong> to carry out, without exception, what your reverence enjoins on<br />

me for the glory of God.<br />

I have not laid my reverend brother under the necessity of reporting anything to you<br />

by word of mouth, because on the former occasion what he said was not borne out by facts.<br />

2221 Of the same time as the preceding.<br />

To Gregory his uncle.<br />

478

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!