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

appear united with those who maintain the same views as Euippius, through the mediation
of these amiable and charming persons.
3. Not that I think it is absolutely our duty to cut ourselves off from those who do not
receive the faith, but rather to have regard to them in accordance with the old law of love,
and to write to them with one consent, giving them all exhortation with pity, and to propose
to them the faith of the fathers, and invite them to union. If we succeed we should be united
in communion with them; if we fail we must be content with one another and purge our
conduct of this uncertain spirit, restoring the evangelical and simple conversation followed
by those who accepted the Word from the beginning. “They,” it is said, “were of one heart
and of one soul.” 2426 If they obey you, this will be best; if not, recognise the real authors of
the war, and, for the future do not write me any more letters about reconciliation.
2426 Acts iv. 32.
To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.
571