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

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preserved in the clear <strong>and</strong> unconfounded distinction of terms. If you ask me to state shortly<br />

my own view, I shall state that ousia has the same relation to hypostasis as the common has<br />

to the particular. Every one of us both shares in existence by the common term of essence<br />

(ousia) <strong>and</strong> by his own properties is such an one <strong>and</strong> such an one. In the same manner, in<br />

the matter in question, the term ousia is common, like goodness, or Godhead, or any similar<br />

attribute; while hypostasis is contemplated in the special property of Fatherhood, Sonship,<br />

or the power to sanctify. If then they describe the Persons as being without hypostasis, 2819<br />

the statement is per se absurd; but if they concede that the Persons exist in real hypostasis,<br />

as they acknowledge, let them so reckon them that the principle of the homoousion may be<br />

preserved in the unity of the Godhead, <strong>and</strong> that the doctrine preached may be the recognition<br />

of true religion, of Father, Son, <strong>and</strong> Holy Ghost, in the perfect <strong>and</strong> complete hypostasis of<br />

each of the Persons named. Nevertheless, there is one point which I should like to have<br />

pressed on your excellency, that you <strong>and</strong> all who like you care for the truth, <strong>and</strong> honour the<br />

combatant in the cause of true religion, ought to wait for the lead to be taken in bringing<br />

about this union <strong>and</strong> peace by the foremost authorities in the <strong>Church</strong>, whom I count as<br />

pillars <strong>and</strong> foundations of the truth <strong>and</strong> of the <strong>Church</strong>, <strong>and</strong> reverence all the more because<br />

they have been sent away for punishment, <strong>and</strong> have been exiled far from home. Keep<br />

yourself, I implore you, clear of prejudice, that in you, whom God has given me as a staff<br />

<strong>and</strong> support in all things, I may be able to find rest. 2820<br />

2819 ἀνυπόστατα<br />

2820 On the point treated of in this letter, cf. note on p. 5 <strong>and</strong> Letter xxxviii. p. 137. But in the De S.S. cap. 38<br />

(p. 23) St. Basil himself repudiates the assertion of three “original hypostases,” when he is apparently using<br />

ὑπόστασις in the <strong>Nicene</strong> sense.<br />

To Count Terentius.<br />

718

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