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

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LXXXIII. Consulters of soothsayers <strong>and</strong> they who follow heathen customs, or bring<br />

persons into their houses to discover remedies <strong>and</strong> to effect purification, should fall under<br />

the canon of six years. After weeping a year, hearing a year, kneeling for three years <strong>and</strong><br />

st<strong>and</strong>ing with the faithful for a year so let them be received.<br />

LXXXIV. I write all this with a view to testing the fruits of repentance. 2851 I do not<br />

decide such matters absolutely by time, but I give heed to the manner of penance. If men<br />

are in a state in which they find it hard to be weaned from their own ways <strong>and</strong> choose rather<br />

to serve the pleasures of the flesh than to serve the Lord, <strong>and</strong> refuse to accept the Gospel<br />

life, there is no common ground between me <strong>and</strong> them. In the midst of a disobedient <strong>and</strong><br />

gainsaying people I have been taught to hear the words “Save thy own soul.” 2852 Do not<br />

then let us consent to perish together with such sinners. Let us fear the awful judgment.<br />

Let us keep before our eyes the terrible day of the retribution of the Lord. Let us not consent<br />

to perish in other men’s sins, for if the terrors of the Lord have not taught us, if so great<br />

calamities have not brought us to feel that it is because of our iniquity that the Lord has<br />

ab<strong>and</strong>oned us, <strong>and</strong> given us into the h<strong>and</strong>s of barbarians, that the people have been led<br />

captive before our foes <strong>and</strong> given over to dispersion, because the bearers of Christ’s name<br />

have dared such deeds; if they have not known nor understood that it is for these reasons<br />

that the wrath of God has come upon us, what common ground of argument have I with<br />

them?<br />

But we ought to testify to them day <strong>and</strong> night, alike in public <strong>and</strong> in private. Let us not<br />

consent to be drawn away with them in their wickedness. Let us above all pray that we may<br />

do them good, <strong>and</strong> rescue them from the snare of the evil one. If we cannot do this, let us<br />

at all events do our best to save our own souls from everlasting damnation.<br />

2851 μετανοίας. cf. note on p. 256; here the word seems to include both repentance <strong>and</strong> penance.<br />

2852 Gen. xix. 17, lxx.<br />

To Amphilochius, the Canons.<br />

729

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