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.

me. Let no one condemn me for other men’s errors nor adduce letters written twenty years<br />

ago in proof that I would allow communion to the writers of such things. Before these<br />

things were written, <strong>and</strong> before any suspicion of this kind had been stirred against them, I<br />

did write as layman to layman. I wrote nothing about the faith in any way like that which<br />

they are now carrying about to calumniate me. I sent nothing but a mere greeting to return<br />

a friendly communication, for I shun <strong>and</strong> anathematize as impious alike all who are affected<br />

with the unsoundness of Sabellius, <strong>and</strong> all who maintain the opinions of Arius. If any one<br />

says that Father, Son, <strong>and</strong> Holy Ghost are the same, <strong>and</strong> supposes one thing under several<br />

names, <strong>and</strong> one hypostasis described by three persons, I rank such an one as belonging to<br />

the faction of the Jews. 2927 Similarly, if any one says that the Son is in essence unlike the<br />

Father, or degrades the Holy Ghost into a creature, I anathematize him, <strong>and</strong> say that he is<br />

coming near to the heathen error. But it is impossible for the mouths of my accusers to be<br />

restrained by my letter; rather is it likely that they are being irritated at my defence, <strong>and</strong> are<br />

getting up new <strong>and</strong> more violent attacks against me. But it is not difficult for your ears to<br />

be guarded. Wherefore, as far as in you lies, do as I bid you. Keep your heart clear <strong>and</strong><br />

unprejudiced by their calumnies; <strong>and</strong> insist on my rendering an account to meet the charges<br />

laid against me. If you find that truth is on my side do not yield to lies; if on the other h<strong>and</strong><br />

you feel that I am feeble in defending myself, then believe my accusers as being worthy of<br />

credit. <strong>The</strong>y pass sleepless nights to do me mischief. I do not ask this of you. <strong>The</strong>y are<br />

taking to a commercial career, <strong>and</strong> turning their sl<strong>and</strong>ers against me into a means of profit.<br />

I implore you on the other h<strong>and</strong> to stop at home, <strong>and</strong> to lead a decorous life, quietly doing<br />

Christ’s work. 2928 I advise you to avoid communication with them, for it always tends to<br />

the perversion of their hearers. I say this that you may keep your affection for the uncontaminated,<br />

may preserve the faith of the <strong>Fathers</strong> in its integrity, <strong>and</strong> may appear approved<br />

before the Lord as friends of the truth.<br />

2927 cf. Letter ccx. p. 249.<br />

2928 cf. 1 <strong>The</strong>ss. iv. 11.<br />

To the ascetics under him.<br />

751

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

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!