NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

In how many ways “Through whom” is used; and in what sense “with whom” is moresuitable. Explanation of how the Son receives a commandment, and how He is sent.called the Way, we are carried on to a higher meaning, and not to that which is derived fromthe vulgar sense of the word. We understand by Way that advance 872 to perfection whichis made stage by stage, and in regular order, through the works of righteousness and “theillumination of knowledge;” 873 ever longing after what is before, and reaching forth untothose things which remain, 874 until we shall have reached the blessed end, the knowledgeof God, which the Lord through Himself bestows on them that have trusted in Him. Forour Lord is an essentially good Way, where erring and straying are unknown, to that whichis essentially good, to the Father. For “no one,” He says, “cometh to the Father but [“by”A.V.] through me.” 875 Such is our way up to God “through the Son.”19. It will follow that we should next in order point out the character of the provisionof blessings bestowed on us by the Father “through him.” Inasmuch as all created nature,both this visible world and all that is conceived of in the mind, cannot hold together withoutthe care and providence of God, the Creator Word, the Only begotten God, apportioningHis succour according to the measure of the needs of each, distributes mercies various andmanifold on account of the many kinds and characters of the recipients of His bounty, butappropriate to the necessities of individual requirements. Those that are confined in thedarkness of ignorance He enlightens: for this reason He is true Light. 876 Portioning requitalin accordance with the desert of deeds, He judges: for this reason He is righteous Judge. 877“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son.” 878 Thosethat have lapsed from the lofty height of life into sin He raises from their fall: for this reasonHe is Resurrection. 879 Effectually working by the touch of His power and the will of Hisgoodness He does all things. He shepherds; He enlightens; He nourishes; He heals; Heguides; He raises up; He calls into being things that were not; He upholds what has beencreated. Thus the good things that come from God reach us “through the Son,” who worksin each case with greater speed than speech can utter. For not lightnings, not light’s coursein air, is so swift; not eyes’ sharp turn, not the movements of our very thought. Nay, by thedivine energy is each one of these in speed further surpassed than is the slowest of all livingcreatures outdone in motion by birds, or even winds, or the rush of the heavenly bodies:or, not to mention these, by our very thought itself. For what extent of time is needed by13872 προκοπή: cf. Luke ii. 52, where it is said that our Lord προέκοπτε, i.e., “continued to cut His way forward.”873 1 Cor. iv. 6, R.V. marg.874 There seems to be here a recollection, though not a quotation, of Phil. iii. 13.875 John xiv. 6.876 John i. 9.877 2 Tim. iv. 8.878 John v. 22.879 John xi. 25.166