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

The Letters.Introduction to the Letters.————————————Of Saint Basil the extant letters, according to popular ascription, number three hundredand sixty-six. Of these three hundred and twenty-five, or, according to some, only threehundred and nineteen are genuine. They are published in three chronological divisions,the 1st, (Letters 1–46) comprising those written by Basil before his elevation to the episcopate;the second (47–291) the Letters of the Episcopate; the third (292–366) those which have nonote of time, together with some that are of doubtful genuineness, and a few certainlyspurious. 1736 They may be classified as (a) historical, (b) dogmatic, (c) moral and ascetic,(d) disciplinary, (e) consolatory, (f) commendatory, and (g) familiar. In the historic wehave a vivid picture of his age. The doctrinal are of special value as expressing and defendingthe Nicene theology. The moral and ascetic indicate the growing importance of the monasticinstitution which Athanasius at about the same time was instrumental in recommendingto the Latin Church. The disciplinary, (notably 188, 199, and 217), to Amphilochius, illustratethe earlier phases of ecclesiastical law. The consolatory, commendatory, and familiar, havean immediate biographical value as indicating the character and faith of the writer, and maynot be without use alike as models of Christian feeling and good breeding, and as bringingcomfort in trouble to readers remote in time and place. The text in the following translationis that of Migne’s edition, except where it is stated to the contrary. Of the inadequacy ofthe notes to illustrate the letters as they deserve no one can be more vividly conscious thanmyself. But the letters tell their own story.1091736 Fessler, Inst. Pat. i. 518.356