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

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

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

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To Macarius <strong>and</strong> John.Letter XVIII. 1905To Macarius 1906 <strong>and</strong> John.The labours of the field come as no novelty to tillers of the l<strong>and</strong>; sailors are not astonishedif they meet a storm at sea; sweats in the summer heat are the common experience of thehired hind; <strong>and</strong> to them that have chosen to live a holy life the afflictions of this presentworld cannot come unforeseen. Each <strong>and</strong> all of these have the known <strong>and</strong> proper labourof their callings, not chosen for its own sake, but for the sake of the enjoyment of the goodthings to which they look forward. What in each of these cases acts as a consolation introuble is that which really forms the bond <strong>and</strong> link of all human life,—hope. Now of themthat labour for the fruits of the earth, or for earthly things, some enjoy only in imaginationwhat they have looked for, <strong>and</strong> are altogether disappointed; <strong>and</strong> even in the case of others,where the issue has answered expectation, another hope is soon needed, so quickly has thefirst fled <strong>and</strong> faded out of sight. Only of them that labour for holiness <strong>and</strong> truth are thehopes destroyed by no deception; no issue can destroy their labours, for the kingdom of theheavens that awaits them is firm <strong>and</strong> sure. So long then as the word of truth is on our side,never be in any wise distressed at the calumny of a lie; let no imperial threats scare you; donot be grieved at the laughter <strong>and</strong> mockery of your intimates, nor at the condemnation ofthose who pretend to care for you, <strong>and</strong> who put forward, as their most attractive bait to deceive,a pretence of giving good advice. Against them all let sound reason do battle, invokingthe championship <strong>and</strong> succour of our Lord Jesus Christ, the teacher of true religion, forWhom to suffer is sweet, <strong>and</strong> “to die is gain.” 19071905 Placed in the reign of Julian.1906 MS. variations are Macrinus <strong>and</strong> Machrinus.1907 Phil. i. 21.398

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