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

Without address. On the Perfection of the Life of Solitaries.Letter XXII. 1917Without address. On the Perfection of the Life of Solitaries.1. Many things are set forth by inspired Scripture as binding upon all who are anxiousto please God. But, for the present, I have only deemed it necessary to speak by way of briefreminder concerning the questions which have recently been stirred among you, so far asI have learnt from the study of inspired Scripture itself. I shall thus leave behind me detailedevidence, easy of apprehension, for the information of industrious students, who in theirturn will be able to inform others. The Christian ought to be so minded as becomes hisheavenly calling, 1918 and his life and conversation ought to be worthy of the Gospel ofChrist. 1919 The Christian ought not to be of doubtful mind, 1920 nor by anything drawnaway from the recollection of God and of His purposes and judgments. The Christian oughtin all things to become superior to the righteousness existing under the law, and neitherswear nor lie. 1921 He ought not to speak evil; 1922 to do violence; 1923 to fight; 1924 to avengehimself; 1925 to return evil for evil; 1926 to be angry. 1927 The Christian ought to be patient, 1928whatever he have to suffer, and to convict the wrong-doer in season, 1929 not with the desireof his own vindication, but of his brother’s reformation, 1930 according to the commandmentof the Lord. The Christian ought not to say anything behind his brother’s back with theobject of calumniating him, for this is slander, even if what is said is true. 1931 He ought toturn away from the brother who speaks evil against him; 1932 he ought not to indulge in1281917 Placed in 364.1918 cf. Heb. iii.1919 cf. Phil. i. 27.1920 cf. Luke xii. 29.1921 cf. Matt. v. 20.1922 Tit. iii. 2.1923 1 Tim. ii. 13.1924 2 Tim. ii. 24.1925 Rom. xii. 19.1926 Rom. xii. 17.1927 Matt. v. 22.1928 James v. 8.1929 Tit. ii. 15.1930 Matt. xv. 18.1931 cf. 2 Cor. xii. 20 and 1 Peter ii. 1.1932 cf. 1 Peter iii. 16, 17, and James iv. 11.402