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

Without address. On the Perfection of the Life of Solitaries.God, and with the object of converting the sinner. 1962 He who is proved wrong or rebukedought to take it willingly, recognizing his own gain in being set right. When any one is beingaccused, it is not right for another, before him or any one else, to contradict the accuser;but if at any time the charge seems groundless to any one, he ought privately to enter intodiscussion with the accuser, and either produce, or acquire, conviction. Every one ought,as far as he is able, to conciliate one who has ground of complaint against him. No oneought to cherish a grudge against the sinner who repents, but heartily to forgive him. 1963He who says that he has repented of a sin ought not only to be pricked with compunctionfor his sin, but also to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. 1964 He who has been correctedin first faults, and received pardon, if he sins again prepares for himself a judgment of wrathworse than the former. 1965 He, who after the first and second admonition 1966 abides in hisfault, ought to be brought before the person in authority, 1967 if haply after being rebukedby more he may be ashamed. 1968 If even thus he fail to be set right he is to be cut off fromthe rest as one that maketh to offend, and regarded as a heathen and a publican, 1969 for thesecurity of them that are obedient, according to the saying, When the impious fall therighteous tremble. 1970 He should be grieved over as a limb cut from the body. The sunought not to go down upon a brother’s wrath, 1971 lest haply night come between brotherand brother, and make the charge stand in the day of judgment. A Christian ought not towait for an opportunity for his own amendment, 1972 because there is no certainty about themorrow; for many after many devices have not reached the morrow. He ought not to bebeguiled by over eating, whence come dreams in the night. He ought not to be distractedby immoderate toil, nor overstep the bounds of sufficiency, as the apostle says, “Havingfood and raiment let us be therewith content;” 1973 unnecessary abundance gives appearanceof covetousness, and covetousness is condemned as idolatry. 1974 A Christian ought not to1962 2 Tim. iv. 2.1963 2 Cor. ii. 7.1964 Luke iii. 8.1965 Heb. x. 26, 27.1966 Tit. iii. 10.1967 τῷ προεστῶτι. & 233· προεστὼς is the “president” in Justin Martyr’s description of the Christian servicein Apol. Maj. i.1968 cf. Tit. ii. 8.1969 Matt. xviii. 17.1970 Prov. xxix. 16, LXX.1971 Eph. iv. 26.1972 cf. Matt. xxiv. 14; Luke xii. 40.1973 1 Tim. vi. 8.1974 Col. iii. 5.405