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

To a Solitary.Letter XXIII. 1977To a Solitary.A certain man, as he says, on condemning the vanity of this life, and perceiving that itsjoys are ended here, since they only provide material for eternal fire and then quickly passaway, has come to me with the desire of separating from this wicked and miserable life, ofabandoning the pleasures of the flesh, and of treading for the future a road which leads tothe mansions of the Lord. Now if he is sincerely firm in his truly blessed purpose, and hasin his soul the glorious and laudable passion, loving the Lord his God with all his heart, withall his strength, and with all his mind, it is necessary for your reverence to show him thedifficulties and distresses of the strait and narrow way, and establish him in the hope of thegood things which are as yet unseen, but are laid up in promise for all that are worthy ofthe Lord. I therefore write to entreat your incomparable perfection in Christ, if it be possibleto mould his character, and, without me, to bring about his renunciation according to whatis pleasing to God, and to see that he receive elementary instruction in accordance withwhat has been decided by the Holy Fathers, and put forth by them in writing. See too thathe have put before him all things that are essential to ascetic discipline, and that so he maybe introduced to the life, after having accepted, of his own accord, the labours undergonefor religion’s sake, subjected himself to the Lord’s easy yoke, adopted a conversation in imitationof Him Who for our sakes became poor 1978 and took flesh, and may run withoutfail to the prize of his high calling, and receive the approbation of the Lord. He is wishfulto receive here the crown of God’s loves, but I have put him off, because I wish, in conjunctionwith your reverence, to anoint him for such struggles, and to appoint over him one of yournumber whom he may select to be his trainer, training him nobly, and making him by hisconstant and blessed care a tried wrestler, wounding and overthrowing the prince of thedarkness of this world, and the spiritual powers of iniquity, with whom, as the blessedApostle says, is “our wrestling.” 1979 What I wish to do in conjunction with you, let yourlove in Christ do without me.1301977 Written at Cæsarea during his presbyterate.1978 2 Cor. viii. 9.1979 Eph. vi. 12.407