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

To a lapsed Monk.or rather, with none to comfort and none to cure, am making an inscription for a tomb.For comfort is hid from my eyes. I have no salve, no oil, no bandage to put on. My woundis sore, how shall I be healed?2. If you have any hope of salvation; if you have the least thought of God, or any desirefor good things to come; if you have any fear of the chastisements reserved for the impenitent,awake without delay, lift up your eyes to heaven, come to your senses, cease from yourwickedness, shake off the stupor that enwraps you, make a stand against the foe who hasstruck you down. Make an effort to rise from the ground. Remember the good Shepherdwho will follow and rescue you. Though it be but two legs or a lobe of an ear, 2095 springback from the beast that has wounded you. Remember the mercies of God and how Hecures with oil and wine. Do not despair of salvation. Recall your recollection of how it iswritten in the Scriptures that he who is falling rises and he who turns away returns; 2096 thewounded is healed, the prey of beasts escapes; he who owns his sin is not rejected. The Lordwilleth not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turn and live. 2097 Do not despise,like the wicked in the pit of evil. 2098 There is a time of endurance, a time of long suffering,a time of healing, a time of correction. Have you stumbled? Arise. Have you sinned?Cease. Do not stand in the way of sinners, 2099 but spring away. When you are convertedand groan you shall be saved. Out of labour comes health, out of sweat salvation. Bewarelest, from your wish to keep certain obligations, you break the obligations to God whichyou professed before many witnesses. 2100 Pray do not hesitate to come to me for any earthlyconsiderations. When I have recovered my dead I shall lament, I shall tend him, I will weep“because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.” 2101 All are ready to welcome you,all will share your efforts. Do not sink back. Remember the days of old. There is salvation;there is amendment. Be of good cheer; do not despair. It is not a law condemning to deathwithout pity, but mercy remitting punishment and awaiting improvement. The doors arenot yet shut; the bridegroom hears; sin is not the master. Make another effort, do not hesitate,have pity on yourself and on all of us in Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom be glory andmight now and for ever and ever. Amen.2095 cf. Amos iii. 12.2096 cf. Jer. viii. 4.2097 cf. Ezek. xviii. 32.2098 Prov. xviii. 3, LXX.2099 cf. Ps. i. 1.2100 cf. 1 Tim. vi. 12.2101 Is. xxii. 4.446