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

To Bishop Innocentius.Letter L. 2172To Bishop Innocentius. 2173Whom, indeed, could it better befit to encourage the timid, and rouse the slumbering,than you, my godly lord, who have shewn your general excellence in this, too, that you haveconsented to come down among us, your lowly inferiors, like a true disciple of Him Whosaid, “I am among you,” not as a fellow guest, but “as he that serveth.” 2174 For you have154condescended to minister to us your spiritual gladness, to refresh our souls by your honouredletter, and, as it were, to fling the arms of your greatness round the infancy of children. We,therefore, implore your good soul to pray, that we may be worthy to receive aid from thegreat, such as yourself, and to have a mouth and wisdom wherewith to chime in with thestrain of all, who like you are led by the Holy Spirit. Of Him I hear that you are a friend andtrue worshipper, and I am deeply thankful for your strong and unshaken love to God. Ipray that my lot may be found with the true worshippers, among whom we are sure yourexcellency is to be ranked, as well as that great and true bishop who has filled all the worldwith his wonderful work.2172 Placed at the beginning of the Episcopate.2173 The Benedictine title runs, Basilius gratias agit Episcopo cuidam, and a Ben. note points out that thecommon addition of “of Rome” to the title must be an error, because Damasus, not Innocent, was Bishop ofRome at the time. Combefis supposed that the letter was written to Innocent, then a presbyter, and that the allusionat the end of the letter is to Damasus; the Ben. note says absurde. Innocent did not become Bishop ofRome till 402, three years after Basil’s death. Whatever was the see of the recipient of this letter, it was one ofimportance. cf. Letter lxxxi.2174 Luke xxii. 27.461