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

To the holy brethren the bishops of the West.Letter XC. 2302To the holy brethren the bishops of the West. 23031. The good God Who ever mixes consolation with affliction has, even now in the midstof my pangs, granted me a certain amount of comfort in the letters which our right honourablefather bishop Athanasius has received from you and sent on to me. For they containevidence of sound faith and proof of your inviolable agreement and concord, showing thusthat the shepherds are following in the footsteps of the Fathers and feeding the people ofthe Lord with knowledge. All this has so much gladdened my heart as to dispel my despondencyand to create something like a smile in my soul in the midst of the distressing state ofaffairs in which we are now placed. The Lord has also extended His consolation to me bymeans of the reverend deacon Sabinus, my son, who has cheered my soul by giving me anexact narrative of your condition; and from personal experience of his own, will give youclear tidings of ours, that you may, in the first place, aid me in my trouble by earnest andconstant prayer to God; and next that you may consent to give such consolation as lies inyour power to our afflicted Churches. For here, very honourable brethren, all is in a weakstate; the Church has given way before the continuous attacks of her foes, like some bark inmid-ocean buffeted by successive blows of the waves; unless haply there be some quick visitationof the divine mercy. As then we reckon your mutual sympathy and unity an importantblessing to ourselves, so do we implore you to pity our dissensions; and not, because we areseparated by a great extent of country, to part us from you, but to admit us to the concordof one body, because we are united in the fellowship of the Spirit.2. Our distresses are notorious, even though we leave them untold, for now their soundhas gone out into all the world. The doctrines of the Fathers are despised; apostolic traditionsare set at nought; the devices of innovators are in vogue in the Churches; now men are rathercontrivers of cunning systems than theologians; the wisdom of this world wins the highestprizes and has rejected the glory of the cross. Shepherds are banished, and in their placesare introduced grievous wolves hurrying the flock of Christ. Houses of prayer have noneto assemble in them; desert places are full of lamenting crowds. The elders lament whenthey compare the present with the past. The younger are yet more to be compassionated,for they do not know of what they have been deprived. All this is enough to stir the pity ofmen who have learnt the love of Christ; but, compared with the actual state of things, wordsfall very far short. If then there be any consolation of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, anybowels of mercy, be stirred to help us. Be zealous for true religion, and rescue us from this2302 Placed in 372.2303 By Newman, who translates the first paragraphs, this letter, as well as xcii., is viewed in close connectionwith Letter lxx., addressed to Damasus.520