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

To the Italians and Gauls.bour is the fulfilling of the law. 2326 But, as we have said, the just judgment of God, whichhas ordained that the affliction due to our sins must be fulfilled, has held you back. Butwhen you have learnt all, specially what has not hitherto reached your ears, from our reverendbrother the deacon Sabinus, who will be able to narrate in person what is omitted in ourletter, we do beseech you to be roused both to zeal for the truth and sympathy for us. Weimplore you to put on bowels of mercy, to lay aside all hesitation, and to undertake the labourof love, without counting length of way, your own occupations, or any other human interests.2. It is not only one Church which is in peril, nor yet two or three which have fallenunder this terrible storm. The mischief of this heresy spreads almost from the borders ofIllyricum to the Thebaid. Its bad seeds were first sown by the infamous Arius; they thentook deep root through the labours of many who vigorously cultivated the impiety betweenhis time and ours. Now they have produced their deadly fruit. The doctrines of true religionare overthrown. The laws of the Church are in confusion. The ambition of men, who haveno fear of God, rushes into high posts, and exalted office is now publicly known as the prizeof impiety. The result is, that the worse a man blasphemes, the fitter the people think himto be a bishop. Clerical dignity is a thing of the past. There is a complete lack of menshepherding the Lord’s flock with knowledge. Ambitious men are constantly throwing awaythe provision for the poor on their own enjoyment and the distribution of gifts. There isno precise knowledge of canons. There is complete immunity in sinning; for when menhave been placed in office by the favour of men, they are obliged to return the favour bycontinually showing indulgence to offenders. Just judgment is a thing of the past; andeveryone walks according to his heart’s desire. Vice knows no bounds; the people know norestraint. Men in authority are afraid to speak, for those who have reached power by humaninterest are the slaves of those to whom they owe their advancement. And now the veryvindication of orthodoxy is looked upon in some quarters as an opportunity for mutual attack;and men conceal their private ill-will and pretend that their hostility is all for the sakeof the truth. Others, afraid of being convicted of disgraceful crimes, madden the peopleinto fratricidal quarrels, that their own doings may be unnoticed in the general distress.Hence the war admits of no truce, for the doers of ill deeds are afraid of a peace, as beinglikely to lift the veil from their secret infamy. All the while unbelievers laugh; men of weakfaith are shaken; faith is uncertain; souls are drenched in ignorance, because adulteratorsof the word imitate the truth. The mouths of true believers are dumb, while every blasphemoustongue wags free; holy things are trodden under foot; the better laity shun the churchesas schools of impiety; and lift their hands in the deserts with sighs and tears to their Lordin heaven. Even you must have heard what is going on in most of our cities, how our peoplewith wives and children and even our old men stream out before the walls, and offer their1782326 cf. Rom. xiii. 10.524