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

To the presbyters of Tarsus.Letter CXIII. 2380To the presbyters of Tarsus. 2381On meeting this man, I heartily thanked God that by means of his visit He had comfortedme in many afflictions and had through him shewn me clearly your love. I seem to see inone man’s disposition the zeal of all of you for the truth. He will tell you of our discourseswith one another. What you ought to learn directly from me is as follows.We live in days when the overthrow of the Churches seems imminent; of this I havelong been cognisant. There is no edification of the Church; no correction of error; nosympathy for the weak; no single defence of sound brethren; no remedy is found either toheal the disease which has already seized us, or as a preventive against that which we expect.Altogether the state of the Church (if I may use a plain figure though it may seem too humblean one) is like an old coat, which is always being torn and can never be restored to its originalstrength. At such a time, then, there is need of great effort and diligence that the Churchesmay in some way be benefited. It is an advantage that parts hitherto severed should beunited. Union would be effected if we were willing to accommodate ourselves to theweaker, where we can do so without injury to souls; since, then, many mouths are openagainst the Holy Ghost, and many tongues whetted to blasphemy against Him, we imploreyou, as far as in you lies, to reduce the blasphemers to a small number, and to receive intocommunion all who do not assert the Holy Ghost to be a creature, that the blasphemersmay be left alone, and may either be ashamed and return to the truth, or, if they abide intheir error, may cease to have any importance from the smallness of their numbers. Let usthen seek no more than this, but propose to all the brethren, who are willing to join us, theNicene Creed. If they assent to that, let us further require that the Holy Ghost ought not tobe called a creature, nor any of those who say so be received into communion. I do notthink that we ought to insist upon anything beyond this. For I am convinced that by longercommunication and mutual experience without strife, if anything more requires to be addedby way of explanation, the Lord Who worketh all things together for good for them thatlove Him, 2382 will grant it.1902380 Placed in 372.2381 That the Nicene Creed alone is to be required of the brethren.2382 Rom. viii. 28.551