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

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata. 2423Letter CXXVIII. 24221. Hitherto I have been unable to give any adequate and practical proof of my earnestdesire to pacify the Churches of the Lord. But in my heart I affirm that I have so great alonging, that I would gladly give up even my life, if thereby the flame of hatred, kindled bythe evil one, could be put out. If it was not for the sake of this longing for peace that I consentedto come to Colonia, 2424 may my life be unblessed by peace. The peace I seek is thetrue peace, left us by the Lord Himself; and what I have asked that I may have for my assurancebelongs to one who desires nothing but the true peace, although some perversely interpretthe truth into another sense. Let them use their tongues as they will, but assuredly theywill one day be sorry for their words.2. Now I beseech your holiness to remember the original propositions, and not to beled away by receiving answers that do not fit the questions, nor yet to give practical weightto the quibbles of men who, without any power of argument, very cleverly pervert the truth,from their own ideas alone. I set out propositions which were perfectly simple, clear andeasy to remember; do we decline to receive into communion those who refuse to accept theNicene Creed? Do we refuse to have part or lot with those who have the hardihood to assertthat the Holy Ghost is a creature? He, however, 2425 instead of answering my questionsword for word, has concocted the statement which you have sent me:—and this not fromsimplemindedness, as might be imagined, nor yet from his inability to see the consequences.What he reckons is that, by repudiating my proposition, he will expose his true characterto the people; while, if he agrees to it, he will depart from that via media which has hithertoseemed to him preferable to any other position. Let him not try to beguile me, nor, withthe rest, deceive your intelligence. Let him send a concise answer to my question, whetherhe accepts or repudiates communion with the enemies of the faith. If you get him to dothis and send me such a distinct answer as I pray for, I own myself in error in all that hasgone before; I take all the blame upon myself; then ask from me a proof of humility. But,if nothing of the kind come to pass, pardon me, most God-beloved father, in my inabilityto approach God’s altar with hypocrisy. Were it not for this dread, why should I separatemyself from Euippius, so learned a man, so advanced in age, and bound to me by so manyties of affection? If, however, in this case I acted rightly, it would, I am sure, be absurd to1972422 Placed in 373.2423 On the difficulty of reconciliation with Eustathius.2424 Maran supposes this to be the place referred to in Letter ccxliv. 2.2425 i.e. Eustathius.570