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

To Meletius Bishop of Antioch.out on a separate paper, which we can fasten on to the letter which is being carried aboutby our brother and fellow presbyter. As I did not find in the minute anything conclusive,I was in a difficulty on what point to write to the Westerns. Necessary points are anticipated,and it is useless to write what is superfluous, and on such points would it not be ridiculousto show feeling? One subject, however, did appear to me to be hitherto untouched, and tosuggest a reason for writing, and that was an exhortation to them not indiscriminately toaccept the communion of men coming from the East; but, after once choosing one side, toreceive the rest on the testimony of their fellows, and not to assent to every one writing aform of creed on the pretext of orthodoxy. If they do so, they will be found in communionwith men at war with one another, who often put forward the same formulæ, and yet battlevehemently against one another, as those who are most widely separated. To the end, then,that the heresy may not be the more widely kindled, while those who are at variance withone another mutually object to their own formulæ, they ought to be exhorted to make adistinction between the acts of communion which are brought them by chance comers, andthose which are duly drawn up according to the rule of the Church. 24292429 The Ben. note adduces this letter and Letter ccxxiv. as shewing two kinds of communion, (1) Personalin the Eucharist and prayer, and (2) by letter.573