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

To the Church of Antioch.Letter CXL. 2463To the Church of Antioch.1. “Oh that I had wings like a dove for then would I fly away” 2464 to you, and satisfymy longing to meet you. But now it is not only wings that I want, but a whole body, formine has suffered from long sickness, and now is quite worn away with continuous affliction.For no one can be so hard of heart, so wholly destitute of sympathy and kindness, as to hearthe sigh that strikes my ear from every quarter, as though from some sad choir chanting asymphony of lamentation, without being grieved at heart, being bent to the ground, andwasting away with these irremediable troubles. But the holy God is able to provide a remedyfor the irremediable, and to grant you a respite from your long toils. I should like you tofeel this comfort and, rejoicing in the hope of consolation, to submit to the present pain ofyour afflictions. Are we paying the penalty of our sins? Then our plagues are such as tosave us for the future from the wrath of God. Are we called upon through these temptationsto fight for the truth? Then the righteous Giver of the prizes will not suffer us to be triedabove that which we are able to bear, but, in return for our previous struggles, will give usthe crown of patience and of hope in Him. Let us, therefore, not flinch from fighting a goodfight on behalf of the truth, nor, in despair, fling away the labours we have already achieved.For the strength of the soul is not shewn by one brave deed, nor yet by effort only for a shorttime; but He Who tests our hearts wishes us to win crowns of righteousness after long andprotracted trial. Only let our spirit be kept unbroken, the firmness of our faith in Christ bemaintained unshaken, and ere long our Champion will appear; He will come and will nottarry. Expect tribulation after tribulation, hope upon hope; yet a little while; yet a littlewhile. Thus the Holy Ghost knows how to comfort His nurslings by a promise of the future.After tribulations comes hope, and what we are hoping for is not far off, for let a man namethe whole of human life, it is but a tiny interval compared with the endless age which is laidup in our hopes.2. Now I accept no newer creed written for me by other men, nor do I venture to propoundthe outcome of my own intelligence, lest I make the words of true religion merelyhuman words; but what I have been taught by the holy Fathers, that I announce to all whoquestion me. In my Church the creed written by the holy Fathers in synod at Nicæa is inuse. I believe that it is also repeated among you; but I do not refuse to write its exact termsin my letter, lest I be accused of taking too little trouble. It is as follows: 2465 This is our2042463 Placed in 373.2464 Ps. lv. 6.2465 Here follows in the text the Nicene Creed with the anathemas. The Ben. note points out that the NiceneCreed was brought to Cæsarea by St. Leontius, and was vigorously defended by his successor Hermogenes. cf.589