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

To Amphilochius in the name of Heraclidas.like a deserter. But I am chiefly influenced by my own heart, which testifies to itself of allthat I have told you.2. Since you have mentioned our bond, and have announced that you mean to prosecute,you have made me laugh in this my dejection, because you are still an advocate and do notgive up your shrewdness. I hold, unless, indeed, like an ignorant man, I am quite missingthe truth, that there is only one way to the Lord, and that all who are journeying to Him aretravelling together and walking in accordance with one “bond” of life. If this be so, whereverI go how can I be separated from you? How can I cease to live with you, and with you serveGod, to Whom we have both fled for refuge? Our bodies may be separated by distance, butGod’s eye still doubtless looks upon us both; if indeed a life like mine is fit to be beheld bythe divine eyes; for I have read somewhere in the Psalms that the eyes of the Lord are uponthe righteous. 2493 I do indeed pray that with you and with all that are like minded withyou, I may be associated, even in body, and that night and day with you and with any othertrue worshipper of God I may bow my knees to our Father which is in heaven; for I knowthat communion in prayer brings great gain. If, as often as it is my lot to lie and groan in adifferent corner, I am always to be accused of lying, I cannot contend against your argument,and already condemn myself as a liar, if with my own carelessness I have said anythingwhich brings me under such a charge.3. I was lately at Cæsarea, in order to learn what was going on there. I was unwillingto remain in the city itself, and betook myself to the neighbouring hospital, that I might getthere what information I wanted. According to his custom the very godly bishop visited it,and I consulted him as to the points which you had urged upon me. It is not possible forme to remember all that he said in reply; it went far beyond the limits of a letter. In sum,however, what he said about poverty was this, that the rule ought to be that every one shouldlimit his possessions to one garment. For one proof of this he quoted the words of John theBaptist “he that hath two coats let him impart to him that hath none;” 2494 and for anotherour Lord’s prohibition to His disciples to have two coats. 2495 He further added “If thouwilt be perfect go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor.” 2496 He said too that theparable of the pearl bore on this point, because the merchant, who had found the pearl ofgreat price, went away and sold all that he had and bought it; and he added too that no oneought even to permit himself the distribution of his own property, but should leave it in thehands of the person entrusted with the duty of managing the affairs of the poor; and heproved the point from the acts of the apostles, 2497 because they sold their property and2493 Ps. xxxiv. 15.2494 Luke iii. 11.2495 Matt. x. 10.2496 Matt. xix. 21.2497 Acts iv. 35.602