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

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

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To Ascholius, bishop of Thessalonica.To Ascholius, bishop of Thessalonica. 2507Letter CLIV. 2506You have done well, <strong>and</strong> in accordance with the law of spiritual love, in writing to mefirst, <strong>and</strong> by your good example challenging me to like energy. The friendship of the world,indeed, st<strong>and</strong>s in need of actual sight <strong>and</strong> intercourse, that thence intimacy may begin. All,however, who know how to love in the spirit do not need the flesh to promote affection, butare led to spiritual communion in the fellowship of the faith. Thanks, then, to the LordWho has comforted my heart by showing me that love has not grown cold in all, but thatthere are yet in the world men who show the evidence of the discipleship of Christ. Thestate of affairs with you seems to be something like that of the stars by night, shining somein one part of the sky <strong>and</strong> some in another, whereof the brightness is charming, <strong>and</strong> themore charming because it is unexpected. Such are you, luminaries of the Churches, a fewat most <strong>and</strong> easily counted in this gloomy state of things, shining as in a moonless night,<strong>and</strong>, besides being welcome for your virtue, being all the more longed for because of its beingso seldom that you are found. Your letter has made your disposition quite plain to me.Although small, as far as regards the number of its syllables, in the correctness of its sentimentsit was quite enough to give me proof of your mind <strong>and</strong> purpose. Your zeal for thecause of the blessed Athanasius is plain proof of your being sound as to the most importantmatters. In return for my joy at your letter I am exceedingly grateful to my honourable sonEuphemius, to whom I pray that all help may be given by the <strong>Holy</strong> One, <strong>and</strong> I beg you tojoin in my prayers that we may soon receive him back with his very honourable wife, mydaughter in the Lord. As to yourself, I beg that you will not stay our joy at its beginning,but that you will write on every possible opportunity, <strong>and</strong> increase your good feeling towardsme by constant communication. Give me news, I beg you, about your Churches <strong>and</strong> howthey are situated as regards union. Pray for us here that our Lord may rebuke the winds<strong>and</strong> the sea, <strong>and</strong> that with us there may be a great, calm.2102506 Placed in 373.2507 cf. <strong>Letters</strong> clxiv. <strong>and</strong> clxv. Ascholius baptized Theodosius at Thessalonica in 380, <strong>and</strong> was present at theCouncil of Constantinople in 381. Soc., Ecc. Hist. v. 6 <strong>and</strong> 8.607

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