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

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.a hindrance to subsequent administration, and from his wish to rule over a larger diocese,and his refusal to accept the ordination of the bishops, we may find ourselves suddenly involvedin a domestic quarrel. If this course is difficult, and time does not allow, see to itthat the Isaurian bishop is strictly kept within his own bounds by ordaining some of hisimmediate neighbours. In the future it will be reserved for us to give to the rest bishops atthe proper season, after we have carefully examined those whom we ourselves may judgeto be most fit.2. I have asked George, as you requested. He replies as you reported. In all this wemust remain quiet, casting the care of the house on the Lord. For I put my trust in the HolyGod that He will by my aid 2669 grant to him deliverance from his difficulties in some otherway, and to me to live my life without trouble. If this cannot be, be so good as to send meword yourself as to what part I must look after, that I may begin to ask this favour of eachof my friends in power, either for nothing, or for some moderate price, as the Lord mayprosper me. 2670I have, in accordance with your request, written to brother Valerius. Matters at Nyssaare going on as they were left by your reverence, and, by the aid of your holiness, are improving.Of those who were then separated from me some have gone off to the court, and someremain waiting for tidings from it. The Lord is able as well to frustrate the expectations ofthese latter as to make the return of the former useless.3. Philo, on the authority of some Jewish tradition, explains the manna to have beenof such a nature that it changed with the taste of the eater: that of itself it was like milletseed boiled in honey; it served sometimes for bread, sometimes for meat, either of birds orbeasts; at other times for vegetables, according to each man’s liking; even for fish so that theflavour of each separate kind was exactly reproduced in the eater’s mouth.Scripture recognises chariots containing three riders, because while other chariotscontained two, the driver and the man-at-arms, Pharaoh’s held three, two men-at-arms,and one to hold the reins.2332669 Here the mss. vary, and the sense is obscure. Ben. Ed. σὺν ἡμῖν. al. συνέσιν.2670 “Videtur illa dignitas, quam se amici causa alicujus petiturum promittit Basilius, non administratio aliquafuisse, sed tantum codicillaria dignitas. Hoc enim consilio hanc dignitatem petere statuerat, ut amici domusmagnum aliquod incommodum effugeret. Porro in hunc usum impetrari solebant codicilli, ut curia, vel saltemduumviratus et civitatis cura vitarentur. Pretio autem impetratos non modo nulla immunitas, sed etiam multasequebatur ut perspictur ex Cod. Theod. vi. 22. Sic enim habet lex secunda imperatoris Constantii: ‘Ab honoribusmercandis per suffragia, vel qualibet ambitione quærendis, certa multa prohibuit: cui addimus et quicunque, fugientesobsequia curiarum, umbras et nomina affectaverint dignitatem, tricenas libras argenti inferre cogantur,manente illa præterita inlatione auri qua perpetua lege constructi sunt.’ Unde miror Basilium ab hac via tentandanon omnino alienum fuisse. Sed forte hæ leges non admodum accurate servabuntur sub Valente.” Ben. note.667