13.07.2015 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

To the bishops of the sea coast.neither ashamed at our solitariness, nor shudder that on us is fallen the fearful prophecy ofthe Lord, ‘Because of lawlessness abounding, the love of the many shall wax cold.’]4. Do not, most honourable brethren, do not suffer this. Rather, by letters of peace <strong>and</strong>by salutations of love, comfort me for the past. You have made a wound in my heart byyour former neglect. Soothe its anguish, as it were, by a tender touch. Whether you wishto come to me, <strong>and</strong> examine for yourselves into the truth of what you hear of my infirmities,or whether by the addition of more lies my sins are reported to you to be yet more grievous,I must accept even this. I am ready to welcome you with open h<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> to offer myself tothe strictest test, only let love preside over the proceedings. Or if you prefer to indicate anyspot in your own district to which I may come <strong>and</strong> pay you the visit which is due, submittingmyself, as far as may be, to examination, for the healing of the past, <strong>and</strong> the prevention ofsl<strong>and</strong>er for the future, I accept this. Although my flesh is weak, yet, as long as I breathe, Iam responsible for the due discharge of every duty which may tend to the edification of theChurches of Christ. Do not, I beseech you, make light of my entreaty. Do not force me todisclose my distress to others. Hitherto, brethren, as you are well aware, I have kept mygrief to myself, for I blush to speak of your alienation from me to those of our communionwho are at a distance. I shrink at once from paining them <strong>and</strong> from gratifying those whohate me. I alone am writing this now; but I send in the name of all the brethren in Cappadocia,who have charged me not to employ any chance messenger, but some one who, in caseI should, from my anxiety not to be too prolix, leave out any points of importance, mightsupply them with the intelligence wherewith God has gifted him. I refer to my beloved <strong>and</strong>reverend fellow presbyter Petrus. Welcome him in love, <strong>and</strong> send him forth to me in peace,that he may be a messenger to me of good things.691

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!