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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

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To Count Terentius.preserved in the clear <strong>and</strong> unconfounded distinction of terms. If you ask me to state shortlymy own view, I shall state that ousia has the same relation to hypostasis as the common hasto the particular. Every one of us both shares in existence by the common term of essence(ousia) <strong>and</strong> by his own properties is such an one <strong>and</strong> such an one. In the same manner, inthe matter in question, the term ousia is common, like goodness, or Godhead, or any similarattribute; while hypostasis is contemplated in the special property of Fatherhood, Sonship,or the power to sanctify. If then they describe the Persons as being without hypostasis, 2819the statement is per se absurd; but if they concede that the Persons exist in real hypostasis,as they acknowledge, let them so reckon them that the principle of the homoousion may bepreserved in the unity of the Godhead, <strong>and</strong> that the doctrine preached may be the recognitionof true religion, of Father, Son, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Holy</strong> Ghost, in the perfect <strong>and</strong> complete hypostasis ofeach of the Persons named. Nevertheless, there is one point which I should like to havepressed on your excellency, that you <strong>and</strong> all who like you care for the truth, <strong>and</strong> honour thecombatant in the cause of true religion, ought to wait for the lead to be taken in bringingabout this union <strong>and</strong> peace by the foremost authorities in the Church, whom I count aspillars <strong>and</strong> foundations of the truth <strong>and</strong> of the Church, <strong>and</strong> reverence all the more becausethey have been sent away for punishment, <strong>and</strong> have been exiled far from home. Keepyourself, I implore you, clear of prejudice, that in you, whom God has given me as a staff<strong>and</strong> support in all things, I may be able to find rest. 28202819 ἀνυπόστατα2820 On the point treated of in this letter, cf. note on p. 5 <strong>and</strong> Letter xxxviii. p. 137. But in the De S.S. cap. 38(p. 23) St. <strong>Basil</strong> himself repudiates the assertion of three “original hypostases,” when he is apparently usingὑπόστασις in the Nicene sense.718

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