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

To the clergy of Samosata.Letter CCXIX. 2862To the clergy of Samosata.The Lord ordereth “all things in measure and weight,” 2863 and brings on us thetemptations which do not exceed our power to endure them, 2864 but tests all that fight inthe cause of true religion by affliction, not suffering them to be tempted above that they areable to bear. 2865 He gives tears to drink in great measure 2866 to all who ought to showwhether in their affections they are preserving their gratitude to Him. Especially in Hisdispensation concerning you has He shown His loving-kindness, not suffering such a persecutionto be brought on you by your enemies as might turn some of you aside, or causeyou to swerve from the faith of Christ. He has matched you with adversaries who are ofsmall importance and easy to be repelled, and has prepared the prize for your patience inyour victory over them. But the common enemy of our life, who, in his wiles, strives againstthe goodness of God, because he has seen that, like a strong wall, you are despising attackfrom without, has devised, as I hear, that there should arise among yourselves mutual offencesand quarrels. These indeed, at the outset, are insignificant and easy of cure; as time goeson, however, they are increased by contention and are wont to result in irremediable mischief.2867 I have, therefore, undertaken to exhort you by this letter. Had it been possible,I would have come myself and supplicated you in person. But this is prevented by presentcircumstances, and so, in lieu of supplication, I hold out this letter to you, that you may respectmy entreaty, may put a stop to your mutual rivalries, and may soon send me the goodnews that all cause of offence among you is at an end.2. I am very anxious that you should know that he is great before God who humblysubmits to his neighbour and submits to charges against himself, without having cause forshame, even though they are not true, that he may bring the great blessing of peace uponGod’s Church.I hope that there will arise among you a friendly rivalry, as to who shall first be worthyof being called God’s son, after winning this rank for himself because of his being a peacemaker.A letter has also been written to you by your very God-beloved bishop as to thecourse which you ought to pursue. He will write again what it belongs to him to say. But2862 Placed in 375.2863 Wisd. xi. 20.2864 cf. Matt. vi. 13.2865 cf. 1 Cor. x. 13.2866 cf. Ps. lxxx. 5.2867 cf. Homer of ῎Ερις, Il. iv. 442: ἥ τ᾽ ὀλίγη μὲν πρῶτα κορύσσεται, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα οὐρανῷ ἐστήριξε κάρηκαὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ βαίνει731