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

Against Eustathius of Sebasteia.3. So when I beheld certain men in my own country striving to copy their ways, I feltthat I had found a help to my own salvation, and I took the things seen for proof of thingsunseen. And since the secrets in the hearts of each of us are unknown, I held lowliness ofdress to be a sufficient indication of lowliness of spirit; and there was enough to convinceme in the coarse cloak, the girdle, and the shoes of untanned hide. 2892 And though manywere for withdrawing me from their society, I would not allow it, because I saw that theyput a life of endurance before a life of pleasure; and, because of the extraordinary excellenceof their lives, I became an eager supporter of them. And so it came about that I would nothear of any fault being found with their doctrines, although many maintained that theirconceptions about God were erroneous, and that they had become disciples of the championof the present heresy, and were secretly propagating his teaching. But, as I had never at anytime heard these things with my own ears, I concluded that those who reported them werecalumniators. Then I was called to preside over the Church. Of the watchmen and spies,who were given me under the pretence of assistance and loving communion, I say nothing,lest I seem to injure my own cause by telling an incredible tale, or give believers an occasionfor hating their fellows, if I am believed. This had almost been my own case, had I not beenprevented by the mercy of God. For almost every one became an object of suspicion to me,and smitten at heart as I was by wounds treacherously inflicted, I seemed to find nothingin any man that I could trust. But so far there was, nevertheless, a kind of intimacy kept upbetween us. Once and again we held discussions on doctrinal points. and apparently weseemed to agree and keep together. But they began to find out that I made the same statementsconcerning my faith in God which they had always heard from me. For, if otherthings in me may move a sigh, this one boast at least I dare make in the Lord, that never forone moment have I held erroneous conceptions about God, or entertained heterodoxopinions, which I have learnt later to change. The teaching about God which I had receivedas a boy from my blessed mother and my grandmother Macrina, I have ever held with increasedconviction. On my coming to ripe years of reason I did not shift my opinions fromone to another, but carried out the principles delivered to me by my parents. Just as theseed when it grows is first tiny and then gets bigger but always preserves its identity, notchanged in kind though gradually perfected in growth, so I reckon the same doctrine tohave grown in my case through gradually advancing stages. What I hold now has not replacedwhat I held at the beginning. Let them search their own consciences. Let these men whohave now made me the common talk on the charge of false doctrine, and deafened all men’sears with the defamatory letters which they have written against me, so that I am compelled2642892 With St. Basil’s too great readiness to believe in Eustathius because of his mean garb contrast AugustineDe Serm. Dom. “Animadvertendum est non in solo rerum corporearum nitore atque pompa, sed etiam in ipsissordibus lutosis esse posse jactantiam, et eo periculosiorem quo sub nomine servitutis Dei decipit.”739