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

To the presbyter Genethlius.this as I wrote it, but altered (God knows by whom), then recognise their unfairness. Nobishop is accused if, while he was a layman, he wrote something somewhat incautiously onan indifferent matter; not anything concerning the Faith, but a mere word of friendlygreeting. Possibly even my opponents are known to have written to Jews and to Pagans,without incurring any blame. Hitherto no one has ever been judged for any such conductas that on which I am being condemned by these strainers-out of gnats. 2905 God, whoknows men’s hearts, knows that I never wrote these things, nor sanctioned them, but thatI anathematize all who hold the vile opinion of the confusion of the hypostases, on whichpoint the most impious heresy of Sabellius has been revived. And all the brethren who havebeen personally acquainted with my insignificant self know it equally well. Let those verymen who now vehemently accuse me, search their own consciences, and they will own thatfrom my boyhood I have been far removed from any doctrine of the kind.3. If any one enquires what my opinion is, he will learn it from the actual little document,to which is appended their own autograph signature. This they wish to destroy, and theyare anxious to conceal their own change of position in slandering me. For they do not liketo own that they have repented of their subscription to the tract I gave them; while theycharge me with impiety from the idea that no one perceives that their disruption from meis only a pretext, while in reality they have departed from that faith which they have overand over again owned in writing, before many witnesses, and have lastly received and subscribedwhen delivered to them by me. It is open to any one to read the signatures and tolearn the truth from the document itself. Their intention will be obvious, if, after readingthe subscription which they gave me, any one reads the creed which they gave Gelasius, 2906and observes what a vast difference there is between the two confessions. It would be betterfor men who so easily shift their own position, not to examine other men’s motes but tocast out the beam in their own eye. 2907 I am making a more complete defence on everypoint in another letter; 2908 this will satisfy readers who want fuller assurance. Do you, nowthat you have received this letter, put away all despondency, and confirm the love to me, 2909which makes me eagerly long for union with you. Verily it is a great sorrow to me, and apain in my heart that cannot be assuaged, if the slanders uttered against me so far prevailas to chill your love and to alienate us from one another. Farewell.2672905 cf. Matt. xxiii. 24.2906 cf. Letter cxxx. p. 198.2907 cf. Matt. vii. 4.2908 i.e. Letter ccxxiii.2909 cf. 2 Cor. ii. 8.745