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

Consolatory, to the clergy of Colonia.Consolatory, to the clergy of Colonia. 2930Letter CCXXVII. 2929270What is so goodly and honourable before God and men as perfect love, which, as weare told by the wise teacher, is the fulfilling of the law? 2931 I therefore approve of your warmaffection for your bishop, for, as to an affectionate son the loss of a good father is unendurable,so Christ’s Church cannot bear the departure of a pastor and teacher. Thus, in yourexceeding affection for your bishop, you are giving proof of a good and noble disposition.But this your good will towards your spiritual father is to be approved so long as it is shewnin reason and moderation; once let it begin to overstep this line, and it is no longer descryingof the same commendation. In the case of your very God-beloved brother, our fellowministerEuphronius, good government has been shewn by those to whom has been committedthe administration of the Church; they have acted as the occasion compelled them,to the gain alike of the Church to which he has been removed and of yourselves from whomhe has been taken. Do not look at this as merely of man’s ordaining, nor as having beenoriginated by the calculations of men who regard earthly things. Believe that those to whomthe anxious care of the Churches belongs have acted, as they have, with the aid of the HolySpirit; impress this inception of the proceedings on your hearts and do your best to perfectit. Accept quietly and thankfully what has happened, with the conviction that all, who refuseto accept what is ordered in God’s Churches by the Churches, are resisting the ordinanceof God. 2932 Do not enter into a dispute with your Mother Church at Nicopolis. Do notexasperate yourselves against those who have taken the anxious responsibility of your souls.In the firm establishment of things at Nicopolis your part in them may also be preserved;but if some disturbance affects them, though you have protectors beyond number, with thehead the heart will be destroyed. It is like men who live on the riverside; when they see someone far up the stream making a strong dam against the current, they know that, in stoppingthe inrush of the current, he is providing for their safety. Just so those who have now undertakenthe weight of the care of the Churches, by protecting the rest, are proving for yourown security. You will be sheltered from every storm, while others have to bear the bruntof the attack. But you ought also to consider this; he has not cast you off; he has taken othersinto his charge. I am not so invidious as to compel the man, who is able to give a share of2929 Placed in 375.2930 i.e.in Armenia. cf. Letter cxcv. p. 234. The removal of Euphronius to Nicopolis was occasioned by thedeath of Theodotus and the consecration of Fronto by the Eustathians, to whom the orthodox Colonians wouldnot submit.2931 Rom. xiii. 10.2932 cf. Rom. xiii. 2.752