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

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.and signatures from all the men of mark. 3019 What ought to be written by them, or how Ican come to an agreement with those who are writing, I do not know. If you hear of anyone soon travelling my way, be so good as to let me know. I am moved to say, as Diomedesaid,“Would God, Atrides, thy request were yet to undertake;…he’s proud enough.” 3020Really lofty souls, when they are courted, get haughtier than ever. If the Lord be propitiousto us, what other thing do we need? If the anger of the Lord lasts on, what help cancome to us from the frown of the West? Men who do not know the truth, and do not wishto learn it, but are prejudiced by false suspicions, are doing now as they did in the case of281Marcellus, 3021 when they quarrelled with men who told them the truth, and by their ownaction strengthened the cause of heresy. Apart from the common document, I should liketo have written to their Coryphæus—nothing, indeed, about ecclesiastical affairs exceptgently to suggest that they know nothing of what is going on here, and will not accept theonly means whereby they might learn it. I would say, generally, that they ought not to presshard on men who are crushed by trials. They must not take dignity for pride. Sin only availsto produce enmity against God.3019 Sanctissimus, the envoy of Damasus, seems to have paid two visits to the East. For letters of introductiongiven him by Basil, see Letters cxx., ccxxi., ccxxv., ccliv., cxxxii., and ccliii.3020 Homer, Il. ix. 694–5 (Chapman).3021 cf. Letter lxix. p. 165.777