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

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

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

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To Theophilus the Bishop.Letter CCXLV. 3081To Theophilus the Bishop. 3082It is some time since I received your letter, but I waited to be able to reply by some fitperson; that so the bearer of my answer might supply whatever might be wanting in it. Nowthere has arrived our much beloved <strong>and</strong> very reverend brother Strategius, <strong>and</strong> I have judgedit well to make use of his services, both as knowing my mind <strong>and</strong> able to convey 3083 newsof me with due propriety <strong>and</strong> reverence. Know, therefore, my beloved <strong>and</strong> honoured friend,that I highly value my affection for you, <strong>and</strong> am not conscious so far as the disposition ofmy heart goes, of having at any time failed in it, although I have had many serious causesof reasonable complaint. But I have decided to weigh the good against the bad, as in a balance,<strong>and</strong> to add my own mind where the better inclines. Now changes have been made bythose who should least of all have allowed anything of the kind. Pardon me, therefore, forI have not changed my mind, if I have shifted any side, or rather I should say, I shall still beon the same side, but there are others who are continually changing it, <strong>and</strong> are now openlydeserting to the foe. You yourself know what a value I put on their communion, so long asthey were of the sound party. If now I refuse to follow these, <strong>and</strong> shun all who think withthem, I ought fairly to be forgiven. I put truth <strong>and</strong> my own salvation before everything.3081 Placed in 376.3082 i.e.of Castabala, who had accompanied Eustathius to Rome, <strong>and</strong> was closely associated with him. cf. p.198.3083 διακομίσαι . Two mss. have διακονῆσαι.794

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