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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 the Nicopolitans.Letter CCXLVII. 3085To the Nicopolitans.When I had read the letter of your holinesses, how did I not groan <strong>and</strong> lament that Ihad heard of these further troubles, of blows <strong>and</strong> insults inflicted on yourselves, of destructionof homes, devastation of the city, ruin of your whole country, persecution of the Church,banishment; of priests, invasion of wolves, <strong>and</strong> scattering of flocks. But I have looked tothe Lord in heaven, <strong>and</strong> have ceased to groan <strong>and</strong> weep, because I am perfectly well assured,as I hope you know too, that help will speedily come <strong>and</strong> that you will not be for ever forsaken.What we have suffered, we have suffered for our sins. But our loving Lord will showus His own aid for the sake of His love <strong>and</strong> pity for the Churches. Nevertheless, I have notomitted to beseech men in authority in person. I have written to those at court, who loveus, that the wrath of our ravening enemy may be stayed. I think, moreover, that from manyquarters condemnation may fall upon his head, unless indeed these troublous times allowour public men no leisure for these matters. 30863085 Placed in 376.3086 It is rare to find in <strong>Basil</strong>’s letters even so slight an allusion as this to the general affairs of the empire. Ator about the date of this letter the Goths, hitherto kept in subjection by the legions of Valens, were being drivensouth by the Huns <strong>and</strong> becoming a danger to the empire. Amm. Marc. xxxi. 4. Turbido instantium studio, orbisRomani pernicies ducebatur.796

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