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

To the monks harassed by the Arians.To the monks harassed by the Arians.Letter CCLVII. 31291. I have thought it only right to announce to you by letter how I said to myself, whenI heard of the trials brought upon you by the enemies of God, that in a time reckoned a timeof peace you have won for yourselves the blessings promised to all who suffer persecutionfor the sake of the name of Christ. In my judgment the war that is waged against us by ourfellow countrymen is the hardest to bear, because against open and declared enemies it iseasy to defend ourselves, while we are necessarily at the mercy of those who are associatedwith us, and are thus exposed to continual danger. This has been your case. Our fatherswere persecuted, but by idolaters their substance was plundered, their houses were overthrown,they themselves were driven into exile, by our open enemies, for Christ’s name’ssake. The persecutors who have lately appeared, hate us no less than they, but, to the deceivingof many, they put forward the name of Christ, that the persecuted may be robbed of allcomfort from its confession, because the majority of simpler folk, while admitting that weare being wronged, are unwilling to reckon our death for the truth’s sake to be martyrdom.I am therefore persuaded that the reward in store for you from the righteous Judge is yetgreater than that bestowed on those former martyrs. They indeed both had the public praiseof men, and received the reward of God; to you, though your good deeds are not less, nohonours are given by the people. It is only fair that the requital in store for you in the worldto come should be far greater.2. I exhort you, therefore, not to faint in your afflictions, but to be revived by God’slove, and to add daily to your zeal, knowing that in you ought to be preserved that remnantof true religion which the Lord will find when He cometh on the earth. Even if bishops aredriven from their Churches, be not dismayed. If traitors have arisen from among the veryclergy 3130 themselves, let not this undermine your confidence in God. We are saved notby names, but by mind and purpose, and genuine love toward our Creator. Bethink youhow in the attack against our Lord, high priests and scribes and elders devised the plot, andhow few of the people were found really receiving the word. Remember that it is not themultitude who are being saved, but the elect of God. Be not then affrighted at the greatmultitude of the people who are carried hither and thither by winds like the waters of thesea. If but one be saved, like Lot at Sodom, he ought to abide in right judgment, keepinghis hope in Christ unshaken, for the Lord will not forsake His holy ones. Salute all thebrethren in Christ from me. Pray earnestly for my miserable soul.3129 Placed in 376.3130 Maran conjectures an allusion to Fronto.808