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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 Commentariensis.Letter CCLXXXVI. 3245To the Commentariensis. 3246Whereas certain vagabonds have been arrested in the church for stealing, in defianceof God’s comm<strong>and</strong>ment, some poor men’s clothing, of little value otherwise, yet such asthey had rather have on than off their backs; <strong>and</strong> whereas you consider that in virtue of youroffice you yourself should have the custody of the offenders:—I hereby declare, that I wouldhave you know that for offences committed in the church it is our business to mete outpunishment, <strong>and</strong> that the intervention of the civil authorities is in these cases superfluous.Wherefore, the stolen property, as set forth in the document in your possession <strong>and</strong> in thetranscript made in the presence of eyewitnesses, I enjoin you to retain, reserving part forfuture claims, <strong>and</strong> distributing the rest among the present applicants.As for the offenders,—that they be corrected in the discipline <strong>and</strong> admonition of theLord. By this means I hope to work their successive reformations. For where the stripes ofhuman tribunals have failed, I have often known the fearful judgments of God to be effectual.If it is, however, your wish to refer this matter also to the count, such is my confidence inhis justice <strong>and</strong> uprightness that I leave you to follow your own counsels.3245 Placed in the episcopate.3246 A registrar of prisons, or prison superintendent. Cod. Just. ix. 4. 4. Dis. xlviii. 20. 6.855

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