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

Exegetic.exposition as he does,—e.g. in Hom. IX. on the Hexæmeron,—the system which is one ofhis distinguishing characteristics. 483 In his common-sense literalism he is thus a link withthe historical school of Antioch, whose principles were in contrast with those of Origen andthe Alexandrians, a school represented by Theodore of Mopsuestia, Diodorus of Tarsus,and later by Theodoret. 484It is remarked by Gregory of Nazianzus in his memorial oration 485 that Basil used athreefold method of enforcing Scripture on his hearers and readers. This may be understoodto be the literal, moral, and allegorical. Ceillier points out that this description, so far as weknow, applies only to the Homilies on the Psalms.The praise of the Psalms, prefixed to Psalm i., is a passage of noticeable rhetorical powerand of considerable beauty. Its popularity is shewn by the fact of its being found in somemanuscripts of St. Augustine, and also in the commentary of Rufinus. The latter probablytranslated it; portions of it were transcribed by St. Ambrose. 486“The prophets,” says St. Basil, “the historians, the law, give each a special kind ofteaching, and the exhortation of the proverbs furnishes yet another. But the use and profitof all are included in the book of Psalms. There is prediction of thing to come. There ourmemories are reminded of the past. There laws are laid down for the guidance of life. Thereare directions as to conduct. The book, in a word, is a treasury of sound teaching, andprovides for every individual need. It heals the old hurts of souls, and brings about recoverywhere the wound is fresh. It wins the part that is sick and preserves that which is sound.As far as lies within its power, it destroys the passions which lord it in this life in the soulsof men. And all this it effects with a musical persuasiveness and with a gratification thatinduces wise and wholesome reflexion. The Holy Spirit saw that mankind was hard to drawto goodness, that our life’s scale inclined to pleasure, and that so we were neglectful of theright. What plan did He adopt? He combined the delight of melody with His teaching, tothe end that by the sweetness and softness of what we heard we might, all unawares, imbibethe blessing of the words. He acted like wise leeches, who, when they would give sourdraughts to sickly patients, put honey round about the cup. So the melodious music of thePsalms has been designed for us, that those who are boys in years, or at least but lads in waysof life, while they seem to be singing, may in reality be carrying on the education of the soul.It is not easy for the inattentive to retain in their memory, when they go home, an injunctionof an apostle or prophet; but the sayings of the Psalms are sung in our houses and travel483 Im Allgemeinen und im Grundsatze aber ist Basil gegen die allegorische Erkärungsweise, so oft er sie dannauch im Einzelnen anwendet. Böhringer, Basil, p. 116.484 cf. Gieseler i. p. 109.485 Or. xliii. § 67.486 Ceillier.78