Bad Advertisement?
Are you a Christian?
Online Store:Visit Our Store
| To the Clergy of Berœa.
PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP 
LXXV. To the Clergy of
Berœa.
I perceive that it is with
reason that I am well disposed to your reverences, for I have been
assured by your kindly letter that my affection was returned. For this
affection of mine towards you I have many reasons. First of all there
is the fact that your father, that great and apostolic man, was my
father too. Secondly I look upon that truly religious bishop,1720
| 1720 Theoctistus; who, we learn from Letter CXXXIV, did not prove
himself a friend in need, succeeded Acacius in 438. Garnerius,
apparently on insufficient grounds, would therefore date the letter
before this year. | who now rules your church, as I might on a
brother both in blood and in sympathy. Thirdly there is the near
neighbourhood of our cities, and fourthly our frequent intercourse with
one another, which naturally begets friendship and increases it when it
is begotten. If you like, I will name yet a fifth, and that is that we
have the same close connexion with you as the tongue has with the ears,
the former uttering speech, and the latter receiving it; for you most
gladly listen to my words, and I am delighted to let fall my little
drop upon you. But the colophon1721
of our union is
our harmony in faith; our refusal to accept any spurious doctrines; our
preservation of the ancient and apostolic teaching, which has been
brought to you by hoary wisdom and nurtured by virtue’s hardy
toil. I beseech you therefore to take greater care of the flock, to
preserve it unharmed for the Shepherd, and boldly to utter the famous
words of the patriarch “that which was born of beasts I offered
not unto Thee.”1722
E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
