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| To Bishop Innocentius.
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Letter L.2172
| 2172 Placed at the
beginning of the Episcopate. |
To Bishop Innocentius.2173
| 2173 The
Benedictine title runs, Basilius gratias agit Episcopo
cuidam, and a Ben. note points out that the common addition of
“of Rome” to the title must be an error, because
Damasus, not Innocent, was Bishop of Rome at the time.
Combefis supposed that the letter was written to Innocent, then a
presbyter, and that the allusion at the end of the letter is to
Damasus; the Ben. note says absurde. Innocent did
not become Bishop of Rome till 402, three years after Basil’s
death. Whatever was the see of the recipient of this letter,
it was one of importance. cf. Letter
lxxxi. |
Whom, indeed, could it better
befit to encourage the timid,
and rouse the slumbering, than you, my godly lord, who have shewn your
general excellence in this, too, that you have consented to come down
among us, your lowly inferiors, like a true disciple of Him Who said,
“I am among you,” not as a fellow guest, but “as he
that serveth.”2174
For you have
condescended to minister to us your spiritual gladness, to refresh our
souls by your honoured letter, and, as it were, to fling the arms of
your greatness round the infancy of children. We, therefore,
implore your good soul to pray, that we may be worthy to receive aid
from the great, such as yourself, and to have a mouth and wisdom
wherewith to chime in with the strain of all, who like you are led by
the Holy Spirit. Of Him I hear that you are a friend and true
worshipper, and I am deeply thankful for your strong and unshaken love
to God. I pray that my lot may be found with the true
worshippers, among whom we are sure your excellency is to be ranked, as
well as that great and true bishop who has filled all the world with
his wonderful work.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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