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by the same arts of dissimulation they gained their consent and communicatory letters. Hence in their return they passed through Illyricum, where, in a convention of bishops assembled on purpose, they procured also their letters, testifying their agreement and consent with them in the faith. Thus loaded with letters and synodal determinations, they came back into the East, and at Tyana, a city in Cappadocia, situate at the foot of mount Taurus, found the bishops of that country (amongst whom were Eusebius of Cæsarea, and Gregory the aged bishop of Nazianzum) met in synod, to whom they delivered their testimonial letters, and professed their embracing the Nicene faith: which was received and published with universal applause and approbation, and Eustathius thereupon restored to his see.

VII. To this synod it was (as Baronius will have it) that Basil wrote, acquainting them with his peaceable desires and inclinations, and that thereupon they mediated a peace between him and Eusebius, a chief member, and in all likelihood (it being in his province) president of the synod. The epistle is still extant, with this inscription,d TH BOTAH TTANÓN, to the senate or council of Tyana, wherein he does indeed, in general terms, express a passionate desire of peace; but that this should be written to the synod assembled there, and that upon this particular occasion, neither the title nor body of the epistle do necessarily enforce us to believe. But however this be, it is certain that about this time great endeavours were used to heal the breach, and to recover this good man back into his country. The people of Cæsarea were infinitely desirous of his return, and the necessities of the church did loudly call for it. For the Arian faction, encouraged by the favour of the emperor Valens, carried all before them, and, taking the advantage of his absence, had been very busy in their attempts upon Cæsarea. Eusebius the bishop was a good man, but, having been immediately advanced from the civil tribunal to the episcopal throne, was but little versed in theological studies, especially the nice controversies of that age. The Arians were not to be told what use to make of this, it being that which mainly gave encouragement to the bold and brisk endeavours of that subtle sect; which had not so successfully spread its plumes, had Basil been at home to encounter them, whom all knew to be a no less resolute than dexterous champion d Epist. xcvii..

of the catholic cause. This made his return importunately desired on all hands; though the mainspring of the motion was his dear companion Nazianzen, who had some time since been forced to quit the Pontic solitudes, to relieve the infirmities of his aged father. He dealt effectually with Eusebius about this matter, whom he treated with that plain and downright freedom, that the man was angry, and resented it as an affront, for which the other apologizes with a submiss, but yet becoming liberty, abating nothing of his earnest intercession. He thanked him for the respect and honour he was pleased to put upon himself; but withal told him, he could not well bear the injury he had done his dear friend Basil, the intimate partner of his life and studies, whom he loved and regarded above all other men; that therefore to honour him, and disrespect his friend, was to stroke a man's head with one hand, and to strike him with the other; or to trim and beautify the walls of the house, while a man is digging up the foundations; that it was his request, which he earnestly besought him to comply with, to afford Basil a better place in his esteem and favour, engaging for him on his behalf, as a most reasonable return, a correspondent reverence and regard. The mediation it seems took effect; Eusebius remitting his stiffness and obstinacy, and shewing himself forward to an amicable reconciliation; which, he assured him, he would by letter intimate to Basil, and peaceably invite him to return. An account whereof Nazianzen immediately transmitted to Basil, and withal advised him to prevent the bishop's kindness, either by his presence or letter, or rather to write first, and then follow himself, that so he might seem rather to conquer than be overcome that the state of the church at that time did no less bespeak him to hasten his return; heresy was broken in upon them, confusion had overrun every place; and the storm, it was feared, likely to grow worse, and truth in danger to be rooted up, unless some such able champion were forthwith sent in to their relief and succour; that if he desired it, he himself was ready to come to him to settle his affairs, and conduct him home. Accordingly he went, and found it no hard matter to persuade him to return, the miserable condition of the church having made a

g

e Greg. Naz. Ep. xx. p. 783. vid. Ep. clxix. p. 877. et clxx. p. 878.

f Id. Ep. xix. p. 782.

8 Vid. Naz. Orat. xx. p. 338, 339. et Niceph. c. 18.

f

very deep impression upon his mind; he saw it was now high time to lay aside private grudges, and to look to the common tranquillity and safety.

SECTION III.

HIS ACTS FROM HIS RETURN TILL HIS BEING MADE BISHOP OF

CESAREA.

His activity after his returning, in reforming abuses, and diligent assisting the bishop in the government of the church. His incomparable charity in a time of public famine. His care of men's souls as well as bodies. His constancy against the attempts of the Arian governor. The death of Eusebius. Basil's flight to avoid the bishopric. His election to it, promoted by the effectual instance and recommendations of Nazianzen and his aged father. The time of his ordination to that see. His advancement congratulated by Nazianzen.

THE first thing he did after his return, was to set himself to redress the evil state of things at Cæsarea: where differences had arisen, he endeavoured to compose them; where breaches had been made, he repaired them; his daily study and preparation was, how to attack the enemy, whom he so successfully assaulted at every turn, that he soon drove them quite out of the field: assisted in these conflicts by his old companion, who was to him as Barnabas to Paul, (as he modestly speaks of himself,) a coadjutor in this great work, wherein he thought it honour enough to be a second to so great a champion. And that the world might see that he was perfectly reconciled, and retained no resentment upon account of the harsh usage he had met with, he carried himself towards his bishop with a most profound observance, whose late unkindnesses he extenuated, and represented them only as a device and artifice of the devil, who envied the happiness of their concord; notwithstanding which, he shewed how well he understood, how readily he could comply with the laws and canons of the church. He was at hand in all instances of canonical obedience; he was to the bishop an impartial monitor, a faithful counsellor, a diligent coadjutor, (especially in preaching,) a dexterous manager of business; he was, in short, the staff of his age, the support of his faith, the guide of his family, and the agent of his affairs abroad; so that though he was below the chair, yet the reins of ecclesiastical government were lodged

of the catholic cause. This made his return importunately desired on all hands; though the mainspring of the motion was his dear companion Nazianzen, who had some time since been forced to quit the Pontic solitudes, to relieve the infirmities of his aged father. He dealt effectually with Eusebius about this matter, whom he treated with that plain and downright freedom, that the man was angry, and resented it as an affront, for which the other apologizes with a submiss, but yet becoming liberty, abating nothing of his earnest intercession. He thanked him for the respect and honour he was pleased to put upon himself; but withal told him, he could not well bear the injury he had done his dear friend Basil, the intimate partner of his life and studies, whom he loved and regarded above all other men; that therefore to honour him, and disrespect his friend, was to stroke a man's head with one hand, and to strike him with the other; or to trim and beautify the walls of the house, while a man is digging up the foundations; that it was his request, which he earnestly besought him to comply with, to afford Basil a better place in his esteem and favour, engaging for him on his behalf, as a most reasonable return, a correspondent reverence and regard. The mediation it seems took effect; Eusebius remitting his stiffness and obstinacy, and shewing himself forward to an amicable reconciliation; which, he assured him, he would by letter intimate to Basil, and peaceably invite him to return. An account whereof Nazianzen immediately transmitted to Basil,' and withal advised him to prevent the bishop's kindness, either by his presence or letter, or rather to write first, and then follow himself, that so he might seem rather to conquer than be overcome that the state of the church at that time did no less bespeak him to hasten his return; heresy was broken in upon them, confusion had overrun every place; and the storm, it was feared, likely to grow worse, and truth in danger to be rooted up, unless some such able champion were forthwith sent in to their relief and succour; that if he desired it, he himself was ready to come to him to settle his affairs, and conduct him home. Accordingly he went, and found it no hard matter to persuade him to return, the miserable condition of the church having made a

g

e Greg. Naz. Ep. xx. p. 783. vid. Ep. clxix. p. 877. et clxx. p. 878.

f Id. Ep. xix. p. 782.

8 Vid. Naz. Orat. xx. p. 338, 339. et Niceph. c. 18.

very deep impression upon his mind; he saw it was now high time to lay aside private grudges, and to look to the common tranquillity and safety.

SECTION III.

HIS ACTS FROM HIS RETURN TILL HIS BEING MADE BISHOP OF

CESAREA.

His activity after his returning, in reforming abuses, and diligent assisting the bishop in the government of the church. His incomparable charity in a time of public famine. His care of men's souls as well as bodies. His constancy against the attempts of the Arian governor. The death of Eusebius. Basil's flight to avoid the bishopric. His election to it, promoted by the effectual instance and recommendations of Nazianzen and his aged father. The time of his ordination to that see. His advancement congratulated by Nazianzen.

THE first thing he did after his return, was to set himself to redress the evil state of things at Cæsarea: where differences had arisen, he endeavoured to compose them; where breaches had been made, he repaired them; his daily study and preparation was, how to attack the enemy, whom he so successfully assaulted at every turn, that he soon drove them quite out of the field: assisted in these conflicts by his old companion, who was to him as Barnabas to Paul, (as he modestly speaks of himself,) a coadjutor in this great work, wherein he thought it honour enough to be a second to so great a champion. And that the world might see that he was perfectly reconciled, and retained no resentment upon account of the harsh usage he had met with, he carried himself towards his bishop with a most profound observance, whose late unkindnesses he extenuated, and represented them only as a device and artifice of the devil, who envied the happiness of their concord; notwithstanding which, he shewed how well he understood, how readily he could comply with the laws and canons of the church. He was at hand in all instances of canonical obedience; he was to the bishop an impartial monitor, a faithful counsellor, a diligent coadjutor, (especially in preaching,) a dexterous manager of business; he was, in short, the staff of his age, the support of his faith, the guide of his family, and the agent of his affairs abroad; so that though he was below the chair, yet the reins of ecclesiastical government were lodged

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