The Ben.
note on this passage suggests that the reference to Jeremiah is an
argument supposed to be put forward by Eustathius, and immediately
answered by Basil, but there seems no necessity of this. Basil
says nothing for or against the powers of the bishops who condemned
Eustathius; he only points out the inconsistency of Eustathius in
accepting their powers to ordain when it suited his purpose, while
he refused to admit their authority to depose. It is enough
for Basil’s argument that Eustathius treated him as having
authority. On Basil’s own views as to the validity of
heretical ordination, cf. Canon i., Letter
clxxxviii.