Letter
LXXIX.
2274
To Eustathius bishop of
Sebastia
.
2275
Even
before receiving your
letter I knew what trouble you are ready to undergo for every one, and
specially for my humble self because I am exposed in this
struggle. So when I received your letter from the reverend
Eleusinius, and saw him actually before my face, I praised God for
bestowing on me such a champion and comrade, in my struggles on behalf
of true religion by the aid of the Spirit. Be it known to your
exalted reverence that I have hitherto sustained some attacks from high
magistrates, and these no light ones; while both the prefect and the
high chamberlain pleaded with sympathy for my opponents. But, so
far, I have sustained every assault unmoved, by that mercy of God which
supplies to me the aid of the Spirit, and strengthens my weakness
through Him.
2274
Also of the
year 371.
2275
cf.
Letter
cxix. Sebaste is Siwas on the Halys. On
Eustathius to Basil a type at once of the unwashable Ethiopian for
persistent heresy (
Letter
cxxx. 1) and of the wind-driven
cloud for shiftiness and time-serving, (
Letter
ccxliv.
9.) Vide proleg.