33. Thus the enemy failed, and, base men as they
were, for the first time were then basely put to shame and worsted,
learning not to be ready to despise the Cappadocians, of all men in the
world, whose special qualities are firmness in the faith, and loyal
devotion to the Trinity; to Whom is due their unity and strength, and
from Whom they receive an even greater and stronger assistance than
they are able to give. Basil’s next business and purpose
was to conciliate the prelate, to allay suspicion, to persuade all men
that the irritation which had been felt was due to the temptation and
effort of the Evil one, in his envy of virtuous concord:
carefully complying with the laws of obedience and spiritual
order. Accordingly he visited him, with instruction and
advice. While obedient to his wishes, he was everything to him, a
good counsellor, a skilful assistant, an expounder of the Divine Will,
a guide of conduct, a staff for his old age, a support of the faith,
most trusty of those within, most practical of those without, in a
word, as much inclined to goodwill, as he had been thought to
hostility. And so the power of the Church came into his hands
almost, if not quite, to an equal degree with the occupant of the
see. For in return for his good-will, he was requited with
authority. And their harmony and combination of power was
wonderful. The one was the leader of the people, the other of
their leader, like a lion-keeper, skilfully soothing the possessor of
power. For, having been recently installed in the see, and still
somewhat under the influence of the world, and not yet furnished with
the things of the Spirit, in the midst of the eddying tide of enemies
assaulting the Church, he was in need of some one to take him by the
hand and support him. Accordingly he accepted the alliance, and
imagined himself the conqueror of one who had conquered him.