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Chapter uncertain; original source section: Letter 161
Complete historical editorial footnotes. These notes retain the original edition’s wording; individual note authors are unspecified.
English translation and editorial credits: Blomfield Jackson (translator and notes), Charles Hole (proof revision and suggestions), Reginald Geare (translation assistance; individual letters unallocated).
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1 Sam. ix. 3. So six mss. Editors have substituted “enemies.” The letter does not exist in the Codex Harlæanus. ῎Ονοι is supposed to mean that Faustinus and John, the predecessors of Amphilochius in the see of Iconium, were not very wise bishops. ἔχθροι might mean that they were Arian. cf. Letter cxxxviii.
Editorial footnote · The Letters, Chapter uncertain; original source section: Letter 161, editorial note cite_note-3 · Original source
1. Blessed be God Who from age to age chooses them that please Him, distinguishes vessels of election, and uses them for the ministry of the Saints. Though you were trying to flee, as you confess, not from me, but from the calling you expected through me, He has netted you in the sure meshes of grace, and has brought you into the midst of Pisidia to catch men for the Lord, and draw the devil’s prey from the deep into the light. You, too, may say as the blessed David said, “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence.” Such is the wonderful work of our loving Master. “Asses are lost” that there may be a king of Israel. David, however, being an Israelite was granted to Israel; but the land which has nursed you and brought you to such a height of virtue, possesses you no longer, and sees her neighbour beautified by her own adornment. But all believers in Christ are one people; all Christ’s people, although He is hailed from many regions, are one Church; and so our country is glad and rejoices at the dispensation of the Lord, and instead of thinking that she is one man the poorer, considers that through one man she has become possessed of whole Churches. Only may the Lord grant me both to see you in person, and, so long as I am parted from you, to hear of your progress in the gospel, and of the good order of your Churches.