(This letter should be read together with the three letters addressed to Eusebius of Caesarea, which it mentions. For the background circumstances, see General Prolegomena, section 1, page 194.)
(This Epistle should be read in connection with the three addressed to Eusebius of Cæsarea, to which it refers. For the circumstances see General Prolegomena, § 1, p. 194.)
It is a time for prudence and endurance. We should not let anyone appear to have more courage than we do, or let all our hard work and efforts be destroyed in an instant. Why am I writing this, and for what reason? Our Bishop Eusebius, very dear to God (for this is how we must think and write about him from now on), is very much inclined toward agreement and friendship with us. Just as fire softens iron, time has softened him. I believe a letter of appeal and invitation will come to you from him, as he hinted to me, and as many people who know his situation well assure me. Let us take the initiative, either by going to him or by writing to him—or rather by writing first and then going. This way we will not later be put to shame by being defeated when it was in our power to secure a victory by being honorably and philosophically beaten, which is what so many are asking of us. Be persuaded by me, then, and come—both for this reason and because of the difficult times. A conspiracy of heretics is attacking the Church. Some of them are here now and are troubling us, and others, rumor says, are coming. There is reason to fear that the Word of Truth will be swept away unless the spirit of a Bezaleel, the wise master builder of such arguments and dogmas, is stirred up very soon. If you think I should come too, to stay with you and travel with you, I will not refuse to do even this.
It is a time for prudence and endurance, and that we should not let anyone appear to be of higher courage than ourselves, or let all our labours and toils be in an instant brought to nothing. Why do I write this, and wherefore? Our Bishop Eusebius, very dear to God (for so we must for the future both think and write of him), is very much disposed to agreement and friendship with us; and as fire softens iron, so has time softened him; and I think a letter of appeal and invitation will come to you from him, as he intimated to me, and as many persons who are well acquainted with his affairs assure me. Let us be beforehand with him then, either by going to him, or by writing to him; or rather by first writing and then going; in order that we may not by and by be put to shame by being defeated when it was in our power to secure a victory by being honourably and philosophically beaten, which so many are asking from us. Be persuaded by me then, and come; both on this account and on account of the bad times; for a conspiracy of heretics is assailing the Church; some of them are here now, and are troubling us; and others, rumour says, are coming; and there is reason to fear lest the Word of Truth should be swept away, unless there be stirred up very soon the spirit of a Bezaleel, the wise Master builder of such arguments and dogmas. If you think I ought to go too, to stay with you and travel with you, I will not refuse to do even this.
(We insert here the three letters to Eusebius, which are so closely connected with the above as not to seem out of place.)
(We insert here the three letters to Eusebius, which are so closely connected with the above as not to seem out of place.)