Letter 170
Late Antiquity Basil of Caesarea Greek- To Glycerius
How long will you be senseless, and counsel ill for yourself, and trouble me, and shame the common order of the monks? Return, then, with confidence in God and in me, whose love for mankind we imitate. For though we rebuked you as a father, we will also pardon you as a father. This comes to you from me, since many others entreat me, and before the others your own presbyter, whose grey hairs and tender heart I respect. But if you keep yourself far from me, you have wholly fallen from your rank, and you will fall also from God, together with your followers and with the garb in which you lead the young women — not to God, but into a pit.