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Shorter Rules
St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925
Rule 303: Ought One in the Brotherhood to Obey What is Said by Every One?
The answer to this question is fraught with considerable difficulty. In the first place the question indicates disorder when it mentions things said by every one, for the apostle says: Let the prophets speak by twos and threes and let the others discern.”1 And the same writer in dividing gifts has assigned the proper rank of each of the speakers, when he says: According as God hath dealt a measure of faith”’2; and by his example of the members of the body he shows clearly that the part of the speaker is apportioned, and he distinguishes more exactly when he says: ‘“He that teacheth to his teaching; and he that exhorteth to his exhortation, etc.”3 So that it is plain from this that all things have not been entrusted to all men but each should remain in his own calling and do carefully what has been entrusted to him by the Lord. It is necessary then that he who is over the community and gives orders to all should after strict testing be entrusted with this care and should watch over each man anxiously, as is meet, In order that he may lay down rules and issue commands for the common good in a manner well pleasing to God, due regard being paid to the abilities and strength of each. But his subjects—discipline being preserved and subjection recognising the limits imposed upon it—must remember the Lord’s words: * My sheep hear my voice; and I know them and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life”’4; and His previous words: * And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers”5; and the apostle’s words too: “If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is puffed up, knowing nothing.”6 Then after enumerating the consequences he added: “Flee such things.”7 And elsewhere again: “Despise not prophesyings; prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”8 So that if any thing is said according to the commandment of the Lord, or is directed towards the commandment of the Lord, we must obey, though it should seem to involve death; but if anything is contrary to the commandment or injures the commandment, though an angel from heaven or one of the apostles enjoins it, whether it promises life or threatens death, we must in no wise listen to it, for the apostle said: But though we ourselves, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we received, let him be anathema.’9
Notes
- 1 Cor. xiv. 29.
- Rom. xii. 3.
- Rom. xii. 7; 8.
- Jn. x. 27; 28.
- Jn. x. 5.
- 1 Tim. vi. 3; 4.
- 1 Tim. vi. 5†.
- 1 Thess. v. 20–22.
- Gal. i. 8 add αὐτοί**.