86 (179). To an Official
SAINT BASIL
Should the Lord bring a swift retribution upon the perjurers, the collectors will have none to answer their summons, since the farmers will have been destroyed by divine vengeance. And, if the Master in His patience endures (and, as I previously said, those who have experienced the forbearance of the Lord often despise His goodness), let them not violate the law to no purpose,2 nor provoke the wrath of God against themselves. We have said what our duty lays on us; the disobedient will see to the consequence.
86. To an Officiall I know that the greatest and principal care of your Honor is to comply in every way with the demands of justice, and the second, to benefit your friends and to exert yourself for those who have fled to your Lordship's protection. In this, therefore, we are in complete agreement on the present occasion. Now, the matter for which we are making intercession is just and a favor to us whom you have deigned to count among your friends, and is also the due of those who call on your Firmness2 for assistance in the injuries which they have suffered.
Now, the grain, which was the only thing our most beloved brother Dorotheus possessed for the necessary sustenance of life, has been seized by some men of Brisi who were trusted to administer public affairs. Whether they used violence of themselves or were en joined by others to do so, they are in no way blameless in the affair. For, why does he who is wick2 I.e., they will not escape their taxes even if they swear to their inability to pay them.
I This letter was written in the same year as the preceding.
2 SteTTotettz---a title of address used by St. Basil for laymen only.