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Correspondence (1716–1725)
Eastern Patriarchs and the Nonjurors, ed. Williams, 1868
3. No. 3: The Archbishop of Thebais to the Nonjurors
Copy of a Letter of the Archbishop of Thebais in Egypt, by whom the first Proposals from Britain were transmitted to the Eastern Patriarchs.
To the Most Venerable and Wise Bishops, Mr Campbell, and the rest, and to the Reverend Priests and beloved Laicks and all worthy Christians, Arsenius, Metropolitan of Thebais, wisheth prosperity.
Having had many and frequent opportunities of writing to your Sanctities, I have thought fit in a few Words to give you the Reasons why I have not made use of them; for I would not, my Brethren, incur the Censure of neglect of being deficient in that Love and Charity which is due to you: for it is not fit the Affection I bear you should be forgotten, which is wholly fixt and rooted in my soul. Wherefore I seemed to enjoy the Conversation of him that was silent, and the Presence of the absent. But, my Brethren, considering the Doubtfulness and uncertainty, nay the arduousness of our Affair, I rather chose to be silent than to give you an imperfect Account, and feed you up with Hopes which I myself do not know the event of. Indeed the Patriarchs did not send an Answer sooner, which was not owing to Contempt, but to their being taken up in a Synodical Examination of it, as they informed me by Letter; but as for the Council, tho’ they have and do give me good hopes concerning your Demands, yet the Difficulties of the present Time make it not so easy to bring the Matter to a Conclusion so soon as you and we could wish. I therefore thought fit to defer what relates to this to another Opportunity, and to send you immediately the answers of the Patriarchs by James the Reverend Patriarchal Protocyncellus, who is the Person that carryed your Questions to the Patriarchs, and brought back their Answers. Receive therefore both them and him, my beloved, cheerfully: Receive them with that Love and Inclination which you expressed towards me when present, and both shewed in Words and confirmed in Actions. For I will not speak of the Difficultys I have endured for you: I say I will not mention my labour so as I can reap the Fruit of your Harmony and Agreement with us. When therefore you have received the Answers, and given them a charitable Reading, send us your Opinion, which we both pray and hope will be right. And if you desire Condescention in some particulars, not prejudicial to the Faith, this also will be allowed by our Mother, and those who preside in Her; and as for what remains I shall use all my Endeavours both by Word and Deed to perfect it; and will neither suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eye-lids to slumber till I see this Matter brought to a Conclusion. Receive the Reverend Protocyncellus in the best manner you can, and treat his Labours with the same Beneficence, both of Word and Action, you have formerly shewn to us. Farewell.
From Petersburgh, 1721, August 16th.
The second Decade of the month Μεταγειτνιῶν.
Arsenius the humble Metropolitan of Thebais, and your Brother in Christ.