THE
CONFERENCES
OF
JOHN CASSIAN
TRANSLATION AND NOTES BY
EDGAR C. S. GIBSON
CONTENTS.
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CHAPTER I.--Of our stay in Scete,
and that which we proposed to Abbot Moses.
CHAPTER II.--Of the question of
Abbot Moses, who asked what was the goal and what the end of the
monk.
CHAPTER III.--Of our reply.
CHAPTER IV.--Of Abbot Moses'
question on the aforesaid statement.
CHAPTER V.--A comparison with a man
who is trying to hit a mark.
CHAPTER VI.--Of those who in
renouncing the world, aim at perfection without love.
CHAPTER VII.--How peace of mind
should be sought.
CHAPTER VIII.--Of the main effort
towards the contemplation of heavenly things, and an illustration from
the case of Martha and Mary.
CHAPTER IX.--A question how it is
that the practice of virtue cannot remain with a man.
CHAPTER X.--The answer that not
the reward, but the doing of the works will come to an end.
CHAPTER XI.--Of the abiding
character of love.
CHAPTER XII.--A question on
perseverance in spiritual contemplation.
CHAPTER XIII.--The answer
concerning the direction of the heart.
CHAPTER XIV.--Of the continuance
of the soul.
CHAPTER XV.--How we must meditate
on God.
CHAPTER XVI.--A question on the
changing character of the thoughts.
CHAPTER XVII.--The answer what the
mind can, and what it cannot do with regard to the state of its
thoughts.
CHAPTER XVIII.--Comparison of a
soul and a mill-stone.
CHAPTER XIX.--Of the threefold
origin of our thoughts.
CHAPTER XX.--About discerning the
thoughts, with an illustration from a good money changer.
CHAPTER XXI.--Of the illusion of
Abbot John.
CHAPTER XXII.--Of the fourfold
method of discrimination.
CHAPTER XXIII.--Of the discourse
of the teacher in regard to the merits of his hearers.
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CHAPTER I.--Abbot Moses'
introduction on the grace of discretion.
CHAPTER II.--What discretion alone
can give a monk; and a discourse of the blessed Antony on this
subject.
CHAPTER III.--Of the error of Saul
and of Ahab, by which they were deceived through lack of
discretion.
CHAPTER IV.--What is said of the
value of discretion in Holy Scripture.
CHAPTER V.--Of the death of the old
man Heron.
CHAPTER VI.--Of the destruction of
two brethren for lack of discretion.
CHAPTER VII.--Of an illusion into
which another fell for lack of discretion.
CHAPTER VIII.--Of the fall and
deception of a monk of Mesopotamia.
CHAPTER IX.--A question about the
acquirement of discretion.
CHAPTER X.--The answer how true
discretion may be gained.
CHAPTER XI.--The words of Abbot
Serapion on the decline of thoughts that are exposed to others, and
also on the danger of self-confidence.
CHAPTER XII.--A confession of the
modesty which made us ashamed to reveal our thoughts to the
elders.
CHAPTER XIII.--The answer
concerning the trampling down of shame, and the danger of one without
contrition.
CHAPTER XIV.--Of the call of
Samuel.
CHAPTER XV.--Of the call of the
Apostle Paul.
CHAPTER XVI.--How to seek for
discretion.
CHAPTER XVII.--On excessive fasts
and vigils.
CHAPTER XVIII.--A question on the
right measure of abstinence and refreshment.
CHAPTER XIX.--Of the best plan for
our daily food.
CHAPTER XX.--An objection, on the
case of that abstinence, in which a man is sustained by two
biscuits.
CHAPTER XXI.--The answer
concerning the value and measure of well proved abstinence.
CHAPTER XXII.--What is the usual
limit both of abstinence, and of partaking food.
CHAPTER XXIII.--Quemadmodum
abundantia umorem genitalium castigetur.
CHAPTER XXIV.--Of the difficulty
of uniformity in eating, and of the gluttony of Brother Benjamin.
CHAPTER XXV.--A question how it is
possible always to observe one and the same measure.
CHAPTER XXVI.--The answer how we
should not exceed the proper measure of food.
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CHAPTER I.--Of the life and conduct
of Abbot Paphnutius.
CHAPTER II.--Of the discourse of
the same old man, and our reply to it.
CHAPTER III.--The statement of
Abbot Paphnutius on the three kinds of vocations, and the three sorts
of renunciations.
CHAPTER IV.--An explanation of the
three callings.
CHAPTER V.--How the first of these
calls is of no use to a sluggard, and the last is no hindrance to no
one who is in earnest.
CHAPTER VI.--An account of the
three sorts of renunciations.
CHAPTER VII.--How we can attain
perfection in each of these sorts of renunciations.
CHAPTER VIII.--Of our very own
possessions, in which the beauty of the soul is seen or its
foulness.
CHAPTER IX.--Of three sorts of
possessions.
CHAPTER X.--That no one can become
perfect merely through the first grade of renunciation.
CHAPTER XI.--A question on the
free-will of man and the grace of God.
CHAPTER XII.--The answer on the
economy of Divine grace with free-will still remaining in us.
CHAPTER XIII.--That the ordering
of our way comes from God.
CHAPTER XIV.--That knowledge of
the law is given by the guidance and illumination of the Lord.
CHAPTER XV.--That the
understanding, by means of which we can recognize God's commands and
the performance of a good will, are gifts from the Lord.
CHAPTER XVI.--That faith itself
must be given us by the Lord.
CHAPTER XVII.--That temperateness
and the endurance of temptations must be given us by the Lord.
CHAPTER XVIII.--That the continual
fear of God must be bestowed on us by the Lord.
CHAPTER XIX.--That the beginning
of our good-will and its completion come from God.
CHAPTER XX.--That nothing can be
done in this world without God.
CHAPTER XXI.--An objection on the
power of free-will.
CHAPTER XXII.--The answer, viz.,
that our free-will always has need of the help of the Lord.
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CHAPTER I.--Of the life of Abbot
Daniel.
CHAPTER II.--An investigation of
the origin of a sudden change of feeling from inexpressible joy to
extreme dejection of mind.
CHAPTER III.--His answer to the
question raised.
CHAPTER IV.--How there is a
twofold reason for the permission and allowance of God.
CHAPTER V.--How our efforts and
exertions are of no use without God's help.
CHAPTER VI.--How it is sometimes to
our advantage to be left by God.
CHAPTER VII.--Of the value of the
conflicts which the Apostle makes to consist in the struggle between
the flesh and the spirit.
CHAPTER VIII.--A question how it is
that in the Apostle's chapter, after he has spoken of the lusts of the
flesh and spirit opposing one another, he adds a third thing, viz.,
man's will.
CHAPTER IX.--The answer on the
understanding of one who asks rightly.
CHAPTER X.--That the word
"flesh" is not used with one single meaning only.
CHAPTER XI.--What the Apostle
means by flesh in this passage; and what the lust of the flesh is.
CHAPTER XII.--What is our
free-will which stands in between the lust of the flesh and the
spirit.
CHAPTER XIII.--Of the advantage of
the delay which results from the struggle between the flesh and the
spirit.
CHAPTER XIV.--Of the incurable
depravity of spiritual wickedness.
CHAPTER XV.--Of the value of the
lust of the flesh against the spirit in our case.
CHAPTER XVI.--Of the excitement of
the flesh, without the humiliation of which we should fall more
grievously.
CHAPTER XVII.--Of the lukewarmness
of eunuchs.
CHAPTER XVIII.--The question what
is the difference between the carnal and natural man.
CHAPTER XIX.--Answer concerning
the threefold condition of souls.
CHAPTER XX.--Of those who renounce
the world but ill.
CHAPTER XXI.--Of those who having
made light of great things busy themselves about trifles.
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CHAPTER I.--Our arrival at Abbot
Serapion's cell, and inquiry on the different kinds of faults, and the
way to overcome them.
CHAPTER II.--Abbot Serapion's
enumeration of the eight principal faults.
CHAPTER III.--Of the two classes of
faults, and their fourfold manner of acting upon us.
CHAPTER IV.--A review of the
passions of gluttony and fornication, and their remedies.
CHAPTER V.--How our Lord alone was
tempted without sin.
CHAPTER VI.--Of the manner of the
temptation in which our Lord was attacked by the devil.
CHAPTER VII.--How vain-glory and
pride can be consummated without any assistance from the body.
CHAPTER VIII.--Of covetousness,
which is something outside our nature, and of the difference between
it and those faults which are natural to us.
CHAPTER IX.--How dejection and
Accidie generally arise without any external provocation, as in the
case of other faults.
CHAPTER X.--How six of these
faults are related, and the two which differ from them are akin to one
another.
CHAPTER XI.--Of the origin and
character of each of these faults.
CHAPTER XII.--How vain-glory may
be useful to us.
CHAPTER XIII.--Of the different
ways in which all these faults assault us.
CHAPTER XIV.--Of the struggle into
which we must enter against our faults when they attack us.
CHAPTER XV.--How we can do nothing
against our faults without the help of God, and how we should not be
puffed up by victories over them.
CHAPTER XVI.--Of the meaning of
the seven nations of whose lands Israel took possession, and the
reason why they are sometimes spoken of as "seven" and
sometimes as "many".
CHAPTER XVII.--A question with
regard to the comparison of seven nations with eight faults.
CHAPTER XVIII.--The answer how the
number of eight nations is made up in accordance with the eight
faults.
CHAPTER XIX.--The reason why one
nation is to be forsaken, while seven are commanded to be
destroyed.
CHAPTER XX.--Of the nature of
gluttony, which may be illustrated by the simile of the eagle.
CHAPTER XXI.--Of the lasting
character of gluttony as upheld against some philosophers.
CHAPTER XXII.--How it was that God
foretold to Abraham that Israel would have to drive out ten
nations.
CHAPTER XXIII.--How it is useful
for us to take possession of their lands.
CHAPTER XXIV.--How the lands from
which the Canaanites were expelled had been assigned to the seed of
Shem.
CHAPTER XXV.--Different passages
of Scripture on the meaning of the eight faults.
CHAPTER XXVI.--How, when we have
got the better of the passion of gluttony, we must take pains to gain
all the other virtues.
CHAPTER XXVII.--That our battles
are not fought with our faults in the same order as that in which they
stand in the list.
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CHAPTER I.--Description of the
wilderness, and the question about the death of the saints.
CHAPTER II.--Abbot Theodore's
answer to the question proposed to him.
CHAPTER III.--Of the three kinds of
things that there are in the world, viz., good, bad, and
indifferent.
CHAPTER IV.--How evil cannot be
forced on any one by another against his will.
CHAPTER V.--An objection, how God
Himself can be said to create evil.
CHAPTER VI.--The answer to the
question proposed.
CHAPTER VII.--A question whether
the man who causes the death of a good man is guilty, if the good man
is the gainer by his death.
CHAPTER VIII.--The answer to the
foregoing question.
CHAPTER IX.--The case of Job who
was tempted by the devil, and of the Lord who was betrayed by Judas,
and how prosperity as well as adversity is advantageous to a good
man.
CHAPTER X.--Of the excellence of
the perfect man who is figuratively spoken of as ambidextrous.
CHAPTER XI.--Of the two kinds of
trials which come upon us in a threefold way.
CHAPTER XII.--How the upright man
ought to be like a stamp, not of wax, but of hard steel.
CHAPTER XIII.--A question whether
the man can constantly continue in the one and same condition.
CHAPTER XIV.--The answer to the
points raised by the questioner.
CHAPTER XV.--How one loses by
going away from one's cell.
CHAPTER XVI.--How even celestial
powers above are capable of change.
CHAPTER XVII.--That no one is
dashed to the ground by a sudden fall.
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CHAPTER I.--Of the chastity of
Abbot Serenus.
CHAPTER II.--The question of the
aforesaid old man on the state of our thoughts.
CHAPTER III.--Our answer on the
fickle character of our thoughts.
CHAPTER IV.--The discourse of the
old man on the state of the soul and its excellence.
CHAPTER V.--Of the perfection of
the soul, as drawn from the comparison of the centurion in the
Gospel.
CHAPTER VI.--Of perseverance as
regards care of the thoughts.
CHAPTER VII.--A question on the
roving tendency of the mind, and the attacks of spiritual
wickedness.
CHAPTER VIII.--The answer on the
help of God and the power of free-will.
CHAPTER IX.--A question on the
union of the soul with devils.
CHAPTER X.--The answer how unclean
spirits are united with human souls.
CHAPTER XI.--An objection whether
unclean spirits can be present in or united with the souls of those
whom they have filled.
CHAPTER XII.--The answer how it is
that unclean spirits can lord it over the possessed.
CHAPTER XIII.--How spirits cannot
be penetrated by spirits, and how God alone is incorporeal.
CHAPTER XIV.--An objection as to
how we ought to believe that devils see into the thoughts of men.
CHAPTER XV.--The answer, what
devils can, and what they cannot do, in regard to the thoughts of
men.
CHAPTER XVI.--An illustration
showing how we are taught that unclean spirits know the thoughts of
men.
CHAPTER XVII.--Of the fact that
not every devil has the power of suggesting every passion to men.
CHAPTER XVIII.--A question whether
among the devils there is any order observed in the attack, or system
in its changes.
CHAPTER XIX.--The answer, how far
an agreement exists among devils about the attack and its changes.
CHAPTER XX.--Of the fact that
opposite powers are not of the same boldness, and that the occasions
of temptation are not under their own control.
CHAPTER XXI.--Of the fact that
devils struggle with men not without effort on their part.
CHAPTER XXII.--Of the fact that
the power to hurt does not depend upon the will of the devils.
CHAPTER XXIII.--Of the diminished
power of the devils.
CHAPTER XXIV.--Of the way in which
the devils prepare for themselves an entrance into the bodies of those
whom they are going to possess.
CHAPTER XXV.--Of the fact that
those men are more wretched who are possessed by sins than those who
are possessed by devils.
CHAPTER XXVI.--Of the death of the
prophet who was led astray, and of the infirmity of the Abbot Paul,
with which he was visited for the sake of his cleansing.
CHAPTER XXVII.--Of the temptation
of Abbot Moses.
CHAPTER XXVIII.--How we ought not
to despise those who are delivered up to unclean spirits.
CHAPTER XXIX.--An objection,
asking why those who are tormented by unclean spirits are separated
from the Lord's communion.
CHAPTER XXX.--The answer to the
question raised.
CHAPTER XXXI.--Of the fact that
those men are more to be pitied to whom it is not given to be
subjected to those temporal temptations.
CHAPTER XXXII.--Of the different
desires and wishes which exist in the powers of the air.
CHAPTER XXXIII.--A question as to
the origin of such differences in powers of evil in the sky.
CHAPTER XXXIV.--The postponement
of the answer to the question raised.
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CHAPTER I.--Of the hospitality of
Abbot Serenus.
CHAPTER II.--A question propounded
on the different kinds of spiritual wickedness.
CHAPTER III.--The answer on the
many kinds of food provided in Holy Scripture.
CHAPTER IV.--Of the double sense in
which Holy Scripture may be taken.
CHAPTER V.--Of the fact that the
question suggested ought to be included among those things to be held
in a neutral or doubtful way.
CHAPTER VI.--Of the fact that
nothing is created evil by God.
CHAPTER VII.--Of the origin of
principalities or powers.
CHAPTER VIII.--Of the fall of the
devil and the angels.
CHAPTER IX.--An objection stating
that the fall of the devil took its origin from the deception of
Eve.
CHAPTER X.--The answer about the
beginning of the devil's fall.
CHAPTER XI.--The punishment of the
deceiver and the deceived.
CHAPTER XII.--Of the crowd of the
devils, and the disturbance which they always raise in our
atmosphere.
CHAPTER XIII.--Of the fact that
opposing powers turn the attack which they aim at men, even against
each other.
CHAPTER XIV.--How it is that
spiritual wickedness obtained the names of powers or
principalities.
CHAPTER XV.--Of the fact that it
is not without reason that the names of angels and archangels are
given to holy and heavenly powers.
CHAPTER XVI.--Of the subjection of
the devils, which they show to their own princes, as seen in a
brother's vision.
CHAPTER XVII.--Of the fact that
two angels always cling to every man.
CHAPTER XVIII.--Of the degrees of
wickedness which exist in hostile spirits, as shown in the case of two
philosophers.
CHAPTER XIX.--Of the fact that
devils cannot prevail at all against men unless they have first
secured possession of their minds.
CHAPTER XX.--A question about the
fallen angels who are said in Genesis to have had intercourse with the
daughters of men.
CHAPTER XXI.--The answer to the
question raised.
CHAPTER XXII.--An objection as to
how an unlawful intermingling with the daughters of Cain could be
charged against the line of Seth before the prohibition of the
law.
CHAPTER XXIII.--The answer that by
the law of nature men were from the beginning liable to judgment and
punishment.
CHAPTER XXIV.--How this that is
said of the devil in the Gospel is to be understood, viz., that
"he is a liar and his father".
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CHAPTER I.--Introduction to the
Conference.
CHAPTER II.--The words of Abbot
Isaac on the nature of prayer.
CHAPTER III.--How pure and sincere
prayer may be gained.
CHAPTER IV.--Of the lightness of
the soul which may be compared to a wing or feather.
CHAPTER V.--Of the ways in which
our soul is weighed down.
CHAPTER VI.--Of the vision which a
certain elder saw concerning the restless work of a brother.
CHAPTER VII.--A question how it is
that it is harder work to preserve than to originate good
thoughts.
CHAPTER VIII.--The answer on the
different characters of prayer.
CHAPTER IX.--Of the four kinds of
prayer.
CHAPTER X.--Of the order of the
different kinds laid down with regard to the character of prayer.
CHAPTER XI.--Of supplication.
CHAPTER XII.--Of prayer.
CHAPTER XIII.--Of
intercession.
CHAPTER XIV.--Of thanksgiving.
CHAPTER XV.--Whether these four
kinds of prayers are necessary for every one to offer all at once or
separately and in turns.
CHAPTER XVI.--Of the kinds of
prayer to which we ought to direct ourselves.
CHAPTER XVII.--How the four kinds
of supplication were originated by the Lord.
CHAPTER XVIII.--Of the Lord's
Prayer.
CHAPTER XIX.--Of the clause
"Thy kingdom come".
CHAPTER XX.--Of the clause
"Thy will be done".
CHAPTER XXI.--Of our
supersubstantial or daily bread.
CHAPTER XXII.--Of the clause
"Forgive us our debts, etc."
CHAPTER XXIII.--Of the clause
"Lead us not into temptation".
CHAPTER XXIV.--How we ought not to
ask for other things, except only those which are contained in the
limits of the Lord's Prayer.
CHAPTER XXV.--Of the character of
the sublimer prayer.
CHAPTER XXVI.--Of the different
causes of conviction.
CHAPTER XXVII.--Of the different
sorts of conviction.
CHAPTER XXVIII.--A question about
the fact that a plentiful supply of tears is not in our own power.
CHAPTER XXIX.--The answer on the
varieties of conviction which spring from tears.
CHAPTER XXX.--How tears ought not
to be squeezed out, when they do not flow spontaneously.
CHAPTER XXXI.--The opinion of
Abbot Antony on the condition of prayer.
CHAPTER XXXII.--Of the proof of
prayer being heard.
CHAPTER XXXIII.--An objection that
the confidence of being heard as described belongs only to saints.
CHAPTER XXXIV.--The answer on the
different reasons for prayer being heard.
CHAPTER XXXV.--Of prayer to be
offered within the chamber and with the door shut.
CHAPTER XXXVI.--Of the value of
short and silent prayer.
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CHAPTER I.--Introduction.
CHAPTER II.--Of the custom which
is kept up in the Province of Egypt for signifying the time of
Easter.
CHAPTER III.--Of Abbot Sarapion,
and the heresy of the Anthropomorphites, into which he fell in the
error of simplicity.
CHAPTER IV.--Of our return to
Abbot Isaac and question concerning the error into which the aforesaid
old man had fallen.
CHAPTER V.--The answer on the
origin of the heresy described above.
CHAPTER VI.--Of the reasons why
Jesus Christ appears to each one of us either in His humility or in
His glorified condition.
CHAPTER VII.--What constitutes
our end and perfect bliss.
CHAPTER VIII.--A question on the
training in perfection by which we can arrive at perpetual
recollection of God.
CHAPTER IX.--The answer on the
efficacy of understanding which is gained by experience.
CHAPTER X.--Of the method of
continual prayer.
CHAPTER XI.--Of the perfection
of prayer, to which we can rise by the system described.
CHAPTER XII.--A question as to
how spiritual thoughts can be retained without losing them.
CHAPTER XIII.--Of the lightness
of thoughts.
CHAPTER XIV.--The answer how we
can gain stability of hearts or of thoughts.
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CHAPTER I.--Description of the
town of Thennesus.
CHAPTER II.--Of Bishop
Archebius.
CHAPTER III.--Description of the
desert where Chæremon, Nesteros, and Joseph lived.
CHAPTER IV.--Of Abbot
Chæremon and his excuse about the teaching which we asked
for.
CHAPTER V.--Of our answer to his
excuse.
CHAPTER VI.--Abbot
Chæremon's statements that faults can be overcome in three
ways.
CHAPTER VII.--By what steps we
can ascend to the heights of love, and what permanence there is in
it.
CHAPTER VIII.--How greatly those
excel who depart from sin through the feeling of love.
CHAPTER IX.--That love not only
makes sons out of servants, but also bestows the image and likeness of
God.
CHAPTER X.--How it is the
perfection of love to pray for one's enemies, and by what signs we may
recognize a mind that is not yet purified.
CHAPTER XI.--A question why he
has called the feeling of fear and hope imperfect.
CHAPTER XII.--The answer on the
different kinds of perfection.
CHAPTER XIII.--Of the fear which
is the outcome of the greatest love.
CHAPTER XIV.--A question about
complete chastity.
CHAPTER XV.--The postponement of
the explanation which is asked for.
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Omitted in this translation.
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CHAPTER I.--Introduction.
CHAPTER II.--A question why the
merit of good deeds may not be ascribed to the exertions of the man
who does them.
CHAPTER III.--The answer that
without God's help, not only perfect chastity, but good of every kind,
cannot be performed.
CHAPTER IV.--An objection, asking
how the Gentiles can be said to have chastity without the grace of
God.
CHAPTER V.--The answer on the
imaginary chastity of the philosophers.
CHAPTER VI.--That without the
grace of God we cannot make any diligent efforts.
CHAPTER VII.--Of the main purpose
of God, and His daily providence.
CHAPTER VIII.--Of the grace of
God and the freedom of the will.
CHAPTER IX.--Of the power of our
good will, and the grace of God.
CHAPTER X.--On the weakness of
free-will.
CHAPTER XI.--Whether the grace
of God precedes or follows our good will.
CHAPTER XII.--That a good will
should not always be attributed to grace, nor always to man
himself.
CHAPTER XIII.--How human efforts
cannot be set against the grace of God.
CHAPTER XIV.--How God makes
trial of the strength of man's will by means of his temptations.
CHAPTER XV.--Of the manifold
grace of men's calls.
CHAPTER XVI.--Of the grace of
God, to the effect that it transcends the narrow limits of human
faith.
CHAPTER XVII.--Of the
inscrutable providence of God.
CHAPTER XVIII.--The decision of
the Fathers that free-will is not equal to save a man.
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CHAPTER I.--The words of Abbot
Nesteros on the knowledge of the religious.
CHAPTER II.--Of grasping the
knowledge of spiritual things.
CHAPTER III.--How practical
perfection depends on a double system.
CHAPTER IV.--How practical life
is distributed among many different professions and interests.
CHAPTER V.--Of perseverance in
the line that has been chosen.
CHAPTER VI.--How the weak are
easily moved.
CHAPTER VII.--An instance of
chastity which teaches us that all men should not be emulous of all
things.
CHAPTER VIII.--Of spiritual
knowledge.
CHAPTER IX.--How from practical
knowledge we must proceed to spiritual.
CHAPTER X.--How to embrace the
system of true knowledge.
CHAPTER XI.--Of the manifold
meaning of Holy Scripture.
CHAPTER XII.--A question how we
can attain to forgetfulness of the cares of this world.
CHAPTER XIII.--Of the method by
which we can remove the dross from our memory.
CHAPTER XIV.--How an unclean
soul can neither give nor receive spiritual knowledge.
CHAPTER XV.--An objection owing
to the fact that many impure persons have knowledge while saints have
not.
CHAPTER XVI.--The answer to the
effect that bad men cannot possess true knowledge.
CHAPTER XVII.--To whom the
method of perfection shall be laid open.
CHAPTER XVIII.--Of the reasons
for which spiritual learning is unfruitful.
CHAPTER XIX.--How often even
those who are not worthy can receive the grace of the saving word.
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CHAPTER I.--Discourse of Abbot
Nesteros on the threefold system of gifts.
CHAPTER II.--Wherein one ought to
admire the saints.
CHAPTER III.--Of a dead man
raised to life by Abbot Macarius.
CHAPTER IV.--Of the miracle which
Abbot Abraham wrought on the breasts of a woman.
CHAPTER V.--Of the cure of a lame
man which the same saint wrought.
CHAPTER VI.--How the merits of
each man should not be judged by his miracles.
CHAPTER VII.--How the excellence
of gifts consists, not in miracles, but in humility.
CHAPTER VIII.--How it is more
wonderful to have cast out one's faults from one's self than devils
from another.
CHAPTER IX.--How uprightness of
life is of more importance than the working of miracles.
CHAPTER X.--A revelation on the
trial of perfect chastity.
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CHAPTER I.--What Abbot Joseph
asked us in the first instance.
CHAPTER II.--Discourse of the
same elder on the untrustworthy sort of friendship.
CHAPTER III.--How friendship is
indissoluble.
CHAPTER IV.--A question whether
anything that is really useful should be performed even against a
brother's wish.
CHAPTER V.--The answer, how a
lasting friendship can only exist among those who are perfect.
CHAPTER VI.--By what means union
can be preserved unbroken.
CHAPTER VII.--How nothing should
be put before love or after anger.
CHAPTER VIII.--On what grounds a
dispute can arise among spiritual persons.
CHAPTER IX.--How to get rid even
of spiritual grounds of discord.
CHAPTER X.--Of the best test of
truth.
CHAPTER XI.--How it is
impossible for one who trusts in his own judgment to escape being
deceived by the devil's illusion.
CHAPTER XII.--Why inferiors
should not be despised in conference.
CHAPTER XIII.--How love does not
only belong to God, but is God.
CHAPTER XIV.--Of the different
grades of love.
CHAPTER XV.--Of those who only
increase their own or their brother's grievances by hiding them.
CHAPTER XVI.--How it is that if
our brother has any grudge against us, the gifts of our prayers are
rejected by the Lord.
CHAPTER XVII.--Of those who hold
that patience should be shown to worldly people rather than to the
brethren.
CHAPTER XVIII.--Of those who
pretend to patience, but excite their brethren to anger by their
silence.
CHAPTER XIX.--Of those who fast
out of rage.
CHAPTER XX.--Of the feigned
patience of some who offer the other cheek to be smitten.
CHAPTER XXI.--A question how if
we obey the commands of Christ we can fail of evangelical
perfection.
CHAPTER XXII.--The answer that
Christ looks not only at the action, but also at the will.
CHAPTER XXIII.--How he is the
strong and vigorous man, who yields to the will of another.
CHAPTER XXIV.--How the weak are
harmful and cannot bear wrongs.
CHAPTER XXV.--A question how he
can be strong who does not always support the weak.
CHAPTER XXVI.--The answer that
the weak does not always allow himself to be borne.
CHAPTER XXVII.--How anger should
be repressed.
CHAPTER XXVIII.--How friendships
entered upon by conspiracy cannot be lasting ones.
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CHAPTER I.--Of the vigils which
we endured.
CHAPTER II.--Of the anxiety of
Abbot Germanus at the recollection of our promise.
CHAPTER III.--My ideas on this
subject.
CHAPTER IV.--Abbot Joseph's
question, and our answer on the origin of our anxiety.
CHAPTER V.--The explanation of
Abbot Germanus why we wanted to stay in Egypt, and were drawn back to
Syria.
CHAPTER VI.--Abbot Joseph's
question whether we got more good in Egypt than in Syria.
CHAPTER VII.--The answer on the
difference of customs in the two countries.
CHAPTER VIII.--How those who are
perfect ought not to make any promises absolutely, and whether
decisions can be reversed without sin.
CHAPTER IX.--How it is often
better to break one's engagements than to fulfil them.
CHAPTER X.--Our question about
our fear of the oath which we gave in the monastery in Syria.
CHAPTER XI.--The answer that we
must take into account the purpose of the doer rather than the
execution of the business.
CHAPTER XII.--How a fortunate
issue will be of no avail to evil-doers, while bad deeds will not
injure good men.
CHAPTER XIII.--Our answer as to
the reason which demanded an oath from us.
CHAPTER XIV.--The discourse of
the elder, showing how the plan of action may be changed without fault
provided that one keeps to the carrying-out of a good intention.
CHAPTER XV.--A question whether
it can be without sin that our knowledge affords to weak brethren an
opportunity for lying.
CHAPTER XVI.--The answer that
Scripture truth is not to be altered on account of an offence given to
the weak.
CHAPTER XVII.--How the saints
have profitably employed a lie like hellebore.
CHAPTER XVIII.--An objection
that only those men employed lies with impunity who lived under the
law.
CHAPTER XIX.--The answer that
leave to lie, which was not even granted under the old Covenant, has
rightly been taken by many.
CHAPTER XX.--How even Apostles
thought that a lie was often useful, and the truth injurious.
CHAPTER XXI.--Whether secret
abstinence ought to be made known, without telling a lie about it, to
those who ask, and whether what has once been declined may be taken in
hand.
CHAPTER XXII.--An objection that
abstinence ought to be concealed, but that things that have been
declined should not be received.
CHAPTER XXIII.--The answer that
obstinacy in this decision is unreasonable.
CHAPTER XXIV.--How Abbot Piamun
chose to hide his abstinence.
CHAPTER XXV.--The evidence of
Scripture on changes of determination.
CHAPTER XXVI.--How saintly men
cannot be hard and obstinate.
CHAPTER XXVII.--A question
whether the saying, "I have sworn and am purposed," is
opposed to the view given above.
CHAPTER XXVIII.--The answer
telling in what cases the determination is to be kept fixedly, and in
what cases it may be broken if need be.
CHAPTER XXIX.--How we ought to
do those things which are to be kept secret.
CHAPTER XXX.--That no
determination should be made on those things which concern the needs
of the common life.
---------------
---------------
CHAPTER I.--How we came to
Diolcos and were received by Abbot Piamun.
CHAPTER II.--The words of Abbot
Piamun, how monks who were novices ought to be taught by the example
of their elders.
CHAPTER III.--How the juniors
ought not to discuss the orders of the seniors.
CHAPTER IV.--Of the three sorts
of monks which there are in Egypt.
CHAPTER V.--Of the founders who
originated the order of Coenobites.
CHAPTER VI.--Of the system of the
Anchorites and its beginning.
CHAPTER VII.--Of the origin of
the Sarabaites, and their mode of life.
CHAPTER VIII.--Of a fourth sort
of monks.
CHAPTER IX.--A question as to
what is the difference between a Coenobium and a monastery.
CHAPTER X.--The answer.
CHAPTER XI.--Of true humility;
and how Abbot Serapion exposed the mock humility of a certain man.
CHAPTER XII.--A question how
true patience can be gained.
CHAPTER XIII.--The answer.
CHAPTER XIV.--Of the example of
patience given by a certain religious woman.
CHAPTER XV.--Of the example of
patience given by Abbot Paphnutius.
CHAPTER XVI.--Of the perfection
of patience.
---------------
CHAPTER I.--Of the Coenobium of
Abbot Paul, and the patience of a certain brother.
CHAPTER II.--Of Abbot John's
humility, and our question.
CHAPTER III.--Abbot John's answer
why he had left the desert.
CHAPTER IV.--Of the excellence
which the aforesaid old man showed in the system of the
Anchorites.
CHAPTER V.--Of the advantages of
the desert.
CHAPTER VI.--Of the conveniences
of the Coenobium.
CHAPTER VII.--A question on the
fruits of the Coenobium and the desert.
CHAPTER VIII.--The answer to the
question proposed.
CHAPTER IX.--Of true and complete
perfection.
CHAPTER X.--Of those who while
still imperfect retire into the desert.
CHAPTER XI.--A question how to
cure those who have hastily left the congregation of the
Coenobium.
CHAPTER XII.--The answer telling
how a solitary can discover his faults.
CHAPTER XIII.--A question how a
man can be cured who has entered on solitude without having his faults
eradicated.
CHAPTER XIV.--The answer on
their remedies.
CHAPTER XV.--A question whether
chastity ought to be ascertained just as the other feelings.
CHAPTER XVI.--The answer, giving
the proofs by which it can be recognized.
---------------
CHAPTER I.--Of the humility of
Abbot Pinufius, and of his hiding-place.
CHAPTER II.--Of our coming to
him.
CHAPTER III.--A question on the
end of penitence and the marks of satisfaction.
CHAPTER IV.--The answer on the
humility shown by our request.
CHAPTER V.--Of the method of
penitence and the proof of pardon.
CHAPTER VI.--A question whether
our sins ought to be remembered out of contrition of heart.
CHAPTER VII.--The answer showing
how far we ought to preserve the recollection of previous actions.
CHAPTER VIII.--Of the various
fruits of penitence.
CHAPTER IX.--How valuable to the
perfect is the forgetfulness of sin.
CHAPTER X.--How the recollection
of our sin should be avoided.
CHAPTER XI.--Of the marks of
satisfaction, and the removal of past sins.
CHAPTER XII.--Wherein we must do
penance for a time only, and wherein it can have no end.
---------------
CHAPTER I.--How Theonas came to
Abbot John.
CHAPTER II.--The exhortation of
Abbot John to Theonas, and the others who had come together with
him.
CHAPTER III.--Of the offering of
tithes and first-fruits.
CHAPTER IV.--How Abraham, David,
and other saints went beyond the requirements of the law.
CHAPTER V.--How those who live
under the grace of the Gospel ought to go beyond the requirements of
the law.
CHAPTER VI.--How the grace of the
Gospel supports the weak so that they can obtain pardon, as it secures
to the perfect the kingdom of God.
CHAPTER VII.--How it lies in our
own power to choose whether to remain under the grace of the Gospel,
or under the terror of the law.
CHAPTER VIII.--How Theonas
exhorted his wife that she too should make her renunciation.
CHAPTER IX.--How he fled to a
monastery when his wife would not consent.
CHAPTER X.--An explanation that
we may not appear to recommend separation from wives.
CHAPTER XI.--An inquiry why in
Egypt they do not fast during all the fifty days (of Easter), nor bend
their knees in prayer.
CHAPTER XII.--The answer on the
nature of things good, bad, and indifferent.
CHAPTER XIII.--What kind of good
fasting is.
CHAPTER XIV.--How fasting is not
good in its own nature.
CHAPTER XV.--How a thing that is
good in its own nature ought not to be done for the sake of some
lesser good.
CHAPTER XVI.--How what is good
in its own nature can be distinguished from other things that are
good.
CHAPTER XVII.--Of the reason for
fasting and its value.
CHAPTER XVIII.--How fasting is
not always suitable.
CHAPTER XIX.--A question why we
break the fast all through Eastertide.
CHAPTER XX.--The answer.
CHAPTER XXI.--A question whether
the relaxation of the fast is not prejudicial to the chastity of the
body.
CHAPTER XXII.--The answer on the
way to keep control over abstinence.
CHAPTER XXIII.--Of the time and
measure of refreshment.
CHAPTER XXIV.--A question on the
different ways of keeping Lent.
CHAPTER XXV.--The answer to the
effect that the fast of Lent has reference to the tithe of the
year.
CHAPTER XXVI.--How we ought also
to offer our firstfruits to the Lord.
CHAPTER XXVII.--Why Lent is kept
by many with a different number of days.
CHAPTER XXVIII.--Why it is called
Quadragesima, when the fast is only kept for thirty-six days.
CHAPTER XXIX.--How those who are
perfect go beyond the fixed rule of Lent.
CHAPTER XXX.--Of the origin and
beginning of Lent.
CHAPTER XXXI.--A question how we
ought to understand the Apostle's words: "Sin shall not have
dominion over you".
CHAPTER XXXII.--The answer on
the difference between grace and the commands of the law.
CHAPTER XXXIII.--Of the fact
that the precepts of the Gospel are milder than those of the law.
CHAPTER XXXIV.--How a man can be
shown to be under grace.
CHAPTER XXXV.--A question why
some times, when we are fasting more strictly than usual, we are
troubled by carnal desires more keenly than usual.
CHAPTER XXXVI.--The answer
telling that this question should be reserved for a future
conference.
---------------
Omitted in this translation.
---------------
CHAPTER I.--Discourse of Abbot
Theonas on the Apostle's words: "For I do not the good that I
would".
CHAPTER II.--How the Apostle
completed many good actions.
CHAPTER III.--What is the really
good which the Apostle testifies that he could not perform.
CHAPTER IV.--How man's goodness
and righteousness are not good if compared with the goodness and
righteousness of God.
CHAPTER V.--How no one can be
continually intent upon that highest good.
CHAPTER VI.--How those who think
that they are without sin are like purblind people.
CHAPTER VII.--How those who
maintain that a man can be without sin are charged with a twofold
error.
CHAPTER VIII.--How it is given to
but few to understand what sin is.
CHAPTER IX.--Of the care with
which a monk should preserve the recollection of God.
CHAPTER X.--How those who are on
the way to perfection are truly humble, and feel that they always
stand in need of God's grace.
CHAPTER XI.--Explanation of the
phrase: "For I delight in the law of God after the inner man,
etc."
CHAPTER XII.--Of this also:
"But we know that the law is spiritual, etc."
CHAPTER XIII.--Of this also:
"But I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good
thing".
CHAPTER XIV.--An objection that
the saying, "For I do not the good that I would, etc.,"
applies to the persons neither of unbelievers nor of saints.
CHAPTER XV.--The answer to the
objection raised.
CHAPTER XVI.--What is the body
of sin.
CHAPTER XVII.--How all the
saints have confessed with truth that they were unclean and
sinful.
CHAPTER XVIII.--That even good
and holy men are not without sin.
CHAPTER XIX.--How even in the
hour of prayer it is almost impossible to avoid sin.
CHAPTER XX.--From whom we can
learn the destruction of sin, and perfection of goodness.
CHAPTER XXI.--That, although we
acknowledge that we cannot be without sin, yet still we ought not to
suspend ourselves from the Lord's Communion.
---------------
CHAPTER I.--How we laid bare the
secrets of our thoughts to Abbot Abraham.
CHAPTER II.--How the old man
exposed our errors.
CHAPTER III.--Of the character of
the districts which Anchorites ought to seek.
CHAPTER IV.--What sorts of work
should be chosen by Solitaries.
CHAPTER V.--That anxiety of heart
is made worse rather than better by restlessness of body.
CHAPTER VI.--A comparison showing how
a monk ought to keep guard over his thoughts.
CHAPTER VII.--A question why the
neighbourhood of our kinsfolk is considered to interfere with us,
whereas it does not interfere in the case of those living in
Egypt.
CHAPTER VIII.--The answer that
all things are not suitable for all men.
CHAPTER IX.--That those need not
fear the neighbourhood of their kinsfolk, who can emulate the
mortification of Abbot Apollos.
CHAPTER X.--A question whether
it is bad for a monk to have his wants supplied by his kinsfolk.
CHAPTER XI.--The answer stating
what Saint Antony laid down on this matter.
CHAPTER XII.--Of the value of
work, and the harm of idleness.
CHAPTER XIII.--A story of a
barber's payments, introduced for the sake of recognizing the devil's
illusions.
CHAPTER XIV.--A question how
such wrong notions can creep into us.
CHAPTER XV.--The answer on the
threefold movement of the soul.
CHAPTER XVI.--That the rational
part of our soul is corrupt.
CHAPTER XVII.--How the weaker
part of the soul is the first to yield to the devil's temptations.
CHAPTER XVIII.--A question
whether we should be drawn back to our country by a proper desire for
greater silence.
CHAPTER XIX.--The answer on the
devil's illusion, because he promises us the peace of a vaster
solitude.
CHAPTER XX.--How useful is
relaxation on the arrival of brethren.
CHAPTER XXI.--How the Evangelist
John is said to have shown the value of relaxation.
CHAPTER XXII.--A question how we
ought to understand what the Gospel says: "My yoke is easy, and
my burden is light".
CHAPTER XXIII.--The answer, with
the explanation of the saying.
CHAPTER XXIV.--Why the Lord's
yoke is felt grievous and His burden heavy.
CHAPTER XXV.--Of the good which
an attack of temptations brings about.
CHAPTER XXVI.--How the promise
of an hundredfold in this life is made to those whose renunciation is
perfect.
---------------
NOTES
Notes for Book 1.
Notes for Book 2.
Notes for Book 3.
Text version:
Contents. [42K].
Book 1.
Preface. [6K].
Conference 1. [64K].
Conference 2. [56K].
Conference 3. [57K].
Conference 4. [44K].
Conference 5. [61K].
Conference 6. [49K].
Conference 7. [67K].
Conference 8. [59K].
Conference 9. [67K].
Conference 10. [45K].
Book 2.
Preface. [3K].
Conference 11. [37K].
Conference 12. [1K].
Conference 13. [64K].
Conference 14. [52K].
Conference 15. [22K].
Conference 16. [49K].
Conference 17. [68K].
Book 3.
Preface. [3K].
Conference 18. [53K].
Conference 19. [36K].
Conference 20. [30K].
Conference 21. [82K].
Conference 22. [1K].
Conference 23. [62K].
Conference 24. [72K].
John Cassian Index
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