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Fathers Of The Church, Catholic Edition

Sulpitius Severus, Vincent of Lerins, John Cassian

SULPITIUS SEVERUS, VINCENT OF LERINS, JOHN CASSIAN

NICENE AND POST-NICENE CHURCH FATHERS: SECOND SERIES: VOLUME XI. SULPITIUS SEVERUS, VINCENT OF LERINS, JOHN CASSIAN.

A SELECT LIBRARY OF THE NICENE AND POST-NICENE FATHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.




THE WORKS OF SULPITIUS SEVERUS

Life and Writings of Sulpitius Severus

On the Life of St. Martin

The Letters of Sulpitius Severus

Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus

The Doubtful Letters Of Sulpitius Severus

The Sacred History Of Sulpitius Severus

The Commonitory Of Vincent Of Lerins, For The Antiquity And Universality Of The Catholic Faith Against The Profane Novelties Of All Heresies

THE WORKS OF SAINT JOHN CASSIAN

Prolegomena

The Twelve Books of St. John Cassian on the Institutes of the Coenobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults

The Conferences of St. John Cassian

The Seven Books Of St. John Cassian On The Incarnation Of The Lord, Against Nestorius






THE WORKS OF SULPITIUS SEVERUS

Life and Writings of Sulpitius Severus

On the Life of St. Martin

Preface to Desiderius

Chapter I
Reasons for writing the Life of St. Martin

Chapter II
Military Service of St. Martin

Chapter III
Christ appears to St. Martin

Chapter IV
Martin retires from Military Service

Chapter V
Martin converts a Robber to the Faith

Chapter VI
The Devil throws himself in the Way of Martin

Chapter VII
Martin restores a Catechumen to Life

Chapter VIII
Martin restores one that had been strangled

Chapter IX
High Esteem in which Martin was held

Chapter X
Martin as Bishop of Tours

Chapter XI
Martin demolishes an Altar consecrated to a Robber

Chapter XII
Martin causes the Bearers of a Dead Body to stop

Chapter XIII
Martin escapes from a Falling Pine-tree

Chapter XIV
Martin destroys Heathen Temples and Altars

Chapter XV
Martin offers his Neck to an Assassin

Chapter XVI
Cures effected by St. Martin

Chapter XVII
Martin casts out Several Devils

Chapter XVIII
Martin performs Various Miracles

Chapter XIX
A Letter of Martin effects a Cure, with Other Miracles

Chapter XX
How Martin acted towards the Emperor Maximus

Chapter XXI
Martin has to do both with Angels and Devils

Chapter XXII
Martin preaches Repentance even to the Devil

Chapter XXIII
A Case of Diabolic Deception

Chapter XXIV
Martin is tempted by the Wiles of the Devil

Chapter XXV
Intercourse of Sulpitius with Martin

Chapter XXVI
Words cannot describe the Excellences of Martin

Chapter XXVII
Wonderful Piety of Martin

The Letters of Sulpitius Severus

Letter I. To Eusebius

Letter II. To the Deacon Aurelius

Letter III. To Bassula, His Mother-In-Law

Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus

Dialogue I
Concerning the Virtues of the Monks of the East

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

Chapter XXI

Chapter XXII

Chapter XXIII

Chapter XXIV

Chapter XXV

Chapter XXVI

Chapter XXVII

Dialogue II
Concerning the Virtues of St. Martin

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Dialogue III
The Virtues of Martin Continued

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

The Doubtful Letters Of Sulpitius Severus

Letter I
A Letter of the Holy Presbyter Severus to His Sister Claudia Concerning the Last Judgment

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Letter II
A Letter of Sulpitius Severus to His Sister Claudia Concerning Virginity

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

Letter III
A Letter of Severus to Holy Paul the Bishop

Letter IV
To the Same, on His Wisdom and Gentleness

Letter V
To an Unknown Person, Entreating Him to Deal Gently with His Brother

Letter VI
To Salvius: a Complaint that the Country People Were Harassed, and Their Possessions Plundered

Letter VII
To an Unknown Person, Begging the Favor of a Letter

The Sacred History Of Sulpitius Severus

Book I

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

Chapter XXI

Chapter XXII

Chapter XXIII

Chapter XXIV

Chapter XXV

Chapter XXVI

Chapter XXVII

Chapter XXVIII

Chapter XXIX

Chapter XXX

Chapter XXXI

Chapter XXXII

Chapter XXXIII

Chapter XXXIV

Chapter XXXV

Chapter XXXVI

Chapter XXXVII

Chapter XXXVIII

Chapter XXXIX

Chapter XL

Chapter XLI

Chapter XLII

Chapter XLIII

Chapter XLIV

Chapter XLV

Chapter XLVI

Chapter XLVII

Chapter XLVIII

Chapter XLIX

Chapter L

Chapter LI

Chapter LII

Chapter LIII

Chapter LIV

Book II

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

Chapter XXI

Chapter XXII

Chapter XXIII

Chapter XXIV

Chapter XXV

Chapter XXVI

Chapter XXVII

Chapter XXVIII

Chapter XXIX

Chapter XXX

Chapter XXXI

Chapter XXXII

Chapter XXXIII

Chapter XXXIV

Chapter XXXV

Chapter XXXVI

Chapter XXXVII

Chapter XXXVIII

Chapter XXXIX

Chapter XL

Chapter XLI

Chapter XLII

Chapter XLIII

Chapter XLIV

Chapter XLV

Chapter XLVI

Chapter XLVII

Chapter XLVIII

Chapter XLIX

Chapter L

Chapter LI

The Commonitory Of Vincent Of Lerins, For The Antiquity And Universality Of The Catholic Faith Against The Profane Novelties Of All Heresies

Chapter I
The Object of the Following Treatise

Chapter II
A General Rule for distinguishing the Truth of the Catholic Faith from the Falsehood of Heretical Pravity

Chapter III
What is to be done if one or more dissent from the rest

Chapter IV
The evil resulting from the bringing in of Novel Doctrine shown in the instances of the Donatists and Arians

Chapter V
The Example set us by the Martyrs, whom no force could hinder from defending the Faith of their Predecessors

Chapter VI
The example of Pope Stephen in resisting the Iteration of Baptism

Chapter VII
How Heretics, craftily cite obscure passages in ancient writers in support of their own novelties

Chapter VIII
Exposition of St. Paul’s Words, Gal. i. 8

Chapter IX
His warning to the Galatians a warning to all

Chapter X
Why Eminent Men are permitted by God to become Authors of Novelties in the Church

Chapter XI
Examples from Church History, confirming the words of Moses,—Nestorius, Photinus, Apollinaris

Chapter XII
A fuller account of the Errors of Photinus, Apollinaris and Nestorius

Chapter XIII
The Catholic Doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation explained

Chapter XIV
Jesus Christ Man in Truth, not in Semblance

Chapter XV
The Union of the Divine with the Human Nature took place in the very Conception of the Virgin. The appellation “The Mother of God.”

Chapter XVI
Recapitulation of what was said of the Catholic Faith and of divers Heresies, Chapters xi-xv

Chapter XVII
The Error of Origen a great Trial to the Church

Chapter XVIII
Tertullian a great Trial to the Church

Chapter XIX
What we ought to learn from these Examples

Chapter XX
The Notes of a true Catholic

Chapter XXI
Exposition of St. Paul’s Words.—1 Tim. vi. 20

Chapter XXII
A more particular Exposition of 1 Tim. vi. 20

Chapter XXIII
On Development in Religious Knowledge

Chapter XXIV
Continuation of the Exposition of 1 Tim. vi. 20

Chapter XXV
Heretics appeal to Scripture that they may more easily succeed in deceiving

Chapter XXVI
Heretics, in quoting Scripture, follow the example of the Devil

Chapter XXVII
What Rule is to be observed in the Interpretation of Scripture

Chapter XXVIII
In what Way, on collating the consentient opinions of the Ancient Masters, the Novelties of Heretics may be detected and condemned

Chapter XXIX
Recapitulation

Chapter XXX
The Council of Ephesus

Chapter XXXI
The Constancy of the Ephesine Fathers in driving away Novelty and maintaining Antiquity

Chapter XXXII
The zeal of Celestine and Sixtus, bishops of Rome, in opposing Novelty

Chapter XXXIII
The Children of the Catholic Church ought to adhere to the Faith of their Fathers and die for it

Appendix I

Appendix II

Appendix III

THE WORKS OF SAINT JOHN CASSIAN

Prolegomena

The Life of Cassian

Preface

The Twelve Books of St.John Cassian on the Institutes of the Coenobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults

Book I
Of the Dress of the Monks

Chapter I
Of the Monk’s Girdle

Chapter II
Of the Monk’s Robe

Chapter III
Of the Hoods of the Egyptians

Chapter IV
Of the Tunics of the Egyptians

Chapter V
Of their Cords

Chapter VI
Of their Capes

Chapter VII
Of the Sheepskin and the Goatskin

Chapter VIII
Of the Staff of the Egyptians

Chapter IX
Of their Shoes

Chapter X
Of the modification in the observances which may be permitted in accordance with the character of the climate or the custom of the district

Chapter XI
Of the Spiritual Girdle and its Mystical Meaning

Book II
Of the Canonical System of the Nocturnal Prayers and Psalms

Chapter I
Of the Canonical System of the Nocturnal Prayers and Psalms

Chapter II
Of the difference of the number of Psalms appointed to be sung in all the provinces

Chapter III
Of the observance of one uniform rule throughout the whole of Egypt, and of the election of those who are set over the brethren

Chapter IV
How throughout the whole of Egypt and the Thebaid the number of Psalms is fixed at twelve

Chapter V
How the fact that the number of the Psalms was to be twelve was received from the teaching of an angel

Chapter VI
Of the Custom of having Twelve Prayers

Chapter VII
Of their Method of Praying

Chapter VIII
Of the Prayer which follows the Psalm

Chapter IX
Of the characteristics of the prayer, the fuller treatment of which is reserved for the Conferences of the Elders

Chapter X
Of the silence and conciseness with which the Collects are offered up by the Egyptians

Chapter XI
Of the system according to which the Psalms are said among the Egyptians

Chapter XII
Of the reason why while one sings the Psalms the rest sit down during the service; and of the zeal with which they afterwards prolong their vigils in their cells till daybreak

Chapter XIII
The reason why they are not allowed to go to sleep after the night service

Chapter XIV
Of the way in which they devote themselves in their cells equally to manual labour and to prayer

Chapter XV
Of the discreet rule by which every one must retire to his cell after the close of the prayers; and of the rebuke to which any one who does otherwise is subject

Chapter XVI
How no one is allowed to pray with one who has been suspended from prayer

Chapter XVII
How he who rouses them for prayer ought to call them at the usual time

Chapter XVIII
How they do not kneel from the evening of Saturday till the evening of Sunday

Book III
Of the Canonical System of the Daily Prayers and Psalms

Chapter I
Of the services of the third, sixth, and ninth hours, which are observed in the regions of Syria

Chapter II
How among the Egyptians they apply themselves all day long to prayer and Psalm continually, with the addition of work, without distinction of hours

Chapter III
How throughout all the East the services of Tierce, Sext, and None are ended with only three Psalms and prayers each; and the reason why these spiritual offices are assigned more particularly to those hours

Chapter IV
How the Mattin office was not appointed by an ancient tradition but was started in our own day for a definite reason

Chapter V
How they ought not to go back to bed again after the Mattin prayers

Chapter VI
How no change was made by the Elders in the ancient system of Psalms when the Mattin office was instituted

Chapter VII
How one who does not come to the daily prayer before the end of the first Psalm is not allowed to enter the Oratory; but at Nocturnes a late arrival up to the end of the second Psalm can be overlooked

Chapter VIII
Of the Vigil service which is celebrated on the evening preceding the Sabbath; of its length, and the manner in which it is observed

Chapter IX
The reason why a Vigil is appointed as the Sabbath day dawns, and why a dispensation from fasting is enjoyed on the Sabbath all through the East

Chapter X
How it was brought about that they fast on the Sabbath in the city

Chapter XI
Of the points in which the service held on Sunday differs from what is customary on other days

Chapter XII
Of the days on which, when supper is provided for the brethren, a Psalm is not said as they assemble for the meals as is usual at dinner

Book IV
Of the Institutes of the Renunciants

Chapter I
Of the training of those who renounce this world, and of the way in which those are taught among the monks of Tabenna and the Egyptians who are received into the monasteries

Chapter II
Of the way in which among them men remain in the monasteries even to extreme old age

Chapter III
Of the ordeal by which one who is to be received in the monastery is tested

Chapter IV
The reason why those who are received in the monastery are not allowed to bring anything in with them

Chapter V
The reason why those who give up the world, when they are received in the monasteries, must lay aside their own clothes and be clothed in others by the Abbot

Chapter VI
The reason why the clothes of the renunciants with which they joined the monastery are preserved by the steward

Chapter VII
The reason why those who are admitted to a monastery are not permitted to mix at once with the congregation of the brethren, but are first committed to the guest house

Chapter VIII
Of the practices in which the juniors are first exercised that they may become proficient in overcoming all their desires

Chapter IX
The reason why the juniors are enjoined not to keep back any of their thoughts from the senior

Chapter X
How thorough is the obedience of the juniors even in those things which are matters of common necessity

Chapter XI
The kind of food which is considered the greater delicacy by them

Chapter XII
How they leave off every kind of work at the sound of some one knocking at the door, in their eagerness to answer at once

Chapter XIII
How wrong it is considered for any one to say that anything, however trifling, is his own

Chapter XIV
How, even if a large sum of money is amassed by the labour of each, still no one may venture to exceed the moderate limit of what is appointed as adequate

Chapter XV
Of the excessive desire of possession among us

Chapter XVI
On the rules for various rebukes

Chapter XVII
Of those who introduced the plan that the holy Lessons should be read in the Coenobia while the brethren are eating, and of the strict silence which is kept among the Egyptians

Chapter XVIII
How it is against the rule for any one to take anything to eat or drink except at the common table

Chapter XIX
How throughout Palestine and Mesopotamia a daily service is undertaken by the brethren

Chapter XX
Of the three lentil beans which the Steward found

Chapter XXI
Of the spontaneous service of some of the brethren

Chapter XXII
The system of the Egyptians, which is appointed for the daily service of the brethren

Chapter XXIII
The obedience of Abbot John by which he was exalted even to the grace of prophecy

Chapter XXIV
Of the dry stick which, at the bidding of his senior, Abbot John kept on watering as if it would grow

Chapter XXV
Of the unique vase of oil thrown away by Abbot John at his senior’s command

Chapter XXVI
How Abbot John obeyed his senior by trying to roll a huge stone, which a large number of men were unable to move

Chapter XXVII
Of the humility and obedience of Abbot Patermucius, which he did not hesitate to make perfect by throwing his little boy into the river at the command of his senior

Chapter XXVIII
How it was revealed to the Abbot concerning Patermucius that he had done the deed of Abraham; and how when the same Abbot died, Patermucius succeeded to the charge of the monastery

Chapter XXIX
Of the obedience of a brother who at the Abbot’s bidding carried about in public ten baskets and sold them by retail

Chapter XXX
Of the humility of Abbot Pinufius, who left a very famous Coenobium over which he presided as Presbyter, and out of the love of subjection sought a distant monastery where he could be received as a novice

Chapter XXXI
How when Abbot Pinufius was brought back to his monastery he stayed there for a little while and then fled again into the regions of Syrian Palestine

Chapter XXXII
The charge which the same Abbot Pinufius gave to a brother whom he admitted into his monastery in our presence

Chapter XXXIII
How it is that, just as a great reward is due to the monk who labours according to the regulations of the fathers, so likewise punishment must he inflicted on an idle one; and therefore no one should be admitted into a monastery too easily

Chapter XXXIV
Of the way in which our renunciation is nothing but mortification and the image of the Crucified

Chapter XXXV
How the fear of the Lord is our cross

Chapter XXXVI
How our renunciation of the world is of no use if we are again entangled in those things which we have renounced

Chapter XXXVII
How the devil always lies in wait for our end, and how we ought continually to watch his head

Chapter XXXVIII
Of the renunciant’s preparation against temptation, and of the few who are worthy of imitation

Chapter XXXIX
Of the way in which we shall mount towards perfection, whereby we may afterwards ascend from the fear of God up to love

Chapter XL
That the monk should seek for examples of perfection not from many instances but from one or a very few

Chapter XLI
The appearance of what infirmities one who lives in a Coenobium ought to exhibit

Chapter XLII
How a monk should not look for the blessing of patience in his own case as a result of the virtue of others, but rather as a consequence of his own longsuffering

Chapter XLIII
Recapitulation of the explanation how a monk can mount up towards perfection

Book V
Of the Spirit of Gluttony

Chapter I
The transition from the Institutes of the monks to the struggle against the eight principal faults

Chapter II
How the occasions of these faults, being found in everybody, are ignored by everybody; and how we need the Lord’s help to make them plain

Chapter III
How our first struggle must be against the spirit of gluttony, i.e. the pleasures of the palate

Chapter IV
The testimony of Abbot Antony in which he teaches that each virtue ought to be sought for from him who professes it in a special degree

Chapter V
That one and the same rule of fasting cannot be observed by everybody

Chapter VI
That the mind is not intoxicated by wine alone

Chapter VII
How bodily weakness need not interfere with purity of heart

Chapter VIII
How food should be taken with regard to the aim at perfect continence

Chapter IX
Of the measure of the chastisement to be undertaken, and the remedy of fasting

Chapter X
That abstinence from food is not of itself sufficient for preservation of bodily and mental purity

Chapter XI
That bodily lusts are not extinguished except by the entire rooting out of vice

Chapter XII
That in our spiritual contest we ought to draw an example from the carnal contests

Chapter XIII
That we cannot enter the battle of the inner man unless we have been set free from the vice of gluttony

Chapter XIV
How gluttonous desires can be overcome

Chapter XV
How a monk must always be eager to preserve his purity of heart

Chapter XVI
How, after the fashion of the Olympic games, a monk should not attempt spiritual conflicts unless he has won battles over the flesh

Chapter XVII
That the foundation and basis of the spiritual combat must be laid in the struggle against gluttony

Chapter XVIII
Of the number of different conflicts and victories through which the blessed Apostle ascended to the crown of the highest combat

Chapter XIX
That the athlete of Christ, so long as he is in the body, is never without a battle

Chapter XX
How a monk should not overstep the proper hours for taking food, if he wants to proceed to the struggle of interior conflicts

Chapter XXI
Of the inward peace of a monk, and of spiritual abstinence

Chapter XXII
That we should for this reason practise bodily abstinence that we may by it attain to a spiritual fast

Chapter XXIII
What should be the character of the monk’s food

Chapter XXIV
How in Egypt we saw that the daily fast was broken without scruple on our arrival

Chapter XXV
Of the abstinence of one old man who took food six times so sparingly that he was still hungry

Chapter XXVI
Of another old man, who never partook of food alone in his cell

Chapter XXVII
What the two Abbots Paesius and John said of the fruits of their zeal

Chapter XXVIII
The lesson and example which Abbot John when dying left to his disciples

Chapter XXIX
Of Abbot Machetes, who never slept during the spiritual conferences, but always went to sleep during earthly tales

Chapter XXX
A saying of the same old man about not judging any one

Chapter XXXI
The same old man’s rebuke when he saw how the brethren went to sleep during the spiritual conferences, and woke up when some idle story was told

Chapter XXXII
Of the letters which were burnt without being read

Chapter XXXIII
Of the solution of a question which Abbot Theodore obtained by prayer

Chapter XXXIV
Of the saying of the same old man, through which he taught by what efforts a monk can acquire a knowledge of the Scriptures

Chapter XXXV
A rebuke of the same old man, when he had come to my cell in the middle of the night

Chapter XXXVI
A description of the desert in Diolcos, where the anchorites live

Chapter XXXVII
Of the cells which Abbot Archebius gave up to us with their furniture

Chapter XXXVIII
The same Archebius paid a debt of his mother’s by the labour of his own hands

Chapter XXXIX
Of the device of a certain old man by which some work was found for Abbot Simeon when he had nothing to do

Chapter XL
Of the boys who when bringing to a sick man some figs, died in the desert from hunger, without having tasted them

Chapter XLI
The saying of Abbot Macarius of the behaviour of a monk as one who was to live for a long while, and as one who was daily at the point of death

Book VI
On the Spirit of Fornication

Book VII
Of the Spirit of Covetousness

Chapter I
How our warfare with covetousness is a foreign one, and how this fault is not a natural one in man, as the other faults are

Chapter II
How dangerous is the disease of covetousness

Chapter III
What is the usefulness of those vices which are natural to us

Chapter IV
That we can say that there exist in us some natural faults, without wronging the Creator

Chapter V
Of the faults which are contracted through our own fault, without natural impulses

Chapter VI
How difficult the evil of covetousness is to drive away when once it has been admitted

Chapter VII
Of the source from which covetousness springs, and of the evils of which it is itself the mother

Chapter VIII
How covetousness is a hindrance to all virtues

Chapter IX
How a monk who has money cannot stay in the monastery

Chapter X
Of the toils which a deserter from a monastery must undergo through covetousness, though he used formerly to murmur at the very slightest tasks

Chapter XI
That under pretence of keeping the purse women have to besought to dwell with them

Chapter XII
An instance of a lukewarm monk caught in the snares of covetousness

Chapter XIII
What the elders relate to the juniors in the matter of stripping off sins

Chapter XIV
Instances to show that the disease of covetousness is threefold

Chapter XV
Of the difference between one who renounces the world badly and one who does not renounce it at all

Chapter XVI
Of the authority under which those shelter themselves who object to stripping themselves of their goods

Chapter XVII
Of the renunciation of the apostles and the primitive church

Chapter XVIII
That if we want to imitate the apostles we ought not to live according to our own prescriptions, but to follow their example

Chapter XIX
A saying of S. Basil, the Bishop, directed against Syncletius

Chapter XX
How contemptible it is to be overcome by covetousness

Chapter XXI
How covetousness can be conquered

Chapter XXII
That one who actually has no money may still be deemed covetous

Chapter XXIII
An example drawn from the case of Judas

Chapter XXIV
That covetousness cannot be overcome except by stripping one’s self of everything

Chapter XXV
Of the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, and Judas, which they underwent through the impulse of covetousness

Chapter XXVI
That covetousness brings upon the soul a spiritual leprosy

Chapter XXVII
Scripture proofs by which one who is aiming at perfection is taught not to take back again what he has given up and renounced

Chapter XXVIII
That the victory over covetousness can only be gained by stripping one’s self bare of everything

Chapter XXIX
How a monk can retain his poverty

Chapter XXX
The remedies against the disease of covetousness

Chapter XXXI
That no one can get the better of covetousness unless he stays in the Coenobium: and how one can remain there

Book VIII
Of the Spirit of Anger

Chapter I
How our fourth conflict is against the sin of anger, and how many evils this passion produces

Chapter II
Of those who say that anger is not injurious, if we are angry with those who do wrong, since God Himself is said to be angry

Chapter III
Of those things which are spoken of God anthropomorphically

Chapter IV
In what sense we should understand the passions and human arts which are ascribed to the unchanging and incorporeal God

Chapter V
How calm a monk ought to be

Chapter VI
Of the righteous and unrighteous passion of wrath

Chapter VII
Of the only case in which anger is useful to us

Chapter VIII
Instances from the life of the blessed David in which anger was rightly felt

Chapter IX
Of the anger which should be directed against ourselves

Chapter X
Of the sun, of which it is said that it should not go down upon your wrath

Chapter XI
Of those to whose wrath even the going down of the sun sets no limit

Chapter XII
How this is the end of temper and anger when a man carries it into act as far as he can

Chapter XIII
That we should not retain our anger even for an instant

Chapter XIV
Of reconciliation with our brother

Chapter XV
How the Old Law would root out anger not only from the actions but from the thoughts

Chapter XVI
How useless is the retirement of those who do not give up their bad manners

Chapter XVII
That the peace of our heart does not depend on another’s will, but lies in our own control

Chapter XVIII
Of the zeal with which we should seek the desert, and of the things in which we make progress there

Chapter XIX
An illustration to help in forming an opinion on those who are only patient when they are not tried by any one

Chapter XX
Of the way in which auger should be banished according to the gospel

Chapter XXI
Whether we ought to admit the addition of “without a cause,” in that which is written in the Gospel, “whosoever is angry with his brother,” etc

Chapter XXII
The remedies by which we can root out anger from our hearts

Book IX
Of the Spirit of Dejection

Chapter I
How our fifth combat is against the spirit of dejection, and of the harm which it inflicts upon the soul

Chapter II
Of the care with which the malady of dejection must be healed

Chapter III
To what the soul may be compared which is a prey to the attacks of dejection

Chapter IV
Whence and in what way dejection arises

Chapter V
That disturbances are caused in us not by the faults of other people, but by our own

Chapter VI
That no one comes to grief by a sudden fall, but is destroyed by falling through a long course of carelessness

Chapter VII
That we ought not to give up intercourse with our brethren in order to seek after perfection, but should rather constantly cultivate the virtue of patience

Chapter VIII
That if we have improved our character it is possible for us to get on with everybody

Chapter IX
Of another sort of dejection which produces despair of salvation

Chapter X
Of the only thing in which dejection is useful to us

Chapter XI
How we can decide what is useful and the sorrow according to God, and what is devilish and deadly

Chapter XII
That except that wholesome sorrow, which springs up in three ways, all sorrow and dejection should be resisted as hurtful

Chapter XIII
The means by which we can root out dejection from our hearts

Book X
Of the Spirit of Accidie

Chapter I
How our sixth combat is against the spirit of accidie, and what its character is

Chapter II
A description of accidie, and the way in which it creeps over the heart of a monk, and the injury it inflicts on the soul

Chapter III
Of the different ways in which accidie overcomes a monk

Chapter IV
How accidie hinders the mind from all contemplation of the virtues

Chapter V
How the attack of accidie is twofold

Chapter VI
How injurious are the effects of accidie

Chapter VII
Testimonies from the Apostle concerning the spirit of accidie

Chapter VIII
That he is sure to be restless who will not be content with the work of his own hands

Chapter IX
That not the Apostle only, but those two who were with him laboured with their own hands

Chapter X
That for this reason the Apostle laboured with his own hands, that he might set us an example of work

Chapter XI
That he preached and taught men to work not only by his example, but also by his words

Chapter XII
Of his saying: “If any will not work, neither shall he eat.”

Chapter XIII
Of his saying: “We have heard that some among you walk disorderly.”

Chapter XIV
How manual labour prevents many faults

Chapter XV
How kindness should be shown even to the idle and careless

Chapter XVI
How we ought to admonish those who go wrong, not out of hatred, but out of love

Chapter XVII
Different passages in which the Apostle declares that we ought to work, or in which it is shown that he himself worked

Chapter XVIII
That the Apostle wrought what he thought would be sufficient for him and for others who were with him

Chapter XIX
How we should understand these words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Chapter XX
Of a lazy brother who tried to persuade others to leave the monastery

Chapter XXI
Different passages from the writings of Solomon against accidie

Chapter XXII
How the brethren in Egypt work with their hands, not only to supply their own needs, but also to minister to those who are in prison

Chapter XXIII
That idleness is the reason why there are not monasteries for monks in the West

Chapter XXIV
Abbot Paul who every year burnt with fire all the works of his hands

Chapter XXV
The words of Abbot Moses which he said to me about the cure of accidie

Book XI
Of the Spirit of Vainglory

Chapter I
How our seventh combat is against the spirit of vainglory, and what its nature

Chapter II
How vainglory attacks a monk not only on his carnal, but also on his spiritual side

Chapter III
How many forms and shapes vainglory takes

Chapter IV
How vainglory attacks a monk on the right had and on the left

Chapter V
A comparison which shows the nature of vainglory

Chapter VI
That vainglory is not altogether got rid of by the advantages of solitude

Chapter VII
How vainglory, when it has been overcome, rises again keener than ever for the fight

Chapter VIII
How vainglory is not allayed either in the desert or through advancing years

Chapter IX
That vainglory is the more dangerous through being mixed up with virtues

Chapter X
An instance showing how King Hezekiah was overthrown by the dart of vainglory

Chapter XI
The instance of King Uzziah who was overcome by the taint of the same malady

Chapter XII
Several testimonies against vainglory

Chapter XIII
Of the ways in which vainglory attacks a monk

Chapter XIV
How it suggests that a man may seek to take holy orders

Chapter XV
How vainglory intoxicates the mind

Chapter XVI
Of him whom the superior came upon and found in his cell, deluded by idle vainglory

Chapter XVII
How faults cannot be cured unless their roots and causes have been discovered

Chapter XVIII
How a monk ought to avoid women and bishops

Chapter XIX
Remedies by which we can overcome vainglory

Book XII
Of the Spirit of Pride

Chapter I
How our eighth combat is against the spirit of pride, and of its character

Chapter II
How there are two kinds of pride

Chapter III
How pride is equally destructive of all virtues

Chapter IV
How by reason of pride Lucifer was turned from an archangel into a devil

Chapter V
That incentives to all sins spring from pride

Chapter VI
That the sin of pride is last in the actual order of the combat, but first in time and origin

Chapter VII
That the evil of pride is so great that it rightly has even God Himself as its adversary

Chapter VIII
How God has destroyed the pride of the devil by the virtue of humility, and various passages in proof of this

Chapter IX
How we too may overcome pride

Chapter X
How no one can obtain perfect virtue and the promised bliss by his own strength alone

Chapter XI
The case of the thief and of David, and of our call in order to illustrate the grace of God

Chapter XII
That no toil is worthy to be compared with the promised bliss

Chapter XIII
The teaching of the elders on the method of acquiring purity

Chapter XIV
That the help of God is given to those who labour

Chapter XV
From whom we can learn the way of perfection

Chapter XVI
That we cannot even make the effort to obtain perfection without the mercy and inspiration of God

Chapter XVII
Various passages which clearly show that we cannot do anything which belongs to our salvation without the aid of God

Chapter XVIII
How we are protected by the grace of God not only in our natural condition, but also by His daily Providence

Chapter XIX
How this faith concerning the grace of God was delivered to us by the ancient Fathers

Chapter XX
Of one who for his blasphemy was given over to a most unclean spirit

Chapter XXI
The instance of Joash, King of Judah, showing what was the consequence of his pride

Chapter XXII
That every proud soul is subject to spiritual wickedness to be deceived by it

Chapter XXIII
How perfection can only be attained through the virtue of humility

Chapter XXIV
Who are attacked by spiritual and who by carnal pride

Chapter XXV
A description of carnal pride, and of the evils which it produces in the soul of a monk

Chapter XXVI
That a man whose foundation is bad, sinks daily from bad to worse

Chapter XXVII
A description of the faults which spring from the evil of pride

Chapter XXVIII
On the pride of a certain brother

Chapter XXIX
The signs by which you can recognize the presence of carnal pride in a soul

Chapter XXX
How when a man has grown cold through pride he wants to be put to rule other people

Chapter XXXI
How we can overcome pride and attain perfection

Chapter XXXII
How pride which is so destructive of all virtues can itself be destroyed by true humility

Chapter XXXIII
Remedies against the evil of pride

The Conferences of John Cassian

Part I
Containing Conferences I-X

Preface

I. First Conference of Abbot Moses

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 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 them will come to an end

Chapter XI
On the abiding character of love

Chapter XII
A question on perseverance in spiritual contemplation

Chapter XIII
The answer concerning the direction of the heart towards and concerning the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil

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 millstone

Chapter XIX
Of the three origins 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

II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses

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 true 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 ease 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 umorum genitalium castigetur

Chapter XXIV
Of the difficulty of uniformity in eating; and of the gluttony of brother Benjamin

Chapter XXV
A question how is it possible always to observe one and the same measure

Chapter XXVI
The answer how we should not exceed the proper measure of food

III. Conference of Abbot Paphnutius
On the Three Sorts of Renunciations

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 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 none 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 both 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 to 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 comes 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

IV. Conference of Abbot Daniel
On the Lust of the Flesh and of the Spirit

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 conflict which the Apostle makes to consist in the strife 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 flesh and spirit

Chapter XIV
Of the incurable depravity of spiritual wickednesses

Chapter XV
Of the value of the lust of the flesh against the spirit in our case

Chapter XVI
Of the excitements 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
The 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

V. Conference of Abbot Serapion
On the Eight Principal Faults

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 eight principal faults

Chapter III
Of the two classes of faults and their fourfold manner of acting on 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 vainglory 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 vainglory 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

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 described to 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

VI. Conference of Abbot Theodore
On the Death of the Saints

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 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 three-fold 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 mind can constantly continue in one and the same condition

Chapter XIV
The answer to the point 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

VII. First Conference of Abbot Serenus
On Inconstancy of Mind, and Spiritual Wickedness

Chapter I
On 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
On 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 those possessed

Chapter XIII
How spirit cannot be penetrated by spirit, 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
On 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 control

Chapter XXI
Of the fact that devils struggle with men not without effort on their part

Chapter XXII
On 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
On 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
On 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
On 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

VIII. The Second Conference of Abbot Serenus
On Principalities

Chapter I
Of the hospitality of Abbot Serenus

Chapter II
Statements on the different kinds of spiritual wickednesses

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 God

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 wickednesses 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 victim

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
Of the fact that they were justly punished, who sinned before the flood

Chapter XXV
How this that is said of the devil in the gospel is to be understood; viz., that “he is a liar, and his father.”

IX. The First Conference of Abbot Isaac
On Prayer

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 can 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
Of the different characters of prayer

Chapter IX
Of the fourfold nature of prayer

Chapter X
Of the order of the different kinds laid down with regard to the character of prayer

Chapter XI
Of Supplications

Chapter XII
Of Prayer

Chapter XIII
Of Intercession

Chapter XIV
Of Thanksgiving

Chapter XV
Whether these four kinds of prayers are necessary for everyone 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 thus heard as described belongs only to saints

Chapter XXXIV
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

X. The Second Conference of Abbot Isaac
On Prayer

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 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
On the lightness of thoughts

Chapter XIV
The answer how we can gain stability of heart or of thoughts

Part II
Containing Conferences XI-XVII

Preface

The Second Part of the Conferences of John Cassian

XI. The First Conference of Abbot Chaeremon
On Perfection

Chapter I
Description of the town of Thennesus

Chapter II
Of Bishop Archebius

Chapter III
Description of the desert where Chaeremon, Nesteros, and Joseph lived

Chapter IV
Of Abbot Chaeremon and his excuse about the teaching which we asked for

Chapter V
Of our answer to his excuse

Chapter VI
Abbot Chaeremon’s statement 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

XII. The Second Conference of Abbot Chaeremon
On Chastity

XIII. The Third Conference of Abbot Chaeremon
On the Protection of God

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 all 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

XIV. The First Conference of Abbot Nesteros
On Spiritual Knowledge

Chapter I
The words of Abbot Nesteros on the knowledge of the religious

Chapter II
On 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
On 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 the Holy Scriptures

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 should 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

XV. The Second Conference of Abbot Nesteros
On Divine Gifts

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

XVI. The First Conference of Abbot Joseph
On Friendship

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
On the best tests of truth

Chapter XI
How it is impossible for one who trusts to his own judgment to escape being deceived by the devil’s illusions

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
On 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

XVII. The Second Conference of Abbot Joseph
On Making Promises

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

Part III
Containing Conferences XVIII.-XXIV

Preface

The Third Part of the Conferences of John Cassian

XVIII. Conference of Abbot Piamun
On the Three Sorts of Monks

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
On the perfection of patience

XIX. Conference of Abbot John
On the Aim of the Coenobite and Hermit

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

XX. Conference of Abbot Pinufius
On the End of Penitence and the Marks of Satisfaction

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 sins 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

XXI. The First Conference of Abbot Theonas
On the Relaxation During the Fifty Days

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 firstfruits

Chapter IV
How Abraham, David, and other saints went beyond the requirement of the law

Chapter V
How those who live under the grace of the Gospel ought to go beyond the requirement 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 very 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 sometimes 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

XXII. The Second Conference of Abbot Theonas
On Nocturnal Illusions

XXIII. The Third Conference of Abbot Theonas
On Sinlessness

Chapter I
Discourse of Abbot Theonas on the Apostle’s words: “For I do not the good which I would.”

Chapter II
How the Apostle completed many good actions

Chapter III
What is really the 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

XXIV. Conference of Abbot Abraham
On Mortification

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 temptation brings about

Chapter XXVI
How the promise of an hundredfold in this life is made to those whose renunciation is perfect

The Seven Books Of John Cassian On The Incarnation Of The Lord, Against Nestorius

Preface

Book I

Chapter I
The heresy compared to the hydra of the poets

Chapter II
Description of the different heretical monsters which spring from one another

Chapter III
He describes the pestilent error of the Pelagian

Chapter IV
Leporius together with some others recants his Pelagianism

Chapter V
By the case of Leporius he establishes the fact that an open sin ought to be expiated by an open confession; and also teaches from his words what is the right view to be held on the Incarnation

Chapter VI
The united doctrine of the Catholics is to be received as the orthodox faith

Book II

Chapter I
How the errors of later heretics have been condemned and refuted in the persons of their authors and originators

Chapter II
Proof that the Virgin Mother of God was not only Christotocos but also Theotocos, and that Christ is truly God

Chapter III
Follows up the same argument with passages from the Old Testament

Chapter IV
He produces testimonies to the same doctrine from the Apostle Paul

Chapter V
From the gifts of Divine grace which we receive through Christ he infers that He is truly God

Chapter VI
That the power of bestowing Divine grace did not come to Christ in the course of time, but was innate in Him from His very birth

Chapter VII
How in Christ the Divinity, Majesty, Might and Power have existed in perfection from eternity, and will continue

Book III

Chapter I
That Christ, who is God and man in the unity of Person, sprang from Israel and the Virgin Mary according to the flesh

Chapter II
The title of God is given in one sense to Christ, and in another to men

Chapter III
He explains the apostle’s saying: “If from henceforth we know no man according to the flesh,” etc

Chapter IV
From the Epistle to the Galatians he brings forward a passage to show that the weakness of the flesh in Christ was absorbed by His Divinity

Chapter V
As it is blasphemy to pare away the Divinity of Christ, so also is it blasphemous to deny that He is true man

Chapter VI
He shows from the appearance of Christ vouchsafed to the Apostle when persecuting the Church, the existence of both natures in Him

Chapter VII
He shows once more by other passages of the Apostle that Christ is God

Chapter VIII
When confessing the Divinity of Christ we ought not to pass over in silence the confession of the cross

Chapter IX
How the Apostle’s preaching was rejected by Jews and Gentiles because it confessed that the crucified Christ was God

Chapter X
How the apostle maintains that Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God

Chapter XI
He supports the same doctrine by proofs from the gospel

Chapter XII
He proves from the renowned confession of the blessed Peter that Christ is God

Chapter XIII
The confession of the blessed Peter receives a testimony to its truth from Christ Himself

Chapter XIV
How the confession of the blessed Peter is the faith of the whole Church

Chapter XV
St. Thomas also confessed the same faith as Peter after the Lord’s resurrection

Chapter XVI
He brings forward the witness of God the Father to the Divinity of the Son

Book IV

Chapter I
That Christ was before the Incarnation God from everlasting

Chapter II
He infers from what he has said that the Virgin Mary gave birth to a Son who had pre-existed and was greater than she herself was

Chapter III
He proves from the Epistle to the Romans the eternal Divinity of Christ

Chapter IV
He brings forward other testimonies to the same view

Chapter V
How in virtue of the hypostatic union of the two natures in Christ the Word is rightly termed the Saviour, or incarnate man, and the Son of God

Chapter VI
That there is in Christ but one Hypostasis (i.e., Personal self)

Chapter VII
He returns to the former subject, in order to show against the Nestorians that those things are said of the man, which belong to the Divine nature as it were of a Person of Divine nature, and conversely that those things are said of God, which belong to the human nature as it were of a Person of human nature, because there is in Christ but one and a single Personal self

Chapter VIII
How this interchange of titles does not interfere with His Divine power

Chapter IX
He corroborates this statement by the authority of the old prophets

Chapter X
He proves Christ’s Divinity from the blasphemy of Judaizing Jews as well as from the confession of converts to the faith of Christ

Chapter XI
He returns to the prophecy of Isaiah

Chapter XII
How the title of Saviour is given to Christ in one sense, and to men in another

Chapter XIII
He explains who are those in whose person the Prophet Isaiah says: “Thou art our God, and we knew Thee not.”

Book V

Chapter I
He vehemently inveighs against the error of the Pelagians, who declared that Christ was a mere man

Chapter II
That the doctrine of Nestorius is closely connected with the error of the Pelagians

Chapter III
How this participation in Divinity which the Pelagians and Nestorians attribute to Christ, is common to all holy men

Chapter IV
What the difference is between Christ and the saints

Chapter V
That before His birth in time Christ was always called God by the prophets

Chapter VI
He illustrates the same doctrine by passages from the New Testament

Chapter VII
He shows again from the union in Christ of two natures in one Person that what belongs to the Divine nature may rightly be ascribed to man, and what belongs to the human nature to God

Chapter VIII
He confirms the judgment of the Apostle by the authority of the Lord

Chapter IX
Since those marvellous works which from the days of Moses were shown to the children of Israel are attributed to Christ, it follows that He must have existed long before His birth in time

Chapter X
He explains what it means to confess, and what it means to dissolve Jesus

Chapter XI
The mystery of the Lord’s Incarnation clearly implies the Divinity of Christ

Chapter XII
He explains more fully what the mystery is which is signified under the name of the man and wife

Chapter XIII
Of the longing with which the old patriarchs desired to see the revelation of that mystery

Chapter XIV
He refutes the wicked and blasphemous notion of the heretics who said that God dwelt and spoke in Christ as in an instrument or a statue

Chapter XV
What the prayers of the saints for the coming of Messiah contained; and what was the nature of that longing of theirs

Book VI

Chapter I
From the miracle of the feeding of the multitude from five barley loaves and two fishes he shows the majesty of Divine Power

Chapter II
The author adapts the mystery of the number seven (made up of the five loaves and two fishes) to his own work

Chapter III
He refutes his opponent by the testimony of the Council of Antioch

Chapter IV
How the Creed has authority Divine as well as human

Chapter V
He proceeds against his opponent with the choicest arguments, and shows that we ought to hold fast to the religion which we have received from our fathers

Chapter VI
Once more he challenges him to the profession of the Creed of Antioch

Chapter VII
He continues the same line of argument drawn from the Creed of Antioch

Chapter VIII
How it can be said that Christ came and was born of a Virgin

Chapter IX
Again he convicts his opponent of deadly heresy by his own confession

Chapter X
He inveighs against him because though he has forsaken the Catholic religion, he nevertheless presumes to teach in the Church, to sacrifice, and to give decisions

Chapter XI
He removes the silent objection of heretics who want to recant the profession of their faith made in childhood

Chapter XII
Christ crucified is an offence and foolishness to those who declare that He was a mere man

Chapter XIII
He replies to the objection in which they say that the child born ought to be of one substance with the mother

Chapter XIV
He compares this erroneous view with the teaching of the Pelagians

Chapter XV
He shows that those who patronize this false teaching acknowledge two Christs

Chapter XVI
He shows further that this teaching is destructive of the confession of the Trinity

Chapter XVII
Those who are under an error in one point of the Catholic religion, lose the whole faith, and all the value of the faith

Chapter XVIII
He directs his discourse upon his antagonist with whom he is disputing, and begs him to return to his senses. The sacrament of reconciliation is necessary for the lapsed for their salvation

Chapter XIX
That the birth of Christ in time diminished nothing of the glory and power of His Deity

Chapter XX
He shows from what has been said that we do not mean that God was mortal or of flesh before the worlds, although Christ, who is God from eternity and was made man in time, is but one Person

Chapter XXI
The authority of Holy Scripture teaches that Christ existed from all eternity

Chapter XXII
The hypostatic union enables us to ascribe to God what belongs to the flesh in Christ

Chapter XXIII
That the figure Synecdoche, in which the part stands for the whole, is very familiar to the Holy Scripture

Book VII

Chapter I
As he is going to reply to the slanders of his opponents he implores the aid of Divine grace to teach a prayer to be used by those who undertake to dispute with heretics

Chapter II
He meets the objection taken from these words: No one gave birth to one who had existed before her

Chapter III
He replies to the cavil that the one who is born must be of one substance with the one who bears

Chapter IV
How God has shown His Omnipotence in His birth in time as well as in everything else

Chapter V
He shows by proofs drawn from nature itself, that the law which his opponents lay down; viz., that the one born ought to be of one substance with the one who bears, fails to hold good in many cases

Chapter VI
He refutes another argument of Nestorius, in which he tried to make out that Christ was like Adam in every point

Chapter VII
Heretics usually cover their doctrines with a cloak of holy Scripture

Chapter VIII
The heretics attribute to Christ only the shadow of Divinity, and so assert that he is to be worshipped together with God but not as God

Chapter IX
How those are wrong who say that the birth of Christ was a secret, since it was clearly shown even to the patriarch Jacob

Chapter X
He collects more witnesses of the same fact

Chapter XI
How the devil was forced by many reasons to the view that Christ was God

Chapter XII
He compares this notion and reasonable suspicion of the devil with the obstinate and inflexible idea of his opponents, and shows that this last is worse and more blasphemous than the former

Chapter XIII
How the devil always retained this notion of Christ’s Divinity (because of His secret working which he experienced) even up to His Cross and Death

Chapter XIV
He shows how heretics pervert holy Scripture, by replying to the argument drawn from the Apostle’s words, “Without father, without mother,” etc.: Heb. vii

Chapter XV
How Christ could be said by the Apostle to be without genealogy

Chapter XVI
He shows that like the devil when tempting Christ, the heretics garble and pervert holy Scripture

Chapter XVII
That the glory and honour of Christ is not to be ascribed to the Holy Ghost in such a way as to deny that it proceeds from Christ Himself, as if all that excellency, which was in Him, was another’s and proceeded from another source

Chapter XVIII
How we are to understand the Apostle’s words: “He appeared in the flesh, was justified in the Spirit,” etc

Chapter XIX
That it was not only the Spirit, but Christ Himself also who made Him to be feared

Chapter XX
He tries by stronger and weightier arguments to destroy that notion

Chapter XXI
That it must be ascribed equally to Christ and the Holy Ghost that His flesh and Humanity became the temple of God

Chapter XXII
That the raising up of Christ into heaven is not to be ascribed to the Spirit alone

Chapter XXIII
He continues the same argument to show that Christ had no need of another’s glory as He had a glory of His own

Chapter XXIV
He supports this doctrine by the authority of the blessed Hilary

Chapter XXV
He shows that Ambrose agrees with S. Hilary

Chapter XXVI
He adds to the foregoing the testimony of S. Jerome

Chapter XXVII
To the foregoing he adds Rufinus and the blessed Augustine

Chapter XXVIII
As he is going to produce the testimony of Greek or Eastern Bishops, he brings forward in the first place S. Gregory Nazianzen

Chapter XXIX
In the next place he puts the authority of S. Athanasius

Chapter XXX
He adds also S. John Chrysostom

Chapter XXXI
He bemoans the unhappy lot of Constantinople, owing to the misfortune which has overtaken it from that heretic; and at the same time he urges the citizens to stand fast in the ancient Catholic and ancestral faith

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