Saint John Cassian

The Conferences of John Cassian

Name: The Conferences of John Cassian
Author: Saint John Cassian

Classic translation

5th c. · Treatises & Other · English translation, 1890

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The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-X.
Conference 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…
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…
Chapter IX. A Question How it is That the Practice of Virtue Cannot Remain With…
Chapter X. The Answer That Not the Reward, but the Doing of Them Will Come to…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Conference 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…
Chapter III. Of the Error of Saul and of Ahab, by Which They Were Deceived…
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…
Chapter XII. A Confession of the Modesty Which Made Us Ashamed to Reveal Our…
Chapter XIII. The Answer Concerning the Trampling Down of Shame, and the Danger…
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…
Chapter XXI. The Answer Concerning the Value and Measure of Well-proved…
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…
Chapter XXV. A Question How is it Possible Always to Observe One and the Same…
Chapter XXVI. The Answer How We Should Not Exceed the Proper Measure of Food
Conference III. Conference of Abbot Paphnutius. On the Three Sorts of…
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…
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…
Chapter VI. An Account of the Three Sorts of Renunciations
Chapter VII. How We Can Attain Perfection in Each of These Sorts of…
Chapter VIII. Of Our Very Own Possessions in Which the Beauty of the Soul is…
Chapter IX. Of Three Sorts of Possessions
Chapter X. That None Can Become Perfect Merely Through the First Grade of…
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…
Chapter XIII. That the Ordering of Our Way Comes From God
Chapter XIV. That Knowledge of the Law is Given by the Guidance and…
Chapter XV. That the Understanding, by Means of Which We Can Recognize God's…
Chapter XVI. That Faith Itself Must Be Given Us by the Lord
Chapter XVII. That Temperateness and the Endurance of Temptations Must Be Given…
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…
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…
Conference IV. Conference of Abbot Daniel. On the Lust of the Flesh and of the…
Chapter I. Of the Life of Abbot Daniel
Chapter II. An Investigation of the Origin of a Sudden Change of Feeling From…
Chapter III. His Answer to the Question Raised
Chapter IV. How There is a Twofold Reason for the Permission and Allowance of…
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…
Chapter VIII. A Question, How it is That in the Apostle's Chapter, After He Has…
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…
Chapter XII. What is Our Free Will, Which Stands in Between the Lust of the…
Chapter XIII. Of the Advantage of the Delay Which Results From the Struggle…
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…
Chapter XVII. Of the Lukewarmness of Eunuchs
Chapter XVIII. The Question What is the Difference Between the Carnal and…
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…
Conference V. Conference of Abbot Serapion. On the Eight Principal Faults.
Chapter I. Our Arrival at Abbot Serapion's Cell, and Inquiry on the Different…
Chapter II. Abbot Serapion's Enumeration of Eight Principal Faults
Chapter III. Of the Two Classes of Faults and Their Fourfold Manner of Acting…
Chapter IV. A Review of the Passions of Gluttony and Fornication and Their…
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…
Chapter VII. How Vainglory and Pride Can Be Consummated Without Any Assistance…
Chapter VIII. Of Covetousness, Which is Something Outside Our Nature, and of…
Chapter IX. How Dejection and Accidie Generally Arise Without Any External…
Chapter X. How Six of These Faults Are Related, and the Two Which Differ From…
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…
Chapter XV. How We Can Do Nothing Against Our Faults Without the Help of God…
Chapter XVI. Of the Meaning of the Seven Nations of Whose Lands Israel Took…
Chapter XVII. A Question With Regard to the Comparison of Seven Nations With…
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX. The Reason Why One Nation is to Be Forsaken, While Seven Are…
Chapter XX. Of the Nature of Gluttony, Which May Be Illustrated by the Simile…
Chapter XXI. Of the Lasting Character of Gluttony as Described to Some…
Chapter XXII. How it Was That God Foretold to Abraham That Israel Would Have to…
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…
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…
Chapter XXVII. That Our Battles Are Not Fought With Our Faults in the Same…
Conference VI. Conference of Abbot Theodore. On the Death of the Saints.
Chapter I. Description of the Wilderness, and the Question About the Death of…
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…
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…
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…
Chapter X. Of the Excellence of the Perfect Man Who is Figuratively Spoken of…
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…
Chapter XIII. A Question Whether the Mind Can Constantly Continue in One and…
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
Conference VII. First Conference of Abbot Serenus. On Inconstancy of Mind, and…
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…
Chapter V. On the Perfection of the Soul, as Drawn From the Comparison of the…
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…
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…
Chapter XII. The Answer How it is That Unclean Spirits Can Lord it Over Those…
Chapter XIII. How Spirit Cannot Be Penetrated by Spirit, and How God Alone is…
Chapter XIV. An Objection, as to How We Ought to Believe That Devils See Into…
Chapter XV. The Answer What Devils Can and What They Cannot Do in Regard to the…
Chapter XVI. An Illustration Showing How We Are Taught That Unclean Spirits…
Chapter XVII. On the Fact That Not Every Devil Has the Power of Suggesting…
Chapter XVIII. A Question Whether Among the Devils There is Any Order Observed…
Chapter XIX. The Answer How Far an Agreement Exists Among Devils About the…
Chapter XX. Of the Fact That Opposite Powers Are Not of the Same Boldness, and…
Chapter XXI. Of the Fact That Devils Struggle With Men Not Without Effort on…
Chapter XXII. On the Fact That the Power to Hurt Does Not Depend Upon the Will…
Chapter XXIII. Of the Diminished Power of the Devils
Chapter XXIV. Of the Way in Which the Devils Prepare for Themselves an Entrance…
Chapter XXV. On the Fact That Those Men Are More Wretched Who Are Possessed by…
Chapter XXVI. Of the Death of the Prophet Who Was Led Astray, and of the…
Chapter XXVII. On the Temptation of Abbot Moses
Chapter XXVIII. How We Ought Not to Despise Those Who Are Delivered up to…
Chapter XXIX. An Objection, Asking Why Those Who Are Tormented by Unclean…
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…
Chapter XXXII. Of the Different Desires and Wishes Which Exist in the Powers of…
Chapter XXXIII. A Question as to the Origin of Such Differences in Powers of…
Chapter XXXIV. The Postponement of the Answer to the Question Raised
Conference 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…
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…
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…
Chapter XIII. Of the Fact That Opposing Powers Turn the Attack, Which They Aim…
Chapter XIV. How it is That Spiritual Wickednesses Obtained the Names of Powers…
Chapter XV. Of the Fact That it is Not Without Reason That the Names of Angels…
Chapter XVI. Of the Subjection of the Devils, Which They Show to Their Own…
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…
Chapter XIX. Of the Fact That Devils Cannot Prevail at All Against Men Unless…
Chapter XX. A Question About the Fallen Angels Who Are Said in Genesis to Have…
Chapter XXI. The Answer to the Question Raised
Chapter XXII. An Objection, as to How an Unlawful Intermingling With the…
Chapter XXIII. The Answer, That by the Law of Nature Men Were From the…
Chapter XXIV. Of the Fact That They Were Justly Punished, Who Sinned Before the…
Chapter XXV. How This That is Said of the Devil in the Gospel is to Be…
Conference 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…
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…
Chapter VII. A Question How it is That it is Harder Work to Preserve Than to…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
Conference 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…
Chapter III. Of Abbot Sarapion and the Heresy of the Anthropomorphites Into…
Chapter IV. Of Our Return to Abbot Isaac and Question Concerning the Error Into…
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…
Chapter VII. What Constitutes Our End and Perfect Bliss
Chapter VIII. A Question on the Training in Perfection by Which We Can Arrive…
Chapter IX. The Answer on the Efficacy of Understanding, Which is Gained by…
Chapter X. Of the Method of Continual Prayer
Chapter XI. Of the Perfection of Prayer to Which We Can Rise by the System…
Chapter XII. A Question as to How Spiritual Thoughts Can Be Retained Without…
Chapter XIII. On the Lightness of Thoughts
Chapter XIV. The Answer How We Can Gain Stability of Heart or of Thoughts
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part II. Containing Conferences XI-XVII.
Conference XI. The First Conference of Abbot Chæremon. On Perfection.
Chapter I. Description of the Town of Thennesus
Chapter II. Of Bishop Archebius
Chapter III. Description of the Desert Where Chæremon, Nesteros, and Joseph…
Chapter IV. Of Abbot Chæremon and His Excuse About the Teaching Which We Asked…
Chapter V. Of Our Answer to His Excuse
Chapter VI. Abbot Chæremon'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…
Chapter VIII. How Greatly Those Excel Who Depart From Sin Through the Feeling…
Chapter IX. That Love Not Only Makes Sons Out of Servants, but Also Bestows the…
Chapter X. How it is the Perfection of Love to Pray for One's Enemies and by…
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
Conference XII. The Second Conference of Abbot Chæremon. On Chastity
Conference XIII. The Third Conference of Abbot Chæremon. On the Protection of…
Chapter I. Introduction (i)
Chapter II. A Question Why the Merit of Good Deeds May Not Be Ascribed to the…
Chapter III. The Answer That Without God's Help Not Only Perfect Chastity but…
Chapter IV. An Objection, Asking How the Gentiles Can Be Said to Have Chastity…
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…
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…
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…
Chapter XVII. Of the Inscrutable Providence of God
Chapter XVIII. The Decision of the Fathers That Free Will is Not Equal to Save…
Conference 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…
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…
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…
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…
Chapter XV. An Objection Owing to the Fact That Many Impure Persons Have…
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…
Conference 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…
Chapter VIII. How it is More Wonderful to Have Cast Out One's Faults From One's…
Chapter IX. How Uprightness of Life is of More Importance Than the Working of…
Chapter X. A Revelation on the Trial of Perfect Chastity
Conference 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…
Chapter V. The Answer, How a Lasting Friendship Can Only Exist Among Those Who…
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…
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…
Chapter XVI. How it is That, if Our Brother Has Any Grudge Against Us, the…
Chapter XVII. Of Those Who Hold That Patience Should Be Shown to Worldly People…
Chapter XVIII. Of Those Who Pretend to Patience but Excite Their Brethren to…
Chapter XIX. Of Those Who Fast Out of Rage
Chapter XX. Of the Feigned Patience of Some Who Offer the Other Cheek to Be…
Chapter XXI. A Question How if We Obey the Commands of Christ We Can Fail of…
Chapter XXII. The Answer That Christ Looks Not Only at the Action but Also at…
Chapter XXIII. How He is the Strong and Vigorous Man, Who Yields to the Will of…
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…
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…
Conference 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…
Chapter VI. Abbot Joseph's Question Whether We Got More Good in Egypt Than in…
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…
Chapter IX. How it is Often Better to Break One's Engagements Than to Fulfil…
Chapter X. Our Question About Our Fear of the Oath Which We Gave in the…
Chapter XI. The Answer That We Must Take Into Account the Purpose of the Doer…
Chapter XII. How a Fortunate Issue Will Be of No Avail to Evil Doers, While Bad…
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…
Chapter XV. A Question Whether it Can Be Without Sin That Our Knowledge Affords…
Chapter XVI. The Answer That Scripture Truth is Not to Be Altered on Account of…
Chapter XVII. How the Saints Have Profitably Employed a Lie Like Hellebore
Chapter XVIII. An Objection That Only Those Men Employed Lies With Impunity…
Chapter XIX. The Answer, That Leave to Lie, Which Was Not Even Granted Under…
Chapter XX. How Even Apostles Thought That a Lie Was Often Useful and the Truth…
Chapter XXI. Whether Secret Abstinence Ought to Be Made Known, Without Telling…
Chapter XXII. An Objection, That Abstinence Ought to Be Concealed, but That…
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…
Chapter XXVIII. The Answer Telling in What Cases the Determination is to 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 Conferences of John Cassian. Part III. Containing Conferences XVIII.-XXIV.
Conference 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…
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 Cœnobites
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 Cœnobium and a…
Chapter X. The Answer
Chapter XI. Of True Humility, and How Abbot Serapion Exposed the Mock Humility…
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
Conference XIX. Conference of Abbot John. On the Aim of the Cœnobite and Hermit.
Chapter I. Of the Cœnobium 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…
Chapter V. Of the Advantages of the Desert
Chapter VI. Of the Conveniences of the Cœnobium
Chapter VII. A Question on the Fruits of the Cœnobium 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…
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…
Chapter XIV. The Answer on Their Remedies
Chapter XV. A Question Whether Chastity Ought to Be Ascertained Just as the…
Chapter XVI. The Answer Giving the Proofs by Which it Can Be Recognized
Conference XX. Conference of Abbot Pinufius. On the End of Penitence and the…
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…
Chapter VII. The Answer Showing How Far We Ought to Preserve the Recollection…
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…
Conference XXI. The First Conference of Abbot Theonas. On the Relaxation During…
Chapter I. How Theonas Came to Abbot John
Chapter II. The Exhortation of Abbot John to Theonas and the Others Who Had…
Chapter III. Of the Offering of Tithes and Firstfruits
Chapter IV. How Abraham, David, and Other Saints Went Beyond the Requirement of…
Chapter V. How Those Who Live Under the Grace of the Gospel Ought to Go Beyond…
Chapter VI. How the Grace of the Gospel Supports the Weak So That They Can…
Chapter VII. How it Lies in Our Own Power to Choose Whether to Remain Under the…
Chapter VIII. How Theonas Exhorted His Wife That She Too Should Make Her…
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…
Chapter XI. An Inquiry Why in Egypt They Do Not Fast During All the Fifty Days…
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…
Chapter XVI. How What is Good in its Own Nature Can Be Distinguished From Other…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Chapter XXXII. The Answer on the Difference Between Grace and the Commands of…
Chapter XXXIII. Of the Fact That the Precepts of the Gospel Are Milder Than…
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…
Chapter XXXVI. The Answer, Telling That This Question Should Be Reserved for a…
Conference XXII. The Second Conference of Abbot Theonas. On Nocturnal Illusions
Conference XXIII. The Third Conference of Abbot Theonas. On Sinlessness.
Introduction
Chapter I. Discourse of Abbot Theonas on the Apostle's Words: “For I Do Not the…
Chapter II. How the Apostle Completed Many Good Actions
Chapter III. What is Really the Good Which the Apostle Testifies That He Could…
Chapter IV. How Man's Goodness and Righteousness Are Not Good if Compared With…
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…
Chapter VII. How Those Who Maintain That a Man Can Be Without Sin Are Charged…
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…
Chapter X. How Those Who Are on the Way to Perfection Are Truly Humble, and…
Chapter XI. Explanation of the Phrase: “For I Delight in the Law of God After…
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…
Chapter XIV. An Objection, That the Saying: “For I Do Not the Good That I…
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…
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…
Chapter XXI. That Although We Acknowledge That We Cannot Be Without Sin, Yet…
Conference 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…
Chapter VI. A Comparison Showing How a Monk Ought to Keep Guard Over His…
Chapter VII. A Question Why the Neighbourhood of Our Kinsfolk is Considered to…
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…
Chapter X. A Question Whether it is Bad for a Monk to Have His Wants Supplied…
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…
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…
Chapter XVIII. A Question Whether We Should Be Drawn Back to Our Country by a…
Chapter XIX. The Answer on the Devil's Illusion, Because He Promises Us the…
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…
Chapter XXII. A Question How We Ought to Understand What the Gospel Says “My…
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…

Contents