56. Certain brethren came to Abba Anthony that he might tell them about the visions which they used to see, whether they indeed came from devils [or not]; now they had with them an ass, and he died on the road as they were coming, and when they had gone into the presence of the old man, he said unto them straightway, 44 How was it that your ass died on 4 4 the road?" And they said unto him, 44 Whence doth the 44 Abba know that our ass is dead?" And Abba Anthony said unto them, 44 The devils shewed me [the matter]." Then they said unto him, 44 We have come to ask thee questions because 44 we have seen phantoms, and also because on several occa- 44 sions they have actually become real things, and we want 44 to learn whether we have erred or not"; and the old man shewed them that such phantoms which arise through certain devils cannot be inquired into.
57. They were saying that Abba Sylvanus used to sit in secret in a cell with a few chick peas, and he made of them one hundred bundles; and behold, a man came from Egypt leading an ass loaded with bread, and having knocked at the door of his cell, he went in, and set down [the bread], and the old man took these bundles, and loaded them upon the ass, and sent him away.
58. They used to say that when Abba Zeno dwelt in a cell in Scete he went forth one night from his cell as if for a purpose, and wandered about; and when he had passed three days and three nights in travelling, being exhausted by toil and hunger, and ready to die, he fell upon the ground. And behold, a youth stood before him carrying some bread and a pitcher of water, and he said unto Abba Zeno, "Arise, and eat bread"; and the old man rose up and prayed, thinking that the youth was a phantom. Then the youth answered and said unto him, * 1 Thou hast done well"; and again Abba Zeno prayed twice, and three times, and the youth said unto him, "Thou hast "done well"; and the old man took the bread and ate. Then afterwards the youth said unto him, "How is it that thou hast " gone so far from thy cell? But arise and follow me"; and immediately he found himself in his cell. The old man said unto him, "Come, enter into the cell with me, and make thy prayer," and as he was going on in front he was swallowed up from his sight.
59. They used to say that a certain brother had such an attack of blasphemy that he was ashamed to speak, and wherever he heard that there were great old men he used to go to them Wishing to tell them [about it]; but whenever he had come to one of them he was ashamed to speak to him. Now having gone to the fathers several times, on one occasion Abba Poemen saw him, and he perceived that he was full of thoughts, and he was sorry for him; but when the brother would not reveal the matter to him, and he made as if he would pass him by, as soon as the brother had gone a little way from him, the old man said unto him, " How often hast thou come hither to tell " me the thoughts which thou hast in thy mind! Yet, when "thou comest here, thou findest it hard to tell me. How long " wilt thou go on in this manner and be vexed by such thoughts "in thy mind? Tell me, my son, what is it that aileth thee?" Then that brother answered, and said unto him, "I am fight- "ing against the devil of blasphemy of God, and though I "have often sought [to tell thee] I have been ashamed to do "so." And when he had told him the matter, the face of Abba Poemen broke into a smile, and he said unto him, "Be not "vexed, O my son, for when this thought cometh to thee,
" speak thou to it, saying, *I have nothing to do with this " i thought, and my soul desireth it not; let this blasphemy be " 'upon thee, Satan, for nothing in [my] soul desireth it, for "'the time is short.'" And when that brother heard these things he departed rejoicing.
60. A brother asked an old man, saying, "How is that the " soul is obstinate, and that it wisheth not to fear God?" The old man said unto him, "The soul wisheth, O my son, to fear "God, but there is no time, for the fear of God belongeth to "perfection."
61. One of the old men used to say, "Be not thou asking "for one thing after another, but ask concerning the matter " of the war wherein thou art at the time engaged, and when "thou hast eradicated that then ask concerning something " else; but if when there is in thee one passion, thou settest it " aside and askest about another, the former passion will " never be eradicated from thee."
62. A brother asked one of the old men, saying, "What "shall I do? for my thoughts wish to wander and go round "about by reason of the sight of the fathers." And the old man answered and said unto him, "If thou seest that thy " thoughts wish to go forth by reason of the strictness of the "restraint, or through need, make unto thyself a division in " thy cell, and thou wilt henceforward seek not to go out; but " if thou seest that they wish to go out for the benefit of the "soul, go out."
63. There was a certain brother in the Cells, who, when the service in the church was ended, used to remain until the last and to wait for some one to lead him home; one day, however, when the church was being dismissed, he went out before any one else and ran to his cell, and the priest saw him and marvelled. And when the brother came on the following day, the priest said unto him, " Tell me truly why thou, who hadst been " in the habit of going out last, dost now go forth first of all?" and he said, "Up to the present I made a distinction by not " boiling any food [on the First Day of the week], and I waited " that, perad venture, some one might take me to his cell; on "that day, however, before I came [to the church] I boiled a "few lentiles, and therefore I departed quickly." And when the priest heard this he gave a commandment to the brethren in the church that before each man came to the service in the church, he should on the First Day of the week boil some food, by way of making a distinction.
64. The brethren used to tell about a certain old man who had a disciple who, when he sat down to eat, used to put his feet on the table, and although the old man had suffered this
war for many years he did not rebuke him. At length, however, he went to another old man, and told him about the brother, and the old man said unto him, " Complete thy love, and send " him to me." Now when the brother came to that old man, at the appointed time for the meal the old man rose up and made ready the table, and as soon as they had seated themselves the brother straightway put his two feet on the table; and the old man said unto him, "Father, it is not good for "thee to set thy feet on the table"; and he said unto him, "Forgive me, O my son. Thou hast well said, for it is a sin." And the brother returned to his master, and told him about [it], and when the old man had learned this he perceived that this matter had been corrected in his disciple. And from that time the brother did not put his feet on the table.
65. A brother asked Abba Muthues, saying, "Speak unto "me a word whereby I may live." He said unto him, " Go,en- " treat God to give thee mourning and meekness of heart, and " consider at all times thy sins, and do not judge other people, " and make thyself lower than every other man, and have no "love for a boy, and no acquaintance with a woman, and no " friendship with heretics, and put aside from thee all free- "dom of speech (or boldness), and restrain both thy tongue "and thy belly, and guard thyself somewhat against wine, " and if a man speak with thee concerning any matter whatso- " ever, do not quarrel with him, but if he saith that a thing is "good, say 'Yes,' and if he say that it is bad, say, 'Thou " 'knowest.' This is a meek spirit."
66. A brother came unto Abba Poemen and said unto him, " I have very many thoughts, O father, whereby I am vexed"; and the old man took him out into the air, and said unto him, " Spread out thy skirt, and catch the winds," and the brother said unto him, "I cannot do this." The old man said unto him, "Thou canst not do this, neither canst thou prevent thy " thoughts from coming, but it belongeth to thee to stand up "against them."
67. The brethren were on one occasion gathered together to Abba Joseph, and as they were sitting and asking him questions about their thoughts he said unto them, by way of [affording] them consolation, "This day am I a king, for I have controlled my passions."
68. A brother asked Abba Ammon, saying, "Why is it that "a man laboureth in prayer and maketh petitions, and that " for which he asketh is not given to him?" The old man said unto him, "Hast thou never heard how Jacob wearied himself * 1 for her whom he took to wife, and that he did not obtain her "whom he sought, but her whom he did not seek, and how
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tTbe Sasfnd* of tbe t>otj? f atbers
"afterwards he worked and toiled more, and finally received "her whom he loved? Thus is it with the monk also, for he " shall fast and keep vigil, and yet shall not receive that which " he asketh; and again, he shall labour with fasting and vigil, " and shall receive the gift of grace which he asketh."
69. One of the old men asked Abba Sisoes, saying, "Did " Satan persecute the men of olden time as he doth those of " to-day?" Sisoes said unto them, "He persecuteth the men " of this age especially, because his time hath come."
70. Abba John the Less, who was a young man, and had an elder brother, used to say, "I wanted to be without any care " whatsoever, and to be like the angels of God, who do nothing " except sing and pray to Him. " And straightway he cast from him the garments which he had on, and went forth to the wilderness, and when he had passed one week there, he returned to his brother; now when he knocked at the door his brother did not answer it, but asked him, "Who art thou?" And John said unto him, "I am John," and his brother answered and said unto him, "John hath become an angel and is no longer " among men "; and John entreated him, saying, " I indeed am " John," but his brother left him outside in affliction, and did not open the door until the morning. And when he came to open the door he said unto John, "If thou art indeed a man, it is neces- "sary for thee to work so that thou mayest live."
71. Abba Purt6 said, ' * If God wisheth me to live, He knoweth "how to lead me, and to strengthen me, and to provide for " me; but if He desireth it not unto whom shall I go to live?" And he would accept nothing from any man, not even when he was lying upon his bed, "For," he used to say, "if a man " maketh an offering of any kind to me, and not for the sake " of God, I myself have nothing whatsoever to give him, and " he will receive nothing from God, for I am not in the place " of God, so therefore he who offereth will suffer loss."
72. Abba Poemen used to say, "Everything which ariseth "through passion is sin"; and he used to say also, "Every " [exercise of] power which is for God's sake, is thanksgiving " (or confession)."
73. An old man used to say, "Acquire silence, and take no "care for any earthly thing, and examine closely thy medita- "tions, and when thou sleepest and when thou risest up, be " with God, and fear not the attack of the wicked."
74. On one occasion a brother came to a father, and said unto him, "Abba, I sow a field, and I reap the harvest there- "from, and I give alms also thereof"; and the old man said unto him, "Be strong, my son, for thou doest well." So the brother went away rejoicing in this desire. And Abba Job said
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unto Abba Poemen, 4 4 Since thou hast spoken unto that brother " in this fashion, [I know that] thou dost not fear God. " Then, after two days, Abba Poemen sent and called that brother, and said unto him whilst Abba Joseph was listening, 44 What didst 4 4 thou say to me when thou earnest to me, for my mind was 4 4 occupied in another place?" The brother said unto him, "I 44 sow afield, and I reap the harvest therefrom, and I give alms 44 also thereof"; and Abba Poemen said unto him, 44 1 thought 44 in my mind that it was thy brother, who is in the world, of 44 whom thou wast speaking when thou didst tell me that he did 44 these things; but if it be thou thyself who doest them [I must 44 say] that it is not the work for monks." And when the brother heard these [words] he was grieved, and he said, 44 I cannot do 44 without sowing, for I know not how to do any other work 44 but this." Now when that brother had departed, Abba Job expressed his contrition to Abba Poemen, and said unto him, 44 Forgive me." Then Abba Poemen said unto him, 44 1 also 44 knew that this work was not the works of monks, but, 44 according to the measure of his desire, I gave him that where- 44 with I knew he would be edified, and I knew that he would 44 thus abound in love; but now he hath departed in sorrow."
75. Mother Sarah said, 4 4 If I were to pray to God that all 44 men might be built up through me I should be found express- 44 ing contrition at the door of each one of them; but I pray to 44 God especially that my heart may be pure with Him and with 4 4 every man."
76. Certain brethren, whilst talking to an old man about the thoughts, said unto him, 44 Our hearts are hard, and we are 44 not afraid of God; what shall we do that we may fear God?" The old man said unto them, 44 I think that if a man have 44 knowledge in his heart about Him that will rebuke him, it 44 will bring him to the fear of God." Then the brethren said unto him, 44 What is the rebuke?" The old man said, "In every 4 4 matter a man should rebuke himself, saying, 4 Remember that 4 4 4 thou art about to go forth to meet God.' And he should also 44 say, 4 What do I require from man?' And I think that if a 44 man remain in these things the fear which is in God will come 44 to him."
77. Abba Poemen used to say, 4 4 An evil will is a wall of brass 44 between a man and God; but if a man would set it aside he 44 must also say, 4 By [the help of] my God I will leap over a 4 4 4 walF (Psalm xviii, 29) — God Whose way is without blemish 44 — but if that which is seemly lendeth help to the thought, a 44 man is not easily turned aside."
78. They used to say that on one occasion, when Abba Aldnis was singing the service, and the old men were sitting [close
by], these old men watched him [performing the] service, and that they praised him; but when he heard them he answered them never a word. Then a certain man spake unto him aside and privately, saying, "Why dost thou not make answer to i 6 the old men who have praised thee?" Abba Aldnis said unto them, "Because if I made answer to them I should be as one " who had accepted the praise."
79. An old man used to say, "If a word of the Book goeth " up in the heart of a brother when he is sitting in his cell, and " if he pursue that word before it hath arrived at its maturity, "not being driven by God, the devils will demonstrate the " word before it [become complete] according to their desire."
80. Abba Sar&nis used to say, "I have worked during the "whole period of my life in reaping, and in twisting ropes, "and in sewing mats, and notwithstanding these things, if " the hand of the Lord had not fed me I should not have had "enough to eat."
81. An old man used to say, "Spread abroad the Name of
* * Jesus in humility, and with a meek heart; shew thy feeble- " ness before Him, and He will become strength unto thee."
82. Abba Macarius said unto Abba Zechariah, "Tell me, " what is the work of monks?" He said unto him, "Dost thou
* ask me, father? " The old man said unto him, * ' I beseech thee,
* my son, Zechariah, for there is something which is right I 4 should ask thee." And Abba Zechariah said unto him, "Fa-
* ther, I give it as my opinion that the work of monks consisteth
* in a man restraining himself in everything."
83. An old man also said, "He who constraineth himself in i everything, for God's sake, is a confessor. " And again he said, 4 He who constraineth himself for the sake of the Son of God
* will not be forgotten by the Son of God." And he also said, 4 Him who hath made himself a fool for the sake of God, God
* will make him to be wise."
84. An old man used to say, "If when thou art sitting down, or standing up, or when thou art doing anything else, God be set before thine eyes continually, no [a6l] of the Enemy can terrify thee; if this thought abide with a man, the power of God will abide with him also."
85. An old man also said, "The man who hath his death before his eyes continually will overcome littleness of soul. "
86. Abba Poemen used to say, "Hunger and slumber have not allowed me to notice these small matters."
87. Abba Theodore said, "Many men in this age are desirous of life before God giveth [it] to them."
88. He used to say also, " Be a free man, so that thou mayest not be crafty in thy words."
89. Abba Poemen used to say, * 4 Keep thyself aloof from "every man who is contentious in speech."
90. An old man said, "In all [thy] trials blame no man ex- " cept thyself, and say, These have happened me for my sins."
91. An old man said, "In the sluggard and the useless man " God hath no pleasure."
92. A brother asked Abba Timothy, saying, ' * I wish to guard " my soul from things that will hurt it"; and the old man said unto him, "How can we guard our soul when the door[s] or " our tongue and belly are open?"
93. They used to say that a certain man asked Abba Sisoes about Abba Pambd, saying, "Tell us about his life and con- "du6l"; the old man made answer to him, saying, "Abba " Pamb6 is great in his works."
94. Abba Joseph related that Abba Poemen said, "The "meaning of the words which are written in the Gospel, "'Whosoever hath a garment, let him sell it, and buy a " 'sword' (St. Luke xxii, 36), is, 'Let him that hath a life of " 'ease relinquish it, and lay hold upon [a life of] toil.'"
95. They used to say that [on one occasion] when certain of the old men were sitting with Abba Poemen and were discussing some of the fathers, and were [asking each other] if they remembered Abba Sisoes, Abba Poemen said, "Quit talking "about Abba Sisoes, for he hath surpassed the measure (or "limit) of all histories."
96. On one occasion a father came to Abba Theodore of Per£m6, and said unto him, "Behold, O father, such and such "a brother hath gone back to the world"; and the old man said, "Dost thou wonder thereat? Marvel not at this, but thou " mayest marvel when thou hearest that a man hath been able " to flee completely from the world."
97. An old man related of Moses that when he slew the Egyptian he looked on this side and on that, and saw no man, and explained the meaning of the passage as being that Moses did not see his thoughts. And when he saw himself, and that he was doing no evil thing, and that that which he was about to do was for God's sake, he then slew the Egyptian.
98. An old man also said concerning the verse of the Psalms wherein it is written, "I will place his hand in the sea, and "his right hand in the rivers" (Psalm lxxxix, 25), that it was spoken concerning our Redeemer, Whose left hand is on the sea, that is to say the world, and Whose right hand is in the rivers, that is to say, the Apostles, who water the whole world with faith.
99. A brother asked one of the old men, saying, "What shall "I do? For I am troubled about the works of my hands: I love
" making mats, but I am unable to make [them] here." The old man said unto him, "Abba Sisoes used to say, ' It is not the " 'work which is easy for us that we ought to do, but that " 'which befitteth the place, and a brother should labour " 'according to what it will cost to keep him.'"
100. Abba Joseph used to say, "When we were sitting with " Abba Poemen he made mention of Abba Agathon, and we " said to him, ' He was a young man, why dost thou call him " 'Abba?' Abba Poemen said unto him, 'His mouth made him "'to be called Abba"
ZOI. One of the old men used to say, "Wheresoever the bee "goeth it maketh honey; and thus also it is with the monk, " for wheresoever he goeth he doeth the work of God."
102. An old man used to say, "Satan is a twister of cords, "and as long as thou givest him threads he will plait them"; now he spake this concerning the thoughts.
103. Abba Sisoes shewed us the cave of Abba Anthony, and said, "Thus in the cave of a lion a fox dwelleth."
104. They used to say of those who were in Scete that no pride was found among them, because they surpassed each other in spiritual excellences. They fasted so much that one would only eat [once] every two days, and another [once] every four days, and another [once] every seven days; another would eat no bread, and another would drink no water, and to speak briefly, they were adorned with every spiritual excellence.
105. They used to relate that a certain old man entreated God and made supplication unto Him that the devils might appear to him, and it was revealed to him that "It is not "necessary for thee to see them"; but the old man made entreaty, saying, "Lord, Thou art able to hide me in Thy grace." Then God opened his eyes, and he saw them like bees surrounding a man, and they were gnashing their teeth upon him, and the angels of God were rebuking them and driving them away from men.
I06 # A man asked a certain old man from Thebes, and said unto him, "Tell me how I may be redeemed"; and the old man said unto him, "Three things [thou must do]. Sit in thy cell " and keep silence, and consider attentively thy sins, and keep "thyself wholly from judging any man, and accept no gift ' ' from any man, and let thine hands be sufficient to find thee thy "food. And if thou art unable to give alms of thy work at " least supply all thy needs by thine own hands."
107. They used to say that one day when Abba Sisoes was sitting down he cried out with a loud voice, and said, "O my " feebleness"; his disciple said unto him, "What aileth thee, O
"father?" And the old man said unto him, "I wish to speak " to a certain man, and I am unable [to do so]."
108. They used to say that when the barbarians came the brethren took to flight, and that Abba Daniel, who was in Scete, said, " Unless God taketh care for me, why should I "live?" And he passed through all the barbarians, and they saw him not. Then afterwards he said in himself, "Behold God " hath cared for me, and I am not dead, I also will do as a man "doeth, and I will flee as the [other] fathers have fled."
109. When Abba Sisoes was about to die, and the fathers were sitting about him, they saw that his face was shining like the sun; and he said unto them straightway, "Behold, Abba Anthony " hath come"; and after a little while he said also, "Behold, the "company of the prophets hath come"; his face shone again, and he said, "Behold the company of apostles hath come"; and again his face shone with twofold brightness, and he became suddenly like unto one who was speaking with some one. Then the old men who was sitting [therej entreated him, and said, " Show us with whom thou art talking, father"; and straightway he said unto them, "Behold, the angels came to take me " away, and I besought them to leave me so that I might tarry "here a little longer, and repent." And the old men said unto him, "Thou hast no need to repent, father"; the old man said unto them, "I do not know in my soul if I have rightly begun " to repent"; and they all learned that the old man was perfedt. Then again suddenly his face beamed like the sun, and all who sat there were afraid, and he said unto them straightway, "Look ye, look ye. Behold our Lord hath come, and He "saith, (Bring ye unto Me the chosen vessel which is in the " 4 desert 1 "; and straightway he delivered up his spirit, and he became [like] lightning, and the whole place was filled with a sweet odour.
110. Abba Paphnutius, the disciple of Abba Macarius, used to say, "I entreated him, saying, 'Father, tell me a word'"; and he said unto me, "Do no harm to any man, and condemn " no man; observe these [words], and thou shalt be redeemed. "
XXI. A brother asked a certain old man, saying, "In what "form doth the fear of God dwell in the soul?" The old man said unto him, " If a man possess humility, and practise abstinence, and judge no man, in this manner doth the fear of "God dwell in the soul."
112. Abba Hilarion of Syria came to the mountain to Abba Anthony, and Abba Anthony said unto him, " Hast thou come, " O star of light, who shinest with the morning?" And Abba Hilarion said unto him, "Peace be to thee, O pillar of light, " who sustainest creation! "
113. Certain of the fathers used to say, "God bringeth not "young men to monasteries, but Satan, so that he may turn " back the mighty men."
114. A brother said unto Abba Anthony, "Pray for me, " father"; the old man said unto him, "I cannot help thee, and "God will not, if thou wilt not abolish thyself and ask Him "thyself [to do so]."
115. They used to tell of a certain old man who had passed fifty years [of his life] without eating bread or drinking water; and he used to say, "I have slain fornication, and the love of " gold, and the love of glory." Now Abba Abraham heard [of him], and came to him, and said, "Didst thou say these "things?" and he said, "Yea." Abba Abraham said unto him, " If thou wert to go into thy cell, and find a woman on "thy mat, wouldst thou be able to keep from thinking that " she was a woman?" And the old man said unto him, " No, " but I should struggle against my thoughts so as not to touch 4 4 her. " Abba Abraham said unto him, * 4 Behold, then, thou hast " not slain it (i.e., the lust for fornication), but the passion is "still alive, though fettered. Behold, also, if thou wert travel- "ling along a road and thou didst see lying thereon some " potsherds and among them a talent of gold, would thy mind " be able to look upon the money in the same way as the pot- " sherds?" The old man said unto him, " Nay, but I should " contend against my thoughts in such wise as not to take it." Then Abba Abraham said unto him, "Behold, the passion [of " love of money] is still alive, though fettered. Behold now, if " thou didst hear of two brethren, one of whom was esteem- " ing thee highly and praising thee, and the other was hating "thee and reviling thee, if these men came to thee wouldst " thou be able to regard each of them with equal friendliness?" And the old man said unto them, "No, but I would strive " against my thoughts in such a way that I would treat him "that cursed me as well as I did him that loved me." Then Abba Abraham said unto him, "Behold, then, the passions " are still alive, but they are fettered in the saints."
116. There was a certain old man who was a monk, and who dwelt in the desert far away, and he had a kinswoman who with difficulty discovered after very many years where he was living, and then, by the operation of Satan, she rose up and came to the road to the desert, and she found camels which were going to travel on that road, and she entered [the desert] with them. Now she was [driven to do this] by the devil. And as soon as she had come to the cell of the old man, she began to give him proofs about herself, saying, "I am indeed thy "kinswoman," and she remained with him. Now there was
another monk who lived in the neighbourhood of men, and he filled a vessel full of water, and set [it] down, and at the season when he ate, being* urged by the operation of God, he meditated within himself, and said, "I will arise and will go into "the desert, and will learn from that old man what this is." Now as he was travelling along the way, the night overtook him, and he went into a house of idols which was on the road, and passed the night there, and he heard the devils saying to each other, "This night we have cast down such a monk by "fornication." Now when he heard this he marvelled, and he came to the old man, and found him sad, and he said unto him, " Father, what shall I do? For I filled a vessel with water, but " when I came to eat my meal I found that it had been spilled." And the old man said unto him, "Hast thou come to ask me " about a vessel of water which hath been spilled? What am " I myself to do? For this night I have fallen into fornication." The monk said unto him, "I know it also; hold thy peace." The old man said unto him, "How knowest thou?" And the monk said unto him, "Last night when I was sleeping in a "house of idols which is on the road, I heard the devils say "[so] to each other, and I was distressed [thereat]." And the old man said unto him, "Henceforth I will go to the world," but the monk persuaded him, saying, "Nay, father, but stay " in thy place, and send the woman away, for this is a temp- " tation of the Enemy"; and the old man hearkened unto him, and sent her away, and he himself continued in his ascetic works, and he mourned, and made supplication unto God with abundant tears, until at length he arrived at his former state of ascetic excellence.
117. A brother asked one of the fathers, saying, "What "shall I do, for I am disturbed in mind when I go up to per- "form the office of the deacon?" And the old man said unto him, "It is not good for thee to be disturbed when thou goest "up to minister, but if thou art, and thou art disturbed in thy "cell, thou must labour, and give thanks, and receive the hire " of which thou art worthy. " Then that brother said unto him, "If I can find a man who will minister for me for a gift, "and I cheat him not, may I [let him] do so?" The old man said unto him, "If thou canst find a man who is in the world "who can perform thy ministration, and will take his hire, "yes, but if he be a monk, no."
118. A brother said unto Abba Poemen, " Can a man rely "upon anyone work of spiritual excellence [for salvation]?" The old man said unto him, "John the Less said, 'I should " ' wish that a man should take to himself a little of each kind " * of spiritual excellence. ' "
II9 # These are the words which Abba Moses said to Abba Poemen, and the first word which was spoken by the old man was:
120. " It is better for a man to put himself to death rather "than his neighbour, and he should not condemn him hi " anything. "
121. " It is good for a man to die unto every work which is " evil, and he should not vex a man before his departure from "the body."
122. " If a man doth not put himself in the attitude of a " sinner, his prayer will not be heard before God." A brother said unto him, " What is a sinful soul?" And the old man said, " Every one who beareth his own sins, and considereth not " [those] of his companion."
123. The old man also said unto him, " If works do not cor- " respond to prayer he who prayeth laboureth in vain." And a brother asked him: " What is the equality of works with "prayer?" The old man said unto him, "He who prayeth " that he may receive the remission of sins must not hence- " forth be negligent, for if a man relinquisheth his own will, he " will be accepted by God rightly."
124. A brother asked an old man, saying, "Fasting and " praying which spring from men, what do they effect?" The old man said unto him, " They make the soul to be humble be- " fore God, for it is written, • Look upon my subjugation, and " 'my labour, and forgive me all my sin* (Psalm xxv, 18). " For if the soul be afflicted it will receive mercy from "God."
125. A brother said unto an old man, "What shall a man " do in every temptation which cometh upon him, and during " every thought of the Enemy?" The old man said unto him, " It is right for a man to weep before the grace of God so that " He may help him, and he shall speedily find relief if he make " his supplication with knowledge, for it is written, ' The Lord " 'is my Helper, I will not be afraid what man shall do unto " 'me ' " (Psalm cxviii, 6; Hebrews xiii, 6).
126. The perfection of all spiritual excellences is for a man not to judge his neighbour. For when the hand of the Lord slew the first-born of Egypt, there was no house wherein there was not one dead person. Then a brother said unto the old man, "What is the meaning of these words?" The old man said unto him, " If we allow ourselves to view closely our own sins " we shall not see those of our neighbour. It is folly for a man " to forsake his own dead and to lament over that of his " neighbour."
127. And in respect of the words "A man should put his own
" soul to death rather than [that] of his neighbour," they mean that a man should bear his own sins, and should be remote from the anxiety of all men. And he should not say, ' ' This is * 4 good, and this is bad"; and he should not do harm to any man; and the wickedness of thy neighbour should not be remembered in thy heart; and thou must not hold in contempt the man who hath done wickedness to thy friend; and thou must not deliver thy will over to him that doeth evil to thy neighbour; and thou must not rejoice in that which causeth evil to thy neighbour. This is the meaning of the words that a man * i should die rather than [his J neighbour." And thou shalt not speak evilly of a man, but say, " God knoweth every man"; and thou shalt not take pleasure in evil converse, and thou shalt not deliver thy will over to him that revileth thy neighbour. This is the meaning of the words, i 'Judge not that ye be not "judged." And thou shalt not make enmity against any man, and thou shalt not make any enmity in thy heart, and thou shalt not hate him that worketh enmity against his neighbour, and thou shalt not judge his enmity, and thou shalt not keep wrath against a brother who keepeth wrath against his neighbour. For this is peace.
128. Now the conclusion of all these things is that whatsoever thou hearest thou must speak, but this is not the opinion to which I incline, and I am a sinner; for because of these things God will give thee rest. When thou risest up in the morning each day, lay hold upon a governor who will suit every kind of spiritual excellence, and every command of God with abundant long-suffering, and in humility of soul and of body, and with patience and tribulations, and with thoughts and prayers, and supplications, and with groanings, and with the cleansing of the tongue, and with watching of the eyes, in suffering abuse without being angry and maintaining peace, in not rewarding evil for evil without discretion. And thou must not regard the lapses [of others], and thou must not measure thine own [excellence], but thou must be the lowest thing in creation through alienation from the things of the body and multitudinous affairs, through the agony of the cross, and poverty of spirit, and good desire, and spiritual self-abnegation, and fasting, and repentance, and tears, through the strife of war, and discretion, and purity of soul, through noble patience, and vigil by nights, and hunger, and thirst, and nakedness, and cold, and labours. And thou must keep hold upon thy grave as if thou wert already dead, and as if death were thy neighbour every day, in the mountains, and in the caves, and in the holes of the earth; and take heed that thou dost not become merely a hearer of the Word and not a doer of it. For those who do these things are
indeed they who are clothed in the wedding garments, and they it is who have worked with the talents.
129. A brother asked an old man, saying, 44 Father, what 44 answer shall I return unto those who abuse us and say that 44 we do not return to the world because of our laziness, and 44 that by the work of our hands and the labour of our souls we 44 do not relieve strangers?" The old man said unto him, 44 Although we have from the Law and from the commandments 44 of our Lord many things wherewith we could make answer 4 'concerning the crown of perfection, yet we must make answer, with humility, in this wise: Beloved, when the Nine- 44 vites were in need of repentance, which of them did these 44 things for the necessity of the world and the rights thereof? 44 Did not even the king himself refrain from this thing and take 44 the same course as the men of olden time, and those of the 44 later time, and those who were before them? And he kept 44 silence and was quiet, even according to all the characteris- 4 4 tics of the world, and up to the present no [men] have described 44 the punishment which befitted them. Thus also it is with us, 44 and because we have sinned against and transgressed the 44 natural and written law we bring to naught all [the charac- 44 teristics] of the world until we shall perceive that reconciHa- (i tion hath come, and the penalty of the rights of olden time and 44 of the commandments hath been dissolved. And did not Paul 44 also teach us this, [when he said], 4 He who wageth a strife 4 4 4 keepeth his mind [free] from everything else?' (Compare 44 1 Corinthians ix, 24, 25.) And a man must not rest until the 44 Lord blot out seed from Babel."
130. A brother asked an old man, saying, 4 4 What shall I do 44 with my mind which fighteth [against me]? For it is better <4 and also a greater thing for me to go into the world and 4 4 to teach and convert many, and to become like unto the 44 Apostles." The old man said unto him, 44 If there be in thy 44 mind no fear that thou hast fallen short in the matter of any 4 4 of the commandments, and if thou hast also felt that thou 44 hast arrived at the haven of rest, and if thou hast no feeling 44 about anything in thy mind, then go; but if thou hast not 44 all these things together in thee, [the desire] is due to the 44 operation of wickedness which urgeth thee on, so that it may 44 cast thee down from thine integrity."
131. On one occasion the brethren were eating together in Scete, and John Kolob was with them, and a great priest rose up to give them a pitcher of water, but no man would accept it from him except John Kolob; and they all marvelled and said unto him, 44 How is it that thou who art the least among 44 all of us hast been so bold as to take the pitcher from him,
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" and drink, whilst none of us dared to do so?" Then Abba John said unto them, "When I stand up I rejoice that every "man should take [the pitcher] from me and drink, so that " I may have a reward, and I considered on this occasion also, "and I took [the pitcher] and drank so that there might be " a reward to him, and that he might not be grieved because 14 no man accepted [water] from him, and that his [good] will "might not be wronged." And when he had said this the fathers marvelled at his intelligence, and they all obtained benefit by his word[s].
132. A brother asked Poemen, saying, "I observe my soul, "so that wheresoever I go I may find help"; the old man said unto him, "Even those who bear swords have a God, Who "hath mercy upon them in this life. If then we were to find " ourselves in islands of terror God would deal with us accord- " ing to His mercy."
134. Abba Poemen used to say that Abba Ammon said, 4 * One " man spendeth the whole period of his life holding an axe in " his hand [ready] to cut down a tree, and never findeth the "opportunity of wielding it; and another man, who knoweth " well how to fell trees, heweth with three axes, and wieldeth " them [against trees]. Now," he said, " the axe [in this case] "is discretion [or discernment]."
135. Abba Poemen also said that Abba Anthony said concerning Abba Pamb6, "This man feared God so greatly that "he made the Spirit of God to dwell in him."
136. Abba Poemen used to say, "The fear of God teacheth a "man all spiritual excellences."
137. A brother asked Abba Poemen, saying, " Why do my
* * thoughts persuade me to esteem myself and compare myself " with one whose rule of condudl is more excellent [than mine], " and to despise that man as much as if he had been my infe- " rior?"The old man answered and said, "The blessed Apos- "tle spake concerning this, saying, 4 In a large house there
* * 4 are not only vessels of gold and vessels of silver, but also " 4 vessels of wood and of earthenware. If now a man will 44 4 cleanse his soul from all these things, he shall become a 4 4 4 vessel which is suitable and convenient for the honour of 4 4 4 his Lord, and he will be ready for every good work'" (2 Timothy ii, 20, 21). That brother said unto him, 44 How are 4 4 these matters to be explained?" And the old man said unto him, 4 4 They are to be explained thus. The house is the world 44 and the vessels are the children of men. The vessels of gold 44 must be taken as representing the perfedl, and those of sil- 44 ver are the men who are inferior to them in the measure of 44 ascetic deeds, and the other vessels of wood and earthen-
" ware are those who possess a little ascetic excellence. If now " a man will cleanse his soul from all the things which are out- " side what is right, he will become a pure vessel of honour " suitable for the use of his Lord, and be ready for every good ' ' work."
138. A brother also asked Abba Poemen, "Why is it that "I am not allowed to be free in my thoughts like the other " old men?" The old man said unto him, "John Kolob used to "say, 'The Enemy doth not rejoice in anything so much as in " 'those who do not reveal and lay bare their thoughts to " 'their fathers/"
139. Abba Poemen used to say, "Men are wont to speak " great and perfect things, but in their deeds they draw nigh " unto the things which are little and inferior."
140. An old man used to say, "Neither shame nor fear con- " firms sin."
141. An old man used to say, "As the company of the monks " is more excellent than and superior to the children of the " world, so it is meet that the monk who is a stranger should " be a mirror to those who are found in a monastery which is " devoted to the ascetic life."
142. A brother asked an old man, saying, "What shall I "do?" The old man said unto him, "Go, and love the con- " straint of thyself in everything."
143. The same old man said unto him, "Reveal and shew " forth thy gift"; and the brother said unto him, "My thoughts "will not permit me [to do so]." The old man said, "It is "written, 'Call upon Me in the day of affliction, and I will " 'deliver thee, and thou shalt praise Me' (Psalm 1, 15); call " then upon Him, and He shall deliver thee."
I44 # An old man used to say, "Teach thy heart to keep and " to take heed unto the things which thy tongue speaketh."
145. An old man used to say, " If a man teacheth and per- ' ' formeth not he is like unto the large basin which receiveth " the water for the assembly, which watereth and cleanseth " many, but cannot itself be cleaned, and is full of dirt and " impurity."
146. Abba Jacob used to say, "As a lamp illumineth a dark " chamber, so doth the fear of God, if it abide in the heart of " a man, illumine him, and teach him all the excellences of " the commandments of God."
147. Abba Muthues used to say, " I would rather have the ' man with a little work, which abideth and is constant, than ' him who at the beginning laboureth severely, and soon ' ceaseth altogether."
148. On one occasion Abba Theodore went to Abba John,
who was an eunuch from his mother's womb, and as they were talking together about spiritual excellences, he said, 44 When we were in Scete the cultivation of the soul was our 44 labour, and we worked with our hands only in the ordinary 44 way, and we only did work of this kind when it came [in "the way]; to-day, however, the cultivation of the soul is 44 made our ordinary work, which is performed whensoever it 44 happeneth to come [in the way], and the work of our hands, 44 which was always regarded as a common matter, hath be- 44 come unto us a serious matter and an object of earnest 44 solicitude."
149. A brother asked an old man, saying, 4 4 What is the 4 4 cultivation of the soul like? And what is the labour of the 44 hands like?,, The old man said unto him, 4 4 Whatsoever 44 happeneth for God's sake is the cultivation (or labour) of the 44 soul; but whatsoever a man doeth for himself, or whatso- 44 ever he gathereth together for himself, is the labour of the 44 hands." That brother said unto him, 44 Father, teach me a 44 proof of this matter which I do not understand." The old man said unto him, 44 It is as if a man were to say, Behold, 44 thou hearest that I am sick, and thou sayest in thyself, Now 44 I have a piece of work to do, shall I leave [it], and go and 44 visit him, or shall I finish it first and then go? And however 44 many times thou art prevented [from going] for some reason 44 or cause, and however many times the brother saith unto 44 thee, Come, take me, and help me, thou sayest within thy- 44 self, Shall I leave my work and go and help him? But if 44 thou goest not, behold, thou hast abrogated the command- 44 ments of God, which are for the cultivation of the soul, be- 44 cause of the work of the hands. If then a man ask thee, go 44 with him, since this is a work of God, for He said, 4 If a
4 4 4 man compel thee to go a mile with him, go two'" (St. Matthew v, 41).
150. A brother asked Abba Marcianus, saying, 44 What shall 44 I do so that I may live?" And the old man answered and said unto him, 4 4 He who looketh above seeth not what is 44 below; he who is occupied closely with the things which are 44 below hath no knowledge of what is above. And he who 44 understandeth the things which are above is not concerned 44 with what is below, for it is written, 4 Turn ye, and know 4 4 4 that I am God'" (Psalm xlvi, 10).
151. Abba Poemen said that Abba John cultivated all spiritual excellences.
152. A brother asked one of the old men, saying, 44 If I am 44 being tempted, and a temptation come upon me, and I have 44 no one in whom I have confidence to tell about it, what shall
44 I do?" The old man said unto him, 44 I believe in God, and 44 that He will send His Grace, and will comfort thee, and give 4 4 thee strength if thou will ask Him in truth and wilt make 44 supplication unto Him. For I have heard that a matter like 44 unto this took place in Scete, where there was a man whose 44 rule and conduct were excellent, and he fell into temptation, 14 and he became oppressed in his mind, and because he had no 44 man in whom he had confidence to reveal the matter to, and 44 none to bid him be of good courage, he made himself ready 44 to depart. And behold, the grace of God appeared unto him 4 4 by night in the form of a virgin, and she comforted him, 4 4 saying, 4 Depart not, but dwell here with me, for not one of the 4 4 4 things of which I have heard shall be performed'; and 44 straightway his mind was healed, and he was consoled and 44 strengthened."
153. A certain brother used to say, 44 1 knew an old man who 44 dwelt in the mountain who would never agree to accept 4 4 anything from any man; now he possessed a little water, and 44 with it he used to care for and water a few garden herbs which 4 4 he had. And he lived this life for fifty years, and he never 44 went outside the fence of his cell. He was exceedingly 44 famous because of the numerous cures which he wrought 44 daily upon those who came to him. He died in peace, leaving 44 in his place five brethren/ '
154, There was a certain old man in Scete who toiled in the works of the body, that is to say, in fasting and in standing up; and in his thoughts he was a simple man, and he was neither keen in intellect nor learned. And he went to Abba John Kolob to ask him about his thoughts, and when the old man had spoken to him he returned and went to his cell, and forgot what the old man had said to him. And he came a second time to the old man, who told him what he had already said unto him, and when he had departed he forgot it again; and though he did this several times he always forgot what had been said to him. Then, after these things, he went unto the blessed man once more, and said unto him, 4 4 Thou knowest, 44 O father, that I forgot [thy words] again; but I did not come 44 to thee because I did not wish to weary thee. " Abba John said unto him, 44 Go, and light a lamp"; and he went and did as he commanded him. And Abba John said unto him, 44 Bring several 44 lamps, and light [them all] from it"; and he lit [them] as he had told him. And Abba John said to the old man, 4 4 Is the 44 lamp wherefrom thou hast kindled the many lamps in any 44 way the worse?" and he said unto him, 4 4 No." And the old man John said unto him, 44 If all Scete were to come unto him 44 John would not be the worse for it, neither would the gift of
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" the grace of Christ be impeded thereby. Whensoever then "thou wishest, and art in doubt, come [to me]." Thus by the patient endurance of both of them he removed and did away error from that brother. For this was the work of those who were dwelling in Scete, and they devoted themselves, and delivered over their wills to compel those who were engaged in [spiritual] war to inherit the good things (or virtues) each from each.
155. There was a certain old man who was sick, and as he possessed nothing which he required for his wants, the Abba of the coenobium received him [there], and said to the brethren, " Exert yourselves a little to relieve this sick man." Now the man who was sick had a pot full of gold, and he dug a hole below where he was [lying] and buried it; and it happened that he died without confessing and revealing the matter. And after he was buried, the Abba who had taken him in said unto the brethren, ' 'Remove this bench from here," and whilst they were rooting it out they found the gold. Then the Abba said, " Since he confessed not about this when he was alive, he "cannot reveal the matter when he is dead" — now he knew that the sick man's hope had been in it — "but go ye and bury "it with him." And fire came down from heaven, and it continued above his grave for many days in the sight of every man, and all those who saw it marvelled.
156. A certain brother came on one occasion to the cell of Abba John at the time of evening, and he was in a great hurry to depart; and they talked about spiritual excellences [for a long time] without knowing [it], and when he went forth to set him on his way, they tarried talking together until it was the sixth hour of the night. Then Abba John made him go back to his cell, and they ate together, and then he sent him away, and he departed.
157. Abba Ammon said: — On one occasion I and Abba Betimius went to visit Abba Akhila, for we had heard that he was meditating upon the passage, "Fear thou not, O Jacob, "to go down to Egypt" (Genesis xlvi, 3), and that he was repeating these words several times; and when we knocked he opened unto us, and he asked us, saying, "Whence are ye?" And being afraid to say, "[We come] from the cells," we made answer that we were from the Mountain of Nitria, and he brought us in, and we found that he was working by night at plaiting palm leaves, and we asked him, saying, 1 ' Speak a word " unto us." Then he answered and said, "Between the evening " and the morning I have twisted twenty branches, but in very " truth I have no need for all this, only [I am afraid] lest God "be angry with me, and He chide me, saying, 'Though thou
44 4 wast able to work thou hast not done so '; therefore I toil and 44 I work with all my might."
158. Certain of the fathers used to tell a story about a holy man who was indeed a great man, and if people came to ask him a question he would say unto them with wisdom, "Behold, "I take upon myself the face (or Person) of God, and I sit 44 upon the throne of judgement; what now dost thou wish me 44 to do for thee? If thou sayest, 'Have mercy upon me,' God 44 saith unto thee, 4 If thou wishest Me to have mercy upon 44 4 thee, thou also must have mercy upon thy brother, and then 44 4 I will have mercy upon thee; and if thou wishest Me to for- 44 4 give thee, thou also must forgive thy brother, and then I will 4 4 4 forgive thee. ' Can any blame rest upon God? God forbid! But 44 the cause resteth with us, and if we wish we are able to live."
159. On one occasion a certain brother departed into exile from the countries and places wherein dwelt Abba Poemen, and he went to a monk who used to live in that country where- to he was going; now this man was one who possessed love, and many folk thronged to him — and the brother related unto that monk stories concerning Abba Poemen, and when he heard about his spiritual excellences he longed to see him. And the brother came back again to Egypt, and after some time the monk [unto whom he had gone], who lived in that country, came to Egypt to him, for the brother had already told him where he lived, and when the monk saw the brother he rejoiced greatly. Then the monk said unto the brother, 4 4 Do [me an act 44 of] love, and take me so that I may go to Abba Poemen," and he took him to Abba Poemen, and the brother told him the story of the monk who was with him, saying, 4 4 He is a great 44 man, and is much beloved, and he hath no small honour in 44 his own country. I related unto him stories concerning thy holi- 44 ness, and he greatly desired to come and see thee "; and Abba Poemen received him with gladness, and having saluted each other they sat down. Then the stranger began to converse with Abba Poemen from the Scriptures concerning spiritual and heavenly things, but Abba Poemen turned away his face and returned him no answer whatsoever. And when he saw that Abba Poemen would not speak unto him, he was grieved, and went outside, and said unto the brother who had brought him,
4 4 In my opinion I have toiled in vain in coming all this long 44 journey to see the old man, for behold, he refuseth to speak to 44 me." Now when the brother went in to the old man Poemen, he said unto him, 4 4 Father, this great man, who is so greatly 44 praised in his own country, came on thy account; why didst 44 thou not speak with him?" Poemen said, 4 4 He spake about 44 the things which are above and concerning heavenly matters,
" but I can only talk about things which are below and about "the things of earth; had he spoken to me about the pas- 4 4 sions of the soul I would have given him an answer; but since " he talked about spiritual things, I know nothing about them." Then that brother went forth to the monk and said unto him, " The old man is not one of those who wish a man to talk to " them from the Scriptures, but if thou wilt converse with him 4 4 about the passions of the soul he will return thee answer. " And straightway the monk repented, and he came to the old man, and said unto him, 44 Father, what shall I do so that I "may bring into subjection the passions of the body?" Then the old man looked upon him gladly, and said unto him, 44 Now thou art welcome! Open now thy mouth on such matters as these, and I will fill it with good things." And the monk, having been greatly helped, and having gained benefit, said, "In very truth this is the way of truth"; and he went back to his country, giving thanks to God that he had been held worthy of such converse with the holy man.
160. Abba Poemen said concerning Abba John that he cultivated spiritual excellences of every kind.
161. Abba Muthues used to say that there were three brethren who were in the habit of coming to Abba Anthony, and that two. of them used to ask him questions about the thoughts, and about life, and redemption, and the discretion {or intelligence) of the soul, whilst the third one held his peace continually. And after a long time Abba Anthony said unto him, " Brother, thou comest here each year, and askest nothing!" And he answered and said unto the old man, "It is sufficient " for me to see thee."
162. Abba Sisoes asked Abba Poemen about filthy thoughts, and the old man said unto him, "The matter is like unto a box "of clothes: if a man leaveth the clothes inside it for a long " time without being turned, they will become eaten up in pro- "cess of time and destroyed. And thus also is it with the " thoughts, and if a man doth not drive them out from his body "they will be destroyed and perish."
163. Abba Joseph asked Abba Poemen about the wicked and vain thoughts which a man produceth, and the old man said unto him, "It is as if a man were to take a snake and a scor- "pion, and throw them in a vessel {or cloth), and close (or " wrap) them up tightly for a long time, when they would die " owing to the period [which they have been shut up]; even so "do the evil thoughts, which spring up in the mind through " the workings of devils, decay and become destroyed through "patient endurance."
164. Abba Elijah used to say, " What is sin able to do where
" repentance is found? And what will love profit where there is "pride?"
165. One of the fathers said, "The early [fathers] did not "depart from their places except for the three following " reasons: — First: If one of them was vexed with his neighbour, " and it was impossible for him to make clean his heart in re- " spect of him. Secondly: If the abundant approval of the chil- " dren of men was gathered together to him. Thirdly: If the "temptation of fornication clung to him. Whensoever they "saw these three reasons they departed."
166. On one occasion when he saw him pouring some water over his feet, Abba Isaac said unto Abba Poemen, as one who possessed freedom of speech before him, "How is it that, " whilst the fathers exercised themselves in such stern labours "and mighty deeds of asceticism that they oppressed their " bodies, behold, thou art washing [thy feet]?" Abba Poemen said unto him, "We have not learned to be slayers of the body, " but slayers of the passions."
167. This same Abba Isaac heard the voice of a cock, and he said to Abba Poemen, "Are there such things as fowls " here, father?" And he answered and said unto him, "Isaac, " why dost thou force me to speak to thee? It is only people "who are like thyself that hear such sounds as these; he "who is strenuous concerneth not himself with matters of "this kind."
r68. An old man used to say, "Wisdom and simplicity form " the perfect order of the Apostles and of those who examine ' closely their rules of life and their conduct, and to this Christ * urged them, saying, * Be ye harmless as doves and subtle ' 'like serpents' (St. Matthew x, 16). And the Apostle [Paul] ' also admonished the Corinthians to the same effect, saying, ' 'My brethren, be not childish in your minds, but he ye as ' 'babes in respect of things which are evil, and be ye perfect ' 'in your minds' (1 Corinthians xiv, 20). Now wisdom without ' simplicity is wicked cunning, and it is the subtlety of the 'philosophers among the pagans of which it is said, 'He ' 'catcheth the wise men in their own cunning' (Job v, 13; ' 1 Corinthians iii, 19), and again, 'The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain* (Psalm xciv, 11; 1 ' Corinthians iii, 20). And simplicity without wisdom is the foolishness which is prone to error, and concerning this also the Apostle spake, and he wrote unto those who possessed it, saying, 'I fear lest, even as the serpent led Eve into error by 'his craftiness, so your minds also may be destroyed in re- ' spect of your simplicity which is towards Christ ' (2 Corinthians xi, 3). For they accepted every word without testing
"it, even as it is said in the (Book of] Proverbs, 'The simple " 'man believeth every word'" (Proverbs xiv, 15).
169. They used to say that one of the old men in Scete had been a slave, and that he came each year to Alexandria, and brought with him a gift for his owners from [the results of] labour, and they received him, and paid him homage. And the old man [formerly] poured water into a basin, and brought it so that he might wash the feet of his owners, but they said unto him, "Nay, father, thou shah not honour us [thus]." Then he said unto them, "My lords, I acknowledge that I am "your slave, and that I have received from you an aft of grace " in that ye have let me become a free man to serve our Lord, " and if I may not wash your feet accept at least my gift"; but they objected to this, and would not accept [it]. And he said unto them, ' * Since ye refuse to accept it I shall dwell here, " and be subjedl unto you"; then they allowed him to do what he wished, and they sent him away with great gifts of various kinds, so that he might do adts of kindness on their behalf to the brethren who were in need, and because of this he became famous in Scete. Now he conducted himself with great humility towards every man.
170. There was a certain man who was a slave and he became a monk, and he persisted in a life of self-abnegation for five and forty years, and bread, and water, and salt, were sufficient for his food; now after some time the man who had been his master repented, and he also made himself to be remote from the world. And when the time came for him to depart from this world, he said unto his slave, who was now his Rabbd, "I see the hosts of wickedness surrounding me, but " through thy prayer they are going back from me." And when the call came for that slave one stood on his right hand, and the other on his left, and he heard them saying unto him, " Dost thou wish to come, O father, or shall we go and leave " thee?" And he said, " I desire not to remain, take my soul "; and thus he ended [his life].