XXIV. CONFERENCE OF ABBOT ABRAHAM ON MORTIFICATION



Index

CHAPTER I: How we laid bare the secrets of our thoughts to Abbot Abraham.

CHAPTER II: How the old man exposed our errors.

CHAPTER III: Of the character of the districts which anchorites ought to seek.

CHAPTER IV: What sorts of work should be chosen by solitaries.

CHAPTER V: That anxiety of heart is made worse rather than better by restlessness of body.

CHAPTER VI: A comparison showing how a monk ought to keep guard over his thoughts.

CHAPTER VII: A question why the neighbourhood of our kinsfolk is considered to interfere with us, whereas it does not interfere in the case of those living in Egypt.

CHAPTER VIII: The answer that all things are not suitable for all men.

CHAPTER IX: That those need not fear the neighbourhood of their kinsfolk, who can emulate the mortification of Abbot Apollos.

CHAPTER X: A question whether it is bad for a monk to have his wants supplied by his kinsfolk.

CHAPTER XI: The answer stating what Saint Antony laid down on this matter.

CHAPTER XII: Of the value of work and the harm of idleness.

CHAPTER XIII: A story of a barber's payments, introduced for the sake of recognizing the devil's illusions.

CHAPTER XIV: A question how such wrong notions can creep into us.

CHAPTER XV: The answer on the threefold movement of the soul.

CHAPTER XVI: That the rational part of our soul is corrupt.

CHAPTER XVII: How the weaker part of the soul is the first to yield to the devil's temptations.

CHAPTER XVIII: A question whether we should be drawn back to our country by a proper desire for greater silence.

CHAPTER XIX: The answer on the devil's illusion, because he promises us the peace of a raster solitude.

CHAPTER XX: How useful is relaxation on the arrival of brethren.

CHAPTER XXI: How the Evangelist John is said to have shown the value of relaxation.

CHAPTER XXII: A question how we ought to understand what the gospel says "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

CHAPTER XXIII: The answer with the explanation of the saying.

CHAPTER XXIV: Why the Lord's yoke is felt grievous and His burden heavy.

CHAPTER XXV: Of the good which an attack of temptation brings about.

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