XXI. THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF ABBOT THEONAS ON THE RELAXATION DURING THE FIFTY DAYS
Index
CHAPTER I: How Theonas came to Abbot John.
CHAPTER II: The exhortation of Abbot John to Theonas and the others who had come together with him.
CHAPTER III: Of the offering of tithes and firstfruits.
CHAPTER IV: How Abraham, David, and other saints went beyond the requirement of the law.
CHAPTER V: How those who live under the grace of the Gospel ought to go beyond the requirement of the law.
CHAPTER VI: How the grace of the gospel supports the weak so that they can obtain pardon, as it secures to the perfect the kingdom of God.
CHAPTER VII: How it lies in our own power to choose whether to remain under the grace of the gospel or under the terror of the law.
CHAPTER VIII: How Theonas exhorted his wife that she too should make her renunciation.
CHAPTER IX: How he fled to a monastery when his wife would not consent.
CHAPTER X: An explanation that we may not appear to recommend separation from wives.
CHAPTER XI: An inquiry why in Egypt they do not fast during all the fifty days (of Easter) nor bend their knees in prayer.
CHAPTER XII: The answer on the nature of things good, bad, and indifferent.
CHAPTER XIII: What kind of good fasting is.
CHAPTER XIV: How fasting is not good in its own nature.
CHAPTER XV: How a thing that is good in its own nature ought not to be done for the sake of some lesser good.
CHAPTER XVI: How what is good in its own nature can be distinguished from other things that are good.
CHAPTER XVII: Of the reason for fasting and its value.
CHAPTER XVIII: How fasting is not always suitable.
CHAPTER XIX: A question why we break the fast all through Eastertide.
CHAPTER XX: The answer.
CHAPTER XXI: A question whether the relaxation of the fast is not prejudicial to the chastity of the body.
CHAPTER XXII: The answer on the way to keep control over abstinence.
CHAPTER XXIII: Of the time and measure of refreshment.
CHAPTER XXIV: A question on the different ways of keeping Lent.
CHAPTER XXV: The answer to the effect that the fast of Lent has reference to the title of the year.
CHAPTER XXVI: How we ought also to offer our firstfruits to the Lord.
CHAPTER XXVII: Why Lent is kept by very many with a different number of days.
CHAPTER XXVIII: Why it is called Quadragesima, when the fast is only kept for thirty-six days.
CHAPTER XXIX: How those who are perfect go beyond the fixed rule of Lent.
CHAPTER XXX: Of the origin and beginning of Lent.
CHAPTER XXXI: A question, how we ought to understand the Apostle's words: "Sin shall not have dominion over you."
CHAPTER XXXII: The answer on the difference between grace and the commands of the law.
CHAPTER XXXIII: Of the fact that the precepts of the gospel are milder than those of the law.
CHAPTER XXXIV: How a man can be shown to be under grace.
CHAPTER XXXV: A question, why sometimes when we are fasting more strictly than usual, we are troubled by carnal desires more keenly than usual.
CHAPTER XXXVI: The answer, telling that this question should be reserved for future Conference.