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And since this book is about the training of one who renounces this
world, whereby, making a beginning of true humility and perfect obedience,
he may be enabled to ascend the heights of the other virtues as well, I
think it well to set down just by way of specimen, as we promised, some of
the deeds of the elders whereby they excelled in this virtue, selecting a
few only out of many instances, that, if any are anxious to aim at still
greater heights, they may not only receive from these an incitement towards
the perfect life, but may also be furnished with a model of what they
purpose. Wherefore, to make this book as short as possible we will produce
and set down two or three out of the whole number of the Fathers; and first
of all Abbot John who lived near Lycon which is a town in the Thebaid;
and who was exalted even to the grace of prophecy for his admirable
obedience, and was so celebrated all the world over that he was by his
merits rendered famous even among kings of this world. For though, as we
said, he lived in the most remote parts of the Thebaid, still the Emperor
Theodosius did not venture to declare war against the most powerful tyrants
before he was encouraged by his utterances and replies: trusting in which
as if they had been brought to him from heaven he gained victories over his
foes in battles which seemed hopeless.
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