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WHEREFORE it is now time to produce, in the very words in which they
hand it down, the opinion of the Fathers; viz., of those who have not
painted the way of perfection and its character in high-sounding words, but
rather, possessing it in deed and truth, and in the virtue of their spirit,
have passed it on by their own experience and sure example. And so they say
that no one can be altogether cleansed from carnal sins, unless he has
realized that all his labours and efforts are insufficient for so great and
perfect an end; and unless, taught, not by the system handed down to him,
but by his feelings and virtues and his own experience, he recognizes that
it can only be gained by the mercy and assistance of God. For in order to
acquire such splendid and lofty prizes of purity and perfection, however
great may be the efforts of fastings and vigils and readings and solitude
and retirement applied to it, they will not be sufficient to secure it by
the merits of the actual efforts and toil For a man's own efforts and human
exertions will never make up for the lack of the divine gift, unless it is
granted by divine compassion in answer to his prayer.
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