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One, then, who seeks to be admitted to the discipline of the monastery
is never received before he gives, by lying outside the doors for ten days
or even longer, an evidence of his perseverance and desire, as well as of
humility and patience. And when, prostrate at the feet of all the brethren
that pass by, and of set purpose repelled and scorned by all of them, as if
he was wanting to enter the monastery not for the sake of religion but
because he was obliged; and when, too, covered with many insults and
affronts, he has given a practical proof of his steadfastness, and has
shown what he will be like in temptations by the way he has borne the
disgrace; and when, with the ardour of his soul thus ascertained, he is
admitted, then they enquire with the utmost care whether he is contaminated
by a single coin from his former possessions clinging to him. For they know
that he cannot stay for long under the discipline of the monastery, nor
ever learn the virtue of humility and obedience, nor be content with the
poverty and difficult life of the monastery, if he knows that ever so small
a sum of money has been kept hid; but, as soon as ever a disturbance arises
on some occasion or other, he will at once dart off from the monastery like
a stone from a sling, impelled to this by trusting in that sum of money.
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