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.