Conferences I–X, Conference VIII

Conference VIII

• Conferences I–X VIII.1 — Of the hospitality of Abbot Serenus. When we had finished the duties of the day, and the congregation had been dismissed from Church we returned to the old man’s cell, and enjoyed a most sumptuous repast. For instead…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.2 — Statements on the different kinds of spiritual wickednesses. Then Germanus: We want to know what is the origin of the great variety of hostile powers opposed to men, and the difference between them, which the blessed…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.3 — The answer on the many kinds of food provided in holy Scripture. Serenus: The authority of holy Scripture says on those points on which it would inform us some things so plainly and clearly even to those who are…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.4 — Of the double sense in which Holy Scripture may be taken. Wherefore on those passages which are brought forward with a clear explanation we also can constantly lay down the meaning and boldly state our own opinions.…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.5 — Of the fact that the question suggested ought to be included among those things to be held in a neutral or doubtful way. Of the fact that the question suggested ought to be included among those things to be held in a…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.6 — Of the fact that nothing is created evil by God. God forbid that we should admit that God has created anything which is substantially evil, as Scripture says “everything that God had made was very good.” For if they…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.7 — Of the origin of principalities or powers. None of the faithful question the fact that before the formation of this visible creation God made spiritual and celestial powers, in order that owing to the very fact that…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.8 — Of the fall of the devil and the angels. And so we are clearly shown that out of that number of them some of the leaders fell, by the lamentations of Ezekiel and Isaiah, in which we know that the prince of Tyre or…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.9 — An objection stating that the fall of the devil took its origin from the deception of God. Germanus: Up till now we used to believe that the reason and commencement of the ruin and fall of the devil, in which he was…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.10 — The answer about the beginning of the devil's fall. Serenus: The passage in Genesis shows that that was not the beginning of his fall and ruin, as before their deception it takes the view that he had already been…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.11 — The punishment of the deceiver and the deceived. But we ought in this matter, in order that we may shun evil counsels, to learn a special lesson from the fact that though the author of the deception was visited with…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.12 — Of the crowd of the devils, and the disturbance which they always raise in our atmosphere. But the atmosphere which extends between heaven and earth is ever filled with a thick crowd of spirits, which do not fly…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.13 — Of the fact that opposing powers turn the attack, which they aim at men, even against each other. Of the fact that opposing powers turn the attack, which they aim at men, even against each other. For it is quite…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.14 — How it is that spiritual wickednesses obtained the names of powers or principalities. We can then see clear reasons, in addition to those ideas which we expounded above, why they are called principalities or powers;…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.15 — Of the fact that it is not without reason that the names of angels and archangels are given to holy and heavenly powers. Of the fact that it is not without reason that the names of angels and archangels are given to…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.16 — Of the subjection of the devils, which they show to their own princes, as seen in a brother's victim. Of the subjection of the devils, which they show to their own princes, as seen in a brother’s victim. But that…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.17 — Of the fact that two angels always cling to every man. For Holy Scripture bears witness that two angels, a good and a bad one, cling to each one of us. And of the good ones the Saviour says: “Do not despise one of…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.18 — Of the degrees of wickedness which exist in hostile spirits, as shown in the case of two philosophers. Of the degrees of wickedness which exist in hostile spirits, as shown in the case of two philosophers. But of the…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.19 — Of the fact that devils cannot prevail at all against men unless they have first secured possession of their minds. Of the fact that devils cannot prevail at all against men unless they have first secured possession…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.20 — A question about the fallen angels who are said in Genesis to have had intercourse with the daughters of men. A question about the fallen angels who are said in Genesis to have had intercourse with the daughters of…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.21 — The answer to the question raised. Serenus: You have propounded two not unimportant questions, to which I will reply, to the best of my ability, in the order in which you have raised them. We cannot possibly believe…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.22 — An objection, as to how an unlawful intermingling with the daughters of Cain could be charged against the line of Seth before the prohibition of the law. Germanus: If that command had been given to them, then the sin…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.23 — The answer, that by the law of nature men were from the beginning liable to judgment and punishment. The answer, that by the law of nature men were from the beginning liable to judgment and punishment. Serenus: God…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.24 — Of the fact that they were justly punished, who sinned before the flood. And so then we see that from the beginning God created everything perfect, nor would there have been need for anything to have been added to…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X VIII.25 — How this that is said of the devil in the gospel is to be understood; viz., that “he is a liar, and his father.”. How this that is said of the devil in the gospel is to be understood; viz., that “he is a liar, and…vatican.va