Conferences XI–XVII, Conference XI

Conference XI

• Conferences XI–XVII XI.1 — Description of the town of Thennesus. When we were living in a monastery in Syria after our first infancy in the faith, and when after we had grown somewhat we had begun to long for some greater grace of perfection,…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.2 — Of Bishop Archebius. And when we arrived there, God gratified our wishes, and had brought about the arrival of that most blessed and excellent man Bishop Archebius, who had been carried off from the assembly of…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.3 — Description of the desert where Chæremon, Nesteros, and Joseph lived. And so he took his staff and scrip, as is there the custom for all monks starting on a journey, and himself led us as guide of our road to his own…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.4 — Of Abbot Chæremon and his excuse about the teaching which we asked for. And so the blessed Archebius thought it best to take us first to Chæremon, because he was nearer to his monastery, and because he was more…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.5 — Of our answer to his excuse. At this we were overwhelmed with no slight confusion and replied as follows: Although both the difficulty of the place and the solitary life itself, which even a robust youth could…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.6 — Abbot Chæremon's statement that faults can be overcome in three ways. Then the blessed Chæremon: There are, said he, three things which enable men to control their faults; viz., either the fear of hell or of laws…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.7 — By what steps we can ascend to the heights of love and what permanence there is in it. If then any one is aiming at perfection, from that first stage of fear which we rightly termed servile (of which it is said:…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.8 — How greatly those excel who depart from sin through the feeling of love. For there is a great difference between one who puts out the fire of sin within him by fear of hell or hope of future reward, and one who from…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.9 — That love not only makes sons out of servants, but also bestows the image and likeness of God. That love not only makes sons out of servants, but also bestows the image and likeness of God. And if to anyone relying…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.10 — How it is the perfection of love to pray for one's enemies and by what signs we may recognize a mind that is not yet purified. How it is the perfection of love to pray for one’s enemies and by what signs we may…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.11 — A question why he has called the feeling of fear and hope imperfect. Germanus: You have indeed spoken powerfully and grandly of the perfect love of God. But still this fact disturbs us; viz., that while you were…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.12 — The answer on the different kinds of perfection. Chæremon: In accordance with the condition and measure of every mind Holy Scripture summons our free wills to different grades of perfection. For no uniform crown of…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.13 — Of the fear which is the outcome of the greatest love. Whoever then has been established in this perfect love is sure to mount by a higher stage to that still more sublime fear belonging to love, which is the outcome…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.14 — A question about complete chastity. Germanus: Now that you have finished your discourse on perfect chastity, we want also to ask somewhat more freely about the end of chastity. For we do not doubt that those lofty…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XI.15 — The postponement of the explanation which is asked for. Chæremon: It is indeed a sign of the utmost blessedness and of singular goodness both continually to learn and to teach that love by which we cling to the Lord,…vatican.va