Conferences XI–XVII, Conference XIV

Conference XIV

• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.1 — The words of Abbot Nesteros on the knowledge of the religious. The order of our promise and course demands that there should follow the instruction of Abbot Nesteros, a man of excellence in all points and of the…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.2 — On grasping the knowledge of spiritual things. Whoever then would arrive at this theoretical knowledge must first pursue practical knowledge with all his might and main. For this practical knowledge can be acquired…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.3 — How practical perfection depends on a double system. But this practical perfection depends on a double system; for its first method is to know the nature of all faults and the manner of their cure. Its second, to…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.4 — How practical life is distributed among many different professions and interests. This practical life then, which as has been said rests on a double system, is distributed among many different professions and…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.5 — On perseverance in the line that has been chosen. Wherefore it is good and profitable for each one to endeavour with all his might and main to attain perfection in the work that has been begun, according to the line…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.6 — How the weak are easily moved. For those who are not yet settled in the line which they have taken up are often, when they hear some praised for different interests and virtues, so excited by the praise of them that…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.7 — An instance of chastity which teaches us that all men should not be emulous of all things. For apart from that loss, which we have said that a monk incurs who wants in light-mindedness to pass from one pursuit to…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.8 — Of spiritual knowledge. But to return to the explanation of the knowledge from which our discourse took its rise. Thus, as we said above, practical knowledge is distributed among many subjects and interests, but…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.9 — How from practical knowledge we must proceed to spiritual. Wherefore if you are anxious to attain to the light of spiritual knowledge, not wrongly for an idle boast but for the sake of being made better men, you are…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.10 — How to embrace the system of true knowledge. You must then, if you want to get at the true knowledge of the Scriptures, endeavour first to secure steadfast humility of heart, to carry you on by the perfection of love…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.11 — Of the manifold meaning of the Holy Scriptures. But as the renewal of our soul grows by means of this study, Scripture also will begin to put on a new face, and the beauty of the holier meanings will somehow grow…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.12 — A question how we can attain to forgetfulness of the cares of this world. Upon this I was at first moved by a secret emotion, and then groaned deeply and said, All these things which you have set forth so fully have…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.13 — Of the method by which we can remove the dross from our memory. Nesteros: From this very fact, from which there springs up for you the utmost despair of your purification, a speedy and effectual remedy may arise if…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.14 — How an unclean soul can neither give nor receive spiritual knowledge. But it is, as we have already said, impossible for a novice either to understand or to teach this. For if one is incapable of receiving it how can…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.15 — An objection owing to the fact that many impure persons have knowledge while saints have not. An objection owing to the fact that many impure persons have knowledge while saints have not. Germanus: This assertion…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.16 — The answer to the effect that bad men cannot possess true knowledge. Nesteros: One who does not carefully weigh every word of the opinions uttered cannot rightly discover the value of the assertion. For we said to…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.17 — To whom the method of perfection should be laid open. Take care too, when your riper age leads you to teach, lest you be led astray by the love of vainglory, and teach at random to the most impure persons these…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.18 — Of the reasons for which spiritual learning is unfruitful. But it is certain that for two reasons the teaching of spiritual things is ineffectual. For either the teacher is commending what he has no experience of,…vatican.va
• Conferences XI–XVII XIV.19 — How often even those who are not worthy can receive the grace of the saving word. But sometimes in the lavish generosity of God in His Providence, “Who willeth all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the…vatican.va