Chapter 31.—The Life of the Anachoretes and Cœnobites Set Against the Continence
of the Manichæans.
65. What must we think is seen by those who can live without seeing their fellow-
creatures, though not without loving them? It must be something transcending human
things in contemplating which man can live without seeing his fellow-man. Hear now, ye
Manichæans, the customs and notable continence of perfect Christians, who have thought
it right not only to praise but also to practise the height of chastity, that you may be restrained,
if there is any shame in you, from vaunting your abstinence before uninstructed minds as
if it were the hardest of all things. I will speak of things of which you are not ignorant,
though you hide them from us. For who does not know that there is a daily increasing
multitude of Christian men of absolute continence spread all over the world, especially in
the East and in Egypt, as you cannot help knowing?
66. I will say nothing of those to whom I just now alluded, who, in complete seclusion
from the view of men, inhabit regions utterly barren, content with simple bread, which is
brought to them periodically, and with water, enjoying communion with God, to whom in
purity of mind they cleave, and most blessed in contemplating His beauty, which can be
seen only by the understanding of saints. I will say nothing of them, because some people
think them to have abandoned human things more than they ought, not considering how
much those may benefit us in their minds by prayer, and in their lives by example, whose
bodies we are not permitted to see. But to discuss this point would take long, and would
be fruitless; for if a man does not of his own accord regard this high pitch of sanctity as ad-
mirable and honorable, how can our speaking lead him to do so? Only the Manichæans,
who make a boast of nothing, should be reminded that the abstinence and continence of
the great saints of the Catholic Church has gone so far, that some think it should be checked
and recalled within the limits of humanity,—so far above men, even in the judgment of
those who disapprove, have their minds soared.
67. But if this is beyond our tolerance, who can but admire and commend those who,
slighting and discarding the pleasures of this world, living together in a most chaste and
holy society, unite in passing their time in prayers, in readings, in discussions, without any
swelling of pride, or noise of contention, or sullenness of envy; but quiet, modest, peaceful,
their life is one of perfect harmony and devotion to God, an offering most acceptable to
Him from whom the power to do those things is obtained? No one possesses anything of
his own; no one is a burden to another. They work with their hands in such occupations
as may feed their bodies without distracting their minds from God. The product of their
toil they give to the decans or tithesmen,—so called from being set over the tithes,—so that
no one is occupied with the care of his body, either in food or clothes, or in anything else
required for daily use or for the common ailments. These decans, again, arranging everything
with great care, and meeting promptly the demands made by that life on account of bodily
The Life of the Anachoretes and Cœnobites Set Against the Continence of the Manichæans.
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The Life of the Anachoretes and Cœnobites Set Against the Continence of…