Chapter XI.
A question how to cure those who have hastily left the
congregation of the Cœnobium.
Germanus
: By what treatment can
any help be given to us or to others who are thus weak and only up to
this; who had received but little instruction in the system of the
Cœnobium when we began to aspire to dwell in solitude before we
had got rid of our faults; or by what means shall we be able to acquire
the constancy of an imperturbable mind, and immovable steadfastness of
patience; we who all too soon gave up the common life in the
Cœnobium, and forsook the schools and training ground for these
exercises, in which our principles ought first to have been thoroughly
schooled and perfected? How then can we now while we are living alone
gain perfection in long-suffering and patience; or how can conscience,
that searcher out of inward motives, discover whether these virtues
exist in us or are wanting, so that because we are severed from
intercourse with men, and not irritated by any of their provocations,
we may not be deceived by false notions, and fancy that we have gained
that imperturbable peace of mind?