Chapter XXXII.
The charge which the same Abbot Pinufius gave to a
brother whom he admitted into his monastery in our presence.
This
old man, then, we
afterwards diligently sought out in Egypt because we had been intimate
with him in our own monastery; and I propose to insert in this work of
mine an exhortation which he gave in our presence to a brother whom he
admitted into the monastery, because I think that it may be useful. You
know, said he, that after lying for so many days at the entrance you
are to-day to be admitted. And to begin with you ought to know the
reason of the difficulty put in your way. For it may be of great
service to you in this road on which you are desirous to enter, if you
understand the method of it and approach the service of Christ
accordingly, and as you ought.