Children are not to be received from their parents
except with full security for publicity in their reception. They
are to be carefully instructed in the Scriptures. They are not to
be allowed to make any profession till they come to years of discretion
(XV.). Temperance is a virtue, but the servants of God are not to
condemn any of God’s creatures as unclean, and are to eat what is
given them. (XVIII.) Hospitality is to be exercised with
the utmost frugality and moderation, and the charge to Martha in
Luke x. 41, is quoted with the reading
ὀλίγων δέ
ἐστι χρεία ἢ
ἑνός Supported by
א, B, C, and L.
and the interpretation “few,” namely for
provision, and “one,” namely the object in
view,—enough for necessity. It would be as absurd for
monks to change the simplicity of their fare on the arrival of a
distinguished guest as it would be for them to change their dress
(XX.). Rule XXI. is against unevangelical contention for
places at table, and Rule XXII. regulates the monastic
habit. The primary object of dress is said to be shewn by
the words of Genesis, iii.
21. where God is
said to have made Adam and Eve “coats of skins,” or,
as in the LXX., χιτῶνας
δερματίνους, i.e. tunics of hides. This use of tunics was enough for
covering what was unseemly. But later another object was
added—that of securing warmth by clothing. So we must keep
both ends in view—decency, and protection against the
weather. Among articles of dress some are very serviceable; some
are less so. It is better to select what is most useful, so as to
observe the rule of poverty, and to avoid a variety of vestments, some for
show, others for use; some for day, some for night. A single
garment must be devised to serve for all purposes, and for night as
well as day. As the soldier is known by his uniform, and the
senator by his robe, so the Christian ought to have his own
dress. Shoes are to be provided on the same principle, they are
to be simple and cheap. The girdle (XXIII.) is regarded as a
necessary article of dress, not only because of its practical utility,
but because of the example of the Lord Who girded Himself. In
Rule XXVI. all secrets are ordered to be confided to the superintendent
or bishop. τῷ
προεστῶτι.
cf. Just. Mart. Apol. i. § 87. If the
superintendent himself is in error (XXVII.) he is to be corrected by
other brothers. Vicious brethren (XXVIII.) are to be cut off like
rotten limbs. Self-exaltation and discontent are equally to be
avoided (XXIX.). XXXVII. orders that devotional exercise is to be
no excuse for idleness and shirking work. Work is to be done not
only as a chastisement of the body, but for the sake of love to our
neighbour and supplying weak and sick brethren with the necessaries of
life. The apostle 2 Thess. iii. 10. says that if a man
will not work he must not eat. Daily work is as necessary as
daily bread. The services of the day are thus marked out.
The first movements of heart and mind ought to be consecrated to
God. Therefore early in the morning nothing ought to be planned
or purposed before we have been gladdened by the thought of God; as it
is written, “I remembered God, and was
gladdened;” Ps. lxxvii. 3, LXX. the body is not to
be set to work before we have obeyed the command, “O Lord, in
the morning shalt thou hear my voice; in the morning will I order my
prayer unto thee.” Ps. v. 3. Again at the
third hour there is to be a rising up to prayer, and the brotherhood
is to be called together, even though they happen to have been
dispersed to various works. The sixth hour is also to be
marked by prayer, in obedience to the words of the
Psalmist, Ps. lv. 17. “evening,
and morning, and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud: and He
shall hear my voice.” To ensure deliverance from the
demon of noon-day, Ps. xci. 6, LXX. δαιμόνιον
μεσημβρινόν. cf. Jer. Taylor, Serm. ii. pt. 2:
“Suidas” (Col. 1227) “tells of certain empusæ
that used to appear at noon, at such times as the Greeks did celebrate
the funerals of the dead; and at this time some of the Russians do fear
the noon-day devil, which appeareth like a mourning widow to reapers of
hay and corn, and uses to break their arms and legs unless they worship
her.” the XCIst Psalm is
to be recited. The ninth hour is consecrated to prayer by the
example of the Apostles Acts iii. 1. Peter and John,
who at that hour went up into the Temple to pray. Now the day
is done. For all the boons of the day, and the good deeds of
the day, we must give thanks. For omissions there must be
confession. For sins voluntary or involuntary, or unknown, we
must appease God in prayer. cf.
Pythag. Aur. Carm. 40 (quoted by Jer. Taylor in Holy
Living and Holy Dying): μηδ᾽ ὕπνον
μαλακοῖσιν
ἐπ᾽ ὄμμασι
προσδέξασθαι,
πριν τῶν
ἡμερινῶν
ἔργων τρὶς
ἕκαστον
ἐπελθεῖν, πῆ
παρέβην; τί δ᾽
ἔρεξα; τί μοι δέον
οὐκ
ἐτελέσθη. At nightfall
the XCIst Psalm is to be recited again, midnight is to be observed
in obedience to the example of Paul and Silas, Acts xvi. 25. and the injunction of the
Psalmist. Ps. cxix. 62. Before dawn
we should rise and pray again, as it is written, “Mine eyes
prevent the night watches.” Ps. cxix. 148. Here
the canonical hours are marked, but no details are given as to the
forms of prayer.