The Conferences — CONFERENCE 17.

BY ST. JOHN CASSIAN

BY ST. JOHN CASSIAN

THE SECOND CONFERENCE OF ABBOT JOSEPH: ON MAKING PROMISES.

THE SECOND CONFERENCE OF ABBOT JOSEPH. ON MAKING PROMISES.

The vigils we endured.

Of the vigils which we endured.

When the previous Conference ended and the silence of night came, the holy Abbot Joseph led us to a separate cell so we could have quiet. But we spent the whole night awake, since his words had set our hearts on fire. We left the cell and went about a hundred yards away, sitting down in a secluded spot. The darkness of night gave us an opportunity for private and intimate conversation together. As we sat there, Abbot Germanus groaned deeply.

When then the previous Conference was ended, and the intervening silence of night as well, as we had been conducted by the holy Abbot Joseph to a separate cell for the sake of quiet, but had passed the whole night without sleep (since owing to his words a fire was raging in our hearts), we came forth from the cell and retired about a hundred yards from it and sat down in a secluded spot. And so as an opportunity was given by the shades of night for secret and familiar converse together, as we sat there Abbot Germanus groaned heavily.

The anxiety that troubled Abbot Germanus when he remembered our promise.

Of the anxiety of Abbot Germanus at the recollection of our promise.

What are we doing? he said. We find ourselves caught in a major difficulty and in a terrible situation, because reason itself and the lives of the saints are clearly showing us what is best for our spiritual progress, yet our promise to the Elders won't let us choose what would help us. The examples of such great men could shape us toward a more perfect life and goal, except that the terms of our promise require us to return immediately to the monastery. But if we go back there, we'll never have another opportunity to come here again. Yet if we stay here and follow our desires, what happens to the trustworthiness of the oath we know we gave to our Elders, promising a quick return so that we could make a brief tour of the monasteries and saints of this region? In this state of turmoil, unable to decide what we should choose for the sake of our salvation, we could only express through our groans the harsh reality of our predicament. We blamed ourselves for our reckless boldness, yet we also resented our natural timidity, which weighed us down so heavily that we couldn't resist the appeals of those trying to keep us—against our own benefit and intention—except by promising to return quickly. We wept because we suffered from that kind of shame about which it is said: There is a shame that brings sin. Proverbs 26:11

What are we doing? Said he. For we see that we are involved in a great difficulty and are in an evil plight, as reason itself and the life of the saints is effectually teaching us what is the best thing for our progress in the spiritual life, and yet our promise given to the Elders does not allow us to choose what is helpful. For we might, by the examples of such great men, be formed for a more perfect life and aim, were it not that the terms of our promise compelled us to return at once to the monastery. But if we return there, we shall never get another chance of coming here again. But if we stay here and choose to carry out our wishes, what becomes of the faith of the oath which we are aware that we gave to our Elders promising a speedy return; that we might be allowed to make a hasty round of the monasteries and saints of this province? And when in this state of tumult we could not make up our minds what we ought to decide on the state of our salvation we simply testified by our groans the hard fate of our condition, upbraiding the audacity of our impudence, and yet hating the shame which was natural to us, weighed down by which we could not in any other way resist the prayers of those who kept us back against our profit and purpose, except by the promise of a speedy return, as we wept indeed that we laboured under the fault of that shame, of which it is said There is a shame that brings sin. Proverbs 26:11

My views on this matter.

My ideas on this subject.

Then I replied: The guidance—or rather the authority—of the Elder, to whom we should bring our concerns, would quickly solve our difficulties. Whatever he decides in his judgment may, like a divine and heavenly answer, put an end to all our troubles. We need not doubt what the Lord gives us through the lips of this Elder, both because of his merits and because of our own faith. For by His gift, believers have often received saving guidance from unworthy people, and unbelievers from saints, as the Lord grants this either because of the merit of those who answer or because of the faith of those who seek advice. And so the holy Abbot Germanus eagerly seized on these words as if I had spoken them not on my own but at the prompting of the Lord. After we had waited a little for the Elder to arrive and for the approaching hour of the night service, and after we had welcomed him with the usual greeting and finished reciting the proper number of Psalms and prayers, we sat down again as usual on the same mats on which we had settled ourselves to sleep.

Then I replied: The counsel or rather the authority of the Elder to whom we ought to refer our anxieties would make a short way out of our difficulties, and whatever is decided by his verdict, may, like a divine and heavenly reply, put an end to all our troubles. And we need not have any doubt of what is given to us by the Lord through the lips of this Elder, both for the sake of his merits and for our own faith. For by His gift believers have often obtained saving counsel from unworthy people, and unbelievers from saints, as the Lord grants this either on account of the merit of those who answer, or on account of the faith of those who ask advice. And so the holy Abbot Germanus caught eagerly at these words as if I had uttered them not of myself but at the prompting of the Lord, and when we had waited a little for the coming of the Elder and the approaching hour of the nocturnal service, after we had welcomed him with the usual greeting and finished reciting the right number of Psalms and prayers, we sat down again as usual on the same mats on which we had settled ourselves to sleep.

Abbot Joseph's question and our answer on the origin of our anxiety.

Abbot Joseph's question and our answer on the origin of our anxiety.

Then the venerable Joseph saw that we were feeling rather downcast, and guessing that this was not without reason, addressed us in these words of the patriarch Joseph: Why are your faces sad today? (Genesis 40:7). To this we answered: We are not like those servants of Pharaoh who had a dream and there is no one to interpret it, but we admit that we have passed a sleepless night and there is no one to lighten the burden of our troubles unless the Lord may remove them through your wisdom. Then he, who recalled the excellence of the patriarch both in his merits and his name, said: Does not the cure for human perplexities come from the Lord? Let them be brought forward, for the Divine Compassion is able to provide a remedy for them through our advice according to your faith.

Then the venerable Joseph saw that we were in rather low spirits, and, guessing that this was not the case without reason, addressed us in these words of the patriarch Joseph: Why are your faces sad today? Genesis 40:7 to whom we answered: We are not like those bond slaves of Pharaoh who have seen a dream and there is none to interpret it, but I admit that we have passed a sleepless night and there is no one to lighten the weight of our troubles unless the Lord may remove them by your wisdom. Then he, who recalled the excellence of the patriarch both by his merits and name, said: Does not the cure of man's perplexities come from the Lord? Let them be brought forward: for the Divine Compassion is able to give a remedy for them by means of our advice according to your faith.

The explanation given by Abbot Germanus for why we wanted to remain in Egypt, and what drew us back to Syria.

The explanation of Abbot Germanus why we wanted to stay in Egypt, and were drawn back to Syria.

To this Germanus said: We used to think that we would return to our monastery abundantly filled not only with spiritual joy but also with what is profitable from seeing your holiness, and that after our return we would follow, though with only a weak imitation, what we had learned from your teaching. Our love for our Elders led us to promise them this, while we imagined that we could to some degree follow your sublime life and doctrine in that monastery. Therefore, just as we thought that all joy would be given to us by this means, we are now on the other hand overwhelmed with unbearable grief, since we find that we cannot possibly obtain in this way what we know to be good for us. We are now trapped on both sides. For if we want to keep our promise which we made in the presence of all the brethren in the cave where our Lord Himself shone forth from His chamber in the Virgin's womb, and which He Himself witnessed, we will suffer the greatest loss in our spiritual life. But if we ignore our promise and stay in this region, and choose to consider that oath of ours as less important than our spiritual perfection, we are afraid of the awful dangers of falsehood and perjury. But we cannot lighten our burden even by this plan: by fulfilling the terms of our oath through a very quick return, and then coming back again as soon as possible to these parts. For although even a small delay is dangerous and harmful for those who are aiming at goodness and progress in spiritual things, we would still keep our faith and promise, though by an unwilling return, except that we are certain we would be so tightly bound down both by the authority and by the love of the Elders that we would have no opportunity at all to come back again to this place.

To this Germanus: We used to think, said he, that we should go back to our monastery abundantly filled not only with spiritual joy but also with what is profitable by the sight of your holiness, and that after our return we should follow, though with but a feeble rivalry, what we had learned from your teaching. For this our love for our Elders led us to promise them, while we fancied that we could in some degree follow in that monastery your sublime life and doctrine. Wherefore as we thought that by this means all joy would be bestowed upon us, so on the other hand we are overwhelmed with intolerable grief, as we find that we cannot possibly obtain in this way what we know to be good for us. On both sides then we are now hemmed in. For if we want to keep our promise which we made in the presence of all the brethren in the cave where our Lord Himself shone forth from His chamber in the Virgin's womb, and which He Himself witnessed, we shall incur the greatest loss in our spiritual life. But if we ignore our promise and stay in this district, and choose to consider that oath of ours as of less importance than our perfection, we are afraid of the awful dangers of falsehood and perjury. But not even by this plan can we lighten our burdens; viz., by fulfilling the terms of our oath by a very hasty return, and then coming back again as quickly as possible to these parts. For although even a small delay is dangerous and hurtful for those who are aiming at goodness and advance in spiritual things, yet still we would keep our faith and promise, though by an unwilling return, were it not that we felt sure that we should be so tightly bound down both by the authority and also by the love of the Elders, that we should henceforth have no opportunity at all to come back again to this place.

Abbot Joseph's question: Did we receive more benefit in Egypt than in Syria?

Abbot Joseph's question whether we got more good in Egypt than in Syria.

To this the blessed Joseph, after a short silence, said: Are you sure that you can get more profit in spiritual matters in this country?

To this the blessed Joseph, after a short silence: Are you sure, said he, that you can get more profit in spiritual matters in this country?

The response regarding the difference in practices between the two regions.

The answer on the difference of customs in the two countries.

Although we ought to be very grateful to those teachers who, from our youth onward, taught us to attempt great things and, by giving us a taste of their excellence, planted in our hearts a wonderful thirst for perfection, still—if our judgment can be trusted—we cannot compare those customs with the ones we learned in that place. We cannot remain silent about the incomparable purity of your life, which we believe is granted to you not only through the focus of your mind and purpose, but also through the help and support of the place itself. Therefore we are certain that this instruction now being given to us is not sufficient by itself for us to follow your extraordinary perfection, unless we also have the help that comes from living here, and unless a long period of training gradually softens the coldness of our hearts through daily practice.

Germanus: Although we ought to be most grateful for the teaching of those men who taught us from our youth up to attempt great things, and, by giving us a taste of their excellence, implanted in our hearts a splendid thirst for perfection, yet if any reliance is to be placed on our judgment, we cannot draw any comparison between these customs and those which we learned there, so as to hold our tongues about the inimitable purity of your life, which we believe is granted to you not only owing to the concentration of your mind and aim, but also owing to the aid and assistance of the place itself. Wherefore we do not doubt that for the following of your grand perfection this instruction which is given to us is not enough by itself, unless we have also the help of the life, and a long course of instruction somewhat dissolves the coldness of our heart by daily training.

How those who are perfect ought not to make any promises absolutely, and whether decisions can be reversed without sin.

How those who are perfect ought not to make any promises absolutely, and whether decisions can be reversed without sin.

It is truly good, right, and completely fitting with our monastic calling to faithfully carry out whatever we decided when making a promise. Therefore, a monk should not make any promise hastily, lest he be forced to do what he rashly promised, or—if restrained by a wiser consideration—appear to be someone who breaks his promises. But since our present purpose is to address not so much a state of spiritual health as the cure of spiritual sickness, we must consider with practical counsel not what you should have done initially, but how you can escape from the dangers of this perilous shipwreck. When no obligations bind us and no conditions restrict us, and we are comparing good things where a choice is offered, we should prefer what is most beneficial. But when some harm and loss stands in the way, and we are comparing things that hurt us, we should choose what exposes us to the smallest loss. Furthermore, as your own statement shows, your careless promise has brought you to a point where serious loss and trouble will result either way. In choosing, your will should lean toward the side that involves a loss that is more bearable or can be more easily remedied by making amends. If you think you will gain more spiritual benefit by staying here than what you gained from your life in that monastery, and that keeping your promise cannot be done without losing great spiritual benefit, it is better for you to bear the loss from breaking your word and an unfulfilled promise—since it happens once and need not be repeated or cause further sins—than to suffer that loss which, as you say, would make your spiritual life grow colder and harm you daily without end. For a careless promise can be changed in such a way that it may be pardoned or even praised if it is redirected toward a better course. We need not see this as a failure of consistency, but as a correction of rashness, whenever a faulty promise is corrected. All this can be proved by very reliable testimony from Scripture: for many, fulfilling their promise has led to death, while for many it has been good and profitable to have refused it.

Joseph: It is good indeed and right and altogether in accordance with our profession, for us effectually to perform what we decided to do in the case of any promise. Wherefore a monk ought not to make any promise hastily, lest he may be forced to do what he incautiously promised, or if he is kept back by consideration of a sounder view, appear as a breaker of his promise. But because at the present moment our purpose is to treat not so much of a state of health as of the cure of sickness we must with salutary counsel consider not what you ought to have done in the first instance, but how you can escape from the rocks of this perilous shipwreck. When then no chains impede us and no conditions restrict us, in the case of a comparison of good things, if a choice is proposed, that which is most advantageous should be preferred: but when some detriment and loss stands in the way, in a comparison of things to our hurt, that should be sought which exposes us to the smallest loss. Further, as your assertion shows, when your heedless promise has brought you to this state that in either case some serious loss and inconvenience must result to you, the will in choosing should incline to that side which involves a loss that is more tolerable, or can be more easily made up for by the remedy of making amends. If then you think that you will get more good for your spirit by staying here than what accrued to you from your life in that monastery, and that the terms of your promise cannot be fulfilled without the loss of great good, it is better for you to undergo the loss from a falsehood and an unfulfilled promise (as it is done once for all, and need not any longer be repeated or be the cause of other sins) than for you to incur that loss, through which you say that your state of life would become colder, and which would affect you with a daily and unceasing injury. For a careless promise is changed in such a way that it may be pardoned or indeed praised, if it is turned into a better path, nor need we take it as a failure in consistency, but as a correction of rashness, whenever a promise that was faulty is corrected. And all this may be proved by most certain witness from Scripture, that for many the fulfilment of their promise has led to death, and on the other hand that for many it has been good and profitable to have refused it.

How it is often better to break one's commitments than to fulfill them.

How it is often better to break one's engagements than to fulfil them.

Both these points are very clearly demonstrated by the cases of the Apostle Peter and Herod. Peter departed from his expressed determination, which he had practically confirmed with an oath when he said, "You shall never wash my feet" (John 13:8), and thereby gained an immortal partnership with Christ. If he had stubbornly clung to his word, he would certainly have been cut off from the grace of this blessedness. Herod, on the other hand, by clinging to the pledge of his ill-considered oath, became the bloody murderer of the Lord's forerunner, and through his empty fear of perjury, plunged himself into condemnation and the punishment of everlasting death. In everything, then, we must consider the end result, and we must direct our course and aim according to it. If, when some wiser counsel arises, we see our original plan diverging toward the worse outcome, it is better to discard the unsuitable arrangement and adopt a better course of action rather than to stubbornly cling to our commitments and thereby become involved in worse sins.

And both these points are very clearly shown by the cases of S. Peter the Apostle and Herod. For the former, because he departed from his expressed determination which he had as it were confirmed with an oath saying You shall never wash my feet, John 13:8 gained an immortal partnership with Christ, whereas he would certainly have been cut off from the grace of this blessedness, if he had clung obstinately to his word. But the latter, by clinging to the pledge of his ill-considered oath, became the bloody murderer of the Lord's forerunner, and through the vain fear of perjury plunged himself into condemnation and the punishment of everlasting death. In everything then we must consider the end, and must according to it direct our course and aim, and if when some wiser counsel supervenes, we see it diverging to the worse part, it is better to discard the unsuitable arrangement, and to come to a better mind rather than to cling obstinately to our engagements and so become involved in worse sins.

Our question about our fear of the oath which we gave in the monastery in Syria.

Our question about our fear of the oath which we gave in the monastery in Syria.

Germanus: As far as our desire is concerned, which we undertook for the sake of spiritual profit, we were hoping to be built up by continual contact with you. For if we were to return to our monastery, it is certain that we would not only fail to achieve such a lofty purpose, but we would also suffer serious loss from the mediocrity of the way of life there. But that command of the gospel terrifies us greatly: Let your speech be yea, yea, nay, nay: but whatsoever is more than these, is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 For we believe that we cannot make up for violating such an important command by any righteousness, nor can anything finally turn out well that has been started with a bad beginning.

Germanus: In so far as it concerns our desire, which we undertook to carry out for the sake of spiritual profit, we were hoping to be edified by continual intercourse with you. For if we were to return to our monastery it is certain that we should not only fail of so sublime a purpose, but that we should also suffer grievous loss from the mediocrity of the manner of life there. But that command of the gospel frightens us terribly: Let your speech be yea, yea, nay, nay: but whatsoever is more than these, is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 For we hold that we cannot compensate for transgressing so important a command by any righteousness, nor can that finally turn out well which has once been started with a bad beginning.

We must consider the intention of the person acting rather than the outcome of the action itself.

The answer that we must take into account the purpose of the doer rather than the execution of the business.

In every case, as we said, we must look not at the progress of the work but at the intention of the worker, nor must we inquire first what a person has done, but with what purpose, so that we may find that some have been condemned for those deeds from which good has afterward come, and on the other hand that some have reached the height of righteousness by means of acts that are in themselves blameworthy. And in the case of the former, the good result of their actions was of no benefit to them since they undertook the matter with an evil purpose and wanted to bring about not the good which actually resulted, but something of the opposite character; nor was the bad beginning harmful to the latter, since he accepted the necessity of a blameworthy start not out of disregard for God or with the purpose of doing wrong, but with a view to a necessary and holy end.

Joseph: In every case, as we said, we must look not at the progress of the work but at the intention of the worker, nor must we inquire to begin with what a man has done, but with what purpose, so that we may find that some have been condemned for those deeds from which good has afterwards arisen, and on the other hand that some have arrived by means of acts in themselves reprehensible at the height of righteousness. And in the case of the former the good result of their actions was of no avail to them as they took the matter in and with an evil purpose, and wanted to bring about — not the good which actually resulted, but something of the opposite character; nor was the bad beginning injurious to the latter, as he put up with the necessity of a blameworthy start; not out of disregard for God, or with the purpose of doing wrong, but with an eye to a needful and holy end.

How a favorable outcome will not benefit those who do evil, while harmful actions will not damage good people.

How a fortunate issue will be of no avail to evil doers, while bad deeds will not injure good men.

And to make these statements clear with examples from Holy Scripture: what could have been brought about that was more beneficial and more for the good of the whole world than the saving remedy of the Lord's Passion? Yet it not only brought no advantage but actually brought disadvantage to the traitor through whom it was accomplished, so that it is absolutely said of him: It would have been good for that man if he had never been born. For the fruits of his labor will not be repaid to him according to the actual result, but according to what he wanted to do and believed he would accomplish. And again, what could be more culpable than craft and deceit shown even to a stranger, let alone one's brother and father? Yet the patriarch Jacob not only received no condemnation or blame for such things but was actually given the everlasting inheritance of the blessing. And not without reason, for the latter desired the blessing destined for the firstborn not out of a greedy desire for present gain but because of his faith in everlasting sanctification; while the former (Judas) delivered the Redeemer of all to death not for the sake of man's salvation but from the sin of covetousness. And therefore in each case the fruits of their action are reckoned according to the intention of the mind and purpose of the will, according to which the object of the one was not to work fraud, nor was that of the other to work salvation. For justly is there repayment to each man as the recompense of reward for what he first conceived in his mind, and not for what resulted from it either well or badly, against the wish of the worker. And so the most just Judge regarded him who ventured on such a falsehood as excusable and indeed worthy of praise, because without it he could not secure the blessing of the firstborn; and that should not be reckoned as a sin which arose from desire of the blessing. Otherwise the aforesaid patriarch would have been not only unfair to his brother but also a cheat of his father and a blasphemer, if there had been any other way by which he could secure the gift of that blessing and he had preferred to follow this which would damage and injure his brother. You see then that with God the inquiry is not into the carrying out of the act, but into the purpose of the mind. With this preparation then for a return to the question proposed (for which all this has been premised), I want you first to tell me for what reason you bound yourselves in the fetters of that promise.

And that we may make these statements clear by instances from Holy Scripture, what could be brought about that was more salutary and more to the good of the whole world, than the saving remedy of the Lord's Passion? And yet it was not only of no advantage, but was actually to the disadvantage of the traitor by whose means it is shown to have been brought about, so that it is absolutely said of him: It were good for that man if he had never been born. Matthew 26:24 For the fruits of his labour will not be repaid to him according to the actual result, but according to what he wanted to do, and believed that he would accomplish. And again, what could there be more culpable than craft and deceit shown even to a stranger, not to mention one's brother and father? And yet the patriarch Jacob not only met with no condemnation or blame for such things but was actually dowered with the everlasting heritage of the blessing. And not without reason, for the last mentioned desired the blessing destined for the first-born not out of a greedy desire for present gain but because of his faith in everlasting sanctification; while the former (Judas) delivered the Redeemer of all to death, not for the sake of man's salvation, but from the sin of covetousness. And therefore in each case the fruits of their action are reckoned according to the intention of the mind and purpose of the will, according to which the object of the one was not to work fraud, nor was that of the other to work salvation. For justly is there repayment to each man as the recompense of reward, for what he conceived in the first instance in his mind, and not for what resulted from it either well or badly, against the wish of the worker. And so the most just Judge regarded him who ventured on such a falsehood as excusable and indeed worthy of praise, because without it he could not secure the blessing of the first-born; and that should not be reckoned as a sin, which arose from desire of the blessing. Otherwise the aforesaid patriarch would have been not only unfair to his brother, but also a cheat of his father and a blasphemer, if there had been any other way by which he could secure the gift of that blessing, and he had preferred to follow this which would damage and injure his brother. You see then that with God the inquiry is not into the carrying out of the act, but into the purpose of the mind. With this preparation then for a return to the question proposed (for which all this has been premised) I want you first to tell me for what reason you bound yourselves in the fetters of that promise.

Our answer regarding the reason that required an oath from us.

Our answer as to the reason which demanded an oath from us.

The first reason, as we said, was that we were afraid of upsetting our elders and disobeying their commands. The second was that we very foolishly believed that if we learned from you anything perfect or excellent to hear or observe, we would be able to practice it when we returned to the monastery.

Germanus: The first reason, as we said, was that we were afraid of vexing our Elders and resisting their orders; the second was that we very foolishly believed that, if we had learned from you anything perfect or splendid to hear or look at, when we returned to the monastery, we should be able to perform it.

The discourse of the Elder showing how a plan of action may be changed without fault, provided that one keeps to the carrying out of a good intention.

The discourse of the Elder showing how the plan of action may be changed without fault provided that one keeps to the carrying out of a good intention.

Joseph: As we said earlier, a person's intention brings either reward or condemnation, according to this passage: "Their thoughts between themselves accusing or also defending one another, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men"; and also this: "But I am coming to gather together their works and thoughts together with all nations and tongues." Therefore, as I see it, it was from a desire for perfection that you bound yourselves with these oaths, since you thought at the time that perfection could be gained by this plan. But now that a more mature judgment has come, you see that you cannot reach its heights by this means. So any departure from that arrangement, which may seem to have happened, will be no obstacle, as long as there is no change in that original purpose. For changing one's tool does not mean abandoning the work, nor does choosing a shorter and more direct road indicate laziness in the traveler. So in this matter, improving a poorly thought-out arrangement is not to be considered a breaking of a spiritual promise. For whatever is done out of love for God and desire for goodness, which has promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8), even though it may appear to begin with a hard and difficult start, is most worthy not only of no blame, but actually of praise. And therefore breaking a careless promise will be no obstacle, if in every case the end—that is, the intended aim at goodness—is maintained. For we do all things for this reason: that we may be able to show God a clean heart. And if achieving this is considered easier in this country, the change in the agreement you made will be no obstacle to you, as long as the perfection of that purity for which your promise was originally made is secured more quickly according to the Lord's will.

Joseph: As we premised, the intent of the mind brings a man either reward or condemnation, according to this passage: Their thoughts between themselves accusing or also defending one another, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men; and this too: But I am coming to gather together their works and thoughts together with all nations and tongues. Wherefore it was, as I see, from a desire for perfection that you bound yourselves with the chain of these oaths, as you then thought that by this plan it could be gained, while now that a riper judgment has supervened, you see that you cannot by this means scale its heights. And so any departure from that arrangement, which may seem to have happened, will be no hindrance, if only no change in that first purpose follows. For a change of instrument does not imply a desertion of the work, nor does the choice of a shorter and more direct road argue laziness on the path of the traveller. And so in this matter an improvement in a short-sighted arrangement is not to be reckoned a breach of a spiritual promise. For whatever is done out of the love of God and desire for goodness, which has promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come, 1 Timothy 4:8 even though it may appear to commence with a hard and adverse beginning, is most worthy, not only of no blame, but actually of praise. And therefore the breaking of a careless promise will be no hindrance, if in every case the end, i.e., the proposed aim at goodness, be maintained. For we do all for this reason, that we may be able to show to God a clean heart, and if the attainment of this is considered to be easier in this country the alteration of the agreement extracted from you will be no hindrance to you, if only the perfection of that purity for the sake of which your promise was originally made, be the sooner secured according to the Lord's will.

A question about whether it can be without sin that our knowledge gives weak brothers an opportunity for lying.

A question whether it can be without sin that our knowledge affords to weak brethren an opportunity for lying.

Germanus: As far as the reasoning of your carefully considered words is concerned, our troubled conscience about our promise would have been easily relieved, except that we are terribly alarmed that this example might give an opportunity for lying to certain weaker brethren. If they learned that the binding nature of an agreement could in any way be lawfully broken, this would contradict what the prophet forbids in such strong and threatening terms when he says: You shall destroy all those who utter a lie; and: the mouth that speaks a lie shall slay the soul.

Germanus: As far as the force of the words which have been reasonably and carefully considered, is concerned, our scruple about our promise would have easily been removed from us were it not that we were terribly alarmed lest by this example an opportunity for lying might be offered to certain weaker brethren, if they knew that the faith of an agreement could be in any way lawfully broken, whereas this very thing is forbidden in such vigorous and threatening terms by the prophet when he says: You shall destroy all those who utter a lie; and: the mouth that speaks a lie, shall slay the soul.

The answer is that the truth of Scripture must not be changed because it causes offense to those who are weak in faith.

The answer that Scripture truth is not to be altered on account of an offense given to the weak.

Joseph: Those who are on the road to ruin, or rather who are eager to destroy themselves, will never lack occasions and opportunities to do so. Nor should we reject or tear out of Scripture those passages that encourage the perversity of heretics, increase the unbelief of the Jews, or offend the pride of pagan wisdom. Instead, we must believe them faithfully, hold them firmly, and preach them according to the rule of truth. Therefore, we should not reject the oikonomias—that is, the dispensations of the prophets and saints that Scripture records—just because of someone else's unbelief. If we think we ought to accommodate their weaknesses in this way, we stain ourselves with the sin not only of lying but of sacrilege. Rather, as we have said, we ought to accept these accounts according to the letter and explain how they were rightly done. For those who are wrongly disposed, we will not close off the opening for lies by denying altogether or explaining away through allegorical interpretations the truth of those things we have already brought forward or are going to bring forward. How will the authority of these passages harm them if their corrupt will alone is enough to lead them into sin?

Joseph: Occasions and opportunities for destroying themselves cannot possibly be wanting to those who are on the road to ruin, or rather who are anxious to destroy themselves; nor are those passages of Scripture to be rejected and altogether torn out of the volume, by which the perversity of heretics is encouraged, or the unbelief of the Jews increased, or the pride of heathen wisdom offended; but surely they are to be piously believed, and firmly held, and preached according to the rule of truth. And therefore we should not, because of another's unbelief, reject the οἰκονομίας, i.e., the economy of the prophets and saints which Scripture relates, lest while we are thinking that we ought to condescend to their infirmities, we stain ourselves with the sin not only of lying but of sacrilege. But, as we said, we ought to admit these according to the letter, and explain how they were rightly done. But for those who are wrongly disposed, the opening for lies will not be blocked up by this means, if we are trying either altogether to deny or to explain away by allegorical interpretations the truth of those things which we are going to bring forward or have already brought forward. For how will the authority of these passages injure them if their corrupt will is alone sufficient to lead them to sin?

How the saints have profitably used a lie like hellebore.

How the saints have profitably employed a lie like hellebore.

We should view and use a lie as if it had the nature of hellebore. Hellebore is beneficial when taken against a life-threatening illness, but if taken without being required by serious danger, it causes immediate death. In the same way, we read that holy men, those most approved by God, used lying in such a way that they not only incurred no guilt of sin from it, but even achieved the greatest goodness. If deceit brought them glory, what would the truth have brought them instead but condemnation? Consider Rahab, of whom Scripture records not only no good deed but actually unchastity. Yet simply for the lie by which she chose to hide the spies rather than betray them, she was granted the privilege of being joined with the people of God in everlasting blessing. But if she had chosen to speak the truth and protect the safety of her fellow citizens, there is no doubt that she and all her household would not have escaped the coming destruction. Nor would she have been included among the ancestors of our Lord's birth (Matthew 1:5), counted in the list of the patriarchs, and through her descendants become the mother of the Savior of all. By contrast, Delilah, who for the safety of her fellow citizens betrayed the truth she had discovered, received eternal destruction in return and has left all people nothing but the memory of her sin. Therefore, when some serious danger depends on confessing the truth, we must take refuge in lying, though in such a way that we are troubled for our salvation by the guilt of a humbled conscience. But where there is no urgent necessity present, a lie should be carefully avoided as if it were something deadly—just as we said about a cup of hellebore, which is useful only when taken as a last resort against a deadly and unavoidable disease, but if taken when the body is in sound and robust health, its deadly properties immediately attack the vital organs. This was clearly demonstrated in the cases of Rahab of Jericho and the patriarch Jacob. The former could only escape death through this remedy, while the latter could not secure the blessing of the firstborn without it. For God is not only the judge and examiner of our words and actions, but He also looks into their purpose and aim. If He sees that something has been done or promised by someone for the sake of eternal salvation and demonstrates insight into divine contemplation, even though it may appear harsh and unfair to people, He looks at the inner goodness of the heart and considers the desire of the will rather than the actual words spoken. He must take into account the aim of the work and the disposition of the doer. As was said above, by this standard one person may be justified through a lie, while another may be guilty of a sin deserving everlasting death by telling the truth. The patriarch Jacob also had regard for this when he was not afraid to imitate the hairy appearance of his brother's body by wrapping himself in skins, and to his credit complied with his mother's instigation of a lie for this purpose. He saw that in this way greater gains of blessing and righteousness would be bestowed on him than by keeping to the path of simplicity. He did not doubt that the stain of this lie would immediately be washed away by the flood of the paternal blessing and would quickly be dissolved like a small cloud by the breath of the Holy Spirit. He believed that richer rewards of merit would be bestowed on him through this dissimulation he put on than through the truth, which was natural to him.

And so we ought to regard a lie and to employ it as if its nature were that of hellebore; which is useful if taken when some deadly disease is threatening, but if taken without being required by some great danger is the cause of immediate death. For so also we read that holy men and those most approved by God employed lying, so as not only to incur no guilt of sin from it, but even to attain the greatest goodness; and if deceit could confer glory on them, what on the other hand would the truth have brought them but condemnation? Just as Rahab, of whom Scripture gives a record not only of no good deed but actually of unchastity, yet simply for the lie, by means of which she preferred to hide the spies instead of betraying them, had it vouchsafed to her to be joined with the people of God in everlasting blessing. But if she had preferred to speak the truth and to regard the safety of the citizens, there is no doubt that she and all her house would not have escaped the coming destruction, nor would it have been vouchsafed to her to be inserted in the progenitors of our Lord's nativity, Matthew 1:5 and reckoned in the list of the patriarchs, and through her descendants that followed, to become the mother of the Saviour of all. Again Dalila, who to provide for the safety of her fellow citizens betrayed the truth she had discovered, obtained in exchange eternal destruction, and has left to all men nothing but the memory of her sin. When then any grave danger hangs on confession of the truth, then we must take to lying as a refuge, yet in such a way as to be for our salvation troubled by the guilt of a humbled conscience. But where there is no call of the utmost necessity present, there a lie should be most carefully avoided as if it were something deadly: just as we said of a cup of hellebore which is indeed useful if it is only taken in the last resort when a deadly and inevitable disease is threatening, while if it is taken when the body is in a state of sound and rude health, its deadly properties at once go to find out the vital parts. And this was clearly shown of Rahab of Jericho, and the patriarch Jacob; the former of whom could only escape death by means of this remedy, while the latter could not secure the blessing of the first-born without it. For God is not only the Judge and inspector of our words and actions, but He also looks into their purpose and aim. And if He sees that anything has been done or promised by some one for the sake of eternal salvation and shows insight into Divine contemplation, even though it may appear to men to be hard and unfair, yet He looks at the inner goodness of the heart and regards the desire of the will rather than the actual words spoken, because He must take into account the aim of the work and the disposition of the doer, whereby, as was said above, one man may be justified by means of a lie, while another may be guilty of a sin of everlasting death by telling the truth. To which end the patriarch Jacob also had regard when he was not afraid to imitate the hairy appearance of his brother's body by wrapping himself up in skins, and to his credit acquiesced in his mother's instigation of a lie for this object. For he saw that in this way there would be bestowed on him greater gains of blessing and righteousness than by keeping to the path of simplicity: for he did not doubt that the stain of this lie would at once be washed away by the flood of the paternal blessing, and would speedily be dissolved like a little cloud by the breath of the Holy Spirit; and that richer rewards of merit would be bestowed on him by means of this dissimulation which he put on than by means of the truth, which was natural to him.

An objection that only those people used lies without punishment who lived under the law.

An objection that only those men employed lies with impunity, who lived under the law.

Germanus: It is no wonder that these schemes were properly used in the Old Testament, and that some holy men told lies either commendably or at least forgivably, since we see that many worse things were permitted to them because of the rough character of those times. Why should we be surprised that when the blessed David was fleeing from Saul, he responded to the priest Abimelech's question—"Why are you alone, and is no man with you?"—by saying: "The king has given me a task and said, 'Let no one know the thing for which you are sent by me,' for I have directed my servants to meet at such and such a place"; and again: "Do you have a spear or sword here? I did not bring my own sword or weapon with me, because the king's business was urgent"; or when he was brought before Achish king of Gath and pretended to be mad and insane, changing his appearance before them, slipping down between their hands, stumbling against the doors of the gate, with his saliva running down his beard? These men were even allowed to have many wives and concubines, and no sin was charged to them on this account. Moreover, they often shed their enemies' blood with their own hands, and this was considered not only blameless but actually praiseworthy. Yet we see by the light of the gospel that all these things are completely forbidden, so that not one of them can be done without great sin and guilt. In the same way, we hold that no lie can be employed by anyone—I will not say rightly, but not even forgivably—no matter how much it may be covered with the appearance of piety, as the Lord says: "Let your speech be yes, yes, no, no: but whatever is more than these is of the evil one"; and the Apostle also agrees with this: "And do not lie to one another."

Germanus: It is no wonder that these schemes were properly employed in the Old Testament, and that some holy men laudably or at any rate venially told lies, as we see that many worse things were permitted to them owing to the rude character of the times. For why should we wonder that when the blessed David was fleeing from Saul, in answer to the inquiry of Abimelech the priest who said: Why are you alone, and is no man with you? he replied as follows: The king has commanded me a business, and said, Let no man know the thing for which you are sent by me, for I have appointed my servants to such and such a place; and again: Have you here at hand a spear or a sword, for I brought not my own sword nor my own weapon with me, for the king's business required haste; or this, when he was brought to Achish king of Gath, and feigned himself mad and frantic, and changed his countenance before them, and slipped down between their hands; and stumbled against the doors of the gate and his spittle ran down on his beard; when they were even allowed to enjoy crowds of wives and concubines, and no sin was on this account imputed to them, and when moreover they often shed the blood of their enemies with their own hand, and this was thought not only worthy of no blame, but actually praiseworthy? And all these things we see by the light of the gospel are utterly forbidden, so that not one of them can be done without great sin and guilt. And in the same way we hold that no lie can be employed by any one, I will not say rightly, but not even venially, however it may be covered with the color of piety, as the Lord says: Let your speech be yea, yea, nay, nay: but whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one; and the Apostle also agrees with this: And lie not one to another.

The answer that grants permission to lie, which was not even allowed under the old Covenant, has rightly been accepted by many.

The answer, that leave to lie, which was not even granted under the old Covenant, has rightly been taken by many.

Joseph: All liberty in the matter of wives and many concubines ought rightly to be cut off by evangelical perfection, since the end of time is approaching and the multiplication of the human race is complete, making such practices no longer necessary. For until the coming of Christ it was fitting that the blessing of the original command should remain in full force, where it was said: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth. Therefore it was entirely right that from the root of human fertility which flourished abundantly in the synagogue, according to that dispensation of the times, the buds of angelic virginity should spring up, and the fragrant flowers of continence be produced in the Church. But that lying was condemned even then is clearly shown by the text of the whole Old Testament, as it says: You shall destroy all them that speak lies; and again: The bread of lying is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel; and the Giver of the law himself says: You shall avoid a lie. But we said that lying was then properly employed as a last resort when some need or plan of salvation was connected to it, on account of which it ought not to be condemned. This is the case with the example you mentioned of King David, who during his flight from the unjust persecution of Saul used lying words to Abimelech the priest, not to gain anything or to harm anyone, but simply to save himself from that most wicked persecution. He would not stain his hands with the blood of the hostile king, so often delivered to him by God, as he said: The Lord be merciful to me that I may do no such thing to my master the Lord's anointed, as to lay my hand upon him, because he is the Lord's anointed. Therefore these plans which we hear that holy men under the old covenant adopted either from the will of God, or for the prefiguring of spiritual mysteries, or for the salvation of some people, we too cannot refuse altogether when necessity forces us, since we see that even the apostles did not avoid them when consideration of something beneficial required them. We will set this aside for the moment while we first discuss the instances we still propose to bring forward from the Old Testament, and afterwards we shall introduce them more appropriately to prove more readily that good and holy men, both in the Old and in the New Testament, were entirely in agreement with each other in these strategies. For what shall we say of that pious deception of Hushai to Absalom for the salvation of King David, which though spoken with every appearance of good will by the deceiver, and opposed to the good of him who asked advice, is yet commended by the authority of Holy Scripture, which says: But by the will of the Lord the profitable counsel of Ahithophel was defeated that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom? Nor could that be blamed which was done for the right side with a right purpose and pious intent, and was planned for the salvation and victory of one whose piety was pleasing to God, by a holy dissimulation. What too shall we say of the deed of that woman who received the men who had been sent to King David by the aforesaid Hushai, and hid them in a well, and spread a cloth over its mouth, and pretended that she was drying pearl-barley, and said They passed on after tasting a little water; and by this invention saved them from the hands of their pursuers? Therefore answer me, I ask you, and say what you would have done if any similar situation had arisen for you, living now under the gospel. Would you prefer to hide them with a similar falsehood, saying in the same way: They passed on after tasting a little water, and thus fulfill the command: Deliver those who are being led to death, and spare not to redeem those who are being killed; or by speaking the truth, would you have given up those in hiding to the men who would kill them? And what then becomes of the Apostle's words: Let no man seek his own but the things of another: and: Love seeks not her own, but the things of others; and of himself he says: I seek not my own good but the good of many that they may be saved? For if we seek our own, and want obstinately to keep what is good for ourselves, we must even in urgent cases of this sort speak the truth, and so become guilty of the death of another. But if we prefer what is for another's advantage to our own good, and satisfy the demands of the Apostle, we shall certainly have to accept the necessity of lying. And therefore we shall not be able to keep a perfect heart of love, or to seek, as apostolic perfection requires, the things of others, unless we relax a little in those things which concern the strictness and perfection of our own lives, and choose to condescend with ready affection to what is useful to others, and so with the Apostle become weak to the weak, that we may be able to gain the weak.

Joseph: All liberty in the matter of wives and many concubines, as the end of time is approaching and the multiplying of the human race completed, ought rightly to be cut off by evangelical perfection, as being no longer necessary. For up to the coming of Christ it was well that the blessing of the original sentence should be in full vigour, whereby it was said: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth. Genesis 1:28 And therefore it was quite right that from the root of human fecundity which happily flourished in the synagogue, in accordance with that dispensation of the times, the buds of angelical virginity should spring, and the fragrant flowers of continence be produced in the Church. But that lying was even then condemned the text of the whole Old Testament clearly shows, as it says: You shall destroy all them that speak lies; and again: The bread of lying is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel; and the Giver of the law himself says: You shall avoid a lie. But we said that it was then properly employed as a last resort when some need or plan of salvation was linked on to it, on account of which it ought not to be condemned. As is the case, which you mentioned, of king David when in his flight from the unjust persecution of Saul, to Abimelech the priest he used lying words, not with the object of getting any gain nor with the desire to injure anybody, but simply to save himself from that most iniquitous persecution; inasmuch as he would not stain his hands with the blood of the hostile king, so often delivered up to him by God; as he said: The Lord be merciful to me that I may do no such thing to my master the Lord's anointed, as to lay my hand upon him, because he is the Lord's anointed. 1 Samuel 24:7 And therefore these plans which we hear that holy men under the old covenant adopted either from the will of God, or for the prefiguring of spiritual mysteries or for the salvation of some people, we too cannot refuse altogether, when necessity constrains us, as we see that even apostles did not avoid them, where the consideration of something profitable required them: which in the meanwhile we will for a time postpone, while we first discuss those instances which we propose still to bring forward from the Old Testament, and afterwards we shall more suitably introduce them so as more readily to prove that good and holy men, both in the Old and in the New Testament, were entirely at one with each other in these contrivances. For what shall we say of that pious fraud of Hushai to Absalom for the salvation of king David, which though uttered with all appearance of good-will by the deceiver and cheat, and opposed to the good of him who asked advice, is yet commended by the authority of Holy Scripture, which says: But by the will of the Lord the profitable counsel of Ahithophel was defeated that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom? 2 Samuel 17:14 Nor could that be blamed which was done for the right side with a right purpose and pious intent, and was planned for the salvation and victory of one whose piety was pleasing to God, by a holy dissimulation. What too shall we say of the deed of that woman, who received the men who had been sent to king David by the aforesaid Hushai, and hid them in a well, and spread a cloth over its mouth, and pretended that she was drying pearl-barley, and said They passed on after tasting a little water; and by this invention saved them from the hands of their pursuers? Wherefore answer me, I pray you, and say what you would have done, if any similar situation had arisen for you, living now under the gospel; would you prefer to hide them with a similar falsehood, saying in the same way: They passed on after tasting a little water, and thus fulfil the command: Deliver those who are being led to death, and spare not to redeem those who are being killed; Proverbs 24:11 or by speaking the truth, would you have given up those in hiding to the men who would kill them? And what then becomes of the Apostle's words: Let no man seek his own but the things of another: and: Love seeks not her own, but the things of others; and of himself he says: I seek not my own good but the good of many that they may be saved? For if we seek our own, and want obstinately to keep what is good for ourselves, we must even in urgent cases of this sort speak the truth, and so become guilty of the death of another: but if we prefer what is for another's advantage to our own good, and satisfy the demands of the Apostle, we shall certainly have to put up with the necessity of lying. And therefore we shall not be able to keep a perfect heart of love, or to seek, as Apostolic perfection requires, the things of others, unless we relax a little in those things which concern the strictness and perfection of our own lives, and choose to condescend with ready affection to what is useful to others, and so with the Apostle become weak to the weak, that we may be able to gain the weak.

How even the Apostles thought that a lie was often useful and the truth harmful.

How even Apostles thought that a lie was often useful and the truth injurious.

Following these examples, the blessed Apostle James and all the chief leaders of the early Church urged the Apostle Paul, because of the weakness of those who were struggling, to agree to a pretense. They insisted that he purify himself according to the law's requirements, shave his head, and pay his vows. They believed that the present harm from this hypocrisy was nothing compared to the benefit that would come from his continued preaching. The gain Paul would receive from strict adherence to principle would not outweigh the loss to all nations if he died prematurely. The whole Church would certainly have suffered this loss if this good and beneficial hypocrisy had not preserved him for preaching the Gospel. We can rightly and pardonably accept the wrong of a lie when, as we said, greater harm depends on telling the truth, and when the good resulting from speaking the truth cannot outweigh the harm it will cause. Elsewhere the blessed Apostle testifies in other words that he himself always maintained this attitude. When he says: "To the Jews I became as a Jew that I might gain the Jews; to those who were under the law as being under the law, though not myself under the law, that I might gain those who were under the law; to those who were without law, I became as without law, though I was not without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might gain those who were without law; to the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I became all things to all men, that I might save all" (1 Corinthians 9:20-22), what does he show except that he always lowered himself according to the weakness and capacity of those being instructed? He relaxed something of the rigor of perfection and did not cling to what his own strict life might seem to demand, but rather preferred what the good of the weak might require. To examine these matters more carefully and recount one by one the glorious good deeds of the Apostles, someone may ask how the blessed Apostle can be proved to have adapted himself to all people in all things. When did he become to the Jews as a Jew? Certainly when, while still keeping in his innermost heart the opinion he had maintained to the Galatians, saying: "Behold, I, Paul, say unto you that if you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing" (Galatians 5:2), yet by circumcising Timothy he adopted a shadow of Jewish superstition. And again, where did he become to those under the law as under the law? There certainly where James and all the Elders of the Church, fearing that he might be attacked by the multitude of Jewish believers, or rather Judaizing Christians, who had received faith in Christ but were still bound by the rituals of legal ceremonies, came to his rescue in his difficulty with this counsel and advice, saying: "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealots for the law. But they have heard of you that you teach those Jews who are among the Gentiles to depart from Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children"; and below: "Do therefore this that we say unto you: we have four men who have a vow on them. These take and sanctify yourself with them and bestow on them, that they may shave their heads; and all will know that the things which they have heard of you are false, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law" (Acts 21:20-24). So for the good of those who were under the law, he trampled underfoot for a while the strict view he had expressed: "For I through the law am dead unto the law that I may live unto God" (Galatians 2:19), and was driven to shave his head, be purified according to the law, and pay his vows after the Mosaic rituals in the Temple. Do you also ask where, for the good of those who were utterly ignorant of God's law, he himself became as if without law? Read the introduction to his sermon at Athens where pagan wickedness was flourishing: "As I passed by," he says, "I saw your idols and an altar on which was written: To the unknown God"; and when he had thus started from their superstition, as if he himself also had been without law, under the cover of that profane inscription he introduced the faith of Christ, saying: "What therefore you ignorantly worship, that declare I unto you." And after a little, as if he had known nothing whatever of the Divine law, he chose to bring forward a verse of a pagan poet rather than a saying of Moses or Christ, saying: "As some also of your own poets have said: for we are also His offspring." And when he had thus approached them with their own authorities, which they could not reject, confirming the truth by means of false things, he added and said: "Since then we are the offspring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like to gold or silver or stone sculptured by the art and device of man." But to the weak he became weak when, by way of permission, not of command, he allowed those who could not contain themselves to return together again (1 Corinthians 7:5), or when he fed the Corinthians with milk and not with meat, and says that he was with them in weakness and fear and much trembling. But he became all things to all people that he might save all when he says: "He that eats let him not despise him that eats not, and let not him that eats not judge him that eats"; and: "He that gives his virgin in marriage does well, and he that gives her not in marriage does better"; and elsewhere: "Who," says he, "is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not?" And in this way he fulfilled what he had commanded the Corinthians to do when he said: "Be without offense to Jews and Greeks and the Church of Christ, as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but that of the many, that they may be saved." For it had certainly been profitable not to circumcise Timothy, not to shave his head, not to undergo Jewish purification, not to practice going barefoot, not to pay legal vows; but he did all these things because he did not seek his own profit but that of the many. And although this was done with the full consideration of God, yet it was not free from pretense. For one who through the law of Christ was dead to the law that he might live to God, and who had made and treated that righteousness of the law in which he had lived blamelessly as dung, that he might gain Christ, could not with true fervor of heart offer what belonged to the law; nor is it right to believe that he who had said: "For if I again rebuild what I have destroyed, I make myself a transgressor" (Galatians 2:18) would himself fall into what he had condemned. And to such an extent is account taken not so much of the actual thing which is done as of the disposition of the doer, that on the other hand truth is sometimes found to have injured some, and a lie to have done them good. For when Saul was grumbling to his servants about David's flight, and saying: "Will the son of Jesse give you all fields and vineyards, and make you all tribunes and centurions: that all of you have conspired against me, and there is no one to inform me," did Doeg the Edomite say anything but the truth when he told him: "I saw the son of Jesse in Nob, with Abimelech the son of Ahitub the priest, who consulted the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him also the sword of Goliath the Philistine"? For this true story he deserved to be rooted up out of the land of the living, and it is said of him by the prophet: "Wherefore God shall destroy you forever, and pluck you up and tear you out of your tabernacle, and your root from the land of the living." He then for showing the truth is forever plucked and rooted up out of that land in which the harlot Rahab with her family is planted for her lie. Just as we also remember that Samson most injuriously betrayed to his wicked wife the truth which he had hidden for a long time by a lie, and therefore the truth so inconsiderately disclosed was the cause of his own deception, because he had neglected to keep the command of the prophet: "Keep the doors of your mouth from her that sleeps in your bosom" (Micah 2:7).

Instructed by which examples, the blessed Apostle James also, and all the chief princes of the primitive Church urged the Apostle Paul in consequence of the weakness of feeble persons to condescend to a fictitious arrangement and insisted on his purifying himself according to the requirements of the law, and shaving his head and paying his vows, as they thought that the present harm which would come from this hypocrisy was of no account, but had regard rather to the gain which would result from his still continued preaching. For the gain to the Apostle Paul from his strictness would not have counterbalanced the loss to all nations from his speedy death. And this would certainly have been then incurred by the whole Church unless this good and salutary hypocrisy had preserved him for the preaching of the Gospel. For then we may rightly and pardonably acquiesce in the wrong of a lie, when, as we said, a greater harm depends on telling the truth, and when the good which results to us from speaking the truth cannot counterbalance the harm which will be caused by it. And elsewhere the blessed Apostle testifies in other words that he himself always observed this disposition; for when he says: To the Jews I became as a Jew that I might gain the Jews; to those who were under the law as being under the law, though not myself under the law, that I might gain those who were under the law; to those who were without law, I became as without law, though I was not without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might gain those who were without law; to the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I became all things to all men, that I might save all; 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 what does he show but that according to the weakness and the capacity of those who were being instructed he always lowered himself and relaxed something of the vigour of perfection, and did not cling to what his own strict life might seem to demand, but rather preferred that which the good of the weak might require? And that we may trace these matters out more carefully and recount one by one the glories of the good deeds of the Apostles, some one may ask how the blessed Apostle can be proved to have suited himself to all men in all things. When did he to the Jews become as a Jew? Certainly in the case where, while he still kept in his inmost heart the opinion which he had maintained to the Galatians saying: Behold, I, Paul, say unto you that if you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing, Galatians 5:2 yet by circumcising Timothy he adopted a shadow as it were of Jewish superstition. And again, where did he become to those under the law, as under the law? There certainly where James and all the Elders of the Church, fearing lest he might be attacked by the multitude of Jewish believers, or rather of Judaizing Christians, who had received the faith of Christ in such a way as still to be bound by the rites of legal ceremonies, came to his rescue in his difficulty with this counsel and advice, and said: You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews, who have believed, and they are all zealots for the law. But they have heard of you that you teach those Jews who are among the Gentiles to depart from Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children; and below: Do therefore this that we say unto you: we have four men who have a vow on them. These take and sanctify yourself with them and bestow on them, that they may shave their heads; and all will know that the things which they have heard of you are false, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law. Acts 21:20-24 And so for the good of those who were under the law, he trode under foot for a while the strict view which he had expressed: For I through the law am dead unto the law that I may live unto God; Galatians 2:19 and was driven to shave his head, and be purified according to the law and pay his vows after the Mosaic rites in the Temple. Do you ask also where for the good of those who were utterly ignorant of the law of God, he himself became as if without law? Read the introduction to his sermon at Athens where heathen wickedness was flourishing: As I passed by, he says, I saw your idols and an altar on which was written: To the unknown God; and when he had thus started from their superstition, as if he himself also had been without law, under the cloke of that profane inscription he introduced the faith of Christ, saying: What therefore you ignorantly worship, that declare I unto you. And after a little, as if he had known nothing whatever of the Divine law, he chose to bring forward a verse of a heathen poet rather than a saying of Moses or Christ, saying: As some also of your own poets have said: for we are also His offspring. And when he had thus approached them with their own authorities, which they could not reject, thus confirming the truth by things false, he added and said: Since then we are the offspring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like to gold or silver or stone sculptured by the art and device of man. But to the weak he became weak, when, by way of permission, not of command, he allowed those who could not contain themselves to return together again, 1 Corinthians 7:5 or when he fed the Corinthians with milk and not with meat, and says that he was with them in weakness and fear and much trembling. But he became all things to all men that he might save all, when he says: He that eats let him not despise him that eats not, and let not him that eats not judge him that eats: and: He that gives his virgin in marriage does well, and he that gives her not in marriage does better; and elsewhere: Who, says he, is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? and in this way he fulfilled what he had commanded the Corinthians to do when he said: Be without offense to Jews and Greeks and the Church of Christ, as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but that of the many, that they may be saved. For it had certainly been profitable not to circumcise Timothy, not to shave his head, not to undergo Jewish purification, not to practice going barefoot, not to pay legal vows; but he did all these things because he did not seek his own profit but that of the many. And although this was done with the full consideration of God, yet it was not free from dissimulation. For one who through the law of Christ was dead to the law that he might live to God, and who had made and treated that righteousness of the law in which he had lived blameless, as dung, that he might gain Christ, could not with true fervour of heart offer what belonged to the law; nor is it right to believe that he who had said: For if I again rebuild what I have destroyed, I make myself a transgressor, Galatians 2:18 would himself fall into what he had condemned. And to such an extent is account taken, not so much of the actual thing which is done as of the disposition of the doer, that on the other hand truth is sometimes found to have injured some, and a lie to have done them good. For when Saul was grumbling to his servants about David's flight, and saying: Will the son of Jesse give you all fields and vineyards, and make you all tribunes and centurions: that all of you have conspired against me, and there is no one to inform me, did Doeg the Edomite say anything but the truth, when he told him: I saw the son of Jesse in Nob, with Abimelech the son of Ahitub the priest, who consulted the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him also the sword of Goliath the Philistine? For which true story he deserved to be rooted up out of the land of the living, and it is said of him by the prophet: Wherefore God shall destroy you forever, and pluck you up and tear you out of your tabernacle, and your root from the land of the living: He then for showing the truth is forever plucked and rooted up out of that land in which the harlot Rahab with her family is planted for her lie: just as also we remember that Samson most injuriously betrayed to his wicked wife the truth which he had hidden for a long time by a lie, and therefore the truth so inconsiderately disclosed was the cause of his own deception, because he had neglected to keep the command of the prophet: Keep the doors of your mouth from her that sleeps in your bosom. Micah 2:7

Whether secret abstinence should be disclosed to those who ask about it without lying, and whether something that was once refused may be accepted later.

Whether secret abstinence ought to be made known, without telling a lie about it, to those who ask, and whether what has once been declined may be taken in hand.

And to bring forward some examples from our unavoidable and almost daily needs which, despite all our care, we can never guard against so well as to avoid being forced to face them whether we want to or not: what, I ask you, should be done when, while we are planning to skip our supper, a brother comes and asks us if we have eaten? Should our fast be concealed and the good act of abstinence hidden, or should it be revealed by telling the truth? If we conceal it to satisfy the Lord's command which says, "You shall not appear unto men to fast but unto your Father Who is in secret," and again, "Let not your left hand know what your right hand does," we must immediately tell a lie. If we reveal the good act of abstinence, the word of the gospel rightly warns us: "Verily I say unto you, they have their reward." But what if someone has firmly refused a cup offered to him by some brother, denying completely that he will accept what the other, rejoicing at his arrival, begs and pleads with him to receive? Is it right that he should force himself to yield to his brother who goes on his knees and bows himself to the ground, and who thinks that he can only show his loving heart through this service, or should he stubbornly hold to his own word and intention?

And to bring forward some instances from our unavoidable and almost daily wants which with all our care we can never so guard against as not to be driven to incur them whether with or against our will: what, I ask you, is to be done when, while we are proposing to put off our supper, a brother comes and asks us if we have had it: is our fast to be concealed, and the good act of abstinence hidden, or is it to be proclaimed by telling the truth? If we conceal it, to satisfy the Lord's command which says: You shall not appear unto men to fast but unto your Father Who is in secret; and again: Let not your left hand know what your right hand does, we must at once tell a lie. If we make manifest the good act of abstinence, the word of the gospel rightly discourages us: Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But what if any one has refused with determination a cup offered to him by some brother, denying altogether that he will take what the other, rejoicing at his arrival, begs and intreats him to receive? Is it right that he should force himself to yield to his brother who goes on his knees and bows himself to the ground, and who thinks that he can only show his loving heart by this service, or should he obstinately cling to his own word and intention?

An objection: that abstinence ought to be kept secret, but things that have been refused should not be accepted.

An objection, that abstinence ought to be concealed, but that things that have been declined should not be received.

Germanus: In the first case, we believe there is no doubt that it is better to keep our abstinence hidden rather than to display it to those who are asking about it, and in situations like this we also acknowledge that a lie is unavoidable. But in the second case, there is no need for us to tell a lie, first because we can decline what is offered by a brother's service in such a way that we do not bind ourselves to any fixed commitment, and second because once we have declined, we can keep our decision unchanged.

Germanus: In the former instance we think there can be no doubt that it is better for our abstinence to be hidden than for it to be displayed to the inquirers, and in cases of this sort we also admit that a lie is unavoidable. But in the second there is no need for us to tell a lie, first because we can refuse what is offered by the service of a brother in such a way as to bind ourselves in no bond of determination, and next because when we once refuse we can keep our opinion unchanged.

The answer that stubbornness in this decision is unreasonable.

The answer that obstinacy in this decision is unreasonable.

Joseph: There is no doubt that these are the decisions of those monasteries where, as you tell us, the early days of your renunciation were trained, since their leaders are accustomed to prefer their own will to their brother's meal, and most stubbornly stick to what they have once decided. But our Elders, whose apostolic powers have been confirmed by miraculous signs, and who have handled everything with spiritual judgment and discernment rather than with rigid mental stubbornness, have taught that those who yield to the weaknesses of others receive far richer rewards than those who persist in their own decisions. They have declared that it is better to conceal one's fasting, as was said, through this necessary and humble deception, than to display it with a proud show of truth.

Joseph: There is no doubt that these are the decisions of those monasteries in which the infancy of your renunciation was, as you tell us, trained, as their leaders are accustomed to prefer their own will to their brother's supper, and most obstinately stick to what they have once intended. But our Elders, to whose faith the signs of Apostolical powers have borne witness, and who have treated everything with judgment and discretion of spirit rather than with stiff obstinacy of mind, have laid down that those men who give in to the infirmities of others, receive much richer fruits than those who persist in their determinations, and have declared that it is a better deed to conceal abstinence, as was said, by this needful and humble lie, rather than to display it with a proud show of truth.

How Abbot Piamun chose to hide his abstinence.

How Abbot Piamun chose to hide his abstinence.

Finally, after twenty-five years, Abbot Piamun did not hesitate to accept some grapes and wine offered to him by a certain brother, and immediately chose to taste what was brought to him rather than display his abstinence, which was a secret from everyone, even though this went against his usual practice. For if we also keep in mind what we remember our Elders always did, who used to conceal the marvels of their own good deeds and their own actions—which they felt obliged to present in conference for the instruction of younger monks—by attributing them to other people, what else can we consider this but an outright lie? And if only we too had anything worthwhile that we could present to build up the faith of younger monks! Certainly we would have no hesitation in following their use of such fictions. For it is better to tell a lie under the cover of such a literary device than, for the sake of maintaining that unreasonable truthfulness, either to hide in ill-advised silence what might edify the hearers, or to fall into the display of objectionable vanity by telling them truthfully in our own person. And the teacher of the Gentiles clearly teaches us the same lesson through his teaching, as he chose to present the great revelations made to him under the character of someone else, saying: I know a man in Christ, whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows, caught up even unto the third heaven: and I know such a man, that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for man to utter.

Finally Abbot Piamun after twenty-five years did not hesitate to receive some grapes and wine offered to him by a certain brother, and at once preferred, against his rule, to taste what was brought him rather than to display his abstinence which was a secret from everybody. For if we would also bear in mind what we remember that our Elders always did, who used to conceal the marvels of their own good deeds, and their own acts, which they were obliged to bring forward in Conference for the instruction of the juniors, under cover of other persons, what else can we consider them but an open lie? And O that we too had anything worthy which we could bring forward for stirring up the faith of the juniors! Certainly we should have no scruples in following their fictions of that kind. For it is better under the color of a figure like that to tell a lie than for the sake of maintaining that unreasonable truthfulness either hide in ill-advised silence what might be edifying to the hearers, or run into the display of an objectionable vanity by telling them truthfully in our own character. And the teacher of the Gentiles clearly teaches us the same lesson by his teaching, as he chose to bring forward the great revelations made to him, under the character of some one else, saying: I know a man in Christ, whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows, caught up even unto the third heaven: and I know such a man, that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for man to utter. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

The testimony of Scripture concerning changes in purpose.

The evidence of Scripture on changes of determination.

We cannot briefly cover everything. Who could list almost all the patriarchs and countless saints, some of whom became, so to speak, patrons of lying—some to preserve life, others out of desire for a blessing, others out of pity, others to conceal a secret, others out of zeal for God, others in searching for truth? Since not all can be listed, neither should all be completely passed over. Piety forced the blessed Joseph to make a false charge against his brothers, even swearing by the king's life: "You are spies. You have come to see the nakedness of the land." And later: "Send one of you to bring your brothers here. The rest of you will be kept here until your words are proven, whether you speak the truth or not. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, you are spies" (Genesis 42:9, 16). If he had not alarmed them out of pity with this lie, he would not have been able to see his father and brother again, nor preserve them in their great danger of starvation, nor free his brothers' consciences from the guilt of selling him. The act of frightening his brothers by means of a lie was not so blameworthy as it was a holy and praiseworthy act to drive his enemies and persecutors to beneficial repentance through a pretended danger. Finally, when they were weighed down by the serious accusation, their consciences were troubled not by the false charge raised against them, but by the thought of their earlier crime. They said to one another: "We suffer this rightly because we sinned against our brother. We saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us and we did not listen to him. Therefore all this trouble has come upon us." This confession, we believe, expiated their terrible sin through wholesome humility—not only their sin against their brother, whom they had wronged with wicked cruelty, but also against God. What about Solomon, who in his first judgment manifested the gift of wisdom he had received from God only by using falsehood? To get at the truth hidden by the woman's lie, he used a most cunningly invented lie himself, saying: "Bring me a sword and divide the living child into two parts, and give one half to one woman and the other half to the other." When this pretended cruelty stirred the heart of the true mother but was approved by the one who was not the true mother, then at last through this most wise discovery of the truth he pronounced the judgment that everyone has felt was divinely inspired: "Give her the living child and do not kill it. She is the mother" (1 Kings 3:24–27). We are taught more fully by other Scripture passages as well that we neither can nor should carry out everything we determine, whether with peace or disturbance of mind, since we often hear that holy men and angels and even Almighty God Himself have changed what they had decided. The blessed David determined something and confirmed it by oath, saying: "May God do so and more also to the enemies of David if I leave of all that belongs to Nabal until morning a single male." But presently when Abigail his wife interceded and pleaded for him, he gave up his threats, lightened the sentence, and preferred to be regarded as a breaker of his word rather than keep his pledged oath by cruelly carrying it out, saying: "As the Lord lives, if you had not quickly come to meet me, there would not have been left to Nabal by morning light a single male." Just as we do not think his readiness to make a rash oath (which resulted from his anger and disturbance of mind) should be copied by us, so we do think the pardon and revision of his determination should be followed. The chosen vessel, writing to the Corinthians, promises unconditionally to return: "But I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia, for I will pass through Macedonia. I will stay or even spend the winter with you so that you may send me on my way wherever I go. For I do not want to see you only in passing, for I hope to stay with you for some time" (1 Corinthians 16:5, 7). He recalls this fact in the Second Epistle: "And in this confidence I intended first to come to you, that you might receive a second favor, and by you to pass into Macedonia and again to come to you from Macedonia and be sent by you to Judea." But a better plan suggested itself and he plainly admits he is not going to fulfill what he had promised. "When I intended this, did I act lightly? Or do I plan according to the flesh, so that with me there would be 'yes, yes' and 'no, no'?" Finally, he declares even with an oath why he preferred to set aside his pledged word rather than bring burden and grief to his disciples by his presence: "But I call God as witness against my soul that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth. For I determined this with myself, that I would not come to you in sorrow." Though the angels had refused to enter Lot's house at Sodom, saying to him, "We will not enter but will remain in the street," they were presently forced by his prayers to change their determination, as Scripture adds: "And Lot urged them, and they turned in to him" (Genesis 19:2–3). Certainly if they knew they would turn in to him, they refused his request with a false excuse. But if their excuse was real, then they are clearly shown to have changed their mind. We hold that the Holy Spirit inserted this in the sacred volume for no other reason than to teach us by their examples that we ought not cling obstinately to our own determinations, but subject them to our will, and keep our judgment free from all legal chains so that it may be ready to follow the call of good counsel in any direction, and may not delay or refuse to pass without delay to whatever sound discretion finds to be the better choice. To rise to still higher instances, when King Hezekiah was lying sick in bed and afflicted with grievous illness, the prophet Isaiah addressed him in the person of God: "Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live." And Hezekiah, it says, turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord: "I beseech you, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and how I have done what was right in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. After this it was again said to him: "Go, return, and speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: Thus says the Lord God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. And behold, I will add to your days fifteen years. And I will deliver you from the hand of the king of the Assyrians, and I will defend this city for your sake and for my servant David's sake" (2 Kings 20:1–6). What could be clearer proof that out of consideration for mercy and goodness, the Lord would rather break His word and instead of the prearranged limit of death extend the life of the one who prayed for fifteen years, rather than be found inflexible because of His unchangeable decree? Similarly the divine sentence says to the men of Nineveh: "Yet three days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." And presently this stern and abrupt sentence is softened by their repentance and fasting, and is turned to the side of mercy with goodness that is easy to be entreated. But if anyone maintains that the Lord had threatened the destruction of their city (while He foreknew they would be converted) for this reason, that He might incite them to beneficial repentance, it follows that those who are set over their brethren may, if need arises, without any blame for telling lies, threaten those who need improvement with severer treatment than they are really going to inflict. But if one says that God revoked that severe sentence in consideration of their repentance, according to what He says through Ezekiel: "If I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and he becomes penitent for his sin and does judgment and justice, he shall surely live, he shall not die" (Ezekiel 33:14–15), we are similarly taught that we ought not obstinately stick to our determination, but should with gentle pity soften the threats that necessity called forth. And lest we think the Lord granted this specially to the Ninevites, He continually affirms through Jeremiah that He will do the same generally toward all, and promises that without delay He will change His sentence according to our deserts: "I will suddenly speak against a nation and against a kingdom to root out and pull down and destroy it. If that nation repents of the evil I have spoken against it, I also will repent of the evil I thought to do to them. And I will suddenly speak of a nation and kingdom, to build up and plant it. If it shall do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, I will repent of the good I thought to do

It is impossible for us briefly to run through everything. For who could count up almost all the patriarchs and numberless saints, some of whom for the preservation of life, others out of desire for a blessing, others out of pity, others to conceal some secret, others out of zeal for God, others in searching for the truth, became, so to speak, patrons of lying? And as all cannot be enumerated, so all ought not to be altogether passed over. For piety forced the blessed Joseph to raise a false charge against his brethren even with an oath by the life of the king, saying: You are spies: to see the nakedness of the land are you come; and below: send, says he, one of you, and bring your brothers hither: but you shall be kept here until your words are made manifest whether you speak the truth or no: but if not, by the life of Pharaoh, you are spies. Genesis 42:9, 16 For if he had not out of pity alarmed them by this lie, he would not have been able to see again his father and his brother, nor to preserve them in their great danger of starvation, nor to free the conscience of his brethren from the guilt of selling him. The act then of striking his brethren with fear by means of a lie was not so reprehensible as was it a holy and laudable act to urge his enemies and seekers to a salutary penitence by means of a feigned danger. Finally when they were weighed down by the odium of the very serious accusation, they were conscience-stricken not at the charge falsely raised against them, but at the thought of their earlier crime, and said to one another: We suffer this rightly because we sinned against our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he asked us and we did not hearken to him: wherefore all this trouble has come upon us. And this confession, we think, expiated by most salutary humility their terrible sin not only against their brother, against whom they had sinned with wicked cruelty, but also against God. What about Solomon, who in his first judgment manifested the gift of wisdom, which he had received of God, only by making use of falsehood? For in order to get at the truth which was hidden by the woman's lie, even he used the help of a lie most cunningly invented, saying: Bring me a sword and divide the living child into two parts, and give the one half to the one and the other half to the other. And when this pretended cruelty stirred the heart of the true mother, but was received with approval by her who was not the true mother, then at last by this most sagacious discovery of the truth he pronounced the judgment which every one has felt to have been inspired by God, saying: Give her the living child and slay it not: she is the mother of it. 1 Kings 3:24-27 Further we are more fully taught by other passages of Scripture as well that we neither can nor should carry out everything which we determine either with peace or disturbance of mind, as we often hear that holy men and angels and even Almighty God Himself have changed what they had decided upon. For the blessed David determined and confirmed it by an oath, saying: May God do so and add more to the foes of David if I leave of all that belong unto Nabal until the morning a single male. And presently when Abigail his wife interceded and intreated for him, he gave up his threats, lightened the sentence, and preferred to be regarded as a breaker of his word rather than to keep his pledged oath by cruelly executing it, saying: As the Lord lives, if you had not quickly come to meet me there had not been left to Nabal by the morning light a single male. And as we do not hold that his readiness to take a rash oath (which resulted from his anger and disturbance of mind) ought to be copied by us, so we do think that the pardon and revision of his determination is to be followed. The chosen vessel, in writing to the Corinthians, promises unconditionally to return, saying: But I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia: for I will pass through Macedonia. But I will stay or even pass the winter with you that you may conduct me wherever I shall go. For I do not want only to see you in passing: for I hope to stay with you for some time. 1 Corinthians 16:5, 7 And this fact he remembers in the Second Epistle, thus: And in this confidence I was minded first to come unto you, that you might receive a second favour, and by you to pass into Macedonia and again to come to you from Macedonia and by you be conducted to Judæa. But a better plan suggested itself and he plainly admits that he is not going to fulfil what he had promised. When then, says he, I purposed this, did I use light-mindedness? Or the things that I think, do I think after the flesh, that there should be with me yea, yea, and nay, nay? Lastly, he declares even with the affirmation of an oath, why it was that he preferred to put on one side his pledged word rather than by his presence to bring a burden and grief to his disciples: But I call God to witness against my soul that it was to spare you that I came not as far as Corinth. For I determined this with myself that I would not come unto you in sorrow. Though when the angels had refused to enter the house of Lot at Sodom, saying to him: We will not enter but will remain in the street, they were presently forced by his prayers to change their determination, as Scripture subjoins: And Lot constrained them, and they turned in to him. Genesis 19:2-3 And certainly if they knew that they would turn in to him, they refused his request with a sham excuse: but if their excuse was a real one, then they are clearly shown to have changed their mind. And certainly we hold that the Holy Spirit inserted this in the sacred volume for no other reason but to teach us by their examples that we ought not to cling obstinately to our own determinations, but to subject them to our will, and so to keep our judgment free from all the chains of law that it may be ready to follow the call of good counsel in any direction, and may not delay or refuse to pass without any delay to whatever a sound discretion may find to be the better choice. And to rise to still higher instances, when king Hezekiah was lying on his bed and afflicted with grievous sickness the prophet Isaiah addressed him in the person of God, and said: Thus says the Lord: set your house in order for you shall die and not live. And Hezekiah, it says, turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord and said: I beseech you, O Lord, remember how I have walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart, and how I have done what was right in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. After which it was again said to him: Go, return, and speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: Thus says the Lord God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears: and behold, I will add to your days fifteen years: and I will deliver you out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians, and I will defend this city for your sake and for my servant David's sake. 2 Kings 20:1-6 What can be clearer than this proof that out of consideration for mercy and goodness the Lord would rather break His word and instead of the pre-arranged limit of death extend the life of him who prayed, for fifteen years, rather than be found inexorable because of His unchangeable decree? In the same way too the Divine sentence says to the men of Nineveh: Yet three days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown; and presently this stern and abrupt sentence is softened by their penitence and fasting, and is turned to the side of mercy with goodness that is easy to be intreated. But if any one maintains that the Lord had threatened the destruction of their city (while He foreknew that they would be converted) for this reason, that He might incite them to a salutary penitence, it follows that those who are set over their brethren may, if need arises, without any blame for telling lies, threaten those who need improvement with severer treatment than they are really going to inflict. But if one says that God revoked that severe sentence in consideration of their penitence, according to what he says by Ezekiel: If I say to the wicked, You shall surely die: and he becomes penitent for his sin, and does judgment and justice, he shall surely live, he shall not die; Ezekiel 33:14-15 we are similarly taught that we ought not obstinately to stick to our determination, but that we should with gentle pity soften down the threats which necessity called forth. And that we may not fancy that the Lord granted this specially to the Ninevites, He continually affirms by Jeremiah that He will do the same in general towards all, and promises that without delay He will change His sentence in accordance with our deserts; saying: I will suddenly speak against a nation and against a kingdom to root out and to pull down and to destroy it. If that nation repent of the evil, which I have spoken against it, I also will repent of the evil which I thought to do to them. And I will suddenly speak of a nation and a kingdom, to build up and to plant it. If it shall do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice: I will repent of the good that I thought to do to it. To Ezekiel also: Leave out not a word, if so be they will hearken and be converted every one from his evil way: that I may repent Me of the evil that I thought to do to them for the wickedness of their doings. And by these passages it is declared that we ought not obstinately to stick to our decisions, but to modify them with reason and judgment, and that better courses should always be adopted and preferred, and that we should turn without any delay to that course which is considered the more profitable. For this above all that invaluable sentence teaches us, because though each man's end is known beforehand to Him before his birth, yet somehow He so orders all things by a plan and method for all, and with regard to man's disposition, that He decides on everything not by the mere exercise of His power, nor according to the ineffable knowledge which His Prescience possesses, but according to the present actions of men, and rejects or draws to Himself each one, and daily either grants or withholds His grace. And that this is so the election of Saul also shows us, of whose miserable end the foreknowledge of God certainly could not be ignorant, and yet He chose him out of so many thousands of Israel and anointed him king, rewarding the then existing merits of his life, and not considering the sin of his coming fall, so that after he became reprobate, God complains almost in human terms and, with man's feelings, as if He repented of his choice, saying: It repents Me that I have appointed Saul king: for he has forsaken Me, and has not performed My words; and again: But Samuel was grieved for Saul because the Lord repented that He had made Saul king over Israel. Finally this that He afterwards executed, that the Lord also declares by the prophet Ezekiel that He will by His daily judgment do with all men, saying: Yea, if I shall say to the righteous that he shall surely live, and he trusting in his righteousness commit iniquity: all his righteousness shall be forgotten, and in his iniquity which he has committed, in the same he shall die. And if I shall say to the wicked: You shall surely die; and if he repent of his sin and do judgment and righteousness, and if that wicked man restore the pledge and render what he has robbed, and walk in the commandments of life, and do no righteous thing, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins which he has committed shall be imputed unto him. Ezekiel 33:13-16 Finally, when the Lord would for their speedy fall turn away His merciful countenance from the people, whom He had chosen out of all nations, the giver of the law interposes on their behalf and cries out: I beseech You, O Lord, this people have sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold; and now if You forgive their sin, forgive it; but if not, blot me out of Your book which You have written. To whom the Lord answered: If any man has sinned before Me, I will blot him out of My book. Exodus 32:31-33 David also, when complaining in prophetic spirit of Judas and the Lord's persecutors, says: Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; and because they did not deserve to come to saving penitence because of the guilt of their great sin, he subjoins: And let them not be written among the righteous. Finally in the case of Judas himself the meaning of the prophetic curse was clearly fulfilled, for when his deadly sin was completed, he killed himself by hanging, that he might not after his name was blotted out be converted and repent and deserve to be once more written among the righteous in heaven. We must therefore not doubt that at the time when he was chosen by Christ and obtained a place in the Apostolate, the name of Judas was written in the book of the living, and that he heard as well as the rest the words: Rejoice not because the devils are subject unto you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20 But because he was corrupted by the plague of covetousness and had his name struck out from that heavenly list, it is suitably said of him and of men like him by the prophet: O Lord, let all those that forsake You be confounded. Let them that depart from You be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the vein of living waters. And elsewhere: They shall not be in the counsel of My people, nor shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel.

How holy men cannot be harsh and stubborn.

How saintly men cannot be hard and obstinate.

We should not dismiss the importance of this principle just because we may have bound ourselves by some oath while under the influence of anger or some other passion (something a monk should never do). We must still carefully weigh both sides of the matter with thorough mental judgment, comparing the course of action we have decided on with the one we are being urged to adopt. Without hesitation, we should choose whichever option is determined to be best when sounder considerations arise. It is better to set aside our promise than to suffer the loss of something good and more desirable. Finally, we have no memory of venerable and approved fathers being hard and unyielding in decisions of this kind. Rather, like wax under the influence of heat, they were shaped by reason, and when sounder counsel prevailed, they did not hesitate to yield to the better course. Those whom we have seen stubbornly clinging to their decisions we have always judged to be unreasonable and lacking in judgment.

Nor must we emit the value of that command because even if we have bound ourselves by some oath under the influence of anger or some other passion, (a thing which ought never to be done by a monk) still the case for each side should be weighed by a thorough judgment of the mind, and the course on which we have determined should be compared to that which we are urged to adopt, and we should without hesitation adopt that which on the occurrence of sounder considerations is decided to be the best. For it is better to put our promise on one side than to undergo the loss of something good and more desirable. Finally we never remember that venerable and approved fathers were hard and unyielding in decisions of this sort, but as wax under the influence of heat, so they were modified by reason, and when sounder counsels prevailed, did not hesitate to give in to the better side. But those whom we have seen obstinately clinging to their determinations we have always set down as unreasonable and wanting in judgment.

A question whether the saying: I have sworn and am purposed is opposed to the view given above.

A question whether the saying: I have sworn and am purposed is opposed to the view given above.

As far as this point is concerned, which has been clearly and thoroughly discussed, a monk should never make firm decisions, for fear that he might turn out to be either a breaker of his word or stubborn. But then what are we to make of this statement from the Psalmist: I have sworn and am purposed to keep Your righteous judgments? What does it mean to swear and purpose, if not to hold firmly to one's decisions?

Germanus: So far as this consideration is concerned which has been clearly and fully treated of, a monk ought never to determine anything for fear lest he turn out a breaker of his word or else obstinate. And what then can we make of this saying of the Psalmist: I have sworn and am purposed to keep Your righteous judgments? What is to swear and purpose except to keep one's determinations fixedly?

The answer explaining in which cases the determination must be kept fixed, and in which cases it may be broken if necessary.

The answer telling in what cases the determination is to be kept fixedly, and in what cases it may be broken if need be.

Joseph: We do not lay down this rule for those fundamental commands without which our salvation cannot exist at all, but for those practices we can either relax or maintain without endangering our spiritual state. For instance, an unbroken and strict fast, total abstinence from wine or oil, a complete prohibition against leaving one's cell, or constant attention to reading and meditation—all these can be practiced as we choose without damaging our profession and purpose, and if necessary can be given up without blame. But we must most resolutely commit ourselves to observing those fundamental commands, and if necessary not even avoid death for their sake. Regarding these we must immovably declare: I have sworn and am purposed. This should be done to preserve love, for which everything else should be set aside so that the beauty and perfection of its calm suffers no stain. In the same way we must swear to preserve the purity of our chastity, and we ought to do the same for faith, sobriety, and justice. We must cling to all of these with unchangeable persistence, and to abandon them even briefly is worthy of blame. But in the case of those bodily exercises which are said to be profitable for a little (1 Timothy 4:8), we must, as we said, decide in such a way that if a more decisive opportunity for a good act occurs which would lead us to relax them, we need not be bound by any rule about them, but may give them up and freely adopt what is more useful. For in the case of those bodily exercises, if they are dropped for a time there is no danger, but to have given up the others even for a moment is deadly.

Joseph: We do not lay this down with regard to those fundamental commands, without which our salvation cannot in any way exist, but with regard to those which we can either relax or hold fast to without endangering our state, as for instance, an unbroken and strict fast, or total abstinence from wine or oil, or entire prohibition to leave one's cell, or incessant attention to reading and meditation, all of which can be practised at pleasure, without damage to our profession and purpose, and, if need be, can be given up without blame. But we must most resolutely make up our minds to observe those fundamental commands, and not even, if need arise, to avoid death in their cause, with regard to which we must immovably assert: I have sworn and am purposed. And this should be done for the preservation of love, for which all things else should be disregarded lest the beauty and perfection of its calm should suffer a stain. In the same way we must swear for the purity of our chastity, and we ought to do the same for faith, and sobriety and justice, to all of which we must cling with unchangeable persistence, and to forsake which even for a little is worthy of blame. But in the case of those bodily exercises, which are said to be profitable for a little, 1 Timothy 4:8 we must, as we said, decide in such a way that, if there occurs any more decided opportunity for a good act, which would lead us to relax them, we need not be bound by any rule about them, but may give them up and freely adopt what is more useful. For in the case of those bodily exercises, if they are dropped for a time, there is no danger: but to have given up these others even for a moment is deadly.

How we ought to do those things which are to be kept secret.

How we ought to do those things which are to be kept secret.

You must also take the same care so that if some word accidentally slips out of your mouth that you want kept secret, no command to keep it secret troubles the hearer. It will be more likely to remain unspoken if you let it pass carelessly and simply, because the brother, whoever he is, will not be tormented with such a temptation to reveal it. He will take it as something trivial dropped in casual conversation, and for this very reason it will seem less important, because it was not impressed on the hearer's mind with a strict command to stay silent. Even if you bind his faithfulness by requiring an oath from him, you should not doubt that it will very soon be revealed. A fiercer assault from the devil's power will be made upon him, both to annoy and betray you, and to make him break his oath as quickly as possible.

You must also provide with the same care that if by chance some word has slipped out of your mouth which you want to be a secret, no injunction to secrecy may trouble the hearer. For it will be more likely to be unheeded if it is let pass carelessly and simply, because the brother, whoever he is, will not be tormented with such a temptation to divulge it, as he will take it as something trivial dropped in casual conversation, and as what is for this very reason of less account, because it was not committed to the hearer's mind with a strict injunction to silence. For even if you bind his faith by exacting an oath from him, you need not doubt that it will very soon be divulged; for a fiercer assault of the devil's power will be made upon him, both to annoy and betray you, and to make him break his oath as quickly as possible.

No decisions should be made regarding matters that pertain to the needs of everyday life.

That no determination should be made on those things which concern the needs of the common life.

A monk should not hastily make any promise about matters that merely concern bodily discipline, lest he stir up the enemy even more to attack what he is keeping as if under legal obligation, and so be more easily forced to break it. Since everyone who lives under the grace of liberty and imposes a law on himself thereby binds himself in dangerous slavery, so that if by chance necessity forces him to do something he might have undertaken lawfully—and indeed commendably and with thanksgiving—he is compelled to act as a transgressor and fall into sin: for where there is no law there is no transgression. Romans 4:15

And therefore a monk ought not hastily to make any promise on those things which merely concern bodily exercise, for fear lest he may stir up the enemy still more to attack what he is keeping as it were under the observance of the law, and so he may be more readily compelled to break it. Since every one who lives under the grace of liberty, and sets himself a law, thereby binds himself in a dangerous slavery, so that if by chance necessity constrains him to do what he might have ventured on lawfully, and indeed laudably and with thanksgiving, he is forced to act as a transgressor, and to fall into sin: for where there is no law there is no transgression. Romans 4:15

By this instruction and the teaching of the blessed Joseph we were confirmed as if by a divine oracle and decided to remain in Egypt. But although from that point forward we were only a little anxious about our promise, we were still very glad to fulfill it when seven years had passed. For we hurried to our monastery at a time when we were confident of obtaining permission to return to the desert, and first we paid our respects properly to our elders. Next we restored their former love for us, since even our very frequent letters had not been enough to satisfy them because of the strength of their affection. And finally, we completely removed the pain of our broken promise and returned to the remote parts of the desert of Scete, as they themselves joyfully sent us on our way.

By this instruction and the teaching of the blessed Joseph we were confirmed as by a Divine oracle and made up our minds to stop in Egypt. But though henceforward we were but a little anxious about our promise, yet when seven years were over we were very glad to fulfil it. For we hastened to our monastery, at a time when we were confident of obtaining permission to return to the desert, and first paid our respects properly to our Elders; next we revived the former love in their minds as out of the ardour of their love they had not been at all softened by our very frequent letters to satisfy them, and in the last place, we entirely removed the sting of our broken promise and returned to the recesses of the desert of Scete, as they themselves forwarded us with joy.

Holy brother, we have explained to you as well as our limited understanding allows the teaching and doctrine of these distinguished fathers. And if our clumsy writing has perhaps confused it rather than clarified it, I trust that the criticism our clumsiness deserves will not diminish the praise owed to these great men. Since it seemed to us safer in the sight of our Judge to present this excellent doctrine even in plain style rather than remain silent about it, the grandeur of the ideas should mean that any annoyance caused by our awkward style need not harm the reader's benefit. For our part, we care more about its usefulness than about receiving praise. I charge everyone who receives this little book with this: they must understand that whatever pleases them in it belongs to the fathers, and whatever they dislike is entirely our own.

This learning and doctrine of the illustrious fathers, our ignorance, O holy brother, has to the best of its ability made plain to you. And if perhaps our clumsy style has confused it instead of setting it in order, I trust that the blame which our clumsiness deserves will not interfere with the praise due to these grand men. Since it seemed to us a safer course in the sight of our Judge to state even in unadorned style this splendid doctrine rather than to hold our tongues about it, since if he considers the grandeur of the thoughts, the fact that the awkwardness of our style annoys him, need not be prejudicial to the profit of the reader, and for our part we are more anxious about its usefulness than its being praised. This at least I charge all those into whose hand this little book may fall; viz., that they must know that whatever in it pleases them belongs to the fathers, and whatever they dislike is all our own.