of their adversaries, that none, through ignorance of the manner
of wrestling, may be caught thus. Then turn they again, each to
his own home, eagerly storing the honey of virtue in the cells of
their hearts, and husbanding sweet fruits worthy of the heavenly
board.

"Others again spend their life in monasteries. These gather in
multitudes in one spot, and range themselves under one superior
and president, the best of their number, slaying all self-will
with the sword of obedience. Of their own free choice they
consider themselves as slaves bought at a price, and no longer
live for themselves, but for him, to whom, for Christ his sake,
they have become obedient; or rather, to speak more properly,
they live no more for themselves, but Christ liveth in them, whom
to follow, they renounce all. This is retirement, a voluntary
hatred of the world, and denial of nature by desire of things
above nature. These men therefore live the lives of Angels on
earth, chanting psalms and hymns with one consent unto the Lord,
and purchasing for themselves the title of Confessors by labours
of obedience. And in them is fulfilled the word of the Lord,
when he saith, `Where two or three are gathered together in my
name, there am I in the midst of them.' By this number he
limiteth not the gathering together in his name, but by `two or
three' signifieth that the number is indefinite. For, whether
there be many, or few, gathered together because of his holy
name, serving him with fervent zeal, there we believe him to be
present in the midst of his servants.

"By these ensamples and such like assemblies men of earth and
clay imitate the life of heavenly beings, in fastings and prayers