warnings to the more cruel. But the rest who came to him he so
instructed that they gave up at once their lawsuits, and blessed
those who had retired from this life. And those who had been
unjustly used he so protected that you would think he and not they
was the sufferer. And he was so able to be of use to all; so that
many who were serving in the army, and many wealthy men, laid aside
the burdens of life and became thenceforth monks; and altogether he
was like a physician given by God to Egypt. For who met him
grieving, and did not go away rejoicing? Who came mourning over his
dead, and did not forthwith lay aside his grief? Who came wrathful,
and was not converted to friendship? What poor man came wearied
out, and when he saw and heard him did not despise wealth and
comfort himself in his poverty? What monk who had grown remiss, was
not strengthened by coming to him? What young man coming to the
mountain and looking upon Antony, did not forthwith renounce
pleasure and love temperance? Who came to him tempted by devils,
and did not get rest? Who came troubled by doubts, and did not get
peace of mind? For this was the great thing in Antony's asceticism,
that (as I have said before), having the gift of discerning spirits,
he understood their movements, and knew in what direction each of
them turned his endeavours and his attacks. And not only he was not
deceived by them himself, but he taught those who were troubled in
mind how they might turn aside the plots of daemons, teaching them
the weakness and the craft of their enemies. How many maidens, too,
who had been already betrothed, and only saw Antony from afar,
remained unmarried for Christ's sake! Some, too, came from foreign
parts to him, and all, having gained some benefit, went back from
him as from a father. And now he has fallen asleep, all are as
orphans who have lost a parent, consoling themselves with his memory
alone, keeping his instructions and exhortations. But what the end