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His Life in the
Desert
45. Antony, however, according to his custom, returned alone to his own
cell increased his discipline, and sighed daily as he thought of the
mansions in Heaven, having his desire fixed on them, and pondering over
the shortness of man's life. And he used to eat and sleep, and go about
all other bodily necessities with shame when he thought of the
spiritual faculties of the soul. So often, when about to eat with any
other hermits, recollecting the spiritual food, he begged to be
excused, and departed far off from them, deeming it a matter for shame
if he should be seen eating by others. He used, however, when by
himself, to eat through bodily necessity, but often also with the
brethren; covered with shame on these occasions, yet speaking boldly
words of help. And he used to say that it behoved a man to give all his
time to his soul rather than his body, yet to grant a short space to
the body through its necessities; but all the more earnestly to give up
the whole remainder to the soul and seek its profit, that it might not
be dragged down by the pleasures of the body, but, on the contrary, the
body might be in subjection to the soul. For this is that which was
spoken by the Saviour: “Be not anxious for your life what ye shall eat,
nor for your body what ye shall put on. And do ye seek not what ye
shall eat, or what ye shall drink, and be not of a doubtful mind. For
all these things the nations of the world seek after. But your Father
knows that ye have need of all these things. Howbeit seek ye first His
Kingdom, and all these things shall be added unto you .”
46. After this the Church was seized by the persecution which then took
place under Maximinus, and when the holy martyrs were led to
Alexandria, Antony also followed, leaving his cell, and saying, “Let us
go too, that if called, we may contend or behold them that are
contending.” And he longed to suffer martyrdom, but not being willing
to give himself up, he ministered to the confessors in the mines and in
the prisons. And he was very zealous in the judgment hall to stir up to
readiness those who were summoned when in their contest, while those
who were being martyred he received and brought on their way until they
were perfected. The judge, therefore, beholding the fearlessness of
Antony and his companions, and their zeal in this matter, commanded
that no monk should appear in the judgment hall, nor remain at all in
the city. So all the rest thought it good to hide themselves that day,
but Antony gave so little heed to the command that he washed his
garment, and stood all next day on a raised place before them, and
appeared in his best before the governor. Therefore when all the rest
wondered at this, and the governor saw and passed by with his array, he
stood fearlessly, shewing the readiness of us Christians. For, as I
said before, he prayed himself to be a martyr, wherefore he seemed as
one grieved that he had not borne his witness. But the Lord was keeping
him for our profit and that of others, that he should become a teacher
to many of the discipline which he had learned from the Scriptures. For
many only beholding his manner of life were eager to be imitators of
his ways. So he again ministered as usual to the confessors, and as
though he were their fellow captive he laboured in his ministry.
47. And when at last the persecution ceased, and the blessed Bishop
Peter had borne his testimony; Antony departed, and again withdrew to
his cell, and was there daily a martyr to his conscience, and
contending in the conflicts of faith. And his discipline was much
severer, for he was ever fasting, and he had a garment of hair on the
inside, while the outside was skin, which he kept until his end. And he
neither bathed his body with water to free himself from filth, nor did
he ever wash his feet nor even endure so much as to put them into
water, unless compelled by necessity. Nor did any one even see him
unclothed, nor his body naked at all, except after his death, when he
was buried.
48. When therefore he had retired and determined to fix a time, after
which neither to go forth himself nor admit anybody, Martinian, a
military officer, came and disturbed Antony. For he had a daughter
afflicted with an evil spirit. But when he continued for a long while
knocking at the door, and asking him to come out and pray to God for
his child, Antony, not bearing to open, looked out from above and said,
“Man, why dost thou call on me? I also am a man even as you. But if you
believe on Christ whom I serve, go, and according as you believe, pray
to God, and it shall come to pass.” Straightway, therefore, he
departed, believing and calling upon Christ, and he received his
daughter cleansed from the devil. Many other things also through Antony
the Lord did, who saith, “Seek and it shall be given unto you .” For
many of the sufferers, when he would not open his door, slept outside
his cell, and by their faith and sincere prayers were healed.
Preface
Part I: Antony's Youth
and First Struggles with Demons
Part II: He Dwells
Among the Tombs
Part III: He Goes to
the Desert
Part IV: His Sermon to
the Young Men
Part V: His Life in the Desert
Part VI: He Goes to
the Inner Desert
Part VII: Advice and
Assistance for Visitors
Part VIII: His
Discourses Against Schismatics, Arians, and Pagans
Part IX: His Growing
Fame
Part X: His Death
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