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 knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Howbeit seek
ye first His Kingdom, and all these things shall be added unto you10871087.’
This book has been accessed more than 547560 times since July 13, 2005.
