Letter 13

Isidore of PelusiumLampetius|isidore pelusium
monasticismtravel mobility

When you were approaching the high mountain of ascetic practice, you cleansed both your clothes and senses. And according to the report of godly opinion you prepared your heart. Assuredly you had been resolved to leave the unspiritual things, in order that you, having arrived at the citadel of virtues, might hear God uttering a message (the one who inscribes the old law on physical tablets) and might become a tablet made by God. And now these things are celebrated by all concerning you, that, on the one hand, they proclaim eagerly that you took hold of the plow of salvation; but, on the other hand, having lost heart, in turn, you turned back. Accordingly, does this pattern not frighten you? Namely, that although Simon was baptized and followed the ministers of Christ, he, in turn, turned back to the material world (on account of which the wretched one was brought down from the height to the notorious death; that from the one calamity against that one it might be shown what sorts of calamities the deserving ones meet, namely, those who broke their word about the spiritual way of life). Hold fast to the intention of Simon. And if only everyone who had a share of this resolve and knowledge would avert that punishment to the enemies! Fulfill the covenant to the Lord, and devote yourself carefully to his vineyard. The reward is with him, which each one will receive according to their own work.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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