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Conference XVII. The Second Conference of Abbot Joseph. On Making Promises.
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Chapter I. Of the vigils which we endured.
iv.v.viii.i
Chapter II. Of the anxiety of Abbot Germanus at the recollection of our promise.iv.v.viii.ii
Chapter III. My ideas on this subject.iv.v.viii.iii
Chapter IV. Abbot Joseph's question and our answer on the origin of our anxiety.iv.v.viii.iv
Chapter V. The explanation of Abbot Germanus why we wanted to stay in Egypt, and were drawn back to Syria.iv.v.viii.v
Chapter VI. Abbot Joseph's question whether we got more good in Egypt than in Syria.iv.v.viii.vi
Chapter VII. The answer on the difference of customs in the two countries.iv.v.viii.vii
Chapter VIII. How those who are perfect ought not to make any promises absolutely, and whether decisions can be reversed without sin.iv.v.viii.viii
Chapter IX. How it is often better to break one's engagements than to fulfil them.iv.v.viii.ix
Chapter X. Our question about our fear of the oath which we gave in the monastery in Syria.iv.v.viii.x
Chapter XI. The answer that we must take into account the purpose of the doer rather than the execution of the business.iv.v.viii.xi
Chapter XII. How a fortunate issue will be of no avail to evil doers, while bad deeds will not injure good men.iv.v.viii.xii
Chapter XIII. Our answer as to the reason which demanded an oath from us.iv.v.viii.xiii
Chapter XIV. The discourse of the Elder showing how the plan of action may be changed without fault provided that one keeps to the carrying out of a good intention.iv.v.viii.xiv
Chapter XV. A question whether it can be without sin that our knowledge affords to weak brethren an opportunity for lying.iv.v.viii.xv
Chapter XVI. The answer that Scripture truth is not to be altered on account of an offence given to the weak.iv.v.viii.xvi
Chapter XVII. How the saints have profitably employed a lie like hellebore.iv.v.viii.xvii
Chapter XVIII. An objection that only those men employed lies with impunity, who lived under the law.iv.v.viii.xviii
Chapter XIX. The answer, that leave to lie, which was not even granted under the old Covenant, has rightly been taken by many.iv.v.viii.xix
Chapter XX. How even Apostles thought that a lie was often useful and the truth injurious.iv.v.viii.xx
Chapter XXI. Whether secret abstinence ought to be made known, without telling a lie about it, to those who ask, and whether what has once been declined may be taken in hand.iv.v.viii.xxi
Chapter XXII. An objection, that abstinence ought to be concealed, but that things that have been declined should not be received.iv.v.viii.xxii
Chapter XXIII. The answer that obstinacy in this decision is unreasonable.iv.v.viii.xxiii
Chapter XXIV. How Abbot Piamun chose to hide his abstinence.iv.v.viii.xxiv
Chapter XXV. The evidence of Scripture on changes of determination.iv.v.viii.xxv
Chapter XXVI. How saintly men cannot be hard and obstinate.iv.v.viii.xxvi
Chapter XXVII. A question whether the saying: “I have sworn and am purposed” is opposed to the view given above.iv.v.viii.xxvii
Chapter XXVIII. The answer telling in what cases the determination is to be kept fixedly, and in what cases it may be broken if need be.iv.v.viii.xxviii
Chapter XXIX. How we ought to do those things which are to be kept secret.iv.v.viii.xxix
Chapter XXX. That no determination should be made on those things which concern the needs of the common life.iv.v.viii.xxx