ORIGIN OF MONACHISM. l8t 



than himfelf. For the fake of change, however, lis 

 had hewn out two cells of the like dimenhons in the 

 rock on the top of the mountain, and provided them 

 with doors. Into one of thefe he retired, when he 

 wanted to free himfelf from the trouble of vifits. 



Thefe now again exceeded all belief, as foon as Aiv 

 tonius was here traced out. He had vifits from all 

 ends and corners, of monks and idlers, and fuch as 

 were afflicted with difeafes. To the monks he gave 

 excellent leffons. The lick he frequently cured by the 

 efficacy of his faith and the unction of his prayers. 

 Sometimes he cured them, and fometimes not. And 

 whenever the latter happened, it made him neither 

 angry nor fad, as in truth it would fome had they been 

 in his place ; but he gravely and fententioufly exhorted 

 them to patience. 



From mount Coltzim Antonius paid frequent vifits 

 to Phaium ; where he had gathered about him in little 

 huts his firft difciples. However not fo frequently as 

 he was requefted; as that place was diftant a journey of 

 three days and three nights, and as the way led acrofs 

 a defart, where no water was found. Every five, ten, 

 or twenty days, Antonius left his holy mountain, and 

 repaired to a place at fome confiderable diflance, named 

 Pifpir, where a number of coenobites dwelt. Here he 

 very readily received his vifitants. On the arrival of 

 any, he directly aiked, whether they were Grangers ? 

 If the monks anfwered, yes ; he enquired whether they 

 were ^Egyptians or people from Jerufalem ? Now the 

 monks told him lyes. For, when people were there to 

 whom Antonius had nothing of confequence to fay, 

 tiey told him they were ./Egyptians ; but were they 



If 3 perfq 



