\"Ourcommonfaith，\"hesaid，holdsandsetsforththattheThreearealikeomnipotent。\"AcertainTirric，aschoolmaster，hearingthis，sarcasticallyaddedtheAthanasianphrase，\"AndyettherearenotthreeomnipotentPersons，butonlyOne。\"
Thisman’sbishopforthwithbegantocensurehim，biddinghimdesistfromsuchtreasonabletalk，butheboldlystoodhisground，andsaid，asifquotingthewordsofDaniel:\"’Areyesuchfools，yesonsofIsrael，thatwithoutexaminationorknowledgeofthetruthyehavecondemnedadaughterofIsrael？Returnagaintotheplaceofjudgment，’（Daniel，xiii。
48TheHistoryofSusanna）andtheregivejudgmentonthejudgehimself。
Youhavesetupthisjudge，forsooth，fortheinstructionoffaithandthecorrectionoferror，andyet，whenheoughttogivejudgment，hecondemnshimselfoutofhisownmouth。Setfreetoday，withthehelpofGod’smercy，onewhoismanifestlyinnocent，evenasSusannawasfreedofoldfromherfalseaccusers。\"
Thereuponthearchbishoparoseandconfirmedthelegate’sstatement，butchangedthewordingthereof，asindeedwasmostfitting。\"ItisGod’struth，\"hesaid，\"thattheFatherisomnipotent，theSonisomnipotent，theHolySpiritisomnipotent。Andwhosoeverdissentsfromthisisopenlyinerror，andmustnotbelistenedto。Nevertheless，ifitbeyourpleasure，itwouldbewellthatthisourbrothershouldpubliclystatebeforeusallthefaiththatisinhim，totheendthat，accordingtoitsdeserts，itmayeitherbeapprovedorelsecondemnedandcorrected。\"
When，however，Ifainwouldhavearisentoprofessandsetforthmyfaith，inorderthatImightexpressinmyownwordsthatwhichwasinmyheart，myenemiesdeclaredthatitwasnotneedfulformetodomorethanrecitetheAthanasianSymbol，athingwhichanyboymightdoaswellasI。AndlestIshouldallegeignorance，pretendingthatIdidnotknowthewordsbyheart，theyhadacopyofitsetbeforemetoread。AndreaditIdidasbestIcouldformygroansandsighsandtears。Thereupon，asifIhadbeenaconvictedcriminal，IwashandedovertotheAbbotofSt。Médard，whowastherepresent，andledtohismonasteryastoaprison。Andwiththisthecouncilwasimmediatelydissolved。
Theabbotandthemonksoftheaforesaidmonastery，thinkingthatI
wouldremainlongwiththem，receivedmewithgreatexultation，anddiligentlysoughttoconsoleme，butallinvain。OGod，whodostjudgejusticeitself，inwhatvenomofthespirit，inwhatbitternessofmind，didIblameevenTheeformyshame，accusingTheeinmymadness！FulloftendidIrepeatthelamentofSt。Anthony:\"KindlyJesus，wherewertThou？\"Thesorrowthattorturedme，theshamethatoverwhelmedme，thedesperationthatwrackedmymind，alltheseIcouldthenfeel，butevennowIcanfindnowordstoexpressthem。ComparingthesenewsufferingsofmysoulwiththoseI
hadformerlyenduredinmybody，itseemedthatIwasinverytruththemostmiserableamongmen。Indeedthatearlierbetrayalhadbecomealittlethingincomparisonwiththislaterevil，andIlamentedthehurttomyfairnamefarmorethantheonetomybody。Thelatter，indeed，Ihadbroughtuponmyselfthroughmyownwrongdoing，butthisotherviolencehadcomeuponmesolelybyreasonofthehonestyofmypurposeandmyloveofourfaith，whichhadcompelledmetowritethatwhichIbelieved。
Theverycrueltyandheartlessnessofmypunishment，however，madeeveryonewhoheardthestoryvehementincensuringit，sothatthosewhohadahandthereinweresooneagertodisclaimallresponsibility，shoulderingtheblameonothers。Nay，matterscametosuchapassthatevenmyrivalsdeniedthattheyhadhadanythingtodowiththematter，andasforthelegate，hepubliclydenouncedthemalicewithwhichtheFrenchhadacted。
Swayedbyrepentanceforhisinjustice，andfeelingthathehadyieldedenoughtosatisfytheirrancourheshortlyfreedmefromthemonasterywhitherIhadbeentaken，andsentmebacktomyown。Here，however，I
foundalmostasmanyenemiesasIhadintheformerdaysofwhichIhavealreadyspoken，forthevilenessandshamelessnessoftheirwayoflivingmadethemrealizethattheywouldagainhavetoenduremycensure。
Afterafewmonthshadpassed，chancegavethemanopportunitybywhichtheysoughttodestroyme。Ithappenedthatoneday，inthecourseofmyreading，IcameuponacertainpassageofBede，inhiscommentaryontheActsoftheApostles，whereinheassertsthatDionysiustheAreopagitewasthebishop，notofAthens，butofCorinth。Now，thiswasdirectlycountertothebeliefofthemonks，whowerewonttoboastthattheirDionysius，orDenis，wasnotonlytheAreopagitebutwaslikewiseprovedbyhisactstohavebeentheBishopofAthens。HavingthusfoundthistestimonyofBede’sincontradictionofourowntradition，Ishoweditsomewhatjestinglytosundryofthemonkswhochancedtobenear。WrathfullytheydeclaredthatBedewasnobetterthanaliar，andthattheyhadafarmoretrustworthyauthorityinthepersonofHilduin，aformerabbotoftheirs，whohadtravelledforalongtimethroughoutGreeceforthepurposeofinvestigatingthisveryquestion。He，theyinsisted，hadbyhiswritingsremovedallpossibledoubtonthesubject，andhadsecurelyestablishedthetruthofthetraditionalbelief。
Oneofthemonkswentsofarastoaskmebrazenlywhichofthetwo，BedeorHilduin，Iconsideredthebetterauthorityonthispoint。IrepliedthattheauthorityofBede，whosewritingsareheldinhighesteembythewholeLatinChurch，appearedtomethebetter。ThereuponinagreatragetheybegantocryoutthatatlastIhadopenlyprovedthehatredIhadalwaysfeltforourmonastery，andthatIwasseekingtodisgraceitintheeyesofthewholekingdom，robbingitofthehonourinwhichithadparticularlygloried，bythusdenyingthattheAreopagitewastheirpatronsaint。TothisIansweredthatIhadneverdeniedthefact，andthatI
didnotmuchcarewhethertheirpatronwastheAreopagiteorsomeoneelse，providedonlyhehadreceivedhiscrownfromGod。Thereupontheyrantotheabbotandtoldhimofthemisdemeanourwithwhichtheychargedme。
Theabbotlistenedtotheirstorywithdelight，rejoicingathavingfoundachancetocrushme，forthegreatervilenessofhislifemadehimfearmemoreeventhantherestdid。Accordinglyhesummonedhiscouncil，andwhenthebrethrenhadassembledheviolentlythreatenedme，declaringthathewouldstraightwaysendmetotheking，byhimtobepunishedforhavingthussulliedhiscrownandthegloryofhisroyalty。Anduntilheshouldhandmeovertotheking，heorderedthatIshouldbecloselyguarded。
InvaindidIoffertosubmittothecustomarydisciplineifIhadinanywaybeenguilty。Then，horrifiedattheirwickedness，whichseemedtocrowntheillfortuneIhadsolongendured，andinutterdespairattheapparentconspiracyofthewholeworldagainstme，Ifledsecretlyfromthemonasterybynight，helpedtheretobysomeofthemonkswhotookpityonme，andlikewiseaidedbysomeofmyscholars。
ImademywaytoaregionwhereIhadformerlydwelt，hardbythelandsofCountTheobald（ofChampagne）。Hehimselfhadsomeslightacquaintancewithme，andhadcompassiononmebyreasonofmypersecutions，ofwhichthestoryhadreachedhim。IfoundahometherewithinthewallsofProvins，inaprioryofthemonksofTroyes，thepriorofwhichhadinformerdaysknownmewellandshownmemuchlove。Inhisjoyatmycominghecaredformewithalldiligence。Itchanced，however，thatonedaymyabbotcametoProvinstoseethecountoncertainmattersofbusiness。AssoonasIhadlearnedofthis，Iwenttothecount，theprioraccompanyingme，andbesoughthimtointercedeinmybehalfwiththeabbot。Iaskednomorethanthattheabbotshouldabsolvemeofthechargeagainstme，andgivemepermissiontolivethemonasticlifewheresoeverIcouldfindasuitableplace。Theabbot，however，andthosewhowerewithhimtookthematterunderadvisement，sayingthattheywouldgivethecountananswerthedaybeforetheydeparted。ItappearedfromtheirwordsthattheythoughtI
wishedtogotosomeotherabbey，athingwhichtheyregardedasanimmensedisgracetotheirown。Theyhad，indeed，takenparticularprideinthefactthat，uponmyconversion，Ihadcometothem，asifscorningallotherabbeys，andaccordinglytheyconsideredthatitwouldbringgreatshameuponthemifIshouldnowdeserttheirabbeyandseekanother。Forthisreasontheyrefusedtolisteneithertomyownpleaortothatofthecount。
Furthermore，theythreatenedmewithexcommunicationunlessIshouldinstantlyreturn;likewisetheyforbadethepriorwithwhomIhadtakenrefugetokeepmelonger，underpainofsharingmyexcommunication。WhenweheardthisboththepriorandIwerestrickenwithfear。Theabbotwentawaystillobdurate，butafewdaysthereafterhedied。
Assoonashissuccessorhadbeennamed，Iwenttohim，accompaniedbytheBishopofMeaux，totryifImightwinfromhimthepermissionI
hadvainlysoughtofhispredecessor。Atfirsthewouldnotgivehisassent，butfinally，throughtheinterventionofcertainfriendsofmine，Isecuredtherighttoappealtothekingandhiscouncil，andinthiswayIatlastobtainedwhatIsought。Theroyalseneschal，Stephen，havingsummonedtheabbotandhissubordinatesthattheymightstatetheircase，askedthemwhytheywantedtokeepmeagainstmywill。Hepointedoutthatthismighteasilybringthemintoevilrepute，andcertainlycoulddothemnogood，seeingthattheirwayoflivingwasutterlyincompatiblewithmine。Iknewittobetheopinionoftheroyalcouncilthattheirregularitiesintheconductofthisabbeywouldtendtobringitmoreandmoreunderthecontroloftheking，makingitincreasinglyusefulandlikewiseprofitabletohim，andforthisreasonIhadgoodhopeofeasilywinningthesupportofthekingandthoseabouthim。
Thus，indeed，diditcometopass。Butinorderthatthemonasterymightnotbeshornofanyoftheglorywhichithadenjoyedbyreasonofmysojournthere，theygrantedmepermissiontobetakemyselftoanysolitaryplaceImightchoose，providedonlyIdidnotputmyselfundertheruleofanyotherabbey。Thiswasagreeduponandconfirmedonbothsidesinthepresenceofthekingandhiscouncellors。ForthwithIsoughtoutalonelyspotknowntomeofoldintheregionofTroyes，andthere，onabitoflandwhichhadbeengiventome，andwiththeapprovalofthebishopofthedistrict，IbuiltwithreedsandstalksmyfirstoratoryinthenameoftheHolyTrinity。Andthereconcealed，withbutonecomrade，acertaincleric，I
wasabletosingoverandoveragaintotheLord:\"Lo，thenwouldIwanderfaroff，andremaininthewilderness\"（Ps。iv。7）。CHAPTERXIOFHISTEACHINGINTHEWILDERNESS
NOSOONERhadscholarslearnedofmyretreatthantheybegantoflockthitherfromallsides，leavingtheirtownsandcastlestodwellinthewilderness。Inplaceoftheirspacioushousestheybuiltthemselveshuts;
insteadofdaintyfaretheylivedontheherbsofthefieldandcoarsebread;theirsoftbedstheyexchangedforheapsofstrawandrushes，andtheirtableswerepilesofturf。inverytruthyoumaywellbelievethattheywerelikethosephilosophersofoldofwhomJerometellsusinhissecondbookagainstJovinianus。
\"Throughthesenses，\"saysJerome，\"asthroughsomanywindows，doviceswinentrancetothesoul。Themetropolisandcitadelofthemindcannotbetakenunlessthearmyofthefoehasfirstrushedinthroughthegates。
Ifanyonedelightsinthegamesofthecircus，inthecontestsofathletes，intheversatilityofactors，inthebeautyofwomen，intheglitterofgemsandraiment，orinaughtelseliketothese，thenthefreedomofhissoulismadecaptivethroughthewindowsofhiseyes，andthusisfulfilledtheprophecy:’Fordeathiscomeupintoourwindows’（Jer。ix。21）。Andthen，whenthewedgesofdoubthave，asitwere，beendrivenintothecitadelsofourmindsthroughthesegateways，wherewillbeitsliberty？whereitsfortitude？whereitsthoughtofGod？Mostofalldoesthesenseoftouchpaintforitselfthepicturesofpastraptures，compellingthesoultodwellfondlyuponrememberediniquities，andsotopracticeinimaginationthosethingswhichrealitydeniestoit。
\"Heedingsuchcounsel，therefore，manyamongthephilosophersforsookthethrongingwaysofthecitiesandthepleasantgardensofthecountryside，withtheirwellwateredfields，theirshadytrees，thesongofbirds，themirrorofthefountain，themurmurofthestream，themanycharmsforeyeandear，fearinglesttheirsoulsshouldgrowsoftamidluxuryandabundanceofriches，andlesttheirvirtueshouldtherebybedefiled。Foritisperiloustoturnyoureyesoftentothosethingswherebyyoumaysomedaybemadecaptive，ortoattemptthepossessionofthatwhichitwouldgohardwithyoutodowithout。ThusthePythagoreansshunnedallcompanionshipofthiskind，andwerewonttodwellinsolitaryanddesertplaces。Nay，Platohimself，althoughhewasarichmanletDiogenestrampleonhiscouchwithmuddyfeet，andinorderthathemightdevotehimselftophilosophyestablishedhisacademyinaplaceremotefromthecity，andnotonlyuninhabitedbutunhealthyaswell。Thishedidinorderthattheonslaughtsoflustmightbebrokenbythefearandconstantpresenceofdisease，andthathisfollowersmightfindnopleasuresaveinthethingstheylearned。\"
———————————Suchalife，likewise，thesonsoftheprophetswhowerethefollowersofEliseusarereportedtohaveled。OftheseJeromealsotellsus，writingthustothemonkRusticusasifdescribingthemonksofthoseancientdays:\"Thesonsoftheprophets，themonksofwhomwereadintheOldTestamentbuiltforthemselveshutsbythewatersoftheJordan，andforsakingthethrongsandthecities，livedonpottageandtheherbsofthefield\"（Epist。iv）。
EvensodidmyfollowersbuildtheirhutsabovethewatersoftheArduzon，sothattheyseemedhermitsratherthanscholars。Andastheirnumbergrewevergreater，thehardshipswhichtheygladlyenduredforthesakeofmyteachingseemedtomyrivalstoreflectnewgloryonme，andtocastnewshameonthemselves。Norwasitstrangethatthey，whohaddonetheirutmosttohurtme，shouldgrievetoseehowallthingsworkedtogetherformygood，eventhoughIwasnow，inthewordsofJerome，afarfromcitiesandthemarketplace，fromcontroversiesandthecrowdedwaysofmen。Andso，asQuintiliansays，didenvyseekmeouteveninmyhidingplace。Secretlymyrivalscomplainedandlamentedonetoanother，saying:\"Beholdnow，thewholeworldrunsafterhim，andourpersecutionofhimhasdonenoughtsavetoincreasehisglory。Westrovetoextinguishhisfame，andwehavebutgivenitnewbrightness。Lo，inthecitiesscholarshaveathandeverythingtheymayneed，andyet，spurningthepleasuresofthetown，theyseekoutthebarrennessofthedesert，andoftheirownfreewilltheyacceptwretchedness。\"
Thethingwhichatthattimechieflyledmetoundertakethedirectionofaschoolwasmyintolerablepoverty，forIhadnotstrengthenoughtodig，andshamekeptmefrombegging。Andso，resortingoncemoretotheartwithwhichIwassofamiliar，Iwascompelledtosubstitutetheserviceofthetongueforthelabourofmyhands。ThestudentswillinglyprovidedmewithwhatsoeverIneededinthewayoffoodandclothing，andlikewisetookchargeofthecultivationofthefieldsandpaidfortheerectionofbuildings，inorderthatmaterialcaresmightnotkeepmefrommystudies。
Sincemyoratorywasnolongerlargeenoughtoholdevenasmallpartoftheirnumber，theyfounditnecessarytoincreaseitssize，andinsodoingtheygreatlyimprovedit，buildingitofstoneandwood。AlthoughthisoratoryhadbeenfoundedinhonouroftheHolyTrinity，andafterwardsdedicatedthereto，InownamedittheParaclete，mindfulofhowIhadcomethereafugitiveandindespair，andhadbreathedintomysoulsomethingofthemiracleofdivineconsolation。
Manyofthosewhoheardofthisweregreatlyastonished，andsomeviolentlyassailedmyaction，declaringthatitwasnotpermissibletodedicateachurchexclusivelytotheHolySpiritratherthantoGodtheFather。Theyheld，accordingtoanancienttradition，that’itmustbededicatedeithertotheSonaloneorelsetotheentireTrinity。TheerrorwhichledthemintothisfalseaccusationresultedfromtheirfailuretoperceivetheidentityoftheParacletewiththeSpiritParaclete。EvenasthewholeTrinity，oranyPersonintheTrinity，mayrightlybecalledGodorHelper，solikewisemayItbetermedtheParaclete，thatistosaytheConsoler。
ThesearethewordsoftheApostle:\"BlessedbeGod，eventheFatherofourLordJesusChrist，theFatherofmercies，andtheGodofallcomfort;
whocomfortethusinallourtribulation\"（IICor。i。3）Andlikewisethewordoftruthsays:\"Andheshallgiveyouanothercomforter\"（Greek\"anotherParaclete，\"John，xiv。16）。
Nay，sinceeverychurchisconsecratedequallyinthenameoftheFather，theSonandtheHolySpirit，withoutanydifferenceintheirpossessionthereof，whyshouldnotthehouseofGodbededicatedtotheFatherortotheHolySpirit，evenasitistotheSon？Whowouldpresumetoerasefromabovethedoorthenameofhimwhoisthemasterofthehouse？AndsincetheSonofferedHimselfasasacrificetotheFather，andaccordinglyintheceremoniesofthemasstheprayersareofferedparticularlytotheFather，andtheimmolationoftheHostismadetoHim，whyshouldthealtarnotbeheldtobechieflyHistowhomaboveallthesupplicationandsacrificearemade？IsitnotcalledmorerightlythealtarofHimwhoreceivesthanofHimwhomakesthesacrifice？WhowouldadmitthatanaltaristhatoftheHolyCross，oroftheSepulchre，orofSt。Michael，orJohn，orPeter，orofanyothersaint，unlesseitherhehimselfwassacrificedthereorelsespecialsacrificesandprayersaremadetheretohim？Methinksthealtarsandtemplesofcertainonesamongthesesaintsarenotheldtobeidolatrouseventhoughtheyareusedforspecialsacrificesandprayerstotheirpatrons。
Some，however，mayperchancearguethatchurchesarenotbuiltoraltarsdedicatedtotheFatherbecausethereisnofeastwhichissolemnizedespeciallyforHim。ButwhilethisreasoningholdsgoodasregardstheTrinityitself，itdoesnotapplyinthecaseoftheHolySpirit。ForthisSpirit，fromthedayofItsadvent，hashaditsspecialfeastofthePentecost，evenastheSonhashadsinceHiscominguponearthHisfeastoftheNativity。
EvenastheSonwassentintothisworld，sodidtheHolySpiritdescenduponthedisciples，andthusdoesItclaimItsspecialreligiousrites。
Nay，itseemsmorefittingtodedicateatempletoItthantoeitheroftheotherPersonsoftheTrinity，ifwebutcarefullystudytheapostolicauthority，andconsidertheworkingsofthisSpiritItself。TononeofthethreePersonsdidtheapostlededicateaspecialtemplesavetotheHolySpiritalone。HedoesnotspeakofatempleoftheFather，oratempleoftheSon，ashedoesofatempleoftheHolySpirit，writingthusinhisfirstepistletotheCorinthians:\"ButhethatisjoineduntotheLordisonespirit。\"（ICor。vi。17）。Andagain:\"What？knowyenotthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolySpiritwhichisinyou，whichyehaveofGod，andyearenotyourown？\"（ib。19）。