mus! very well-pleasingly hast thou done; nevertheless there is no man that showeth himself perfect. Much greater is the conflict which is before thee than that which is passed, though thou know it not; but that thou mayest perceive and understand how great are other ways of salvation, go out of thy native country and come to the minster that is placed near Jordan.' Then, verily, he departed immediately from that minster wherein he had lived from his childhood, and came to Jordan, the holiest of all waters; he went then within the minster to which the angel had directed him. Then began he first to speak to the monk who kept the minster-gate, and he made him known to the abbot, and brought him to him.
Then after the performance of prayer, as is the custom with monks, he said to him, 'When camest thou hither, brother, or for what reason hast thou joined thyself to such humble monks ? ' Zosimus answered him, ' There is no need for me, father, to tell thee whence I come; but I have sought you here for the sake of learning, because I have heard of many spiritual habits here amongst you, such as are well-pleasing to God beyond expression.' The abbot said to him, ' God, who alone preserveth and healeth so many infirmities, strengthen thee and us in His divine commands, and direct us to perform those works which please Him. No man may edify another unless he frequently look to himself, and unless he be himself working with sober mind, having God for a witness. Nevertheless, because thou hast said that Christ's true love brought thee hither to us, to seek us as a humble monk; now dwell here with us if thou camest for that purpose, and may the Good Shepherd feed us all together with the grace of the Holy Ghost.' At these words thus spoken by the abbot, Zosimus bowed his knees; and, after the performance of prayer, dwelt in the minster, where he saw verily all the elders shining in manners and deeds, fervent in spirit, and serving the Lord; where was unceasing steadfastness in God's praise every day, and also by night.
And there were never useless speeches there, nor thought of gold and silver, or of other treasures; nor even was the name [of them]
