Mystic Treatises by Isaac of Nineveh

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A.J. Wensinck (1882-1939) here offers an English translation of Isaac of Nineveh's (late 7th cent.) mystical work, with a total of 82 chapters on various spiritual themes. An introduction and indices accompany the translation. Series Foreword PREFACE CONTENTS REFERENCES INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I. SIX TREATISES ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF EXCELLENCE CHAPTER VII. On other subjects, chapter by chapter, in short sections: on the character of trust in God, etc. CHAPTER VIII. What is it that helps a man to come near unto God with his heart etc. CHAPTER IX. On sins [committed] intentionally and with evil will and on those [committed) accidentally CHAPTER X. On the words of the scriptures being spoken as it were to patients etc. CHAPTER XI. Whereby the beauty of solitary life is to be preserved and how it can be a cause of God's being glorified CHAPTER XII. That it is not beautiful for the servant of God who has renunciated the world and has gone forth to seek even the truth, out of fear that he shall not find the truth, to desist from seeking it etc. CHAPTER XIII. On the varying states which come to those who live in solitude etc. CHAPTER XIV. As to when those who live in solitude, begin to know, even to a slight extent, how far they have advanced in their service etc. CHAPTER XV. On the course of the solitary career, succinctly and without prolixity. And on the question how and at what time its virtues are born one from the other CHAPTER XVI. How profitable it is for the soul while in solitude to be free from works etc. CHAPTER XVII. On the short paths towards God which are revealed to one from the sweet works in vigils etc. CHAPTER XVIII. Things which I have heard from old men and stories of holy people etc. CHAPTER XIX. On the revelations and powers which happen to the saints in images CHAPTER XX. On various intelligible forces of the mind, in connection with the action of revelations and spiritual visions CHAPTER XXI. On that which happens during prayer [unto those who live] in solitude CHAPTER XXII. On various [experiences] in prayer and on the limits of the power of the mind etc. CHAPTER XXIII. On the speech of true knowledge CHAPTER XXIV. On the things a brother is provided with in his cell CHAPTER XXV. The opportunities of the soul that seeks profound contemplation, to immerse itself in it [and so escape] from bodily deliberations which arise from things recollected CHAPTER XXVI. Against those who say: If God is good, wherefore has He made these things? CHAPTER XXVII. In how many different ways the sight of incorporeal things is received by human nature CHAPTER XXVIII. A symbolical demonstration concerning the theory of Sabbath and Sunday CHAPTER XXIX. On the different excellent methods of wise providence in educating pupils CHAPTER XXX. On the power and the evil action of sin; and concerning those in whom it maintains itself and those in whom it is annihilated CHAPTER XXXI. On the struggle or rather the danger of falling that excellent works incur CHAPTER XXXII. On the aim of guarding the heart. And on subtle speculation that looks into the Apartment CHAPTER XXXIII. On the action of divine love CHAPTER XXXIV. On the natural children of virtues and the like CHAPTER XXXV. A treatise in questions and answers concerning constant behaviour and every kind of excellence etc CHAPTER XXXVI. On the various ways in which Satan wars against those who tread the narrow way which is above the world CHAPTER XXXVII. On the things the exact use of which I have learnt by the knowledge of discernment CHAPTER XXXVIII. Short sentences concerning the distinction of the mind's impulses CHAPTER XXXIX. Helpful advice based on love CHAPTER XL. Exposition concerning the degrees of the path, namely concerning the power of ministration of each of them CHAPTER XLI. A letter which he wrote to one of the brethren who loved solitude etc CHAPTER XLII. The answer he sent his natural and spiritual brother etc CHAPTER XLIII. Profitable words full of spiritual wisdom CHAPTER XLIV. Concerning how many degrees knowledge has and concerning the degrees of faith CHAPTER XLV. Profitable advice CHAPTER XLVI. Other considerations CHAPTER XLVII. On the angelic motions stirring in us by divine Providence for the education of the soul in spiritual things CHAPTER XLVIII. On the varying states of light and darkness to which the soul is subject at all times etc. CHAPTER XLIX. On the gloomy darkness which during solitude befalls those who walk in the discipline of knowledge CHAPTER L. Short sections containing various considerations in which is shown the injury caused by foolish zeal etc. CHAPTER LI. On the three degrees of knowledge etc. CHAPTER LII. Short sections on a different subject, on the distinction of the impulses of knowledge CHAPTER LIII. On prayer and the other things which are necessarily to be sought in constant recollection etc. CHAPTER LIV. Other explanations concerning maggenanutha CHAPTER LV. How the hidden alertness within the soul is to be preserved etc. CHAPTER LVI. Beautiful considerations concerning the life of man CHAPTER LVII. How patience for the sake of the love of God acquires help from God CHAPTER LVIII. On those who live in the neighbourhood of God and pass all their days in a life of knowledge CHAPTER LIX. A profitable discourse CHAPTER LX. That without necessity we should not desire nor ask that any sign should manifestly happen through us or unto us CHAPTER LXI. For which causes God admits temptations to His friends CHAPTER LXII. That by the thoughts which stir in a man, he knows to which degree he belongs and which thoughts follow CHAPTER LXIII. Why it is that people who are in the psychic state of knowledge, consider spiritual things in accordance with [their] bodily grossness etc. CHAPTER LXIV. On the many varying states which cling to the mind and are purified by prayer CHAPTER LXV. Good advice giving instruction concerning watchfulness, and directions concerning the way of discipline, by which a man may acquire a high rank CHAPTER LXVI. A letter which he sent to his friend, in which he expounds some things concerning the mystery of solitude etc. CHAPTER LXVII. An elucidation with examples concerning the distinctions between intelligible things [showing] which use there is in each of them CHAPTER LXVIII . Short sections CHAPTER LXIX. How the intelligent have to dwell in solitude CHAPTER LXX. That we can understand the degree of our behaviour by the varying states of our mind, etc. CHAPTER LXXI. On the influence proceeding from Grace. CHAPTER LXXII. On true knowledge and on temptations, etc CHAPTER LXXIII. The concise sense of the [foregoing] section, together with explanations of what has been said CHAPTER L X X I V . On the discrimination of virtues and the scope of the whole course, and the greatness of the love unto mankind, etc. CHAPTER LXXV. On hidden states and the powers and influences which are in them CHAPTER LXXVI. Short sayings CHAPTER LXXVII. This chapter is full of life CHAPTER LXXVIII. On the profit [arising] from the flight from the world, the method of which has been thought out by the Fathers through prudent examination CHAPTER LXXIX. How the hidden impulses vary along with the variation of outward behaviour CHAPTER LXXX. On vigils and on the many different kinds of labours during them. And that it is not becoming that the aim of our labours should be the fulfilling of a quantity, but [to work] in freedom and with discrimination etc. CHAPTER LXXXI. An answer to a brother who had asked him why, when our Lord has defined mercy as similitude to the greatness of the Father in heaven, the solitaries honour solitude more than it? etc. CHAPTER LXXXII. How much honour humility possesses and how high its rank is GENERAL REGISTER QUOTATIONS FROM THE BIBLE