The Conferences Of John Cassian

By John Cassian

Chapter XXVII. A question whether the saying: |I have sworn and am purposed| is opposed to the view given above.

Germanus: So far as this consideration is concerned which has been clearly and fully treated of, a monk ought never to determine anything for fear lest he turn out a breaker of his word or else obstinate. And what then can we make of this saying of the Psalmist: "I have sworn and am purposed to keep Thy righteous judgments?" [2066] What is "to swear and purpose" except to keep one's determinations fixedly?