LIFE OF THE TRUE MONK

Denis of Fourna:

HOW TO REPRESTENT THE LIFE OF THE TRUE MONK

Draw a monk crucified on a cross, clothed in a tunic and a monk’s hat, barefoot and with his feet nailed to the footrest of the cross; his eyes are closed and his mouth shut. Just above his head is this inscription: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. In his hands he holdeth lighted candles, and next to the candles is this inscription: Let thy light so shine before men, that they may see thy good works, and glorify thy Father. On his chest he hath a table like a hassock, which saith: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. On his stomach is another scroll, like a title, with these words: Be not led astray, O monk, by a full belly. Lower on his body is another scroll which saith: Mortify thy members which are upon the earth. Lower again, below his knees, is another scroll which saith: Prepare thy feet in the way of the Gospel of peace. Above, in the top arm of the cross, make a nailed title with this inscription: God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of my Lord. On the three arms of the cross make seals, and in the right one write this: He who endureth to the end shall be saved. In the left one: He who renounceth not everything is unable to be a disciple of Christ. On the seal above the footrest of the cross: Straight and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life. To the right side of the cross paint a dark cavern with a big dragon in it coiled, and write: The all-devouring Hell. Over the mouth of the dragon is a naked young man with his eyes bound by a cloth. He holdeth a bow and shooteth at the monk. On his bow is a scroll which says: The maker of lust. Write this inscription above him: The love of harlotry. Above the cabe put many snakes and write: The cares. Near to Hell put a devil dragging at the cross with a rope and saying: The flesh is weak and cannot resist. At the right end of the footrest put a spear witha cross and a flag and write on it: I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. To the left of the cross make a tower with a door, out of which cometh a man sitting on a white horse, wearing a fur hat and robes woven with gold and trimmed with fur. In his right hand he holdeth a cup full of wine and in his left a lance on the end of which is a sponge; a scroll is wrapped around the lance which saith: Take delight in the pleasures of the world. He showeth them to the monk. Write this inscription above him: The vainglorious world. Below him put a grave out of which Death cometh holding a large scythe on his shoulder and an hour-glass in his hand, and looking at the monk. Above him is the inscription: Death and the grave. Below the hands of the Monk on Either side put two angels holding scrolls; write on the scroll of that on the right: The Lord hath sent me to help thee. And of that on the left: Do good and fear not. Above the cross represent heaven with Christ in it, holding the Gospels on his breast open at the words: Whosoever will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. In his right hand he holdeth a king’s crown, and in his left a crown of flowers. Below him to either side are two angels, looking at the monk and showing him to Christ, and holding between them a long scroll with these words: Fight that thou mayest receive the crown of righteousness, and the Lord will give thee a crown of precious stones. Then write this title: The life of the true monk.