John Cassian

In his own words on 1 John

• 1 John 1:10

  Among holy men it is impossible not to fall into those small lapses which occur because of something said, some thought, some surreptitious act. These sins are quite different from those which are called mortal, but they are not without blame or reproach.

  CONFERENCE 11.9

• 1 John 4:1

  First we must scrutinize thoroughly anything that appears in our hearts, as well as anything that is said to us. Has it come purified by the divine and heavenly fire of the Holy Spirit? Or does it lean toward Jewish superstition? Is its surface piety something which has come down from bloated worldly philosophy? We must examine all this most carefully, doing as the apostle bids us.

  CONFERENCE 1.20

• 1 John 4:10

  The perfect love with which God first loved us will come into our hearts, for our faith tells us that this prayer of our Savior will not be in vain.

  CONFERENCE 10.7