Philoxenus of Mabbug

In his own words on 1 Peter

• 1 Peter 2:6

  And it is seemly for us first of all to uproot wickedness, and then to lay in ourselves the foundation of the edifice of virtues, in order that the rock may receive our foundation, as it is written, and that on a sure stone may be our building, even as it is said. And in this respect we should be like unto the physicians of our nature who, until they have removed and cleansed the matter from the sore, do not lay upon it the plaster which buildeth up and maketh to grow the living flesh; and so must it be with us also when we have uprooted the matter of the lust of the belly, and have made accusations against its filthy and loathsome forms.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence