Note 012
The pilgrim Cassian, who visited Egypt in the
beginning of the vth century, observes and laments the reign
of anthropomorphism among the monks, who were not conscious
that they embraced the system of Epicurus, (Cicero, de Nat.
Deorum, i. 18, 34.)
Ab universo propemodum genere
monachorum, qui per totam provinciam Egyptum morabantur, pro
simplicitatis errore susceptum est, ut e contraric memoratum
pontificem (Theophilus) velut haeresi gravissima depravatum,
pars maxima seniorum ab universo fraternitatis corpore
decerneret detestandum, (Cassian, Collation. x. 2.)
As long as St. Augustin remained a Manichaean, he was scandalized by
the anthropomorphism of the vulgar Catholics.
The History Of The Decline And
Fall Of The Roman Empire
—Fall In The East
—Chapter 47