Diadochus bishop of Photice in Epir

Chapters :

" We are the image of God through the intelligent movement of the soul that dwells in the body. But when in consequence of Adam's sin, not only were the traits of this image-likeness defiled, but even our body fell little by little into corruption, then the holy Word of God became incarnate and, being God, communicated to us the water of salvation by the rebirth of baptism. We then are regenerated through water by the action of the holy and life-giving Spirit, so that we are made pure both in soul and body - those at least who go to God with their whole will - for the Holy Spirit makes his abode in us and drives out sin...

St. Macarius of Egipt

For Macarius, man's only deliverance comes by baptism. Prayer and the whole spiritual life are only means of stimulating the growth of the seed sown in the " bath of regeneration".

" By the analogy of faith, the Divine Spirit, our Advocate, who was sent to the apostles and through them drawn down upon the only true Church of God at the moment of baptism, this Spirit in various manifold ways accompanies every man who comes to baptism in faith.

Christians belong to another world, they are sons of the Heavenly Adam , a new people, children of the Holy Spirit, radiant brothers of Christ, like unto their Father: the spiritual and radiant Adam.

Thus it is possible to taste in Christianity the grace of God : Taste and see that the Lord is sweet ( Ps. 34.9). This tasting is the dynamic power of the Spirit manifesting itself in full certitude in the heart. The sons of light, ministers of the New Convenant in the Holy Spirit, have nothing to learn from men; they are taught by God. Grace itself engraves the laws of the Spirit on theirs hearts... In fact the heart is master and king of the whole bodily organism, and when grace takes possesion of the pasture-land of the heart, it rules over all its members and all its thoughts; for it is in the heart that the intelligence dwell all the soul's thoughts; it finds all its good in the heart. That is why grace penetrates all the members of the body".

Evagrius of Pontus ( + 399) - Some of his Chapters

- Stand resolute, fully intent on your prayer. Pay no heed to the concerns and thoughts that might arise the while. They do nothing better than disturb and upset you so as to dissolve the fixity of your purpose.

- When the devils see that you are really fervent in your prayer they suggest certain matters to your mind, giving you the impression that there are pressing concerns demanding attention. In a little while they stir up your memory of these matters and move your mind to search into them.

- Prayer is the fruit of joy and of thanksgiving...

- Do not pray by outward gestures only, but bend your mind as well to the perception of spiritual prayer with great fear.

- Prayer is an ascent of the mind to God...

- Happy is the mind that becomes free of all matter and is stripped of all at the time of prayer.

- When you give yourself to prayer, rise above every other joy - then you will find true prayer.