ABSTRACT
There is little or no evidence that self-flagellations prevailed in the first monastic institutions. The code of rules prepared by their founders does not mention the voluntary use of thongs and whips. Indeed, the chief kind of flagellation alluded to by the writers of those times is that bestowed on the ancient saints by the “Father of Lies” himself, who was doubtless moved to anger by the exceeding sanctity of those holy men. St Anthony, the founder ot monastic life, was particularly favoured in this respect. The devil paid him many personal visits, subjected his virtue to divers trials and temptations, and frequently set upon and lashed him. Other saints might be mentioned who were also treated in the same way. Although self-flagellation was not enjoined by the ancient monastic rules, yet those statutes appointed flagellation as the means of correction, and vested the power of inflicting it in the hands of the superiors of such establishments. Even before the erection of monasteries, we are told that the bishops among the early Christians assumed such a power, and exercised it upon their own flocks, and also on those who were not of their Churches.
