the commandments of his creator, and was therefore condemned and driven out of the shadowless light. Remember also what ills have befallen mankind in the train of their first father's transgression. Nevertheless the Creator overlooked, and through his prophets he foretold the marvellous mystery of the economy of the only-begotten, and all which followed the incarnation of Christ. Remembering also his voluntary sufferings, his life-giving death, his burial for three days and his resurrection, and his glorious and miraculous ascent into heaven, look unto his second coming, and just tribunal, and impartial judgement, and requital of all according to their deserts, giving the crown to the saints and ineffable glory to the just. But adjudging also never-ending tortures to the sinners, for whom is prepared Satan with the ministers of his will.]
"And again I told thee many things about justice and purity; yea and also about all evils and the vanity of the life of this world [which is a mere shadow and place of sojourning for men.][1] Keep therefore all that I have told thee, and the God of peace shall abide with thee."
And when Baralam went out, Jovasaph called Zard and said: "Thou hast now heard the lore which the holy man of God taught me, and knowest how he desired to save me from the deceits of this world."
But this he said to try Zard, and see what he would say. But Zard answered:
"Since thou temptest thy servant, O Prince, I know that thou hast wholly resigned thy mind to his preaching, and treasures! in thy heart all his words. So then if this be thy resolve, and if thou art able to endure their life, be thy will done. But I will not hide this from thy sire, for I am now informed as to this preaching. For thy father raised a persecution against the Christians, and they all fled from our land."
Jovasaph said: "Howbeit I care not, since I am ready to die for the name of Christ."
And on the morrow when Baralam desired to leave him, Jovasaph lamented with many tears the departure of the old man from himself. But Baralam with many tears and words of comfort and divine teaching, established his mind in the true faith of Christ, and promised him this also, that they would be together in the desert, and in the presence of Christ in life immortal. And Jovasaph said:
"I have one request to make of thee, and it is impossible for thee to fulfil it. Give me the hair sack which thou hast worn and thy little cloak, for my soul to treasure up."
And the other took them off and gave to Jovasaph all that he asked. And the latter took them and put them on, and was more delighted with them than with his royal purple. But the blessed Baralam spake these last words of his teaching to Jovasaph:
- ↑ And about the judgement, and second coming, and the just tribunal and just requital, of the holy crown and ineffable glory of the just . . . of his will.
