按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ung man heard her hymn of praise and said； ‘Damsel； what is thine employment？ and wherefore； poor and needy as thou art； givest thou thanks as though for great blessings； singing praise to the Giver？' She answered； ‘Knowest thou not that； as a little medicine often times delivereth a man from great ailments； even so the giving of thanks to God for small mercies winneth great ones？ Therefore I； the daughter of a poor old man； thank and bless God for these small mercies； knowing that the Giver thereof is able to give even greater gifts。 And this applieth but to those external things that are not our own from whence there accrueth no gain to those who possess much （not to mention the loss that often ariseth）； nor cometh there harm to those who have less； for both sorts journey along the same road； and hasten to the same end。 But； in things most necessary and vital； many and great the blessings I have enjoyed of my Lord； though indeed they are without number and beyond compare。 I have been made in the image of God； and have gained the knowledge of him； and have been endowed with reason beyond all the beasts； and have been called again from death unto life； through the tender mercy of our God； and have received power to share in his mysteries； and the gate of Paradise hath been opened to me； allowing me to enter without hindrance； if I will。 Wherefore for gifts so many and so fine； shared alike by rich and poor； I can indeed in no wise praise him as I ought； yet if I fail to render to the Giver this little hymn of praise； what excuse shall I have？'
〃The youth； astonished at her wit； called to her father； and said unto him； ‘Give me thy daughter： for I love her wisdom and piety。' But the elder said； ‘It is not possible for thee； the son of wealthy parents； to take this a beggar's daughter。' Again the young man said； ‘Yea； but I will take her； unless thou forbid： for a daughter of noble and wealthy family hath been betrothed unto me in marriage； and her I have cast off and taken to flight。 But I have fallen in love with thy daughter because of her righteousness to God…ward； and her discreet wisdom； and I heartily desire to wed…her。' But the old man said unto him； ‘I cannot give her unto thee； to carry away to thy father's house； and depart her from mine arms； for she is mine only child。' 'But；' said the youth； ‘I will abide here with your folk and adopt your manner of life。' Thereupon he stripped him of his own goodly raiment； and asked for the old man's clothes and put them on。 When the father had much tried his purpose； and proved him in manifold ways； and knew that his intent was fixed； and that it was no light passion that led him to ask for his daughter； but love of godliness that constrained him to embrace a life of poverty； preferring it to his own glory and noble birth； he took him by the hand； and brought him into his treasure…house； where he showed him much riches laid up； and a vast heap of money； such as the young man had never beheld。 And he said unto him； ‘Son； all these things give I unto thee； forasmuch as thou hast chosen to become the husband to my daughter； and also thereby the heir of all my substance。' So the young man acquired the inheritance； and surpassed all the famous and wealthy men of the land。〃
XVII。
Said Ioasaph unto Barlaam； 〃This story also fitly setteth forth mine own estate。 Whence also me thinketh that thou hadst me in mind when thou spakest it。 But what is the proof whereby thou seekest to know the steadfastness of my purpose？〃
Said the elder； 〃I have already proved thee； and know how wise and steadfast is thy purpose； and how truly upright is thine heart。 But the end of thy fortune shall confirm it。 For this cause I bow my knees unto our God glorified in Three Persons； the Maker of all things visible and invisible； who verily is； and is for ever； that never had beginning of his glorious being； nor hath end； the terrible and almighty； the good and pitiful； that he may enlighten the eyes of thine heart； and give thee the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him； that thou mayest know what is the hope of his calling； and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints； and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us…ward who believe； that thou mayest be no more a stranger and sojourner； but a fellow… citizen with the Saints； and of the household of God； being built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets； Jesus Christ our Lord himself being the chief corner…stone； in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord。〃
Ioasaph； keenly pricked at the heart； said； 〃All this I too long to learn： and I beseech thee make known to me the riches of the glory of God； and the exceeding greatness of his power。〃
Barlaam said unto him； 〃I pray God to teach thee this； and to plant in thy soul the knowledge of the same； since with men it is impossible that his glory and power be told； yea； even if the tongues of all men that now are and have ever been were combined in one。 For； as saith the Evangelist and Divine； ‘No man hath seen God at any time； the only begotten Son； which is in the bosom of the Father； he hath declared him。' But the glory and majesty of the invisible and infinite God； what son of earth shall skill to comprehend it； save he to whom he himself shall reveal it； in so far as he will； as he hath revealed it； to his Prophets and Apostles？ But we learn it； so far as in us lieth； by their teaching； and from the very nature of the world。 For the Scripture saith； ‘The heavens declare the glory of God； and the firmament sheweth his handiwork；' and； ‘The invisible things of him from the creation Of the world are clearly understood by the things that are made； even his eternal power and Godhead。'
〃Even as a man； beholding an house splendidly and skilfully builded； or a vessel fairly framed； taketh note of the builder or workman and marvelleth thereat； even so I that was fashioned out of nothing and brought into being； though I cannot see the maker and provider； yet from his harmonious and marvellous fashioning of me have come to the knowledge of his wisdom； not to the full measure of that wisdom； but to the full compass of my powers； yea I have seen that I was not brought forth by chance； nor made of myself； but that he fashioned me； as it pleased him； and set me to have dominion over his creatures； howbeit making me lower than some； that； when I was broken； he re…created me with a better renewal； and that he shall draw me by his divine will from this world and place me in that other life that is endless and eternal； and that in nothing I could withstand the might of his providence； nor add anything to myself nor take anything away； whether in stature or bodily form； and that I am not able to renew for myself that which is waxen old； nor raise that which hath been destroyed。 For never was man able to accomplish aught of these things； neither king； nor wise man； nor rich man； nor ruler； nor any other that pursueth the tasks of men。 For he saith； ‘There is no king； or mighty man； that had any other beginning of birth。 For all men have one entrance into life； and the like going out。'
〃So