barlaam and ioasaph-第9章

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herefore　saith　he　this；　except　he　count　the　kind　acts　we　do　unto　the　needy　as　done　unto　himself？　　And　in　another　place　he　saith；　‘Whosoever　shall　confess　me　before　men；　him　will　I　also　confess　before　my　Father　which　is　in　heaven。'

〃Lo；　by　all　these　examples　and　many　more　he　proveth　that　the　rewards　of　good　works　are　certain　and　sure。　　Further；　that　punishments　are　in　store　for　the　bad；　he　foretold　by　parables　strange　and　wonderful；　which　he；　the　Well　of　Wisdom　most　wisely　put　forth。　　At　one　time　he　brought　into　his　tale　a　certain　rich　man　which　was　clothed　in　purple　and　fine　linen；　and　fared　sumptuously　every　day；　but　who　was　so　niggardly　and　pitiless　toward　the　destitute　as　to　overlook　a　certain　beggar　named　Lazarus　laid　at　his　gate；　and　not　even　to　give　him　of　the　crumbs　from　his　table。　　So　when　one　and　other　were　dead；　the　poor　man；　full　of　sores；　was　carried　away；　he　saith；　into　Abraham's　bosom；　for　thus　he　describeth　the　habitation　of　the　righteous　　but　the　rich　man　was　delivered　to　the　fire　of　bitter　torment　in　hell。　　To　him　said　Abraham；　‘Thou　in　thy　lifetime　receivedst　thy　good　things；　and　likewise　Lazarus　his　evil　things；　but　now　he　is　comforted；　and　thou　art　tormented。〃

〃And　otherwhere　he　likeneth　the　kingdom　of　heaven　to　a　certain　king　which　made　a　marriage…feast　for　his　son　and　thereby　he　declared　future　happiness　and　splendour。　　For　as　he　was　wont　to　speak　to　humble　and　earthly　minded　men；　he　would　draw　his　parables　from　homely　and　familiar　things。　　Not　that　he　meant　that　marriages　and　feasts　exist　in　that　world；　but　in　condescension　to　men's　grossness；　he　employed　these　names　when　he　would　make　known　to　them　the　future。　　So；　as　he　telleth；　the　king　with　high　proclamation　called　all　to　come　to　the　marriage　to　take　their　fill　of　his　wondrous　store　of　good　things。　　But　many　of　them　that　were　bidden　made　light　of　it　and　came　not；　and　busied　themselves：　some　went　to　their　farms；　some　to　their　merchandize；　and　others　to　their　newly　wedded　wives；　and　thus　deprived　themselves　of　the　splendour　of　the　bride　chamber。　　Now　when　these　had；　of　their　own　choice；　absented　themselves　from　this　joyous　merriment；　others　were　bidden　thereto；　and　the　wedding　was　furnished　with　guests。　And　when　the　king　came　in　to　see　the　guests；　he　saw　there　a　man　which　had　not　on　a　wedding　garment；　and　he　said　unto　him；　〃Friend；　how　camest　thou　in　hither；　not　having　a　wedding　garment？〃　　And　he　was　speechless。　　Then　Said　the　king　to　the　servants；　〃Bind　him　hand　and　foot；　and　take　him　away；　and　cast　him　into　outer　darkness；　there　shall　be　weeping　and　gnashing　of　teeth。'　　Now　they　who　made　excuses　and　paid　no　heed　to　the　call　are　they　that　hasten　not　to　the　faith　of　Christ；　but　continue　in　idolatry　or　heresy。　　But　he　that　had　no　wedding　garment　is　he　that　believeth；　but　hath　soiled　his　spiritual　garment　with　unclean　acts；　and　was　rightly　cast　forth　from　the　joy　of　the　bride　chamber。

〃And　he　put　forth　yet　another　parable；　in　harmony　with　this；　in　his　picture　of　the　Ten　Virgins；　‘five　of　whom　were　wise；　and　five　were　foolish。　　They　that　were　foolish　took　their　lamps　and　took　no　oil　with　them；　but　the　wise　took　oil。'　　By　the　oil　he　signifieth　the　acquiring　of　good　works。　　‘And　at　midnight；'　he　saith；　‘there　was　a　cry　made；　〃Behold　the　bridegroom　cometh；　go　ye　out　to　meet　him。〃'　　By　midnight　he　denoteth　the　uncertainty　of　that　time。　　Then　all　those　virgins　arose。　　‘They　that　were　ready　went　forth　to　meet　the　bridegroom　and　went　in　with　him　to　the　marriage；　and　the　door　was　shut。'　　But　they　that　were　un…ready　（whom　rightly　he　calleth　foolish）；　seeing　that　their　lamps　were　going　out；　went　forth　to　buy　oil。　　Afterward　they　drew　nigh；　the　door　being　now　shut；　and　cried；　saying；　‘Lord；　Lord；　open　to　us。'　But　he　answered　and　said；　‘Verily　I　say　unto　you；　I　know　you

not。'　　Wherefore　from　all　this　it　is　manifest　that　there　is　a　requital　not　only　for　overt　acts；　but　also　for　words　and　even　secret　thoughts；　for　the　Saviour　said；　‘I　say　unto　you；　that　for　every　idle　word　that　men　shall　speak　they　shall　give　account　thereof　in　the　day　of　judgement。'　　And　again　he　saith；　‘But　the　very　hairs　of　your　head　are　numbered；'　by　the　hairs　meaning　the　smallest　and　slightest　phantasy　or　thought。　　And　in　harmony　herewith　is　the　teaching　of　blessed　Paul；　‘For　the　word　of　God；'　saith　he；　‘is　quick　and　powerful；　and　sharper　than　any　two…edged　sword；　and　piercing　even　to　the　dividing　asunder　of　soul　and　spirit；　and　of　the　joints　and　marrow；　and　is　a　discerner　of　the　thoughts　and　intents　of　the　heart。　　Neither　is　there　any　creature　that　is　not　manifest　in　his　sight：　but　all　things　are　naked　and　laid　bare　unto　the　eyes　of　him　with　whom　we　have　to　do。〃

〃These　things　also　were　proclaimed　with　wondrous　clearness　by　the　prophets　of　old　time；　illumined　by　the　grace　of　the　Spirit。　　For　Esay　saith；　‘I　know　their　works　and　their　thoughts；'　and　will　repay　them。　　‘Behold；　I　come　to　gather　all　nations　and　all　tongues；　and　they　shall　come　and　see　my　glory。　　And　the　heaven　shall　be　new；　and　the　earth；　which　I　make　before　me。　　And　all　flesh　shall　come　to　worship　before　me；　saith　the　Lord。　　And　they　shall　go　forth；　and　look　upon　the　carcasses　of　the　men　that　have　transgressed　against　me：　for　their　worm　shall　not　die；　neither　shall　their　fire　be　quenched；　and　they　shall　be　a　spectacle　unto　all　flesh。〃　　And　again　he　saith　concerning　that　day；　〃And　the　heavens　shall　be　rolled　together　as　a　scroll；　and　all　the　stars　shall　fall　down　as　leaves　from　the　vine。　　For　behold；　the　day　of　the　Lord　cometh；　cruel　with　wrath　and　fierce　anger；　to　lay　the　whole　world　desolate　and　to　destroy　the　sinners　out　of　it。　　For　the　stars　of　heaven　and　Orion　and　all　the　constellations　of　heaven　shall　not　give　their　light；　and　there　shall　be　darkness　at　the　sun's　rising；　and　the　moon　shall　not　give　her　light。　　And　I　will　cause　the　arrogancy　of　the　sinners　to　cease；　and　will　lay　low　the　haughtiness　of　the　proud。'　　And　again　he　saith；　‘Wo　unto　them　that　draw　their　iniquities　as　with　a　long　cord；　and　their　sins　as　with　an　heifer's　cart…rope！　　Wo　unto　them　that　call　evil　good；　and　good　evil；　that　put　darkness　for　light；　and　light　for　darkness；　that　put　bitter　for　sweet；　and　sweet　for　bitter！　　Wo　unto　those　of　you　that　are　mighty；　that　are　princes；　that　mingle　strong　drink；　which　justify　the　wicked　for　reward；　and　take　justice　from　the　just；　and　turn　aside　the　judgement　from　the　needy；　and　take　away　the　right　from　the　poor；　that　the　widow　may　be　their　spoil　and　the　fatherless　their　prey！　　And　what　will　they　do　in　the　day　of　visitation；　and　to　whom　will　they　flee　for　help？　And　where　will　they　leave　their　glory；　that　they　fall　not　into　arrest？　　Like　as　stubble　shall　be　burnt　by　live　coal　of　fire；　and　consumed　by　kindled　flame；　so　their　root　shall　be　as　foam；　and　their　blossom　shall　go　up　as　dust；　for　they　would　not　the　law　of　the　Lord　of　hosts；　and　provoked　the　oracle　of　the　Holy　One　of　Israel。〃

〃In　tune　therewith　saith　also　another　prophet；　‘The　great　day　of　the　Lord　is　near；　and　hasteth　greatly。　　The　bitter　and　austere　voice　of　the　day　of　the　Lord　hath　been　appointed。　　A　mighty　day　of　wrath　is　that　day；　a　day　of　trouble　and　distress；　a　day　of　wasteness　and　desolation；　a　day　of　blackness　and　gloominess；　a　day　of　clouds　and　thick　darkness；　a　day　of　the　trumpet　and　alarm。　And　I　will　bring　distress　upon　the　wicked；　and　they　shall　walk　like　blind　men；　because　they　have　sinned　against　the　Lord。　Neither　their　silver　nor　their　gold　shall　be　able　to　deliver　them　in　the　day　of　the　Lord's　wrath；　for　the　whole　land　shall　be　devoured　by　the　fire　of　his　jealousy；　for　he　shall　make　a　riddance　of　all　them　that　dwell　in　the　land。'　　Moreover　David；　the　king　and　prophet；　crieth　thus；　‘God　shall　come　visibly；　even　our　God；　and　shall　not　keep　silence：　a　fire　shall　be　kindled　before　him；　and　a　mighty　tempest　round　about　him。　　He　shall　call　the　heaven　from　above；　and　the　earth；　that　he　may　judge　his　people。'　　And　again　he　saith；　‘Arise；　O　God；　judge　thou　the　earth；　because　〃the　fierceness　of　man　shall　turn　to　thy　praise。〃　And　thou　shalt　〃reward　every　man　according　to　his　works。〃'　　And　many　other　such　things　have　been　spoken　by　the　Psalmist；　and　all　the　Prophets　inspired　by　the　Holy　Ghost；　concerning　the　judgement　and　the　recompense　to　come。　　Their　words　also　have　been　most　surely　confirmed　by　the　Saviour　who　hath　taught　us　to　believe　the　resurrection　of　the　dead；　and　the　recompense　of　the　deeds　done　in　the　flesh；　and　the　unending　life　of　the　world　to　come。〃

X

But　Ioasaph　was　filled　hereby　with　deep　compunction；　and　was　melted　into　tears；　and　he　said　to　the　elder；　〃Thou　hast　told　me　everything　plainly；　and　hast　completed　unerringly　thy　terrible　and　marvellous　tale。　　With　such　truths　set　before　us；　what　must　we　do　to　escape　the　punishments　in　store　for　sinners；　and　to　gain　the　joy　of　the　righteous？〃

Barlaam　answered：　〃It　is　written　of　Peter；　who　was　also　called　chief　of　the　Apostles；　that　once　when　he　was　preaching　the　people　were　pricked　in　their　heart；　like　thyself　to…day：　and　when　they　asked；　‘What　shall　we　do？'；　Peter　said　unto　them；　‘Repent；　and　be　baptized　every　one　of　you　for　the　remission　of　sins；　and　ye　shall　receive　the　gift　of　the　Holy　Ghost。　　For　to　you　is　the　promise；　and　to　your　children；　and　to　all　that　are　afar　off　even　as　many　as　the　Lord　our　God　shall　call。'　　Behold　therefore　upon　thee　also　hath　he　poured　forth　the　riches　of　his　mercy；　and　hath　called　thee　that　wert　afar　off　from　him　in　heart；　and　didst　serve　others；　not　Gods；　but　pernicious　devils　and　dumb　and　senseless　wooden　images。　　Wherefore　before　all　things　approach　thou　him　who　hath　called　thee；　and　from　him　shalt　thou　receive　the　true　knowledge　of　things　visible　and　invisible。　　But　if；　after　thy　calling；　thou　be　loth　or　slack；　thou　shalt　be　disherited　by　the　just　judgement　of　God；　and　by　thy　rejection　of　him　thou　shalt　be　rejected。　　For　thus　too　spake　the　same　Apostle　Peter　to　a　certain　disciple。　　But　I　believe　that　thou　hast　heard　the　call；　and　that；　when　thou　hast　heard　it　more　plainly；　thou　wilt　take　up　thy　Cross；　and　follow　that　God　and　Master　that　calleth　thee；　calleth　thee　to　himself　from　death　unto　life；　and　from　darkness　unto　light。　　For；　soothly；　ignorance　of　God　is　darkness　and　death　of　the　soul；　and　to　serve　idols；　to　the　destruction　of　all　nature；　is　to　my　thinking　the　extreme　of　all　senselessness。

〃But　idolaters　　to　whom　shall　I　compare　them；　and　to　what　likeness　shall　I　liken　their　silliness？　　Well；　I　will　set　before　thee　an　example　which　I　heard　from　the　lips　of　one　most　wise。

〃'Idol　worshippers；'　said　he；　‘are　like　a　fowler　who　caught　a　tiny　bird；　called　nightingale。　　He　took　a　knife；　for　to　kill　and　eat　her；　but　the　nightingale；　being　given　the　power　of　articulate　speech；　said　to　the　fowler；　‘Man；　what　advantageth　it　thee　to　slay　me？　　for　thou　shalt　not　be　able　by　my　means　to　fill　thy　belly。　　Now　free　me　of　my　fetters；　and　I　will　give　thee　three　precepts；　by　the　keeping　of　which　thou　shalt　be　greatly　benefited　all　thy　life　long。'　　He；　astonied　at　her　speech；　promised　that；　if　he　heard　anything　new　from　her；　he　would　quickly　free　her　from　her　captivity。　　The　nightingale　turned　towards　our　friend　and　said；　‘Never　try　to　attain　to　the　unattainable：　never　regret　the　thing　past　and　gone：　and　never　believe　the　word　that　passeth　belief。　　Keep　these　three　prece