barlaam and ioasaph-第28章
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never open a door to thy passions； but adorn thy soul with the sweet savour and splendour of virtue； and make her a temple of the Holy Trinity； and to his contemplation see thou devote all the powers of thy mind。 He that liveth and converseth with an earthly king is pointed out by all as a right happy man： what happiness then must be his who is privileged to converse and be in spirit with God！ Behold thou then his likeness alway； and converse with him。 How shalt thou converse with God？ By drawing near him in prayer and supplication。 He that prayeth with exceeding fervent desire and pure heart； his mind estranged from all that is earthly and grovelling； and standeth before God； eye to eye； and presenteth his prayers to him in fear and trembling； such an one hath converse and speaketh with him face to face。
〃Our good Master is present everywhere； hearkening to them that approach him in purity and truth； as saith the Prophet； ‘The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous； and his ears are open unto their cry。' For this reason the Fathers define Prayer as ‘the union of man with God；' and call it ‘Angels' work；' and ‘the prelude of gladness to come。' For since they lay down before all things that ‘the kingdom of heaven' consisteth in nearness to and contemplation of the Holy Trinity； and since all the importunity of prayer leadeth the mind thither； prayer is rightly called ‘the prelude' and； as it were； the ‘fore…glimpse' of that blessedness。 But not all prayer is of this nature； but only such prayer as is worthy of the name； which hath God for its teacher； who giveth prayer to him that prayeth； prayer which soareth above all things on earth and entreateth directly with God。
〃This acquire thou for thyself； and strive to advance thereto； for it is able to exalt thee from earth to heaven。 But without preparation and at hap…hazard thou shalt not advance therein。 But first purify thy soul from all passion； and cleanse it like a bright and newly cleansed mirrour from every evil thought； and banish far all remembrance of injury and anger； which most of all hindereth our prayers from ascending to God…ward： and from the heart forgive all those that have trespassed against thee； and with alms and charities to the poor lend wings to thy prayer； and so bring it before God with fervent tears。 Thus praying thou shalt be able to say with blessed David； who； for all that he was king； and distraught with ten thousand cares； yet cleansed his soul from all passions； and could say unto God； ‘As for iniquity； I hate and abhor it； but thy law do I love。 Seven times a day do I praise thee； because of thy righteous judgements。 My soul hath kept thy testimonies； and loved them exceedingly。 Let my complaint come before thee； O Lord： give me understanding according to thy word。'
〃While thou art calling thus； the Lord hear thee： while thou art yet speaking； he shall say； ‘Behold I am here。' If then thou attain to such prayer； blessed shalt thou be； for it is impossible for a man praying and calling upon God with such purpose not to advance daily in that which is good； and soar over all the snares of the enemy。 For； as saith one of the Saints； 'He that hath made fervent his understanding； and hath lift up his soul and migrated to heaven； and hath thus called upon his Master； and remembered his own sins； and spoken concerning the forgiveness of the same； and with hot tears hath besought the Lover of mankind to be merciful to him： such an one； I say； by his continuance in such words and considerations； layeth aside every care of this life； and waxeth superior to human passions； and meriteth to be called an associate of God。' Than which state what can be more blessed and higher？ May the Lord vouchsafe thee to attain to this blessedness！
〃Lo I have shown thee the way of the commandments of the Lord； and have not shunned to declare unto thee all the counsel of God。 And now I； have fulfilled my ministry unto thee。 It remaineth that thou gird up the loins of thy mind； obedient to the Holy One that hath called thee； and be thou thyself holy in all manner of conversation： for； ‘Be ye holy： for I am holy；' saith the Lord。 And the chief prince of the Apostles also writeth； saying； ‘If ye call on the Father； who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work； pass the time of your sojourning here in fear； knowing that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things； as silver and gold； from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers； but with the precious blood of Christ； as of a lamb without blemish and without spot。'
〃All these things therefore store thou up in thine heart； and remember them unceasingly； ever keeping before thine eyes the fear of God； and his terrible judgement seat； and the splendour of the righteous which they shall receive in the world to come； and the shame of sinners in the depths of darkness； and the frailty and vanity of things present； and the eternity of things hereafter； for； ‘All flesh is grass； and all the glory of man as the flower of grass。 The grass withereth； and the flower thereof falleth away： but the word of the Lord endureth for ever。' Meditate upon these things alway and the peace of God be with thee； enlightening and informing thee； and leading thee into the way of salvation； chasing afar out of thy mind every evil wish； and sealing thy soul with the sign of the Cross； that no stumbling block of the evil one come nigh thee； but that thou mayest merit； in all fulness of virtue； to obtain the kingdom that is to come； without end or successor； and be illumined with the light of the blessed life…giving Trinity； which； in the Father； and in the Son； and in the Holy Ghost； is glorified。〃
XXI。
With such moral words did the reverend elder exhort the king's son； and then withdrew to his own hospice。 But the young prince's servants and tutors marvelled to see the frequency of Barlaam's visits to the palace； and one of the chiefest among them； whom； for his fidelity and prudence； the king had set over his son's palace； named Zardan； said to the prince； 〃Thou knowest well； sir； how much I dread thy father； and how great is my faith toward him： wherefore he ordered me； for my faithfulness； to wait upon thee。 Now； when I see this stranger constantly conversing with thee； I fear he may be of the Christian religion； toward which thy father hath a deadly hate； and I shall be found subject to the penalty of death。 Either then make known to thy father this man's business； or in future cease to converse with him。 Else cast me forth from thy presence； that I be not blameable； and ask thy father to appoint another in my room。
The king's son said unto him； 〃This do； Zardan； first of all。 Sit thou down behind the curtain； and hear his communication with me： and then thus will I tell thee what thou oughtest to do。〃
So when Barlaam was about to enter into his presence； Ioasaph hid Zardan within the curtain； and said to the elder； 〃Sum me up the matter of thy divine teaching； that it may the more firmly be implanted in my heart。〃 Barlaam took up his parable and uttered many sayings touching God； and righteousness toward him； and how we must love him alone with all our heart； and with all our soul； and with all our mind； and keep his commandments with fear and love…and how he is the Maker of all things visible and invisible。 Thereon he called to remembrance the creation of the first man； the command given unto him； and his transgression thereof； and the sentence pronounced by the Creator for this transgression。 Then he reckoned up in order the good things wherefrom we excluded ourselves by the disannulling of his commandment。 Again he made mention of the many grievous misfortunes that unhappily overtook man； after the loss of the blessings。 Besides this he brought forward God's love toward mankind； how our Maker； heedful of our salvation； sent forth teachers and prophets proclaiming the Incarnation of the Only…begotten。 Then he spake of the Son； his dwelling among men； his deeds of kindness； his miracles； his sufferings for us thankless creatures； his Cross； his spear； his voluntary death； finally； of our recovery and recall； our return to our first good estate； after this； of
