soon pass away, that thou mightest
purchase that field for thyself. The Lord give thee the eternal for
the temporal, the things that are incorruptible and wax not old for the
corruptible!

"But tell me, dearly beloved, how thou camest hither? How did thy
matters speed after my departure? And hath thy father learned to know
God, or is he still carried away with his former foolishness, still
under the bondage of devilish deceits?"

Thus questioned Barlaam, and Ioasaph answered, telling him piece by
piece all that had befallen him since he went away; and in how many
ways the Lord had prospered him, until they were come together again.

The old man listened with pleasure and amazement, and with hot tears
said, "Glory to thee, our God, that ever standest by and succourest
them that love thee! Glory to thee, O Christ, King of all and God
all-good, that it was thy pleasure that the seed, which I sowed in the
heart of Ioasaph, thy servant, should thus bring forth fruit an
hundredfold worthy of the husbandman and Master of our souls! Glory to
thee, good Paraclete, the all-holy Spirit, because thou didst vouchsafe
unto this man to partake of that grace which thou gavest thine holy
Apostles, and by his hand hast delivered multitudes of people from
superstitious error, and enlightened them with the true knowledge of
God!"

Thus was God blessed by both, and thus were they conversing and
rejoicing in the grace of God until evenfall. Then stood they up for
to pray and to perform the sacred services. Then also remembered they
that it was meal-time, and Barlaam spread his lavish table, laden with
spiritual dainties, but with little to attract the palate of sense.
These were uncooked worts, and a few dates, planted and tended by
Barlaam's own hands, such as are found in the same desert, and wild
herbs. So they gave thanks and partook of the victuals set before
them, and drank water from the neighbour springing well, and again gave
thanks to God, who openeth his hand and filleth all things living.
Then they arose again, and, when they had ended their Night Hours,
after prayer, they joined in spiritual converse again, discoursing
wholesome words, and full of heavenly wisdom, all the night long until
daybreak bade them once more remember the hour of prayer.

So Ioasaph abode with Barlaam for some many years, pursuing this
marvellous and more than human life, dwelling with him as with a father
and tutor, in all obedience and l