gently and
calmly, saying, "Son, we ought not to resist the judgements of God,
which are beyond our reach. For though I have oftentimes prayed
concerning this matter, and constrained the Master, that cannot be
constrained, not to part us one from the other, yet have I been taught
by his goodness that it is not expedient for thee now to lay aside the
burden of the flesh: but thou must remain behind in the practice of
virtue, until the crown, which thou art weaving, be more glorious. As
yet, thou hast not striven enough after the recompense in store for
thee, but must toil yet a little longer, that thou mayest joyfully
enter into the joy of thy Lord. For myself, I am, as I reckon,
well-nigh an hundred winters old, and have now spent seventy and five
years in this desert place. But for thee, even if thy days be not so
far lengthened as mine, yet must thou approach thereto, as the Lord
ordereth, that thou mayest prove no unworthy match for them that have
borne the burden and heat of the day. Therefore, beloved, gladly
accept the decrees of God. What God hath ordered, who, of men, can
scatter? Endure, then, under the protection of his grace.

"But be thou ever sober against thoughts other than these; and, like a
right precious treasure, keep safely from robbers thy purity of heart,
stepping up day by day to higher work and contemplation, that that may
be fulfilled in thee, which the Saviour promised to his friends, when
he said, 'If any man love me, he will keep my word: and my father will
love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.'"

With these words, and many others, full worthy of that sanctified soul
and inspired tongue, did the old man comfort Ioasaph's anguished soul.
Then he sent him unto certain brethren, which abode a long way off, for
to fetch the things fitting for the Holy Sacrifice. And Ioasaph girded
up his loins, and with all speed fulfilled his errand: for he dreaded
lest peradventure, in his absence, Barlaam might pay the debt of
nature, and, yielding up the ghost to God, might inflict on him the
loss of missing his departing words and utterances, his last orisons
and blessings.

So when Ioasaph had manfully finished his long journey, and had brought
the things required for the Holy Sacrifice, saintly Barlaam offered up
to God the unbloody Sacrifice. When he had communicated himself, and
also given to Ioasaph of the undefiled Mysteries of Christ, he rejoiced
in the Spirit.