, and thus the grace of the Holy Ghost
dwelleth in the soul of the baptized, illuminating and making it
God-like and renewing that which was made after his own image and
likeness. And for the time to come we cast away all the old works of
wickedness, and we make covenant with God of a second life and begin a
purer conversation, that we may also become fellow-heirs with them that
are born again to incorruption and lay hold of everlasting salvation.
But without Baptism it is impossible to attain to that good hope, even
though a man be more pious than piety itself. For thus spake God, the
Word, who was incarnate for the salvation of our race, 'Verily I say
unto you, except ye be born of water and of the Spirit, ye shall in no
wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.' Wherefore before all things I
require thee to receive faith within thy soul, and to draw near to
Baptism anon with hearty desire, and on no account to delay herein, for
delay is parlous, because of the uncertainty of the appointed day of
death."

Ioasaph said unto him, "And what is this good hope whereto thou sayest
it is impossible without baptism to attain? And what this kingdom
which thou callest the kingdom of Heaven? And how cometh it that thou
hast heard the words of God incarnate? And what is the uncertain day
of death? For on this account much anxiety hath fallen on my heart,
and consumeth my flesh in pain and grief, and fasteneth on my very
bones. And shall we men, appointed to die, return to nothing, or is
there some other life after our departure hence? These and kindred
questions I have been longing to resolve."

Thus questioned he; and Barlaam answered thus: "The good hope, whereof
I spake, is that of the kingdom of Heaven. But that kingdom is far
beyond the utterance of mortal tongue; for the Scripture saith, 'Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.' But
when we have shuffled off this gross flesh, and attained to that
blessedness, then will that Master, which hath granted to us not to
fail of this hope, teach and make known unto us the glory of those good
things, whose glory passeth all understanding:--that light ineffable,
that life that hath no ending, that converse with Angels. For if it be
granted us to hold communion with God, so far as is attainable to human
nature, then shall we know all things from his lips which now we know
not. T