The History of Barlaam and Josaphat

filth. That is to say, He has delivered me from the power of the cruel, raging destroyer, the Fürsten der Finsternus Prince of Darkness of this world. He has shown me a short, near, and easy path by which I may lead an Engelisch Leben angelic life in this perishable life and despise the Vppigkeit extravagance of this world. Because my desire stood toward attaining such things, it pleased me to walk this strict and hard way so that I might obtain that good which is truly and alone good and eternal, from which you, O vnseliger König unhappy or wretched king, are torn away and separated.

For this reason, we have separated ourselves from your service and fellowship, especially since you have thrown and committed yourself into an obvious, certain, and unspeakable destruction. You would also gladly bring us to this same evil and danger. As long as we served you in worldly strife and trade, we neglected nothing that belonged or pertained to it, as you yourself give us witness. Thus, we were never accused of any lack of diligence or negligence.

Since you then undertake and labor to rob us of the highest good, which is that we should leave the Gottseliger Wandel godly conduct and cling to worldly extravagance, which is to be preferred above all evils: and in exchange you promise us great honor and gifts. I could well say that you have no recognition of the good, since you compare the love of God with the honor and love of men and the world. How then can we agree with you in this? We must much rather do the opposite, refusing you all friendship, honor, and childlike loyalty, and follow God. For we see, O King, that you are ungrateful to God, who

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