The History of Barlaam and Josaphat

dishonor of our God. By this, you rob not only yourself but all those who obey your command of the inheritance of heavenly goods. You place your soul and theirs in great danger.

Know therefore that I will not believe you, much less have fellowship with you and fall into your godlessness against my God. Nor will I deny my benefactor and Redeemer, even if you were to throw me to be eaten by wild beasts or condemn me to the sword or fire. Since these are now in your power, know that I do not fear death, nor do I love temporal goods, for I recognize their weakness and weariness. For what usefulness or permanence is in them? Nothing. Rather, they are full of care, fear, hardship, and mourning. Their joy and sweetness bring mourning and pain. Their wealth is poverty, and their highness is the deepest humiliation.

Who could recount all their tribulation? My Theologus theologian, referring to John the Apostle indicates this to me with few words: 1 John 5. he who says: The whole world lies in wickedness. And further: Love not the world, nor what is in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world is either the Wollust deß Fleischs lust of the flesh, or the lust of the eyes, or the Hoffart deß Lebens pride of life, which is not from the Father but from the world. And the world passes away with its lust, but he who does the will of God remains in Ewigkeit eternity, etc.

Now that I have experienced and learned this good will of God, I have left everything. I have attached myself to those who had a heartfelt desire for Him and sought Him. Among them is neither strife, envy, hatred, anger, reluctance, sadness, nor worry, but