ents, and all the delights of this life are more loathsome than
dung and filth in the eyes of those that know the unspeakable beauties
of the tabernacles in heaven made without hands, and the apparel woven
by God, and the incorruptible diadems which God, the Creator and Lord
of all, hath prepared for them that love him. For like as this couple
were accounted fools by us, so much the more are we, who go astray in
this world and please ourselves in this false glory and senseless
pleasure, worthy of lamentation and tears in the eyes of those who have
tasted of the sweets of the bliss beyond.'

"When the king heard this, he became as one dumb. He said, 'Who then
are these men that live a life better than ours?' 'All,' said the
chief-counsellor 'who prefer the eternal to the temporal.' Again, when
the king desired to know what the eternal might be the other replied,
'A kingdom that knoweth no succession, a life that is not subject unto
death, riches that dread no poverty: joy and gladness that have no
share of grief and vexation; perpetual peace free from all hatred and
love of strife. Blessed, thrice blessed are they that are found worthy
of these enjoyments! Free from pain and free from toil is the life
that they shall live for ever, enjoying without labour all the sweets
and pleasaunce of the kingdom of God, and reigning with Christ world
without end.'

"'And who is worthy to obtain this?' asked the king. The other
answered, 'All they that hold on the road that leadeth thither; for
none forbiddeth entrance, if a man but will.'

"Said the king, 'And what is the way that beareth thither?' That
bright spirit answered, 'To know the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
his only-begotten Son, and the Holy and quickening Spirit.'

"The king, endowed with understanding worthy of the purple, said unto
him, 'What hath hindered thee until now from doing me to wit of these
things? For they appear to me too good to be put off or passed over,
if they indeed be true; and, if they be doubtful, I must search
diligently, until I find the truth without shadow of doubt.'

"The chief counsellor said, 'It was not from negligence or indifference
that I delayed to make this known unto thee, for it is true and beyond
question, but 'twas because I reverenced the excellency of thy majesty,
lest thou mightest think me a meddler. If therefore thou bid thy
servant put thee in mind of these things for the future, I shall obey
thy behest.' 'Y