ok him by the hand, and brought him into his treasure-house, where he
showed him much riches laid up, and a vast heap of money, such as the
young man had never beheld. And he said unto him, 'Son, all these
things give I unto thee, forasmuch as thou hast chosen to become the
husband to my daughter, and also thereby the heir of all my substance.'
So the young man acquired the inheritance, and surpassed all the famous
and wealthy men of the land."

XVII.

Said Ioasaph unto Barlaam, "This story also fitly setteth forth mine
own estate. Whence also me thinketh that thou hadst me in mind when
thou spakest it. But what is the proof whereby thou seekest to know
the steadfastness of my purpose?"

Said the elder, "I have already proved thee, and know how wise and
steadfast is thy purpose, and how truly upright is thine heart. But
the end of thy fortune shall confirm it. For this cause I bow my knees
unto our God glorified in Three Persons, the Maker of all things
visible and invisible, who verily is, and is for ever, that never had
beginning of his glorious being, nor hath end, the terrible and
almighty, the good and pitiful, that he may enlighten the eyes of thine
heart, and give thee the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him, that thou mayest know what is the hope of his
calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the
Saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
believe; that thou mayest be no more a stranger and sojourner, but a
fellow-citizen with the Saints, and of the household of God, being
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ
our Lord himself being the chief corner-stone, in whom all the building
fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord."

Ioasaph, keenly pricked at the heart, said, "All this I too long to
learn: and I beseech thee make known to me the riches of the glory of
God, and the exceeding greatness of his power."

Barlaam said unto him, "I pray God to teach thee this, and to plant in
thy soul the knowledge of the same; since with men it is impossible
that his glory and power be told, yea, even if the tongues of all men
that now are and have ever been were combined in one. For, as saith
the Evangelist and Divine, 'No man hath seen God at any time; the only
begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared
him.' But the glory and majesty of the invisible and infinit