s of heart, which the leaders and
priests of the Galileans have in their folly rejected; so that, in hope
of some other uncertain life, they have readily cast away this sweet
light, and all those pleasures which the gods have bestowed on us for
enjoyment, and all the while know not what they say, nor whereof they
confidently affirm.

"But thou, dearest son, obey thy father, who, by diligent and honest
search, hath found the real good. Lo, I have shown thee that, neither
willingly, I no, nor by way of ignorance, have I failed of the good,
but rather that I have found and laid hold thereon. And I earnestly
desire that thou too shouldest not wander as a fool, but shouldest
follow me. Have respect then unto thy father. Dost thou not know how
lovely a thing it is to obey one's father, and please him in all ways?
Contrariwise, how deadly and cursed a thing it is to provoke a father
and despise his commands? As many as have done so, have come to a
miserable end. But be not thou, my son, one of their number. Rather
do that which is well pleasing to thy sire, and so mayest thou obtain
all happiness and inherit my blessing and my kingdom!"

The high-minded and noble youth listened to his father's windy
discourse and foolish opposition, and recognized therein the devices of
the crooked serpent, and how standing at his right hand he had prepared
a snare for his feet, and was scheming how to overthrow his righteous
soul, and hinder him of the prize laid up in store. Therefore the
prince set before his eyes the commandment of the Lord, which saith, "I
came not to send peace, but strife and a sword. For I am come to set a
man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother,
and so forth; and "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not
worthy of me"; and "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also
deny before my Father which is in heaven." When he had considered
these things, and fettered his soul with divine fear, and strengthened
it with longing desire and love, right opportunely he remembered the
saying of Solomon, "There is a time to love, and a time to hate; a time
of war, and a time of peace." First of all he prayed in silence, and
said, "Have mercy of me, Lord God, have mercy of me; for my soul
trusteth in thee; and under the shadow of thy wings I shall hope till
wickedness overpass. I shall cry to the highest God; to God that did
well to me," and the rest of the psalm.

Then sai