one to yonder
judgement seat, to give account of his life in this world, carrying
with him no advocate whatsoever, except his deeds, good or bad. And
the same law is ordained by nature for every man born of woman, and
there is no escape. Now, therefore, hearken unto me, friends and
brethren, people and holy heritage of the Lord, whom Christ our God
hath purchased with his own precious blood, and delivered from the
ancient error, and bondage of the adversary. Ye yourselves know my
manner of life among you; that ever since I knew Christ, and was
counted worthy to become his servant, I have hated all things, and
loved him only, and how this was my desire, to escape from the tempest
and vain tumult of the world, and commune alone with him, and in
undisturbed peace of soul serve my God and Master. But my father's
opposition held me back, and the command that biddeth us to honour our
fathers. So, by the grace and help of God, I have not laboured in vain,
nor spent these days for naught, I have brought my father nigh to
Christ, and have taught you all to know the one true God, the Lord of
all; and yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me, which
rescued me also from superstitious error, and from the worship of
idols, and freed you, O my people, from cruel captivity. So now it is
high time to fulfil the service that I promised to God; high time to
depart thitherward, where he himself shall lead me, where I may perform
my vows which I made unto him. Now, therefore, look you out a man whom
ye will, to be your leader and king; for by this time ye have been
conformed to the will of the Lord, and of his commandments nothing hath
been hidden from you. Walk ye therein; turn not aside, neither to the
right hand, nor to the left, and the God of peace be with you all!"

When all that company and the common people heard thereof, anon there
arose a clamour, an uproar, and a mighty cry and confusion, all weeping
like orphans and bewailing their loss. Lamenting bitterly, they
protested with oaths and with tears, that they would never let him go,
but would restrain him and not suffer in any wise his departure. While
the common people, and they in authority, were thus crying aloud, the
king broke in, and beckoned with his hand to the multitude and charged
them to keep silence. He declared that he gave in to their instancy,
and dismissed them still grieving, and bearing on their cheeks the
signs of sorrow. And Ioasaph did thu