these are like? They are like those lowly men, clad in vile
apparel, whose outward form alone ye beheld, and deemed it
outrageous that I bowed down to do them obeisance. But through
the eyes of my mind I perceived the value and exceeding beauty of
their souls, and was glorified by their touch, and I counted them
more honourable than any chaplet or royal purple.' Thus he
shamed his courtiers, and taught them not to be deceived by
outward appearances, but to give heed to the things of the soul.
After the example of that devout and wise king hast thou also
done, in that thou hast received me in good hope, wherein, as I
ween, thou shalt not be disappointed." Ioasaph said unto him,
"Fair and fitting hath been all thy speech; but now I fain would
learn who is thy Master, who, as thou saidest at the first, spake
concerning the Sower."


VII.

Again therefore Barlaam took up his parable and said, "If thou
wilt learn who is my Master, it is Jesus Christ the Lord, the
only-begotten Son of God, `the blessed and only potentate, the
King of kings, and Lords of lords; who only hath immortality,
dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto'; who with
the Father and the Holy Ghost is glorified. I am not one of
those who proclaim from the house-top their wild rout of gods,
and worship lifeless and dumb idols, but one God do I acknowledge
and confess, in three persons glorified, the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, but in one nature and substance, in one glory and
kingdom undivided. He then is in three persons one God, without
beginning, and without end, eternal and everlasting, increate,