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MEANWHILE as we have alluded to the five loaves, I think it will not be
out of place to make a comparison of the five books which we have already
composed. For as they are equal in number, so they are not dissimilar in
character. For as the loaves were of barley, so these books may (as far as
my ability is concerned) be fairly termed "of barley," although they are
enriched with passages from Holy Scripture, and contain life-giving
treasures in contemptible surroundings. And even in this point they are not
unlike those loaves, for though they were poor things to look at, yet they
proved to be rich in blessing: and so these books, though, as far as my
powers are concerned, they are worthless, yet they are valuable from the
sacred matter which is mingled with them: and though they appear outwardly
worthless like barley owing to my words, yet within they have the savour of
the bread of life owing to the testimonies from the Lord Himself. It
remains that, after His example, they may, by the gift of Divine grace,
furnish life-giving food from countless seeds. And as those loaves supplied
bodily strength to those who ate them, so may these give spiritual vigour
to those who read them. But as then the Lord, from whom this gift comes as
did that, by means of that food provided that they might be filled and so
should not faint by the way, so now is He able to bring it about that by
means of this men may be filled and not err (from the faith). But still
because there, where a countless host of God's people was fed with a mighty
gift, though there was very little for them to eat, we read that to those
five loaves there were added two fishes, it is fitting that we too, who are
anxious to give to all God's people who are following, the nourishment of a
spiritual repast, should add to those five books corresponding to the five
loaves, two more books corresponding to the two fishes: praying and
beseeching Thee, O Lord, that Thou wilt look on our efforts and prayers,
and grant a prosperous issue to our pious undertaking. And since we, out
of our love and obedience, desire to make the number of our books
correspond to the number of loaves and fishes, do Thou grant the virtue of
Thy Benediction upon them; and, as Thou dost bless this little work of
ours with a gospel number, so mayest Thou fill up the number with the fruit
of the gospel, and grant that this may be for holy and saving food to all
the people of Thy Church, of every age and sex. And if there are some who
are affected by the deadly breath of that poisonous serpent, and in an
unhealthy state of soul and spirit have caught a pestilential disease in
their feeble dispositions, give to them all the vigour of health, and
entire soundness of faith, that by granting to them all, by means of these
writings of ours, the saving care of Thy gift--just as that food in the
gospel was completely sanctified by Thee, so that by eating it those hungry
souls were strengthened,--so mayest Thou bid languid souls to be healed by
these.
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