Preceptor. Purity; which is extremely valuable. That gold and silver vase contains piety, goodness, charity, and spiritual joy. Now then let us open these precious garments. Here are lectures, meditations, prayers, and contemplations. The judgments of the Lord are justified in themselves, and more to be desired than gold and precious stones.
Scholar. There is a great reward in the possession. Ask, therefore, what you will.
Preceptor. To see God.
Scholar. Therefore, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Open the seventh package.
Preceptor. It contains peace.
Scholar. What! are you going to sell me your peace?
Preceptor. It does not accord with my poverty, nor would it with your justice and great wealth, to take any thing of me for nothing. But your liberality will make me rich. What then? I am a mean country fellow, and made of clay; formed of the very dust of the earth. My want of nobility oppresses me, and I would no longer bear the reproach which says: “You are earth, and to earth you shall go.” I would rather have it said to me: “You are heaven, and to heaven you shall go.” I eagerly desire to fulfil the destiny of the sons of God; I would become a son of God.
Scholar. I have done; I confess the truth, and distrust you no longer. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. If, therefore, you preserve the love of a son, you shall receive the paternal inheritance. Now what is contained in the last package? Explain it.
Preceptor. It contains only tribulation and persecution for the sake of righteousness.
Scholar. What do you want for it?