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A CHRISTIAN ROMANCE. 54<br />

"drink it not, for in return for a little longsuffering<br />

"there shall be given to thee the water of life<br />

"which is sweeter than honey and sugar. Now<br />

"the 'foetid and turbid water' of which I speak<br />

"unto thee is the lust of the world which is vain,<br />

"for though it may appear unto thee to be sweet,<br />

"it is as bitter wormwood to the saints. Woe unto<br />

"him who shall accustom himself to the sin of lust,<br />

"for his death shall be without repentance; but<br />

"whosoever, having known this lust of the world<br />

"doth, notwithstanding, turn away therefrom with<br />

"repentance, blessed is he, and God Almighty<br />

"will receive the fornicator, and will hearken unto<br />

"his prayer as [unto that of] a virgin."<br />

Then Komsat his disciple answered and said<br />

unto <strong>Alexander</strong> the king, "Why dost thou speak<br />

"unto me in this manner as if punishment were re- The ob-<br />

"served [for us] after our death? And, moreover, K6msM.<br />

"no man hath returned to this world after his<br />

"death to tell us what manner of punishment [is<br />

"there]."<br />

CHAPTER XXX.<br />

And <strong>Alexander</strong> again answered and said, "Why <strong>Alexander</strong>'s<br />

"speakest thou in this manner, and why, too, dost"^^''^'<br />

"thou add thyself unto those who oppose me in<br />

"this matter? Dost thou not believe in future<br />

"punishment and in the resurrection of the dead?<br />

"[p. 343] And whither wilt thou thyself flee from<br />

"the chastisement which shall find the sinners who<br />

"do not believe in the resurrection of the dead?

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