Like as the husbandman's seed perishes, if it come not up, and receive not your rain in due season; or if there come too much rain, and corrupt it: Even so perishes man also, which is formed with your hands, and is called your own image, because you are like unto him, for whose sake you have made all things, and likened him unto the husbandman's seed. Be not wroth with us but spare your people, and have mercy upon your own inheritance: for you are merciful unto your creature. Then answered he me, and said, Things present are for the present, and things to come for such as be to come. For you come far short that you should be able to love my creature more than I: but I have ofttimes drawn nigh unto you, and unto it, but never to the unrighteous. In this also you are marvellous before the most High: In that you have humbled yourself, as it becomes you, and have not judged yourself worthy to be much glorified among the righteous. For many great miseries shall be done to them that in the latter time shall dwell in the world, because they have walked in great pride. But understand you for yourself, and seek out the glory for such as be like you. For unto you is paradise opened, the tree of life is planted, the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a city is builded, and rest is allowed, yea, perfect goodness and wisdom. The root of evil is sealed up from you, weakness and the moth is hid from you, and corruption is fled into hell to be forgotten: Sorrows are passed, and in the end is showed the treasure of immortality. And therefore ask you no more questions concerning the multitude of them that perish. For when they had taken liberty, they despised the most High, thought scorn of his law, and forsook his ways. Moreover they have trodden down his righteous, And said in their heart, that there is no Elohim; yea, and that knowing they must die. For as the things aforesaid shall receive you, so thirst and pain are prepared for them: for it was not his will that men should come to nought: But they which be created have defiled the name of him that made them, and were unthankful unto him which prepared life for them. And therefore is my judgment now at hand. These things have I not showed unto all men, but unto you, and a few like you. Then answered I and said, Behold, O Lord, now have you showed me the multitude of the wonders, which you will begin to do in the last times: but at what time, you have not showed me.
