De Migratione Abrahami

as it is to despise immoderate indulgence of the desires and all other passions; to fear God, if a man is not yet capable of loving him, and even while in Egypt to have a desire for real life. Which he who sees, marvelling at (and indeed it was enough [*](Genesis xlii. 18. )to cause astonishment), says, "It is a great thing for me if my son Joseph is still alive," [*](Genesis xlv. 28. ) and has not died at the same time with vain opinions and the body which is but a lifeless carcass;

and he also confessed that "it was the work of God," [*](Genesis l. 19. ) and not of any created being, that he was recognised by his brethren, and so could put into commotion and agitation, and put to the rout by force, all the dispositions devoted to the [*](Genesis xxxix. 7. ) [*](Genesis xl. 8. ) [*](Genesis xl. 15. ) [*](Genesis xl. 17. ) [*](Genesis xlii. 18. ) [*](Genesis xlv. 28. ) [*](Genesis l. 19. )

but there are many other things also resembling these, being of a superior and more sacred kind of order; and they do not endure to abide in Egypt, the house of the body, and are never buried in a coffin at all, but depart to a distance outside of every thing mortal, and follow the words of the lawgiver, namely, Moses, who is the guide of their path.

For Moses, being the nurse as it were and tutor of good works, and good expressions, and good intentions, which, even if at times they are mingled with those of an opposite character by reason of the somewhat confused medely which exists in mortal man; are nevertheless distinguished when they have passed, so that all the seeds and plants of excellence may not be destroyed and perish for ever and ever.

And he exhorts men very vigorously to quit that which is called the mother of every thing that is absurd, without any delay or sluggishness, but rather using exceeding swiftness; for he says that men "must sacrifice the pascha, in haste," [*](Exodus xii. 12. ) and the word pascha, being interpreted, means a "passing over," in order that the mind, exerting its reasonings without any doubt, and also an energetic willingness and promptness, may, without ever turning back make a passing over from the passions, to gratitude to God the Saviour, who has led it forth beyond all its expectations to freedom.