CHAPTER XIV.
THE STATE OF THE WORLD WHEN CHRIST BEGAN TO PREACH.
The Son of God said: Before my Incarnation this world was like a wilderness, in which was a turbid and unclean well, of which all who drank, thirsted the more, and the sore-eyed became more afflicted. By this well stood two men, one of whom crying out, said: “ Drink securely, because the physician comes to take away all languor.” The other said: "Drink in joy, it is vain to long for the uncertain.” Moreover, seven roads led to the well, and therefore all desired it. Much doth the world resemble a desert, with wild beasts, fruitless trees, and unclean waters; because man, like a wild beast, was eager to pour out his neighbor’s blood, unfruitful in works of justice, and unclean by incontinence and cupidity. In this wilderness, then, men sought the turbid well, — that is, the love of the world and its honor, which is high in pride, turbid in the care and solicitude of the flesh, — and by the seven mortal sins, had, as it were, entrance by seven ways. The two men standing by
