32. Since these things are so, and we have been taught by the greatest teacher that souls are set not far from the gaping 3616 jaws of death; that they can, nevertheless, have their lives prolonged by the favour and kindness of the Supreme Ruler if only they try and study to know Him,—for the knowledge of Him is a kind of vital leaven 3617 and cement to bind together that which would otherwise fly apart,—let them, 3618 then, laying aside their savage and barbarous nature, return to gentler ways, that they may be able to be ready for that which shall be given. 3619 What reason is there that we should be considered by you brutish, as it were, and stupid, if we have yielded and given ourselves up to God our deliverer, because of these fears? We often seek out remedies for wounds and the poisoned bites of serpents, and defend ourselves by means of thin plates 3620 sold by Psylli 3621 or Marsi, and other hucksters 3622 and impostors; and that we may not be inconvenienced by cold or intense heat, 3623 we provide with anxious and careful diligence coverings in 3624 houses and clothing. 3616     Lit., “from the gapings and,” etc. 3617     There may be here some echo of the words ( John xvii. 3 ), “This is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God,” etc.; but there is certainly not sufficient similarity to found a direct reference on, as has been done by Orelli and others. 3618     i.e., souls. 3619     This passage presents no difficulty in itself, its sense being obviously that, as by God’s grace life is given to those who serve Him, we must strive to fit ourselves to receive His blessing. The last words, however, have seemed to some fraught with mystery, and have been explained by Heraldus at some length as a veiled or confused reference to the Lord’s Supper, as following upon baptism and baptismal regeneration, which, he supposes, are referred to in the preceding words, “laying aside,” etc. [It is not, however, the language of a mere catechumen.] 3620     These “thin plates,” laminæ , Orelli has suggested, were amulets worn as a charm against serpents. 3621     ms. Phyllis. 3622     So the edd., reading instit-oribus for the ms. instit-ut-oribus , “makers.” 3623     Lit., “that colds and violent suns may not,” etc. 3624     Lit., “of.”