Five Loaves, Two Fishes, Seven Books

Meanwhile, since we have mentioned the five loaves, I think it will not be out of place to compare them with the five books we have already written. For as they are equal in number, so they are not unlike in character. As the loaves were of barley, so these books may fairly be called “of barley,” as far as my ability goes, although they are enriched with passages from Holy Scripture and hold life-giving treasures in a lowly setting. Even in this they are not unlike those loaves. For though the loaves were poor things to look at, they proved rich in blessing. So too these books, worthless as far as my powers are concerned, are valuable for the sacred matter mixed into them. Outwardly, because of my words, they look as worthless as barley; but within, because of the testimonies of the Lord himself, they have the taste of the bread of life. [a]

It remains that, following his example, they may by the gift of God’s grace provide life-giving food from countless seeds. And as those loaves gave bodily strength to those who ate them, so may these give spiritual strength to those who read them. And just as the Lord, from whom this gift comes as that one did, then used that food to see that they were filled and did not faint on the way, so now he is able to bring it about that by this food people may be filled and not stray from the faith.

But there, where a countless host of God’s people was fed with a mighty gift though they had very little to eat, we read that two fishes were added to those five loaves. So it is fitting that we too, who long to give all God’s people who follow us the nourishment of a spiritual meal, should add to the five books that answer to the five loaves two more books that answer to the two fishes. And so we pray and beg you, O Lord, to look on our efforts and prayers, and to grant a prosperous end to our devout undertaking. Since out of love and obedience we want the number of our books to match the number of the loaves and fishes, grant the power of your blessing upon them. As you bless this little work of ours with a Gospel number, so fill up that number with the fruit of the Gospel, and grant that it may be holy and saving food for all the people of your church, of every age and of both sexes. And if there are some who have been touched by the deadly breath of that poisonous serpent, and, sick in soul and spirit, have caught a pestilent disease in their weakened state, give them all the vigor of health and entire soundness of faith. Grant to them all, through these writings of ours, the saving care of your gift. Just as that food in the Gospel was wholly sanctified by you, so that those hungry souls were strengthened by eating it, so may you bid fainting souls be healed by these books.