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diff --git a/6516.txt b/6516.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff0a511 --- /dev/null +++ b/6516.txt @@ -0,0 +1,27446 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Forbidden Gospels and Epistles, Complete +by Archbishop Wake + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Forbidden Gospels and Epistles, Complete + +Author: Archbishop Wake + +Release Date: December 18, 2004 [EBook #6516] +Last Updated: December 10, 2017 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FORBIDDEN GOSPELS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger with additional proofing by Curtis A. Weyant + + + + + + THE + SUPPRESSED + GOSPELS AND EPISTLES + OF THE ORIGINAL + NEW TESTAMENT + OF + JESUS THE CHRIST + + AND OTHER PORTIONS OF THE ANCIENT HOLY SCRIPTURES. + NOW EXTANT, ATTRIBUTED TO + HIS APOSTLES, AND THEIR DISCIPLES, + AND VENERATED BY THE PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES DURING + THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES, + BUT SINCE, AFTER VIOLENT DISPUTATIONS + FORBIDDEN BY THE + BISHOPS OF THE NICENE COUNCIL, + IN THE REIGN OF THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE + AND OMITTED FROM THE CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANT + EDITIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, BY ITS COMPILERS + + TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL TONGUES, WITH HISTORICAL + REFERENCES TO THEIR AUTHENTICITY, + + BY + ARCHBISHOP WAKE + AND OTHER + LEARNED DIVINES + + + THE ORDER OF ALL THE + FORBIDDEN BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT + WITH THEIR PROPER NAMES, AND NUMBER OF CHAPTERS + + + + + + +CONTENTS: + +Mary +Protevangelion +I. Infancy +II. Infancy +Nicodemus +Christ and Abgarus +Laodiceans +Paul and Seneca +Acts of Paul and Thecla +I. Clement +II. Clement +Barnabas +Ephesians +Magnesians +Trallians +Romans +Philadelphians +Smyrnaeans +Polycarp +Philippians +I. Hermas--Visions +II. Hermas--Commands +III. Hermas--Similitudes + + + + + + PREFACE. + + +To uphold the "right of private judgment," and our "Christian liberty +wherewith Christ hath made us free;" to add fuel to the fire of +investigation, and in the crucible of deep inquiry, melt from the gold +of pure religion, the dross of man's invention; to appeal from the +erring tribunals of a fallible Priesthood, and restore to its original +state the mutilated Testament of the Saviour; also to induce all earnest +thinkers to search not a part, but the whole of the Scriptures, if +therein they think they will find eternal life; I, as an advocate of +free thought and untrammelled opinion, dispute the authority of those +uncharitable, bickering, and ignorant Ecclesiastics who first suppressed +these gospels and epistles; and I join issue with their Catholic and +Protestant successors who have since excluded them from the New +Testament, of which they formed a part; and were venerated by the +Primitive Churches, during the first four hundred years of the Christian +Era. + +My opposition is based on two grounds; first, the right of every rational +being to become a "Priest unto himself," and by the test of enlightened +reason, to form his own unbiased judgment of all things natural and +spiritual: second, that the reputation of the Bishops who extracted +these books from the original New Testament, under the pretence of being +Apocryphal, and forbade them to be read by the people, is proved by +authentic impartial history too odious to entitle them to any deference. +Since the Nicene Council, by a pious fraud, which I shall further allude +to, suppressed these books, several of them have been reissued from time +to time by various translators, who differed considerably in their +versions, as the historical references attached to them in the following +pages will demonstrate. But to the late Mr. William Hone we are indebted +for their complete publication for the first time in one volume, about +the year 1820; which edition, diligently revised, and purified of many +errors both in the text and the notes attached thereto, I have +re-published in numbers to enable all classes of the nation to purchase +and peruse them. As, however, instead of being called by their own +designation "Apocryphal," (which yet remains to be proved), they were +re-entitled THE FORBIDDEN BOOKS, and, from communications received, +appear to have agitated a portion of the great mass of ignorant bigotry +which mars the fair form of Religion in these sect-ridden dominions, I +have modified the title to its present shape with the hope that in spite +of illiberal clerical influence, my fellow Christians will read and +inwardly digest the sublime precepts they inculcate;--as pure, as holy, +and as charitable as those principles of Christianity taught in the +Scriptures they; now read by permission; although their minds may, after +mature reflection, doubt the truth of the miraculous records therein +given. + +To ensure these Gospels and Epistles an unprejudiced and serious +attention, which they are entitled to, equally with those now patronised +by Church authority, I will briefly refer to that disgraceful epoch in +Roman Ecclesiastical Annals, when the New Testament was mutilated, and +priestly craft was employed for excluding these books from its pages. +HONE, in the preface to his first edition of the Apocryphal New +Testament, so called, without satisfactory grounds, by the Council of +Nice, in the reign of the Emperor Constantine, thus opens the subject:-- + +"After the writings contained in the New Testament were selected from the +numerous Gospels and Epistles then in existence, what became of the Books +that were rejected by the compilers?" + +This question naturally occurs on every investigation as to the period +when and the persons by whom the New Testament was formed. It has been +supposed by many that the volume was compiled by the first Council of +Nice, which, according to Jortin (Rem. on Eccl. vol. ii. p. 177), +originated thus: Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, and Arius, who was a +presbyter in his diocese, disputed together about the nature of Christ; +and the bishop being displeased at the notions of Arius, and finding +that they were adopted by other persons, "was very angry." He commanded +Arius to come over to his sentiments, and to quit his own; as if a man +could change his opinions as easily as he can change his coat! He then +called a Council of War, consisting of nearly, a hundred bishops, and +deposed, excommunicated, and anathematized Arius, and with him several +ecclesiastics, two of whom were bishops. Constantine sent a letter, in +which he reprimanded the bishops for disturbing the church with their +insignificant disputes. But the affair was gone too far to be thus +composed. To settle this and other points, the Nicene Council was +summoned, consisting of about 318 bishops. The first thing they did was +to quarrel, and to express their resentments, and to present accusations +to the Emperor against one another. "The Emperor burnt all their libels, +and exhorted them to peace and unity." (See Mosheim's Eccle. Hist.) These +were the kind of spiritual shepherds of whom Sabinus, the Bishop +Heraclea affirms, that excepting Constantine himself, and Eusebius +Pamphilus, they "were a set of illiterate creatures, that understood +nothing." And now intelligent Catholics, especially Protestants who are +content to read only the books of the Testament authorized by the Council +of Nice, and agreed to ever since by your own bishops, although they and +you profess to dissent from the Papacy, hear what Pappus in his Synodican +to that Council says of their crafty contrivance when they separated the +books of the original New Testament:--He tells us, that having +"promiscuously put all the books that were referred to the Council for +deliberation under the communion-table in a church, they besought the +Lord that the inspired writings might get on the table, while the +spurious ones remained underneath; and that it happened accordingly!" +(See Com. Mace's N. T. p. 875.) Therefore, good reader, every Christian +sect from the fourth century to the present period, have been blessed +with the books that climbed upon the communion-table, and in consequence +were deemed inspired and canonical; at the same time have been forbidden +to read the Gospels and Epistles herein published, because they could +not perform the same feat, but remained under the table, and were +condemned accordingly, as uninspired and apocryphal writings. If you +believe this popish legend, you will not read the good books I lay before +you, but still continue to possess only HALF THE TESTAMENT, instead of +the PERFECT ONE, which will enable you to burst the trammels of +priestcraft, and by the light of God's whole truth become free. In +conclusion, I implore you to examine for yourselves, and observe the +testimony of Archbishop Wake and other learned divines and historians +appended thereto; and subscribe myself, + + Your well-wisher, + EDWARD HANCOCK. + + + + + + FORBIDDEN BOOKS + OF THE + NEW TESTAMENT. + + THE GOSPEL OF THE BIRTH OF MARY. + + +CHAPTER I. + + 1 The Parentage of Mary. + 7 Joachim her father, and Anna her mother, + go to Jerusalem to the feast of the dedication. + 9 Issachar, the high priest, reproaches Joachim + for being childless. + +THE blessed and ever glorious +Virgin Mary, sprung from +the royal race and family of David, +was born in the city of Nazareth, +and educated at Jerusalem, in the +temple of the Lord. + +2 Her father's name was Joachim, +and her mother's Anna. +The family of her father was of +Galilee and the city of Nazareth. +The family of her mother was of +Bethlehem. + +3 Their lives were plain and +right in the sight of the Lord, +pious and faultless before men; +for they divided all their substance +into three parts; + +4 One of which they devoted to +the temple and officers of the +temple; another they distributed +among strangers, and persons in +poor circumstances; and the third +they reserved for themselves and +the uses of their own family. + +5 In this manner they lived for +about twenty years chastely, in the +favour of God, and the esteem of +men, without any children. + +6 But they vowed, if God should +favour them with any issue, they +would devote it to the service of +the Lord; on which account they +went at every feast in the year to +the temple of the Lord. + +7 And it came to pass, that +when the feast of the dedication +drew near, Joachim, with some +others of his tribe, went up to +Jerusalem, and at that time, +Isachar was high-priest; + +8 Who, when he saw Joachim +along with the rest of his +neighbours, bringing his offerings, +despised both him and his offerings, +and asked him, + +9 Why he, who had no children, +would presume to appear among +those who had? Adding, that his +offerings could never be acceptable +to God, who was judged by him +unworthy to have children; the +Scripture having said, Cursed is +every one who shall not beget a +male in Israel. + +10 He further said, that he ought +first to be free from that curse by +begetting some issue, and then +come with his offerings into the +presence of God. + +11 But Joachim being much +confounded with the shame of such +reproach, retired to the shepherds +who were with the cattle in their +pastures; + +12 For he was not inclined to +return home, lest his neighbours, +who were present and heard all +this from the high-priest, should +publicly reproach him in the same +manner. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + 1 An angel appears to Joachim, + 9 and informs him that Anna shall conceive and + bring forth a daughter, who shall be called Mary, + 11 be brought up in the temple, + 12 and while yet a virgin, in a way unparalleled, + bring forth the Son of God: + 13 Gives him a sign, + 14 and departs. + +BUT when he had been there for +some time, on a certain day +when he was alone, the angel +of the Lord stood by him with +a prodigious light. + +2 To whom, being troubled at +the appearance, the angel who had +appeared to him, endeavouring to +compose him, said: + +3 Be not afraid, Joachim, nor +troubled at the sight of me, for +I am an angel of the Lord sent by +him to you, that I might inform +you that your prayers are heard, +and your alms ascended in the +sight of God. + +4 For he hath surely seen your +shame, and heard you unjustly +reproached for not having children: +for God is the avenger of sin, +and not of nature; + +5 And so when he shuts the +womb of any person, he does it for +this reason, that he may in a more +wonderful manner again open it, +and that which is born appear to +be not the product of lust, but the +gift of God. + +6 For the first mother of your +nation, Sarah, was she not barren +even till her eightieth year: and +yet even in the end of her old age +brought forth Isaac, in whom the +promise was made of a blessing to +all nations. + +7 Rachel, also, so much in +favour with God, and beloved so +much by holy Jacob, continued +barren for a long time, yet +afterwards was the mother of Joseph, +who was not only governor of +Egypt, but delivered many nations +from perishing with hunger. + +8 Who among the judges was +more valiant than Sampson, or more +holy than Samuel? And yet both +their mothers were barren. + +9 But if reason will not convince +you of the truth of my words, that +there are frequent conceptions in +advanced years, and that those +who were barren have brought forth +to their great surprise; therefore +Anna your wife shall bring you a +daughter, and you shall call her +name Mary; + +10 She shall, according to your +vow, be devoted to the Lord from +her infancy, and be filled with the +Holy Ghost from her mother's +womb; + +11 She shall neither eat nor +drink any thing which is unclean, +nor shall her conversation be +without among the common people, +but in the temple of the Lord; +that so she may not fall under any +slander or suspicion of what is bad. + +12 So in the process of her +years, as she shall be in a +miraculous manner born of one that +was barren, so she shall, while yet +a virgin, in a way unparalleled, +bring forth the Son of the most +High God, who shall, be called +Jesus, and, according to the +signification of his name, be the +Saviour of all nations. + +13 And this shall be a sign to +you of the things which I declare, +namely, when you come to the +golden gate of Jerusalem, you +shall there meet your wife Anna, +who being very much troubled +that you returned no sooner, shall +then rejoice to see you. + +14 When the angel had said this, +he departed from him. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 The angel appears to Anna; + 2 tells her a daughter shall be born unto her, + 3 devoted to the service of the Lord in the temple, + 5, who, being a virgin, and not knowing man, + shall bring forth the Lord, + 6 and gives her a sign therefore. + 8 Joachim and Anna meet, and rejoice, + 10 and praise the Lord. + 11 Anna conceives, and brings forth a daughter called Mary. + +AFTERWARDS the angel appeared +to Anna his wife, saying; +Fear not, neither think that +which you see is a spirit; + +2 For I am that angel who hath +offered up your prayers and alms +before God, and am now sent to +you, that I may inform you, that +a daughter will be born unto you, +who shall be called Mary, and +shall be blessed above all women. + +3 She shall be, immediately +upon her birth, full of the grace of +the Lord, and shall continue during +the three years of her weaning +in her father's house, and afterwards, +being devoted to the service of the Lord, +shall not depart from the temple, +till she arrive to years of discretion. + +4 In a word, she shall there +serve the Lord night and day in +fasting and prayer, shall abstain +from every unclean thing, and +never know any man; + +5 But, being an unparalleled instance +without any pollution or defilement, +and a virgin not knowing any man, +shall ring forth a son, and a maid +shall bring forth the Lord, who +both by his grace and name and works, +shall be the Saviour of the world. + +6 Arise therefore, and go up to +Jerusalem, and when you shall +come to that which is called the +golden gate (because it is gilt with +gold), as a sign of what I have told +you, you shall meet your husband, +for whose safety you have been so +much concerned. + +7 When therefore you find these +things thus accomplished, believe +that all the rest which I have told +you, shall also undoubtedly be +accomplished. + +8 According therefore to the +command of the angel, both of +them left the places where they +were, and when they came to the +place specified in the angels +prediction, they met each other. + +9 Then, rejoicing at each other's +vision, and being fully satisfied in +the promise of a child, they gave +due thanks to the Lord, who exalts +the humble. + +10 After having praised the +Lord, they returned home, and +lived in a cheerful and assured +expectation of the promise of God. + +11 So Anna conceived, and +brought forth a daughter, and, +according to the angel's command, +the parents did call her name Mary. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + 1 Mary brought to the temple at three years old. + 6 Ascends the stairs of the temple by miracle. + 8 Her parents sacrifice and return home. + +AND when three years were +expired, and the time of her +weaning complete, they brought +the Virgin to the temple of the +Lord with offerings. + +2 And there were about the +temple, according to the fifteen +Psalms of degrees, fifteen stairs +to ascend. + +3 For the temple being built in +a mountain, the altar of burnt- +offering, which was without, could +not be come near but by stairs; + +4 The parents of the blessed +Virgin and infant Mary put her +upon one of these stairs; + +5 But while they were putting +off their clothes, in which they had +travelled, and according to custom +putting on some that were more +neat and clean, + +6 In the mean time the Virgin +of the Lord in such a manner went +up all the stairs one after another, +without the help of any to lead her +or lift her, that any one would have +judged from hence, that she was of +perfect age. + +7 Thus the Lord did, in the +infancy of his Virgin, work this +extraordinary work, and evidence by +this miracle how great she was like +to be hereafter. + +8 But the parents having offered +up their sacrifice, according to the +custom of the law, and perfected +their vow, left the Virgin with +other virgins in the apartments of +the temple, who were to be brought +up there, and they returned home. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + 2 Mary ministered unto by angels. + 4 The high priest orders all virgins of fourteen + years old to quit the temple and endeavour to be married. + 5 Mary refuses, + 6 having vowed her virginity to the Lord. + 7 The high-priest commands a meeting of the chief persons + of Jerusalem, + 11 who seek the Lord for counsel in the matter. + 13 A voice from the mercy-seat. + 15 The high-priest obeys it by ordering all the unmarried + men of the house of David to bring their rods to the altar, + 17 that his rod which should flower, and on which the + Spirit of God should sit, should betroth the Virgin. + +BUT the Virgin of the Lord, as +she advanced in years, increased +also in perfections, and according +to the saying of the Psalmist, +her father and mother forsook her, +but the Lord took care of her. + +2 For she every day had the +conversation of angels, and every +day received visitors from God, +which preserved her from all sorts +of evil, and caused her to abound +with all good things; + +3 So that when at length she +arrived to her fourteenth year, as +the wicked could not lay any thing +to her charge worthy of reproof, +so all good persons, who were +acquainted with her, admired her +life and conversation. + +4 At that time the high-priest +made a public order, That all the +virgins who had public settlements +in the temple, and were come to +this age, should return home, and, +as they were now of a proper +maturity, should, according to the +custom of their country, endeavour +to be married. + +5 To which command, though +all the other virgins readily yielded +obedience, Mary the Virgin of the +Lord alone answered, that she +could not comply with it, + +6 Assigning these reasons, that +both she and her parents had +devoted her to the service of the +Lord; and besides, that she had +vowed virginity to the Lord, +which vow she was resolved never +to break through by lying with a +man. + +7 The high-priest being hereby +brought into a difficulty, + +8 Seeing he durst neither on the +one hand dissolve the vow, and +disobey the Scripture, which says, +Vow and pay, + +9 Nor on the other hand +introduce a custom, to which +the people were strangers, commanded, + +10 That at the approaching feast +all the principal persons both of +Jerusalem and the neighbouring +places should meet together, that +he might have their advice, how +he had best proceed in so difficult +a case. + +11 When they were accordingly +met, they unanimously agreed to +seek the Lord, and ask counsel +from him on this matter. + +12 And when they were all +engaged in prayer, the high-priest +according to the usual way, went +to consult God. + +13 And immediately there was +a voice from the ark, and the mercy +seat, which all present heard, that +it must be enquired or sought out +by a prophecy of Isaiah, to whom +the Virgin should be given and be +betrothed; + +14 For Isaiah saith, there shall +come forth a rod out of the stem of +Jesse, and a flower shall spring +out of its root, + +15 And the Spirit of the Lord +shall rest upon him, the Spirit of +Wisdom and Understanding, the +Spirit of Counsel and Might, the +Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, +and the Spirit of the fear of the +Lord shall fill him. + +16 Then, according to this +prophecy, he appointed, that all +the men of the house and family +of David, who were marriageable, +and not married, should bring their +several rods to the altar, + +17 And out of whatsoever +person's rod after it was brought, +a flower should bud forth, and on +the top of it the Spirit of the Lord +should sit in the appearance of a +dove, he should be the man to +whom the Virgin should be given +and be betrothed. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + 1 Joseph draws back his rod. + 5 The dove pitches on it. He betroths Mary and + returns to Bethlehem. + 7 Mary returns to her parents' house at Galilee. + +AMONG the rest there was a +man named Joseph of the +house and family of David, and a +person very far advanced in years, +who kept back his rod, when every +one besides presented his. + +2 So that when nothing appeared +agreeable to the heavenly voice, +the high-priest judged it proper to +consult God again. + +3 Who answered that he to +whom the Virgin was to be +betrothed was the only person of +those who were brought together, +who had not brought his rod. + +4 Joseph therefore was betrayed. + +5 For, when he did bring his +rod, and a dove coming from +Heaven pitched upon the top of +it, every one plainly saw, that the +Virgin was to be betrothed to him. + +6 Accordingly, the usual +ceremonies of betrothing being over, +he returned to his own city of +Bethlehem, to set his house in +order, and make the needful +provisions for the marriage. + +7 But the Virgin of the Lord, +Mary, with seven other virgins of +the same age, who had been weaned +at the same time, and who had +been appointed to attend her by +the priest, returned to her parents' +house in Galilee. + + +CHAPTER VII. + + 7 The salutation of the Virgin by Gabriel, who explains to her + that she shall conceive, without lying with a man, while a Virgin, + 19 by the Holy Ghost coming upon her without the heats of lust. + 21 She submits. + +NOW at this time of her first +coming into Galilee, the +angel Gabriel was sent to her +from God, to declare to her the +conception of our Saviour, and +the manner and way of her +conceiving him. + +2 Accordingly going into her, +he filled the chamber where she +was with a prodigious light, and +in a most courteous manner saluting +her, he said, + +3 Hail, Mary! Virgin of the +Lord most acceptable! O Virgin +full of grace! The Lord is with +you. You are blessed above all +women, and you are blessed above +all men, that have been hitherto +born. + +4 But the Virgin, who had +before been well acquainted with +the countenances of angels, and +to whom such light from heaven +was no uncommon thing, + +5 Was neither terrified with the +vision of the angel, nor astonished +at the greatness of the light, but +only troubled about the angel's +words, + +6 And began to consider what +so extraordinary a salutation should +mean, what it did portend, or what +sort of end it would have. + +7 To this thought the angel, +divinely inspired, replies; + +8 Fear not, Mary, as though +I intended anything inconsistent +with your chastity in this salutation: + +9 For you have found favour +with the Lord, because you made +virginity your choice. + +10 Therefore while you are a +Virgin, you shall conceive without +sin, and bring forth a son. + +11 He shall be great, because +he shall reign from sea to sea, and +from the rivers even to the ends of +the earth? + +12 And he shall be called the +Son of the Highest; for he who is +born in a mean state on earth, +reigns in an exalted one in heaven. + +13 And the Lord shall give him +the throne of his father David, and +he shall reign over the house of +Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom +there shall be no end. + +14 For he is the King of Kings, +and Lord of Lords, and his throne +is forever and ever. + +15 To this discourse of the +angel the Virgin replied, not, as +though she were unbelieving, but +willing to know the manner of it. + +16 She said, How can that be? +For seeing, according to my vow, +I have never known any man, how +can I bear a child without the +addition of a man's seed. + +17 To this the angel replied +and said, Think not, Mary, that +you shall conceive in the ordinary +way. + +18 For, without lying with a +man, while a Virgin, you shall +conceive; while a Virgin, you +shall bring forth; and while a +Virgin shall give suck. + +19 For the Holy Ghost shall +come upon you, and the power of +the Most High shall overshadow +you, without any of the heats of +lust. + +20 So that which shall be born +of you shall be only holy, because +it only is conceived without sin, +and being born, shall be called the +Son of God. + +21 Then Mary stretching forth +her hands, and lifting her eyes to +heaven, said, Behold the handmaid +of the Lord! Let it be unto me +according to thy word. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + 1 Joseph returns to Galilee, to marry the Virgin + he had betrothed; + 4 perceives she is with child, + 5 is uneasy, + 7 purposes to put her away privily, + 8 is told by the angel of the Lord it is not the + work of man but the Holy Ghost; + 12 Marries her, but keeps chaste, + 13 removes with her to Bethlehem, + 15 where she brings forth Christ. + +JOSEPH therefore went from +Judaea to Galilee, with intention +to marry the Virgin who was +betrothed to him: + +2 For it was now near three +months since she was betrothed +to him. + +3 At length it plainly appeared +she was with child, and it could +not be hid from Joseph: + +4 For going to the Virgin in a +free manner, as one espoused, and +talking familiarly with her, he +perceived her to be with child, + +5 And thereupon began to be +uneasy and doubtful, not knowing +what course it would be best to take; + +6 For being a just man, he was +not willing to expose her, nor +defame her by the suspicion of +being a harlot, since he was a +pious man: + +7 He purposed therefore privately +to put an end to their agreement, +and as privately to send her away. + +8 But while he was meditating +these things, behold the angel of +the Lord appeared to him in his +sleep, and said, Joseph, son of +David, fear not; + +9 Be not willing to entertain +any suspicion of the Virgin's +being guilty of fornication, or to +think any thing amiss of her, +neither be afraid to take her to wife: + +10 For that which is begotten +in her and now distresses your +mind, is not the work of man, but +the Holy Ghost. + +11 For she of all women is that +only Virgin who shall bring forth +the Son of God, and you shall call +his name Jesus, that is, Saviour: +for he will save his people from +their sins. + +12 Joseph thereupon, according +to the command of the angel, +married the Virgin, and did not +know her, but kept her in chastity. + +13 And now the ninth month +from her conception drew near, +when Joseph took his wife and +what other things were necessary +to Bethlehem, the city from whence +he came. + +14 And it came to pass, while +they were there, the days were +fulfilled for her bringing forth. + +15 And she brought forth her +first-born son, as the holy +Evangelists have taught, even our +Lord Jesus Christ, who with the +Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, +lives and reigns to everlasting ages. + + + + REFERENCES TO MARY'S GOSPEL + +[In the primitive ages there was a Gospel extant bearing this name, +attributed to St. Matthew, and received as genuine and authentic by +several of the ancient Christian sects. It is to be found in the works +of Jerome, a Father of the Church, who flourished in the fourth century, +from whence the present translation is made. His contemporaries, +Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis, and Austin also mention a gospel under +this title. The ancient copies differed from Jerome's, for from one of +them the learned Faustus, a native of Britain, who became Bishop of Riez, +in Provence, endeavoured to prove that Christ was not the Son of God till +after his baptism; and that he was not of the house of David and tribe of +Judah, because, according to the Gospel he cited, the Virgin herself was +not of this tribe, but of the tribe of Levi; her father being a priest of +the name of Joachim. It was likewise from this Gospel that the sect of +the Collyridians established the worship and offering of manchet bread +and cracknels, or fine wafers, as sacrificed to Mary, whom they imagined +to have been born of a Virgin, as Christ is related in the Canonical +Gospels to have been born of her. Epiphanius likewise cites a passage +concerning the death of Zacharias, which is not in Jerome's copy, viz.: +"That it was the occasion of the death of Zacharias in the temple, that +when he had seen a vision, he, through surprise, was willing to disclose +it, and his mouth was stopped. That which he saw was at the time of his +offering incense, and it was a man standing in the form of an ass. +When he was gone out, and had a mind to speak thus to the people, Woe +unto you, whom do you worship? he who had appeared to him in the temple +took away the use of his speech. Afterwards when he recovered it, and was +able to speak, he declared this to the Jews; and they slew him. They add +(viz. the Gnostics in this book), that on this very account the +high-priest was appointed by their lawgiver (by God to Moses) to carry +little bells, that whensoever he went into the temple to sacrifice he, +whom they worshipped, hearing the noise of the bells, might have time +enough to hide himself, and not be caught in that ugly shape and figure." +The principal part of this Gospel is contained in the Protevangelion of +James which follows next in order.] + + + + + + + THE GOSPEL CALLED + THE PROTEVANGELION; + +Or, an Historical Account of the BIRTH of CHRIST, and the perpetual +VIRGIN MARY, his Mother, by JAMES THE LESSER, Cousin and Brother +of the Lord Jesus, chief Apostle and first Bishop of the Christians in +Jerusalem. + + + +CHAPTER I. + + 1 Joachim, a rich man, + 2 offers to the Lord, + 3 is opposed by Reuben the high priest, + because he has not begotten issue in Israel, + 6 retires into the wilderness and fasts + forty days and forty nights. + + +IN the history of the twelve +tribes of Israel we read there +was a certain person called +Joachim, who being very rich, made +double offerings to the Lord God, +having made this resolution: +My substance shall be for the +benefit of the whole people, that +I may find mercy from the Lord +God for the forgiveness of my sins. + +2 But at a certain great feast +of the Lord, when the children of +Israel offered their gifts, and +Joachim also offered his, Reuben the +high-priest opposed him, saying, +it is not lawful for thee to offer +thy gifts, seeing thou hast not +begot any issue in Israel. + +3 At this, Joachim being +concerned very much, went away to +consult the registries of the twelve +tribes, to see whether he was the +only person who had begot no +issue. + +4 But upon inquiry he found +that all the righteous had raised +up seed in Israel; + +5 Then he called to mind the +patriarch Abraham, How that God +in the end of his life had given him +his son Isaac; upon which he was +exceedingly distressed, and would +not be seen by his wife: + +6 But retired into the wilderness, +and fixed his tent there, and +fasted forty days and forty nights, +saying to himself, + +7 I will not go down either to +eat or drink, till the Lord my +God shall look down upon me, but +prayer shall be my meat and drink. + + + +CHAPTER. II. + + 1 Anna, the wife of Joachim mourns her barrenness, + 6 is reproached with it by Judith her maid, + 9 sits under a laurel tree and prays to the Lord. + +IN the mean time his wife Anna +was distressed and perplexed +on a double account, and said, +I will mourn both for my widowhood +and my barrenness. + +2 Then drew near a great feast +of the Lord, and Judith her maid, +said, How long will you thus +afflict your soul? The feast of +the Lord is now come, when it is +unlawful for any one to mourn. + +3 Take therefore this hood +which was given by one who +makes such things, for it is not +fit that I, who am a servant should +wear it, but it well suits a person +of your greater character. + +4 But Anna replied, Depart +from me, I am not used to such +things; besides, the Lord hath +greatly humbled me. + +5 I fear some ill-designing person +hath given thee this, and thou +art come to reproach me with my sin. + +6 Then Judith her maid answered, +what evil shall I wish you, +when you will not hearken to me? + +7 I cannot wish you a greater +curse than you are under, in that +God hath shut up your womb, that +you should not be a mother in +Israel. + +8 At this Anna was exceedingly +troubled, and having on her wedding +garment, went about three o'clock +in the afternoon to walk in her +garden. + +9 And she saw a laurel-tree and +sat under it, and prayed unto the +Lord, saying, + +10 O God of my fathers, bless +me and regard my prayer, as thou +didst bless the womb of Sarah; +and gavest her a son Isaac. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 Anna perceiving a sparrow's nest in the + laurels bemoans her barrenness. + +AND as she was looking towards +heaven she perceive a sparrow's +nest in the laurel, + +2 And mourning within herself, +she said, Wo is me, who begat +me? and what womb did bear +me, that I should be thus +accursed before the children of +Israel, and that they should +reproach and deride me in the +temple of my God: Wo is me, +to what can I be compared? + +3 I am not comparable to the +very beasts of the earth, for even +the beasts of the earth are fruitful +before thee, O Lord! Wo is me, +to what can I be compared? + +4 I am not compared to the +brute animal, for even the brute +animals are fruitful before thee, +O Lord! Wo is me, to what am I +comparable? + +5 I cannot be comparable to +these waters, for even the waters +are fruitful before thee, O Lord! +Wo is me, to what can I be compared? + +6 I am not comparable to the +waves of the sea; for these, +whether they are calm, or in motion, +with the fishes which are in them, +praise thee, O Lord! Wo is me to +what can I be compared? + +7 I am not comparable to the +very earth, for the earth produces +its fruits, and praises thee, O Lord! + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + 1 An Angel appears to Anna and tells her she shall conceive; + two angels appear on the same errand. + 5 Joachim sacrifices. + 8 Anna goes to meet him, + 9 rejoicing that she shall conceive. + +THEN an angel of the Lord +stood by her and said, Anna, +Anna, the Lord hath heard thy +prayer; thou shalt conceive and +bring forth, and thy progeny shall +be spoken of in all the world. + +2 And Anna answered, As the +Lord my God liveth, whatever I +bring forth, whether it be male or +female, I will devote it to the Lord +my God and it shall minister to +him in holy things, during its +whole life. + +3 And behold there appeared +two angels, saying unto her, +Behold Joachim thy husband is +coming with his shepherds. + + +4 For an angel of the Lord +hath also come down to him, and +said, The Lord God hath heard +thy prayer, make haste and go +hence, for behold Anna thy wife +shall conceive. + +5 And Joachim went down and +called his shepherds, saying, Bring +me hither ten she-lambs without +spot or blemish, and they shall +be for the Lord my God. + +6 And bring me twelve calves +without blemish, and the twelve +calves shall be for the priests and +the elders. + +7 Bring me also a hundred +goats, and the hundred goats shall +be for the whole people. + +8 And Joachim went down with +the shepherds, and Anna stood +by the gate and saw Joachim +coming with the shepherds. + +9 And she ran, and hanging +about his neck, said, Now I know +that the Lord hath greatly blessed +me: + +10 For behold, I who was as a +widow am no longer as a widow, and +I who was barren shall conceive. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + 1 Joachim abides the first day in his house but + sacrifices on the morrow. + 2 Consults the plate on the priests forehead, + 3 and is without sin. + 6 Anna brings forth a daughter, + 9 whom she calls Mary. + +AND Joachim abode the first +day in his house, but on the +morrow he brought his offerings, +and said, + +2 If the Lord be propitious to +me let the plate which is on the +priests forehead make it manifest. + +3 And he consulted the plate +which the priest wore, and saw it, +and behold sin was not found in +him. + +4 And Joachim said, Now I know +that the Lord is propitious +to me, and hath taken away all +my sins. + +5 And he went down from the +temple of the Lord justified, +and he went to his own house. + +6 And when nine months were +fulfilled to Anna, she brought +forth, and said to the midwife, +What have I brought forth? + +7 And she told her, A girl. + +8 Then Anna said, The Lord +hath this day magnified my soul; +and she laid her in bed. + +9 And when the days of her +purification were accomplished, +she gave suck to the child; and +called her name Mary. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + 1 Mary at nine months old, walks nine steps. + 3 Anna keeps her holy. + 4 When she is a year old, Joachim makes a great feast. + 7 Anna gives her the breast, and sings a song to the Lord. + +AND the child increased in +strength every day, so that +when she was nine months old, her +mother put her upon the ground, +to try if she could stand; and +when she had walked nine steps, +she came again to her mother's +lap. + +2 Then her mother caught her +up, and said, As the Lord my God +liveth, thou shalt not walk again +on this earth, till I bring thee +into the temple of the Lord. + +3 Accordingly she made her +chamber a holy place, and suffered +nothing uncommon or unclean to +come near her, but invited certain +undefiled daughters of Israel, and +they drew her aside. + +4 But when the child was a year +old, Joachim made a great feast, +and invited the priests, scribes, +elders, and all the people of +Israel; + +5 And Joachim then made an +offering of the girl to the chief- +priests, and they blessed her, +saying, The God of our fathers bless +this girl, and give her a name +famous and lasting through all +generations. And all the people +replied, So be it, Amen: + +6 Then Joachim a second time +offered her to the priests, and they +blessed her, saying, O most high +God, regard this girl, and bless +her with an everlasting blessing. + +7 Upon this her mother took +her up, and gave her the breast, +and sung the following song to the +Lord. + +8 I will sing a song unto the +Lord my God, for he hath visited +me, and taken away from me the +reproach of mine enemies, and +hath given me the fruit of his +righteousness, that it may now be +told the sons of Reuben, that Anna +gives suck. + +9 Then she put the child to rest +in the room which she had consecrated, +and she went out and ministered unto +them. + +10 And when the feast was +ended, they went away rejoicing, +and praising the God of Israel. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + 3 Mary being three years old, Joachim causes certain virgins to + light each a lamp, and goes with her to the temple. + 5 The high-priest places her on the third step of the altar, and + sits dances with her feet. + +BUT the girl grew, and when +she was two years old, Joachim +said to Anna, Let us lead her +to the temple of the Lord, +that we may perform our vow, +which we have vowed unto the +Lord God, lest he should be angry +with us, and our offering be +unacceptable. + +2 But Anna said, Let us wait +the third year, lest she should +be at a loss to know her father. +And Joachim said, Let us then +wait. + +3 And when the child was +three years old, Joachim said, +Let us invite the daughters of the +Hebrews, who are undefiled, and let +them take each a lamp, and let +them be lighted, that the child +may not turn back again, and her +mind be set against the temple of +the Lord, + +4 And they did thus till they +ascended into the temple of the Lord. +And the high-priest received her, +and blessed her, and said, Mary, +the Lord God hath magnified thy +name to all generations, and to the +very end of time by thee will the +Lord shew his redemption to the +children of Israel. + +5 And he placed her upon the +third step of the altar, and the +Lord gave unto her grace, and she +dance with her feet, and all the +house of Israel loved her. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + 2 Mary fed in the temple by angels. + 3 When twelve years old the priests consult what to do with her. + 6 The angel of the Lord warns Zacharias to call together all the + widowers, each bringing a rod. + 7 The people meet by sound of trumpet. + 8 Joseph throws away his hatchet, and goes to the meeting. + 11 A dove comes forth from his rod, and alights on his head. + 12 He is chosen to betroth the Virgin, + 13 refuses because he is an old man, + 14 is compelled, + 16 takes her home, and goes to mind his trade of building. + +AND her parents went away +filled with wonder, and praising God, +because the girl did not return back +to them. + +2 But Mary continued in the +temple as a dove educated there, +and received her food from the +hand of an angel. + +3 And when she was twelve +years of age, the priests met in a +council, and said, Behold, Mary is +twelve years of age, what shall we +do with her, for fear lest the holy +place of the Lord our God should +be defiled? + +4 Then replied the priests to +Zacharias the high-priest, Do you +stand at the altar of the Lord, and +enter into the holy place, and make +petitions concerning her, and +whatsoever the Lord shall manifest +unto you, that do. + +5 Then the high-priest entered +into the Holy of Holies, and taking +away with him the breast-plate of +judgment made prayers concerning her; + +6 And behold the angel of the +Lord came to him, and said, +Zacharias, Zacharias, Go forth and +call together all the widowers +among the people, and let every +one of them bring his rod, and +he by whom the Lord shall shew +a sign shall be the husband of +Mary. + +7 And the criers went out +through all Judaea, and the trumpet +of the Lord sounded, and all +the people ran and met together. + +8 Joseph also throwing away +his hatchet, went out to meet +them; and when they were met, +they went to the high-priest; +taking every man his rod. + +9 After the high-priest had +received their rods, he went +into the temple to pray; + +10 And when he had finished +his prayer, he took the rods, and +went forth and distributed them, +and there was no miracle attended +them. + +11 The last rod was taken by +Joseph, said behold a dove +proceeded out of the rod, and +flew upon the head of Joseph. + +12 And the high-priest said, +Joseph, Thou art the person +chosen to take the Virgin of the +Lord, to keep her for him: + +13 But Joseph refused, saying, +I am an old man, and have children, +but she is young, and I fear +lest I should appear ridiculous +in Israel. + +14 Then the high-priest replied, +Joseph, Fear the Lord thy God, +and remember how God dealt with +Dathan, Korah, and Abiram, how +the earth opened and swallowed +them up, because of their +contradiction. + +15 Now therefore, Joseph, fear +God lest the like things should +happen in your family. + +16 Joseph then being afraid, +took her unto his house, and +Joseph said unto Mary, Behold, I +have taken thee from the temple +of the Lord, and now I will leave +thee in my house; I must go to +mind my trade of building. The +Lord be with thee. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + 1 The priests desire a new veil for the temple, + 3 seven virgins cast lots for making different parts of it, + 4 the lot to spin the true purple falls to Mary. + 5 Zacharias, the high priest, becomes dumb. + 7 Mary takes a pot to draw water, and hears a voice, + 8 trembles and begins to work, + 9 an angel Appears and salutes her, and tells her she + shall conceive by the Holy Ghost, + 17 she submits. + 19 Visits her cousin Elizabeth, whose child in her womb leaps. + +AND it came to pass, in a council +of the priests, it was said, +Let us make a new veil for the +temple of the Lord. + +2 And the high-priest said, +Call together to me seven undefiled +virgins of the tribe of David. + +3 And the servants went and +brought them into the temple of +the Lord, and the high-priest said +unto them, Cast lots before me +now, who of you shall spin the +golden thread, who the blue, who +the scarlet, who the fine linen, and +who the true purple. + +4 Then the high-priest knew +Mary; that she was of the tribe of +David; and he called her, and the +true purple fell to her lot to spin, +and she went away to her own +house. + +5 But from that time Zacharias +the high-priest became dumb, and +Samuel was placed in his room till +Zacharias spoke again. + +6 But Mary took the true purple; +and did spin it. + +7 And she took a pot, and +went out to draw water, and heard +a voice saying unto her, Hail thou +who art full of grace, the Lord +is with thee; thou art blessed +among women. + +8 And she looked round to the +right and to the left (to see) whence +that voice came, and then trembling +went into her house, and laying +down the water-pot, she took +the purple, and sat down in her +seat to work it. + +9 And behold the angel of the +Lord stood by her, and said, Fear +not, Mary, for thou hast found +favour in the sight of God. + +10 Which when she heard, she +reasoned with herself what that +sort of salutation meant. + +11 And the angel said unto her, +The Lord is with thee, and thou +shalt conceive: + +12 To which she replied, What! +shall I conceive by the living God +and bring forth as all other +women do? + +13 But the angel returned +answer, Not so, O Mary, but the +Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, +and the power of the Most High +shall overshadow thee; + +14 Wherefore that which shall +be born of thee shall be holy, +and shall be called the Son of the +Living God, and thou shalt call his +name Jesus; for he shall save his +people from their sins. + +15 And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, +she also hath conceived a son in her +old age. + +16 And this now is the sixth +month with her, who was called +barren: for nothing is impossible +with God. + +17 And Mary said, Behold the +handmaid of the Lord; let it be +unto me according to thy word. + +18 And when she had wrought +her purple, she carried it to the +high-priest, and the high-priest +blessed her, saying, Mary, the +Lord God hath magnified thy name, +and thou shalt be blessed in all the +ages of the world. + +19 Then Mary, filled with joy, +went away to her cousin Elizabeth, +and knocked at the door. + +20 Which when Elizabeth heard, +she ran and opened to her, and +blessed her, and said, Whence is +this to me, that the mother of my +Lord should come unto me? + +21 For lo! as soon as the voice +of thy salutation reached my ears, +that which is in me leaped and +blessed thee. + +22 But Mary, being ignorant of +all those mysterious things which +the archangel Gabriel had spoken +to her, lifted up her eyes to heaven, +and said, Lord! What am I, that +all the generations of the earth +should call me blessed? + +23 But perceiving herself daily +to grow big, and being afraid, she +went home, and hid herself from +the children of Israel; and was +fourteen years old when all these +things happened. + + + +CHAPTER X. + + 1 Joseph returns from building houses, finds the Virgin + grown big, being six months gone with child, + 2 is jealous and troubled, + 8 reproaches her, + 10 she affirms her innocence, + 13 he leaves her, + 16 determines to dismiss her privately, + 17 is warned in a dream that Mary is with child by the Holy Ghost, + 20 and glorifies God who had shewn him such favour. + +AND when her sixth month was +come, Joseph returned from +his building houses abroad, which +was his trade, and entering into the +house, found the Virgin grown big: + +2 Then smiting upon his face, +he said, With what face can I look +up to the Lord my God? or, what +shall I say concerning this young +woman? + +3 For I received her a Virgin +out of the temple of the Lord my +God, and have not preserved her +such! + +4 Who has thus deceived me? +Who has committed this evil in +my house, and seducing the Virgin +from me, hath defiled her? + +5 Is not the history of Adam exactly +accomplished in me? + +6 For in the very instant of his +glory, the serpent came and found +Eve alone, and seduced her. + +7 Just after the same manner it +has happened to me. + +8 Then Joseph arising from the +ground, called her, and said, O +thou who hast been so much +favoured by God, why hast thou +done this? + +9 Why hast thou thus debased +thy soul, who wast educated in the +Holy of Holies, and received thy +food from the hand of angels? + +10 But she, with a flood of tears, +replied, I am innocent, and have +known no man. + +11 Then said Joseph, How +comes it to pass you are with +child? + +12 Mary answered, As the Lord +my God liveth, I know not by what +means. + +13 Then Joseph was exceedingly afraid, +and went ay from her, considering +what he should do with her; +and he thus reasoned with himself: + +14 If I conceal her crime, I shall +be found guilty by the law of the +Lord; + +15 And if I discover her to the +children of Israel, I fear, lest +she being with child by an angel, +I shall be found to betray the life +of an innocent person. + +16 What therefore shall I do? +I will privately dismiss her. + +17 Then the night was come +upon him, when behold an angel +of the Lord appeared to him in a +dream, and said, + +18 Be not afraid to take that +young woman, for that which is +within her is of the Holy Ghost, + +19 And she shall bring forth +a son, and thou shalt call his name +Jesus, for he shall save his people +from their sins. + +20 Then Joseph arose from his +sleep, and glorified the God of +Israel, who had shewn him such +favour, and preserved the Virgin. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + 3 Annas visits Joseph, perceives the Virgin big with child, + 4 informs the high priest that Joseph had privately married her. + 8 Joseph and Mary brought to trial on the charge. + 17 Joseph drinks the water of the Lord as an ordeal, + and receiving no harm, returns home. + +THEN came Annas the scribe, +and said to Joseph, Wherefore +have we not seen you since +your return? + +2 And Joseph replied, Because +I was weary after my journey, and +rested the first day. + +3 But Annas turning about +perceived the Virgin big with child. + +4 And went away to the priest, +and told him, Joseph in whom you +placed so much confidence, is +guilty of a notorious crime, in +that he hath defiled the Virgin +whom he received out of the temple +of the Lord, and hath privately +married her, not discovering it to +the children of Israel. + +5 Then said the priest, Hath +Joseph done this? + +6 Annas replied, If you send +any of your servants you will find +that she is with child. + +7 And the servants went, and +found it as he said. + +8 Upon this both she and Joseph +were brought to their trial, and +the priest said unto her, Mary, +what hast thou done? + +9 Why hast thou debased thy +soul, and forgot thy God, seeing +thou wast brought up in the Holy +of Holies, and didst receive thy +food from the hands of angels, and +heardest their songs? + +10 Why hast thou done this? + +11 To which with a flood of +tears she answered, As the Lord +my God liveth, I am innocent in +his sight, seeing I know no man. + +12 Then the priest said to Joseph, +Why hast thou done this? + +13 And Joseph answered, As +the Lord my God liveth, I have +not been concerned with her. + +14 But the priest said, Lie not, +but declare the truth; thou hast +privately married her, and not +discovered it to the children of +Israel, and humbled thyself under +the mighty hand (of God), that thy +seed might be blessed: + +15 And Joseph was silent. + +16 Then said the priest +(to Joseph), You must restore to +the temple of the Lord the Virgin +which you took thence. + +17 But he wept bitterly, and the +priest added, I will cause you both +to drink the water of the Lord, +which is for trial, and so your +iniquity shall be laid open before +you.--[bitter water that causeth the curse] + +18 Then the priest took the water, +and made Joseph drink, and sent him +to a mountainous place, + +19 And he returned perfectly +well, and all the people wondered +that his guilt was not discovered. + +20 So the priest said, Since the +Lord hath not made your sins +evident, neither do I condemn +you. + +21 So he sent them away. + +22 Then Joseph took Mary, and +went to his house, rejoicing and +praising the God of Israel. + + + +CHAP. XII. + + 1 A decree from Augustus for taxing the Jews. + 5 Joseph puts Mary on an ass, to return to Bethlehem, + 6 she looks sorrowful, + 7 she laughs, + 8 Joseph inquires the cause of each, + 9 she tells him she sees two persons, + one mourning and the other rejoicing. + 10 The delivery being near, he takes her + from the ass, and places her in a cave. + +AND it came to pass, that there +went forth a decree from +the Emperor Augustus, that all +the Jews should be taxed, who +were of Bethlehem in Judaea. + +2 And Joseph said, I will take +care that my children be taxed; +but what shall I do with this young +woman? + +3 To have her taxed as my wife +I am ashamed; and if I tax her as +my daughter, all Israel knows she +is not my daughter. + +4 When the time of the Lord's +appointment shall come, let him do +as seems good to him. + +5 And he saddled the ass, and +put her upon it, and Joseph and +Simon followed after her, and +arrived at Bethlehem within three +miles. + +6 Then Joseph turning about +saw Mary sorrowful, and said +within himself, Perhaps she is in +pain through that which is within +her. + +7 But when he turned about +again, he saw her laughing, and +said to her, + +8 Mary, how happens it, that I +sometimes see sorrow, and sometimes +laughter and joy in thy countenance? + +9 And Mary replied to him, +I see two people with mine eyes, +the one weeping and mourning, +the other laughing and rejoicing. + +10 And he went again across +the way, and Mary said to Joseph, +Take me down from the ass, for +that which is in me presses to come +forth. + +11 But Joseph replied, Whither +shall I take thee? for the place is +a desert. + +12 Then said Mary again to Joseph, +take me down, for that which is +within me mightily presses me. + +13 And Joseph took her down. + +14 And he found there a cave, +and let her into it. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + 1 Joseph seeks a Hebrew midwife, + 2 perceives the owls stopping in their flight, + 3 the working people at their food not moving, + 8 the sheep standing still, + 9 the shepherd fixed and immoveable, + 10 and kids with their mouths touching + the water but not drinking. + +AND leaving her and his sons +in the cave, Joseph went +forth to seek a Hebrew midwife in +the village of Bethlehem. + +2 But as I was going (said Joseph), +I looked up into the air, +and I saw the clouds astonished, +and the fowls of the air stopping in +the midst of their flight. + +3 And I looked down towards +the earth, and saw a table spread, +and working people sitting around +it, but their hands were upon the +table and they did not move to +eat. + +4 They who had meat in their +mouths did not eat. + +5 They who lifted their hands +up to their heads did not draw +them back, + +6 And they who lifted them up +to their mouths did not put any +thing in; + +7 But all their faces were fixed +upwards. + +8 And I beheld the sheep dispersed, +and yet the sheep stood still. + +9 And the shepherd lifted up +his hand to smite them, and his +hand continued up. + +10 And I looked unto a river, +and saw the kids with their mouths +close to the water, and touching it, +but they did not drink. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + 1 Joseph finds a midwife. + 10 A bright cloud overshadows the cave. + 11 A great light in the cave, gradually + increases until the infant is born. + 13 The mid-wife goes out, and tells Salome + that she has seen a virgin bring forth. + 17 Salome doubts it. + 20 her hand withers, + 22 she supplicates the Lord, + 28 is cured, + 30 but warned not to declare what she had seen. + +THEN I beheld a woman coming +down from the mountains, +and she said to me, Where art thou +going, O man? + +2 And I said to her, I go to +enquire for a Hebrew midwife. + +3 She replied to me, Where is +the woman that is to be delivered? + +4 And I answered, In the cave, +and she is betrothed to me. + +5 Then said the midwife, Is she +not thy wife? + +6 Joseph answered, It is Mary, +who was educated in the Holy of +Holies, in the house of the Lord, +and she fell to me by lot, and is +not my wife, but has conceived by +the Holy Ghost. + +7 The midwife said, Is this true? + +8 He answered, Come and see. + +9 And the midwife went along +with him, and stood in the cave. + +10 Then a bright cloud over- +shadowed the cave, and the mid- +wife said, This day my soul is +magnified, for mine eyes have seen +surprising things, and salvation is +brought forth to Israel. + +11 But on a sudden the cloud +became a great light in the cave, +so that their eyes could not bear it. + +12 But the light gradually +decreased, until the infant appeared, +and sucked the breast of his mother, +Mary. + +13 Then the midwife cried out, +and said, How glorious a day is +this, wherein mine eyes have seen +this extraordinary sight! + +14 And the midwife went out +from the cave, and Salome met +her. + +15 And the midwife said to her, +Salome, Salome, I will tell you a +most surprising thing which I saw, + +16 A virgin hath brought forth, +which is a thing contrary to +nature. + +17 To which Salome replied, As +the Lord my God liveth unless I +receive particular proof of this +matter, I will not believe that a +virgin hath brought forth. + +18 If Then Salome went in, and +the midwife said, Mary, shew thyself, +for a controversy is risen +concerning thee. + +19 And Salome received satisfaction. + +20 But her hand was withered, +and she groaned bitterly; + +21 And said, Woe to me, because +of mine iniquity; for I have +tempted the living God, and my +hand is ready to drop off. + +22 Then Salome made her +supplication to the Lord, and said, +O God of my Fathers, remember me, +for I am of the seed of Abraham, +and Isaac, and Jacob. + +23 Make me not a reproach +among the children of Israel, but +restore me sound to my parents. + +24 For thou well knowest, +O Lord, that I have performed many +offices of charity in thy name, +and have received my reward from +thee. + +25 Upon this an angel of the +Lord stood by Salome, and said, +The Lord God hath heard thy +prayer, reach forth thy hand to +the child, and carry him, and by +that means thou shalt be restored. + +26 Salome filled with exceeding +joy, went to the child, and said, +I will touch him. + +27 And she purposed to worship +him, for she said, This is a great +king, which is born in Israel. + +28 And straightway Salome was +cured. + +29 Then the midwife went out +of the cave, being approved by God. + +30 And lo! a voice came to Salome. +Declare not the strange things +which thou hast seen, till +the child shall come to Jerusalem. + +31 So Salome also departed, +approved by God. + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + 1 Wise men come from the east. + 3 Herod alarmed; + 8 desires them if they find the child to bring him word. + 10 They visit the cave and offer the child their treasure, + 11 and being warned in a dream, do not return to Herod, + but go home another way. + +THEN Joseph was preparing to +go away, because there arose +a great disorder in Bethlehem by +the coming of some wise men +from the east, + +2 Who said, Where is the King +of the Jews born? For we have +seen his star in the east, and are +come to worship him. + +3 When Herod heard this, he +was exceedingly troubled, and sent +messengers to the wise men, and +to the priests, and enquired of +them in the town-hall, + +4 And said unto them, Where +have you it written concerning +Christ the king, or where should +he be born? + +5 Then they say unto him, In +Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it +is written: And thou Bethlehem in +the land of Judah, art not the least +among the princes of Judah, for +out of thee shall come a ruler, +who shall rule my people Israel. + +6 And having sent away the +chief priests, he enquired of the +wise men in the town-hall, and +said unto them, What sign was it +ye saw concerning the king that is +born? + +7 They answered him, We saw +an extraordinary large star shining +among the stars of heaven, and so +out-shined all the other stars, as +that they became not visible, and +we knew thereby that a great king +was born in Israel, and therefore +we are come to worship him. + +8 Then said Herod to them, Go +and make diligent inquiry; and if +ye find the child, bring me word +again, that I may come and worship +him also. + +9 So the wise men went forth, +and behold, the star which they +saw in the east went before them, +till it came and stood over the cave +where the young child was with +Mary his mother. + +10 Then they brought forth out +of their treasures, and offered unto +him gold and frankincense, and +myrrh. + +11 And being warned in a dream +by an angel, that they should not +return to Herod through Judaea, +they departed into their own country +by another way. + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + 1 Herod enraged, orders the infants in Bethlehem to be slain. + 2 Mary puts her infant in an ox-manger. + 3 Elizabeth flees with her son John to the mountains. + 6 A mountain miraculously divides and receives them. + 9 Herod incensed at the escape of John, causes Zacharias + to be murdered at the altar. + 23 The roofs of the temple rent, the body miraculously + conveyed, and the blood petrified. + 25 Israel mourns for him. + 27 Simeon chosen his successor by lot. + +THEN Herod perceiving that +he was mocked by the wise +men, and being very angry, +commanded certain men to go and +to kill all the children that were +in Bethlehem, from two years old +and under. + +2 But Mary hearing that the +children were to be killed, being +under much fear, took the child, +and wrapped him up in swaddling +clothes, and laid him in an +ox-manger, because there was no +room for them in the inn. + +3 Elizabeth also, hearing that +her son John was about to be +searched for, took him and went +up unto the mountains, and looked +around for a place to hide him; + +4 And there was no secret place +to be found. + +5 Then she groaned within herself, +and said, O mountain of the Lord, +receive the mother with the child. + +6 For Elizabeth could not climb up, + +7 And instantly the mountain +was divided and received them. + +8 And there appeared to them +an angel of the Lord to preserve +them. + +9 But Herod made search after +John, and sent servants to Zacharias, +when he was (ministering) at the altar, +and said unto him, Where hast thou hid +thy son? + +10 He replied, to them, I am a +minister of God, and a servant at +the altar: how should I know +where my son is? + +11 So the servants went back, +and told Herod the whole; at +which he was incensed, and said, +Is not this son of his like to be +king of Israel? + +12 He sent therefore again his +servants to Zacharias, saying, Tell +us the truth, where is thy son, for +you know that your life is in my +hand. + +13 So the servants went and told +him all this: + +14 But Zacharias replied to +them, I am a martyr for God, and +if ye shed my blood, the Lord will +receive my soul. + +15 Besides know that ye shed +innocent blood. + +16 However Zacharias was murdered +in the entrance of the temple +said altar, and about the partition; + +17 But the children of Israel +knew not when he want killed. + +18 Then at the hour of salutation +the priests went into the temple +but Zacharias did not according +to custom, meet them and bless them. + +19 Yet they still continued +waiting for him to salute them; + +20 And when they found he did +not in a long time come, one of +them ventured into the holy place +where the altar was, and he saw +blood lying upon the ground +congealed: + +21 When, behold, a voice from +heaven said, Zacharias is murdered, +and his blood shall not be +wiped away, until the revenger +of his blood come. + +22 But when he heard this, he +was afraid; and went forth and told +the priests what he had seen and +heard; and they all went in, and +saw the fact. + +23 Then the roofs of the temple +howled, and were rent from the +top to the bottom: + +24 And they could not find the +body, but only blood made hard +like stone. + +25 And they went away, and +told the people, that Zacharias +was murdered, and all the tribes +of Israel heard thereof, and mourned +for him, and lamented three days: + +26 Then the priests took +council together concerning +a person to succeed him. + +27 And Simeon and the other +priests cast lots, and the lot fell +upon Simeon. + +28 For he had been assured by +the Holy Spirit, that he should not +die, till he had seen Christ come in +the flesh. + + (I James wrote this History in Jerusalem: and when the disturbance + was I retired into a desert place, until the death of Herod, and the + disturbances ceased at Jerusalem. That which remains is, that I + glorify God that he hath given me such wisdom to write unto you who + are spiritual, and who love God: to whom (be ascribed) glory and + dominion for ever and ever. Amen.) + + + + + THE PROTEVANGELION. + Note on the death of Zacharias in Chap. 16. + +There is a story both in the Jerusalem and Babylonish Talmud very similar +to this. It is cited by Dr. Lightfoot, Talmud, Hierosol, in Taanith, fol. +69; and Talmud. Babyl. in Sanhedr., fol. 96. "O Rabbi Jochanan said, +Eighty thousand priests were slain for the blood of Zacharias. Rabbi +Judas asked Rabbi Achan, Where did they kill Zacharias? Was it in the +woman's court, or in the court of Israel? He answered, Neither in the +court of Israel, nor in the court of women, but in the court of the +priests; and they did not treat his blood in the same manner as they were +wont to treat the blood of a ram or young goat. For of these it is +written, He shall pour out his blood, and cover it with dust. But it is +written here, The blood is in the midst of her: she set it upon the top +of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground. (Ezek. xxiv. 7.) But why +was this? That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance: I have +set his blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered. +They committed seven evils that day: they murdered a priest, a prophet, +and a king; they shed the blood of the innocent; they polluted the court: +that day was the Sabbath: and the day of expiation. When therefore +Nebuzaradan came there (viz. to Jerusalem,) he saw his blood bubbling, +and said to them, What meaneth this? They answered, It is the blood of +calves, lambs, and rams, which we have offered upon the altar. He +commanded then, that they should bring calves, and lambs, and rams, and +said I will try whether this be their blood: accordingly they brought +and slew them, but the blood of Zacharias still bubbled, but the blood of +these did not bubble. Then he said, Declare to me the truth of this +matter, or else I will comb your flesh with iron combs. Then said they to +him, He was a priest, prophet, and judge, who prophesied to Israel all +these calamities which we have suffered from you; but we arose against +him, and slew him. Then, said he, I will appease him; then he took the +rabbis and slew them upon his (viz. Zacharias's) blood, and he was not +yet appeased. Next he took the young boys from the schools, and slew them +upon his blood; and yet it bubbled. Then he brought the young priests and +slew them in the same place, and yet it still bubbled. So he slew at +length ninety-four thousand persons upon his blood, and it did not as yet +cease bubbling; then he drew near to it, and said, O Zacharias, +Zacharias, thou halt occasioned the death of the chief of thy +countrymen, shall I slay them all? then the blood ceased, and did bubble +no more." + + + + + REFERENCES TO THE PROTEVANGELION. + +[This Gospel is ascribed to James. The allusions to it in the ancient +Fathers are frequent, and their expressions indicate that it had +obtained a very general credit in the Christian world. The controversies +founded upon it chiefly relate to the age of Joseph at the birth of +Christ, and to his being a widower with children, before his marriage +with the Virgin. It seems material to remark, that the legends of the +latter ages affirm the virginity of Joseph, notwithstanding Epiphanius, +Hilary, Chrysostom, Cyril, Euthymius, Thephylaet, Occumenius, and indeed +all the Latin Fathers till Ambrose, and the Greek Fathers afterwards, +maintain the opinions of Joseph's age and family, founded upon their +belief in the authenticity of this book. It is supposed to have been +originally composed in Hebrew. Postellus brought the MS. of this Gospel +from the Levant, translated it into Latin, and sent it to Oporimus, +a printer at Basil, where Bibliander, a Protestant Divine, and the +Professor of Divinity at Zurich, caused it to be printed in 1552. +Postellus asserts that it was publicly read as canonical in the eastern +churches they making no doubt that James was the author, of it. It is, +nevertheless considered apocryphal by some of the most learned divines in +the Protestant and Catholic churches.] + + + + + + + THE FIRST GOSPEL OF + THE INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST. + + + +CHAPTER I. + + 1 Caiphas relates that Jesus, when in his cradle, + informed his mother that he was the Son of God. + 5 Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem to be taxed, Mary's + time of bringing forth arrives, and she goes into a cave. + 8 Joseph fetches in a Hebrew woman. The cave filled with + great lights. + 11 The infant born, + 17 and cures the woman. + 19 Arrival of the shepherds. + +THE following accounts we found +in the book of Joseph the +high-priest, called by some +Caiphas: + +2 He relates, that Jesus spake +even when he was in the cradle, +and said to his mother: + +3 Mary, I am Jesus the Son of +God, that word, which thou didst +bring forth according to the +declaration of the angel Gabriel to +thee, and my father hath sent me +for the salvation of the world. + +4 In the three hundred and +ninth year of the era of Alexander, +Augustus published a decree that +all persons should go to be taxed +in their own country. + +5 Joseph therefore arose, and +with Mary his spouse he went to +Jerusalem, and then came to Bethlehem, +that he and his family might be taxed +in the city of his fathers. + +6 And when they came by the cave, +Mary confessed to Joseph that her +time of bringing forth was come, +and she could not go on to the city, +and said, Let us go into this cave. + +7 At that time the sun was very +near going down. + +8 But Joseph hastened away, +that he might fetch her a midwife; +and when he saw an old Hebrew +woman who was of Jerusalem, he +said to her, Pray come hither, +good woman, and go into that cave, +and you will there see a woman +just ready to bring forth. + +9 It was after sunset, when the +old woman and Joseph with her +reached the cave, and they both +went into it. + +10 And behold, it was all filled +with lights, greater than the light +of lamps and candles, and greater +than the light of the sun itself. + +11 The infant was then wrapped +up in swaddling clothes, and sucking +the breasts of his mother St. +Mary. + +12 When they both saw this +light, they were surprised; the +old woman asked St. Mary, Art +thou the mother of this child? + +13 St. Mary replied, She was. + +14 On which the old woman +said, Thou art very different from +all other women. + +15 St. Mary answered, As there +is not any child like to my son, +so neither is there any woman like +to his mother. + +16 The old woman answered, +and said, O my Lady, I am come +hither that I may obtain an +everlasting reward. + +17 Then our Lady St. Mary +said to her, Lay thine hands upon +the infant, which, when she had +done, she became whole. + +18 And as she was going forth, +she said, From henceforth, all the +days of my life, I will attend upon +and be a servant of this infant. + +19 After this, when the shepherds +came, and had made a fire, and they +were exceedingly rejoicing, the +heavenly host appeared to them, +praising and adoring the supreme God. + +20 And as the shepherds were +engaged in the same employment, +the cave at that time seemed like +a glorious temple, because both +the tongues of angels and men +united to adore and magnify God, +on account of the birth of the Lord +Christ. + +21 But when the old Hebrew +woman saw all these evident miracles, +she gave praises to God, and +said, I thank thee, O God, thou +God of Israel, for that mine eyes +have seen the birth of the Saviour +of the world. + + + +CHAP. II. + + 1 The child circumcised in the cave, + 2 and the old woman preserving his foreskin or navel-string in a + box of spikenard, Mary afterwards anoints Christ with it. + 5 Christ brought to the temple; + 6 He shines, + 7 and angels stand around him adoring. + 8 Simeon praises Christ. + +AND when the time of his +circumcision was come: namely, +the eighth day, on which the +law commanded the child to be +circumcised; they circumcised +him in the cave. + +2 And the old Hebrew woman +took the foreskin (others say she +took the navel-string), and preserved +it in an alabaster-box of old oil +of spikenard. + +3 And she had a son who was a +druggist, to whom she said, Take +heed thou sell not this alabaster- +box of spikenard-ointment, although +thou shouldst be offered three +hundred pence for it. + +4 Now this is that alabaster- +box which Mary the sinner procured, +and poured forth the ointment out +of it upon the head and the feet +of our Lord Jesus Christ, and wiped +them off with the hairs of her head. + +5 Then after ten days they +brought him to Jerusalem, and on +the fortieth day from his birth +they presented him in the temple +before the Lord, making the proper +offerings for him, according +to the requirement of the law of +Moses: namely, that every male +which opens the womb shall be +called holy unto God. + +6 At that time old Simeon saw +him shining as a pillar of light, +when St. Mary the Virgin, his +mother, carried him in her arms, +and was filled with the greatest +pleasure at the sight. + +7 And the angels stood around +him, adoring him, as a king's +guards stand around him. + +8 Then Simeon going near to +St. Mary, and stretching forth his +hands towards her, said to the +Lord Christ, Now, O My Lord, +thy servant shall depart in peace, +according to thy word; + +9 For mine eyes have seen thy +mercy, which thou hast prepared +for the salvation of all nations; +a light to all people, and the glory +of thy people Israel. + +10 Hannah the prophetess was +also present, and drawing near, +she gave praises to God, and +celebrated the happiness of Mary. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 The wise men visit Christ. Mary gives them + one of his swaddling clothes. + 3 An angel appears to them in the form of a star. + 4 They return and make a fire, and worship the + swaddling cloth, and put it in the fire where it + remains unconsumed. + +AND it came to pass, when the +Lord Jesus was born at Bethlehem, +a city of Judaea, in the time of Herod +the King;--the wise men came from the +East to Jerusalem, according to the +prophecy of Zoradascht, [Zoroaster] +and brought with them offerings: +namely, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, +and worshipped him, and offered to him +their gifts. + +2 Then the Lady Mary took one +of his swaddling clothes in which +the infant was wrapped, and gave +it to them instead of a blessing, +which they received from her as a +most noble present. + +3 And at the same time there +appeared to them an angel in the +form of that star which had before +been their guide in their journey; +the light of which they followed +till they returned into their own +country. + +4 On their return their kings +and princes came to them inquiring, +whom they had seen and done? +What sort of journey and return +they had? What Company +they had on the road? + +5 But they produced the swaddling +cloth which St. Mary had given +them, on account whereof they kept +a feast. + +6 And having, according to the +custom of their country, made +a fire, they worshipped it. + +7 And casting the swaddling +cloth into it, the fire took it +and kept it. + +8 And when the fire was put out, +they took forth the swaddling cloth +unhurt, as much as if the fire had +not touched it. + +9 Then they began to kiss it, +and put it upon their heads and +their eyes saying, This is certainly +an undoubted truth, and it is really +surprising that the fire could not +burn it, and consume it. + +10 Then they took it, and with +the greatest respect laid it up +among their treasures. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + 1 Herod intends to put Christ to death. + 3 An angel warns Joseph to take the child + and his mother into Egypt. + 6 Consternation on their arrival. + 13 The idols fall down. + 15 Mary washes Christ's swaddling clothes, hangs them to + dry on a post, and the son of a priest puts one on his head; + 16 And being possessed of devils they leave him. + +NOW Herod perceiving that the +wise men did delay and not return +to him, called together the priest +and wise men, and said, Tell me in +what place the Christ should be born. + +2 And when they replied, in +Bethlehem,--a city of Judaea, he +began to contrive in his own mind +the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. + +3 But an angel of the Lord +appeared to Joseph in his sleep, +and said, Arise, take the child and +his mother, and go into Egypt as soon +as the cock crows. So he arose, +and went. + +4 And as he was considering +with himself about his journey, +the morning came upon him. + +5 In the length of the journey +the girts of the saddle broke. + +6 And now he drew near to a great +city, in which there was an idol, +to which the priests of the other +idols and gods of Egypt brought +their offerings and vows. + +7 And there was by this idol a +priest ministering to it, who, as +often as Satan spoke out of that +idol, related the things he said to +the inhabitants of Egypt, and those +countries. + +8 This priest had a son three +years old, who was possessed with +a great multitude of devils, who +uttered many strange things and +when the devils seized him, walked +about naked with his clothes torn, +throwing stones at those whom +he saw. + +9 Near to that idol was the inn +of the city, into which when Joseph +and St. Mary were come, and had +turned into that inn, all the +inhabitants of the city were +astonished. + +10 And all the magistrates and +priests of the idols assembled +before that idol, and made inquiry +there, saying, What means all this +consternation, and dread, which +has fallen upon all our country? + +11 The idol answered them, +The unknown God is come thither, +who is truly God; nor is there any +one besides him, who is worthy of +divine worship for he is truly the +Son of God. + +12 At the fame of him this +country trembled, and at his +coming it is under the present +commotion and consternation, and +we ourselves are afrighted by the +greatness of his power. + +13 And at the same instant this +idol fell down, and at his fall all +the inhabitants of Egypt, besides +others ran together. + +14 But the son of the priest, +when his usual disorder came upon +him going into the inn, found +there Joseph and St. Mary, whom +all the rest had left behind and +forsook. + +15 And when the Lady St. Mary +had washed the swaddling clothes +of the Lord Christ, and hanged +them out to dry upon a post, the +boy possessed with the devil took +down one of them, and put it upon +his head. + +16 And presently the devils +began to come out of his mouth, +and fly away in the shape of crows +and serpents. + +17 From that time the boy was +healed by the power of the Lord +Christ and he began to sing +praises, and give thanks to the +Lord who had healed him. + +18 When his father saw him +restored to his former state of +health, he said, My son, what has +happened to thee, and by what +means wert thou cured? + +19 The son answered, When the +devils seized me, I went into the +inn, and there found a very +handsome woman with a boy, whose +swaddling clothes she had just +before washed, and hanged out upon +a post. + +20 One of these I took, and put +it upon my head, and immediately +the devils left me, and fled away. + +21 At this the father exceedingly +rejoiced, and said, My son, +perhaps this boy is the son of the +living God, who made the heavens +and the earth. + +22 For as soon as he came +amongst us, the idol was broken, +and all the gods fell down, and +were destroyed by a greater power. + +23 Then was fulfilled the prophecy +which saith, Out of Egypt I have +called my son. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + 1 Joseph and Mary leave Egypt. + 3 Go to the Haunts of robbers, + 4 Who hearing a mighty noise, + as of a great army flee away. + +NOW Joseph and Mary when +they heard that the idol was +fallen down and destroyed, were +seized with fear and, trembling, +and said, When we Were in the +land of Israel, Herod, intending +to kill Jesus, slew for that purpose +all the infants at Bethlehem, and +that neighbourhood. + +2 And there is no doubt but +the Egyptians if they come to +hear that this idol is broken and +fallen down, will burn us with fire. + +3 They went therefore hence to +the secret places of robbers, who +robbed travellers as they pass by, +of their carriages and their clothes +and carried them away bound. + +4 These thieves upon their +coming heard a great noise such +as the noise of a king with a great +army, and many horse and the +trumpets sounding at his departure +from his own city, at which they +were so affrighted, as to leave +all their booty behind them and +fly away in haste. + +5 Upon this the prisoners arose, +and loosed each other's bonds, +and taking each man his bags, +they went way, and saw Joseph +and Mary coming towards them, +and inquired, Where is that king, +the noise of whose approach the +robbers heard, and left us, +so that we are now come off safe? + +6 Joseph answered, He will come +after us. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + 1 Mary looks on a woman in whom Satan had taken + up his abode, and she becomes dispossessed. + 5 Christ kissed by a bride made dumb by sorcerers, + cures her. + 11 Miraculously cures a gentlewoman in whom Satan + had taken up his abode. + 16 A leprous girl cured by the water in which he was + washed, and becomes the servant of Joseph and Mary. + 20 The leprous son of a prince's wife cured in like manner. + 37 Has mother offers large gifts to Mary, and dismisses her. + + +THEN they went into another +city where there was a woman +possessed with a devil, and in +whom Satan, that cursed rebel, +had taken up his abode. + +2 One night, when she went to +fetch water, she could neither +endure her clothes on, nor to be +in any house; but as often as they +tied her with chains or cords, she +brake them, and went out into desert +places, and sometimes standing +where roads crossed, and in +church yards, would throw stones +at men. + +3 When St. Mary saw this +woman, she pitied her; where +upon Satan presently left her, and +fled away in the form of a young +man, saying, Wo to me, because +of thee, Mary, and thy son. + +4 So the woman was delivered +from her torment; but considering +herself naked, she blushed, +and avoided seeing any man and +having put on her clothes, went +home, and gave an account of her +case to her father and relations +who, as they were the best of the +city, entertained St. Mary and +Joseph with the greatest respect. + +5 The next morning having +received a sufficient supply of +provisions for the road, they went +from them, and about the evening of +the day arrived at another town, +where a marriage was then about +to be solemnized; but by the arts +of Satan and the practices of a +sorcerers, the bride was become +so dumb, that she could not so +much as open her mouth. + +6 But when this dumb bride +saw the Lady St. Mary entering +into the town, and carrying +Lord Christ in her arms, she +stretched out her hands to the +Lord Christ, and-took him in her +arms, and closely hugging him, +very often kissed him, continually +moving him and, pressing him to +her body. + +7 Straightway the string of her +tongue was loosed, and her ears +were opened, and she began to +sing praises unto God, who had +restored her. + +8 So there was great joy among +the inhabitants of the town that +night, who thought that God and +his angels were come down among +them. + +9 In this place they abode +three days, meeting with the greatest +respect and most splendid entertainment. + +10 And being then furnished by +the people with provisions for the +road, they departed and went to +another city, in which they were +inclined to lodge, because it was a +famous place. + +11 There was in this city a +gentlewoman, who, as she went down +one day to the river to bathe, behold +cursed Satan leaped upon her in the +form of a serpent. + +12 And folded himself about her +belly, and every night lay upon +her. + +13 This woman seeing the Lady +St. Mary, and the Lord Christ the +infant in her bosom, asked the +Lady St. Mary, that she would +give her the child to kiss, and +carry in her arms. + +14 When she had consented, +and as soon as the woman had +moved the child, Satan left her, +and fled away, nor did the woman +ever afterwards see him. + +15 Hereupon all the neighbors +praised the Supreme God, and the +woman reward them with ample, +beneficence. + +16 On the morrow, the same +woman brought perfumed water to +wash the Lord Jesus; and when +she had washed him, she preserved +the water. + +17 And there was a girl there, +whose body was white with a +leprosy, who being sprinkled with +this water, and washed, was +instantly cleansed from her leprosy. + +18 The people therefore said +Without doubt Joseph and Mary, +and that boy are Gods, for they do +not look like mortals. + +19 And when they were making +ready to go away, the girl, who +had been troubled with the leprosy, +came and desired they would +permit her to go along with them; +so they consented and the girl went +with them till they came to a city +in which was the palace of a great +king, and whose house was not far +from the inn. + +20 Here they staid, and when +the girl went one day to the +prince's wife, and found her in a +sorrowful and mournful condition, +she asked her the reason of her +tears. + +21 She replied, wonder not at +my groans, for I am under a great +misfortune, of which I dare not +tell any one. + +22 But, says the, girl, if you +will entrust me with your private +grievance, perhaps I may find you +a remedy for it. + +23 Thou, therefore, says the +prince's wife, shall keep the +secret, and not discover it to +any one alive. + +24 I have been married to this +prince, who rules as king over +large dominions, and lived long +with him before he had any child +by me. + +25 At length I conceived by +him, but alas! I brought forth a +leprous son; which, when he saw +him would not own to be his, but +said to me, + +26 Either do thou kill him, or +send him to some nurse in such a +place, that he may be never heard +of; and now take care of yourself; +I will never see you more. + +27 So here I pine, lamenting +my wretched and miserable +circumstances. Alas, my son! alas, +my husband; Have I disclosed it +to you? + +28 The girl replied I have found +a remedy for your disease, which +I promise you, for I also was +leprous, but God hath cleansed +me, even he who is called Jesus +the son of the Lady Mary. + +29 The woman inquiring where +that God was, whom she spake +of; the girl answered, He lodges +with you here, in the same house. + +30 But how can this be? says +she; where is he? Behold, replied +the girl, Joseph and Mary; and +the infant who is, with them is +called Jesus; and it is he who +delivered me from my disease and +torment. + +31 But by what means, says she, +were you cleansed from your leprosy? +Will not you tell me that? + +32 Why not? says the girl; I +took the water with which his +body had been washed, and poured +it upon me, and my leprosy +vanished. + +33 The prince's wife then arose +and entertained them, providing a +great feast for Joseph among a +large company of men. + +34 And the next day took +perfumed water to wash the Lord +Jesus, and afterwards poured the +same water upon her son, whom +she had brought with her, and her +son was instantly cleansed from +his leprosy, + +35 Then she sang thanks and +unto God, and said, Blessed +is the mother that bare thee, +O Jesus! + +36 Dost thou thus cure men of +the same nature with thyself, with +the water with which thy body is +washed? + +37 She then offered very large +gifts to the Lady Mary, and sent +her away with all imaginable +respect. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + 1 A man who could not enjoy his wife, freed from his disorder. + 5 A young man who had been bewitched, and turned into a + mule miraculously cured by Christ being put on his back, + 28 and is married to the girl who had been cured of leprosy. + + +THEY came afterwards to another +city, and had a mind to lodge there. + + +2 Accordingly they went to a man's +house, who was newly married +but by the influence of sorcerers +could not enjoy his wife. + +3 But they lodging at his house +that night, the man was freed of +his disorder. + +4 And when they were preparing +early in the morning to go forward +on their journey, the new-married +person hindered them, and +provided a noble entertainment +for them. + +5 But going forward on the +morrow, they came to another +city, and saw three women going +from a certain grave with great +weeping. + +6 When St. Mary saw them, she +spake to the girl who was their +companion, saying, Go and inquire +of them, what is the matter with +them, and what misfortune has +befallen them? + +7 When the girl asked them, +they made her no answer, but +asked her again, Who are ye? and +where are you going? For the day +is far spent, and night is at hand. + +8 We are travellers, saith the +girl, and we are seeking for an inn +to lodge at. + +9 They replied, Go along with +us, and lodge with us. + +10 They then followed them, +and were introduced into a new +house, well furnished with all +sorts of furniture. + +11 Now it was winter-time, and +the girl went into the parlour +where these women were, and +found them weeping and lamenting +as before. + +12 By them stood a mule, covered +over with silk, and an ebony collar +hanging down from his neck, whom +they kissed and were feeding. + +13 But when the girl said, How +handsome, ladies, that mule is! +they replied with tears, and said, +This mule, which you see, was our +brother, born of this same mother +as we; + +14 For when our father died, +and left us a very large estate, and +we had only this brother, and we +endeavoured to procure him a suitable +match, and thought he should +be married as other men, some +giddy and jealous women bewitched +him without our knowledge. + +15 And we one night, a little before +day, while the doors of the house +were all shut fast, saw this our +brother was changed into a mule, +such as you now see him to be: + +16 And we in the melancholy +condition in which you see us, +having no father to comfort us, +have applied to all the wise men, +magicians, and diviners in the +world, but they have been of no +service to us. + +17 As often therefore as we find +ourselves oppressed with grief, we +rise and go with this our mother +to our father's tomb, where, when +we have cried sufficiently, we +return home. + +18 When the girl had heard this +she said, Take courage, and cease +your fears, for you have a remedy +for your afflictions near at hand +even amoung you and in the midst +of your house. + +19 For I was also leprous; but +when I saw this woman, and this +little infant with her, whose name +is Jesus, I sprinkled my body with +the water with which his mother +had washed him and I was +presently made well. + +20 And I am certain that he is +also capable of relieving you under +your distress. Wherefore arise, +go to my mistress Mary, and when +you have brought her into your +own parlour, disclose to her the +secret, at the same time earnestly +beseeching her to compassionate +your case. + +21 As soon as the women had +heard the girl's discourse, they +hastened away to the Lady St. +Mary, introduced themselves to +her, and sitting down before her, +they wept. + +22 And said, O our Lady St. +Mary, pity your handmaids, for +we have no head of our family, no +one elder than us; no father or +brother to go in or out before us. + +23 But this mule, which you +see, was our brother, which some +women by witchcraft have brought +into this condition which you see: +we therefore entreat you to +compassionate us. + +24 Hereupon St. Mary was +grieved at their case, and taking +the Lord Jesus, put him upon the +back of the mule. + +25 And said to her son, O Jesus +Christ, restore (or heal) according +to thy extraordinary power this +mule, and grant him to have again +the shape of a man and a rational +creature, as he had formerly. + +26 This was scarce said by the +Lady St. Mary, but the mule +immediately passed into a human +form, and became a young man +without any deformity. + +27 Then he and his mother and +the sisters worshipped the Lady +St. Mary, and lifting the child +upon their heads, they kissed him, +and said, Blessed is thy mother, +O Jesus, O Saviour of the world! +Blessed are the eyes which are +so happy to see thee. + +28 Then both the sisters told +their mother, saying, Of a truth, +our brother is restored to his former +shape by the help of the Lord +Jesus Christ, and the kindness +of that girl who told us of Mary +and her son. + +29 And inasmuch as our brother +is unmarried, it is fit that we +marry him to this girl their +servant. + +30 When they had consulted +Mary in this matter, and she had +given her consent, they made a +splendid wedding for this girl. + +31 And so their sorrow being +turned into gladness, and their +mourning into mirth, they began +to rejoice, and to make merry, +and sing, being dressed in their +richest attire, with bracelets. + +32 Afterwards they glorified and +praised God, saying, O Jesus, son +of David, who changest sorrow +into gladness, and mourning into +mirth! + +33 After this Joseph and Mary +tarried there ten days, then went +away, having received great +respect from these people. + +34 Who, when they took their +leave of them, and returned home, +cried, + +35 But especially the girl. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + 1 Joseph and Mary pass through a country infested by robbers. + 3 Titus a humane thief, offers Dumachus, his comrade, + forty groats to let Joseph and Mary pass unmolested. + 6 Jesus prophecies that the thieves Dumachus and Titus shall be + crucified with him and that Titus shall go before him into paradise. + 10 Christ causes a well to spring from a sycamore tree, and Mary + washes his coat in it. + 11 A balsam grows there from his sweat. They go to Memphis, where + Christ works more miracles. Return to Judea. + 15 Being warned, depart for Nazareth. + + +IN their journey from hence they +came into a desert country and +were told it was infested with +robbers; so Joseph and St. Mary +prepared to pass through it in the +night. + +2 And as they were going along, +behold they saw two robbers asleep +in the road, and with them a great +number of robbers, who were their +confederates, also asleep. + +3 The names of these two were +Titus and Dumachus; and Titus +said to Dumachus, I beseech thee +let these persons go along quietly, +that our company may not perceive +anything of them. + +4 But Damachus refusing, Titus +again said, I will give thee forty +groats, and as a pledge take my +girdle, which he gave him before +he had done speaking, that he +might not open his mouth or make +a noise. + +5 When the Lady St. Mary saw +the kindness which this robber did +shew them, she said to him, The +Lord God will receive thee to his +right hand and grant thee pardon +of thy sins. + +6 Then the Lord Jesus answered, +and said to his mother, When +thirty years are expired, O mother, +the Jews will crucify me at +Jerusalem; + +7 And these two thieves shall +be with me at the same time upon +the cross, Titus on my right hand, +and Dumachus on my left, and +from that time Titus shall go before +me into paradise; + +8 And when she had said, God +forbid this should be thy lot, O +my son, they went on to a city in +which were several idols; which, +as soon as they came near to it, +was turned into hills of sand. + +9 Hence they went to that +sycamore tree, which is now called +Matarea. + +10 And in Materea the Lord +Jesus caused a well to spring +forth, in which St. Mary washed +his coat; + +11 And a balsam is produced, +or grows, in that country, from +the sweat which ran down there +from the Lord Jesus. + +12 Thence they proceeded to +Memphis, and saw Pharoah, and +abode three years in Egypt. + +13 And the Lord Jesus did very +many miracles, in Egypt, which +are neither to be found in +Gospel of the Infancy nor in the +Gospel of Perfection. + +14 At the end of three years +he returned out of Egypt, and +when he came near to Judea, +Joseph was afraid to enter; + +15 For hearing that Herod was +dead, and that Archelaus his son +reigned in his stead, he was afraid. + +16 And when he went to Judea, +an, angel of God appeared to +him, and said, O Joseph go +into the city of Nazareth, and +abide there. + +17 It is strange indeed, that he, +who is the Lord of all countries, +should be thus carried backward and +forward, through so many countries. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +2 Two sick children cured by water +wherein Christ was washed. + +WHEN they came afterwards +into the city of Bethlehem, +they found there several very +desperate distempers, which became +so troublesome to children by seeing +them, that most of them died. + +2 There was there a woman who +had a sick son, whom she brought, +when he was at the point of death, +to the Lady St. Mary, who saw +her when she was washing Jesus +Christ. + +3 Then said the woman, O my +Lady Mary, look down upon this +my son, who is afflicted with most +dreadful pains. + +4 St. Mary hearing her, said, +Take a little of that water with +which I have washed my son, and +sprinkle it upon him. + +5 Then she took a little of that +water, as St. Mary had commanded, +and sprinkled it upon her son, +who being wearied with his violent +pains, was fallen asleep; and after +he had slept a little, awaked +perfectly well and recovered. + +6 The mother being abundantly +glad of this success, went again to +St. Mary, and St. Mary said to +her, Give praise to God, who hath +cured this thy son. + +7 There was in the same place +another woman, a neighbour of +her, whose son was now cured. + +8 This woman's son was afflicted +with the same disease, and his eyes +were now almost quite shut, and +she was lamenting for him day +and night. + +9 The mother of the child which +was cured, said to her, Why do +you not bring your son to St. Mary, +as I brought my son to her, when +he was in the agonies of death; +and he was cure by that water, +with which the body of her son +Jesus was washed? + +10 When the woman heard her +say this, she also went, and having +procured the same water, washed +her son with it, whereupon his +body and his eyes were instantly +restored to their former state. + +11 And when she brought her +son to St. Mary, and opened his +case to her, she commanded her to +give thanks to God for the recovery +of her son's health, and tell +no one what had happened. + + + +CHAPTER X. + + 1 Two wives of one man, each have a son sick. + 2 One of them named Mary, and whose son's name was Caleb, + presents the Virgin with a handsome carpet, and Caleb is cured; + but the son of the other wife dies, + 4 which occasions a difference between the women. + 5 The other wife puts Caleb into a hot oven, and he is + miraculously preserved, + 9 she afterwards throws him into a well, + and he is again preserved; + 11 his mother appeals to the Virgin against the other wife, + 12 whose downfall the Virgin prophecies, + 13 and who accordingly falls into the well, + 14 therein fulfilling a saying of old. + +THERE were in the same city +two wives of one man, who +had each a son sick. One of them +was called Mary, and her son's +name was Caleb. + +2 She arose, and taking her son, +went to the Lady St. Mary, the +mother of Jesus, and offered her a +very handsome carpet, saying, O +my Lady Mary accept this carpet +of me, and instead of it give me a +small swaddling cloth. + +3 To this Mary agreed, and +when the mother of Caleb was +gone, she made a coat for her son +of the swaddling cloth, put it on +him, and his disease was cured; +but the son of the other wife died. + +4 Hereupon there arose between +them a difference in doing +the business of the family by turns, +each her week; + +5 And when the turn of Mary +the mother of Caleb came, and she +was heating the oven to bake +bread, and went away to fetch the +meal, she left her son Caleb by the +oven; + +6 Whom the other wife, her +rival, seeing to be by himself, +took and cast him into the oven, +which was very hot, and then went +away. + +7 Mary on her return saw her +son Caleb lying in the middle of +the oven laughing, and the oven +quite as cold as though it had not +been before heated, and knew that +her rival the other wife had thrown +him into the fire. + +8 When she took him out, she +brought him to the Lady St. Mary, +and told her the story, to whom +she replied, Be quiet, I am +concerned lest thou shouldest make +this matter known. + +9 After this her rival, the other +wife, as she was drawing water at +the well, and saw Caleb playing +by the well, and that no one was +near, took him, and threw him +into the well. + +10 And when some men came to +fetch water from the well, they +saw the boy sitting on the +superficies of the water, and +drew him out with ropes, and were +exceedingly surprised at the child, +and praised God. + +11 Then came the mother and +took him and carried him to the +Lady St. Mary, lamenting, and +saying, O my Lady, see what my +rival hath done to my son, and +how she hath cast him into the +well, and I do not question but +one time or other she will be the +occasion of his death. + +12 St. Mary replied to her, God +will vindicate your injured cause. + +13 Accordingly a few days after, +when the other wife came to the +well to draw water, her foot was +entangled in the rope, so that she +fell headlong into the well, and +they who ran to her assistance +found her skull broken, and bones +bruised. + +14 So she came to a bad end, +and in her was fulfilled that saying +of the author, They digged a well, +and made it deep, but fell themselves +into the pit which they prepared. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + 1 Bartholomew, when a child and sick, miraculously + restored by being laid on Christ's bed. + +ANOTHER woman in that city +had likewise two sons sick. + +2 And when one was dead, the +other, who lay at the point of +death, she took in her arms to the +Lady St. Mary, and in a flood of +tears addressed herself to her, +saying, + +3 O my Lady, help and relieve +me; for I had two sons, the one I +have just now buried, the other I +see is fast at the point of death +behold how I (earnestly) seek for +your from God, and pray to him. + +4 Then she said, O Lord, thou +art gracious, and merciful, and +kind; thou, hast given me two +sons; one of them thou halt taken +to thyself, O spare me this other. + +5 St. Mary then perceiving the +greatness of her sorrow, pitied her +and said, Do thou place thy son in +my son's bed, and cover him with +his clothes. + +6 And when she had placed him +in the bed wherein Christ lay, +at the moment when his eyes were +just closed by death; as soon as +ever the small of the garments of +the Lord Jesus Christ reached the +boy, his eyes were opened, and +calling with a loud voice to his +mother, he asked for bread, and +when he had received it, he sucked +it. + +7 Than his mother said, O Lady +Mary, now I am assured that the +powers of God do dwell in you, so +that thy son can cure children who +are of the same sort as himself, as +soon as they touch his garments. + +8 This boy, who was thus cured, +is the same who in the Gospel is +called Bartholomew. + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + A leprous woman healed by Christ's washing water. + 7 A princess healed by it and restored to her husband. + + +AGAIN, there was a leprous +woman who went to the Lady +St. Mary, the mother of Jesus, +and said, O my Lady, help me. + +2 St. Mary replied, What help +does thou desire? Is it gold or +silver, or that thy body be cured +of its leprosy? + +3 Who, says the woman, can +grant me this? + +4 St. Mary replied to her, Wait +a little till I have washed my son +Jesus, and put him to bed. + +5 The woman waited, as she +was commanded; and Mary when +she had put Jesus in bed, giving +her the water with which she had +washed his body, said, Take some +of the water, and pour it upon thy +body; + +6 Which when she had done, +she instantly became clean, and +praised God, and gave thanks to +him. + +7 Then she went away, after +she had abode with her three +days; + +8 And going into the city, she +saw a certain prince, who had +married another prince's daughter; + +9 But when he came to see her, +he perceived between her eyes the +signs of leprosy like a star, and +thereupon declared the marriage +dissolved and void. + +10 When the woman saw these +persons in this condition, exceeding +sorrowful, and shedding abundance +of tears, she inquired of them +the reason of their crying; + +11 They replied, inquire not +into our circumstances; for we +are not able to declare our +misfortunes to any, person, +whatsoever. + +12 But she still pressed and +desired them to communicate their +case to her; intimating, that she +might be able to direct them +to a remedy. + +13 So when they showed the young +woman to her, and the signs +of the leprosy, which appeared +between her eyes; + +14 She said, I also whom ye +see in this place, was afflicted +with the same distemper, and going +on some business to Bethlehem, I +went into a certain cave, and saw +a woman named Mary, who had a +son called Jesus. + +15 She seeing me to be leprous, +was concerned for me, and gave +me some water with which she +had washed her son's body, with +that I sprinkled my body, and +became clean. + +16 Then said these women, Will +you Mistress, go along with us, +and show the Lady St. Mary to +us? + +17 To which she consenting, +they arose and went to the Lady +St. Mary, taking with them very +noble presents. + +18 And when they came in and +offered their presents to her, +they showed the leprous young woman +whom they brought with them to +her. + +19 Then said St. Mary, The +mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ +rest upon you; + +20 And giving them a little of +that water, with which she had +washed the body of Jesus Christ, +she bade them wash the diseased +person with it, which when they +had done, she was presently +cured; + +21 So they, and all who were +present, praised God; and being +filled with joy, they went back to +their own city, and gave praises to +God on that account. + +22 Then the prince hearing that +his wife was cured, took her home +and made a second marriage, giving +thanks unto God for the recovery +of his wife's health. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + 1 A girl, whose blood Satan sucked receives one + of Christ's swaddling clothes from the Virgin, + 14 Satan comes like a dragon, and she shews it to him; + flames and burning coals proceed from it and fall upon him; + 19 he is miraculously discomfited, and leaves the girl. + +THERE was also a girl, who +was afflicted by Satan, + +2 For that cursed spirit did +frequently appear to her in the shape +of a dragon, and was inclined to +swallow her up, and had so sucked +out all her blood, that she looked +like a dead carcass. + +3 As often as she came to herself, +with her hands wringed about +her head she would cry out, and +say, Wo, Wo is me, that there is +no one to be found, who can deliver +me from that impious dragon! + +4 Her father and mother, and +all who were about her and saw +her, mourned and wept over her; + +5 And all who were present +would especially be under sorrow +and in tears, when they heard her +bewailing and saying, My brethren +and friends, is here no one who can +deliver me from this murderer? + +6 Then the prince's daughter, +who had been cured of her leprosy, +hearing the complaint of that girl, +went upon the top of her castle, +and saw her with her hands twisted +about her head, pouring out a flood +of tears, and all the people that +were about her in tears. + +7 Then she asked the husband +of the possessed person, Whether +his wife's mother was alive? He +told her, That her father and +mother were both alive, + +8 Then she ordered her mother +to be sent to her; to whom, when +she saw her coming, she said, +Is this possessed girl thy daughter? +She moaning and bewailing said, +Yes madam I bore her. + +9 The prince's daughter answered, +Disclose the secret of her case to me, +for I confess to you that I was leprous, +but the Lady Mary, the mother of +Jesus Christ, healed me. + +10 And if you desire your +daughter to be restored to her +former state, take her to Bethlehem, +and inquire for Mary the mother +of Jesus, and doubt not but your +daughter will be cured; for I do +not question but you will come +home with great joy at your +daughter's recovery. + +11 As soon as ever she had done +speaking, she arose and went with +her daughter to the place appointed, +and to Mary, and told her the case +of her daughter. + +12 When St. Mary had heard +her story, she gave her a little +of the water with which she had +washed the body of her son Jesus, +and bade her pour it upon the +body of her daughter. + +13 Likewise she gave her one of +the swaddling cloths of the Lord +Jesus, and said, Take this swaddling +cloth, and shew it to thine +enemy as often as thou seest him +and she sent them away in +peace. + +14 After they had left that +city and returned home, and the +time was come in which Satan was +wont to seize her, in the same +moment this cursed spirit appeared +to her in the shape of a huge +dragon, and the girl seeing him +was afraid, + +15 The mother said to her, Be +not afraid, daughter; let him alone +till he come nearer to thee! then +shew him the swaddling cloth, +which the Lady Mary gave us, and +we shall see the event. + +16 Satan then coming like a +dreadful dragon, the body of the +girl trembled for fear. + +17 But as soon as she had put +the swaddling cloth upon her +head, and about her eyes, and +chewed it to him, presently there +issued forth from the swaddling +cloth flames and burning coals, +and fell upon the dragon. + +18 Oh! how great a miracle was +this, which was done: as soon as +the dragon saw the swaddling +cloth of the Lord Jesus, fire went +forth and was scattered upon his +head and eyes; so that he cried +out with a loud voice, What have +I to do with thee, Jesus, thou son +of Mary? Whither shall I flee +from thee? + +19 So he drew back much +affrighted, and left the girl. + +20 And she was delivered from +this trouble, and sang praises and +thanks to God, and with her all +who were present at the working +of the miracle. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + 1 Judas when a boy possessed by Satan, and brought up + by his parents to Jesus to be cured, whom he tries to bite, + 7 but failing, strikes Jesus and makes him cry out. + Whereupon Satan goes from Jesus in the shape of a dog. + +ANOTHER woman likewise +lived there, whose son was +possessed by Satan, + +2 This boy, named Judas, as +often as Satan seized him, was +inclined to bite all that were +present; and if he found no one else +near him, he would bite his own +hands and other parts. + +3 But the mother of this miserable +boy, hearing of St. Mary and her son +Jesus, arose presently and taking +her son in her arms, brought him +to the Lady Mary. + +4 In the meantime, James and +Joses had taken away the infant, +the Lord Jesus, to play at a proper +season with other children; +and when they went forth, they +sat down and the Lord Jesus with +them. + +5 Then Judas, who was possessed, +came and sat down at the right hand +of Jesus. + +6 When Satan was acting upon him +as usual, he went about to bite +the Lord Jesus. + +7 And because he could not do +it, he struck Jesus on the right +side, so that he cried out. + +8 And in the same moment Satan +went out of the boy, and ran +away like a mad dog. + +9 This same boy who struck +Jesus, and out of whom Satan went +in the form of a dog, was Judas +Iscariot, who betrayed him to the +Jews. + +10 And that same side, on which +Judas: struck him, the Jews +pierced with a spear. + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + 1 Jesus and other boys play together, + and make clay figures of animals. + 4 Jesus causes them to walk, + 6 also makes clay birds, which he causes to fly, + and eat and drink. + 7 The children's parents alarmed, + and take Jesus for a sorcerer. + 8 He goes to a dyer's shop, and throws all the + cloths into the furnace, and works a miracle therewith. + 15 Whereupon the Jews praise God. + +AND when the Lord Jesus was +seven years of age, he was +on a certain day with other boys +his companions about the same +age; + +2 Who, when they were at play, +made clay into several shapes, +namely--asses, oxen, birds, and +other figures; + +3 Each boasting of his work, +and endeavouring to exceed the +rest. + +4 Then the Lord Jesus said to +the boys, I will command these +figures which I have made to +walk. + +5 And immediately they moved, +and when he commanded them to +return, they returned. + +6 He had also made the figures +of birds and sparrows, which, +when he commanded to fly, did +fly, and when he commanded to +stand still, did stand still; and if +he gave them meat and drink, they +did eat and drink. + +7 When at length the boys went +away, and related these things to +their parents, their fathers said to +them, Take heed, children, for the +future of his company, for he is a +sorcerer; shun and avoid him, and +from henceforth never play with +him. + +8 On a certain day also, when +the Lord Jesus was playing with +the boys, and running about, he +passed by a dyer's shop, whose +name was Salem. + +9 And there were in his shop +many pieces of cloth belonging to +the people of that city, which they +designed to dye of several colours. + +10 Then the Lord Jesus going +into the dyer's shop, took all the +cloths, and threw them into the +furnace. + +11 When Salem came home, and +saw the cloths spoiled, he began to +make a great noise, and to chide +the Lord Jesus, saying, + +12 What hast thou done to me, +O thou son of Mary? Thou hast +injured both me and my neighbours; +they all desired their cloths +of a proper colour; but thou hast +come and spoiled them all. + +13 The Lord Jesus replied, I +will change the colour of every +cloth to what colour thou desirest. + +14 And then he presently began +to take the cloths out of the furnace, +and they were all dyed of those same +colours which the dyer desired. + +15 And when the Jews saw this +surprising miracle, they praised +God. + + + +CHAP. XVI. + + 1 Christ miraculously widens or contracts the gates, + milk pails, sieves, or boxes, not properly made by Joseph, + 4 he not being skilful at his carpenter's trade. + 5 The King of Jerusalem gives Joseph an order for a throne. + 6 Joseph works on it for two years in the king's palace, + and makes it two spans too short. The king being angry with him, + 10 Jesus comforts him, + 13 commands him to pull one side of the throne, while he + pulls the other, and brings it to its proper dimensions. + 14 Whereupon the bystanders praise God. + +AND Joseph, wheresoever he +went in the city, took the +Lord Jesus with him, where he +was sent for to work to make +gates, or milk-pails, or sieves, or +boxes; the Lord Jesus was with +him, wheresoever he went. + +2 And as often as Joseph had +anything in his work, to make +longer, or shorter, or wider, or +narrower, the Lord Jesus would +stretch his hand towards it. + +3 And presently it became as +Joseph would have it: + +4 So that he had no need to +finish anything with his own hands, +for he was not very skilful at his +carpenter's trade. + +5 On a certain time the King +of Jerusalem sent for him, and +said, I would have thee make me +a throne of the same dimensions +with that place in which I +commonly sit. + +6 Joseph obeyed, and forthwith +began the work, and continued two +years in the king's palace before +he finished it. + +7 And when he came to fix it +in its place, he found it wanted +two spans on each side of the +appointed measure. + +8 Which when the king saw, +he was very angry with Joseph; + +9 And Joseph afraid of the +king's anger, went to bed without +his supper, taking not any thing +to eat. + +10 Then the Lord Jesus asked +him, What he was afraid of? + +11 Joseph replied, Because I +have lost my labour in the work +which I have been about these two +years. + +12 Jesus said to him, Fear not, +neither be cast down; + +13 Do thou lay hold on one side +of the throne, and I will the other, +and we will bring it to its just +dimensions. + +14 And when Joseph had done +as the Lord Jesus said, and each +of them had with strength drawn +his side, the throne obeyed, and +was brought to the proper +dimensions of the place: + +15 Which miracle when they +who stood by saw, they were +astonished, and praised God. + +16 The throne was made of the +same wood which was in being +in Solomon's time, namely, wood +adorned with various shapes, and +figures. + + + +CHAP. XVII. + + 1 Jesus plays with boys at hide and seek. + 3 Some women put his playfellows in a furnace, + 7 where they are transformed by Jesus into kids. + 10 Jesus calls them to go and play, and they + are restored to their former shape. + +ON another day the Lord Jesus +going out into the street, +and seeing some boys who were +met to play, joined himself to their +company. + +2 But when they saw him, they +hid themselves, and left him to +seek for them; + +3 The Lord Jesus came to the +gate of a certain house, and asked +some women who were standing +there, Where the boys were gone? + +4 And when they answered, +That there was no one there; the +Lord Jesus said, Who are those +whom ye see in the furnace? + +5 They answered, They were +kids of three years old. + +6 Then Jesus cried out aloud, +and said, Come out hither, O ye +kids, to your shepherd; + +7 And presently the boys came +forth like kids, and leaped about +him; which when the women saw, +they were exceedingly amazed, and +trembled, + +8 Then they immediately worshipped, +the Lord Jesus, and beseeched him, +saying, O our Lord Jesus, son of +Mary, thou art truly that good +shepherd of Israel! have mercy +on thy handmaids, who stand before +thee, who do not doubt, but that +thou, O Lord, art come to save, +and not to destroy. + +9 After that, when the Lord +Jesus said, the children of Israel +are like Ethiopians among the +people; the women said, Thou, +Lord, knowest all things, nor is +any thing concealed from thee: +but now we entreat thee, and +beseech of thy mercy, that thou +wouldest restore those boys to +their former state. + +10 Then Jesus said, Come hither, +O boys, that we may go and +play; and immediately, in the +presence of these women, the kids +were changed, and returned into +the shape of boys. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + 1 Jesus becomes the king of his playfellows, + and they crown him with flowers; + 4 miraculously causes a serpent who had + bitten Simon the Canaanite, then a boy, + to suck out all the poison again; + 16 the serpent bursts, and Christ restores the boy to health. + + +IN the month Adar Jesus +gathered together the boys, and +ranked them as though he had +been a king. + +2 For they spread their garments +on the ground for him to sit +on; and having made a crown of +flowers, put it upon his head, and +stood on his right and left as the +guards of a king. + +3 And if any one happened to +pass by, they took him by force, +and said, Come hither, and worship +the king, that you may have a +prosperous journey. + +4 In the mean time, while +these things were doing, there +came certain men, carrying a boy +upon a couch; + +5 For this boy having gone with +his companions to the mountain to +gather wood, and having found +there a partridge's nest, and put +his hand in to take out the eggs, +was stung by a poisonous serpent, +which leaped out of the nest; so +that he was forced to cry out for +the help of his companions; who, +when they came, found him lying +upon the earth like a dead person. + +6 After which his neighbours +came and carried him back into +the city. + +7 But when they came to the +place where the Lord Jesus, was +sitting like a king, and the other +boys stood around him like his +ministers, the boys made haste to +meet him, who was bitten by the +serpent, and said to his neighbours, +Come and pay your respects to the +king; + +8 But when, by reason of their +sorrow, they refused to come, the +boys drew them, and forced them +against their wills to come. + +9 And when they came to the +Lord Jesus, he inquired, On what +account they carried that boy? + +10 And when they answered that +a serpent had bitten him, the Lord +Jesus said to the boys, Let us go +and kill that serpent. + +11 But when the parents of the +boy desired to be excused, because +their son lay at the point of death; +the boys made answer, and said, +Did not ye hear what the king +said? Let us go and kill the serpent; +and will not ye obey him? + +12 So they brought the couch +back again, whether they would +or not. + +13 And when they were come to +the nest, the Lord Jesus said to +the boys, Is this the serpent's +lurking place? They said, It was. + +14 Then the Lord Jesus calling +the serpent, it presently came forth +and submitted to him; to whom he +said, Go and suck out all the poison +which thou hast infused into that +boy: + +15 So the serpent crept to the +boy, and took away all its poison +again. + +16 Then the Lord Jesus cursed +the serpent, so that it immediately +burst asunder, and died; + +17 And he touched the boy with +his hand to restore him to his +former health; + +18 And when he began to cry, +the Lord Jesus said, Cease crying +for hereafter thou shall be my +disciple; + +19 And this is that Simon the +Canaanite, who is mentioned in +the Gospel. + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + 1 James being bitten by a viper, + Jesus blows on the wound and cures him. + 4 Jesus charged with throwing a boy from + the roof of a house, + 10 miraculously raises the dead boy to acquit him; + 12 fetches water for his mother, breaks the pitcher + and miraculously gathers the water in his mantle + and brings it home; + 16 makes fish pools on the Sabbath, + 20 causes a boy to die who broke them down, + 22 another boy runs against him, + whom he also causes to die. + +ON another day Joseph sent his +son James to gather wood, +and the Lord Jesus went with +him; + +2 And when they came to the +place where the wood was, and +James began to gather it, behold, +a venomous viper bit him, so that +he began to cry, and make a +noise. + +3 The Lord Jesus seeing him in +this condition, came to him, and +blowed upon the place where the +viper had bit him, and it was +instantly well. + +4 On a certain day the Lord +Jesus was with some boys, who +were playing on the house-top, +and one of the boys fell down, and +presently died. + +5 Upon which the other boys all +running away, the Lord Jesus was +left alone on the house-top. + +6 And the boy's relations came +to him and said to the Lord Jesus, +Thou didst throw our son down +from the house-top. + +7 But he denying it, they cried +out, Our son is dead, and this is +he who killed him. + +8 The Lord Jesus replied to +them, Do not charge me with a +crime of which you are not able to +convict me, but let us go and ask +the boy himself, who will bring +the truth to light. + +9 Then the Lord Jesus going +down stood over the head of the +dead boy, and said with a loud +voice, Zeinunus, Zeinunus, who +threw thee down from the housetop? + +10 Then the dead boy answered, +thou didst not throw me down, +but such a one did. + +11 And when the Lord Jesus +bade those who stood by to take +present praised God on account +of that miracle. + +12 On a certain time the +Lady St. Mary had commanded +the Lord Jesus to fetch her some +water out of the well; + +13 And when he had gone to +fetch the water, the pitcher, when +it was brought up full, brake; + +14 But Jesus spreading his mantle +gathered up the water again, +and brought it in that to his +mother; + +15 Who, being astonished at +this wonderful thing, laid up this, +and all the other things which she +had seen, in her memory. + +16 Again on another day the +Lord Jesus was with some boys +by a river, and they drew water +out of the river by little channels, +and made little fish-pools. + +17 But the Lord Jesus had +made twelve sparrows, and placed +them about his pool on each side, +three on a side. + +18 But it was the Sabbath day, +and the son of Hanani a Jew came +by, and saw them making these +things, and said, Do ye thus make +figures of clay on the Sabbath? +And he ran to them, and broke +down their fish-pools. + +19 But when the Lord Jesus +clapped his hands over the sparrows +which he had made, they fled away +chirping. + +20 At length the son of Hanani +coming to the fish-pool of Jesus +to destroy it, the water vanished +away, and the Lord Jesus said to +him, + +21 In like manner as this water +had vanished, so shall thy life +vanish; and presently the boy +died. + +22 Another time, when the +Lord Jesus was coming home in +the evening with Joseph, he met +a boy, who ran so hard against +him, that he threw him down; + +23 To whom the Lord Jesus +said, As thou hast thrown me +down, so shalt thou fall, nor ever +rise. + +24 And that moment the boy +fell down and died. + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + 4 Christ sent to school to Zaccheus to learn + his letters, and teaches Zaccheus. + 13 Sent to another schoolmaster, + 14 refuses to tell his letters, and the schoolmaster + going to whip him, his hand withers and he dies. + +THERE was also at Jerusalem +one named Zaccheus, who +was a schoolmaster: + +2 And he said to Joseph, Joseph, +why dost thou not send Jesus to me, +that he may learn his letters? + +3 Joseph agreed, and told St. Mary; + +4 So they brought him to that +master; who, as soon as he saw +him, wrote out an alphabet for him, + +5 And he bade him say Aleph; +and when he had said Aleph, the +master bade him pronounce Beth. + +6 Then the Lord Jesus said to +him, Tell me first the meaning of +the letter Aleph, and then I will +pronounce Beth. + +7 And when the master threatened +to whip him, the Lord Jesus +explained to him the meaning of +the letters Aleph and Beth; + +8 Also which were the straight +figures of the letters, which the +oblique, and what letters had +double figures; which had points, +and which had none; why one +letter went before another; and +many other things he began to tell +him, and explain, of which the +master himself had never heard, +nor read in any book. + +9 The Lord Jesus farther said +to the master, Take notice how I +say to thee; then he began clearly +and distinctly to say Aleph, Beth, +Gimel, Daleth, and so on to the +end of the alphabet. + +10 At this the master was so +surprised, that he said, I believe +this boy was born before Noah; + +11 And turning to Joseph, he +said, Thou hast brought a boy to +me to be taught, who is more +learned than any master. + +12 He said also to St. Mary, +This your son has no need of any +learning. + +13 They brought him then +to a more learned master, who, +when he saw him, said, say Aleph; + +14 And when he had said Aleph, +the master bade him pronounce +Beth; to which the Lord Jesus +replied, Tell me first the meaning +of the letter Aleph, and then I +will pronounce Beth. + +15 But this master, when he did +lift up his hand to whip him, had +his hand presently withered, and +he died. + +16 Then said Joseph to St. Mary, +Henceforth we will not allow him +to go out of the house; for every +one who displeases him is killed. + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + [Compare Luke ii. 42, whose meagre account is deficient + of the sublime details here given of the subjects disputed upon.] + + 1 Disputes learnedly with the doctors in the temple, + 7 on law, + 9 on astronomy, + 12 on physics and metaphysics. + 21 Is worshipped by a philosopher, + 28 and fetched home by his mother. + +AND when he was twelve years +old, they brought him to +Jerusalem to the feast; and when +the feast was over, they returned. + +2 But the Lord Jesus continued +behind in the temple among the +doctors and elders, and learned +men of Israel; to whom he proposed +several questions of learning, +and also gave them answers: + +3 For he said to them, Whose +son is the Messiah? They answered, +the son of David. + +4 Why then, said he, does he in +the spirit call him Lord? When he +saith, The Lord said to my Lord, +sit thou at my right hand, till I +have made thine enemies thy foot- +stool. + +5 Then a certain principal Rabbi +asked him, Hast thou read books? + +6 Jesus answered, he had read +both books, and the things which +were contained in books. + +7 And he explained to them the +books of the law, and precepts, +and statutes: and the mysteries +which are contained in the books +of the prophets; things which +the mind of no creature could +reach. + +8 Then said that Rabbi, I never +yet have seen or heard of such +knowledge! What do you think +that boy will be? + +9 When a certain astronomer, +who was present, asked the Lord +Jesus, Whether he had studied +astronomy? + +10 The Lord Jesus replied, and +told him the number of the spheres +and heavenly bodies, as also their +triangular, square, and sextile +aspect; their progressive and +retrograde motion; their size and +several prognostications; and other +things which the reason of man +had never discovered. + +11 There was also among them +a philosopher well skilled in +physic and natural philosophy, +who asked the Lord Jesus, Whether +he had studied physic? + +12 He replied, and explained to +him physics and metaphysics. + +13 Also those things which were +above and below the power of nature; + +14 The powers also of the body, +its humours, and their effects. + +15 Also the number of its members, +and bones, veins, arteries, +and nerves; + +16 The several constitutions of +body, hot and dry, cold and moist, +and the tendencies of them; + +17 How the soul operated upon +the body; + +18 What its various sensations +and faculties, were; + +19 The faculty of speaking, anger, +desire; + +20 And lastly the manner of its +composition and dissolution; and +other things, which the +understanding of no creature +had ever reached. + +21 Then that philosopher arose, +and worshipped the Lord Jesus, +and said, O Lord Jesus, from +henceforth I will be thy disciple +and servant. + +22 While they were discoursing +on these and such like things, +the Lady St. Mary came in, having +been three days walking about +with Joseph, seeking for him. + +23 And when she saw him sitting +among the doctors, and in his turn +proposing questions to them, and +giving answers, she said to him, +My son, why hast thou done thus +by us? Behold I and thy father +have been at much pains in +seeking thee. + +24 He replied, Why did ye seek +me? Did ye not know that I ought +to be employed in my father's +house? + +25 But they understood not the +words which he said to them. + +26 Then the doctors asked Mary, +Whether this were her son? And +when she said, He was, they said, +O happy Mary, who hast borne +such a son. + +27 Then he returned with them +to Nazareth, and obeyed them in +all things. + +28 And his mother kept all these +things in her mind; + +29 And the Lord Jesus grew in +stature and wisdom, and favour +with God and man. + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + 1 Jesus conceals his miracles, + 2 studies the law, + 3 and is baptized. + +NOW from this time Jesus began +to conceal his miracles and +secret works, + +2 And gave himself to the study +of the law, till he arrived to the +end of his thirtieth year; + +3 At which time the Father publicly +owned him at Jordan, sending +down this voice from heaven, This +is my beloved son, in whom I am +well pleased; + +4 The Holy Ghost being also +present in the form of a dove. + +5 This is he whom we worship +with all reverence, because he gave +us our life and being, and brought +us from our mother's womb, +Glory to God, + +6 Who, for our sakes, took a +human body, and hath redeemed +us, that so he might embrace +us with everlasting mercy, and +shew his free, large, bountiful +grace and goodness to us. + +7 To him be glory and praise, +and power, and dominion, from +henceforth said for evermore. +Amen. + +(The end of the whole Gospel of +the Infancy, by the assistance of +the Supreme God, according to +what we found in the original.) + + + + + REFERENCES TO THE FIRST GOSPEL OF + THE INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST + +[Mr. Henry Sike, Professor of Oriental Languages at Cambridge, first +translated and published this Gospel in 1697. It was received by the +Gnostics, a sect of Christians in the second century; and several of its +relations were credited in the following ages by other Christians, viz., +Eusebius, Athanasius, Epiphanius; Chrysostom. &c. Sozomen says, he was +told by many, and he credits the relations, of the idols in Egypt falling +down on Joseph, and Mary's flight thither with Christ; and of Christ +making a well to wash his clothes in a sycamore-tree, from whence balsam +afterwards proceeded; which stories are from this Gospel. Chemnitius, out +of Stipulensis, who had it from Peter Martyr, Bishop of Alexandria, in +the third century, says, that the place in Egypt where Christ was +banished is now called Matarea, about ten miles beyond Cairo; that the +inhabitants constantly burn a lamp in remembrance of it; and that there +is a garden of trees yielding a balsam, which were planted by Christ when +a boy. M. La Crosse cites a synod at Angamala, in the Mountain of +Malabar, A. D. 1599, which shows this Gospel was commonly read by the +Nestorians in the country. Ahmed Ibu Idris, a Mahometan divine, says, it +was used by some Christians in common with the other four Gospels; and +Ocobius de Castro mentions a Gospel of Thomas, which he says, he saw and +had translated to him by an Armenian Archbishop at Amsterdam, that was +read in very many churches of Asia and Africa, as the only rule of their +faith. Fabricius takes it to be this Gospel. It has been supposed, that +Mahomet and his coadjutors used it in compiling the Koran. There are +several stories believed of Christ, proceeding from this Gospel; as that +which Mr. Sike relates out of La Brosse's Persic Lexicon, that Christ +practised the trade of a dyer, and his working a miracle with the +colours; from whence the Persian dyers honour him as their patron, and +call a dye-house the shop of Christ. Sir John Chardin mentions Persian +legends concerning Christ's dispute with his schoolmaster about his ABC; +and his lengthening the cedar-board which Joseph sawed too short.] + + + + Note on the Miracles of Christ in the preceding Gospels. + +A great void in the early life of the Saviour is filled up by these +Gospels. In none of the Canonical Evangelists is any mention made of the +childhood of Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, more +rapidly than satisfactorily, pass over the period intervening between His +birth and ministry. It is natural to suppose that the Infant Redeemer's +earliest days were spent in the society of other young children, and it +is quite consistent with every sincere Christians faith to believe that +He had the power to perform the miracles here ascribed to him otherwise, +a limit will be set to His divine attributes, doubts raised against His +performance of the miracles related by the four Evangelists, in the +authorised version of the Testament, and a denial given of the +declaration therein, "With GOD nothing is impossible!" + + + + + THE SECOND, OR ST. THOMAS'S GOSPEL OF + THE INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST. + + An Account of the ACTIONS and MIRACLES of our Lord and Saviour + JESUS CHRIST in his INFANCY. + + +CHAPTER I. + + 2 Jesus miraculously clears the water after rain. + 4 Plays with clay sparrows, which he animates + on the Sabbath day. + +I THOMAS, an Israelite, judged +it necessary to make known to +our brethren among the Gentiles, +the actions and miracles of Christ +in his childhood, which our Lord +and God Jesus Christ wrought +after his birth in Bethlehem in our +country, at which I myself, was +astonished; the beginning of which +was as followeth. + +2 When the child Jesus was +five years of age, and there had +been a shower of rain, which was +now over, Jesus was playing with +other Hebrew boys by a running +stream; and the water running +over the banks, stood in little +lakes; + +3 But the water instantly became +clear and useful again; he +having smote them only by his +word, they readily obeyed him. + +4 Then he took from the bank +of the stream some soft clay, and +formed out of it twelve sparrows; +and there were other boys playing +with him. + +5 But a certain Jew seeing the +things which he was doing, namely, +his forming clay into the figures +of sparrows on the Sabbath day, +went presently away, and told +his father Joseph, and said, + +6 Behold, thy boy is playing by +the river side, and has taken clay, +and formed it into twelve sparrows, +and profaneth the Sabbath. + +7 Then Joseph came to the +place where he was, and when he +saw him, called to him, and said, +Why doest thou that which it is +not lawful to do on the Sabbath +day? + +8 Then Jesus clapping together +the palms of his hands, called to +the sparrows, and said to them +Go, fly away; and while ye live +remember me. + +9 So the sparrows fled away +making a noise. + +10 The Jews seeing this, were +astonished, and went away, and +told their chief persons what a +strange miracle they had seen +wrought by Jesus. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + 2 Causes a boy to wither who broke down his fish-pools; + 6 Partly restores him. + 7 Kills another boy. + 16 causes blindness to fall on his accusers, + 18 for which, Joseph pulls him by the ear. + +BESIDES this, the son of Annas +the scribe, was standing there +with Joseph, and took a bough +of a willow tree, and scattered +the waters which Jesus had +gathered into lakes. + +2 But the boy Jesus seeing what +he had done, became angry, and +said to him, Thou fool, what harm +did the lake do thee, that thou +shouldest scatter the water? + +3 Behold, now thou shalt wither +as a tree, and shalt not bring forth +either leaves, or branches, or fruit. + +4 And immediately he became +withered all over. + +5 Then Jesus went away home. +But the parents of the boy who +was withered, lamenting the +misfortune of his youth, took and +carried him to Joseph, accusing him, +and said, Why dost thou keep a +son who is guilty of such actions? + +6 Then Jesus at the request of +all who were present did heal him, +leaving only some small member +to continue withered, that they +might take warning. + +7 Another time Jesus went +forth into the street, and a boy +running by, rushed upon his +shoulder; + +8 At which Jesus being angry, +said to him, Thou shalt go no +farther; + +9 And he instantly fell down +dead: + +10 Which when some persons +saw, they said, Where was this +boy born, that every thing which +he says presently cometh to pass? + +11 Then the parents of the dead +boy going to Joseph, complained, +saying, You are not fit to live with +us, in our city, having such a boy +as that: + +12 Either teach him that he +bless and not curse, or else depart +hence with him, for he kills our +children. + +13 Then Joseph calling the +boy Jesus by himself, instructed +him, saying, Why doest thou such +things to injure the people so, that +they hate us and prosecute us? + +14 But Jesus replied, I know +that what thou sayest is not of +thyself, but for thy sake I will +say nothing; + +15 But they who have said these +things to thee, shall suffer +everlasting punishment. + +16 And immediately they who +had accused him became blind, + +17 And all they who saw it were +exceedingly afraid and confounded, +and said concerning him, Whatsoever +he saith, whether good or bad, +immediately cometh to pass and +they were amazed. + +18 And when they saw this action +of Christ, Joseph arose, and +plucked him by the ear, at which +the boy was angry, and said to +him, Be easy; + +19 For if they seek for us, they +shall not find us: thou hast done +very imprudently. + +20 Dost thou not know that I +am thine? Trouble me no more. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 Astonishes his schoolmaster by his learning. + +A CERTAIN schoolmaster +named Zaccheaus, standing +in a certain place, heard Jesus +speaking these things to his father. + +2 And he was much surprised, +that being a child he should speak +such things; and after a few days +he came to Joseph, and said, + +3 Thou hast a wise and sensible +child, send him to me, that he may +learn to read. + +4 When he sat down to teach +the letters to Jesus, he began with +the first letter Aleph; + +5 But Jesus pronounced the +second letter Mpeth (Beth) Cghimel +(Gimel), and said over all the +letters to him to the end. + +6 Then opening a book, he +taught his master the prophets +but he was ashamed, and was at a +loss to conceive how he came to +know the letters. + +7 And he arose and went home, +wonderfully surprised at so strange +a thing. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + 1 Fragment of an adventure at a dyer's. + +AS Jesus was passing by a certain +shop, he saw a young man dipping +(or dyeing) some cloths and stockings +in a furnace, of a sad colour, doing +them according to every person's +particular order; + +2 The boy Jesus going to the +young man who was doing this, +took also some of the cloths ...... + +(Here endeth the fragment of +Thomas's Gospel of the Infancy +of Jesus Christ.) + + + + + REFERENCE TO ST. THOMAS'S GOSPEL OF THE + INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST. + +[The original in Greek, from which this translation is made, will be +found printed by Cotelerius, in his notes on the constitutions of the +Apostles, from a MS. in the French King's Library, No. 2279.--It is +attributed to St. Thomas, and conjectured to have been originally +connected with the, Gospel of Mary. Unfortunately this ancient MS. was +found torn at the second verse of the fourth chapter.] + + + + + + + THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS, + FORMERLY CALLED THE ACTS OF PONTIUS PILATE. + + +The Gospel of NICODEMUS, the disciple, +concerning the Sufferings and Resurrection +of our Master and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. + + +CHAPTER I. + + 1 Christ accused to Pilate by the Jews + of healing on the Sabbath. + 9 Summoned before Pilate by a messenger + who does him honour. + 20 Worshipped by the standards bowing down to him. + +ANNAS and Caiphas, and +Summas, and Datam, Gamaliel, +Judas, Levi, Nepthalim, Alexander, +Cyrus, and other Jews, went +to Pilate about Jesus, accusing +him with many bad crimes. + +2 And said, We are assured that +Jesus is the son of Joseph, the +carpenter, and born of Mary, and +that he declares himself the Son of +God, and a king; and not only so, +but attempts the dissolution of the +Sabbath, and the laws of our +fathers. + +3 Pilate replied, What is it +which he declares? and what is it +which he attempts dissolving? + +4 The Jews told him, We have +a law which forbids doing cures +on the Sabbath day; but he cures +both the lame and the deaf, those +afflicted with the palsy, the blind, +the lepers, and demoniacs, on that +day, by wicked methods. + +5 Pilate replied, How can he +do this by wicked methods? They +answered He is a conjurer, and +casts out devils by the prince of +the devils; and so all things, +become subject to him. + +6 Then said Pilate, Casting out +devils seems not to be the work of +an unclean spirit, but to proceed +from the power of God. + +7 The Jews replied to Pilate, +We entreat your highness to summon +him to appear before your tribunal, +and hear him yourself. + +8 Then Pilate called a messenger, +and said to him, By what means +will Christ be brought hither? + +9 Then went the messenger +forth, and knowing Christ, +worshipped him; and having spread +the cloak which he had in his hand +upon the ground, he said, Lord, +walk upon this, and go in, for the +governor calls thee. + +10 When the Jews perceived +what the messenger had done, +they exclaimed (against him) to +Pilate, and said, Why did you not +give him his summons by a beadle, +and not by a messenger?--For the +messenger, when he saw him, +worshipped him, and spread the +cloak which he had in his hand +upon the ground before him, and +said to him, Lord, the governor +calls thee. + +11 Then Pilate called the +messenger, and said, Why hast thou +done thus? + +12 The messenger replied, When +thou sentest me from Jerusalem to +Alexander, I saw Jesus sitting in +a mean figure upon a she-ass, and +the children of the Hebrews cried +out, Hosannah, holding boughs of +trees in their hands. + +13 Others spread their garments +in the way, and said, Save us, thou +who art in heaven; blessed is he +who cometh in the name of the +Lord. + +14 Then the Jews cried out, +against the messenger, and said, +The children of the Hebrews made +their acclamations in the Hebrew +language; and how couldst thou, +who art a Greek, understand the +Hebrew? + +15 The messenger answered +them and said, I asked one of the +Jews and said, What is this which +the children do cry out in the +Hebrew language? + +16 And he explained it to me, +saying, they cry out, Hosannah, +which being interpreted, is, O +Lord, save me; or, O Lord, save. + +17 Pilate then said to them, +Why do you yourselves testify to +the words spoken by the children, +namely, by your silence? In what +has the messenger done amiss? +And they were silent. + +18 Then the governor said unto +the messenger, Go forth and +endeavour by any means to bring +him in. + +19 But the messenger went forth +and did as before; and said, Lord +come in, for the governor calleth +thee. + +20 And as Jesus was going in +by the ensigns, who carried the +standards, the tops of them bowed +down and worshipped Jesus. + +21 Whereupon the Jews exclaimed +more vehemently against the ensigns. + +22 But Pilate said to the Jews, +I know it is not pleasing to you +that the tops of the standards did +of themselves bow and worship +Jesus; but why do ye exclaim +against the ensigns, as if they had +bowed and worshipped? + +23 They replied to Pilate, +We saw the ensigns themselves +bowing and worshipping Jesus. + +24 Then the governor called the +ensigns, and said unto them, Why +did you do thus? + +25 The ensigns said to Pilate, +We are all Pagans and worship +the gods in temples; and how +should we think anything about +worshipping him? We only held +the standards in our hands, +and they bowed themselves and +worshipped him. + +26 Then said Pilate to the rulers +of the synagogue, Do ye yourselves +choose some strong men, and let +them hold the standards, and we +shall see whether they will then +bend of themselves. + +27 So the elders of the Jews +sought out twelve of the most +strong and able old men, and made +them hold the standards, and they +stood in the presence of the governor. + +28 Then Pilate said to the +messenger, Take Jesus out, and by +some means bring him in again. +And Jesus and the messenger went +out of the hall. + +29 And Pilate called the ensigns +who before had borne the standards, +and swore to them, that if they +had not borne the standards in +that manner when Jesus before +entered in, he would cut off +their heads. + +30 Then the governor commanded +Jesus to come in again. + +31 And the messenger did as he +had done before, and very much +entreated Jesus that he would go +upon his cloak, and walk on it; +and he did walk upon it, and went +in. + +32 And when Jesus went in, +the standards bowed themselves as +before, and worshipped him. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + 2 Is compassionated by Pilate's wife, + 7 charged with being born in fornication. + 12 Testimony to the betrothing of his parents. + 15 Hatred of the Jews to him. + +NOW when Pilate saw this, he +was afraid, and was about to +rise from his seat. + +2 But while he thought to rise, +his own wife who stood at a +distance, sent to him, saying, Have +thou nothing to do with that just +man; for I have suffered much +concerning him in a vision this +night. + +3 When the Jews heard this +they said to Pilate, Did we not say +unto thee, He is a conjuror? Behold, +he hath caused thy wife to dream. + +4 Pilate then calling Jesus, said, +thou hast heard what they testify +against thee, and makest no answer? + +5 Jesus replied, If they had not +a power of speaking, they could +not have spoke; but because every +one has the command of his own +tongue, to speak both good and +bad, let him look to it. + +6 But the elders of the Jews +answered, and said to Jesus, What +shall we look to? + +7 In the first place, we know +this concerning thee, that thou +wast born through fornication; +secondly, that upon the account of +thy birth the infants were slain in +Bethlehem; thirdly, that thy father +and mother Mary fled into Egypt, +because they could not trust their +own people. + +8 Some of the Jews who stood +by spake more favourably, We +cannot say that he was born +through fornication; but we know +that his mother Mary was betrothed +to Joseph, and so he was not born +through fornication. + +9 Then said Pilate to the Jews +who affirmed him to be born +through fornication, This your +account is not true, seeing there was +a betrothment, as they testify who +are of your own nation. + +10 Annas and Caiphas spake to +Pilate, All this multitude of people +is to be regarded, who cry out, +that he was born through fornication, +and is a conjurer; but they who deny +him to be born through fornication, +are his proselytes and disciples. + +11 Pilate answered Annas and +Caiphas, Who are the proselytes? +They answered, They are those +who are the children of Pagans, +and are not become Jews, but +followers of him. + +12 Then replied Eleazer, and +Asterius, and Antonius, and James, +Caras and Samuel, Isaac and Phinees, +Crispus and Agrippa, Annas and Judas, +We are not proselytes, but children +of Jews, and speak the truth, +and were present when Mary was +betrothed. + +13 Then Pilate addressing +himself to the twelve men who +spake this, said to them, I conjure +you by the life of Caesar, that ye +faithfully declare whether he was +born through fornication, and those +things be true which ye have related. + +14 They answered Pilate, We +have a law whereby we are forbid +to swear, it being a sin: Let them +swear by the life of Caesar that it +is not as we have said, and we will +be contented to be put to death. + +15 Then said Annas and Caiphas +to Pilate, Those twelve men will +not believe that we know him to be +basely born, and to be a conjurer, +although he pretends that he is +the Son of God, and a king: which +we are so far from believing, that +we tremble to hear. + +16 Then Pilate commanded +every one to go out except the +twelve men who said he was not +born through fornication, and +Jesus to withdraw to a distance, +and said to them, Why have the Jews +a mind to kill Jesus? + +17 They answered him, They +are angry because he wrought +cures on the sabbath day. Pilate +said, Will they kill him for a +good work? They say unto him, +Yes, Sir. + + + +CHAPTER III. + +1 Is exonerated by Pilate. +11 Disputes with Pilate concerning truth. + +THEN Pilate, filled with anger, +went out of the hall, and said +to the Jews, I call the whole +world to witness that I find no +fault in that man. + +2 The Jews replied to Pilate, +If he had not been a wicked person, +we had not brought him before thee. + +3 Pilate said to them, Do ye take +him and try him by your law. + +4 Then the Jews said, It is not +lawful for us to put any one to +death. + +5 Pilate said to the Jews, The +command, therefore, thou shalt +not kill, belongs to you, but +not to me. + +6 And he went again into the +hall, and called Jesus by himself, +and said to him, Art thou the king +of the Jews? + +7 And Jesus answering, said +to Pilate, Dost thou speak this +of thyself, or did the Jews tell +it thee concerning me? + +8 Pilate answering, said to +Jesus, Am I a Jew? The whole +nation and rulers of the Jews have +delivered thee up to me. What +hast thou done? + +9 Jesus answering, said, My +kingdom is not of this world: +if my kingdom were of this world, +then would my servants fight, +and I should not have been +delivered to the Jews: but now +my kingdom is not from hence. + +10 Pilate said, Art thou a king +then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest +that I am a king: to this end +was I born, and for this end came +I into the world; and for this +purpose I came, that I should bear +witness to the truth; and every +one who is of the truth, heareth +my voice. + +11 Pilate saith to him, What is +truth? + +12 Jesus said, Truth is from +heaven. + +13 Pilate said, Therefore truth +is not on earth. + +14 Jesus saith to Pilate, +Believe that truth is on earth +among those, who when they have +the power of judgment, are governed +by truth, and form right judgment. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + 1 Pilate finds no fault in Jesus. + 16 The Jews demand his crucifixion. + +THEN Pilate left Jesus in the hall, +and went out to the Jews, and said, +I find not any one fault in Jesus. + +2 The Jews say unto him, But +he said, I can destroy the temple +of God, and in three days build it +up again. + +3 Pilate saith to them, What +sort of temple is that of which he +speaketh? + +4 The Jews say unto him, +That which Solomon was forty-six +years in building, he said he +would destroy, and in three days +build up. + +5 Pilate said to them again, I +am innocent from the blood of that +man! do ye look to it. + +6 The Jews say to him, His +blood be upon us and our children. +Then Pilate calling together the +elders and scribes, priests and +Levites, saith to them privately, +Do not act thus; I have found +nothing in your charge (against +him) concerning his curing sick +persons, and breaking the sabbath, +worthy of death. + +7 The priests and Levites replied +to Pilate, By the life of Caesar, +if any one be a blasphemer, he is +worthy of death; but this man hath +blasphemed against the Lord. + +8 Then the governor again +commanded the Jews to depart out +of the hall; and calling Jesus, +said to him, What shall I do with +thee? + +9 Jesus answered him, Do according +as it is written. + +10 Pilate said to him, How is it +written? + +11 Jesus saith to him, Moses +and the prophets have prophesied +concerning my suffering and +resurrection. + +12 The Jews hearing this, were +provoked, and said to Pilate, +Why wilt thou any longer hear the +blasphemy of that man? + +13 Pilate saith to them, If these +words seem to you blasphemy, do +ye take him, bring him to your +court, and try him according to +your law. + +14 The Jews reply to Pilate, +Our law saith, he shall be obliged +to receive nine and thirty stripes, +but if after this manner he shall +blaspheme against the Lord, he +shall be stoned. + +15 Pilate saith unto them, If +that speech of his was blasphemy, +do ye try him according to your +law. + +16 The Jews say to Pilate, Our +law command us not to put any one +to death. We desire that he may be +crucified, because he deserves the +death of the cross. + +17 Pilate saith to them, It is not +fit he should be crucified: let him +be only whipped and sent away. + +18 But when the governor looked +upon the people that were present +and the Jews, he saw many of the +Jews in tears, and said to the +chief priests of the Jews, All +the people do not desire his death. + +19 The elders of the Jews answered +to Pilate, We and all the people +came hither for this very purpose, +that he should die. + +20 Pilate saith to them, Why should +he die? + +21 They said to him, Because +he declares himself to be the Son +of God and a King. + + + +CHAP. V. + + 1 Nicodemus speaks in defence of Christ, + and relates his miracles. + 12 Another Jew, + 26 with Veronica, + 34 Centurio, and others, + testify of other miracles. + +BUT Nicodemus, a certain Jew, +stood before the governor, +and said, I entreat thee, +O righteous judge, that thou +wouldst favour me with the +liberty of speaking a few words. + +2 Pilate said to him, Speak on. + +3 Nicodemus said, I spake to +the elders of the Jews, and the +scribes, and priests and Levites, +and all the multitude of the Jews, +in their assembly; What is it ye +would do with this man? + +4 He is a man who hath wrought +many useful and glorious miracles, +such as no man on earth ever +wrought before, nor will ever +work. Let him go, and do him +no harm; if he cometh from God, +his miracles, (his miraculous +cures) will continue; but if from +men, they will come to nought. + +5 Thus Moses, when he was +sent by God into Egypt, wrought +the miracles which God commanded +him, before Pharaoh king of Egypt; +and though the magicians of that +country, Jannes and Jambres, +wrought by their magic the same +miracles which Moses did, yet they +could not work all which he did; + +6 And the miracles which the +magicians wrought, were not of +God, as ye know, O Scribes and +Pharisees; but they who wrought +them perished, and all who +believed them. + +7 And now let this man go; +because the very miracles for +which ye accuse him, are from +God; and he is not worthy of +death. + +8 The Jews then said to Nicodemus, +Art thou become his disciple, +and making speeches in his favour? + +9 Nicodemus said to them, Is +the governor become his disciple +also, and does he make speeches +for him? Did not Caesar place +him in that high post? + +10 When the Jews heard this +they trembled, and gnashed their +teeth at Nicodemus, and said to +him, Mayest thou receive his +doctrine for truth, and have +thy lot with Christ! + +11 Nicodemus replied, Amen; +I will receive his doctrine, and +my lot with him, as ye have said. + +12 Then another certain Jew +rose up, and desired leave of the +governor to hear him a few words. + +13 And the governor said, +Speak, what thou hast a mind. + +14 And he said, I lay for thirty- +eight years by the sheep-pool at +Jerusalem, labouring under a great +infirmity, and waiting for a cure +which should be wrought by the +coming of an angel, who at a +certain time troubled the water: and +whosoever first after the troubling +of the water stepped in, was made +whole of whatsoever disease he had. + +15 And when Jesus saw me languishing +there, he said to me, Wilt thou be +made whole? And I answered, Sir, +I have no man, when the water is +troubled, to put me into the pool. + +16 And he said unto me, Rise, +take up thy bed and walk. And +I was immediately made whole, +and took up my bed and walked. + +17 The Jews then said to Pilate, +Our Lord Governor, pray ask +him what day it was on which he +was cured of his infirmity. + +18 The infirm person replied, +It was on the sabbath. + +19 The Jews said to Pilate, Did +we not say that he wrought his +cures on the sabbath, and cast out +devils by the prince of devils? + +20 Then another certain Jew +came forth, and said, I was blind, +could hear sounds, but could not +see any one; and as Jesus was +going along, I heard the multitude +passing by, and I asked what +was there? + +21 They told me that Jesus was +passing by: then I cried out, +saying, Jesus, Son of David, have +mercy on me. And he stood still, +and commanded that I should be +brought to him, and said to me, +What wilt thou? + +22 I said, Lord, that I may +receive my sight. + +23 He said to me, Receive thy +sight: and presently I saw, and +followed him, rejoicing and giving +thanks, + +24 Another Jew also came forth, +and said, I was a leper, and he +cured me by his word only, saying, +I will, be thou clean; and presently +I was cleansed from my leprosy. + +25 And another Jew came +forth, and said I was crooked, +and he made me straight by his +word. + +26 And a certain woman +named Veronica, said, I was +afflicted with an issue of blood +twelve years, and I touched the +hem of his garment, and presently +the issue of blood stopped. + +27 The Jews then said, We +have a law, that a woman shall +not be allowed as an evidence. + +28 And, after other things, +another Jew said, I saw Jesus +invited to a wedding with his +disciples, and there was a want +of wine in Cana of Galilee; + +29 And when the wine was all +drank, he commanded the servants +that they should fill six pots which +were there with water, and they +filled them up to the brim, and he +blessed them and turned the water +into wine, and all the people drank, +being surprised at this miracle, + +30 And another Jew stood forth, +and said, I saw Jesus teaching +in the synagogue at Capernaum; +and there was in the synagogue +a certain man who had a devil; +and he cried out, saying, +let me alone; what have we to +do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? +Art thou come to destroy us? +I know that thou art the Holy One +of God. + +31 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, +Hold thy peace, unclean spirit, +and come out of the man; and +presently he came out of him, and +did not at all hurt him. + +32 The following things were +also said by a Pharisee: I saw +that a great company came to +Jesus from Galilee and Judea, and +the sea-cost, and many countries +about Jordan; and many infirm +persons came to him, and he healed +them all. + +33 And I heard the unclean +spirits crying out, and saying, +Thou art the Son of God. And +Jesus strictly charged them, that +they should not make him known. + +34 After this another person, +whose name was Centurio, said, +I saw Jesus in Capernaum, and I +entreated him, saying, Lord, my +servant lieth at home sick of the +palsy. + +35 And Jesus said to me, I +will come and cure him. + +36 But I said, Lord, I am not +worthy that thou shouldst come +under my roof; but only speak +the word, and my servant shall be +healed. + +37 And Jesus said unto me, Go +thy way; and as thou hast believed +so be it done unto thee. And my +servant was healed from that same +hour. + +38 Then a certain nobleman +said, I had a son in Capernaum, +who lay at the point of death; and +when I heard that Jesus was come +into Galilee, I went and besought +him that he would come down to +my house, and heal my son, for he +was at the point of death. + +39 He said to me, Go thy way, +thy son liveth. + +40 And my son was cured from +that hour. + +41 Besides these, also many +others of the Jews, both men and +Women, cried out and said, He is +truly the Son of God, who cures +all diseases only by his word, and +to whom the devils are altogether +subject. + +42 Some of them farther said, +This power can proceed from none +but God. + +43 Pilate said to the Jews, Why +are not the devils subject to your +doctors? + +44 Some of them said, The +power of subjecting devils cannot +proceed but from God. + +45 But others said to Pilate, +That he had raised Lazarus from +the dead, after he had been four +days in his grave. + +46 The governor hearing this, +trembling, said to the multitude of +the Jews, What will it profit you +to shed innocent blood? + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + 1 Pilate dismayed by the turbulence of the Jews, + 5 who demand Barabbas to be released, and Christ + to be crucified. + 9 Pilate warmly expostulates with them, + 20 washes his hands of Christ's blood, + 23 and sentences him to be whipped and crucified. + +THEN Pilate having called +together Nicodemus, and the +fifteen men who said that Jesus +was not born through fornication, +said to them, What shall I do, +seeing there is like to be a tumult +among the people. + +2 They say unto him, We know +not; let them look to it who raise +the tumult. + +3 Pilate then called the +multitude again, and said to them, +Ye know that ye have a custom, that +I should release to you one prisoner +at the feast of the passover: + +4 I have a noted prisoner, a +murderer, who is called Barabbas, +and Jesus who is called Christ, in +whom I find nothing that deserves +death; which of them, therefore, +have you a mind that I should +release to you? + +5 They all cry out, and say, +Release to us Barabbas. + +6 Pilate saith to them, What +then shall I do with Jesus who is +called Christ? + +7 They all answer, Let him be +crucified. + +8 Again they cry out and say to +Pilate, You are not the friend of +Caesar, if you release this man; +for he hath declared that he is the +Son of God, and a king. But are +you inclined that he should be +king, and not Caesar? + +9 Then Pilate filled with anger +said to them, Your nation hath +always been seditious, and you are +always against those who have +been serviceable to you. + +10 The Jews replied, Who are those +who have been serviceable to us? + +11 Pilate answered them, Your +God who delivered you from the +hard bondage of the Egyptians, +and brought you over the Red Sea +as though it had been dry land, +and fed you in the wilderness with +manna and the flesh of quails, and +brought water out of the rock, and +gave you a law from heaven. + +12 Ye provoked him all ways, +and desired for yourselves a +molten calf, and worshipped it, +and sacrificed to it, and said, +These are thy Gods, O Israel, +which brought thee out of the +land of Egypt: + +13 On account of which your +God was inclined to destroy you; +but Moses interceded for you, and +your God heard him, and forgave +your iniquity. + +14 Afterwards ye were enraged +against, and would have killed +your prophets, Moses and Aaron, +when they fled to the tabernacle, +and ye were always murmuring +against God and his prophets. + +15 And arising from his +judgment seat, he would have gone +out; but the Jews all cried out, +We acknowledge Caesar to be king, +and not Jesus; + +16 Whereas this person, as +soon as he was born, the wise +men came and offered gifts unto +him; which when Herod heard, +he was exceedingly troubled, +and would have killed him: + +17 When his father knew this, +he fled with him and his mother +Mary into Egypt. Herod, when +he heard he was born, would have +slain him; and accordingly sent +and slew all the children which +were in Bethlehem, and in all the +coasts thereof, from two years old +and under. + +18 When Pilate heard this +account, he was afraid; and +commanding silence among the +people, who made a noise, he said +to Jesus, Art thou therefore a king? + +19 All the Jews replied to +Pilate, he is the very person +whom Herod sought to have slain. + +20 Then Pilate taking water, +washed his hands before the people +and said, I am innocent of the +blood of this just person; look ye +to it. + +21 The Jews answered and said, +His blood be upon us and our +children. + +22 Then Pilate commanded Jesus +to be brought before him, and +spake to him in the following +words; + +23 Thy own nation hath charged +thee as making thyself a king; +wherefore I, Pilate, sentence thee +to be whipped according to the +laws of former governors; and +that thou be first bound, then +hanged upon a cross in that place +where thou art now a prisoner; +and also two criminals with thee, +whose names are Dimas and Gestas. + + + +CHAP. VII. + + 1 Manner of Christ's crucifixion + with the two thieves. + +THEN Jesus went out of the +hall, and the two thieves +with him. + +2 And when they came to the +place which is called Golgotha, +they stript him of his raiment, and +girt him about with a linen cloth, +and put a crown of thorns upon his +head, and put a reed in his hand. + +3 And in like manner did they +to the two thieves who were +crucified with him, Dimas on his +right hand and Gestas on his left. + +4 But Jesus said, My Father, +forgive them, For they know not +what they do. + +5 And they divided his garments, +and upon his vesture they cast lots. + +6 The people in the mean time +stood by, and the chief priests +and elders of the Jews mocked him, +saying, He saved others, let him +now save himself if he can; if he +be the son of God, let him now +come down from the cross. + +7 The soldiers also mocked him, +and taking vinegar and gall, offered +it to him to drink, and said to him, +If thou art king of the Jews, +deliver thyself. + +8 Then Longinus, a certain soldier, +taking a spear, pierced his side, +and presently there came forth blood +and water. + +9 And Pilate wrote the title +upon the cross in Hebrew, Latin, +and Greek letters, viz., THIS IS +THE KING OF THE JEWS. + +10 But one of the two thieves +who were crucified with Jesus, +whose name was Gestas, said to +Jesus, If thou art the Christ, +deliver thyself and us. + +11 But the thief who was +crucified on his right hand, +whose name was Dimas, answering, +rebuked him, and said, Dost not +thou fear God, who art condemned +to this punishment? We indeed +receive rightly and justly the +demerit of our actions; but this +Jesus, what evil hath he done. + +12 After this, groaning, he said +to Jesus, Lord, remember me +when thou comest into thy kingdom. + +13 Jesus answering, said to +him, Verily I say unto thee, that +this day thou shalt be with me in +Paradise. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + 1 Miraculous appearance at his death. + 10 The Jews say the eclipse was natural. + 12 Joseph of Arimathaea embalms Christ's + body and buries it. + +AND it was about the sixth +hour, and darkness was upon +the face of the whole earth until +the ninth hour. + +2 And while the sun was eclipsed, +behold the veil of the temple was +rent from the top, to the bottom; +and the rocks also were rent, and +the graves opened, and many +bodies of saints, which slept, +arose. + +3 And about the ninth hour +Jesus cried out with a loud voice, +Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani? which +being interpreted is, My God, My +God, why hast thou forsaken me? + +4 And after these things, Jesus +said, Father, into thy hands I +commend my spirit; and having +said this, he gave up the ghost. + +5 But when the centurion saw +that Jesus thus crying out gave up +the ghost, he glorified God, and +said, Of a truth this was a just +man. + +6 And all the people who stood +by, were exceedingly troubled at +the sight; and reflecting upon +what had passed, smote upon their +breasts, and then returned to the +city of Jerusalem. + +7 The centurion went to the +governor, and related to him all +that had passed: + +8 And when he had heard all +these things, he was exceedingly +sorrowful; + +9 And calling the Jews together, +said to them, Have ye seen the +miracle of the sun's eclipse, and +the other things which came to +pass, while Jesus was dying? + +10 Which when the Jews heard, +they answered to the governor, +The eclipse of the sun happened +according to its usual custom. + +11 But all those who were the +acquaintance of Christ, stood at +a distance, as did the women who +had followed Jesus from Galilee, +observing all these things. + +12 And behold a certain man +of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who +was also a disciple of Jesus, but +not openly so, for fear of the Jews, +came to the governor, and entreated +the governor that he would give him +leave to take away the body of Jesus +from the cross. + +13 And the governor gave him leave. + +14 And Nicodemus came, bringing +with him a mixture of myrrh and +aloes about a hundred pounds +weight; and they took down Jesus +from the cross with tears, and +bound him in linen cloths with +spices, according to the custom of +burying among the Jews; + +15 And placed him in a new +tomb, which Joseph had built, +and caused to be cut out of a rock, +in which never any man had been +put; and they rolled a great stone +to the door of the sepulchre. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + 1 The Jews angry with Nicodemus: + 5 and with, Joseph of Arimathaea, + 7 whom they imprison. + +WHEN the unjust Jews heard +that Joseph had begged and buried +the body of Jesus, they sought +after Nicodemus, and those fifteen +men who had testified before the +governor, that Jesus was not born +through fornication, and other +good persons who had shown any +good actions towards him. + +2 But when they all concealed +themselves through fear of the +Jews, Nicodemus alone showed +himself to them, and said, How +can such persons as these enter +into the synagogue? + +3 The Jews answered him, But +how durst thou enter into the +synagogue, who wast a confederate +with Christ? Let thy lot be along +with him in the other world. + +4 Nicodemus answered, Amen; +so may it be, that I may have +my lot with him in his kingdom. + +5 In like manner Joseph, when +he came to the Jews, said to them, +Why are ye angry with me for +desiring the body of Jesus of +Pilate? Behold, I have put him in +my tomb, and wrapped him up in +clean linen, and put a stone at the +door of the sepulchre: + +6 I have acted rightly towards +him; but ye have acted unjustly +against that just person, in +crucifying him, giving him vinegar +to drink, crowning him with thorns, +tearing his body with whips, and +praying down the guilt of his blood +upon you. + +7 The Jews at the hearing of +this were disquieted and troubled; +and they seized Joseph, and +commanded him to be put in custody +before the Sabbath, and kept there +till the Sabbath was over. + +8 And they said to him, Make +confession; for at this time it is +not lawful to do thee any harm, +till the first day of the week come. +But we know that thou wilt not be +thought worthy of a burial; but +we will give thy flesh to the birds +of the air, and the beasts of the +earth. + +9 Joseph answered, That speech +is like the speech of proud Goliath, +who reproached the living God in +speaking against David. But ye +scribes and doctors know that God +saith by the prophet, Vengeance is +mine, and I will repay to you evil +equal to that which ye have +threatened to me. + +10 The God whom you have +hanged upon the cross, is able to +deliver me out of your hands. All +your wickedness will return upon +you. + +11 For the governor, when he +washed his hands, said, I am clear +from the blood of this just person. +But ye answered and cried out, +His blood be upon us and our +children. According as ye have +said, may ye perish for ever. + +12 The elders of the Jews hearing +these words, were exceedingly +enraged; and seizing Joseph, they +put him into a chamber where +there was no window; they fastened +the door, and put a seal upon +the lock; + +13 And Annas and Caiaphas placed +a guard upon it, and took counsel +with the priests and Levites, +that they should all meet after +the Sabbath, and they contrived +to what death they should put Joseph. + +14 When they had done this, the +rulers, Annas and Caiaphas, +ordered Joseph to be brought +forth. + +(In this place there is a portion +of the Gospel lost or omitted. +which cannot be supplied. It +may, nevertheless, be surmised +from the occurrence related in +the next chapter, that the order +of Annas and Caiaphas were rendered +unnecessary by Joseph's miraculous +escape, and which was announced +to an assembly of people.) + + + +CHAPTER X. + + 1 Joseph's escape. + 2 The soldiers relate Christ's resurrection. + 18 Christ is seen preaching in Galilee. + 21 The Jews repent of their cruelty to him. + +WHEN all the assembly heard +this (about Joseph's escape), +they admired and were astonished, +because they found the same seal +upon the lock of the chamber, and +could not find Joseph. + +2 Then Annas and Caiaphas went +forth, and while they were all +admiring at Joseph's being gone, +behold one of the soldiers, who +kept the sepulchre of Jesus, spake +in the assembly, + +3 That while they were guarding +the sepulchre of Jesus, there was +an earthquake; and we saw an angel +of God roll away the stone of the +sepulchre and sit upon it; + +4 And his countenance was like +lightning and his garment like +snow; and we became through fear +like persons dead. + +5 And we heard an angel saying +to the women at the sepulchre of +Jesus, Do not fear; I know that +you seek Jesus who was crucified; +he is risen as he foretold; + +6 Come and see the place where +he was laid; and go presently, and +tell his disciples that he is risen +from the dead; and he will go before +you into Galilee; there ye shall +see him as he told you. + +7 Then the Jews called together +all the soldiers who kept the sepulchre +of Jesus, and said to them, Who are +those women, to whom the angel spoke? +Why did ye not seize them. + +8 The soldiers answered and said, +We know not who the women were; +besides we became as dead persons +through fear, and how could we +seize those women? + +9 The Jews said to them, As the +Lord liveth, we do not believe you; + +10 The soldiers answering said to +the Jews, when ye saw and heard +Jesus working so many miracles, +and did not believe him, how should +ye believe us? Ye well said, +As the Lord liveth, for the Lord +truly does live. + +11 We have heard that ye shut +up Joseph, who buried the body of +Jesus, in a chamber, under a lock +which was sealed; and when ye +opened it, found him not there. + +12 Do ye then produce Joseph +whom ye put under guard in the +chamber, and we will produce +Jesus whom we guarded in the +sepulchre. + +13 The Jews answered and said, +We will produce Joseph, do ye +produce Jesus. But Joseph is in +his own city of Arimathaea. + +14 The soldiers replied, +If Joseph be in Arimathaea, +and Jesus in Galilee, we heard +the angel inform the women. + +15 The Jews hearing this, were +afraid, and said among themselves, +If by any means these things +should become public, then +everybody will believe in Jesus. + +16 Then they gathered a large +sum of money, and gave it to the +soldiers, saying, Do ye tell the +people that the disciples of Jesus +came in the night when ye were +asleep, and stole away the body of +Jesus; and if Pilate the governor +should hear of this, we will satisfy +him and secure you. + +17 The soldiers accordingly took +the money, and said as they were +instructed by the Jews; and their +report was spread abroad among +all the people. + +18 But a certain priest Phinees, +Ada a schoolmaster, and a Levite, +named Ageus, they three came from +Galilee to Jerusalem, and told +the chief priests and all who +were in the synagogues, saying, + +19 We have seen Jesus, whom +ye crucified, talking with his +eleven disciples, and sitting in the +midst of them in Mount Olivet, +and saying to them, + +20 Go forth into the whole world, +preach the Gospel to all nations, +baptizing them in the name of the +Father, and the Son, and the Holy +Ghost; and whosoever shall believe +and be baptized, shall be saved. + +21 And when he had said these +things to his disciples, we saw him +ascending up to heaven. + +22 When the chief priests and +elders, and Levites heard these +things, they said to these three +men, Give glory to the God of +Israel, and make confession to +him, whether those things are true, +which ye say ye have seen and heard. + +23 They answering said, As the +Lord of our fathers liveth, the +God of Abraham, and the God of +Isaac, and the God of Jacob, +according as we heard Jesus talking +with his disciples, and according +as we saw him ascending up to +heaven, so we have related the +truth to you. + +24 And the three men farther +answered, and said, adding these +words, If we should not own the +words which we heard Jesus speak, +and that we saw him ascending +into heaven, we should be guilty +of sin. + +25 Then the chief priests +immediately rose up, and holding +the book of the law in their hands, +conjured these men, saying, Ye +shall no more hereafter declare +those things which ye have spoken +concerning Jesus. + +26 And they gave them a large +sum of money, and sent other +persons along with them, who +should conduct them to their own +country, that they might not by any +means make any stay at Jerusalem. + +27 Then the Jews did assemble +all together, and having expressed +the most lamentable concern said, +What is this extraordinary thing +which is come to pass in Jerusalem? + +28 But Annas and Caiaphas comforted +them, saying, Why should we believe +the soldiers who guarded the sepulchre +of Jesus, in telling us, that an angel +rolled away the stone from the door +of the sepulchre? + +29 Perhaps his own disciples told +them this, and gave them money +that they should say so, and they +themselves took away the body of Jesus. + +30 Besides, consider this, that +there is no credit to be given to +foreigners, because they also took +a large sum of us, and they have +declared to us according to the +instructions which we gave them. +They must either be faithful to us +or to the disciples of Jesus. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + 1 Nicodemus counsels the Jews. + 6 Joseph found. + 11 Invited by the Jews to return. + 19 Relates the manner of his miraculous escape. + +THEN Nicodemus arose, and +said, Ye say right, O sons of +Israel; ye have heard what those +three men have sworn by the Law +of God, who said, We have seen +Jesus speaking with his disciples +upon mount Olivet, and we saw +him ascending up to heaven. + +2 And the scripture teacheth +us that the blessed prophet Elijah +was taken up to heaven, and Elisha +being asked by the sons of the +prophets, Where is our father Elijah? +He said to them, that he is taken up +to heaven. + +3 And the sons of the prophets +said to him, Perhaps the spirit +hath carried him into one of the +mountains of Israel, there perhaps +we shall find him. And they besought +Elisha, and he walked about with +them three days, and they could +not find him. + +4 And now hear me, O sons of +Israel, and let us send men into +the mountains of Israel, lest +perhaps the spirit hath carried +away Jesus, and there perhaps we +shall find him, and be satisfied. + +5 And the counsel of Nicodemus +pleased all the people; and they +sent forth men who sought for Jesus, +but could not find him; and they +returning, said, We went all about, +but could not find Jesus, but we +have found Joseph in his city of +Arimathaea. + +6 The rulers hearing this, and +all the people, were glad, and +praised the God of Israel, because +Joseph was found, whom they had +shut up in a chamber, and could +not find. + +7 And when they had formed a +large assembly, the chief priests +said, By what means shall we bring +Joseph to us to speak with him? + +8 And taking a piece of paper, +they wrote to him, and said, Peace +be with thee, and all thy family, +We know that we have offended +against God and thee. Be pleased +to give a visit to us, your fathers, +for we were perfectly surprised at +your escape from prison. + +9 We know that it was malicious +counsel which we took against +thee, and that the Lord took care +of thee, and the Lord himself +delivered thee from our designs. +Peace be unto thee, Joseph, who +art honourable among all the +people. + +10 And they chose seven of +Joseph's friends, and said to them, +When ye come to Joseph, salute +him in peace, and give him this +letter. + +11 Accordingly, when the men +came to Joseph, they did salute +him in peace, and gave him the +letter. + +12 And when Joseph had read it, +he said, Blessed be the Lord God, +who didst deliver me from the +Israelites, that they could not +shed my blood. Blessed be God, +who hast protected me under thy +wings. + +13 And Joseph kissed them, and +took them into his house. And on +the morrow, Joseph mounted his +ass, and went along with them to +Jerusalem. + +14 And when all the Jews heard +these things, they went out to +meet him, and cried out, saying, +Peace attend thy coming hither, +father Joseph. + +15 To which he answered, +Prosperity from the Lord attend +all the people. + +13 And they all kissed him; and +Nicodemus took him to his house, +having prepared a large +entertainment. + +17 But on the morrow, being +a preparation-day, Annas, and +Caiaphas, and Nicodemus, said to +Joseph, Make confession to the +God of Israel, and answer to us +all those questions which we shall +ask thee; + +18 For we have been very much +troubled, that thou didst bury the +body of Jesus; and that when we +had locked thee in a chamber, we +could not find thee; and we have +been afraid ever since, till this +time of thy appearing among us. +Tell us therefore before God, all +that came to pass. + +19 Then Joseph answering, +said Ye did indeed put me under +confinement, on the day of +preparation, till the morning. + +20 But while I was standing at +prayer in the middle of the night, +the house was surrounded with +four angels; and I saw Jesus as +the brightness of the sun, and fell +down upon the earth for fear. + +21 But Jesus laying hold on my +hand, lifted me from the ground, +and the dew was then sprinkled +upon me; but he, wiping my face, +kissed me, and said unto me, Fear +not, Joseph; look upon me for +it is I. + +22 Then I looked upon him, and +said, Rabboni Elias! He answered +me, I am not Elias, but Jesus of +Nazareth, whose body thou didst +bury. + +23 I said to him, show me the +tomb in which I laid thee. + +24 Then Jesus, taking me by the +hand, led me unto the place where +I laid him, and showed me the +linen clothes, and napkin which I +put round his head. Then I knew +that it was Jesus, and worshipped +him, and said; Blessed be he who +cometh in the name of the Lord. + +25 Jesus again taking me by the +hand, led me to Arimathaea, to my +own house, and said to me, Peace +be to thee; but go not out of thy +house till the fortieth day; but +I must go to my disciples. + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + 1 The Jews astonished and confounded. + 16 Simeon's two sons, Charinus and Lenthius, + rise from the dead at Christ's crucifixion. + 19 Joseph proposes to get them to relate the + mysteries of their resurrection. + 21 They are sought and found, + 22 brought to the synagogue, + 23 privately sworn to secrecy, + 25 and undertake to write what they had seen. + +WHEN the chief priests and +Levites heard all these +things, they were astonished, and +fell down with their faces on the +ground as dead men, and crying +out to one another, said, What is +this extraordinary sign which is +come to pass in Jerusalem? We +know the father and mother of +Jesus. + +2 And a certain Levite said, +I know many of his relations, +religions persons, who are wont to +offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings +to the God of Israel, in the temple, +with prayers. + +3 And when the high-priest +Simeon took him up in his arms, +he said to him, Lord, now lettest +thou thy servant depart in peace, +according to thy word; for mine +eyes have seen thy salvation, +which then halt prepared before +the face of all people; a light to +enlighten the Gentiles, and the +glory of thy people Israel. + +4 Simeon in like manner blessed +Mary the Mother of Jesus, and +said to her, I declare to thee +concerning that child; He is +appointed for the fall and rising +again of many, and for a sign +which shall be spoken against; + +5 Yea, a sword shall pierce +through thine own soul also, and +the thoughts of many hearts shall +be revealed. + +6 Then said all the Jews, Let +us send to those three men, who +said they saw him talking with +his disciples in mount Olivet. + +7 After this, they asked them +what they had seen; who answered +with one accord, In the presence +of the God of Israel we affirm, +that we plainly saw Jesus talking +with his disciples in Mount Olivet, +and ascending up to heaven. + +8 Then Annas and Caiaphas took +them into separate places, and +examined them separately; who +unanimously confessed the truth, +and said, they had seen Jesus. + +9 Then Annas and Caiaphas said +"Our law saith, By the mouth of +two or three witnesses every word +shall be established." + +10 But what have we said? +The blessed Enoch pleased God, +and was translated by the word of +God; and the burying-place of the +blessed Moses is known. + +11 But Jesus was delivered to +Pilate, whipped, crowned with +thorns, spit upon, pierced with a +spear, crucified, died upon the +cross, and was buried, and his +body the honourable Joseph buried +in a new sepulchre, and he testifies +that he saw him alive. + +12 And besides, these men have +declared, that they saw him talking +with his disciples in Mount Olivet, +and ascending up to heaven. + +13 Then Joseph rising up, said +to Annas and Caiaphas, Ye may be +justly under a great surprise, +that you have been told, that +Jesus is alive, and gone up to +heaven. + +14 It is indeed a thing really +surprising, that he should not +only himself arise from the dead, +but also raise others from their +graves, who have been seen by +many in Jerusalem. + +15 And now hear me a little +We all knew the blessed Simeon, +the high-priest, who took Jesus +when an infant into his arms in +the temple. + +16 This same Simeon had two sons +of his own, and we were all present +at their death and funeral. + +17 Go therefore and see their +tombs, for these are open, and +they are risen: and behold, they +are in the city of Arimathaea, +spending their time together in +offices of devotion. + +18 Some, indeed, have heard +the sound of their voices in prayer, +but they will not discourse with +anyone, but they continue as mute +as dead men. + +19 But come, let us go to them, +and behave ourselves towards them +with all due respect and caution. +And if we can bring them to swear, +perhaps they will tell us some of +the mysteries of their resurrection. + +20 When the Jews heard this +they were exceedingly rejoiced. + +21 Then Annas and Caiaphas, +Nicodemus, Joseph, and Gamaliel, +went to Arimathaea, but did not +find them in their graves; but +walking about the city, they found +them on their bended knees at +their devotions: + +22 Then saluting them with all +respect and deference to God, they +brought them to the synagogue at +Jerusalem; and having shut the +gates, they took the book of the +law of the Lord, + +23 And putting it in their hands, +swore them by God Adonai, and +the God of Israel, who spake to +our fathers by the law and the +prophets, saying, If ye believe +him who raised you from the dead, +to be Jesus, tell us what ye have +seen, and how ye were raised from +the dead. + +24 Charinus and Lenthius, the +two sons of Simeon, trembled +when they heard these things, and +were disturbed, and groaned; and +at the same time looking up to +heaven, they made the sign of the +cross with their fingers on their +tongues, + +25 And immediately they spake, +and said, Give each of us some +paper, and we will write down for +you all those things which we have +seen. And they each sat down +and wrote, saying:-- + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + 1 The narrative of Charinus and Lenthius commences. + 3 A great light in hell. + 7 Simeon arrives, and announces the coming of Christ. + +O LORD Jesus and Father, who +art God, also the resurrection +and life of the dead, give us +leave to declare thy mysteries, +which we saw after death, belonging +to thy cross; for we are sworn by +thy name. + +2 For thou hast forbidden thy +servants to declare the secret +things, which were wrought by +thy divine power in hell. + +3 When we were Placed with +our fathers in the depth of hell, +in the blackness of darkness, +on a sudden there appeared the +colour of the sun like gold, +and a substantial purple-coloured +light enlightening the place. + +4 Presently upon this, Adam, +the father of all mankind, with +all the patriarchs and prophets, +rejoiced and said, That light is the +author of everlasting light, who +hath promised to translate us to +everlasting light. + +5 Then Isaiah the prophet cried +out and said, This is the light +of the Father, and the Son of God, +according to my prophecy, when I +was alive upon earth. + +6 The land of Zabulon, and the +land of Nephthalim, beyond Jordan, +a people who walked in darkness, +saw a great light; and to them +who dwelled in the region of the +shadow of death, light is arisen. +And now he is come, and hath +enlightened us who sat in death. + +7 And while we were all rejoicing +in the light which shone upon us, +our father Simeon came among us, +and congratulating all the company, +said, Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ +the Son of God. + +8 Whom I took up in my arms when +an infant in the temple, and +being moved by the Holy Ghost, +said to him, and acknowledged, +That now mine eyes have seen thy +salvation, which thou hast prepared +before the face of all people; a +light to enlighten the Gentiles, +and the glory of thy people Israel. + +9 All the saints who were in +the depth of hell, hearing this, +rejoiced the more. + +10 Afterwards there came forth +one like a little hermit, and was +asked by every one, Who art thou? + +11 To which he replied, I am +the voice of one crying in the +wilderness, John the Baptist, and +the prophet of the Most High, who +went before his coming to prepare +his way, to give the knowledge of +salvation to his people for the +forgiveness of sins. + +12 And I, John, when I saw +Jesus coming to me, being moved +by the Holy Ghost, I said, Behold +the Lamb of God, behold him who +takes away the sins of the world. + +13 And I baptized him in the +river Jordan, and saw the Holy +Ghost descending upon him in the +form of a dove, and heard a voice +from heaven saying, This is my +beloved Son, in whom I am well +pleased. + +14 And now while I was going +before him, I came down hither to +acquaint you, that the Son of God +will next visit us, and, as the +day-spring from on high, will come to +us, who are in darkness and the +shadow of death. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + 1 Adam causes Seth to relate what he heard + from Michael the archangel, when he sent him + to Paradise to entreat God to anoint his + head in his sickness. + +BUT when the first man our father +Adam heard these things, that +Jesus was baptized in Jordan, +he called out to his son Seth, +and said, + +2 Declare to your sons, the +patriarchs and prophets, all those +things, which thou didst hear from +Michael, the archangel, when I +sent thee to the gates of Paradise, +to entreat God that he would +anoint my head when I was sick. + +3 Then Seth, coming near to the +patriarchs and prophets, said, I, +Seth, when I was praying to God +at the gates of Paradise, beheld +the angel of the Lord, Michael, +appear unto me, saying, I am sent +unto thee from the Lord; I am +appointed to preside over human +bodies. + +4 I tell thee, Seth, do not pray +to God in tears, and entreat him +for the oil of the tree of mercy +wherewith to anoint thy father +Adam for his head-ache; + +5 Because thou canst not by any +means obtain it till the last day +and times, namely, till five thousand +and five hundred years be past. + +6 Then will Christ, the most +merciful Son of God, come on +earth to raise again the human +body of Adam, and at the same +time to raise the bodies of the +dead, and when he cometh he will +be baptized in Jordan; + +7 Then with the oil of his +mercy he will anoint all those +who believe in him; and the oil +of his mercy will continue to +future generations, for those +who shall be born of the water +and the Holy Ghost unto eternal +life. + +8 And when at that time the +most merciful Son of God, Christ +Jesus, shall come down on earth, +he will introduce our father Adam +into Paradise, to the tree of mercy. + +9 When all the patriarchs and +prophets heard all these things +from Seth, they rejoiced more. + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + 1 Quarrel between Satan and the prince of hell, + concerning the expected arrival of Christ in hell. + +WHILE all the saints were +rejoicing, behold Satan, the +prince and captain of death, said +to the prince of hell, + +2 Prepare to receive Jesus of +Nazareth himself, who boasted +that he was the Son of God, and +yet was a man afraid of death, and +said, My soul is sorrowful even to +death. + +3 Besides he did many injuries +to me and to many others; for +those whom I made blind and lame +and those also whom I tormented +with several devils, he cured by +his word; yea, and those whom I +brought dead to thee, he by force +takes away from thee. + +4 To this the prince of hell +replied to Satan, Who is that so +powerful prince, and yet a man who +is afraid of death? + +5 For all the potentates of the +earth are subject to my power, +whom thou broughtest to subjection +by thy power. + +6 But if he be so powerful in his +human nature, I affirm to thee for +truth, that he is almighty in his +divine nature, and no man can +resist his power: + +7 When therefore he said he was +afraid of death, he designed to +ensnare thee, and unhappy it will be +to thee for everlasting ages, + +8 Then Satan replying, said to +the prince of hell, Why didst thou +express a doubt, and wast afraid to +receive that Jesus of Nazareth, +both thy adversary and mine? + +9 As for me, I tempted him and +stirred up my old people the Jews +with zeal and anger against him; + +10 I sharpened the spear for his +suffering; I mixed the gall and +vinegar, and commanded that he +should drink it; I prepared the +cross to crucify him, and the nails +to pierce through his hands and +feet; and now his death is near +at hand, I will bring him hither, +subject both to thee and me. + +11 Then the prince of hell +answering, said, Thou saidst to me +just now, that he took away the +dead from me by force. + +12 They who have been kept here +till they should live again upon +earth, were taken away hence, +not by their own power, but by +prayers made to God, and their +almighty God took them from me. + +13 Who then is that Jesus of +Nazareth that by his word hath +taken away the dead from me +without prayer to God? + +14 Perhaps it is the same who +took away from me Lazarus, after +he had been four days dead, and +did both stink and was rotten, and +of whom I had possession as a dead +person, yet he brought him to life +again by his power. + +15 Satan answering, replied to +the prince of hell, It is the very +same person, Jesus of Nazareth. + +16 Which when the prince of hell +heard, he said to him, I adjure +thee by the powers which belong +to thee and me, that thou bring +him not to me. + +17 For when I heard of the power +of his word, I trembled for fear, +and all my impious company were +at the same disturbed; + +18 And we were not able to detain +Lazarus, but he gave himself a +shake, and with all the signs of +malice he immediately went away +from us; and the very earth, in +which the dead body of Lazarus +was lodged, presently turned him +out alive. + +19 And I know now that he is +Almighty God who could perform +such things, who is mighty in his +dominion, and mighty in his human +nature, who is the Saviour of +mankind. + +20 Bring not therefore this person +hither, for he will set at liberty +all those whom I hold in prison +under unbelief, and bound with +the fetters of their sins, and will +conduct them to everlasting life. + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + 1 Christ's arrival at hell-gates; + the confusion thereupon. + 19 He descends into hell. + +AND while Satan and the Prince +of hell were discoursing thus +to each other, on a sudden there +was a voice as of thunder, and the +rushing of winds, saying, Lift up +your gates, O ye princes; and be +ye lift up, O everlasting gates, +and the King of Glory shall come in. + +2 When the prince of hell heard +this, he said to Satan, Depart from +me, and begone out of my habitations; +if thou art a powerful warrior, +fight with the King of Glory. +But what hast thou to do with +him? + +3 And he cast him forth from his +habitations. + +4 And the prince said to his +impious officers, Shut the brass gates +of cruelty, and make them fast with +iron bars, and fight courageously, +lest we be taken captives. + +5 But when all the company of +the saints heard this they spake +with a loud voice of anger to the +prince of hell, + +6 Open thy gates, that the King +of Glory may come in. + +7 And the divine prophet David +cried out, saying, Did not I, when +on earth, truly prophesy and say, +O that men would praise the Lord +for his goodness, and for his +wonderful works to the children +of men! + +8 For he hath broken the gates +of brass, and cut the bars of iron +in sunder. He hath taken them +because of their iniquity, and +because of their unrighteousness +they are afflicted. + +9 After this, another prophet, +namely, holy Isaiah, spake in like +manner to all the saints, Did not +I rightly prophesy to you when I +was alive on earth? + +10 The dead men shall live, and +they shall rise again who are in +their graves, and they shall rejoice +who are in the earth; for the dew +which is from the Lord, shall +bring deliverance to them. + +11 And I said in another place, +O grave, where is thy victory? +O death, where is thy sting? + +12 When all the saints heard +these things spoken by Isaiah, +they said to the prince of hell, +Open now thy gates, and take +away thine iron bars; for thou +wilt now be bound, and have no +power. + +13 Then was there a great voice, +as of the sound of thunder, saying, +Lift up your gates, O princes; and +be ye lifted up, ye gates of hell, +and the King of Glory will enter +in. + +14 The prince of hell perceiving +the same voice repeated, cried out, +as though he had been ignorant, +Who is that King of Glory? + +15 David replied to the prince +of hell, and said, I understand the +words of that voice, because I +spake them in his spirit. And now, +as I have before said, I say unto +thee, the Lord strong and powerful, +the Lord mighty in battle: he is +the King of Glory, and he is the +Lord in heaven and in earth. + +16 He hath looked down to hear +the groans of the prisoners, and to +set loose those that are appointed +to death. + +17 And now, thou filthy and +stinking prince of hell, open thy +gates, that the King of Glory may +enter in; for he is the Lord of +heaven and earth. + +18 While David was saying this, +the mighty Lord appeared in the +form of a man, and enlightened +those places which had ever before +been in darkness. + +19 And broke asunder the fetters +which before could not be broken; +and with his invincible power +visited those who sate in the deep +darkness by iniquity, and the shadow +of death by sin. + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + 1 Death and the devils in great horror + at Christ's coming. + 13 He tramples on death, seizes the prince + of hell, and takes Adam with him to Heaven. + +IMPIOUS death and her cruel +officers hearing these things, +were seized with fear in their +several kingdoms, when they saw +the clearness of the light, + +2 And Christ himself on a sudden +appearing in their habitations, +they cried out therefore, and said, +We are bound by thee; thou seemest +to intend our confusion before +the Lord. + +3 Who art thou, who has no signs +of corruption, but that bright +appearance which is a full proof of +thy greatness, of which yet thou +seemest to take no notice? + +4 Who art thou, so powerful, +and so weak, so great and so little; +mean, and yet a soldier of the first +rank, who can command in the form +of a servant and a common soldier? + +5 The king of Glory, dead and +alive, though once slain upon the +cross? + +6 Who layest dead in the grave, +and art come down alive to us, +and in thy death all the creatures +trembled, and all the stars were +moved; and now hast thy liberty +among the dead, and givest +disturbance to our legions? + +7 Who art thou, who dost release +the captives that were held +in chains by original sin, and +bringest them into their former +liberty? + +8 Who art thou, who dost spread +so glorious and divine a light over +those who were made blind by the +darkness of sin? + +9 In like manner all the legions +of devils were seized with the like +horror, and with the most submissive +fear cried out, and said, + +10 Whence comes it, O thou +Jesus Christ, that thou art a man +so powerful and glorious in majesty +so bright as to have no spot, and +so pure as to have no crime? For +that lower world of earth, which +was ever till now subject to us, +and from whence we received +tribute, never sent us such a +dead man before, never sent such +presents as these to the princes of +hell. + +11 Who therefore art thou, who +with such courage enterest among +our abodes, and art not only not +afraid to threaten us with the +greatest punishments, but also +endeavourest to rescue all others +from the chains in which we hold +them? + +12 Perhaps thou art that Jesus, +of whom Satan just now spoke to +our prince, that by the death of +the cross thou wert about to +receive the power of death. + +13 Then the King of Glory +trampling upon death, seized the +prince of hell, deprived him of all +his power, and took our earthly +father Adam with him to his glory. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + 1 Beelzebub, prince of hell, vehemently upbraids Satan for + persecuting Christ and bringing him to hell. + 14 Christ gives Beelzebub dominion over Satan forever, + as a recompence for taking away Adam and his sons. + +THEN the prince of hell took +Satan, and with great indignation +said to him, O thou prince of +destruction, author of Beelzebub's +defeat and banishment, the scorn +of God's angels and loathed by all +righteous persons! What inclined +thee to act thus? + +2 Thou wouldst crucify the King +of Glory, and by his destruction, +hast made us promises of very +large advantages, but as a fool +wert ignorant of what thou wast +about. + +3 For behold now that Jesus of +Nazareth, with the brightness of +his glorious divinity, puts to flight +all the horrid powers of darkness +and death; + +4 He has broke down our prisons +from top to bottom, dismissed +all the captives, released all +who were bound, and all who were +wont formerly to groan under the +weight of their torments, have +now insulted us, and we are like +to be defeated by their prayers. + +5 Our impious dominions are +subdued, and no part of mankind +is now left in our subjection, but +on the other hand, they all boldly +defy us; + +6 Though, before, the dead never +durst behave themselves insolently +towards us, nor being prisoners, +could ever on any occasion be +merry. + +7 O Satan, thou prince of all +the wicked, father of the impious +and abandoned, why wouldest thou +attempt this exploit, seeing our +prisoners were hitherto always +without the least hope of +salvation and life? + +8 But now there is not one of +them does ever groan, nor is there +the least appearance of a tear in +any of their faces. + +9 O prince Satan, thou great +keeper of the infernal regions, +all thy advantages which thou didst +acquire by the forbidden tree, and +the loss of Paradise, thou hast +now lost by the wood of the +cross; + +10 And thy happiness all then +expired, when thou didst crucify +Jesus Christ the King of Glory. + +11 Thou hast acted against thine +own interest and mine, as thou +wilt presently perceive by those +large torments and infinite +punishments which thou art +about to suffer. + +12 O Satan, prince of all evil, +author of death, and source of all +pride, thou shouldest first have +inquired into the evil crimes of +Jesus of Nazareth, and then thou +wouldest have found that he was +guilty of no fault worthy of death. + +13 Why didst thou venture, +without either reason or justice, +to crucify him, and hast brought +down to our regions a person +innocent and righteous, and thereby +hast lost all the sinners, impious +and unrighteous persons in the +whole world? + +14 While the prince of hell was +thus speaking to Satan, the King +of Glory said to Beelzebub the +prince of hell, Satan the prince +shall be subject to thy dominions +for ever, in the room of Adam and +his righteous sons, who are mine, + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + 1 Christ takes Adam by the hand, + the rest of the saints join hands, + and they all ascend with him to Paradise. + +THEN Jesus stretched forth his +hand, and said, Come to me, +all ye my saints, who were created +in my image, who were condemned +by the tree of the forbidden fruit, +and by the devil and death; + +2 Live now by the wood of my +cross; the devil, the prince of this +world, is overcome, and death is +conquered, + +3 Then presently all the saints +were joined together under the +hand of the most high God; and +the Lord Jesus laid hold on Adam's +hand, and said to him, Peace be +to thee, and all thy righteous +posterity, which is mine. + +4 Then Adam, casting himself +at the feet of Jesus, addressed +himself to him with tears, in +humble language, and a loud voice, +saying, + +5 "I will extol thee, O Lord, for +thou halt lifted me up, and hast +not made my foes to rejoice over +me. O Lord my God, I cried +unto thee, and thou hast healed +me." + +6 "O Lord thou hast brought up +my soul from the grave; thou +hast kept me alive, that I should +not go down to the pit." + +7 "Sing unto the Lord, all ye +saints of his, and give thanks at +the remembrance of his holiness, +for his anger endureth but for a +moment; in his favour is life." + +8 In like manner all the saints, +prostrate at the feet of Jesus, +said with one voice, Thou art come, +O Redeemer of the world, and hast +actually accomplished all things, +which thou didst foretell by the +law and thy holy prophets. + +9 Thou hast redeemed the living +by thy cross, and art come down +to us, that by the death of the +cross thou mightest deliver us +from hell, and by thy power from +death. + +10 O Lord, as thou hast put the +ensigns of thy glory in heaven, +and hast set up the sign of thy +redemption, even thy cross on earth; +so, Lord, set the sign of the victory +of thy cross in hell, that death +may have dominion no longer. + +11 Then the Lord stretching +forth his hand, made the sign of +the cross upon Adam, and upon +all his saints. + +12 And taking hold of Adam by +his right hand, he ascended from +hell, and all the saints of God +followed him. + +13 Then the royal prophet, David, +boldly cried, and said, O sing +unto the Lord a new song, for he +hath done marvellous things; his +right hand and his holy arm have +gotten him the victory. + +14 The Lord hath made known +his salvation, his righteousness +hath he openly shewn in the sight +of the heathen. + +15 And the whole multitude of +saints answered, saying, This +honour have all his saints, Amen, +Praise ye the Lord. + +16 Afterwards, the prophet +Habbakuk cried out, and said, +Thou wentest forth for the salvation +of thy people, even for salvation +with thine anointed. + +17 And all the saints said, +Blessed is he who cometh in the +name of the Lord; for the Lord +hath enlightened us. This is our +God for ever and ever; he shall +reign over us to everlasting ages. +Amen. + +18 In like manner all the prophets +spake the sacred things of his +praise, and followed the Lord. + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + 1 Christ delivers Adam to Michael the archangel. + 3 They meet Enoch and Elijah in heaven, + 5 and also the blessed thief, who relates + how he came to Paradise. + +THEN the Lord, holding Adam +by the hand, delivered him +to Michael the archangel; and he +led them into Paradise, filled with +mercy and glory; + +2 And two very ancient men +met them, and were asked by the +saints, Who are ye, who have not +yet been with us in hell, and have +had your bodies placed in Paradise? + +3 One of them answering, said, +I am Enoch, who was translated +by the word of God: and this man +who is with me, is Elijah the +Tishbite, who was translated in a +fiery chariot. + +4 Here we have hitherto been, +and have not tasted death, but are +now about to return at the coming +of Antichrist, being armed with +divine signs and miracles, to +engage with him in battle, and to be +slain by him at Jerusalem, and to +be taken up alive again into the +clouds, after three days and a +half. + +5 And while the holy Enoch +and Elias were relating this, +behold there came another man in a +miserable figure, carrying the sign +of the cross upon his shoulders. + +6 And when all the saints saw +him, they said to him, Who art +thou? For thy countenance is like +a thief's; and why dost thou carry +a cross upon thy shoulders? + +7 To which he answering, said, +Ye say right, for I was a thief, +who committed all sorts of wickedness +upon earth. + +8 And the Jews crucified me +with Jesus; and I observed the +surprising things which happened +in the creation at the crucifixion +of the Lord Jesus. + +9 And I believed him to be the +Creator of all things, and the +Almighty King; and I prayed to +him, saying, Lord remember me, +when thou comest into thy kingdom. + +10 He presently regarded my +supplication, and said to me, +Verily I say unto thee, this day +thou shalt be with me in Paradise. + +11 And he gave me this sign of +the cross, saying, Carry this, and +go to Paradise; and if the angel +who is the guard of Paradise will +not admit thee, show him the sign +of the cross, and say unto him +Jesus Christ who is now crucified, +hath sent me hither to thee. + +12 When I did this and told the +angel who is the guard of Paradise +all these things, and he heard +them, he presently opened the +gates, introduced me, and placed +me on the right hand in Paradise, + +13 Saying, Stay here a little +time, till Adam, the father of all +mankind, shall enter in, with all +his sons, who are the holy and +righteous servants of Jesus Christ, +who was crucified. + +14 When they heard all this +account from the thief, all the +patriarchs said with one voice, +Blessed be thou, O Almighty God, +the Father of everlasting goodness, +and the Father of mercies, who hast +shown such favour to those who were +sinners against him, and hast +brought them to the mercy of +Paradise, and hast placed them +amidst thy large and spiritual +provisions, in a spiritual and +holy life. Amen. + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + 1 Charinus and Lenthius being only allowed + three days to remain on earth, + 7 deliver in their narratives, which miraculously + correspond; they vanish, + 13 and Pilate records these transactions. + +THESE are the divine and +sacred mysteries which we saw +and heard. We, Charinus and +Lenthius are not allowed to declare +the other mysteries of God, as the +archangel Michael ordered us, + +2 Saying, ye shall go with my +brethren to Jerusalem, and shall +continue in prayers, declaring and +glorifying the resurrection of +Jesus Christ, seeing he hath raised +you from the dead at the same +time with himself. + +3 And ye shall not talk with +any man, but sit as dumb persons +till the time come when the Lord +will allow you to relate the +mysteries of his divinity. + +4 The archangel Michael farther +commanded us to go beyond Jordan, +to an excellent and fat country, +where there are many who rose +from the dead along with us +for the proof of the resurrection +of Christ. + +5 For we have only three days +allowed us from the dead, who +arose to celebrate the passover of +our Lord with our parents, and to +bear our testimony for Christ the +Lord, and we have been baptized +in the holy river of Jordan. And +now they are not seen by any one. + +6 This is as much as God allowed +us to relate to you; give ye +therefore praise and honour to +him, and repent, and he will have +mercy upon you. Peace be to you +from the Lord God Jesus Christ, +and the Saviour of us all. Amen, +Amen, Amen. + +7 And after they had made an +end of writing, and had written +on two distinct pieces of paper, +Charinus gave what he wrote into the +hands of Annas, and Caiaphas, and +Gamaliel. + +8 Lenthius likewise gave what +he wrote into the hands of Nicodemus +and Joseph; and immediately they +were changed into exceeding white +forms and were seen no more. + +9 But what they had written +was found perfectly to agree, the +one not containing one letter more +or less than the other. + +10 When all the assembly of the +Jews heard all these surprising +relations of Charinus and Lenthius, +they said to each other, Truly all +these things were wrought by +God, and blessed be the Lord Jesus +for ever and ever, Amen. + +11 And they went all out with +great concern, and fear, and +trembling, and smote upon their +breasts and went away every one +to his home. + +12 But immediately all these +things which were related by the +Jews in their synagogues concerning +Jesus, were presently told by Joseph +and Nicodemus to the governor. + +13 And Pilate wrote down all +these transactions, and placed all +these accounts in the public records +of his hall. + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + 1 Pilate goes to the temple; calls together + the rulers, and scribes, and doctors. + 2 Commands the gates to be shut; + orders the book of the Scriptures; and + causes the Jews to relate what they really + knew concerning Christ. + 14 They declare that they crucified Christ + in ignorance, and that they now know him + to be the Son of God, according to the + testimony of the Scriptures; which, + after they put him to death, were examined. + +AFTER these things Pilate went +to the temple of the Jews, +and called together all the rulers +and scribes, and doctors of the +law, and went with them into a +chapel of the temple. + +2 And commanding that all the +gates should be shut, said to them, +I have heard that ye have a certain +large book in this temple; I desire +you, therefore, that it may be +brought before me. + +3 And when the great book, +carried by four ministers of the +temple, and adorned with gold and +precious stones, was brought, +Pilate said to them all, I adjure +you by the God of your Fathers, +who made and commanded this temple +to be built, that ye conceal not the +truth from me. + +4 Ye know all the things which +are written in that book; tell me +therefore now, if ye in the +Scriptures have found any thing of +that Jesus whom ye crucified, and at +what time of the world he, ought +to have come: show it me. + +5 Then having sworn Annas and +Caiaphas, they commanded all the +rest who were with them to go out +of the chapel. + +6 And they shut the gates of the +temple and of the chapel, and said +to Pilate, Thou hast made us to +swear, O judge, by the building of +this temple, to declare to thee that +which is true and right. + +7 After we had crucified Jesus, +not knowing that he was the Son +of God, but supposing he wrought +his miracles by some magical arts, +we summoned a large assembly in +this temple. + +8 And when we were deliberating +among one another about the +miracles which Jesus had wrought, +we found many witnesses of our +own country, who declared that +they had seen him alive after his +death, and that they heard him +discoursing with his disciples, and +saw him ascending into the height +of the heavens, and entering into +them; + +9 And we saw two witnesses, +whose bodies Jesus raised from the +dead, who told us of many strange +things which Jesus did among the +dead, of which we have a written +account in our hands. + +10 And it is our custom annually +to open this holy book before an +assembly, and to search there for +the counsel of God. + +11 And we found in the first of +the seventy books, where Michael +the archangel is speaking to the +third son of Adam the first man, +an account that after five thousand +five hundred years, Christ the +most beloved son of God was to +come on earth, + +12 And we further considered, +that perhaps he was the very God +of Israel who spoke to Moses, +Thou shalt make the ark of the +testimony; two cubits and a half +shall be the length thereof, and a +cubit and a half the breadth thereof, +and a cubit and a half the height +thereof. + +13 By these five cubits and a +half for the building of the ark +of the Old Testament, we perceived +and knew that in five thousand +years and half (one thousand) years, +Jesus Christ was to come in the +ark or tabernacle of a body; + +14 And so our Scriptures testify +that he is the Son of God, and the +Lord and King of Israel. + +15 And because after his suffering, +our chief priests were surprised +at the signs which were wrought +by his means, we opened that book +to search all the generations down +to the generation of Joseph and +Mary the mother of Jesus, +supposing him to be of the +seed of David; + +16 And we found the account of +the creation, and at what time he +made the heaven and the earth, +and the first man Adam, and that +from thence to the flood, were two +thousand seven hundred and forty- +eight years. + +17 And from the flood to Abraham, +nine hundred and twelve. +And from Abraham to Moses, four +hundred and thirty. And from +Moses to David the King, five +hundred and ten. + +18 And from David to the Babylonish +captivity five hundred years. +And from the Babylonish captivity +to the incarnation of Christ, four +hundred years. + +19 The sum of all which amounts +to five thousand and half (a thousand.) + +20 And so it appears, that Jesus +whom we crucified, is Jesus Christ +the Son of God, and true Almighty +God. Amen. + +(In the name of the Holy Trinity, +thus end the acts of our Saviour +Jesus Christ, which the Emperor +Theodosius the Great found at +Jerusalem, in the hall of Pontius +Pilate, among the public records; +the things were acted in the +nineteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, +Emperor of the Romans, and in +the seventeenth year of the +government of Herod, the son of +Herod and of Galilee, on the +eighth of the calends of April, +which is the twenty-third day of +the month of March, in the CCIId +Olympiad, when Joseph and Caiaphas +were rulers of the Jews; being a +History written in Hebrew by +Nicodemus, of what happened after +our Saviour's crucifixion.) + + + + REFERENCES TO THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS, FORMERLY + CALLED THE ACTS OF PONTIUS PILATE. + +[Although this Gospel is, by some among the learned, supposed to have +been really written by Nicodemus, who became a disciple of Jesus Christ, +and conversed with him; others conjecture that it was a forgery towards +the close of the third century by some zealous believer, who, observing +that there had been appeals made by the Christians of the former age, +to the acts of Pilate, but that such acts could not be produced, +imagined it would be of service to Christianity to fabricate and publish +this Gospel; as it would both confirm the Christians under persecution, +and convince the Heathens of the truth of the Christian religion. The +Rev. Jeremiah Jones says, that such pious frauds were very common among +Christians even in the first three centuries; and that a forgery of this +nature, with the view above-mentioned, seems natural and probable. The +same author, in noticing that Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History, +charges the Pagans with having forged and published a book, called "The +Acts of Pilate," takes occasion to observe that the internal evidence of +this Gospel shows it was not the work of any Heathen, but that if in the +latter end of the third century we find it in use among Christians (as +it was then certainly in some churches), and about the same time find a +forgery of the Heathens under the same title, it seems exceedingly +probable that some Christians, at that time, should publish such a piece +as this, in order partly to confront the spurious one of the Pagans, and +partly to support those appeals which had been made by former Christians +to the Acts of Pilate; and Mr. Jones says, he thinks so more particularly +as we have innumerable instances of forgeries by the faithful in the +primitive ages, grounded on less plausible reasons. Whether it be +canonical or not, it is of very great antiquity, and is appealed to by +several of the ancient Christians. The present translation is made from +the Gospel, published by Grynaeus in the Orthodoxographa, vol. i, tom, +ii, p. 613.] + +Notwithstanding the diversity of opinions here alluded to, the majority +of the learned believe that the internal evidence of the authenticity of +this Gospel is manifested in the correct details of that period of +Christ's life on which it treats, while it far excels the canonical +Evangelists narrative of the trial of our Saviour before Pilate, with +more minute particulars of persons, evidence, circumstance, &c. + + + + + + THE EPISTLES OF + JESUS CHRIST & ABGARUS KING OF EDESSA. + + +CHAPTER I. + + A copy of a letter written by King Abgarus to Jesus; + and sent to him by Ananius, his footman, to Jerusalem, + 5 inviting him to Edessa. + +ABGARUS, king of Edessa, to +Jesus the good Saviour, who +appears at Jerusalem, greeting. + +2 I have been informed concerning +you and your cures, which are +performed without the use of +medicines and herbs. + +3 For it is reported, that you +cause the blind to see, the lame to +walk, do both cleanse lepers, and +cast out unclean spirits and devils, +and restore them to health who have +been long diseased; and raiseth up +the dead; + +4 All which when I heard, I was +persuaded of one of these two, +namely, either that you are God +himself descended from heaven; +who do these things, or the Son +of God. + +5 On this account therefore I +have written to you, earnestly to +desire you would take the trouble +of a journey hither, and cure a +disease which I am under. + +6 For I hear the Jews ridicule +you and, intend you mischief. + +7 My city is indeed small, but +neat, and large enough for us +both. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + The answer of Jesus by Ananias the footman + to Abgarus the king, + 3 declining to visit Edessa. + +ABGARUS, you are happy, +forasmuch as you have +believed on me, whom you +have not seen. + +2 For it is written concerning +me, that those who have seen me +should not believe on me, that +they who have not seen might +believe and live. + +3 As to that part of your letter, +which relates to my giving you a +visit, I must inform you, that I +must fulfil all the ends of my +mission in this country, and after +that be received up again to him +who sent me. + +4 But after my ascension I will +send one of my disciples, who will +cure your disease, and give life to +you, and all that are with you. + + + + + REFERENCES TO THE EPISTLES OF JESUS CHRIST AND + ABGARUS KING OF EDESSA. + +[The first writer who makes any mention of the Epistles that passed +between Jesus Christ and Abgarus, is Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, in +Palestine, who flourished in the early part of the fourth century. For +their genuineness, he appeals to the public registers and records of the +City of Edessa in Mesopotamia, where Abgarus reigned, and where he +affirms that he found them written in the Syriac language. He published a +Greek translation of them, in his Ecclesiastical History. The learned +world has been much divided on this subject; but, notwithstanding the +erudite Grabe, with Archbishop Cave, Dr, Parker, and other divines, have +strenuously contended for their admission into the canon of Scripture, +they are deemed apocryphal. The Rev. Jeremiah Jones observes, that the +common people in England have this Epistle in their houses in many +places, fixed in a frame, with the picture of Christ before it; and that +they generally, with much honesty and devotion, regard it as the word of +God, and the genuine Epistle of Christ.] + + + + + + + THE EPISTLE OF + ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE LAODICEANS. + + 1 He salutes the brethren; + 3 exhorts them to persevere in good works, + 4 and not to be moved by vain speaking. + 6 Rejoices in his bonds, + 10 desires them to live in the fear of the Lord. + +PAUL an Apostle, not of men, +neither by man, but by Jesus +Christ, to the brethren which are +at Laodicea. + +2 Grace be to you, and peace +from God the Father and our Lord +Jesus Christ. + +3 I thank Christ in every prayer +of mine, that ye may continue and +persevere in good works, looking +for that which is promised in the +day of judgment. + +4 Let not the vain speeches of +any trouble you, who pervert the +truth, that they may draw you +aside from the truth of the Gospel +which I have preached. + +5 And now may God grant, that +my converts may attain to a +perfect knowledge of the truth +of the Gospel, be beneficent, +and doing good works which +accompany salvation. + +6 And now my bonds, which I +suffer in Christ, are manifest, +in which I rejoice and am glad. +For I know that this shall +turn to my salvation for ever, +which shall be through your +prayer, and the supply of the +Holy Spirit. + +8 Whether I live or die, to live +shall be a life to Christ, to die +will be joy. + +9 And our Lord will grant us +his mercy, that ye may have the +same love, and be like-minded. + +10 Wherefore, my beloved, as +ye have heard of the coming of +the Lord, so think and act in fear, +and it shall be to you life eternal; + +11 For it is God, who worketh +in you: + +12 And do all things without +sin. + +13 And what is best, my beloved +rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ +and avoid all filthy lucre. + +14 Let all your requests be made +known to God, and be steady in +the doctrine of Christ. + +15 And whatsoever things are +sound and true, and of good report, +and chaste, and just, and lovely, +these things do. + +16 Those things which ye have +heard, and received, think on these +things, and peace shall be with +you. + +17 All the saints salute you. + +18 The grace of our Lord Jesus +Christ be with your spirit. Amen. + +19 Cause this Epistle to be read +to the Colossians, and the Epistle +of the Colossians to be read among +you. + + + + REFERENCES TO THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE + TO THE LAODICEANS. + +[This Epistle has been highly esteemed by several learned men of the +church of Rome and others. The Quakers have printed a translation, and +plead for it, as the reader may see, by consulting Poole's Annotation on +Col. vi. 16. Sixtus Senensis mentions two MSS., the one in the Sorbonne +Library at Paris, which is a very ancient copy, and the other in the +Library of Joannes a Viridario, at Padua, which he transcribed and +published; and which is the authority for the following translation. +There is a very old translation of this Epistle in the British Museum, +among the Harleian MSS., Cod. 1212.] + + + + + + + THE EPISTLES OF + ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE TO SENECA, WITH + SENECA'S TO PAUL. + +CHAPTER I. + +ANNAEUS SENECA to PAUL Greeting. + +I SUPPOSE, Paul, you have been +informed of that conversation, +which passed yesterday between +me and my Lucilius, concerning +hypocrisy and other subjects; for +there were some of your disciples +in company with us; + +2 For when we were retired into +the Sallustian gardens, through +which they were also passing, and +would have gone another way, by +our persuasion they joined +company with us. + +3 I desire you to believe, that +we much wish for your conversation; + +4 We were much delighted with +your book of many Epistles, which +you have written to some cities +and chief towns of provinces, and +contain wonderful instructions for +moral conduct: + +5 Such sentiments, as I suppose +you were not the author of, but +only the instrument of conveying, +though sometimes both the author +and the instrument, + +6 For such is the sublimity of +those, doctrines, and their grandeur, +that I suppose the age of a man +is scarce sufficient to be instructed +and perfected in the knowledge of +them. I wish your welfare, my brother. +Farewell. + + + +CHAPTER II. + +PAUL to SENECA Greeting. + +I RECEIVED your letter yesterday +with pleasure, to which I could +immediately have written an answer, +had the young man been at home, +whom I intended to have sent to you: + +2 For you know when, and by whom, +at what seasons, and to whom I must +deliver everything which I send. + +3 I desire therefore you would +not charge me with negligence, if +I wait for a proper person. + +4 I reckon myself very happy in +having the judgment of so valuable +a person, that you are delighted +with my Epistles: + +5 For you would not be esteemed +a censor, a philosopher, or be the +tutor of so great a prince, and a +master of everything, if you were +not sincere. I wish you a lasting +prosperity. + + + +CHAPTER III. + +ANNAEUS SENECA to PAUL Greeting. + +I HAVE completed some volumes +and divided them into their +proper parts. + +2 I am determined to read them +to Caesar, and if any favourable +opportunity happens, you also +shall be present, when they are +read; + +3 But if that cannot be, I will +appoint and give you notice of a +day, when we will together read +over the performance. + +4 I had determined, if I could +with safety, first to have your +opinion of it, before I published +it to Caesar, that you might be +convinced of my affection to you. +Farewell, dearest Paul. + + + +CHAP. IV. +PAUL to SENECA Greeting. + +AS often as I read your letters, +I imagine you present with +me; nor indeed do I think any +other, than that you are always +with us. + +2 As soon therefore as you begin +to come, we shall presently see +each other. I wish you all +prosperity. + + + +CHAPTER V. + +ANNAEUS SENECA to PAUL Greeting. + +WE are very much concerned +at your too long absence +from us. + +2 What is it, or what affairs are +they, which obstructs your coming? + +3 If you fear the anger of +Caesar because you have abandoned +your former religion, and made +proselytes also of others, you +have this to plead, that your +acting thus proceeded not from +inconstancy, but judgment. +Farewell. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +PAUL to SENECA and LUCILIUS +Greeting. + +CONCERNING those things, +about which ye wrote to me, +it is not proper for me to mention +anything in writing with pen and +ink: the one of which leaves +marks, and the other evidently +declares things. + +2 Especially since I know that +there are near you, as well as me, +those who will understand my +meaning. + +3 Deference is to be paid to +all men, and so much the more, +as they are more likely to take +occasions of quarrelling. + +4 And if we show a submissive +temper, we shall overcome +effectually in all points, if so +be they are, who are capable of +seeing and acknowledging themselves +to have been in the wrong. Farewell. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ANNAEUS SENECA to PAUL Greeting. + +I PROFESS myself extremely +pleased with the reading your +letters to the Galatians, +Corinthians, and people of Achaia. + +2 For the Holy Ghost has in +them by you delivered those +sentiments which are very lofty, +sublime, deserving of all respect, +and beyond your own invention. + +3 I could wish therefore, that +when you are writing things so +extraordinary, there might not +be wanting an elegancy of speech +agreeable to their majesty. + +4 And I must own, my brother, +that I may not at once dishonestly +conceal anything from you, and be +unfaithful to my own conscience, +that the emperor is extremely +pleased with the sentiments of +your Epistles; + +5 For when he heard the beginning +of them read, he declared, that he +was surprised to find such notions +in a person, who had not had a +regular education. + +6 To which I replied, That the +Gods sometimes made use of mean +(innocent) persons to speak by, and +gave him an instance of this in a +mean countryman named Vatienus, +who, when he was in the country +of Reate, had two men appeared +to him, called Castor and Pollux, +and received a revelation from the +gods. Farewell. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +PAUL to SENECA Greeting. + +ALTHOUGH I know the emperor is +both an admirer and favourer of +our religion, yet give me leave +to advise you against your suffering +any injury (by showing favour to us). + +2 I think indeed you ventured +upon a very dangerous attempt, +when you would declare (to the +emperor) that which is so very +contrary to his religion, and way +of worship; seeing he is a +worshipper of the heathen gods. + +3 I know not what you particularly +had in view, when you told him of +this; but I suppose you did it out +of too great respect for me. + +4 But I desire that for the future +you would not do so; for you had +need be careful, lest by showing +your affection for me, you should +offend your master: + +5 His anger indeed will do us no +harm, if he continue a heathen; +nor will his not being angry be +of any service to us: + +6 And if the empress act worthy +of her character, she will not be +angry; but if she act as a woman, +she will be affronted. Farewell. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +ANNEUS SENECA to PAUL Greeting. + +KNOW that my letter, wherein +I acquainted you, that I had +read to the Emperor your Epistles, +does not so much affect you as the +nature of the things (contained +in them.) + +2 Which do so powerfully divert +men's minds from their former +manners and practices, that I have +always been surprised, and have +been fully convinced of it by many +arguments heretofore. + +3 Let us therefore begin afresh; +and if any thing heretofore has +been imprudently acted, do you +forgive. + +4 I have sent you a book decopia +verborum. Farewell, dearest Paul. + + + +CHAPTER X. + +PAUL to SENECA Greeting. + +AS often as I write to you, +and place my name before yours, +I do a thing both disagreeable +to myself, and contrary to our +religion: + +2 For I ought, as I have often +declared, to become all things to +all men, and to have that regard +to your quality, which the Roman +law has honoured all senators with; +namely, to put my name last in the +(inscription of the) Epistle, that +I may not at length with uneasiness +and shame be obliged to do that +which it was always my inclination +to do. Farewell, most respected +master. Dated the fifth of the +calends of July, in the fourth +Consulship of Nero, and Messala. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +ANNAEUS SENECA to PAUL Greeting. + +ALL happiness to you, +my dearest Paul. + +2 If a person so great, and +every way agreeable as you are, +become not only a common, but +a most intimate friend to me, +how happy will be the case of +Seneca! + +3 You therefore, who are so +eminent, and so far exalted above +all, even the greatest, do not think +yourself unfit to be first named in +the inscription of an Epistle; + +4 Lest I should suspect you intend +not so much to try me, as to banter +me; for you know yourself to be a +Roman citizen. + +5 And I could wish to be in that +circumstance or station which you +are, and that you were in the same +that I am. Farewell, dearest Paul. +Dated the tenth of the calends of +April, in the Consulship of Aprianus +and Capito. + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +ANNAEUS SENECA to PAUL Greeting. + +ALL happiness to you, my dearest +Paul. Do you not suppose I am +extremely concerned and grieved +that your innocence should bring +you into sufferings? + +2 And that all the people should +suppose you (Christians) so criminal, +and imagine all the misfortunes +that happen to the city, to be +caused by you? + +3 But let us bear the charge +with a patient temper, appealing +for our innocence to the court +above, which is the only one our +hard fortune will allow us to address +to, till at length our misfortunes +shall end in unalterable happiness. + +4 Former ages have produced +(tyrants) Alexander the son of +Philip, and Dionysius; ours also +has produced Caius Caesar; whose +inclinations were their only laws. + +5 As to the frequent burnings +of the city of Rome, the cause is +manifest; and if a person in my +mean circumstances might be allowed +to speak, and one might declare +these dark things without danger, +every one should see the whole of +the matter. + +6 The Christians and Jews are +indeed commonly punished for the +crime of burning the city; but that +impious miscreant, who delights +in murders and butcheries, and +disguises his villainies with lies, +is appointed to, or reserved till, +his proper time. + +7 And as the life of every +excellent person is now sacrificed +instead of that one person (who is +the author of the mischief), so this +one shall be sacrificed for many, +and he shall be devoted to be burnt +with fire instead of all. + +8 One hundred and thirty-two houses, +and four whole squares (or islands) +were burnt down in six days: the +seventh put an end to the burning. +I wish you all happiness. + +9 Dated the fifth of the calends +of April, in the Consulship of +Frigius and Bassus. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +ANNAEUS SENECA to PAUL Greeting. + +ALL happiness to you, my dearest +Paul. + +2 You have written many volumes in +an allegorical and mystical style, +and therefore such mighty matters +and business being committed to you, +require not to be set off with any +rhetorical flourishes of speech, +but only with some proper elegance. + +3 I remember you often said, +that many by affecting such a style +do injury to their subjects, and +lose the force of the matters they +treat of. + +4 But in this I desire you to +regard me, namely, to have respect +to true Latin, and to choose just +words, that so you may the better +manage the noble trust which is +reposed in you. + +5 Farewell. Dated the fifth of +the nones of July, Leo and Savinus +Consuls. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +PAUL to SENECA Greeting. + +YOUR serious consideration is +requited with those discoveries, +which the Divine Being has +granted but to few; + +2 I am thereby assured that +I sow the most strong seed in a +fertile soil, not anything material, +which is subject to corruption, but +the durable word of God, which +shall increase and bring forth fruit +to eternity. + +3 That which by your wisdom you +have attained to, shall abide +without decay for ever. + +4 Believe that you ought to +avoid the superstitions of Jews +and Gentiles. + +5 The things which you have in +some measure arrived to, prudently +make known to the emperor, his +family, and to faithful friends; + +6 And though your sentiments +will seem disagreeable, and not +be comprehended by them, seeing +most of them will not regard your +discourses, yet the Word of God +once infused into them, will at +length make them become new men, +aspiring towards God. + +7 Farewell Seneca, who art +most dear to us. Dated on the +calends of August, in the +Consulship of Leo and Savinus. + + + + REFERENCES TO THE EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE + TO SENECA, WITH SENECA'S TO PAUL. + +[Several very learned writers have entertained a favourable opinion of +these Epistles. They are undoubtedly of high antiquity. Salmeron cites +them to prove that Seneca was one of Caesar's household, referred to by +Paul, Philip iv. 22, as saluting the brethren at Philippi. In Jerome's +enumeration of illustrious men, he places Seneca, on account of these +Epistles, amongst the ecclesiastical and holy writers of the Christian +Church. Sixtus Senensis has published them in his Bibliotheque, p 89, 90; +and it is from thence that the present translation is made. Baronius, +Bellarmine, Dr. Cave, Spanheim, and others, contend that they are not +genuine.] + + + + + + + + THE ACTS OF ST. PAUL AND THECLA. + + The martyrdom of the holy and glorious + first Martyr and Apostle Thecla. + + +CHAPTER I. + + 1 Demas and Hermogenes become Paul's companions. + 4 Paul visits Onesiphorus. + 8 Invited by Demos and Hermogenes. + 11 Preaches to the household of Onesiphorus. + 12 His sermon. + +WHEN Paul went up to Iconium, +after his flight from Antioch, +Demas and Hermogenes became +his companions, who were then +full of hypocrisy. + +2 But Paul looking only at the +goodness of God, did them no +harm, but loved them greatly. + +3 Accordingly he endeavoured +to make agreeable to them all the +oracles and doctrines of Christ, +and the design of the Gospel of +God's well-beloved son; instructing +them in the knowledge of Christ, +as it was revealed to him. + +4 And a certain man named +Onesiphorus, hearing that Paul +was come to Iconium, went out +speedily to meet him, together +with his wife Lectra, and his sons +Simmia and Zeno, to invite him to +their house. + +5 For Titus had given them a +description of Paul's personage, +they as yet not knowing him in +person, but only being acquainted +with his character. + +6 They went in the king's highway +to Lystra, and stood there waiting +for him, comparing all who passed +by with that description which +Titus had given them. + +7 At length they saw a man coming +(namely Paul), of a low stature, +bald on the head; with crooked thighs, +handsome legs, hollow-eyes; and a +crooked nose; full of grace, for +sometimes he appeared as a man, +sometimes he had the countenance +of an angel. And Paul saw Onesiphorus, +and was glad. + +8 And Onesiphorus said: +Hail, thou servant of the blessed +God. Paul replied, The grace of +God be with thee and thy family. + +9 But Denies and Hermogenes +were moved with envy, and, under +a show of great religion, Demas +said, And are not we also servants +of the blessed God? Why didst +thou not salute us? + +10 Onesiphorus replied, Because +I have not perceived in you the +fruits of righteousness; nevertheless, +if ye are of that sort, ye shall be +welcome to my house also. + +11 Then Paul went into the house +of Onesiphorus, and there was great +joy among the family on that account: +and they employed themselves in prayer, +breaking of bread, and hearing Paul +preach the word of God concerning +temperance and the resurrection, +in the following manner: + +12 Blessed are the pure in +heart; for they shall see God. + +13 Blessed are they who keep +their flesh undefiled (or pure); +for they shall be the temple of God. + +14 Blessed are the temperate +(or chaste); for God will reveal +himself to them. + +15 Blessed are they who abandon +their worldly enjoyments; for they +shall be accepted of God. + +16 Blessed are they who have +wives, as though they had them +not; for they shall be made angels +of God. + +17 Blessed are they who tremble +at the word of God; for they +shall be comforted. + +18 Blessed are they who keep +their baptism pure; for they shall +find peace with the Father, Son, +and Holy Ghost. + +19 Blessed are they who pursue +the wisdom or doctrine of Jesus +Christ; for they shall be called +the sons of the Most High. + +20 Blessed are they who observe +the instructions of Jesus Christ; +for they shall dwell in eternal +light. + +21 Blessed are they, who for the +love of Christ abandon the glories +of the world, for they shall judge +angels, and be placed at the right +hand of Christ, and shall not suffer +the bitterness of the last judgment. + +22 Blessed are the bodies and souls +of virgins; for they are acceptable +to God, and shall not lose the reward +of their virginity; for the word of +their (heavenly) Father shall prove +effectual to their salvation in the +day of his Son, and they shall enjoy +rest for evermore. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + 1 Thecla listens anxiously to Paul's preaching. + 5 Thamyris, her admirer, concerts with Theoclia + her mother to dissuade her, + 12 in vain. + 14 Demas and Hermogenes vilify Paul to Thamyris. + +WHILE Paul was preaching +this sermon in the church +which was in the house of +Onesiphorus, a certain virgin +named Thecla (whose mother's +name was Theoclia, and who was +betrothed to a man named Thamyris) +sat at a certain window in her house. + +2 From whence, by the advantage +of a window in the house where +Paul was, she both night and day +heard Paul's sermons concerning +God, concerning charity, concerning +faith in Christ, and concerning +prayer; + +3 Nor would she depart from +the window, till with exceeding +joy she was subdued to the +doctrines of faith. + +4 At length, when she saw many +women and virgins going into +Paul, she earnestly desired that +she might be thought worthy to +appear in his presence, and hear +the word of Christ; for she had +not yet seen Paul's person, but only +heard his sermons, and that alone. + +5 But when she would not be +prevailed upon to depart from the +window, her mother sent to Thamyris, +who came with the greatest pleasure, +as hoping now, to marry her. +Accordingly he said to Theoclia, +Where is my Thecla? + +6 Theoclia replied, Thamyris, +I have something very strange to +tell you; for Thecla, for the space +of three days, will not move from +the window, not so much as to eat +or drink, but is so intent in +hearing the artful and delusive +discourses of a certain foreigner, +that I perfectly wonder Thamyris, +that a young woman of her known +modesty, will suffer herself to be +so prevailed upon. + +7 For that man has disturbed +the whole city of Iconium, and +even your Thecla, among others. +All the women and young men +flock to him to receive his +doctrine; who, besides all the +rest, tells them that there is +but one God, who alone is to be +worshipped, and that we ought +to live in chastity. + +8 Notwithstanding this, my +daughter Thecla, like a spider's +web fastened to the window, is +captivated, by the discourses of +Paul, and attends' upon them with +prodigious eagerness, and vast +delight; and thus, by attending +on what he says, the young woman +is seduced. Now then do you go, +and speak to her, for she is +betrothed to you. + +9 Accordingly Thamyris went, +and having saluted her, and taking +care not to surprise her, he said, +Thecla, my spouse, why sittest +thou in this melancholy posture? +What strange impressions are +made upon thee? Turn to Thamyris, +and blush. + +10 Her mother also spake to her +after the same manner, and said, +Child, why dost thou sit so +melancholy, and, like one +astonished, makest no reply? + +11 Then they wept exceedingly, +Thamyris, that he had lost his +spouse; Theoclia, that she had +lost her daughter; and the maids, +that they had lost their mistress; +and there was an universal +mourning in the family. + +12 But all these things made no +impression upon Thecla, so as to +incline her so much as to turn to +them, and take notice of them; +for she still regarded the +discourses of Paul. + +13 Then Thamyris ran forth into +the street to observe who they +were that went in to Paul, and +came out from him; and he saw +two men engaged in a very warm +dispute, and said to them; + +14 Sirs, what business have +you here? and who is that man +within, belonging to you, who +deludes the minds of men, both +young men and virgins, persuading +them, that they ought not to marry, +but continue as they are? + +15 I promise to give you a +considerable sum, if ye will give +me a just account of him; for I am +the chief person of this city. + +16 Demas and Hermogenes replied, +We cannot so exactly tell who he +is; but this we know, that he +deprives young men of their +(intended) wives, and virgins of +their (intended) husbands, by +teaching, There can be no future +resurrection, unless ye continue +in chastity, and do not defile your +flesh. + + + +CHAPTER III. + +1 They betray Paul. +7 Thamyris arrests him with officers. + +THEN said Thamyris, Come along +with me to my house, and refresh +yourselves. So they went to a very +splendid entertainment, where +there was wine in abundance, +and very rich provision. + +2 They were brought to a table +richly spread, and made to drink +plentifully by Thamyris, on account +of the love he had for Thecla +and his desire to marry her. + +3 Then Thamyris said, I desire +ye would inform me what the +doctrines of this Paul are, that +I may understand them; for I am +under no small concern about Thecla, +seeing she so delights in that +stranger's discourses, that I am in +danger of losing my intended wife. + +4 Then Demas and Hermogenes +answered both together, and said, +Let him be brought before the +governor Castellius, as one who +endeavours to persuade the people +into the new religion of the +Christians, and he, according to +the order of Caesar, will put him +to death, by which means you will +obtain your wife; + +5 While we at the same time will +teach her, that the resurrection +which he speaks of is already come, +and consists in our having children; +and that we then arose again, +when we came to the knowledge of God. + +6 Thamyris having this account +from them, was filled with hot +resentment: + +7 And rising early in the morning +he went to the house of Onesiphorus, +attended by the magistrates, the +Jailor, and a great multitude of +people with staves, and said to Paul; + +8 Thou hast perverted the city +of Iconium, and among the rest, +Thecla, who is betrothed to me, +so that now she will not marry +me. Thou shalt therefore go with +us to the governor Castellius. + +9 And all the multitude cried +out, Away with this imposter, for +he has perverted the minds of our +wives, and all the people hearken +to him. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + 1 Paul accused before the governor by Thamyris. + 5 Defends himself. + 9 Is committed to prison, + 10 and visited by Thecla. + +THEN Thamyris standing before +the governor's judgment-seat, +spake with a loud voice in the +following manner. + +2 O governor, I know not whence +this man cometh; but he is one +who teaches that matrimony is +unlawful. Command him therefore +to declare before you for what +reason he publishes such doctrines. + +3 While he was saying thus, +Demas and Hermogenes (whispered to +Thamyris, and) said; Say that he +is a Christian, and he will +presently be put to death. + +4 But the governor was more +deliberate, and calling to Paul, +he said, Who art thou? What dost +thou teach? They seem to lay +gross crimes to thy charge. + +5 Paul then spake with a loud +voice, saying, As I am now called +to give an account, O governor, +of my doctrines, I desire your +audience. + +6 That God, who is a God of +vengeance, and who strands in need +of nothing but the salvation of his +creatures, has sent me to reclaim +them from their wickedness, and +corruptions; from all (sinful) +pleasures, and from death; and to +persuade them to sin no more. + +7 On this account, God sent his +Son Jesus Christ, whom I preach, +and in whom I instruct men to +place their hopes, as that person +who only had such compassion on +the deluded world, that it might +not, O governor, be condemned, +but have faith, the fear of God, +the knowledge of religion, and the +love of truth. + +8 So that if I only teach those +things which I have received by +revelation from God, where is my +crime? + +9 When the governor heard this, +he ordered Paul to be bound, +and to be put in prison, till he +should be more at leisure to hear +him more fully. + +10 But in the night, Thecla +taking off her ear-rings, gave them +to the turnkey of the prison, who +then opened the door to her, and +let her in; + +11 And when she made a present +of a silver looking-glass to the +jailor, was allowed to go into the +room where Paul was; then she set +down at his feet, and heard from +him the great things of God. + +12 And as she perceived Paul +not to be afraid of suffering, +but that by divine assistance +he behaved himself with courage, +her faith so far increased that +she kissed his chains. + + + +CHAPTER V. + +1 Thecla sought and found by her relations. +4 Brought with Paul before the governor. +9 Ordered to be burnt, and Paul to be whipt. +15 Thecla miraculously saved. + +AT length Thecla was missed +and sought for by the family +and by Thamyris in every street, +as though she had been lost; till +one of the porter's fellow-servants +told them, that she had gone out +in the night-time. + +2 Then they examined the porter, +and he told them, that she was +gone to the prison to the strange +man. + +3 They went therefore according +to his direction, and there found +her; and when they came out, they +got a mob together, and went and +told the governor all that had +happened. + +4 Upon which he ordered Paul +to be brought before his judgment +seat. + +5 Thecla in the mean time lay +wallowing on the ground in the +prison, in that same place where +Paul had sat to teach her; upon +which the governor also ordered +her to be brought before his +judgment-seat; which summons she +received with joy, and went. + +6 When Paul was brought thither, +the mob with more vehemence cried +out, He is a magician, let him die. + +7 Nevertheless the governor +attended with pleasure upon Paul's +discourses of the holy works of +Christ; and, after a council called, +he summoned Thecla, and said to +her, Why do you not, according +to the law of the Iconians, marry +Thamyris? + +8 She stood still, with her eyes +fixed upon Paul; and finding she +made no reply, Theoclia, her +mother cried out saying, Let the +unjust creature be burnt; let her +be burnt in the midst of the theatre, +for refusing Thamyris, that all +women may learn from her to avoid +such practices. + +9 Then the governor was exceedingly +concerned, and ordered Paul to be +whipt out of the city, and Thecla +to be burnt. + +10 So the governor arose, and went +immediately into the theatre; and +all the people went forth to see +the dismal sight. + +11 But Thecla, just as a lamb in +the wilderness looks every way to +see his shepherd, looked around +for Paul; + +12 And as she was looking upon +the multitude, she saw the Lord +Jesus in the likeness of Paul, and +said to herself, Paul is come to see +me in my distressed circumstances. +And she fixed her eyes upon him; +but he instantly ascended up to +heaven, while she looked on him. + +13 Then the young men and women +brought wood and straw for the +burning of Thecla; who being brought +naked to the stake, extorted tears +from the governor, with surprise +beholding the greatness of her beauty. + +14 And when they had placed +the wood in order, the people +commanded her to go upon it; which +she did, first making the sign of +the cross. + +15 Then the people set fire to +the pile; though the flame was +exceeding large, it did not touch +her; for God took compassion on +her, and caused a great eruption +from the earth beneath, and a +cloud from above to pour down +great quantities of rain and hail; + +16 Insomuch that by the rupture +of the earth, very many were +in great danger, and some were +killed, the fire was extinguished, +and Thecla preserved. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +1 Paul with Onesiphorus in a cave. +7 Thecla discovers Paul; +12 proffers to follow him: +13 he exhorts her not for fear of fornication. + +IN the mean time Paul, together +with Onesiphorus, his wife and +children, was keeping a fast in a +certain cave, which was in the +road from Iconium to Daphne. + +2 And when they had fasted for +several days, the children said to +Paul, Father, we are hungry, and +have not wherewithal to buy bread; +for Onesiphorus had left all his +substance to follow Paul with his +family. + +3 Then Paul, taking off his coat, +said to the boy, Go, child, and buy +bread, and bring it hither. + +4 But while the boy was buying +the bread, he saw his neighbour +Thecla, and was surprised, and +said to her, Thecla, where are you +going? + +5 She replied, I am in pursuit +of Paul, having been delivered +from the flames. + +6 The boy then said, I will bring +you to him, for he is under great +concern on your account, and has +been in prayer and fasting these +six days. + +7 When Thecla came to the cave, +she found Paul upon his knees +praying and saying, O holy Father, +O Lord Jesus Christ, grant that +the fire may not touch Thecla; +but be her helper, for she is +thy servant. + +8 Thecla then standing behind +him, cried out in the following +words: O sovereign Lord Creator +of heaven and earth, the Father of +thy beloved and holy Son, I praise +thee that thou hast preserved me +from the fire, to see Paul again. + +9 Paul then arose, and when he +saw her, said, O God, who searchest +the heart, Father of my Lord Jesus +Christ, I praise thee that thou hast +answered my prayer. + +10 And there prevailed among them +in the cave an entire affection to +each other; Paul, Onesiphorus, +and all that were with them being +filled with joy. + +11 They had five loaves, some +herbs and water, and they solaced +each other in reflections upon the +holy works of Christ. + +12 Then said Thecla to Paul, +If you be pleased with it, I will +follow you whithersoever you go. + +13 He replied to her, Persons +are now much given to fornication, +and you being handsome, I am +afraid lest you should meet with +greater temptation than the former, +and should Not withstand, but be +overcome by it. + +14 Thecla replied, Grant me +only the seal of Christ, and no +temptation shall affect me. + +15 Paul answered, Thecla, wait +with patience, and you shall +receive the gift of Christ. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + 1 Paul and Thecla go to Antioch. + 2 Alexander, a magistrate, falls in love with Thecla: + 4 kisses her by force: + 5 she resists him: + 6 is carried before the governor, and condemned + to be thrown to wild beasts. + +THEN Paul sent back Onesiphorus +and his family to their own home, +and taking Thecla along with him, +went for Antioch; + +2 And as soon as they came in. +to the city, a certain Syrian, +named Alexander, a magistrate in +the city, who had done many +considerable services for the city +during his magistracy, saw Thecla, +and fell in love with her, and +endeavoured by many rich presents +to engage Paul in his interest. + +3 But Paul told him, I know not +the woman of whom you speak, nor +does she belong to me. + +4 But he being a person of great +power in, Antioch, seized her in +the street and kissed her: which +Thecla would not bear, but looking +about for Paul, cried out in a +distressed loud tone, Force me not, +who am a stranger; force me not, +who am a servant of God; I am +one of the principal persons of +Iconium, and was obliged to leave +that city because I would not be +married to Thamyris. + +5 Then she laid hold on Alexander, +tore his coat, and took his crown +off his head, and made him appear +ridiculous before all the people. + +6 But Alexander, partly as he +loved her, and partly being ashamed +of what had been done, led her to +the governor, and upon her confession +of what she had done, he condemned +her to be thrown among the beasts. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + 2 Thecla entertained by Trifina; + 3 brought out to the wild beasts; + a she-lion licks her feet. + 5 Trifina upon a vision of her deceased + daughter, adopts Thecla, + 11 who is taken to the amphitheatre again. + +WHICH when the people saw, they +said: The judgments passed in this +city are unjust. But Thecla desired +the favour of the governor, that +her chastity might not be attacked, +but preserved till she should be +cast to the beasts. + +2 The governor then inquired, +Who would entertain her; upon +which a certain very rich widow, +named Trifina, whose daughter +was lately dead, desired that she +might have the keeping of her; +and she began to treat her in her +house as her own daughter. + +3 At length a day came, when +the beasts were to be brought forth +to be seen; and Thecla was brought +to the amphitheatre, and put into +a den in which was an exceeding +fierce she-lion, in the presence of +a multitude of spectators. + +4 Trifina; without any surprise, +accompanied Thecla, and the +she-lion licked the feet of Thecla. +The title written which denoted +her crime, was Sacrilege. Then +the women cried out, O God, the +judgments of this city are +unrighteous. + +5 After the beasts had been +shown, Trifina took Thecla home +with her, and they went to bed; +and behold, the daughter of Trifina, +who was dead, appeared to her +mother, and said; Mother, let the +young woman, Thecla, be reputed +by you as your daughter in my +stead; and desire her that she +should pray for me, that I may be +translated to a state of happiness. + +6 Upon which Trifina, with a +mournful air, said, My daughter +Falconilla has appeared to me, and +ordered me to receive you in her +room; wherefore I desire, Thecla, +that you would pray for my daughter, +that she may be translated into +a state of happiness, and to life +eternal. + +7 When Thecla heard this, she +immediately prayed to the Lord, +and said: O Lord God of heaven and +earth, Jesus Christ, thou Son of +the Most High, grant that her +daughter Falconilla may live forever. +Trifina hearing this, groaned again, +and said: O unrighteous judgments! +O unreasonable wickedness! that +such a creature should (again) +be cast to the beasts! + +8 On the morrow, at break of day, +Alexander came to Trifina's house, +and said: The governor and the +people are waiting; bring the +criminal forth. + +9 But Trifina ran in so violently +upon him, that he was affrighted, +and ran away. Trifina was one of +the royal family; and she thus +expressed her sorrow, and said; +Alas! I have trouble in my house +on two accounts, and there is no +one who will relieve me, either +under the loss of my daughter, or +my being unable to save Thecla. +But now, O Lord God, be thou the +helper of Thecla thy servant. + +10 While she was thus engaged. +the governor sent one of his own +officers to bring Thecla. Trifina +took her by the hand, and, going +with her, said: I went with +Falconilla to her grave, and now +must go with Thecla to the beasts. + +11 When Thecla heard this, she +weeping prayed, and said: O Lord +God, whom I have made my confidence +and refuge, reward Trifina for her +compassion to me, and preserving +my chastity. + +12 Upon this there was a great +noise in the amphitheatre; the +beasts roared, and the people +cried out, Bring in the criminal. + +13 But the women cried out, +and said: Let the whole city +suffer for such crimes; and +order all of us, O governor, +to the same punishment. O unjust +judgment! O cruel sight! + +14 Others said, Let the whole +city be destroyed for this vile +action. Kill us all, O governor. +O cruel sight! O unrighteous +judgment. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + 1 Thecla thrown naked to the wild beasts; + 2 but they all refuse to attack her. + 8 She baptizes herself in a pit of water. + 10 Other wild beasts refuse to injure her. + 11 Tied to wild bulls. + 13 Miraculously saved. + 21. Released. + 24 Entertained by Trifina, + +THEN Thecla was taken out of +the hand of Trifina, stripped +naked, had a girdle put on, and +thrown into the place appointed +for fighting with the beasts: and +the lions and the bears were let +loose upon her. + +2 But a she-lion, which was of +all the most fierce, ran to Thecla, +and fell down at her feet. Upon +which the multitude of women +shouted aloud. + +3 Then a she-bear ran fiercely +towards her, but the she lion met +the bear, and tore it in pieces. + +4 Again a he-lion, who had been +wont to devour men, and which +belonged to Alexander, ran towards +her; but the she-lion encountered +the he-lion, and they killed each +other. + +5 Then the women were under +a greater concern, because the +she-lion, which had helped Thecla, +was dead. + +6 Afterwards they brought out +many other wild beasts; but Thecla +stood with her hands stretched +towards heaven, and prayed; and +when she had done praying, she +turned about, and saw a pit of +water, and said, Now it is a proper +time for me to be baptized. + +7 Accordingly she threw herself +into the water, and said, In thy +name, O my Lord Jesus Christ, I +am this last day baptized. The +women and the people seeing this, +cried out and said, Do not throw +yourself into the water. And the +governor himself cried out, to +think that the fish (sea-calves) +were like to devour so much +beauty. + +8 Notwithstanding all this, +Thecla threw herself into the water, +in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. + +9 But the fish (sea-calves) when +they saw the lightning and fire, +were killed, and swam dead upon +the surface of the water, and a +cloud of fire surrounded Thecla; +so that as the beasts could not +come near her, so the people could +not see her nakedness. + +10 Yet they turned other wild +beasts upon her; upon which they +made a very mournful outcry; and +some of them scattered spikenard, +others cassia, others amomus (a +sort of spikenard, or the herb of +Jerusalem, or ladies rose), others +ointment; so that the quantity of +ointment was large, in proportion +to the number of people; and upon +this all the beasts lay as though +they had been fast asleep, and did +not touch Thecla. + +11 Whereupon Alexander said +to the governor, I have some very +terrible bulls; let us bind her to +them. To which the governor, with +concern, replied, You may do what +you think fit. + +12 Then they put a cord round +Thecla's waist, which bound also +her feet, and with it tied her to +the bulls, to whose privy-parts they +applied red-hot irons, that so they +being the more tormented, might +more violently drag Thecla about, +till they had killed her. + +13 The bulls accordingly tore +about, making a most hideous noise; +but the flame which was about Thecla, +burnt off the cords which were +fastened to the members of the +bulls, and she stood in the middle +of the stage, as unconcerned as +if she had not been bound. + +14 But in the mean time Trifina, +who sat upon one of the benches, +fainted away and died; upon which +the whole city was under a very +great concern. + +15 And Alexander himself was +afraid, and desired the governor, +saying: I entreat you, take +compassion on me and the city, +and release this woman, who has +fought with the beasts; lest both +you and I, and the whole city, +be destroyed; + +16 For if Caesar should have any +account of what has passed now, +he will certainly immediately +destroy the city, because Trifina, +a person of royal extract, and a +relation of his, is dead upon her +seat. + +17 Upon this the governor called +Thecla from among the beasts to him, +and said to her, Who art thou? and +what are thy circumstances, that not +one of the beasts will touch thee? + +18 Thecla replied to him; I am +a servant of the living God; and +as to my state, I am a believer on +Jesus Christ his Son, in whom +God is well pleased; and for that +reason none of the beasts could +touch me. + +19 He alone is the way to eternal +salvation, and the foundation of +eternal life. He is a refuge to +those who are in distress; a support +to the afflicted, hope and defence +to those who are hopeless; and in +a word, all those who do not +believe on him, shall not live, +but suffer eternal death. + +20 When the governor heard these +things, he ordered her clothes +to be brought, and said to her, +Put on your clothes. + +21 Thecla replied: May that God +who clothed me when I was naked +among the beasts, in the day of +judgment clothe your soul with +the robe of salvation. Then she +took her clothes, and put them +on; and the governor immediately +published an order in these words: +I release to you Thecla the servant +of God. + +22 Upon which the women cried +out together with a loud voice, +and with one accord gave praise +unto God, and said; There is but +one God, who is the God of Thecla; +the one God who hath delivered +Thecla. + +23 So loud were their voices, +that the whole city seemed to be +shaken; and Trifina herself heard +the glad tidings, and arose again, +and ran with the multitude to +meet Thecla; and embracing her, +said: Now I believe there shall +be a resurrection of the dead; +now I am persuaded that my daughter +is alive. Come therefore home +with me, my daughter Thecla, and +I will make all over that I have +to you. + +24 So Thecla went with Trifina, +and was entertained there a few +days, teaching her the word of the +Lord, whereby many young women +were converted; and there was +great joy in the family of Trifina. + +25 But Thecla longed to see Paul, +and inquired and sent every where +to find him; and when at length +she was informed that he was at +Myra, in Lycia, she took with her +many young men and women; and +putting on a girdle, and dressing +herself in the habit of a man, +she went to him to Myra in Lycia, +and there found Paul preaching +the word of God; and she stood +by him among the throng. + + + +CHAPTER X. + + 1 Thecla visits Paul; + 6 visits Onesiphorus; + 8 and visits her Mother + 9 who repulses her. + 14 Is tempted by the devil. + 16 Works miracles. + +BUT it was no small surprise +to Paul when he saw her and the +people with her; for he imagined +some fresh trial was coming upon them; + +2 Which when Thecla perceived, +she said to him: I have been baptized, +O Paul; for he who assists you in +preaching, has assisted me to baptize. + +3 Then Paul took her, and led her +to the house of Hermes; and Thecla +related to Paul all that had +befallen her in Antioch, insomuch +that Paul exceedingly wondered, +and all who heard were confirmed +in the faith, and prayed for +Trifina's happiness. + +4 Then Thecla arose, and said +to Paul, I am going to Iconium. +Paul replied to her: Go and teach +the word of the Lord. + +5 But Trifina had sent large sums +of money to Paul, and also clothing +by the hands of Thecla, for the +relief of the poor. + +6 So Thecla went to Iconium. +And when she came to the house +of Onesiphorus, she fell down upon +the floor where Paul had sat and +preached, and, mixing tears with +her prayers, she praised and +glorified God in the following +words: + +7 O Lord the God of this house, +in which I was first enlightened by +thee; O Jesus, son of the living +God, who wast my helper before +the governor, my helper in the +fire, and my helper among the +beasts; thou alone art God for +ever and ever, Amen. + +8 Thecla now (on her return) +found Thamyris dead, but her +mother living. So calling her +mother, she said to her: Theoclia, +my mother, is it possible for you +to be brought to a belief, that +there is but one Lord God, who +dwells in the heavens? If you +desire great riches, God will +give them to you by me; if you +want your daughter again, here +I am. + +9 These and many other things +she represented to her mother, +(endeavouring) to persuade her +(to her own opinion). But her +mother Theoclia gave no credit to +the things which were said by the +martyr Thecla. + +10 So that Thecla perceiving, +she discoursed to no purpose, +signing her whole body with the +sign (of the cross), left the house +and went to Daphne; and when +she came there, she went to the +cave, where she had found Paul +with Onesiphorus, and fell down +upon the ground; and wept before +God. + +11 When she departed thence, +she went to Seleucia, and +enlightened many in the knowledge +of Christ. + +12 And a bright cloud conducted +her in her journey. + +13 And after she had arrived at +Seleucia she went-to a place out +of the city, about the distance +of a furlong, being afraid of the +inhabitants, because they were +worshippers of idols. + +14 And she was lead (by the +cloud) into a mountain called +Calamon, or Rodeon. There she +abode many years, and underwent +a great many grievous temptations +of the devil, which she bore in a +becoming manner, by the assistance +which she had from Christ. + +15 At length certain gentle-women +hearing of the virgin Thecla, went +to her, and were instructed by her +in the oracles of God, and many of +them abandoned this world, and led +a monastic life with her. + +16 Hereby a good report was +spread everywhere of Thecla, and +she wrought several (miraculous) +cures, so that all the city and +adjacent countries brought their +sick to that mountain, and before +they came as far as the door of +the cave, they were instantly cured +of whatsoever distemper they had. + +17 The unclean spirits were cast +out, making a noise; all received +their sick made whole, and glorified +God, who had bestowed such power +on the virgin Thecla; + +18 Insomuch that the physicians +of Seleucia were now of no more +account, and lost all the profit +of their trade, because no one +regarded them; upon which they +were filled with envy, and began +to contrive what methods to take +with this servant of Christ. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + 1 Thecla is attempted to be ravished, + 12 escapes by a rock opening, + 17 and closing miraculously. + +THE devil then suggested bad +advice to their minds; and +being on a certain day met together +to consult, they reasoned among +each other thus: The virgin is a +priestess of the great goddess +Diana, and whatsoever she requests +from her, is granted, because she +is a virgin, and so is beloved +by all the gods. + +2 Now then let us procure some +rakish fellows, and after we have +made them sufficiently drunk, and +given them a good sum of money, +let us order them to go and debauch +this virgin, promising them, if +they do it, a larger reward. + +3 (For they thus concluded among +themselves, that if they be able +to debauch her, the gods will no +more regard her nor Diana cure +the sick for her). + +4 They proceeded according to +this resolution, and the fellows +went to the mountain, and as fierce +as lions to the cave, knocking at +the door. + +5 The holy martyr Thecla relying +upon the God in whom she believed, +opened the door, although she was +before apprised of their design, +and said to them, Young men, +what is your business? + +6 They replied, Is there any +one within, whose name is Thecla? +She answered, What would you +have with her? They said, We +have a mind to lie with her. + +7 The blessed Thecla answered, +Though I am a mean old woman, +I am the servant of my Lord Jesus +Christ; and though you have a +vile design against me, ye shall +not be able to accomplish it. They +replied, Is it impossible? but we +must be able to do with you what +we have a mind, + +8 And while they were saying +this, they laid hold on her by main +force, and would have ravished her. +Then she with the (greatest) +mildness said to them: Young men +have patience, and see the glory +of the Lord. + +9 And while they held her, she +looked up to heaven and said: O +God most reverend, to whom none +can be likened; who makest thyself +glorious over thine enemies; who +didst deliver me from the fire, +didst not give me up to Thamyris, +and didst not give me up to +Alexander: who deliveredst me +from the wild beasts; who didst +preserve me in the deep waters; +who hast everywhere been my +helper, and hast glorified thy +name in me; + +10 Now also deliver me from +the hands of these wicked and +unreasonable men nor suffer them +to debauch my chastity which I +have hitherto preserved for thy +honour; for I love thee, and long +for thee, and worship thee, +O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, +for evermore. Amen. + +11 Then came a voice from +heaven, saying, Fear not Thecla, +my faithful servant, for I am with +thee. Look and see the place +which is opened for thee; there thy +eternal abode shall be; there thou +shalt receive the (beatific) vision. + +12 The blessed Thecla observing, +saw the rock opened to as large +a degree as that a man might enter +in; she did as she was commanded, +bravely fled from the vile crew, +and went into the rock, which +instantly so closed, that there +was not any crack visible where +it had opened. + +13 The men stood perfectly +astonished at so prodigious a +miracle, and had no power to detain +the servant of God; but only +catching hold of her veil (or hood), +they tore off a piece of it; + +14 And even that was by the +permission of God, for the +confirmation of their faith, +who should come to see this +venerable place; and to convey +blessings to those in succeeding +ages, who should believe on our +Lord Jesus Christ from a pure heart. + +15 Thus suffered that first +martyr and apostle of God, and +virgin, Thecla, who came from +Iconium at eighteen years of age; +afterwards, partly in journeys and +travels, and partly in a monastic +life in the cave, she lived seventy- +two years; so that she was ninety +years old when the Lord translated +her. + +16 Thus ends her life. + +17 The day which is kept sacred +to her memory, is the twenty-fourth +of September, to the glory of the +Father, and the Son, and the Holy +Ghost, now and for evermore. Amen. + + + + REFERENCES TO THE ACTS OF ST. PAUL AND THECLA. + +[Tertullian says that this piece was forged by a Presbyter of Asia, who +being convicted, "confessed that he did it out of respect to Paul," and +Pope Gelasius, in his Decree against apocryphal books, inserted it among +them. Notwithstanding this, a large part of the history was credited and +looked upon as genuine among the primitive Christians. Cyprian, +Eusebius, Epiphanius, Austin, Gregory, Nagianzen. Chrysostom, and Severus +Sulpitius, who all lived within the fourth century mention Thecla or +refer to her history. Basil of Seleucia wrote her acts, sufferings and +victories, in verse; and Euagrius Scholasticus an ecclesiastical +historian, about 590, relates that "after the Emperor Zeno, had +abdicated his empire, and Basilik had taken possession of it, he had a +vision of the holy and excellent martyr Thecla, who promised him the +restoration of his empire; for which, when it was brought about, he +erected and dedicated a most noble and sumptuous temple to this famous +martyr, Thecla, at Seleucia, a city of Isauria, and bestowed upon it very +noble endowments, which (says the author) are preserved even till this +day." Hist. Ecel. lib. 3 cap. 8.--Cardinal Barenius, Locrinus, Archbishop +Wake, and others; and also the learned Grabe, who edited the Septuagint, +and revived the Acts of Paul and Thecla, consider them as having been +written in the Apostolic age; as containing nothing superstitious, or +disagreeing from the opinions and belief of those times; and, in short, +as a genuine and authentic history. Again, it is said, that this is not +the original book of the early Christians; but however that may be, it +is published from the Greek MS. in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, which +Dr. Mills copied and transmitted to Dr. Grabe.] + + + + + + + THE FIRST EPISTLE OF + CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS. + + +CHAPTER I. + + Clement commends them for their excellent order + and piety in Christ, before their schism broke out. + +THE Church of God which is +at Rome, to the Church of God +which is at Corinth, elect, +sanctified by the will of God, +through Jesus Christ our Lord: +grace and peace from the Almighty +God, by Jesus Christ, be multiplied +unto you. + +2 Brethren, the sudden and +unexpected dangers and calamities +that have fallen upon us, have, we +fear, made us the more slow in our +consideration of those things which +you inquired of us: + +3 As also of that wicked and +detestable sedition, so unbecoming +the elect of God, which a few +headstrong and self-willed men +have fomented to such a degree of +madness, that your venerable and +renowned name, so worthy of all +men to be beloved, is greatly +blasphemed thereby. + +4 For who that has ever been +among you has not experienced +the firmness of your faith, and +its fruitfulness in all good works; +and admired the temper and +moderation of your religion in +Christ; and published abroad the +magnificence of your hospitality; +and thought you happy in your +perfect and certain knowledge of +the Gospel? + +5 For ye did all things without +respect of persons, and walked +according to the laws of God; +being subject to those who had +the rule over you, and giving the +honour that was fitting to the aged +among you. + +6 Ye commanded the young men +to think those things that were +modest and grave. + +7 The women ye exhorted to do +all things with an unblameable, +and seemly, and pure conscience; +loving their own husbands, as was +fitting: and that keeping themselves +within the bounds of a due obedience, +they should order their houses +gravely, with all discretion. + +8 Ye were all of you humble- +minded, not boasting of anything +desiring rather to be subject than +to govern; to give than to receive; +being a content with the portion +God hath dispensed to you: + +9 And hearkening diligently to +his word, ye were enlarged in +your bowels, having his sufferings +always before your eyes. + +10 Thus a firm, and blessed, +and profitable peace was given +unto you: and an unsatiable desire +of doing good; and a plentiful +effusion of the Holy Ghost was +upon all of you. + +11 And being full of good +designs, ye did with, great +readiness of mind, and with +a religious confidence stretch +forth your hands to God Almighty; +beseeching him to be merciful +unto you, if in anything ye had +unwillingly sinned against him. + +12 Ye contended day and night +for the whole brotherhood; that +with compassion and a good +conscience, the number of his +elect might be saved. + +13 Ye were sincere, and without +offence towards each other; not +mindful of injuries; all sedition +and schism was an abomination +unto you. + +14 Ye bewailed every one his +neighbours' sins, esteeming their +defects your own. + +15 Ye were kind one to another +without grudging; being ready to +every good work. And being +adorned with a conversation +altogether virtuous and religious, +ye did all things in the fear of +God; whose I commandments were +written upon the tables of your +heart. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + How their divisions began. + +ALL honour and enlargement +was given unto you; and so +was fulfilled that which is written, +my beloved did eat and drink, he +was enlarged and waxed fat, and +he kicked. + +2 From hence came emulation, +and envy, and strife, and sedition; +persecution and disorder, war and +captivity. + +3 So they who were of no renown, +lifted up themselves against +the honourable; those of no +reputation against those who were +in respect; the foolish against the +wise; the young men against the +aged. + +4 Therefore righteousness and +peace are departed from you, +because every one hath forsaken +the fear of God; and is grown blind +in his faith; nor walketh by the +rule of God's commandments nor +liveth as is fitting in Christ: + +5 But every one follows his +own wicked lusts: having taken +up an unjust and wicked envy, by +which death first entered into the +world. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Envy and emulation the original of all + strife and disorder. Examples of the + mischiefs they have occasioned. + +FOR thus it is written, +And in process of time it came to +pass, that Cain brought of the fruit +of the ground an offering unto the +Lord. And Abel, he also brought +of the firstlings of his flock, +and of the fat thereof: + +2 And the Lord had respect unto +Abel, and to his offering. But +unto Cain and unto his offering he +had not respect. And Cain was +very sorrowful, and his countenance +fell. + +3 And the Lord said unto Cain, +Why art thou sorrowful? And +why is thy countenance fallen? +If thou shalt offer aright, but not +divide aright, hast thou not sinned? +Hold thy peace: unto thee shall +be his desire, and thou shalt rule +over him. + +4 And Cain said unto Abel his +brother, Let us go down into the +field. And it came to pass, as +they were in the field, that Cain +rose up against Abel his brother, +and slew him. + +5 Ye see, brethren, how envy +and emulation wrought the death +of a brother. For this, our father +Jacob fled from the face of his +brother Esau. + +6 It was this that caused Joseph +to be persecuted even unto death, +and to come into bondage. Envy +forced Moses to flee from the +face of Pharoah king of Egypt, +when he heard his own countryman +ask him, "Who made thee a Judge, +and a ruler over us? Wilt thou +kill me as thou didst the +Egyptian yesterday?" + +7 Through envy Aaron and Miriam +were shut out of the camp, from +the rest of the congregation +seven days. + +8 Emulation's sent Dathan and +Abiram quick into the grave because +they raised up a sedition against +Moses the servant of God. + +9 For this, David was not +only hated of strangers, but was +persecuted even by Saul the king +of Israel. + +10 But not to insist upon ancient +examples, let us come to those +worthies that have been nearest +to us; and take the brave +examples of our own age. + +11 Through zeal and envy, the +most faithful and righteous pillars +of the church have been persecuted +even to the most grievous deaths. + +12 Let us set before our eyes, +the holy Apostles; Peter by unjust +envy underwent not one or two, +but many sufferings; till at last +being martyred, he went to the +place of glory that was due unto +him. + +13 For the same cause did +Paul in like manner receive the +reward of his patience. Seven +times he was in bonds; he was +whipped, was stoned; he preached +both in the East and in the West; +leaving behind him the glorious +report of his faith: + +14 And so having taught the +whole world righteousness, and +for that end travelled even to +the utmost bounds of the West; +he at last suffered martyrdom +by the command of the governors, + +15 And departed out of the +world, and went unto his holy +place; having become a most +eminent pattern of patience +unto all ages. + +16 To these Holy Apostles +were joined a very great number +of others, who having through +envy undergone in like manner +many pains and torments, have +left a glorious example to us. + +17 For this, not only men but +women have been persecuted; +and having suffered very grievous +and cruel punishments, have +finished the course of their faith +with firmness; and though weak +in body, yet received a glorious +reward. + +18 This has alienated the +minds even of women from their +husbands; and changed what was +once said by our father Adam; +This is now bone of my bones, +and flesh of my flesh. + +19 In a word, envy and strife, +have overturned whole cities, and +rooted out great nations from off +the earth. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + 4 He exhorts them to live by holy rules, and repent + of their divisions, and they shall be forgiven. + +THESE things, beloved, we +write unto you, not only for +your instruction, but also for our +own remembrance. + +2 For we are all in the same +lists, and the same combat is +prepared for us all. + +3 Wherefore let us lay aside all +vain and empty cares; and let us +come up to the glorious and +venerable rule of our holy calling. + +4 Let us consider what is good, +and acceptable and well-pleasing +in the sight of him that made us. + +5 Let us look steadfastly to the +blood of Christ, and see how +precious his blood is in the sight +of God: which being shed for our +salvation, has obtained the grace +of repentance for all the world. + +6 Let us search into all the +ages that have gone before us; +and learn that our Lord has in +every one of them still given place +for repentance to all such as would +turn to him. + +7 Noah preached repentance; +and as many as hearkened to him +were saved. Jonah denounced +destruction against the Ninevites. + +8 Howbeit they repenting of +their sins, appeased God by their +prayers: and were saved, though +they were strangers to the covenant +of God. + +9 Hence we find how all the +ministers of the grace of God +have spoken by the Holy Spirit of +repentance. And even the Lord of +all, has himself declared with an +oath concerning it; + +10 As I live, saith the Lord, +I desire not the death of a sinner, +but that he should repent. Adding +farther this good sentence, saying +Turn from your iniquity, O house +of Israel. + +11 Say unto the children of +my people, though your sins should +reach from earth to heaven; and +though they shall be redder than +scarlet, and blacker than sackcloth +yet if ye shall turn to me with all +your heart, and shall call me +father, I will hearken to you, as +to a holy people. + +12 And in another place he saith +on this wise: wash ye, make you +clean; put away the evil of your +doings from before mine eyes; +cease to do evil, learn to do well; +seek judgment, relieve the +oppressed, judge the fatherless, +plead for the widow. + +13 Come now and let us reason +together, saith the Lord: though +your sins be as scarlet, they shall +be as white as snow; though they +be as red as crimson, they shall +be as wool. + +14 If ye be willing and obedient +ye shall eat the good of the land +but, if ye refuse and rebel, ye +shall be devoured with the sword; +for the mouth of the Lord hath +spoken it. + +15 These things has God +established by his Almighty will, +desiring that all his beloved +should come to repentance. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + 1 He sets before them the examples of holy men, + whose piety is recorded in the Scripture. + +WHEREFORE let us obey his +excellent and glorious will; +and imploring his mercy and +goodness, let us fall down upon +our faces before him, and cast +ourselves upon his mercy; laying +aside all vanity, and contention, +and envy which leads unto death. + +2 Let us look up to those who +have the most perfectly ministered +to his excellent glory. Let us +take Enoch for our example; +who being found righteous in +obedience, was translated, and +his death was not known. + +3 Noah being proved to be +faithful, did by his ministry, +preach regeneration to the world; +and the Lord saved by him all the +living creatures, that went with +one accord into the ark. + +4 Abraham, who was called +God's friend, was in like manner +found faithful; inasmuch as he +obeyed the commands of God. + +5 By obedience he went out of +his own country, and from his +own kindred, and from his father's +house; that so forsaking a small +country, and a weak affinity, and +a little house, he might inherit +the promises of God. + +6 For thus God said unto him; +"get thee out of thy country, and +from thy kindred, and from thy +father's house, unto a land that +I will show thee." + +7 "And, I will make thee a great +nation, and will bless thee, and +make thy name great, and thou +shalt be blessed. And I will +bless them that bless thee, and +curse them that curse thee; and +in thee shall all families of the +earth be blessed," + +8 And again when he separated +himself from Lot, God said unto +him; I Lift up now thine eyes, and +look from the place where thou +art northward, and southward, and +eastward, and westward, for all +the land which thou seest, to thee +will I give it, and to thy seed for +ever. + +9 And I will make thy seed as +the dust of the earth, so that if a +man can number the dust of the +earth, then shall thy seed also be +numbered. + +10 And again he saith: and +God brought forth Abraham, and +said unto him; look now toward +heaven, and tell the stars, if thou +be able to number them: so shall +thy seed be. + +11 And Abraham believed God, +and it was counted to him for +righteousness. + +12 Through faith and hospitality +he had a son given him in his +old age; and through obedience +he offered him up in sacrifice to +God, upon one of the mountains +which God showed into him. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + 1 Redemption for such as have been eminent for their + faith, kindness, and charity to their neighbours. + +BY hospitality and goodliness +was Lot saved out of Sodom, +when all the country round about +was destroyed by fire and brimstone. + +2 The Lord thereby making it +manifest, that he will not forsake +those that trust in him; but will +bring the disobedient to punishment +and correction. + +3 For his wife who went out +with him, being of a different +mind, and not continuing in the +same obedience, was for that reason +set forth for an example, being +turned into a pillar of salt +unto this day. + +4 That so all men may know, +that those who are double minded, +and distrustful of the power of +God, are prepared for condemnation, +and to be a sign to all succeeding +ages. + +5 By faith and hospitality was +Rahab the harlot saved. For when +the spies were sent by Joshua the +son of Nun to search out Jericho, +and the king of Jericho knew that +they were come to spy out his +country, he sent men to take them, +so that they might be put to +death. + +6 Rahab therefore, being hospitable, +received them, and hid them under +the stalks of flax, on the top of +her house. + +7 And when the messengers that +were sent by the king came unto +her, and asked her, saying, +There came men unto thee to spy +out the land, bring them forth, for +so hath the king commanded: She +answered, The two men whom ye +seek came unto me, but presently +they departed, and are gone: Not +discovering them unto them. + +8 Then she said to the spies, +I know that the Lord your God has +given this city into your hands; +for the fear of you is fallen upon +all that dwell therein. When, +therefore, ye shall have taken it, +ye shall save me and my father's +house. + +9 And they answered her, saying, +It shall be as thou hast spoken +unto us, Therefore, when thou +shalt know that we are near, thou +shalt gather all thy family together, +upon the house-top and they shall +be saved: but all that shall be +found without thy house shall +be destroyed. + +10 And they gave her moreover +a sign, that she should hang +out of her house a scarlet rope, +showing thereby, that by the +blood of our Lord, there should be +redemption to all that believe and +hope in God. Ye see, beloved, +how there was not only faith, but +prophesy too in this woman. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + 1 What rules are given for leading a holy life. + +LET us, therefore, humble ourselves, +brethren, laying aside all pride, +and boasting, and foolishness, +and anger: And let us do as it +is written. + +2 For thus saith the Holy Spirit; +Let not the wise man glory in his +wisdom, nor the strong man in +his strength, nor the rich man +in his riches; but let him that +glorieth, glory in the Lord, to seek +him, and to do judgment and justice. + +3 Above all, remembering the +words of the Lord Jesus, which he +spake concerning equity and long +suffering, saying, + +4 Be ye merciful, and ye shall +obtain mercy; forgive, and ye +shall be forgiven; as ye do, so +shall it be done unto you; as ye +give, so shall it be given unto +you; as ye judge, so shall ye be +judged; as ye are kind to others, +so shall God be kind to you; with +what measure ye mete, with the +same shall it be measured to you +again. + +5 By this command, and by +these rules, let us establish +ourselves, that so we may always +walk obediently to his holy words; +being humble minded: + +6 For so says the Holy Scripture; +upon whom shall I look, even upon +him that is poor and of a contrite +spirit, and that trembles at my word. + +7 It is, therefore, just and +righteous, men and brethren, that +we should become obedient unto God, +rather than follow such as through +pride and sedition, have made +themselves the ring-leaders of +a detestable emulation. + +8 For it is not an ordinary harm +that we shall do ourselves, but +rather a very great danger that we +shall run, if we shall rashly give +up ourselves to the wills of men, +who promote strife and seditions, +to turn us aside from that which is +fitting. + +9 But let us be kind to one +another, according to the compassion +and sweetness of him that made us. + +10 For it is written, The merciful +shall inherit the earth; and they +that are without evil shall be left +upon it: but the transgressors shall +perish from off the face of it. + +11 And again he saith, I have +seen the wicked in great power +and spreading himself like the +cedar of Libanus. I passed by, +and lo! he was not; I sought his +place, but it could not be found. + +12 Keep innocently, and do the +thing that is right, for there shall +be a remnant to the peaceable +man. + +13 Let us, therefore, hold fast +to those who religiously follow +peace; and not to such as only +pretend to desire. + +14 For he saith in a certain +place, This people honoureth me +with their lips, but their heart +is far from me. + +15 And again, They bless with +their mouths, but curse in their +hearts. + +16 And again he saith, They +loved him with their mouths, and +with their tongues they lied to +him. For their heart was not right +with him, neither were they +faithful in his covenant. + +17 Let all deceitful lips become +dumb, and the tongue that speaketh +proud things. Who have said, with +our tongue will we prevail; our lips +are our own, who is Lord over us? + +18 For the oppression of the +poor, for the sighing of the needy, +now will I arise saith the Lord; +I will set him in safety, I will +deal confidently with him. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + He advises then, to be humble, and, follow the + examples of Jesus, and of holy men in all ages. + +FOR Christ is theirs who are +humble, and not who exalt +themselves over his flock. The +sceptre of the majesty of God, our +Lord Jesus Christ, came not in +the show of pride and arrogance, +though he could have done so; +but with humility as the Holy +Ghost had before spoken +concerning him. + +2 For thus he saith, Lord, who +hath believed our report, and to +whom is the arm of the Lord +revealed; For he shall grow up +before him as a tender plant, and +as a root out of a dry ground; + +3 He hath no form or comeliness, +and when we shall see him, there +is no beauty that we should desire +him. + +4 He is despised and rejected of +men; a man of sorrows and acquainted +with grief. + +5 And we hid, as it were, our +faces from him; he was despised, +and we esteemed him not. + +6 Surely he hath borne our +griefs, and carried our sorrows +yet we did esteem him stricken, +smitten of God, and afflicted. + +7 But he was wounded for our +transgressions; he was bruised for +our iniquities; the chastisement +of our peace was upon him; and +with his stripes we are healed. + +8 All we like sheep have gone +astray; we have turned every one +to his own way; and the Lord hath +laid on him the iniquity of us all. + +9 He was oppressed, and he was +afflicted, yet he opened not his +mouth: he is brought as a lamb to +the slaughter; and as a sheep +before her shearers is dumb, +so he openeth not his mouth. + +10 He was taken from prison +and from judgment; and who shall +declare this generation? For he +was cut off out of the land of the +living: for the transgression of my +people was he stricken. + +11 And he made his grave with +the wicked, and with the rich in +his death; because he had done no +violence, neither was any deceit +in his mouth. + +12 Yet it pleased the Lord to +bruise him; he hath put him to +grief: when thou shalt make his +soul an offering for sin, he shall +see his seed, he shall prolong his +days, and the pleasure of the Lord +shall prosper in his hand. + +13 He shall see of the travail +of his soul, and shall be satisfied: +by his knowledge shall my righteous +servant justify many; for he shall +bear their iniquities. + +14 Therefore will I divide him +a portion with the great, and he +shall divide the spoil with the +strong; because he hath poured +out his soul unto death; and he +was numbered with the transgressors, +and he bare the sin of many, and +made intercession for the +transgressors. + +15 And again he himself saith, +I am a worm and no man, a reproach +of men, and despised of the people. +All they that see me laugh me to +scorn; they shoot out their lips, +they shake their heads, saying; +He trusted in the Lord that he +would deliver him, let him +deliver him seeing he delighted +in him. + +16 Ye see, beloved, what the +pattern is that has been given to +us. For if the Lord thus humbled +himself, what should we do who +are brought by him under the +yoke of his grace? + +17 Let us be followers of those +who went about in goat-skins, and +sheep-skins; preaching the coming +of Christ. + +18 Such were Elias, and Eliaxus, +and Ezekiel, the prophets, +And let us add to these, such +others as have received the like +testimony. + +19 Abraham has been greatly +witnessed of; having been called +the friend of God. And yet he +steadfastly beholding the glory of +God, says with all humility, I am +dust and ashes. + +20 Again of Job, it is thus +written, That he was just, and +without blame, true; one that served +God, and abstained from all evil. +Yet he accusing himself, said, No +man is free from pollution, no, +not though he should live but one +day. + +21 Moses was called faithful in +all God's House; and by his conduct +the Lord punished Israel by stripes +and plagues. + +22 And even this man, though +thus greatly honoured, spake not +greatly of himself; but when the +oracle of God was delivered to him +out of the bush, he said, Who +am I, that thou dost send me? I +am of a slender voice, and a slow +tongue. + +23 And again he saith, I am as +the smoke of the pot. + +24 And what shall we say of +David, so highly testified of in the +Holy Scriptures? To whom God said, +I have found a man after my own +heart, David the son of Jesse, +with my holy oil have I anointed +him. + +25 But yet he himself saith unto +God, Have mercy upon me, O God, +according to thy loving kindness; +according unto the multitude of +thy tender mercies, blot out my +transgressions. + +26 Wash me thoroughly from +mine iniquity, and cleanse me +from my sin. For I acknowledge +my transgressions, and my sin is +ever before me. + +27 Against Thee only have I +sinned, and done this evil in +thy sight; that thou mightest +be justified when thou speakest; +and be clear when thou judgest. + +28 Behold I was shapen in +iniquity, and in sin did my mother +conceive me. + +29 Behold, thou desirest truth +in the inward parts; and in the +hidden part thou shalt make me to +know wisdom. + +30 Purge me with hyssop, and +I shall be clean: wash me, and I +shall be whiter than snow. + +31 Make me to hear joy and +gladness, that the bones which +thou hast broken may rejoice. + +32 Hide thy face from my sins, +and blot out all mine iniquities. +Create in me a clean heart O God; +and renew a right spirit +within me. + +34 Cast me not away from thy +presence, and take not thy holy +spirit from me. + +35 Restore unto me the joy of +thy salvation, and uphold me with +thy free spirit. + +36 Then will I teach transgressors +thy ways, and sinners shall be +converted unto thee. + +37 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, +O God, thou God of my salvation; +and my tongue shall sing aloud +of thy righteousness. + +38 O Lord open thou my lips, +and my mouth shall show forth +thy praise. + +39 For thou desirest not sacrifice, +else would I give it; thou +delightest not in burnt-offerings. + +40 The sacrifices of God are +a broken spirit; a broken and a +contrite heart, O God, thou wilt +not despise. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + He again persuades them to compose their divisions. + +THUS has the humility and +godly fear of these great +and excellent men recorded in +the Scriptures, through obedience, +made not only us, but also the +generations before us better; +even as many as have received his +holy oracles with fear and truth. + +2 Having therefore so many, +and such great and glorious +examples, let us return to that +peace which was the mark that +from the beginning was set before +us; + +3 Let us look up to the Father +and Creator of the whole world; +and let us hold fast to his glorious +and exceeding gifts and benefits +of peace. + +4 Let us consider and behold +with the eyes of our understanding +his long suffering will; and think +how gentle and patient he is +towards his whole creation. + +5 The heavens moving by his +appointment, are subject to him +in peace. + +6 Day and night accomplish the +courses that he has allotted unto +them, not disturbing one another. + +7 The sun and moon, and all the +several companies and constellations +of the stars, run the courses that +he has appointed to them in concord, +without departing in the least from +them. + +8 The fruitful earth yields its +food plentifully in due season both +to man and beast, and to all animals +that are upon it, according to his +will; not disputing, nor altering +any thing of what was ordered by him. + +9 So also the unfathomable and +unsearchable floods of the deep, +are kept in by his command; + +10 And the conflux of the vast +sea, being brought together by his +order into its several collections, +passes not the bounds that he has +set to it; + +11 But as he appointed it, so it +remains. For he said, Hitherto +shalt then come, and thy floods +shall be broken within thee. + +12 The ocean impassable to +mankind, and the worlds that are +beyond it are governed by the +same commands of their great +master. + +13 Spring and summer, autumn +and winter, give place peaceably +to each other. + +14 The several quarters of the +winds fulfil their work in their +seasons, without offending one +another. + +15 The ever-flowing fountains, +made both for pleasure and health, +never fail to reach out their breasts +to support the life of men. + +16 Even the smallest creatures +live together in peace and concord +with each other. + +17 All these has the Great Creator +and Lord of all, commanded to +observe peace and concord; being +good to all. + +18 But especially to us who flee +to his mercy through our Lord +Jesus Christ; to whom be glory +and majesty for ever and ever. +Amen. + + + +CHAPTER X. + + He exhorts them to obedience, from the consideration + of the goodness of God, and of his presence in every place. + +TAKE heed, beloved, that his +many blessings be not to our +condemnation; except we shall +walk worthy of him, doing with +one consent what is good and +pleasing in his sight. + +2 The spirit of the Lord is a +candle, searching out the inward +parts of the belly. + +3 Let us therefore consider how +near he is to us; and how that +none of our thoughts, or reasonings +which we frame within ourselves, +are hid from him, + +4 It is therefore just that we +should not forsake our rank, by +doing contrary to his will. + +5 Let us choose to offend a few +foolish and inconsiderate men, +lifted up and glorying in their +own pride, rather than God. + +6 Let us reverence our Lord +Jesus Christ whose blood was +given for us. + +7 Let us honour those who are +set over us; let us respect the +aged that are amongst us; and let +us instruct the younger men, in +the discipline and fear of the +LORD. + +8 Our wives let us direct, to do +that which is good. + +9 Let them show forth a lovely +habit of purity, in all their +conversation; with a sincere +affection of meekness. + +10 Let the government of their +tongues be made manifest by their +silence. + +11 Let their charity be without +respect of persons, alike towards +all such as religiously fear +God. + +12 Let your children be bred +up in the instruction of Christ: + +13 And especially let them learn +how great a power humility has +with God; how much a pure and +holy charity avails with him; how +excellent and great his fear is; +and how it will save all such as +turn to him with holiness in a pure +mind. + +14 For he is the searcher of the +thoughts and counsels of the heart; +whose breath is in us, and when +he pleases he can take it from +us. + + + + +CHAP. XI. + + Of faith: and particularly what we are + to believe as to the Resurrection. + +BUT all these things must be +confirmed by the faith which +is in Christ; for so He himself +bespeaks us by the Holy Ghost; + +2 Come ye children and hearken +unto me, and I will teach you the +fear of the Lord. What man is +there that desireth life, and loveth +to see good days? + +3 Keep thy tongue from evil, +and thy lips that they speak no +guile. + +4 Depart from evil and do good; +seek peace and pursue it. + +5 The eyes of the Lord are upon +the righteous, and his ears are +open unto their prayers. + +6 But the face of the Lord is +against them that do evil, to cut +off the remembrance of them from +the earth. + +7 The righteous cried, and the +Lord heard him, and delivered +him out of all his troubles. + +8 Many are the troubles of the +wicked; but they that trust in the +Lord mercy shall encompass them +about. + +9 Our all-merciful and beneficent +Father hath bowels of compassion +towards them that fear him: and +kindly and lovingly bestows his +graces upon all such as come to +him with a simple mind. + +10 Wherefore let us not waver, +neither let us have any doubt in +our hearts, of his excellent and +glorious gifts. + +11 Let that be far from us +which is written, Miserable are +the double-minded, and those who +are doubtful in their hearts; + +12 Who say these things have +we heard, and our fathers have +told us these things. But behold +we are grown old, and none of +them has happened unto us. + +13 O ye fools consider the trees: +take the vine for an example. +First it sheds its leaves; then it +buds; after that it spreads its +leaves; then it flowers; then come +the sour grapes; and after them +follows the ripe fruit. See how in +a little time the fruit of the trees +comes to maturity. + +14 Of a truth yet a little while +and his will shall suddenly be +accomplished. + +15 The Holy Scripture itself +bearing witness, that He shall +quickly come and not tardy, and +that the Lord shall suddenly come +to his temple, even the 3 holy ones +whom ye look for. + +16 Let us consider, beloved, +how the Lord does continually +show us, that there shall be a +future resurrection; of which he +has made our Lord Jesus Christ +the first fruits, raising him from +the dead. + +17 Let us contemplate, beloved, +the resurrection that is continually +made before our eyes. + +18 Day and night manifest a +resurrection to us. The night lies +down, and the day arises: again +the day departs and the night +comes on. + +19 Let us behold the fruits of +the earth. Every one sees how the +seed is sown. The sower goes +forth, and casts it upon the earth; +and the seed which when it was +sown fell upon the earth dry and +naked, in time dissolves. + +20 And from the dissolution, +the great power of the providence +of the Lord rises it again; and of +one seed many arise, and bring +forth fruit. + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + The Resurrection further proved. + +LET us consider that wonderful +type of the resurrection which +is seen in the Eastern countries: +that is to say, in Arabia. + +2 There is a certain bird called +a Phoenix; of this there is never +but one at a time: and that lives +five hundred years. And when +the time of its dissolution draws +near, that it must die, it makes +itself a nest of frankincense, and +myrrh, and other spices into which +when its time is fulfilled it enters +and dies. + +3 But its flesh putrefying, breeds +a certain worm, which being nourished +with the juice of the dead bird +brings forth feathers; and when +it is grown to a perfect state, +it takes up the nest in which +the bones of its parent lie, and +carries it from Arabia into Egypt, +to a city called Heliopolis: + +4 And flying in open day in the +sight of all men, lays it upon the +altar of the sun, and so returns +from whence it came. + +5 The priests then search into +the records of the time: and find +that it returned precisely at the +end of five hundred years. + +6 And shall we then think it to +be any very great and strange +thing for the Lord of all to raise +up those that religiously serve him +in the assurance of a good faith, +when even by a bird he shows us +the greatness of his power to fulfil +his promise? + +7 For he says in a certain place, +Thou shalt raise me up and I shall +confess unto thee. + +8 And again, I laid me down +and slept, and awaked, because +thou art with me. + +9 And again, Job says, Thou +shalt raise up this flesh of mine, +that has suffered all these +things. + +10 Having therefore this hope, +let us hold fast to him who is +faithful in all his promises, and +righteous in all his judgments; +who has commanded us not to lie, +how much more will he not +himself lie? + +11 For nothing is impossible +with God but to lie. + +12 Let his faith then be stirred +up again in us; and let us consider +that all things are nigh unto him. + +13 By the word of his power he +made all things: and by the same +word he is able, (whenever he +will,) to destroy them. + +14 Who shall say unto him, +what dost thou? or who shall +resist the power of his strength? + +15 When, and as he pleased, +he will do all things; and nothing +shall pass away of all that has been +determined by him. + +16 All things are open before +him; nor can anything be hid +from his counsel. + +17 The heavens declare the +glory of God, and the firmament +showeth his handy work. Day +unto day uttereth speech, and +night unto night showeth +knowledge. There is no speech nor +language where their voice is not +heard. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + It is impossible to escape the vengeance of God, + if we continue in sin. + +SEEING then all things are seen +and heard by God, let us fear +him, and let us lay aside our +wicked works which proceed from +ill desires; that through his mercy +we may be delivered from the +condemnation to come. + +2 For whither can any of us flee +from his mighty hand? Or what +world shall receive any of those +who run away from him? + +3 For thus saith the Scripture +in a certain place. Whither shall +I flee from thy spirit, or where +shall I hide myself from thy +presence? + +4 If I ascend up into heaven, +thou art there; if I shall go to the +uttermost parts of the earth, there +is thy right hand: if I shall make +my bed in the deep, thy Spirit is +there. + +5 Whither then shall any one +go; or whither shall he run from +him that comprehends all things? + +6 Let us therefore come to him +with holiness of heart, lifting up +chaste and undefiled hands unto +him; loving our gracious and +merciful Father, who has made us +to partake of his election. + +7 For so it is written, When +the Most High divided the nations; +when he separated the sons of +Adam, he set the bounds of the +nations, according to the number +of his angels; his people Jacob +became the portion of the Lord, +and Israel the lot of his +inheritance. + +8 And in another place he saith, +Behold the Lord taketh unto himself +a nation, out of the midst of the +nations, as a man taketh the first- +fruits of his flour; and the Most +Holy shall come out of that nation. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + How we must live that we may please God. + +WHEREFORE we being apart +of the Holy One: let us do +all those things that pertain unto +holiness: + +2 Fleeing all evil-speaking +against one another; all filthy +and impure embraces, together with +all drunkenness, youthful lusts, +abominable concupiscences, +detestable adultery, and +execrable pride. + +3 For God saith, he resisteth +the proud, but giveth grace to the +humble. + +4 Let us therefore hold fast to +those to whom God has given his +grace. + +5 And let us put on concord, +being humble, temperate; free +from all whispering and detraction; +and justified by our actions, +not our words. + +6 For he saith, Doth he that +speaketh and heareth many things, +and is of a ready tongue, suppose +that he is righteous? Blessed is +he that is born of a woman, that +liveth but a few days: use not +therefore much speech. + +7 Let our praise be of God, not +of ourselves; for God hateth those +that commend themselves. + +8 Let the witness of our good +actions be given to us by others, +as it was given to the holy men +that went before us. + +9 Rashness, and arrogance, and +confidence, belong to them who +are accursed of God: but equity, +and humility, and mildness, to +such as are blessed by him. + +10 Let us then lay hold of his +blessing, and let as consider what +are the ways by which we may +attain unto it. + +11 Let us look back upon those +things that have happened from +the beginning. + +12 For what was our Father +Abraham blessed? Was it not +because that through faith he +wrought righteousness and truth? + +13 Isaac being fully persuaded +of what he knew was to come, +cheerfully yielded himself up for +a sacrifice. Jacob with humility +departed out of his own country, +fleeing from his brother, and went +unto Laban and served him; and +so the sceptre of the twelve tribes +of Israel was given unto him. + +14 Now what the greatness of +this gift was, will plainly appear, +if we shall take the pains distinctly +to consider all the parts of it. + +15 For, from him came the +priests and Levites; who all +ministered at the altar of God. + +16 From him came our Lord +Jesus Christ, according to the +flesh. + +17 From him came the kings, +and princes, and rulers in Judah. + +18 Nor were the rest of his +tribes in any little glory: God +having promised that their seed +shall be as the stars of heaven. + +19 They were all therefore +greatly glorified, not for their own +sake, or for their own works, or +for the righteousness that they +themselves wrought, but through +his will. + +20 And we also being called by +the same will in Christ Jesus, are +not justified by ourselves, neither +by our own wisdom, or knowledge, +or piety, or the works which we +have done in the holiness of our +hearts. + +21 But by that faith, by which +God Almighty has justified all +men from the beginning; to whom +be glory for ever and ever, Amen. + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + We are justified by faith; yet this must not + lessen our care to live a virtuous life, + nor our pleasure in it. + +WHAT shall we do therefore, +brethren? Shall we be slothful +in well-doing, and lay aside +our charity? God forbid that any +such thing should be done by us. + +2 But rather let us hasten with +all earnestness and readiness of +mind, to perfect every good work. +For even the Creator and Lord of +all things himself rejoices in his +own works. + +3 By his Almighty power he +fixed the heavens, and by his +incomprehensible wisdom he +adorned them. + +4 He also divided the earth +from the water, with which it is +encompassed: and fixed it as a +secure tower, upon the foundation +of his own will. + +5 He also by his appointment, +commanded all the living creatures +that are upon it, to exist. + +6 So likewise the sea, and all +the creatures that are in it; +having first created them, he +enclosed them therein by his power. + +7 And above all, he with his +holy and pure hands, formed man, +the most excellent; and, as to his +understanding, truly the greatest +of all other creatures; the character +of his own image. + +8 For thus God says; Let us +make man in our image, after our +own likeness; so God created man, +male and female created he them. + +9 And having thus finished all +these things, he commended all +that he had made, and blessed +them, and said, increase and +multiply. + +10 We see how all righteous men +have been adorned with good works +Wherefore even the Lord himself, +having adorned himself with his +works, rejoiced. + +11 Having therefore such an +example, let us without delay, +fulfil his will; and with all +our strength, work the work of +righteousness. + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + A virtuous life enforced from the examples + of the holy angels, and from the exceeding + greatness of that reward which God has prepared for us. + +THE good workman with +confidence receives the bread of +his labour; but the sluggish and +lazy cannot look him in the face +that set him on work. + +2 We must therefore be ready +and forward in well-doing: for +from him are all things. + +3 And thus he foretells us, +behold the Lord cometh, and his +reward is with him, even before his +face, to render to everyone according +to his work. + +4 He warns us therefore beforehand, +with all his heart to this end, +that we should not be slothful and +negligent in well-doing. + +5 Let our boasting, therefore, +and our confidence be in God +let us submit ourselves to his will, +Let us consider the whole multitude +of his angels, how ready they +stand to minister unto his will. + +6 As saith the Scripture, +thousands of thousands stood +before him and ten thousand +times ten thousand ministered +unto him. And they cried, saying, +Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of +hosts; The whole earth is full +of his glory. + +7 Wherefore let us also, being +conscientiously gathered together +in concord with one another; as +it were with one mouth, cry, +earnestly unto him, that he would +make us partakers of his great and +glorious promises. + +8 For he saith, a Eye hath not +seen, nor ear heard, neither have +entered into the heart of man, the +things which God has prepared for +them that wait for him, + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + 1 We must attain the gifts of God by faith and obedience, + which we must carry on in an orderly pursuing of the + duties of our several stations, without envy or contention. + 24 The necessity of different orders among men. + 33 We have none of us anything but what we received of God: + whom therefore we ought in every condition thankfully to obey. + +HOW blessed and wonderful, +beloved, are the gifts of God. + +2 Life in immortality! brightness +in righteousness! truth in full +assurance! faith in confidence! +temperance in holiness! + +3 And all this has God subjected +to our understandings: + +4 What therefore shall those +things be which he has prepared +for them that wait for him? + +5 The Creator and Father of +spirits, the Most Holy; he only +knows both the greatness and +beauty of them, + +6 Let us therefore strive with +all earnestness, that we may be +found in the number of those that +wait for him, that so we may +receive the reward which he has +promised. + +7 But how, beloved, shall we do +this? We must fix our minds by +faith towards God, and seek those +things that are pleasing and +acceptable unto him. + +8 We must act conformably to +his holy will; and follow the way +of truth, casting off from us all +unrighteousness and iniquity, +together with all covetousness, +strife, evil manners, deceit, +whispering, detractions; all +hatred of God, pride and boasting; +vain-glory and ambition; + +9 For they that do these things +are odious to God; and not only +they that do them, but also all +such as approve of those that do +them. + +10 For thus saith the Scripture, +But unto the wicked, God said, +What hast thou to do to declare +my statute, or that thou shouldst +take my covenant in thy mouth? +Seeing that thou hatest instruction, +and castest my words behind thee. + +11 When thou sawest a thief, +then thou consentedst with him; +thou hast been partaker with +adulterers, Thou givest thy mouth +to evil, and thy tongue frameth +deceit. Thou sittest and speakest +against thy brother; thou slanderest +thine own mother's son. + +12 These things hast thou done +and I kept silence; thou thoughtest +that I was altogether such a one +as thyself: but I will reprove thee, +and set them in order before thine +eyes. + +13 Now consider this ye that +forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, +and there be none to deliver. + +14 Whose offereth praise, +glorifieth me; And to him that +disposeth his way aright, will +I show the salvation of God. + +15 This is the way, beloved, in +which we may find our Saviour, +even Jesus Christ, the high-priest +of all our offerings, the defender +and helper of our weakness. + +16 By him we look up to the +highest heavens; and behold, as +in a glass, his spotless and most +excellent visage. + +17 By him are the eyes of our +hearts opened; by him our foolish +and darkened understanding +rejoiceth to behold his wonderful +light. + +18 By him would God have us +to taste the knowledge of +immortality: who being the +brightness of his glory, is by +so much greater than the angels, +as he has by inheritance obtained +a more excellent name than they. + +19 For so it is written, who +maketh his angels spirits, and his +ministers a flame of fire: + +20 But to his son, thus saith the +Lord, Thou art my Son, to-day +have I begotten thee. + +21 Ask of me and I will give +thee the heathen for thy inheritance, +and the utmost parts of the earth +for thy possession. + +22 And again he saith unto him, +Sit thou on my right hand until +I make thine enemies thy +foot-stool. + +23 But who are his enemies? +even the wicked, and such who +oppose their own wills to the +will of God. + +24 Let us therefore march-on, +men and brethren, with all +earnestness in his holy laws. + +25 Let us consider those who +fight under our, earthly governors +How orderly, how readily, and +with what exact obedience they +perform those things that are +commanded them. + +26 All are not generals, nor +colonels, nor captains, nor +inferior officers: + +27 But everyone in his respective +rank does what is commanded him by +the king, and those who have the +authority over him. + +28 They who are great, cannot +subsist without those that are little; +nor the little without the great; + +29 But there must be a mixture +in all things, and then there will +be use and profit too. + +30 Let us, for example, take +our body: the head without the +feet is nothing, neither the feet +without the head. + +31 And even the smallest members +of our body are yet both necessary +and useful to the whole body. + +32 But all conspire together, +and are subject to one common +use, namely, the preservation of +the whole body. + +33 Let therefore our whole body +by saved in Christ Jesus; and let +everyone be subject to his neighbour, +according to the order in which +he is placed by the gift of God. + +34 Let not the strong man despise +the weak; and let the weak see that +he reverence the strong. + +35 Let the rich man distribute +to the necessity of the poor; and +let the poor bless God, that he has +given one unto him, by whom his +want may be supplied. + +36 Let the wise man show forth +his wisdom, not in words, but in +good works. + +37 Let him that is humble, not +bear witness to himself, but let +him leave it to another to bear +witness of him. + +38 Let him that is pure in the +flesh, not grow proud of it, knowing +that it was from another that he +received the gift of continence. + +39 Let us consider therefore, +brethren, whereof we are made; +who, and what kind of men we +came into the world, as it were +out of a sepulchre, and from outer +darkness. + +40 He hath made us, and formed +us, brought us into his own world; +having presented us with his +benefits, even before we were born. + +41 Wherefore, having received +all these things from him, we +ought in everything to give thanks +unto him, to whom be glory for +ever and ever. Amen. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + Clement therefore exhorts them to do everything + orderly in the Church, as the only way to please God. + +FOOLISH and unwise men, who +have neither prudence, nor +learning, may mock and deride +us; being willing to set up +themselves in their own conceits. + +2 But what can a mortal man +do? Or what strength is there in +him that is made out of the dust? + +3 For it is written, there was no +shape before mine eyes; only I +heard a sound and a voice. + +4 For what? Shall man be pure +before the Lord? Shall he be +blameless in his works? + +5 Behold, he trusteth not in +his servants; and his angels he +chargeth with folly. + +6 Yes, the heaven is not clean +in his sight, how much less they +that dwell in houses of clay; of +which also we ourselves were +made? + +7 He smote them as a moth: +and from morning even unto the +evening they endure not. Because +they were not able to help +themselves, they perished; +he breathed upon them and they +died, because they had no wisdom. + +8 Call now if there be any that +will answer thee; and to which of +the angels wilt thou look? + +9 For wrath killeth the foolish +man, and envy slayeth him that is +in error. + +10 I have seen the foolish taking +root, but lo, their habitation was +presently consumed. + +11 Their children were far from +safety, they perished at the gates +of those who were lesser than +themselves: and there was no man +to help them. + +12 For what was prepared for +them, the righteous did eat; and +they shall not be delivered from +evil. + +13 Seeing then these things are +manifest unto us, it will behove +us to take care that looking into +the depths of the divine knowledge, +we do all things in order, +whatsoever our Lord has commanded +us to do. + +14 And particularly that we +perform our offerings and service to +God, at their appointed seasons +for these he has commanded to be +done, not rashly and disorderly, +but at certain determinate times +and hours. + +15 And therefore he has ordained +by his supreme will and authority, +both where, and by what persons, +they are to be performed; that +so all things being piously done +unto all well-pleasing, they +may be acceptable unto him. + +16 They therefore who make +their offerings at the appointed +seasons, are happy and accepted; +because through obeying the +commandments of the Lord, +they are free from sin. + +17 And the same care must be +had of the persons that minister +unto him. + +18 For the chief-priest has his +proper services; and to the priest +their proper place is appointed; +and to the Levites appertain their +proper ministries; and the layman +is confined within the bounds of +what is commanded to laymen. + +19 Let every one of you therefore, +brethren, bless God in his proper +station, with a good conscience, +and with all gravity, not exceeding +the rule of his service that is +appointed to him. + +20 The daily sacrifices are not +offered everywhere; nor the peace- +offerings, nor the sacrifices +appointed for sins and transgressions; +but only at Jerusalem: nor in any +place there, but only at the altar +before the temple; that which is +offered being first diligently +examined by the high-priest and +the other minister we before +mentioned. + +21 They therefore who do any +thing which is not agreeable to his +will, are punished with death. + +22 Consider, brethren, that by +how much the better knowledge +God has vouchsafed unto us, by so +much the greater danger are we +exposed to. + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + The orders of Ministers in Christ's Church established + by the Apostles, according to Christ's command, + 7 after the example of Moses. + 16 Therefore they who have been duly placed in the + ministry according to their order, cannot without + great sin be put out of it. + +THE Apostles have preached to +us from the Lord Jesus Christ +Jesus Christ from God. + +2 Christ therefore was sent by +God, the Apostles by Christ; so +both were orderly sent, according +to the will of God. + +3 For having received their +command, and being thoroughly +assured by the resurrection of our +Lord Jesus Christ, and convinced +by the word of God, with the +fulness of the Holy Spirit, they +went abroad, publishing, That the +kingdom of God was at hand. + +4 And thus preaching through +countries and cities, they appointed +the first fruits of their conversion +to be bishops and ministers over +such as should afterwards believe, +having first proved them by the +Spirit. + +5 Nor was this any new thing; +seeing that long before it was +written concerning bishops and +deacons. + +6 For thus saith the Scripture, +in a certain place; I will appoint +their overseers in righteousness, +and their ministers in faith. + +7 And what wonder if they, to +whom such a work was committed +by God in Christ, established such +officers as we before mentioned; +when even that blessed and faithful +servant in all his house, Moses, +set down in the Holy Scriptures +all things that were commanded +him. + +8 Whom also all the rest of the +prophets followed, bearing witness +with one consent to those things +that were appointed by him. + +9 For he, perceiving an emulation +to arise among the tribes concerning +the priesthood, and that there was +a strife about it, which of them +should be adorned with that glorious +name; commanded their twelve captains +to bring to him twelve rods; every +tribe being written upon its rod, +according to its name, + +10 And he took them and bound +them together, and sealed them +with the seals of the twelve princes +of the tribes: and laid them up in +the tabernacle of witness, upon +the table of God. + +11 And when he had shut the +door of the tabernacle, he sealed +up the keys of it, in like manner +as he had done the rods; and said +unto them, Men and brethren, +whichsoever tribe shall have its +rod blossom, that tribe has God +chosen to perform the office of a +priest, and to minister unto him +in holy things. + +12 And when the morning was +come, he called together all Israel, +six hundred thousand men; and +showed to the princes their seals +and opened the tabernacle of +witness; and brought forth the +rods. + +13 And the rod of Aaron was +found not only to have blossomed, +but also to have fruit upon it. + +14 What think you, beloved? +Did not Moses before know what +should happen? + +15 Yes verily: but to the end +there might be no division, nor +tumult in Israel, he did in this +manner, that the name of the true +and only God might be glorified; +to whom be honour for ever and +ever, Amen. + +16 So likewise our Apostles +knew by our Lord Jesus Christ, +that there should contentions arise, +upon account of the ministry. + +17 And therefore having a perfect +fore-knowledge of this, they +appointed persons, as we have +before said, and then a gave +direction, how, when they should +die, other chosen and approved men +should succeed in their ministry. + +18 Wherefore we cannot think +that those may justly be thrown +out of their ministry, who were +either appointed by them, or +afterwards chosen by other eminent +men, with the consent of the whole +church; and who have with all +lowliness and innocency ministered +to the flock of Church, in peace, +and without self-interest, and +were for a long time commended +by all. + +19 For it would be no small sin +in us, should we cast off those +from their ministry, who holily +and without blame fulfil the +duties of it. + +20 Blessed are those priests, +who having finished their course +before these times, have obtained +a fruitful and perfect dissolution +for they have no fear, lest any one +should turn them out of the place +which is now appointed for them. + +21 But we see how you have +put out some, who lived reputably +among you, from the ministry, +which by their innocence they had +adorned. + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + He exerts them to peace from examples out of + the Holy Scriptures, + 20 particularly from St. Paul's exhortation to them. + +YE are contentious, brethren, +and zealous for things that +pertain not unto salvation. + +2 Look into the Holy Scriptures, +which are the true words of the +Holy Ghost. Ye know that there +is nothing unjust or counterfeit +written in them. + +3 There you shall not find that +righteous men were ever cast off +by such as were good themselves. + +4 They were persecuted, but it +was by the wicked and unjust. + +5 They were cast into prison, +but they were cast in by those that +were unholy. + +6 They were stoned, but it was +by transgressors. + +7 They were killed, but by accursed +men, and such as had taken up an +unjust envy against them. + +8 And all these things they +underwent gloriously. + +9 For what shall we say, +brethren? Was Daniel cast into the +den of lions, by men fearing +God? Shadrach, Meshach, and +Abednego, were they cast into the +fiery furnace by men, professing +the excellent and glorious worship +of the Most High? God forbid. + +10 What kind of persons then +were they that did these things? +They were men abominable, full +of all wickedness; who were +incensed; to so great a degree, +as to bring those into sufferings, +who with a holy and unblameable +purpose of mind worshipped God: +not knowing that the Most High is +the protector and defender of all +such as with a pure conscience +serve his holy name: to whom be +glory for ever and ever, Amen. + +11 But they who with a full +persuasion have endured these +things, are made partakers of glory +and honour: and are exalted and +lifted up by God for a memorial +throughout all ages, Amen. + +12 Wherefore it will behove +us also, brethren, to follow such +examples as these; for it is +written, Hold fast to such as are +holy; for they that do so shall be +sanctified. + +13 And again in another place +he saith, With the pure, thou shalt +be pure (and with the elect thou +shalt be elect,) but with, the +perverse man thou shalt be perverse. + +14 Let us therefore join ourselves +to the innocent and righteous; for +such are the elect of God. + +15 Wherefore are there strifes, +and anger, and divisions, and +schisms, and wars, among us? + +16 Have we not all one God, +and one Christ? Is not one spirit +of grace poured out upon us all? +Have we not one calling in Christ. + +17 Why then do we rent and +tear in pieces the members of +Christ; and raise seditious against +our own body? And are come to such +a height of madness, as to forget +that we were members one of another? + +18 Remember the words of our +Lord Jesus, (how he said, Woe to +that man by whom offences come). +It, were better for him that he +had never been born, than that he +should have offended one of my +elect. It were better for him, +that a mill-stone should be tied +about his neck, and he should be +cast into the sea, than that he +should offend one of my +little ones. + +19 Your schism has perverted +many, has discouraged many: it +has caused diffidence in many, and +grief in us all. And yet your +sedition continues still. + +20 Take the Epistle of the +blessed Paul the Apostle into your +hands; What was It that he wrote +to you at his first preaching the +Gospel among you? + +21 Verily he did by the spirit +admonish you concerning himself, +and Cephas, and Apollos, because +that even then ye had begun to +fall into parties and factions +among yourselves. + +22 Nevertheless your partiality +then led you into a much less sin +forasmuch as ye placed your +affections upon Apostles, men +of eminent reputation in the +church; and upon another, who +was greatly tried and approved +of by them. + +23 But consider, we pray you, +who are they that have now led +you astray; and lessened the +reputation of that brotherly love +that was so eminent among you; + +24 It is a shame, my beloved, +yea, a very great shame, and +unworthy of your Christian +profession, to hear that the +most firm and ancient church +of the Corinthians should, +by one or two persons, be led +into a sedition against its +priests. + +25 And this report is come not +only to us, but to those also that +differ from us. + +26 Insomuch that the name of +the Lord is blasphemed through +your folly; and even ye yourselves +are brought into danger by it. + +27 Let us therefore with all +haste put an end to this sedition; +and let us fall down before the +Lord, and beseech him with tears +that he would be favourably +reconciled to us, and restore us +again to a seemly and holy course +of brotherly love. + +28 For this is the gate of +righteousness, opening unto life: +As it is written, I Open unto me +the gates of righteousness; I will +go into them and will praise the +Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, +the righteous shall enter into it. + +29 Although therefore many +gates are opened, yet this gate of +righteousness is that gate in Christ +at which blessed are they that +enter in, and direct their way in +holiness and righteousness; doing +all things without disorder. + +30 Let a man be faithful, let +him be powerful in the utterance +of knowledge; let him be wise in +making an exact judgment of +words; let him be pure in all +his actions. + +31 But still by how much the +more he seems to be above others, +by reason of these things, by so +much the more will it behove him +to be humble-minded; and to seek +what is profitable to all men, and +not his own advantage. + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + 1 The value which God, puts upon love and + unity: the effects of a true charity, + 8 which is the gift of God, and must be obtained by prayer. + +HE that has the love that is in +Christ, let him keep the +commandments of Christ. + +2 For who is able to express the +obligation of the love of God? +What man is sufficient to declare, +and is fitting, the excellency of its +beauty? + +3 The height to which charity +leads, is inexpressible. + +4 Charity unites us to God; +charity covers the multitude of +sins: charity endures all things; +is long-suffering in all things. + +5 There is nothing base and +sordid in charity: charity lifts not +itself up above others; admits of +no divisions; is not seditious; but +does all things in peace and concord. + +6 By charity were all the elect of +God made perfect: Without it nothing +is pleasing and acceptable in the +sight of God. + +7 Through charity did the Lord +join us into himself; whilst for +the love that he bore towards us, +our Lord Jesus Christ gave his +own blood for us, by the will of +God; his flesh for our flesh; his +soul for our souls. + +8 Ye see, beloved, how great +and wonderful a thing charity is; +and how that no expressions are +sufficient to declare its perfection. + +9 But who is fit to be found in +it? Even such only as God shall +vouchsafe to make so. + +10 Let us therefore pray to him, +and beseech him, that we may be +worthy of it; that so we may live +in charity; being unblameable, +without human propensities, +without respect of persons. + +11 All the ages of the world, +from Adam, even unto this day, +are passed away; but they who +have been made perfect in love, +have by the grace of God obtained +a place among the righteous; and +shall be made manifest in the +judgment of the kingdom of Christ. + +12 For it is written, Enter into +thy chambers for a little space, till +my anger and indignation shall +pass away: And I will remember +the good day, and, will raise you +up out of your graves. + +13 Happy then shall we be, +beloved, if we shall have fulfilled +the commandments of God, in the +unity of love; that so, through +love, our sins may be forgiven us. + +14 For so it is written, Blessed +are they whose iniquities are +forgiven, and whose sins are covered. +Blessed is the man to whom the +Lord imputeth no sin, and in whose +mouth there is no guile. + +15 Now this blessing is fulfilled +in those who are chosen by God +through Jesus Christ our Lord, to +whom be glory for ever and ever, +Amen. + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + 1 He exhorts such as have been concerned in these divisions to + repent, and return to their unity, confessing their sin to God, + 7 which he enforces from the example of Moses, + 10 and of many among the heathen, + 23 and of Judith and Esther among the Jews. + +LET us therefore, as many as +have transgressed by any of +the suggestions of the adversary, +beg God's forgiveness. + +2 And as for those who have +been the heads of the sedition and +faction among you, let them look +to the common end of our hope. + +3 For as many as are endued +with fear and charity, would rather +they themselves should fall into +trials than their neighbours: And +choose to be themselves condemned, +rather than that the good and just +charity delivered to us, should +suffer. + +4 For it is seemly for a man +to confess wherein he has +transgressed. + +5 And not to harden his heart, +as the hearts of those were +hardened, who raised up sedition +against Moses the servant of God +whose punishment was manifest +unto all men, for they went down +alive into the grave; death +swallowed them up. + +6 Pharaoh and his host, and +all the rulers of Egypt, their +chariots also and their horsemen, +were for no other cause drowned +in the bottom of the Red Sea, +and perished; but because they +hardened their foolish hearts, +after so many signs done in the +land of Egypt, by Moses the +servant of God. + +7 Beloved, God is not indigent +of anything; nor does he demand +anything of us, but that we +should confess our sins unto him. + +8 For so says the Holy David, +I will confess unto the Lord, and +it shall please him better than a +young bullock that hath horns and +hoof. Let the poor see it and be +glad. + +9 And again he saith, Offer +unto God the sacrifice of praise, +and pay thy vows unto the Most +Highest. And call upon me in the +day of trouble, and I will deliver +thee, and thou shalt glorify me. +The sacrifice of God is a broken +spirit. + +10 Ye know, beloved, ye know +full well, the Holy Scriptures; +and have thoroughly searched into +the oracles of God: call them +therefore to your remembrance. + +11 For when Moses went up into +the mount, and tarried there forty +days and forty nights in fasting +and humiliation; God said unto +him, Arise, Moses, and get thee +down quickly from hence, for thy +people whom thou broughtest out +of the land of Egypt, have +committed wickedness: they have +soon transgressed the way that +I commanded them, and have made +to themselves graven images. + +12 And the Lord said unto him, +I have spoken unto thee several +times, saying, I have seen this +people, and behold it is a stiff- +necked people: let me therefore +destroy them, and put out their +name from under heaven. And I +will make unto thee a great and a +wonderful nation, that shall be +much larger than this. + +13 But Moses said, Not so, +Lord: Forgive now this people +their sin; or if thou wilt not, +blot me also out of the book of +the living. O admirable charity! +O insuperable perfection! The servant +speaks freely to his Lord: He beseeches +him either to forgive the people, +or to destroy him together with them. + +14 Who is there among you +that is generous? Who that is +compassionate? Who that has +any charity? Let him say, if this +sedition, this contention, and these +schisms, be upon my account, +I am ready to depart; to go away +whithersoever you please; and do +whatsoever ye shall command me: +Only let the flock of Christ be in +peace, with the elders that are set +over it. + +15 He that shall do this, shall +get to himself a very great honour +in the Lord; and there is no place +but what will be ready to receive +him: For the earth is the Lord's, +and the fulness thereof. + +16 These things, they who have +their conversation towards God +not to be repented of, both have +done, and will always be ready to +do. + +17 Nay and even the Gentiles +themselves have given us examples +of this kind. + +18 For we read, How many +kings and princes, in times of +pestilence, being warned by their +oracles, have given up themselves +unto death; that by their own +blood, they might deliver their +country from destruction. + +19 Others have forsaken their +cities, so that they might put an +end to the seditions of them. + +20 We know how many among +ourselves, have given up +themselves unto bonds, that +thereby they might free others +from them. + +21 Others have sold themselves +into bondage, that they might feed +their brethren with the price of +themselves. + +22 And even many women, +being strengthened by the grace +of God, have done many glorious +and manly things on such occasions. + +23 The blessed Judith, when +her city was besieged, desired the +elders, that they would suffer her +to go into the camp of their enemies; +and she went out exposing herself +to danger, for the love she bare +to her country and her people +that were besieged: and the +Lord delivered Holofernes into +the hands of a woman. + +24 Nor did Esther, being perfect +in faith, expose herself to any +less hazard, for the delivery of the +twelve tribes of Israel, in danger +of being destroyed. For by fasting +and humbling herself, she entreated +the Great Maker of all things, the +God of spirits; so that beholding +the humility of her soul, he +delivered the people, for whose +sake she was in peril. + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + The benefit of mutual advice and correction. + He entreats them to follow that which is here given to them. + +WHEREFORE let us also pray +for such as are fallen into +sin. That being endued with +humility and moderation, they +may submit not unto us, but to +the wish of God. + +2 For by this means they shall +obtain a fruitful and perfect +remembrance, with mercy, both in +our prayers to God, and in our +mention of them before his saints. + +3 Let us receive correction, at +which no man ought to repine. + +4 Beloved, the reproof and the +correction which we exercise +towards one another, is good, and +exceeding profitable: for it unites +us the more closely to the will of +God. + +5 For, so says the Holy Scripture, +The Lord corrected me, but he did +not deliver me over unto death. For +whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, +and scourgeth every son whom he +receiveth. + +6 The righteous, saith he, shall +instruct me in mercy and reprove +me; but let not oil of sinners +make fat my head. + +7 And again he saith, Happy +is the man whom God correcteth; +therefore despise not thou the +chastening of the Almighty. + +8 For he maketh gore and bindeth +up; he woundeth and his hands +make whole. + +9 He shall deliver thee in six +troubles; yea in seven there shall +no evil touch thee. In famine he +shall redeem thee from death; and +in war from the power of the sword. + +10 Thou shalt be hid from the +scourge of the tongue; neither +shalt thou be afraid of destruction +when it cometh. + +11 Thou shalt laugh at the +wicked and sinners; neither shalt +thou be afraid of the beasts of the +earth. The wild beast shall be at +peace with thee. + +12 Then shalt thou know that +thy house shall be in peace; and +the habitation of thy tabernacle +shall not err. Then shalt know +also that thy seed shall be great +and thy offspring as the grass of +the earth. + +13 Thou shalt come to thy +grave as the ripe corn, that is +taken in due time: like as a shock +of corn cometh in, in its season. + +14 Ye see, beloved, how there +shall be a defence to those that are +corrected of the Lord. For being +a good instructor, he is willing to +admonish us by his holy discipline. + +15 Do ye therefore who laid the +first foundation of this sedition, +submit yourselves unto your +priests; and be instructed unto +repentance, bending the knees of +your hearts. + +16 Learn to be subject, laying +aside all proud and arrogant +boasting of your tongues. + +17 For it is better for you to be +found little, and approved, in the +sheepfold of Christ, than to seem +to yourselves better than others, +and be cast out of his fold. + +18 For thus speaks the +excellent and all-virtuous wisdom, +Behold I will pour out the word +of my spirit upon you, I will make +known my speech unto you. + +19 Because I called and ye +would not hear, I stretched out +my hand and ye regarded not. + +20 But ye have set at nought all +my counsel, and would none of +my reproof. I will also laugh at +your calamity, and mock when +your fear cometh. + +21 When your fear cometh as +desolation, and your destruction +as a whirlwind, when distress and +anguish cometh upon you. + +22 Then shall ye call upon me +but I will not hear you: the +wicked shall seek me but they +shall not find me. For that they +hated knowledge, and did not seek +the fear of the Lord. + +23 They would not hearken +unto my counsel: they despised +all my reproof. Therefore shall +they eat of the fruit of their own +ways; and be filled with their +own wickedness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + 1 Recommends them to God. Desires speedily to hear + that this Epistle has had a good effect upon them. + 4 Conclusion. + +NOW God, the inspector of all +things, the Father of Spirits, +and the Lord of all flesh, who +hath chosen our Lord Jesus Christ, +and us by him, to be his peculiar +people; + +2 Grant to every soul of man +that calleth upon his glorious and +holy name, faith, fear, peace, +long-suffering, patience, temperance, +holiness and sobriety, unto all +well-pleasing in his sight; +through our High-Priest and +Protector Jesus Christ, by whom +be glory and majesty, and power, +and honour unto him now and for +ever more, Amen. + +3 The messengers whom we +have sent unto you, Claudius, +Ephebus, and Valerios Bito, with +Fortunatus, send back to us again +with all speed, in peace and with +joy, that they may the sooner +acquaint us with your peace and +concord, so much prayed for and +desired by us: and that we may +rejoice in your good order. + +4 The grace of our Lord Jesus +Christ be with you, and with all +that are any where called by God +through him: To whom be honour +and glory, and might and majesty, +and eternal dominion, by Christ +Jesus, from everlasting to +everlasting, Amen. + + + + REFERENCES TO CLEMENT'S FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. + +[Clement was a disciple of Peter, and afterwards Bishop of Rome. Clemens +Alexandrinus calls him an apostle. Jerome says he was an apostolic man, +and Rafinus that he was almost an apostle. Eusebius calls this the +wonderful Epistle of St. Clement, and says that it was publicly read in +the assemblies of the primitive church. It is included in one of the +ancient collections of the Canon Scripture. Its genuineness has been +much questioned, particularly by Photius, patriarch of Constantinople in +the ninth century, who objects that Clement speaks of worlds beyond the +ocean: that he has not written worthily of the divinity of Christ; and +that to prove the possibility of a future resurrection, he introduces the +fabulous story of the phoenix's revival from its own ashes. To the latter +objection, Archbishop Wake replies that the generality of the ancient +Fathers have made use of the same instance in proof of the same point; +and asks, if St. Clement really believed that there was such a bird, and +that it did revive out of the cinders of the body after burning, where +was the, great harm either in giving credit to such a wonder, or, +believing it, to make rich a use as he here does of it?--The present is +the Archbishop's translation from the ancient Greek copy of the Epistle, +which is at the end of the celebrated Alexandrine MS. of the Septuagint +and New Testament, presented by Cyril, patriarch of Alexandria, to King +Charles the First, now in the British Museum. The Archbishop, in +prefacing his translation, esteems it a great blessing that this +"Epistle" was at last so happily found out, for the increase and +confirmation both of our faith and our charity.] + + + + THE SECOND EPISTLE OF + CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS + + + +CHAPTER I. + + That we ought to value our salvation; + and to show that we do by a sincere obedience. + +BRETHREN, we ought so to +think of Jesus Christ as of +God: as of the judge of the living, +and the dead; nor should we think +any less of our salvation. + +2 For if we think meanly of +him, we shall hope only to receive +some small things from him. + +3 And if we do so, we shall +sin; not considering from whence +we have been called, and by whom, +and to what place; and how much +Jesus Christ vouchsafed to suffer +for our sakes. + +4 What recompense then shall +we render unto him? Or what +fruit that may be worthy of what +he has given to us? + +5 For indeed how great are +those advantages which we owe to +him in relation to our holiness? +He has illuminated us; as a father, +he has called us his children; +he has saved us who were lost and +undone. + +6 What praise shall we give to +him? Or what reward that may +be answerable to those things +which we have received. + +7 We were defective in our +understandings; worshipping stones, +and wood; gold, and silver, and +brass, the work of men's hands; +and our whole life was nothing +else but death. + +8 Wherefore being encompassed +with darkness, and having such a +mist before our eyes, we have +looked up, and through his will +have laid aside the cloud wherewith +we were surrounded. + +9 For he had compassion upon +us, and being moved in his bowels +towards us, he saved us; having +beheld in us much error, and +destruction; and seeing that we had +no hope of salvation, but only +through him. + +10 For he called us, who were +not; and was pleased from nothing +to give us being. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + 1 That God had before prophesied by Isaiah, + that the Gentiles should be saved; + 8 And that this ought to engage, such especially + to live well; without which they will still miscarry. + +REJOICE, thou barren, that +bearest not, break forth and +cry thou that travailest not; for +she that is desolate hath many +more children than she that hath +a husband. + +2 In that saying, Rejoice thou +barren that bearest not, he spake +of us: for our church was barren +before children were given unto it. + +3 And again; when he said, +Cry thou that travailest not: +he implied thus much: That after +the manner of a woman in travail, +we should not cease to put up our +prayers unto God abundantly. + +4 And for what follows, because +she that is desolate hath more +children than she that hath a husband; +it was therefore added, because +our people which seemed to have +been forsaken by God, now believing +in him, are become more than they +who seemed to have God. + +5 And another Scripture saith, +I came not to call the righteous +but sinners (to repentance). The +meaning of which is this; that +those who were lost must be saved: + +6 For that is, indeed, truly great +and wonderful, not to confirm those +things that are yet standing, but +those which are falling, + +7 Even so did it seem good to +Christ to save what was lost; and +when he came into the world, he +saved many, and called us who +were already lost. + +8 Seeing then he has showed +so great mercy towards us; and +chiefly for that we who are alive, +do now no longer sacrifice to dead +Gods, nor pay any worship to +them, but have by him been +brought to the knowledge of +the Father of truth. + +9 Whereby shall we show that +we do indeed know him, and by +not denying him by whom we +have come to the knowledge of +him. + +10 For even he himself saith, +Whosoever shall confess me before +men, him will I confess before +my Father. This therefore is our +reward, if we shall confess him by +whom we have been saved. + +11 But, wherein must we confess +him?--Namely, in doing those +things which he saith, and not +disobeying his commandments +by worshipping him not with +our lips only, but with all our +heart, and with all our mind. For +he saith in Isaiah; This people +honoureth me with their lips, but +their heart is far from me. + +12 Let us then not only call +him Lord; for that will not save +us. For he saith: Not everyone +that saith unto me Lord, Lord, +shall be saved, but he that doth +righteousness. + +13 Wherefore, brethren, +let us confess him by our works; +by loving one another; in not +committing adultery, not speaking +evil against each other, not envying +one another; but by being temperate, +merciful, good. + +14 Let us also have a mutual +sense of one another's sufferings; +and not be covetous of money; but +let us, by our good works, confess +God, and not by those that are +otherwise. + +15 Also let us not fear men: but +rather God. Wherefore, if we +should do such wicked things, the +Lord hath said; Though ye should +be joined unto me, even in my very +bosom, and not keep my commandments, +I would cast you off, and say unto +you; Depart from me; I know not +whence you are, ye workers of iniquity. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 That, whilst we secure the other world, + we need not fear what can befall its in this. + 5 That, if we follow the interests of this present world, + we cannot escape the punishment of the other. + 10 Which ought to bring us to repentance and holiness, + 14 and that presently: because in this world + is the only time for repentance. + +THEREFORE brethren, leaving +willingly for conscience sake +our sojourning in this world, +let us do the will of him who has +called us, and not fear to depart +out of this world. + +2 For the Lord saith, Ye shall +be as sheep in the midst of wolves. +Peter answered and said, What if +the wolves shall tear in pieces the +sheep? Jesus said unto Peter, +Let not the sheep fear the wolves +after death: And ye also fear not +those that kill you, and after that +have no more than they can do unto +you; but fear him who after you +are dead, has power to cast both +soul and body into hell-fire. + +3 For consider, brethren, that +the sojourning of this flesh in the +present world, is but little, and of +a short continuance, but the promise +of Christ is great and wonderful, +even the rest of the kingdom +that is to come, and of eternal life. + +4 What then must we do that +we may attain unto it?--We must +order our conversation, holy and +righteously, and look upon all the +things of this world as none of +ours, and not desire them. For, +if we desire to possess them we +fall from the way of righteousness. + +5 For thus saith the Lord, No +servant can serve two masters. If +therefore we shall desire to serve +God and Mammon, it will be without +profit to us. For what will it profit, +if one gain the whole world, and lose +his own soul? + +6 Now this world and that +to come are two enemies. This +speaketh of adultery and corruption, +of covetousness and deceit; but that +renounces these things. + +7 We cannot, therefore, be the +friends of both; but we must +resolve by forsaking the one, +to enjoy the other. And we think +it is better to hate the present +things, as little, short-lived, +and corruptible; and to love +those which are to come, which +are truly good and incorruptible. + +8 For, if we do the will of +Christ, we shall find rest: +but if not, nothing shall deliver +us from eternal punishment if we +shall disobey his commands. For +even thus saith the Scripture in +the prophet Ezekiel, If Noah, Job, +and Daniel should rise up, they +shall not deliver their children in +captivity. + +9 Wherefore, if such righteous +men are not able by their +righteousness to deliver their +children; how can we hope to +enter into the kingdom of God, +except we keep our baptism holy +and undefiled? Or who shall be +our advocate, unless we shall +be found to have done what is holy +and just? + +10 Let us, therefore, my brethren, +contend with all earnestness, +knowing that our combat is at +hand; and that many go long +voyages to encounter for a +corruptible reward. + +11 And yet all are not crowned, +but they only that labour much, +and strive gloriously. Let us, +therefore, so contend, that we may +all be crowned. Let us run in the +straight road, the race that is +incorruptible: and let us in great +numbers pass unto it, and strive +that we may receive the crown. +But if we cannot all be crowned, +let us come as near to it as we are +able. + +12 Moreover, we must consider, +that he who contends in a corruptible +combat; if he be found doing anything +that is not fair, is taken away and +scourged, and cast out of the lists. +What think ye then that he shall +suffer, who does anything that is +not fitting in the combat of +immortality? + +13 Thus speaks the prophet +concerning those who keep not +their seal; Their worm shall not +die, and their, fire shall not be +quenched; and they shall be for a +spectacle unto all flesh. + +14 Let us therefore repent, whilst +we are yet upon the earth: for we +are as clay in the hand of the +artificer. For the potter if he +make a vessel, and it be turned +amiss in his hands, or broken, +again forms it anew; but if he has +gone so far as to throw it into the +furnace of fire, he can no more +bring any remedy to it. + +15 So we, whilst we are in this +world should repent with our whole +heart for whatsoever evil we have +done in the flesh; while we have +yet the time of repentance, that +we may be saved by the Lord. + +16 For after we shall have +departed out of this world, we +shall no longer be able either +to confess our sins or repent +in the other. + +17 Wherefore, brethren, let us, +doing the will of the Father, +and keeping our flesh pure, +and observing the commandments +of the Lord, lay hold on eternal +life: for the Lord saith in the +Gospel, If ye have not kept that +which was little, who will give +you that which is great?-- +For I say unto you, he that is +faithful in that which is +least, is faithful also in much. + +18 This, therefore, is what he +saith; keep your bodies pure, and +your seal without spot, that ye +may receive eternal life. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + We shall rise, and be judged, in our bodies; + therefore we must live well in them; + 6 that we ought, for our own interest, + to live well; though few seem to + mind what, really is for their advantage; + 10 and we should not deceive ourselves: + seeing God will certainly judge us, + and render to all of us according to our works. + +AND let not any one among you +say, that this very flesh is +not judged, neither raised up. +Consider, in what were you saved +in what did you look up, if not +whilst you were in the flesh? + +2 We must, therefore, keep our +flesh as the temple of God. For +in like manner as ye were called +in the flesh, ye shall also come +to judgment in the flesh. Our one +Lord Jesus Christ, who has saved +us, being first a spirit, was made +flesh, and so called us; even so we +also shall in this flesh receive the +reward. + +3 Let us, therefore, love one +another, that we may attain unto +the kingdom of God. Whilst we +have time to be healed, let us +deliver up ourselves to God our +physician, giving our reward unto +him. + +4 And what reward shall we +give?--Repentance out of a pure +heart. For he knows all things +beforehand, and searches out our +very hearts. + +5 Let us, therefore, give praise +unto him: not only with our +mouths, but with all our souls; +that he may receive us as children. +For so the Lord hath said; They +are my brethren, who do the will +of my father. + +6 Wherefore, my brethren, +let us do the will of the Father, +who hath called us, that we may +live. Let us pursue virtue, and +forsake wickedness, which leadeth +us into sins; and let us flee all +ungodliness, that evils overtake +us not. + +7 For, if we shall do our diligence +to live well, peace shall follow us. +And yet how hard is it to find a man +that does this? For almost all are +led by human fears, choosing rather +the present enjoyments, than the +future promise. + +8 For they know not how great +a torment the present enjoyments +bring with them; nor what delights +the future promise. + +9 And if they themselves only +did this, it might the more easily +be endured; but now they go on +to infect innocent souls with their +evil doctrines; not knowing that +both themselves, and those that +hear them, shall receive a double +condemnation. + +10 Let us, therefore, serve +God with a pure heart, and we +shall be righteous: but if we shall +not serve him, because we do not +believe the promise of God, we +shall be miserable. + +11 For thus saith the prophet; +Miserable are the double-minded, +who doubt in their heart, and say, +these things we have heard, even. +in the time of our fathers, but we +have seen none of them, though +we have expected them from day +to day. + +12 O ye fools! compare yourselves +to a tree; take the vine for an +example. First it sheds its leaves, +then it buds, then come the sour +grapes, then the ripe fruit; +even so my people has borne its +disorders and afflictions, but shall +hereafter receive good things. + +13 Wherefore my brethren, let +us not doubt in our minds, but let +us expect with hope, that we may +receive our reward; for he is +faithful, who has promised that +he will render to everyone a +reward according to his works. + +14 If, therefore, we shall do +what is just in the sight of God +we shall enter into his kingdom, +and shall receive the promises; +Which neither eye has seen, nor +ear heard, nor have entered into +the heart of man. + +15 Wherefore let us every +hour expect the kingdom of God +in love and righteousness; because +we know not the day of God's +appearing. + + + +CHAPTER V. + +A FRAGMENT. + + Man's immortal nature a type of the Lord's kingdom. + +1 * * * For the Lord +himself, being asked by a certain +person, When his kingdom should +come? answered, When two shall +be one, and that which is without +as that which is within; and the +male with the female, neither male +nor female. + +2 Now two are one, when we +speak the truth to each other, and +there is (without hypocrisy) one +seal in two bodies: + +3 And that which is without as +that which, is within;--He means +this; he calls the soul that which +is within, and the body that which +is without. As therefore thy body +appears, so let thy soul be seen by +its good works. + +4 And the male with, the female, +neither Male nor female;--He +means this; he calls our anger +the male, our concupiscence the +female. + +5 When therefore a man is come +to such a pass that he is subject +neither to the one nor the other of +these (both of which, through the +prevalence of custom, and an evil +education, cloud and darken the +reason,) + +6 But rather, having dispelled +the mist arising from them, and +being full of shame, shall by +repentance have united both his +soul and spirit in the obedience +of reason; then, as Paul says, there is +in us neither male nor female. + + + + REFERENCE TO THE SECOND EPISTLE THE CORINTHIANS. + +[Archbishop Wake is the translator of this Second Epistle, which he says +was not of so great reputation among the primitive Fathers as the first. +He defends it notwithstanding; and in answer to those who objected to +Clement's First Epistle, that it did not duly honour the Trinity; the +Archbishop refers to this as containing proof of the writer's fulness of +belief on that point.] + + + + + + + THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF BARNABAS. + + +CHAPTER I. + + Preface to the Epistle. + +ALL happiness to you my sons +and daughters, in the name +of our Lord Jesus Christ, who +loved us, in peace. + +2 Having perceived abundance +of knowledge of the great and +excellent laws of God to be in you, +I exceedingly rejoice in your blessed +and admirable souls, because ye +have so worthily received the +grace which was grafted in you. + +3 For which cause I am full of +joy, hoping the rather to be saved; +inasmuch as I truly see a spirit +infused into you, from the pure +fountain of God: + +4 Having this persuasion, and +being fully convinced thereof, +because that since I have begun to +speak unto you, I have had a more +than ordinary good success in the +way of the law of the Lord, which +is in Christ, + +5 For which cause brethren, I +also think verily that I love you +above my own soul; because that +therein dwelleth the greatness of +faith and charity, as also the hope +of that life which is to come. + +6 Wherefore considering this, +that if I shall take care to +communicate to you a part of what +I have received, it shall turn to +my reward, that I have served such +good souls. I gave diligence to +write in a few words unto you; +that together with your faith, your +knowledge also may be perfect. + +7 There are therefore three +things ordained by the Lord; the +hope of life, the beginning, and +the completion of it. + +8 For the Lord hath both +declared unto us, by the prophets, +those things that are past; and +opened to us the beginnings of +those that are to come. + +9 Wherefore, it will behove us, +as he has spoken, to come more +holily, and nearer to his altar. + +10 I therefore, not as a teacher +but as one of you, will endeavour +to lay before you a few things by +which you may, on many accounts, +become the more joyful. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + That God has abolished the legal sacrifices, + to introduce the spiritual righteousness of the Gospel. + +SEEING then the days are +exceedingly evil, and the +adversary has got the power of this +present world we ought to give the +more diligence to inquire into the +righteous judgments of the Lord. + +2 Now the assistants of our +faith are fear and patience; our +fellow-combatants, long suffering +and continence. + +3 Whilst these remain pure +in what relates unto the Lord, +wisdom, and understanding, and +science, and knowledge, rejoice +together with them. + +4 For God has manifested to us +by all the prophets, that he has no +occasion for our sacrifices, or +burnt-offerings, or oblations: +saying thus; To what purpose is +the multitude of your sacrifices +unto me, saith the Lord. + +5 I am full of the burnt-offerings +of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; +and I delight not in the blood of +bullocks, or of he-goats. + +6 When ye come to appear +before me, who hath required +this at your hands? Ye shall no +more tread my courts. + +7 Bring no more vain oblations, +incense is an abomination unto me +your new moons and sabbaths, +and the calling of assemblies +I cannot bear with, it is iniquity, +even the solemn meeting; your +new moons and your appointed +feasts my soul hateth. + +8 These things therefore hath +God abolished, that the new law +of our Lord Jesus Christ, which +is without the yoke of any such +necessity, might have the spiritual +offering of, men themselves. + +9 For so the Lord saith again +to those heretofore; Did I at all +command your fathers when they +came out of the land of Egypt +concerning burnt-offerings of +sacrifices? + +10 But this I commanded them, +saying, Let none of you imagine +evil in your hearts against his +neighbour, and love no false oath. + +11 Forasmuch then as we are +not without understanding, we +ought to apprehend the design of +our merciful Father. For he +speaks to us, being willing that +we who have been in the same +error about the sacrifices, should +seek and find how to approach +unto him. + +12 And therefore he thus +bespeaks us, The sacrifice of God +(is a broken spirit,) a broken and +contrite heart--God will not despise. + +13 Wherefore brethren, we ought +the more diligently to inquire +after those things that belong +to our salvation, that the +adversary may not have any +entrance into us, and deprive +us of our spiritual life. + +14 Wherefore he again speaketh +to them, concerning these things; +Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, +to make your voice to be heard on high. + +15 Is it such a fast that I have +chosen? A day for a man to afflict +his soul? Is it to bow down his +head like a bulrush, and to spread +sackcloth and ashes under him? +Wilt thou call this a fast, and an +acceptable day to the Lord? + +16 But to us he saith on this +wise: Is not this the fast that I +have chosen, to loose the bands of +wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, +and to let the oppressed go free: +and that ye break every yoke? + +17 Is it not to deal thy bread +to the hungry, and that thou bring +the poor that are cast out to thy +house? When thou seest the naked +that thou cover him, and that thou +hide not thyself from thy own +flesh. + +18 Then shall thy light break +forth as the morning, and thy +health shall spring forth speedily; +and thy righteousness shall go +before thee; the glory of the Lord +shall be thy reward. + +19 Then shalt thou call and +the Lord shall answer; thou shalt +cry and he shall say, Here I am; +if thou put away from the midst of +thee the yoke; the putting forth +of the finger, and speaking vanity; +and if thou draw out thy soul to +the hungry; and satisfy the +afflicted soul. + +20 In this, therefore, brethren, +God has manifested his foreknowledge +and love for us; because the +people which he has purchased to +his beloved Son were to believe +in sincerity; and therefore he has +shown these things to all of us, +that we should not run as +proselytes to the Jewish Law. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + The prophecies of Daniel concerning the ten kings, + and the coming of Christ. + +WHEREFORE it is necessary +that searching diligently into +those things which are soon to +come to pass, we should write to +you what may serve to keep you +whole. + +2 To which end, let us flee from +every evil work and hate the errors +of the present time, that we may +be happy in that which is to come. + +3 Let us not give ourselves the +liberty of disputing with the wicked +and sinners; lest we should chance +in time to become like unto them. + +4 For the consummation of sin +is come, as it is written, as the +prophet Daniel says. And for this +end the Lord hath shortened the +times and the days, that his +beloved might hasten his coming +to his inheritance. + +5 For so the prophet speaks; +There shall ten kings reign in +the heart, and there shall rise last +of all another little one, and he +shall humble three kings. + +6 And again Daniel speaks in +like manner concerning the kingdoms; +and I saw the fourth beast dreadful +and terrible, and strong exceedingly; +and it had ten horns. I considered +the horns, and behold there came up +among them another little horn, +before which were three of the first +horns plucked up by the roots. + +7 We ought therefore to understand +this also: And I beseech you, as one +of your own brethren, loving you all +beyond my own life, that you look +well to yourselves, and be not like +to those who add sin to sin, and say; +That their covenant is ours also. +Nay, but it is ours only: for they +have forever lost that which Moses +received. + +8 For thus saith the Scripture +And Moses continued fasting forty +days and forty nights in the Mount; +and he received the covenant from +the Lord, even the two tables of +stone, written by the hand of God. + +9 But having turned themselves +to idols they lost it; as the Lord +also said to Moses; Moses, go +down quickly, for thy people which +thou hast brought forth out of +Egypt, have corrupted themselves, +and turned aside from the way +which I commanded them. And +Moses cast the two tables out of +his hands; and their covenant was +broken; that the love of Jesus +might be sealed in your hearts, +unto the hope of his faith. + +10 Wherefore let us give heed +unto the last times. For all the +time past of our life and our faith, +will profit us nothing; unless we +continue to hate what is evil, and +to withstand the future temptations. +So the Son of God tells us; Let us +resist all iniquity and hate it. + +11 Wherefore consider the works +of the evil way. Do not withdraw +yourselves from others as if you +were already justified; but coming +altogether into one place, inquire +what is agreeable to and profitable +for the beloved of God. For the +Scripture saith; Woe unto them +that are wise in their own eyes; +and prudent in their sight. + +12 Let us become spiritually a +perfect temple to God. As much +as in us lies let us meditate upon +the fear of God; and strive to the +utmost of our power to keep his +commandments; that we may rejoice +in his righteous judgments. + +13 For God will judge the world +without respect of persons and +everyone shall receive according +to his works. + +14 If a man shall be good, his +righteousness shall go before him +if wicked, the reward of his +wickedness shall follow him. + +15 Take heed therefore lest +sitting still now, that when we are +called, we fall asleep in our sins; +and the wicked one getting the +dominion over us, stir us up, and +shut us out of the kingdom of the +Lord. + +16 Consider this also: although +you have seen so great signs and +wonders done among the people +of the Jews, yet this notwithstanding +the Lord hath forsaken them. + +17 Beware, therefore, lest it +happen to us; as it is written +There may be many called, but +few chosen. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + That Christ was to suffer is proved + from the prophecies concerning him. + +For this cause did our Lord +vouchsafe to give up his body +to destruction, that through the +forgiveness of our sins we might +be sanctified; that is, by the +sprinkling of his blood. + +2 Now for what concerns the +things that are written about him, +some belong to the people of the +Jews, and some to us. + +3 For thus saith the Scripture; +He was wounded for our transgressions, +he was bruised for our iniquities, +and by his blood we are healed. +He was led as a lamb to the +slaughter, and as a sheep before +his shearers is dumb, so he +opened not his mouth. + +4 Wherefore we ought the more +to give thanks unto God, for that +he hath both declared unto us +what is passed, and not suffered +us to be without understanding of +those things that are to come. + +5 But to them he saith; The +nets are not unjustly spread for +the birds. + +6 This he spake, because a man +will justly perish, if having the +knowledge of the way of truth, he +shall nevertheless not refrain +himself from the way of darkness. + +7 And for this cause the Lord +was content to suffer for our souls, +although he be the Lord of the +whole earth; to whom God said +before the beginning of the world, +Let us make man after our own +image and likeness. + +8 Now how he suffered for us, +seeing it was by men that he +underwent it, I will shew you. + +9 The prophets having received +from him the gifts of prophecy, +spake before concerning him: + +10 But he, that he might +abolish death, and make known the +resurrection from the dead, was +content, as it was necessary, to +appear in the flesh, that he might +make good the promise before given +to our fathers, and preparing +himself a new people, might +demonstrate to them whilst he was +upon earth, that after the +resurrection he would judge +the world. + +11 And finally, teaching the +people of Israel, and doing many +wonders and signs among them, +he preached to them, and shewed +the exceeding great love which +he bare towards them. + +12 And when he chose his apostles, +which were afterwards to publish +his Gospel, he took men who had +been very great sinners; that +thereby he might plainly shew +That he came not to call the +righteous but sinners to +repentance. + +13 Then he clearly manifested +himself to be the Son of God. +For had he not come in the flesh, +how should men have been able to +look upon him, that they might be +saved? + +14 Seeing that if they beheld +only the sun, which was the work +of his hands, and shall hereafter +cease to be, they are not able to +endure steadfastly to look against +the rays of it; + +15 Wherefore the Son of God +came in the flesh for this cause, +that he might fill up the measure +of their iniquity, who have +persecuted his prophets unto +death. And for the same reason +also he suffered. + +16 For God hath said of the +stripes of his flesh, that they were +from them. And, I will smite the +shepherd, and the sheep of the +flock shall be scattered. + +17 Thus he would suffer, because +it behoved him to suffer upon the +cross. + +18 For thus one saith, +prophesying concerning him; +Spare my soul from the sword. +And again, My flesh trembleth +for fear. + +19 And again, the congregation +of wicked doers rose up against +me, (They have pierced my +hands and my feet). + +20 And again he saith, I gave +my back to the smiters, and my +face I set as a hard rock. + + + +CHAPTER V. + +The subject continued. + +And when he had fulfilled the +commandment of God, What +says he? Who will contend with +me? Let him stand against me +or who is he that will implead +me? Let him draw near to the +servant of the Lord. Woe be to +you! Because ye shall all wax +old as a garment, the moth +shall eat you up. + +2 And again adds the prophet, +He is put for a stone of +stumbling. Behold I lay in Zion +for a foundation, a precious +stone a choice corner-stone; +an honourable stone. And what +follows? And he that hopeth +in him shall live for ever. + +3 What then? Is our hope built +upon a stone? God forbid. But +because the Lord hath hardened +his flesh against sufferings, he +saith, I have put me as a firm +rock. + +4 And again the prophet adds; +The stone which the builders +refused has become the head of +the corner. And again he saith +This is the great and wonderful +day which the Lord hath made. +I write these things the more +plainly to you that ye may +understand: I For indeed I +could be content even to die +for your sakes. + +5 But what saith the prophet +again; The counsel of the wicked +encompassed me about. They +came about me, as bees about the +honey-comb: and, Upon my vesture +they cast lots. + +6 Forasmuch then as our Saviour +was to appear in the flesh and +suffer, his passion was hereby +foretold. + +7 For thus saith the prophet +against Israel: "Woe be to their +soul because they have taken +wicked counsel against themselves, +saying; let us lay snares for the +righteous, because he is +unprofitable to us." + +8 Moses also in like manner +speaketh to them; Behold thus +saith the Lord God; Enter ye +into the good land of which the +Lord hath sworn to Abraham, and +Isaac, and Jacob, that he would +give it you, and possess it; a land +flowing with milk and honey. + +9 Now what the spiritual meaning +of this is, learn; It is as if it +had been said, Put your trust in +Jesus, who shall be manifested to +you in the flesh. For man is the +earth which suffers: forasmuch +as out of the substance of the +earth Adam was formed. + +10 What therefore does he mean +when he says, Into a good land +flowing with milk and honey? +Blessed be our Lord, who has +given us wisdom, and a heart to +understand his secrets. For so +says the prophet, "Who shall +understand the hard sayings of the +Lord? But he that is wise, and +intelligent, and that loves his +Lord." + +11 Seeing therefore he has +renewed us by the remission of our +sins, he has put us into another +frame, that we should have souls +like those of children, forming +us again himself by the spirit. + +12 For thus the Scripture saith +concerning us, where it introduceth +the Father speaking to the Son; +Let us make man after our likeness +and similitude; and let them have +dominion over the beasts of the +earth, and over the fowls of the +air, and the fish of the sea. + +13 And when the Lord saw the +man which he had formed, that +behold he was very good; he said, +Increase and multiply, and +replenish the earth. And this +he spake to his son. + +14 I will now show you, how he +made us a new creature, in the +latter days. + +15 The Lord saith; Behold I +will make the last as the first. +Wherefore the prophet thus spake, +Enter into the land flowing with +milk and honey, and have dominion +over it. + +16 Wherefore ye see how we +are again formed anew; as also +he speaks by another prophet; +Behold saith the Lord, I will take +from them; that is, from those +whom the spirit I of the Lord +foresaw, their hearts of stone, +and I will put into them hearts +of flesh. + +17 Because he was about to be +made manifest in the flesh and to +dwell in us. + +18 For, my brethren, the +habitation of our heart is a 'holy +temple unto the Lord. For the prophet +saith again, In what place shall I +appear before the Lord my God, +and be glorified? + +19 He answers I will confess +unto thee in the congregation in +the midst of my brethren; and will +sing unto thee in the church of +the saints: + +20 Wherefore we are they whom +he has brought into that good land. + +21 But what signifies the milk +and honey? Because as the child +is nourished first with milk, and +then with honey; so we being +kept alive by the belief of his +promises and his word, shall live +and have dominion over the land. + +22 For he foretold before, saying, +increase and multiply, and have +dominion over the beasts, fishes, +and birds. + +23 But who is there that is now +able to have this dominion over +the wild beasts, or fishes, or fowls +of the air? For you know that to +rule, is to have power; that a man +should be set over what he rules. + +24 But forasmuch as this we +have not now, he tells us when we +shall have it; namely, when we +shall become perfect, that we may +be made the inheritors of the +covenant of the Lord. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + The sacrifice of Jesus, and of a goat, + an evident type of Christ crucified. + +UNDERSTAND then my beloved +children, that the good God hath +before manifested all things unto +us, that we might know to whom +we ought always to give thanks +and praise. + +2 If therefore the Son of God +who is the Lord of all, and shall +come to judge both the quick and +dead, hath suffered, that by his +stripes we might live; let us +believe that the Son of God could +not have suffered but for us. But +being crucified, they gave him +vinegar and gall to drink. + +3 Hear therefore how the priests +of the temple did foreshow this +also: the Lord by his command +which was written, declared that +whosoever did not fast the +appointed fast he should die the +death: because he also was himself +one day to offer up his body for +our sins; that so the type of +what was done in Isaac might be +fulfilled, who was offered upon the +altar. + +4 What therefore is it that he +says by the prophet? And let +them eat of the goat which is +offered in the day of the fast for +all their sins. Hearken diligently, +(my brethren,) and all the priests, +and they only shall eat the inwards +not washed with vinegar. + +5 Why so? because I know +that when I shall hereafter offer +my flesh for the sins of a new +people, ye will give me vinegar to +drink mixed with gall; therefore +do ye only eat, the people fasting +the while, and lamenting in +sackcloth and ashes. + +6 And that he might foreshow +that he was to suffer for them, +hear then how he appointed it. + +7 Take, says he, two goats, fair +and alike, and offer them; and let +the high priest take one of them +for a burnt offering. And what +shalt be done with the other? Let +it, says he, be accursed. + +8 Consider how exactly this +appears to have been a type of +Jesus. And let all the congregation +spit upon it, and prick it; and +put the scarlet wool about its +head; and thus let it be carried +forth into the wilderness. + +9 And this being done, he that +was appointed to convey the goat, +led it into the wilderness, and +took away the scarlet wool, and +put it upon a thorn bush, whose +young sprouts, when we find +them in the field, we are wont to +eat: so the fruit of that thorn +only is sweet. + +10 And to what end was this +ceremony? Consider; one was +offered upon the altar, the +other was accursed. + +11 And why was that which was +accursed crowned? Because they +shall see Christ on that day having +a scarlet garment about his body; +and shall say: Is not this he whom +we crucified; having despised him, +pierced him, mocked him? Certainly, +this is he, who then said, +that he was the Son of God. + +12 As therefore he shall be +then like to what he was on +earth, so were the Jews heretofore +commanded, to take two goats fair +and equal; that when they shall +see (our Saviour) hereafter coming +(in the clouds of heaven), they may +be amazed at the likeness of the +goats. + +13 Wherefore ye here again +see a type of Jesus who was to +suffer for us. + +14 But what then signifies this, +That the wool was to be put into +the midst of the thorns? + +15 This also is a figure of Jesus, +set out to the church. For as he who +would take away the scarlet wool +must undergo many difficulties, +because that thorn was very sharp, +and with difficulty get it: So, +says Christ, they that will see me, +and come to my kingdom, must +through many afflictions and +troubles attain unto me. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + The red heifer, another type of Christ. + +BUT what type do ye suppose +it to have been, where it is +commanded to the people of Israel, +that grown persons in whom sins +are come to perfection, should +offer an heifer, and after they had +killed it should burn the same; + +2 But then young men should +take up the ashes and put them in +vessels; and tie a piece of scarlet +wool and hyssop upon a stick, and +so the young men should sprinkle +every one of the people, and they +should be clear from their sins? + +3 Consider how all these are +delivered in a figure to us. + +4 This heifer is Jesus Christ; +the wicked men that were to offer +it are those sinners who brought +him to death; who afterwards have +no more to do with it: for the +sinners have no more the honour +of handling it: + +5 But the young men that performed +the sprinkling, signified those who +preach to us the forgiveness of +sins, and the purification of the +heart, to whom the Lord gave +authority to preach his Gospel: +being at the beginning twelve, +to signify the tribes, because +there were twelve tribes of Israel. + +6 But why were there three +young men appointed to sprinkle? +To denote Abraham, and Isaac, +and Jacob, because they were +great before God. + +7 And why was the wool put +upon a stick? Because the kingdom +of Jesus was founded upon the cross; +and therefore they that put their +trust in him, shall live for ever. + +8 But why was the wool and +hyssop put together? To signify +that in the kingdom of Christ there +shall be evil and filthy days, in +which however, we shall be saved; +and because he that has any disease +in the flesh by some filthy humours, +is cured by hyssop. + +9 Wherefore these things being +thus done, are to us indeed evident, +but to the Jews they are obscure; +because they hearkened not unto +the voice of the Lord. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Of the circumcision of the ears and how in the + first institution of circumcision Abraham + mystically foretold Christ by name. + +AND therefore the Scripture +again speaks concerning our +ears, that God has circumcised +them, together with our hearts. +For thus saith the Lord by the +holy prophet: By the hearing of +the ear they obeyed me. + +2 And again, They who are afar +off, shall hear and understand +what things I have done. And +again, Circumcise your hearts, +saith the Lord. + +3 And again he saith, Hear O +Israel! For thus saith the Lord +thy God. And again the Spirit of +God prophesieth, saying: Who is +there that would live for ever, let +him hear the voice of my Son. + +4 And again, Hear, O Heavens, +and give ear O Earth! Because +the Lord has spoken these things +for a witness. + +5 And again, he saith, Hear +the word of the Lord, ye princes +of the people. And again, Hear +O children! The voice of one +crying in the wilderness. + +6 Wherefore he has circumcised +our ears, that we should hear his +word, and believe. But as for +that circumcision, in which the +Jews trust, it is abolished: for the +circumcision of which God spake, +was not of the flesh. + +7 But they have transgressed +his commands, because the evil +one hath deceived them. For +thus God bespeaks them; Thus +saith the Lord your God, (Here I +find the new law) Sow not among +thorns; but circumcise yourselves +to the Lord your God. And what +doth he mean by this saying? +Hearken unto your Lord. + +8 And again he saith, Circumcise +the hardness of your heart, and +harden not your neck. And again, +Behold, saith the Lord, all the +nations are uncircumcised, (they +have not lost their fore-skin): but +this people is uncircumcised in +heart. + +9 But you will say the Jews +were circumcised for a sign. And +so are all the Syrians and Arabians, +and all the idolatrous priests: but +are they therefore of the covenant +of Israel? And even the Egyptians +themselves are circumcised. + +10 Understand therefore, children, +these things more fully, that +Abraham was the first, that +brought in circumcision, looking +forward in the Spirit, to Jesus; +circumcised, having received the +mystery of three letters. + +11 For the Scripture says that +Abraham circumcised three hundred +and eighteen men of his house. +But what therefore was the mystery +that was made known unto him! + +12 Mark, first the eighteen, and +next the three hundred. For the +numeral letters of ten and eight +are T H. And these denote Jesus. + +13 And because the cross was +that by which we were to find +grace, therefore he adds, three +hundred; the note of which is T +(the figure of his cross). +Wherefore by two letters he +signified Jesus, and by the +third his cross. + +14 He who has put the engrafted +gift of his doctrine within us, +knows that I never taught to +anyone a more certain truth: but I +trust that ye are worthy of it. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + That the commands of Moses concerning clean and unclean + beasts, were all designed for a spiritual signification. + +BUT why did Moses say Ye +shall not eat of the swine, +neither the eagle nor the hawk; +nor the crow; nor any fish that +has not a scale upon him?--I +answer that, in the spiritual sense, +he comprehended three doctrines, +that were to be gathered from +thence. + +2 Besides which he says to them +in the book of Deuteronomy, And +I will give my statutes unto this +people. Wherefore it is not the +command of God that they should +not eat these things; but Moses in +the spirit spake unto them. + +3 Now the sow he forbad them +to eat; meaning thus much: Thou +shalt not join thyself to such +persons as are like unto swine, +who, whilst they live in pleasure, +forget their God; but when any want +pinches them, then they know the +Lord: as the sow when she is full +knows not her master, but when +she is hungry she makes a noise; +and being again fed, is silent. + +4 Neither, says he, shalt thou +eat the eagle, nor the hawk, nor +the kite, nor the crow; that is, +thou shalt not keep company with +such kind of men as know not how +by their labour and sweat to get +themselves food; but injuriously +ravish away the things of others, +and watch how to lay snares for +them; when at the same time they +appear to live in perfect innocence. + +3 So these birds alone (seek not +food for themselves,) but sitting +idle, seek how they may eat of the +flesh others have provided being +destructive through their +wickedness. + +6 Neither, says he, shalt thou +eat the lamprey, nor the polypus, +nor the cuttle-fish; that is thou +shalt not be like such men, by +seeking to converse with them +who are altogether wicked and +adjudged to death. For so those +fishes are alone accursed, that +wallow in the mire, nor swim as other +fishes, but tumble in the dirt at +the bottom of the deep. + +7 But, he adds, neither shalt +thou eat of the hare. To what +end?--To signify this to us; +Thou shalt not be an adulterer, +nor liken thyself to such persons. +For the hare every year multiplies +the places of its conception; and +as many years as it lives, so many +it has. + +8 Neither shalt thou eat of the +hyena: that is, again, be not an +adulterer, nor a corrupter of +others; neither be like to such. +And wherefore so?--Because that +creature every year changes its +kind, which is sometimes male +and sometimes female. + +9 For which cause also he justly +hated the weazel; to the end that +they should not be like such +persons who with their mouths +commit wickedness by reason of +their uncleanness; nor join +themselves with those impure women, +who with their mouths commit +wickedness. Because that animal +conceives with its mouth. + +10 Moses, therefore, speaking +as concerning meats, delivered +indeed three great precepts to +them in the spiritual signification +of those commands. But they +according to the desires of the +flesh, understood him as if he +had only meant it of meats. + +11 And therefore David took +aright the knowledge of his +three-fold command, saying in +like manner: + +12 Blessed is the man that hath +not walked in the counsel of the +ungodly; as the fishes before +mentioned in the bottom of the +deep, in darkness. + +13 Nor stood in the way of +sinners, as they who seem to fear +the Lord, but yet sin, as the sow. + +14 And hath not sat in the seat +of the scorners; as those birds +who sit and watch that they may +devour. + +15 Here you have the law +concerning meat perfectly set +forth and according to the +true knowledge of it. + +16 But, says Moses, ye shall +eat all that divideth the hoof, and +cheweth the cud. Signifying +thereby such an one as having +taken his food, knows him that +nourisheth him; and resting upon +him, rejoiceth in him. + +17 And in this he spake well, +having respect to the commandment. +What, therefore, is it that +he says?--That we should hold +fast to them that fear the Lord; +with those who meditate on the +command of the word which they +have received, in their heart; +with those that declare the +righteous judgments of the Lord, +and keep his commandments; + +18 In short, with those who +know that to meditate is a work +of pleasure, and therefore exercise +themselves in the word of the +Lord. + +19 But why might they eat +those that clave the hoof? +Because the righteous liveth in this +present world; but his expectation +is fixed upon the other. See, +brethren, how admirably Moses +commanded these things. + +20 But how should we thus +know all this, and understand it? +We, therefore, understanding +aright the commandments, speak +as the Lord would have us. +Wherefore he has circumcised our +ears and our hearts, that we might +know these things. + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Baptism and the cross of Christ + foretold in figures under the law. + +LET us now inquire whether +the Lord took care to manifest +anything beforehand concerning water +and the cross. + +2 Now for the former of these, +it is written to the people of +Israel how they shall not receive +that baptism which brings to +forgiveness of sins; but shall +institute another to themselves +that cannot. + +3 For thus saith the prophet: +Be astonished, O Heaven! and +let the earth tremble at it, because +this people have done two great +and wicked things: they have left +me, the fountain of living water, +and have digged for themselves +broken cisterns, that can hold no +water. + +4 Is my holy mountain of Zion, +a desolate wilderness? For ye +shall be as a young bird when its +nest is taken away. + +5 And again the prophet saith, +I will go before thee, and will +make plain the mountains, and +will break the gates of brass, and +will snap in sunder the bars of +iron; and will give thee dark, +and hidden, and invisible +treasures, that they may know +that I am the Lord God. + +6 And again: he shall dwell +in the high den of the strong +rock. And then, what follows in +the same prophet? His water is +faithful; ye shall see the king +with glory, and your soul shall +learn the fear of the Lord. + +7 And again he saith in another +prophet: He that does these +things; I shall be like a tree +planted by the currents of water, +which shall give its fruit in its +season. Its leaf also shall not +wither, and whatsoever he doth +it shall prosper. + +8 As for the wicked it is not +so with them; but they are as the +dust which the wind scattereth +away from the face of the earth. + +9 Therefore the ungodly shall +not stand in the judgment, neither +the sinners in the council of the +righteous. For the Lord knoweth +the way of the righteous, and the +way of the ungodly shall perish. + +10 Consider how he has joined +both the cross and the water +together. + +11 For this he saith: Blessed +are they who put their trust in the +cross, and descend into the water; +for they shall have their reward in +due time: then, saith he, will I +give it them. + +12 But as concerning the present +time, he saith, their leaves shall +not fall: meaning thereby, that +every word that shall go out of +your mouth, shall through faith +and charity be to the conversion +and hope of many. + +13 In like manner doth another +prophet speak. And the land of +Jacob was the praise of all the +earth; magnifying thereby the +vessel of his spirit. + +14 And what follows?--And +there was a river running on the +right hand, and beautiful trees +grew up by it; and he that shall +eat of them shall live for ever. +The signification of which is this +that we go down into the water +full of sins and pollutions, but +come up again, bringing forth +fruit; having in our hearts the +fear and hope which is in Jesus, +by the spirit. And whosoever +shall eat of them shall live for +ever. + +15 That is, whosoever shall +hearken to those who call them, and +shall believe, shall live for ever. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + The subject continued. + +IN like manner he determines +concerning the cross in another +prophet, saying: And when shall +these things be fulfilled? + +2 The Lord answers: When the +tree that is fallen shall rise, and +when blood shall drop down from +the tree. Here you have again +mention made, both of the cross, +and of him that was to be crucified +upon it. + +3 And yet farther he saith by +Moses; (when Israel was fighting +with, and beaten by, a strange +people; to the end that God might +put them in mind how that for +their sins they were delivered unto +death) yea, the holy spirit put it +into the heart of Moses, to represent +both the sign of the cross, and of +him that was to suffer: that so +they might know that if they did +not believe in him, they should be +overcome for ever. + +4 Moses therefore I piled up +armour upon armour in the middle +of a rising ground, and standing +up high above all of them, stretched +forth his arms, and so Israel again +conquered. + +5 But no sooner did he let down +his hands, but they were again +slain. And why so?--To the end +they might know, that except they +trust in him they cannot be saved. + +6 And in another prophet, he +saith, I have stretched out my +hands all the day long to a people +disobedient, and speaking against +my righteous way. + +7 And again Moses makes a +type of Jesus, to show that he was +to die, and then that he, whom +they thought to be dead, was to +give life to others; in the type +of those that fell in Israel. + +8 For God caused all sorts of +serpents to bite them, and they +died: forasmuch as by a serpent +transgression began in Eve; that +so he might convince them that +for their transgressions they shall +be delivered into the pain of death. + +9 Moses then himself, who had +commanded them, saying, Ye shall +not make to yourselves any graven +or molten image, to be your God +yet now did so himself, that he +might represent to them the figure +of the Lord Jesus. + +10 For he made a brazen +serpent, and set it up on high, +and called the people together +by a proclamation: where being come, +they entreated Moses that he would +make an atonement for them, and +pray that they might be healed. + +11 Then Moses spake unto them, +saying: when any one among you +shall be bitten, let him come unto +the serpent that is set upon the +pole; and let him assuredly trust +in him, that though he be dead, +yet he is able to give life, and +presently he shall be saved; and so +they did. See therefore how here +also you have in this the glory of +Jesus; and that in him and to +him are all things. + +12 Again; What says Moses to +Joshua, the Son of Nun, when he +gave that name unto him, as being +a prophet, that all the people might +hear him alone? Because the +father did manifest all things +concerning his son Jesus, in Joshua, +the Son of Nun; and gave him +that name when he sent him to spy +out the land of Canaan, saying; +Take a book in thine hands, +and write what the Lord saith. +Forasmuch as Jesus the Son of God +shall in the last days cut off by the +roots all the house of Amalek, see +here again Jesus, not the son of +man, but the Son of God, made +manifest in a type, and in the flesh. + +13 But because it might hereafter +be said that Christ was the +Son of David; therefore David +fearing and well knowing the errors +of the wicked, saith; the Lord +said unto my Lord, sit thou on my +right hand until I make thine +enemies thy footstool. + +14 And again Isaiah speaketh +on this wise, The Lord said unto +Christ my Lord, I have laid hold +on his right hand, that the nations +should obey before him, and I will +break the strength of kings. + +15 Behold, how doth David and +Isaiah call him Lord, and the Son +of God. + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + The Promise of God not made to the Jews only, + but to the Gentiles also, and fulfilled to us by Jesus Christ. + +BUT let us go yet further, and +inquire whether this people be +the heir, or the former; and +whether the covenant be with us +or with them. + +2 And first, as concerning +the people, hear now what the +Scripture saith: + +3 Isaac prayed for his wife +Rebekah, because she was barren; +and she conceived. Afterwards +Rebekah went forth to inquire +of the Lord. + +4 And the Lord said unto her; +There are two nations in thy womb, +and two people shall come from +thy body; and the one shall have +power over the other, and the +greater shall serve the lesser. +Understand here who was Isaac; +who Rebekah; and of whom it was +foretold, this people shall be +greater than that. + +5 And in another prophecy Jacob +speaketh more clearly to his +son Joseph, saying; Behold the +Lord hath not derived me of seeing +thy face, bring me thy sons that +I may bless them. And he brought +unto his father Manasseh and +Ephraim, desiring that he should +bless Manasseh, because he was +the elder. + +6 Therefore Joseph brought him +to the right hand of his father +Jacob. But Jacob by the spirit +foresaw the figure of the people +that was to come. + +7 And what saith the Scripture? +And Jacob crossed his hands, and +put his right hand upon Ephraim, +his second, and the younger son, +and blessed him. And Joseph said +unto Jacob; Put thy right hand +upon the head of Manasseh, for he +is my first-born son. And Jacob +said unto Joseph; I know it, my +son, I know it; but the greater +shall serve the lesser; though he +also shall be blessed. + +8 Ye see of whom he appointed +it, that they should be the first +people, and heirs of the covenant. + +9 If therefore God shall have +yet farther taken notice of this, +by Abraham too; our understanding +of it will then be perfectly +established. + +10 What then saith the Scripture +of Abraham, when I be believed, +and it was imputed unto him for +righteousness? Behold I have made +thee a father of the nations, +which without circumcision believe +in the Lord. + +11 Let us therefore now inquire +whether God has fulfilled the +covenant, which he sware to our +fathers, that he would give this +people? Yes, verily, he gave it; +but they were not worthy to receive +it by reason of their sins. + +12 For thus saith the prophet +And Moses continued fasting in +mount Sinai, to receive the covenant +of the Lord with the people, forty +days and forty nights. + +13 And he received of the Lord +two tables written with the finger +of the Lord's hand, in the Spirit. +And Moses, when he had received +them, brought them down that he +might deliver them to the people. + +14 And the Lord said unto +Moses; Moses, Moses, get thee +down quickly, for the people which +thou broughtest out of the land of +Egypt have done wickedly. + +15 And Moses understood that +they had again set up a molten +image: and he cast the two tables +out of his hands; and the tables +of the covenant of the Lord were +broken. Moses therefore received +them, but they were not worthy. + +16 Now then learn how we have +received them. Moses, being a +servant, took them; but the Lord +himself has given them unto us, +that we might be the people of his +inheritance; having suffered for +us. + +17 He was therefore made +manifest; that they should fill +up the measure of their sins, +and that we being made heirs by +him, should receive the covenant +of the Lord Jesus. + +18 And again the prophet saith +Behold, I have set thee for a light +unto the Gentiles; to be the saviour +of all the ends of the earth, saith +the Lord; the God who hath redeemed +thee. + +19 Who for that very end +was prepared, that by his own +appearing he might redeem our +hearts, already devoured by +death, and delivered over to +the irregularity of error, +from darkness; and establish +a covenant with us by his word. + +20 For so it is written that the +father commanded him by delivering +us from darkness, to prepare unto +himself a holy people. + +21 Wherefore the prophet saith +I the Lord thy God have called +thee in righteousness, and I will +take thee by thy hand, and will +strengthen thee, and give thee +for a covenant of the people; for a +light to the Gentiles. To open the +eyes of the blind, to bring out the +prisoners from the prison, and them +that sit in darkness out of the +prison house. + +22 Consider, therefore, from +whence we have been redeemed. +And again the prophet saith +The spirit of the Lord is upon me, +because he hath anointed me: he +hath sent me to preach glad tidings +to the lowly; to heal the broken in +heart; to preach remission to the +captives, and give sight unto the +blind; to proclaim the acceptable +year of the Lord, and the day of +restitution; to comfort all that +mourn. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + That the sabbath of the Jews was but a figure + of a more glorious sabbath to come, and their + temple, of the spiritual temples of God. + +FURTHERMORE it is written +concerning the sabbath, in the +Ten Commandments, which God +spake in the mount Sinai to Moses, +face to face: Sanctify the sabbath +of the Lord with pure hands, and +with a clean heart. + +2 And elsewhere he saith; +If thy children shall keep my +Sabbaths, then will I put my +mercy upon them. + +3 And even in the beginning of +the creation he makes mention of +the sabbath. And God made in +six days the works of his hands, +and he finished them on the seventh +day; and he rested the seventh +day, and sanctified it. + +4 Consider, my children, what +that signifies, he finished them +in six days. The meaning of it is +this: that in six thousand years +the Lord God will bring all things +to an end. + +5 For with him one day is +a thousand years; as himself +testifieth, saying, Behold this +day shall be as a thousand years. +Therefore, children, in six days, +that is, in six thousand years, +shall a all things be accomplished. + +6 And what is that he saith, +And he rested the seventh day +he meaneth this: that when +his Son shall come, and abolish +the season of the Wicked One, +and judge the ungodly; and shall +change the sun and the moon, and +the stars; then he shall gloriously +rest on that seventh day, + +7 He adds, lastly: Thou shalt +sanctify it with clean hands and +a pure heart. Wherefore we are +greatly deceived if we imagine +that anyone can now sanctify that +day which God has made holy, +without having a heart pure in +all things. + +8 Behold, therefore, he will then +truly sanctify it with blessed rest, +when we (having received the +righteous promise, when iniquity +shall be no more, all things being +renewed by the Lord) shall be able +to sanctify it, being ourselves first +made holy; + +9 Lastly, he saith unto them +Your new moons and your Sabbaths +I cannot bear them. Consider +what he means by it; the +Sabbaths, says he, which ye now +keep are not acceptable unto me, +but those which I have made; +when resting from all things I +shall begin the eight day, that is, +the beginning of the other world. + +10 For which cause we observe +the eight day with gladness, in +which Jesus rose from the dead; +and having manifested himself to +his disciples, ascended into heaven. + +11 It remains yet that I +speak to you concerning the temple: +how those miserable men being +deceived have put their trust +in the house, and not in God +himself who made them, as if +it were the habitation of God. + +12 For much after the same +manner as the Gentiles, they +consecrated him in the temple. + +13 But learn therefore how +the Lord speaketh, rendering the +temple vain: Who has measured the +heaven with a span, and the earth +with his hand? Is it not I? Thus +with the Lord, Heaven is my +throne, and the earth is my +footstool. What is the house +that ye will build me? Or what +is the place of my rest? Know +therefore that all their hope +is vain. + +14 And again he speaketh after +this manner: Behold they that +destroy this temple, even they +shall again build it up. And so +it came to pass; for through their +wars it is now destroyed by their +enemies; and the servants of their +enemies build it up. + +15 Furthermore it has been +made manifest, how both the city +and the temple, and the people of +Israel should be given up. For +the scripture saith; And it shall +come to pass in the last days, that +the Lord will deliver up the sheep +of his pasture, and their fold, and +their tower unto destruction. And +it is come to pass, as the Lord hath +spoken. + +16 Let us inquire therefore, +whether there be any temple of +God? Yes there is: and there +where himself declares that he +would both make and perfect it. +For it is written: And it shall +be that as soon as the week shall +be completed, the temple of the +Lord shall be gloriously built in +the name of the Lord. + +17 I find therefore that there +is a temple. But how shall it be +built in the name of the Lord? I +will shew you. + +18 Before that we believed in +God, the habitation of our heart +was corruptible, and feeble, as a +temple truly built with hands. + +19 For it was a house full +of idolatry, a house of devils; +inasmuch as there was done in it +whatsoever was contrary unto God. +But it shall be built in the name +of the Lord. + +20 Consider, how that the +temple of the Lord shall be very +gloriously built; and by what +means that shall be, learn. + +21 Having received remission +of our sins, and trusting in the +name of the Lord, we are become +renewed, being again created as it +were from the beginning. Wherefore +God truly dwells in our house, +that is, in us. + +22 But how does he dwell in us? +By the word of his faith, the calling +of his promise, the wisdom of his +righteous judgments and the commands +of his doctrine. He himself prophesies +within us, he himself dwelleth in us, +and openeth to us who were in bondage +of death the gate of our temple, +that is, the mouth of wisdom, having +given repentance unto us; and by this +means has brought us to be an +incorruptible temple. + +23 He therefore that desires to +be saved looketh not unto the +man, but unto him that dwelleth +in him, and speaketh by him; +being struck with wonder, +forasmuch as he never either +heard him speaking such words +out of his mouth, nor ever +desired to hear them. + +24 This is that spiritual temple +that is built unto the Lord. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Of the way of light; being a summary of what + a Christian is to do, that he maybe happy for ever. + +AND thus I trust, I have +declared to you as much, and +with as great simplicity as I +could, those, things which provide +for your salvation, so as not to +have omitted any thing that might +be requisite thereunto. + +2 For should I speak farther of +the things that now are, and of +those that are to come, you would +not yet understand them, seeing +they lie in parables. This therefore +shall suffice as to these things. + +3 Let us now go on to the other +kind of knowledge and doctrine. +There are two ways of doctrine +and power; the one of light, the +other of darkness. + +4 But there is a great deal of +difference between these two ways +for over one are appointed the +angels of God, the leaders of +the way of light; over the other, +the angels of Satan. And the one +is the Lord from everlasting to +everlasting; the other is the +prince of the time of +unrighteousness. + +5 Now the way of light is this: +If any one desires to attain to the +place that is appointed for him, +and will hasten thither by his +works. And the knowledge that +has been given to us for walking +in it, to this effect: Thou shalt +love him that made thee: thou +shalt glorify him that hath +redeemed thee from death. + +6 Thou shalt be simple in heart, +and rich in the spirit. Thou shalt +not cleave to those that walk in +the way of death. Thou shalt hate +to do anything that is not pleasing +unto God. Thou shalt abhor all +dissimulation. Thou shalt not +neglect any of the commands of +the Lord. + +7 Thou shalt not exalt thyself, +but shalt be humble. Then shalt +not take honour to thyself. Thou +shalt not enter into any wicked +counsel against thy neighbour. +Thou shalt not be over confident +in thy heart. + +8 Thou shaft not commit +fornication, nor adultery. +Neither shalt thou corrupt +thyself with mankind. Thou +shalt not make use of the +word of God, to any impurity, + +9 Thou shalt not except any +man's person, when thou reprovest +any one's faults. Thou shalt be +gentle. Thou shalt be quiet. +Thou shalt tremble at the words +which thou hast heard. Thou +shalt not keep any hatred in thy +heart against thy brother. Thou +shalt not entertain any doubt +whether it shall be or not. + +10 Thou shalt not take the name +of the Lord in vain. Thou shalt +love thy neighbour above thy own +soul, + +11 Thou shalt not destroy thy +conceptions, before they are +brought forth; nor kill them +after they are born. + +12 Thou shalt not withdraw thy +hand from thy son, or from thy +daughter; but shall teach them +from their youth the fear of the +Lord. + +13 Thou shalt not covet thy +neighbour's goods; neither shalt +thou be an extortioner. Neither +shall thy heart be joined to proud +men; but thou shalt be numbered +among the righteous and the +lowly. Whatever events shall +happen unto thee, thou shalt +receive them as good. + +14 Thou shalt not be double- +minded or double-tongued; for a +double tongue is the snare of death. +Thou shalt be subject unto the +Lord and to inferior masters as to +the representatives of God, in fear +and reverence. + +15 Thou shalt not be bitter in +thy commands towards any of thy +servants that trust in God; lest +thou chance not to fear him who +is over both; because he came not +to call any with respect of persons, +but whomsoever the spirit had +prepared. + +16 Thou shalt communicate to +thy neighbour of all thou hast; +thou shalt not call anything +thine own: for if ye partake of +such things as are incorruptible, +how much more should you do it +in those that are corruptible? + +17 Thou shalt not be forward to +speak; for the mouth is the snare +of death. Strive for thy soul with +all thy might. Reach not out +thine hand to receive, and +withhold it not when thou +shouldest give. + +18 Thou shalt love, as the apple +of thine eye, everyone that speaketh +unto thee the Word of the Lord. +Call to thy remembrance, day and +night, the future judgment. + +19 Thou shalt seek out every +day, the persons of the righteous; +and both consider and go about to +exhort others by the word, and +meditate how thou mayest save a +soul. + +20 Thou shaft also labour with +thy hands to give to the poor, +that thy sins may be forgiven thee, +Thou shalt not deliberate whether +thou shouldst give; nor having +given, murmur at it. + +21 Give to everyone that asks +so shalt thou know who is the good +rewarder of thy gifts. + +22 Keep what thou hast received; +thou shalt neither add to it nor +take from it. + +23 Let the wicked be always +thy aversion. Thou shalt judge +with righteous judgment. Thou +shalt never cause divisions; but +shalt make peace between those +that are at variance, and bring +them together. + +24 Thou shalt confess thy sins; +and not come to thy prayer with +an evil conscience. + +25 This is the way of light. + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + Of the way of darkness; that is, what kind of persons + shall be for ever cast out of the kingdom of God. + +BUT the way of darkness is +crooked, and full of cursing. +For it is the way of eternal death, +with punishment; in which they +that walk meet those things that +destroy their own souls. + +2 Such are; idolatry, confidence, +pride of power, hypocrisy, double- +mindedness, adultery, murder, rapine, +pride, transgression, deceit, malice, +arrogance, witchcraft, covetousness, +and the want of the fear of God. + +3 In this, walk those, who are +the persecutors of them that are +good; haters of truth; lovers of +lies; who know not the reward of +righteousness, nor cleave to any +thing that is good. + +4 Who administer not righteous +judgment to the widow and orphan; +who watch for wickedness, and not +for the fear of the Lord; + +5 From whom gentleness and +patience are far off: who love +vanity, and follow after rewards; +having no compassion upon the +poor; nor take any pains for such +as are heavy laden and oppressed. + +6 Ready to evil speaking, +not knowing him that made them; +murderers of children; corrupters +of the creature of God; that turn +away from the needy; oppress the +afflicted; are the advocates of the +rich, but unjust judges of the poor; +being altogether sinners. + +7 It is therefore fitting +that learning the just commands +of the Lord, which we have before +mentioned, we should walk in them. +For he who does such things shall +be glorified in the kingdom of Hod. + +8 But he that chooses the other +part, shall be destroyed, together +with his works. For this cause +there shall be both a resurrection, +and a retribution. + +9 I beseech those that are in +high estate among you, (if so be +you will take the counsel which +with a good intention I offer to +you,) you have those with you +towards whom you may do good; +do not forsake them. + +10 For the day is at hand in +which all things shall be destroyed, +together with the wicked one. +The Lord is near, and his reward +is with him. + +11 I beseech you, therefore, +again, and again, Be as good +lawgiver's to one Another; continue +faithful counsellors do each other +remove from among you all hypocrisy. + +12 And may God, the Lord +of all the world, give you +wisdom, knowledge, counsel, +and understanding of his +judgments in patience: + +13 Be ye taught of God; +seeking what it is the Lord +requires of you, and doing it; +that ye may be saved in the +day of judgment. + +14 And if there be among you +any remembrance of what is good, +think of me; meditating on these +things, that both my desire and +my watching for you may turn to +a good account. + +15 I beseech you; I ask it as a +favour of you; whilst you are in +this beautiful tabernacle of the +body, be wanting in none of these +things; but without ceasing seek +them, and fulfil every command, +For these things are fitting and +worthy to be done. + +16 Wherefore I have given the +more diligence to write unto you +according to my ability, that you +might rejoice. Farewell, children +of love and peace. + +17 The Lord of glory and of +all grace, be with your spirit, +Amen. + + +[The end of the Epistle of Barnabas +the Apostle, and fellow-traveller +of St. Paul the Apostle.] + + + + REFERENCES TO THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF BARNABAS. + +[Barnabas was a companion and fellow-preacher with Paul. This Epistle +lays a greater claim to canonical authority than most others. It has been +cited by Clemens, Alexandrinus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome, and many +ancient Fathers. Cotelerius affirms that Origen and Jerome esteemed it +genuine and canonical; but Cotelerius himself did not believe it to be +either one or the other; on the contrary, he supposes it was written for +the benefit of the Ebionites, (the christianized Jews,) who were +tenacious of rites and ceremonies. Bishop Fell feared to own expressly +what he seemed to be persuaded of, that it ought to be treated with the +same respect as several of the books of the present canon. Dr. Bernard, +Savilian professor at Oxford, not only believed it to be genuine, but +that it was read throughout in the churches of Alexandria, as the +canonical Scriptures were. Dodwell supposed it to have been published +before the Epistle of Jude, and the writings of both the Johns. Vossius, +Dupuis, Dr. Cane, Dr. Mill, Dr, S. Clark, Whitson, and Archbishop Wake +also esteemed it genuine: Menardus, Archbishop Land, Spanheim, and others +deemed it apocryphal.] + + + + + + + THE EPISTLE OF + IGNATIUS TO THE EPHESIANS. + + +CHAPTER I. + + 1 Ignatius commends the brethren for sending + Onesimus and other members of the church to him. + 8 Exhorts them to unity; + 13 by a due subjection to their bishop; + +IGNATIUS, who is also called +Theophorus, to the church which +is at Ephesus in Asia; most +deservedly happy: being blessed +through the greatness and fullness +of God the Father, and predestinated +before the world began; that it +should be always unto an enduring +and unchangeable glory; united and +chosen through his true passion, +according to the will of the Father, +and Jesus Christ our God; all +happiness, by Jesus Christ, +and his undefiled grace. + +2 I have heard of your name +much beloved in God; which ye +have very justly attained by a +habit of righteousness, according +to the faith and love which is in +Jesus Christ our Saviour. + +3 How that being followers of +God, and stirring up yourselves +by the blood of Christ ye have +perfectly accomplished the work +that was con-natural unto you. + +4 For hearing that I came bound +from Syria, for the common name +and hope, trusting through your +prayers to fight with beasts at +home; so that by suffering I may +become indeed the disciple of him +who gave himself to God, an offering +and sacrifice for us; ye hastened +to see me. I received, therefore, +in the name of God, your whole +multitude in Onesimus; + +5 Who by: inexpressible love is +ours, but according to the flesh +is our bishop; whom I beseech you, +pray Jesus Christ, to love: and that +you would all strive to be like unto +him. And blessed be God, who +has granted unto you, who are so +worthy of him, to enjoy such an +excellent bishop. + +6 For what concerns my fellow +servant Burrhus, and your most +blessed deacon in things pertaining +to God; I entreat you that he may +tarry longer, both for yours, and +your bishop's honour. + +7 And Crocus also worthy of +both our God and you, whom I +have received as the pattern +of your love, has in all things +refreshed me, as the Father of +our Lord Jesus Christ shall also +refresh him; together with Onesimus, +and Burrhus, and Euplus, and Fronto, +in whom I have, as to your charity, +seen all of you, And may always, +have joy of you, if I shall be +worthy of it. + +8 It is therefore fitting that you +should by all means glorify Jesus +Christ, who hath glorified you +that by a uniform obedience ye +may be perfectly joined together +in the same mind, and in the same +judgment; and may all speak the +same things concerning everything: + +9 And that being, subject to +your bishop, and the presbytery, +ye may be wholly and thoroughly +sanctified. + +10 These things I prescribe to +you, not as if I were somebody +extraordinary: for though I am +bound for his name, I am not yet +perfect in Christ Jesus. But now +I begin to learn, and I speak to +you as fellow disciples together +with me. + +11 For I ought to have been +stirred up by you, in faith: in +admonition; in patience; in long- +suffering; but forasmuch as +charity suffers me not to be +silent towards you, I have first +taken upon me to exhort you, that +ye would all run together, +according to the will of God. + +12 For even Jesus Christ, our +inseparable life, is sent by the +will of the Father; as the bishops, +appointed unto the utmost bounds of +the earth, are by the will of Jesus +Christ. + +13 Wherefore it will become you +to run together according to the +will of your bishop, as also ye do, + +14 For your famous presbytery, +worthy of God, is fitted as exactly +to the bishop, as the strings are +to the harp. + +15 Therefore in your concord +and agreeing charity, Jesus Christ +is sung; and every single person +among you makes up the chorus: + +16 That so being all consonant +in love, and taking up the song +of God, ye may in a perfect unity +with one voice, sing to the Father +by Jesus Christ; to the end that +he may both hear you, and perceive +by your works, that ye are indeed +the members of his son. + +17 Wherefore it is profitable for +you to live in an unblameable +unity, that so ye may always have +a fellowship with God. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + 1 The benefit of subjection. + 4 The bishop not to be respected the less + because he is not forward in exacting it: + 8 warns brethren against heretics; bidding + them cleave to Jesus, whose divine and human + mature is declared: commends them for their care + to keep themselves from false teachers: + and shews them the way to God. + +FOR if I in this little time have +had such a familiarity with +your bishop, I mean not a carnal, +but spiritual acquaintance with +him; how much more must I think +you happy who are so joined to him, +as the church is to Jesus Christ, +and Jesus Christ to the Father; +so that all things may agree in +the same unity. + +2 Let no man deceive himself; +if a man be not within the altar, +he is deprived of the bread of God. +For if the prayer of one or two +be of such force, as we are told; +how much more powerful shall +that of the bishop and the whole +church be? + +3 He therefore that does not +come together in the same place +with it, is proud, and has already +condemned himself; for it is written, +God resisteth the proud. Let us take +heed therefore, that we do not set +ourselves against the bishop, +that we may be subject to God. + +4 The more any one sees his +bishop silent, the more let him +revere him. For whomsoever the +master of the house sends to be +over his own household, we ought +in like manner to receive him, as +we do him that sent him. It is +therefore evident that we ought +to look upon the bishop, even as +we do upon the Lord himself. + +5 And indeed Onesimus himself +does greatly commend your good +order in God: that you all live +according to the truth, and that +no heresy dwells among you. For +neither do ye hearken to anyone +more than to Jesus Christ +speaking to you in truth. + +6 For some there are who +carry about the name of Christ +in deceitfulness, but do things +unworthy of God; whom ye must +flee, as ye would do so many +wild beasts. For they are raving +dogs, who bite secretly; against +whom ye must guard yourselves, +as men hardly to be cured. + +7 There is one Physician, both +fleshy and spiritual; made and +not made; God incarnate; true +life in death; both of Mary and +of God: first passible, then +impassible; even Jesus Christ our +Lord. + +8 Wherefore let no man deceive +you; as indeed neither are ye +deceived, being wholly the +servants of God. For inasmuch as +there is no contention nor strife +among you, to trouble you, ye +must needs live according to God's +will. My soul be for yours; +and I myself, the expiatory +offering for your church of Ephesus; +so famous throughout the world. + +9 They that are of the flesh +cannot do the works of the spirit; +neither they that are of the spirit +the works of the flesh; as he +that has faith cannot be an infidel; +nor he that is an infidel have +faith. But even those things +which ye do according to the flesh +are spiritual; forasmuch as ye do +all things in Jesus Christ. + +10 Nevertheless I have heard +of some who have passed by you, +having perverse doctrine; whom +ye did not suffer to sow among +you; but stopped your ears, that +ye might not receive those things +that were sown by them: because +being the stones of the temple of +the Father, prepared for his +building; and drawn up on high +by the Cross of Christ, +as by an engine; + +11. Using the Holy Ghost as the +rope: your faith being your support; +and your charity the way that leads +unto God. + +12 Ye are therefore, with all +your companions in the same +journey full of God; his spiritual +temples, full of Christ, and of +holiness: adorned in all things +with the commands of Christ. + +13 In whom also I rejoice that +I have been thought worthy by +this present epistle to converse, +and joy together with you; that +with respect to the other life, ye +love nothing but God only. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 Exhorts them to prayer; to be unblamable. + 5 To be careful of salvation; + 11 frequent in public devotion; + 13 and to live in charity. + +PRAY also without ceasing for +other men; for there is hope +of repentance in them, that they +may attain unto God. Let them +therefore at least be instructed by +your works, if they will be no +other way. + +2 Be ye mild at their anger; +humble at their boasting; to their +blasphemies return your prayers +to their error, your firmness in +the faith; when they are cruel, +be ye gentle; not endeavouring +to imitate their ways. + +(3 Let us be their brethren in +all kindness and moderation, but +let us be followers of the Lord; +for who was ever more unjustly +used? More destitute? More +despised?). + +4 That so no herb of the devil +may be found in you: but ye may +remain in all holiness and sobriety +both of body and spirit, in Christ +Jesus. + +5 The last times are come upon +us: let us therefore be very +reverent, and fear the long- +suffering of God, that it be +not to us unto condemnation. + +6 For let us either fear the +wrath that is to come, or let us +love the grace that we at present +enjoy; that by the one or other of +these, we may be found in Christ +Jesus, unto true life. + +7 Besides him, let nothing be +worthy of you; for whom also I +bear about these bonds; those +spiritual jewels, in which I would +to God that I might arise through +your prayers. + +8 Of which I entreat you to +make me always partaker, that I +may be found in the lot of the +Christians of Ephesus, who have +always agreed with the Apostles, +through the power of Jesus Christ. + +9 I know both who I am, and +to whom I write: I, a person +condemned; ye, such as have +obtained mercy; I, exposed +to danger; ye confirmed +against danger. + +10 Ye are the passage of +those that are killed for God; +the companions of Paul in the +mysteries of the Gospel; the +holy, the martyr, the deservedly +most happy Paul: at whose feet +may I be found, when I shall have +attained unto God; who throughout +all his epistles, makes mention +of you in Christ Jesus. + +11 Let it be your care therefore +to come more fully together, to +the praise and glory of God; +for when ye meet fully together +in the same place, the powers of +the devil are destroyed, and his +mischief is dissolved by the unity +of your faith. + +12 And indeed, nothing is better +than peace, by which all war both +spiritual and earthly is abolished. + +13 Of all which, nothing is hid +from you, if ye have perfect faith +and charity in Christ Jesus, which +are the beginning and end of life. + +14 For the beginning is faith; +the end is charity. And these two +joined together, are of God; but +all other things which concern a +holy life, are the consequences of +these. + +15 No man professing a true +faith, sinneth; neither does he +who has charity hate any. + +16 The tree is made manifest +by its fruit; so they who profess +themselves to be Christians are +known by what they do. + +17 For Christianity is not the +work of an outward profession; +but shows itself in the power of +faith, if a man be found faithful +unto the end. + +18 It is better for a man to hold +his peace, and be; than to say, he +is a Christian, and not to be. + +19 It is good to teach; if what +he says he does likewise. + +20 There is therefore one master +who spake, and it was done; and +even those things which he did +without speaking, are worthy +of the Father. + +21 He that possesses the word +of Jesus, is truly able to bear his +very silence. That he may be perfect, +he will do according to what he +speaks, and be known by those +things of which he is silent. + +22 There is nothing hid from +God, but even our secrets are nigh +unto him. + +23 Let us therefore do all +things, as becomes those who +have God dwelling in them; +that we maybe his temples; +and he may be our God as also +he is, and will manifest himself +before our faces, by those things +for which we justly love him. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + 1 To have a care for the Gospel. + 9 The virginity of Mary, the incarnation, + and the death of Christ, were hid from the Devil. + 11 How the birth of Christ was revealed. + 16 Exhorts to unity. + +BE not deceived, my brethren: +those that corrupt families +by adultery, shall not inherit +the kingdom of God. + +2 If therefore they who do this +according to the flesh, have +suffered death; how much more shall +he die, who by his wicked doctrine +corrupts the faith of God, for which +Christ was crucified? + +3 He that is thus defiled, shall +depart into unquenchable fire, and +so also shall he that hearkens to +him. + +4 For this cause did the Lord +suffer the ointment to be poured +on his head; that he might breathe +the breath of immortality unto his +church. + +5 Be not ye therefore anointed +with the evil savour of the doctrine +of the prince of this world: let him +not take you captive from the life +that is set before you. + +6 And why are we not all +wise, seeing we have received +the knowledge of God, which is +Jesus Christ? Why do we suffer +ourselves foolishly to perish; +not considering the gift which +the Lord has truly sent to us? + +7 Let my life be sacrificed +for the doctrine of the cross; +which is indeed a scandal to the +unbelievers, but to us is salvation +and life eternal. + +8 Where is the wise man? +Where is the disputer? Where +is the boasting of those who +are called wise? + +9 For our Lord Jesus Christ was +according to the dispensation of +God, conceived in the womb of +Mary, of the seed of David, +by the Holy Ghost. He was born +and baptized, that through his +passion he might purify water, +to the washing away of sin. + +10 Now the Virginity of Mary, +and he who was born of her, was +kept in secret from the prince of +this world; as was also the death +of our Lord: three of the mysteries +the most spoken of throughout the +world, yet done in secret by God. + +11 How then was our Saviour +manifested to the world? A star +shone in heaven beyond all the +other stars, and its light was +inexpressible, and its novelty +struck terror into men's minds. +All the rest of the stars, +together with the sun and moon, +were the chorus to this star; +but that sent out its light +exceedingly above them all. + +12 And men began to be troubled +to think whence this new star +came so unlike to all the others. + +13 Hence all the power of magic +became dissolved; and every bond +of wickedness was destroyed: men's +ignorance was taken away; and +the old kingdom abolished; God +himself appearing in the form +of a man, for the renewal of +eternal life. + +14 From thence began what +God had prepared: from thence. +forth things were disturbed; +forasmuch as he designed to +abolish death. + +15 But if Jesus Christ shall +give me grace through your prayers, +and if it be his will, I purpose +in a second epistle which I will +suddenly write unto you, to manifest +to you more fully the dispensation +of which I have now begun to speak, +about the new man, which is Jesus +Christ; both in his faith, and +charity; in his suffering, and +in his resurrection. + +16 Especially if the Lord shall +make known unto me, that ye all +by name come together united in +one faith, and in Jesus Christ; +who was of the race of David +according to the flesh; the Son +of man, and son of God; obeying +your bishop and the presbytery +with an entire affection; breaking +one and the same bread, which is +the medicine of immortality; +our antidote that we should not +die, but live for ever in Christ +Jesus. + +17 My soul be for yours, and +theirs whom ye have sent, to the +glory of God; even unto Smyrna, +from whence also I write to you; +giving thanks unto the Lord and +loving Polycarp even as I do you. +Remember me, as Jesus Christ does +remember you. + +18 Pray for the church which is +in Syria from whence I am carried +bound to Rome; being the least +of all the faithful which are there, +as I have been thought worthy to +be found, to the glory of God. + +19 Fare ye well in God the +Father, and in Jesus Christ, our +common hope. Amen. + + + + + THE EPISTLE OF + IGNATIUS TO THE MAGNESIANS + + +CHAPTER I. + + 4 Ignatius mentions the arrival of Damas, + their bishop, and others, + 6 whom he exhorts them to reverence + notwithstanding he was a young man. + +IGNATIUS, who is also called +Theophorus, to the blessed +church, by the grace of God the +Father, in Jesus Christ our Saviour; +through whom I salute the church +which is at Magnesia, near the +Maeander: and wish it all joy in +God the Father, and in Jesus +Christ. + +2 When I heard of your well- +ordered love and charity in God, +being full of joy, I desired much +to speak unto you in the faith of +Jesus Christ. + +3 For having been thought +worthy to obtain a most excellent +name, in the bonds which I carry +about, I salute the churches; +wishing in them a union both of +the body and spirit of Jesus Christ, +our eternal life: as also of faith +and charity, to which nothing is +preferred: but especially of Jesus +and the Father; in whom if we +undergo all the injuries of the +prince of this present world, and +escape, we shall enjoy God, + +4 Seeing, then, I have been +judged worthy to see you, by +Damas your most excellent bishop; +and by your worthy presbyters, +Bassus and Apollonius; and by my +fellow-servant Sotio, the deacon; + +5 In whom I rejoice, forasmuch +as he is subject unto his bishop as +to the grace of God; and to the +presbytery as to the law of Jesus +Christ; I determined to write +unto you. + +6 Wherefore it will become you +also not to use your bishop too +familiarly upon the account of his +youth; but to yield all reverence +to him according to the power of +God the Father; as also I perceive +that your holy presbyters do: not +considering his age, which indeed +to appearance is young; but as +becomes those who are prudent in +God, submitting to him, or rather +not to him but to the Father of our +Lord Jesus Christ, the bishop of +us all. + +7 It will therefore behove you +with all sincerity, to obey your +bishop; in honour of him whose +pleasure it is that ye should do so. + +8 Because he that does not do +so, deceives not the bishop whom +he sees, but affronts him that is +invisible. For whatsoever of this +kind is done, it reflects not upon +man, but upon God, who knows +the secrets of our hearts. + +9 It is therefore fitting, +that we should not only be called +christians, but be so. + +10 As some call indeed their +governor, bishop; but yet do all +things without him. + +11 But I can never think +that such as these have a good +conscience, seeing that they are +not gathered together thoroughly +according to God's commandment. + + + +CHAPTER II. + +1 That as all must die, +4 he exhorts them to live orderly and in unity. + + +SEEING then all things have +an end, there are these two +indifferently set before us, +death and life: and everyone +shall depart unto his proper place. + +2 For as there are two sorts of +coins, the one of God, the other of +the world, and each of these has +its proper inscription engraven +upon it; so also is it here. + +3 The unbelievers are of this +world; but the faithful, through +charity have the character of God +the Father by Jesus Christ: +by whom if we are not readily +disposed to die after the likeness +of his passion, his life is not in us. + +4 Forasmuch, therefore, as I +have in the persons before mentioned, +seen all of you in faith and charity; +I exhort you that ye study to do all +things in a divine concord: + +5 Your bishop presiding in the +place of God; your presbyters in +the place of the council of the +Apostles; and your deacons most +dear to me, being entrusted with +the ministry of Jesus Christ; who +was the Father before all ages, +and appeared in the end to us. + +6 Wherefore taking the same +holy course, see that ye all +reverence one another, and let no +one look upon his neighbour after +the flesh; but do ye all mutually +love each other in Jesus Christ. + +7 Let there be nothing that may +be able to make a division among +you; but be ye united to your +bishop, and those who preside +over you, to be your pattern and +direction in the way to immortality. + +8 As therefore the Lord did +nothing without the Father, being +united to him; neither by himself +nor yet by his Apostles, so neither +do ye do anything without your +bishop and presbyters: + +9 Neither endeavour to let +anything appear rational to +yourselves apart; + +10 But being come together into +the same place, have one common +prayer; one supplication; +one mind; one hope; one in charity, +and in joy undefiled. + +11 There is one Lord Jesus +Christ, than whom nothing is better. +Wherefore come ye all together, as +unto one temple of God; as to one +altar; as to one: Jesus Christ, +who proceeded from one Father, +and exists in one; and is +returned to one. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 He cautions them against false opinions. + 3 Especially those of Ebion and the Judaising Christians. + +BE not deceived with strange +doctrines; nor with old fables +which are unprofitable. For if +we still continue to live according +to the Jewish law, we do confess +ourselves not to have received grace. +For even the most holy prophets +lived according to Christ Jesus. + +2 And for this cause were they +persecuted, being inspired by his +grace to convince the unbelievers +and disobedient that there is one +God who has manifested himself +by Jesus Christ his Son; who is +his eternal word, not coming forth +from silence; who in all things +pleased him that sent him. + +3 Wherefore if they who were +brought up in these ancient laws, +came nevertheless to the newness +of hope; no longer observing +sabbaths, but keeping the Lord's +day in which also our life is +sprung up by him, and through +his death, whom yet some deny: + +4 (By which mystery we have +been brought to believe and +therefore wait that we maybe +found the disciples of Jesus +Christ, our only master:) + +5 How shall we be able to live +different from him; whose disciples +the very prophets themselves +being, did by the spirit expect him +as their master; + +6 And therefore he whom they +justly waited for, being come, +raised, them up from the dead. + +7 Let us not then be insensible +of his goodness; for should he +have dealt with us according to +our works, we had not now had a +being. + +8 Wherefore being become his +disciples, let us learn to live +according to the rules of +Christianity; for whosoever is +called by any other name besides +this, he is not of God. + +9 Lay aside therefore the old and +sour, and evil leaven; and be ye +changed into the new leaven, which +is Jesus Christ. + +10 Be ye salted in him, lest any +one among you should be corrupted; +for by your Savior ye shall +be judged. + +11 It is absurd to name Jesus +Christ, and to Judaize. For the +christian religion did not embrace +the Jewish, but the Jewish the +christian; that so every tongue +that believed might be gathered +together unto God. + +12 These things, my beloved, I +write unto you; not that I know +of any among you that lie under +this error: but as one of the least +among you, I am desirous to forewarn +you, that ye fall not into the +snares of false doctrine. + +13 But that ye be fully instructed +in the birth, and suffering, and +resurrection of Jesus Christ, +our hope; which was accomplished +in the time of the government of +Pontius Pilate, and that most truly +and certainly: and from which God +forbid that any among you should +be turned aside. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + 1 Commends their faith and piety; exhorts them + to persevere; + 10 desires their prayers for himself and the + church at Antioch. + +MAY I therefore have joy of +you in all things, if I shall +be worthy of it. For though I am +bound, yet am I not worthy to be +compared to one of you that are at +liberty. + +2 I know that ye are not puffed +up; for ye have Jesus Christ in +your hearts. + +3 And especially when I commend +you, I know that ye are ashamed, +as it is written, The just man +condemneth himself. + +4 Study therefore to be confirmed +in the doctrine of our Lord, and +of his Apostles; that so whatever +ye do, ye may prosper both in body +and spirit, in faith and charity, +in the Son, and in the Father, +and in the Holy Spirit; in the +beginning, and in the end: + +5 Together with your most worthy +bishop, and the well-wrought +spiritual crown of your presbytery, +and your deacons, which are +according to God. + +6 Be subject to your bishop, and +to one another, as Jesus Christ +was to the Father, according to the +flesh; and the Apostles, both to +Christ, and to the Father; and to +the Holy Ghost: that so ye may +be united both in body and spirit. + +7 Knowing you to be full of +God, I have the more briefly +exhorted you. + +8 Be mindful of me in your +prayers, that I may attain unto +God, and of the church that is in +Syria, from which I am not worthy +to be called. + +9 For I stand in need of your +joint prayers in God, and of your +charity, that the church which is +in Syria may be thought worthy +to be nourished by your church. + +10 The Ephesians from Smyrna +salute you, from which place I +write unto you; (being present +here to the glory of God, in like +manner as you are,) who have in +all things refreshed me, together +with Polycarp, the bishop of the +Smyrneans. + +11 The rest of the churches in +the honour of Jesus Christ salute +you. + +12 Farewell, and be ye strengthened +in the concord of God; enjoying +his inseparable spirit, which +is Christ Jesus. + + + + + THE EPISTLE OF + IGNATIUS TO THE TRALLIANS. + +CHAPTER 1. + + 1 Acknowledges the coming of their bishop. + 5 Commends them for their subjection to their bishop, + priests, and deacons; and exhorts them to continue in it: + 15 is afraid even of his over-great desire to suffer, + lest it should be prejudicial to him. + +IGNATTUS, who is also called +Theophorus, to the holy church +which is at Tralles in Asia: +beloved of God, the Father of Jesus +Christ; elect and worthy of God, +having peace through the flesh and +blood, and passion of Jesus Christ +our hope; in the resurrection which +is by him: which also I salute in +its fullness, continuing in the +apostolical character, wishing all +joy and happiness unto it. + +2 I have heard of your blameless +and constant disposition through +patience, which not only appears +in your outward conversation, but +is naturally rooted and grounded +in you. + +3 In like manner as Polybius +your bishop has declared unto me, +who came to me to Smyrna, by the +will of God and Jesus Christ, and +so rejoiced together with me in my +bonds for Jesus Christ, that in +effect I saw your whole church in +him. + +4 Having therefore received +testimony of your good will towards +me for God's sake, by him; I seemed +to find you, as also I knew that ye +were the followers of God. + +5 For whereas ye are subject to +your bishop as to Jesus Christ, ye +appear to one to live not after the +manner of men, but according to +Jesus Christ who died for us, +that so believing in his death, +ye might escape death. + +6 It is therefore necessary, that +as ye do, so without your bishop +you should do nothing: also be +ye subject to your presbyters, as +to the Apostles of Jesus Christ our +hope; in whom if we walk, we +shall be found in him. + +7 The deacons also, as being +the ministers of the mysteries of +Jesus Christ, must by all means +please ye. For they are not the +ministers of meat and drink, +but of the church of God. Wherefore +they must avoid all offences, +as they would do fire. + +8 In like manner let us reverence +the deacons as Jesus Christ; +and the bishop as the Father; and +the presbyters as the Sanctuary of +God, and college of the Apostles. + +9 Without these there is no +church; concerning all which, I +am persuaded that ye think after +the very same manner; for I have +received, and even now have with +me, the pattern of your love, in +your bishop. + +10 Whose very look is instructive; +and whose mildness powerful: whom +I am persuaded, the very Atheists +themselves cannot but reverence. + +11 But because I have a love +towards you, I will not write any +more sharply unto you about this +matter, though I very well might +but now I have done so, lest being +a condemned man, I should seem +to prescribe to you as an Apostle. + +12 I have great knowledge in +God; but I refrain myself, lest +I should perish in my boasting. + +13 For now I ought the more +to fear, and not to hearken to +those that would puff me up. + +14 For they that speak to me, +in my praise, chasten me. + +15 For I indeed desire to suffer, +but I cannot tell whether I am +worthy so to do. + +16 And this desire, though to +others it does not appear, yet to +myself it is for that very reason +the more violent. I have, therefore, +need of moderation; by which the +prince of this world is destroyed. + +17 Am I not able to write to +you of heavenly things?--But I +fear lest I should harm you, who +are yet but babes in Christ; +(excuse me this care;) and lest +perchance being not able to +receive them, ye should be +choken with them. + +18 For even I myself, although +I am in bonds, yet am not therefore +able to understand heavenly things; + +19 As the assembly of angels, +and the several companies of them, +under their respective princes; +things visible and invisible: but +in these I am yet a learner. + +20 For many things are wanting to +us, that we come not short of God. + + + +CHAP. II. + + 1 Warns them against heretics, + 4 exhorts them to humility and unity, + 10 and briefly sets before them the true + doctrine concerning Christ. + +EXHORT you therefore, or +rather not I, but the love of +Jesus Christ; that ye use none but +christian nourishment; abstaining +from pasture which is of another +kind, I mean heresy. + +2 For they that are heretics, +confound together the doctrine of +Jesus Christ, with their own poison: +whilst they seem worthy of belief: + +3 As men give a deadly potion +mixed with sweet wine; which he +who drinks of, does with the +treacherous pleasure sweetly +drink in his own death. + +4 Wherefore guard yourself +against such persons; and that +you will do, if you are not puffed +up; but continue inseparable from +Jesus Christ our God, and from +your bishop, and from the +commands of the Apostles. + +5 He that is within the altar, +is pure; but he that is without, +namely, does anything without the +bishop, the presbyters, and deacons, +is not pure in his conscience. + +6 Not that I know there is any +thing of this nature among you; +but I fore-arm you, as being +greatly beloved by me, foreseeing +the snares of the devil. + +7 Wherefore putting on meekness, +renew yourselves in faith, +which is the flesh of the Lord; +and in charity, which is the blood +of Jesus Christ. + +8 Let no man have any grudge +against his neighbour. Give no +occasion to the Gentiles; lest by +means of a few foolish men, the +whole congregation of God be +evil spoken of. + +9 For woe to that man through +whose vanity my name is +blasphemed by any. + +10 Stop your ears therefore, +as often as any one shall speak +contrary to Jesus Christ, who was +of the race of David; by the Virgin +Mary. + +11 Who was truly born, and +did eat and drink; was truly +persecuted under Pontius Pilate; +was truly crucified and dead; both +those in heaven and on earth, and +under the earth, being spectators +of it: + +12 Who, was also truly raised +from the dead by his Father, after +the same manner as HE will also +raise up us who believe in him by +Christ Jesus; without whom we +have no true life. + +13 But if, as some who are +Atheists, that is to say infidels, +pretend, that he seemed to suffer, +(they themselves only seeming to +exist) why then am I bound?-- +Why do I desire to fight with +beasts?--Therefore do I die in +vain: therefore I will not speak +falsely against the Lord. + +14 Flee therefore these evil +sprouts which bring forth deadly +fruit; of which if any one taste, +he shall presently die. + +15 For these are not the plants +of the Father; seeing if they were, +they would appear to be the +branches of the cross, and their +fruit would be incorruptible; by +which he invites you through his +passion, who are members of him. + +16 For the head cannot be without +its members, God having promised +a union with himself. + + + +CHAP. III. + + He again exhorts to unity, and desires their + prayers for himself, and for his church at Antioch. + +I SALUTE you from Smyrna, +together with the churches of +God that are present with me; +who have refreshed me in all +things, both in the flesh and +in the spirit. + +2 My bonds, which I carry about +me for the sake of Christ, +(beseeching him that I may +attain unto God) exhort you that +you continue in concord among +yourselves, and in prayer with +one another. + +3 For it becomes everyone of +you, especially the presbyters, to +refresh the bishop, to the honour +of the Father of Jesus Christ, and +of the Apostles. + +4 I beseech you, that you hearken +to me in love; that I may not by +those things which I write, rise up +in witness against you. + +5 Pray also for me; who, +through the mercy of God, stand +in need of your prayers, that I +may be worthy of the portion which +I am about to obtain, and that I +be not found a reprobate. + +6 The love of those who are at +Smyrna and Ephesus salute you. +Remember in your prayers the +church of Syria, from which I am +not worthy to be called, being one +of the least of it. + +7 Fare ye well in Jesus Christ; +being subject to your bishop as to +the command of God; and so like. +wise to the presbytery. + +8 Love every one his brother +with an unfeigned heart. My soul +be your expiation, not only now, +but when I shall have attained +unto God; for I am yet under +danger. + +9 But the Father is faithful in +Jesus Christ, to fulfil both mine +and your petition; in whom may +ye be found unblameable. + + + + + + THE EPISTLE OF + IGNATIUS TO THE ROMANS. + + +CHAPTER I. + + Ignatius testifies his desire to see, and his + hopes of suffering for Christ + 5 which he earnestly entreats them not to prevent, + 10 but to pray for him, that God would strengthen + him to the combat. + + +IGNATIUS, who is also called +Theophorus, to the church +which has obtained mercy from +the majesty of the Most High +Father, and his only begotten +Son Jesus Christ; beloved, and +illuminated through the will of him +who willeth all things which are +according to the love of Jesus +Christ our God; which also presides +in the place of the region +of the Romans; and which I salute +in the name of Jesus Christ, as +being united both in flesh and +spirit to all his commands, and +filed with the grace of God; with +all joy in Jesus Christ our God. + +2 Forasmuch as I have at last +obtained through my prayers to +God, permission to see your faces, +which I much desired to do; being +bound in Jesus Christ, I hope ere +long to salute you, if it shall be +the will of God to grant me to +attain unto the end I long for. + +3 For the beginning is well +disposed, if I shall but have grace, +without hindrance, to receive what +is appointed for me. + +4 But I fear your love, lest it +do me an injury; for it is easy for +you to do what you please; but it +will be hard for me to attain unto +God, if you spare me. + +5 But I would not that ye +should please men, but God; whom +also ye do, please. For neither +shall I hereafter have such an +opportunity of going unto God; nor +will you, if ye shall now be silent, +ever be entitled to a better work. +For if you, shall be silent in my +behalf, I shall be made partaker of +God. + +6 But if you shall love my body, +I shall have my course again to +run. Wherefore ye cannot do me +a greater kindness, than to suffer +me to be sacrificed unto God, now +that the altar is already prepared: + +7 That when ye shall be gathered +together in love, ye nay give +thanks to the Father through +Christ Jesus, that he has +vouchsafed to bring a bishop +of Syria unto you, being called +from the east unto the west. + +8 For it is good for me to turn +from the world, unto God; that I +may rise again unto him. + +9 Ye have never envied any one; +ye have taught others. I would +therefore that ye should now do +those things yourselves, which +in your instructions you have +prescribed to others. + +10 Only pray for me, that God +would give me both inward and +outward strength, that I may not +only say, but will; nor be only +called a christian, but be found +one. + +11 For if I shall be found a +christian, I may then deservedly +be called one; and be thought +faithful, when I shall no longer +appear to the world. + +12 Nothing is good, that is +seen. + +13 For even our God, Jesus +Christ, now that he is in the +Father, does so much the more +appear. + +14 A christian is not a work of +opinion; but of greatness of mind, +especially when he is hated by the +world. + + + +CHAPTER. II. + + Expresses his great desire and determination + to suffer martyrdom. + +I WRITE to the churches, and +signify to them all, that I am +willing to die for God, unless you +hinder me. + +2 I beseech you that you show +not an unseasonable good will +towards me. Suffer me to be food +to the wild beasts, by whom I shall +attain unto God. + +3 For I am the wheat of God, +and I shall be ground by the teeth +of the wild-beasts, that I may be +found the pure bread of Christ. +Rather encourage the beasts, +that they may became my sepulchre, +and may let live nothing of my +body; that being dead I may not +be troublesome to any. + +5 Then shall I be truly the +disciple of Jesus Christ, when the +world shall not see so much as my +body. Pray therefore unto Christ +for me, that by these instruments +I may be made the sacrifice of +God. + +6 I do not, as Peter and Paul, +command you. They were Apostles, +I a condemned man; they were free, +but I am even to this day a servant: + +7 But if I shall suffer, I shall +then become the freeman of Jesus +Christ, and shall rise free. And +now, being in bonds, I learn not +to desire any thing. + +8 From Syria even unto Rome, +I fight with beasts both by sea and +land; both night and day: being +bound to ten leopards, that is to +say, to such a band of soldiers, +who, though treated with all manner +of kindness, are the worse for +it. + +9 But I am the more instructed +by their injuries; yet am I not +therefore justified. + +10 May I enjoy the wild beasts +that are prepared for me; which +also I wish may exercise all their +fierceness upon me. + +11 And whom for that end I will +encourage, that they may be sure +to devour me, and not serve me as +they have done some, whom out of +fear they have not touched. But +if they will not do it willingly, +I will provoke them to it. + +12 Pardon me in this matter; I +know what is profitable for me, +now I begin to be a disciple. +Not shall any thing move me +whether visible or invisible, +that I may attain to Jesus Christ. + +13 Let fire and the cross; let +the companies of wild beasts; +let breakings of bones, and tearing +of members; let the shattering in +pieces of the whole body, and all +the wicked torments of the devil +come upon me; only let me enjoy +Jesus Christ. + +14 All the ends of the world, +and the kingdoms of it, will profit +me nothing: I would rather die +for Jesus Christ, than rule to the +utmost ends of the earth. Him +I seek who died for us; him I +desire who rose again for us. +This is the gain that is laid up +for me. + +15 Pardon me, my brethren, ye +shall not hinder me from living; +nor seeing I desire to go to God, +may you separate me from him, +for the sake of this world;--nor +induce me by any of the desires of +it. Suffer me to enter into pure +light, where being come, I shall +be indeed the servant of God. + +16 Permit me to imitate the +passion of my God. If any one has +God within himself, let him consider +what I desire; and let him have +compassion on me, as knowing how +I am straightened. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Further expresses his desire to suffer. + +THE prince of this world would +fain carry me away, and corrupt +my resolution towards my God. +Let none of you therefore help +him; rather do ye join with me, +that is, with God. + +2 Do not speak with Jesus +Christ, and yet covet the world. +Let not any envy dwell with you; +no, not though I myself, when I +shall be come unto you, should +exhort you to it, yet do not ye +hearken to me; but rather believe +what I now write to you. + +3 For though I am alive at the +writing of this, yet my desire is +to die. My love is crucified; and +the fire that is within me does +not desire any water; but being +alive and springing within me, +says, Come to the Father. + +4 I take no pleasure in the food +of corruption, nor in the pleasures +of this life. + +5 I desire the bread of God +which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, +of the seed of David; and the +drink that I long for is his blood, +which is incorruptible love. + +6 I have no desire to live any +longer after the manner of men; +neither shall I, if you consent. +Be ye therefore willing, that ye +yourselves also maybe pleasing to +God. I exhort you in a few words; +I pray you believe me. + +7 Jesus Christ will shew you +that I speak truly. My mouth is +without deceit, and the Father +hath truly spoken by it. Pray +therefore for me, that I may +accomplish what I desire. + +8 I have not written to you after +the flesh, but according to the will +of God. If I shall suffer, ye have +loved me: but if I shall be rejected, +ye have hated me. + +9 Remember in your prayers +the church of Syria, which now +enjoys God for its shepherd instead +of me. Let Jesus Christ only oversee +it, and your charity. + +10 But I am even ashamed to +be reckoned as one of them; for +neither am I worthy, being the +least among them, and as one +born out of due season. But +through mercy I have risen to +be somebody, if I shall get unto +God. + +11 My spirit salutes you; and +the charity of the churches that +have received me in the name of +Jesus Christ; not as a passenger, +for even they that were not near +to me in the way, have gone before +me to the next city to meet me. + +12 These things I write to you +from Smyrna, by the most worthy +of the church of Ephesus. + +13 There is now with me, together +with many others, Crocus, most +beloved of me. As for those which +are come from Syria, and are gone +before me to Rome, to the glory +of God, I suppose you are not +ignorant of them. + +14 Ye shall therefore signify to +them that I draw near, for they, +are all worthy both of God and of +you: Whom it is fit that you +refresh in all things. + +15 This have I written to you, +the day before the ninth of the, +calends of September. Be strong +unto the end, in the patience of +Jesus Christ. + + + + + + + IGNATIUS TO THE PHILADELPHIANS. + + +CHAPTER I. + + Commends their bishop, whom they had sent unto him, + warns them against division and schism. + +IGNATIUS, who is also called +Theophorus, to the church of +God the Father, and our Lord +Jesus Christ, which is at Philadelphia +in Asia; which has obtained mercy, +being fixed in the concord of God, +and rejoicing evermore in the passion +of our Lord, and being fulfilled in +all mercy through his resurrection: +Which also I salute in the blood of +Jesus Christ, which is our eternal +and undefiled joy; especially if +they are at unity with the bishop, +and presbyters who are with him, +and the deacons appointed according +to the mind of Jesus Christ; whom +he has settled according to his own +will in all firmness by his Holy +Spirit: + +2 Which bishop I know obtained +that great ministry among you, +not of himself, neither by men, +nor out of vain glory; but by the +love of God the Father, and our +Lord Jesus Christ. + +3 Whose moderation I admire; +who by his silence is able to do +more than others with all their +vain talk. For he is fitted to the +commands, as the harp to its strings. + +4 Wherefore my soul esteems +his mind towards God most happy, +knowing it to be fruitful in all +virtue, and perfect; full of +constancy, free from passion, +and according to all the +moderation of the living God. + +5 Wherefore as becomes the +children both of the light and of +truth; flee divisions and false +doctrines; but where your shepherd +is, there do ye, as sheep, follow +after. + +6 For there are many wolves +who seem worthy of belief, that +with a false pleasure lead captive +those that run in the course of +God; but in the concord they shall +find no place. + +7 Abstain therefore from those +evil herbs which Jesus Christ does +not dress: because such are not +the plantation of the Father. Not +that I have found any division +among you, but rather all manner +of purity. + +8 For as many as are of God, +and of Jesus Christ, are also with +their bishop. And as many as +shall with repentance return into +the unity of the church, even these +shall also be the servants of God, +that they may live according to +Jesus Christ. + +9 Be not deceived brethren; +if any one follows him that makes +a schism in the church, he shall +not inherit the kingdom of God. +If any one walks after any other +opinion, he agrees not with the +passion of Christ. + +10 Wherefore let it be your +endeavour to partake all of the +same holy eucharist. + +11 For there is but one flesh of +our Lord Jesus Christ; one cup +in the unity of his blood; and one +altar; + +12 As also there is one bishop, +together with his presbytery, and +the deacons my fellow servants +that so whatsoever ye do, ye may +do it according to the will of God. + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Desires their prayers, and to be +united, but not to Judaize. + +MY brethren, the love I have +towards you makes me the +more large; and having a great +joy in you, I endeavour to secure +you against danger; or rather not +I, but Jesus Christ; in whom +being bound, I the more fear, +as being yet only on the way +to suffering. + +2 But your prayer to God shall +make me perfect, that I may attain +to that portion, which by God's +mercy is allotted to me Fleeing +to the Gospel as to the flesh of +Christ; and to the Apostles as +to the presbytery of the church. + +3 Let us also love the prophets, +forasmuch as they have led us +to the Gospel, and to hope in +Christ, and to expect him. + +4 In whom also believing they +were saved in the unity of Jesus +Christ; being holy men, worthy +to be loved, and had in wonder; + +5 Who have received testimony +from Jesus Christ, and are +numbered in the Gospel of our +common hope. + +6 But if any one shall preach +the Jewish law unto you, hearken +not unto him; for it is better to +receive the doctrine of Christ from +one that has been circumcised, than +Judaism from one that has not. + +7 But if either the one, or other, +do not speak concerning Christ +Jesus; they seem to me to be but +as monuments and sepulchres of +the dead, upon which are written +only the names of men. + +8 Flee therefore the wicked arts +and snares of the prince of this +world; lest at any time being +oppressed by his cunning, ye grow +cold in your charity. But come +altogether into the same place, +with an undivided heart. + +9 And I bless my God that I +have a good conscience towards +you, and that no one among you +has whereof to boast either openly +or privately, that I have been +burthensome to him in much or +little. + +10 And I wish to all, among +whom I have conversed, that +may not turn to a witness again +them. + +11 For although some would +have deceived me according to +the flesh, yet the spirit, being +from God, is not deceived: for it +knows, both whence it comes and +whither it goes, and reproves the +secrets of the heart. + +12 I cried whilst I was among +you; I spake with a loud voice: +attend to the bishop, and to the +presbytery, and to the deacons. + +13 Now some supposed that I spake +this as foreseeing the division +that should come among you. + +14 But he is my witness for +whose sake I am in bonds that +I know nothing from any man. +But the spirit spake, saying +on this wise: Do nothing without +the bishop: + +15 Keep your bodies as the +temples of God: Love unity; +Flee divisions; Be the followers +of Christ, as he was of his Father. + +16 I therefore did as became +me, as a man composed to unity +for where there is division, +and wrath, God dwelleth not. + +17 But the Lord forgives all +that repent, if they return to the +unity of God, and to the council +of the bishop. + +18 For I trust in the grace +Jesus Christ that he will free +you from every bond. + +19 Nevertheless I exhort you +that you do nothing out of strife +but according to the instruction +of Christ. + +20 Because I have heard +some who say; unless I find +written in the originals, I will +not believe it to be written in +the Gospel. And when I said, +It is written; they answered +from what lay before them in the +corrupted copies. + +21 But to me Jesus Christ +instead of all the uncorrupted +monuments in the world; together +with those undefiled monuments, +his cross, and death, and +resurrection, and the faith +which is by him; by which I +desire, through your prayers, +to be justified. + +22 The priests indeed are +good; but much better is the High +Priest to whom the Holy of Holies +has been committed; and who +alone has been intrusted with the +secrets of God. + +23 He is the door of the Father; +by which Abraham, and Isaac, +and Jacob, and all the prophets, +enter in; as well as the Apostles, +and the church. + +24 And all these things tend to +the unity which is of God. Howbeit +the Gospel has somewhat in it far +above all other dispensations; +namely, the appearance of our +Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, +his passion and resurrection. + +25 For the beloved prophets +referred to him; but the Gospel +is the perfection of incorruption. +All therefore together are good, +if ye believe with charity. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Informs them he had heard that the persecution + was stopped at Antioch: and directs them to send + a messenger thither to congratulate with the church. + +NOW as concerning the church +of Antioch which is in Syria, +seeing I am told that through +your prayers and the bowels which +ye have towards it in Jesus Christ, +it is in peace; it will become you, +as the church of God, to ordain +some I deacon to go to them thither +as the ambassador of God; that +he may rejoice with them when +they meet together, and glorify +God's name. + +2 Blessed be that man in Jesus, +Christ, who shall be found worthy +of such a ministry; and ye yourselves +also shall be glorified. + +3 Now if you be willing, it is +not impossible for you to do this +for the grace of God; as also the +other neighbouring churches have +sent them some bishops, some +priests and some deacons. + +4 As concerning Philo the deacon +of Cilicia, a most worthy man, +he still ministers unto me in the +word of God: together with Rheus +of Agathopolis a singular good +person, who has followed me even +from Syria, not regarding his life: +These also bear witness unto you. + +5 And I myself give thanks to +God for you, that you receive them +as the Lord shall receive you. +But for those that dishonoured +them, may they be forgiven +through the grace of Jesus Christ. + +6 The charity of the brethren +that are at Troas salutes you: +from whence also I now write +by Burrhurs, who was sent together +with me by those of Ephesus and +Smyrna, for respect sake. + +7 May our Lord Jesus Christ +honour them; in whom they hope, +both in flesh, and soul, and spirit; +in faith, in love, in unity. +Fare-well in Christ Jesus our +common hope. + + + + + + + IGNATIUS TO THE SMYRNEANS. + +CHAPTER I. + + 1 Declares his joy for their firmness in the Gospel. + 4 Enlarges on the person of Christ, against such + as pretend that Christ did not suffer. + +IGNATIUS, who is also called +Theohorus, to the church of +God the Father, and of the beloved +Jesus Christ, which God hath +mercifully blessed with every +good gift; being filled with faith +and charity, so that it is wanting +in no gift; most worthy of God, +and fruitful in saints; the church +which is at Smyrna in Asia; all +through his immaculate spirit, +through word of God. + +2 I glorify God, even Jesus +Christ, who has given you such +wisdom. + +3 For I have observed that you +are settled in an immoveable faith, +as if you were nailed to the cross +of our Lord Jesus Christ, both in +the flesh and in the spirit; and +are confirmed in love through the +blood of Christ; being fully +persuaded of those things which +relate unto our Lord. + +4 Who truly was of the race +of David according to the flesh, +but the Son of God according to +the will and power of God; +truly born of the Virgin, and +baptised of John; that so all +righteousness might be fulfilled +by him. + +5 He was also truly crucified +by Pontius Pilate, and Herod the +Tetrarch, being nailed for us in +the flesh; by the fruits of which +we are, even by his most blessed +Passion; + +6 That he might set up a token +for all ages through his resurrection, +to all his holy and faithful servants, +whether they be Jews or Gentiles, +in one body of his church. + +7 Now all these things he suffered +for us that we might be saved; and +he suffered truly, as he also truly +raised up himself; and not, as some +unbelievers say, that he only seemed +to suffer; they themselves 'only +seeming to be.' + +8 And as they believe so shall it +happen unto them, when being divested +of the body they shall become mere +spirits. + +9 But I know that even after his +resurrection he was in the flesh; +and I believe that he is still so. + +10 And when he came to those +who were with Peter, he said +unto them, Take, handle me, and +see that I am not an incorporeal +daemon. And straightway they +felt and believed; being convinced +both by his flesh and spirit. + +11 For this cause they despised +death, and were bound to be above +it. + +12 But after his resurrection he +did eat and drink with them, as he +was flesh; although as to his +Spirit he was united to the Father. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + 1 Exhorts them against heretics. + 8 The danger of their doctrine. + +NOW these things, beloved, I put +you in mind of, not questioning +but that you yourselves also +believe that they are so. + +2 But I arm you before-hand +against certain beasts in the shape +of men, whom you must not only +not receive, but if it be possible +must not meet with. + +3 Only you must pray for them, +that if it be the will of God they +may repent; which yet will be +very hard. But of this our Lord +Jesus Christ has the power, who +is our true life. + +4 For if all these things were +done only in show by our Lord, +then do I also seem only to be +bound: + +5 And why have I given up myself +to death, to the fire, to the +sword, to wild beasts? + +6 But now the nearer I am to +the sword, the nearer I am to +God: when I shall come among +the wild beasts, I shall come to +God. + +7 Only in the name of Jesus +Christ, I undergo all, to suffer +together with him; he who was +made a perfect man strengthening, +me. + +8 Whom some not knowing, do +deny; or rather have been denied +by him, being the advocates of +death, rather than of the truth. +Whom neither the prophecies, nor +the law of Moses have persuaded; +nor the Gospel itself, even to this +day; nor the sufferings of every +one of us. + +9 For they think also the same +things of us. For what does a +man profit me, if he shall praise +me, and blaspheme my Lord; not +confessing that he was truly made +man? + +10 Now he that doth not say +this, does in effect deny him, +and is in death. But for the names +of such as do this, they being +unbelievers, I thought it not +fitting to write them unto you. + +11 Yea, God forbid that I should +make any mention of them, till +they shall repent to a true belief +of Christ's passion, which is our +resurrection. + +12 Let no man deceive himself; +both the things which are in heaven, +and the glorious angels, and princes, +whether visible or invisible, if they +believe not in the blood of Christ, +it shall be to them, unto condemnation. + +13 He that is able to receive +this, let him receive it. Let no +man's place or state in the world +puff him up: that which is worth +all his faith and charity, to it +nothing is to be preferred. + +14 But consider those who are +of a different opinion from us, +as to what concerns the grace of +Jesus Christ which is come unto us, +how contrary they are to the +design of God. + +15 They have no regard to charity, +no care of the widow, the fatherless, +and the oppressed; of the bond or +free, of the hungry or thirsty. + +16 They abstain from the eucharist, +and from the public offices; +because they confess not the eucharist +to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus +Christ which suffered for our sins, +and which the Father of his goodness +raised again from the dead. + +17 And for this cause contradicting +the gift of God, they die in their +disputes; but much better would it +be for them to receive it, that they +might one day rise through it. + +18 It will therefore become you. +to abstain from such persons, and +not to speak with them, neither in +public nor in private. + +19 But to hearken to the prophets, +and especially to the Gospel, in +which both Christ's passion is +manifested unto us, and his +resurrection perfectly declared. + +20 But flee all divisions, as the +beginning of evils. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 Exhorts them to follow their bishop and pastors; + but especially their bishop. + 6 Thanks them for their kindness, + 11 and acquaints them with the ceasing of the + persecution at Antioch. + +SEE that ye all follow your +bishop, as Jesus Christ, the +Father; and the presbytery, as +the Apostles; and reverence the +deacons, as the command of God. + +2 Let no man do any thing +of what belongs to the church +separately from the bishop. + +3 Let that eucharist be looked +upon as well established, which is +either offered by the bishop, or by +him to whom the bishop has given. +his consent. + +4 Wheresoever the bishop shall +appear, there let the people also +be: as where Jesus Christ is, there +is the Catholic church. + +5 It is not lawful without the +bishop; neither to baptize, nor to +celebrate the Holy Communion +but whatsoever he shall approve +of, that is also pleasing unto God; +that so whatever is done, may be +sure and well done. + +6 For what remains, it is very +reasonable that we should repent +whilst there is yet time to return +unto God. + +7 It is a good thin to have a +due regard both to God, and to +the bishop: he that honours the +bishop, shall be honoured of God; +but he that does any thing without +his knowledge, ministers unto the +devil. + +8 Let all things therefore abound +to you in charity; seeing that ye +are worthy. + +9 Ye have refreshed me in all +things; so shall Jesus Christ you. +Ye have loved me both when I was +present with you, and now being +absent, ye cease not to do so. + +10 May God be your reward, +for whom whilst ye undergo all +things, ye shall attain unto +him. + +11 Ye have done well in that ye +have received Philo, and Rheus +Agathopus, who followed me for +the word of God, as the deacons +of Christ our God. + +12 Who also gave thanks unto +the Lord for you, forasmuch as ye +have refreshed them in all things. +Nor shall any thing that you have +done be lost to you. + +13 My soul be for yours, and +my bonds which ye have not despised, +nor been ashamed of. Wherefore +neither shall. Jesus Christ, +our perfect faith, be ashamed +of you. + +14 Your prayer is come to the +church of Antioch, which is in +Syria. From whence being sent +bound with chains becoming God. +I salute the churches; being not +worthy to be called from thence, +as being the least among them. + +15 Nevertheless by the will of +God I have been thought worthy +of this honour; not for that I +think I have deserved it, but by +the grace of God; + +16 Which I wish may be perfectly +given unto me, that through your +prayers I may attain unto God. + +17 And therefore, that your +work may be fully accomplished, +both upon earth and in heaven; +it will be fitting, and for the +honour of God, that your church +appoint some worthy delegate, +who being come as far as Syria, +may rejoice together with them +that they are in peace; and that +they are again restored to their +former state, and have again +received their proper body. + +18 Wherefore I should think it +a worthy action, to send some +one from you with an epistle, +to congratulate with them their +peace in God; and that through +your prayers, they have now +gotten to their harbour. + +19 For inasmuch as ye are perfect +yourselves, you ought to think +those things that are perfect. For +when you are desirous to do well, +God is ready to enable you there. +unto. + +20 The love of the brethren that +are at Troas salute you; from whence +I write to you by Burrhus whom ye +sent with me, together with the +Ephesians, your brethren; and who +has in all Things refreshed me. + +21 And I would to God that all +would imitate him, as being a pattern +of the ministry of God. May his grace +fully reward him. + +22 I salute your very worthy +bishop, and your venerable presbytery; +and your deacons, my fellow-servants; +and all of you in general, and every +one in particular, in the name of +Jesus Christ, and in his flesh and +blood; in his passion and resurrection +both fleshly and spiritually; and in +the unity of God with you. + +23 Grace be with you, and mercy, +and peace, and patience, for evermore. + +24 I salute the families of my +brethren, with their wives and +children; and the virgins that are +called widows. Be strong in the +power of the Holy Ghost. Philo, +who is present with me salutes +you. + +25 I salute the house of Tavias, +and pray that it may be strengthened +in faith and charity, both of flesh +and spirit. + +26 I salute Alce my well-beloved, +together with the incomparable +Daphnus, and Eutechnus, and all +by name. + +27 Farewell in the grace of God. + + + + + + + IGNATIUS TO POLYCARP + +CHAPTER I. + +Ignatius blesses God for the firm, +establishment of Polycarp in the +faith, and gives him particular +directions for improving it. + +IGNATIUS, who is also called +Theophorus, to Polycarp, bishop +of the church which is at Smyrna; +their overseer, but rather himself +overlooked by God the Father, +and the Lord Jesus Christ; +all happiness. + +2 Having known that thy mind +towards God, is fixed as it were +upon an immoveable rock; +I exceedingly give thanks, that +I have been thought worthy to +behold thy blessed face, in +which may I always rejoice in God. + +3 Wherefore I beseech thee by +the grace of God with which thou +art clothed, to press forward in +thy course, and to exhort all +others that they may be saved. + +4 Maintain thy place with all +care both of flesh and spirit: Make +it thy endeavour to preserve unity, +than which nothing is better. +Bear with all men even as the +Lord with thee. + +5 Support all in love, as also +thou dost. Pray without ceasing +ask more understanding than what +thou already hast. Be watchful, +having thy spirit always awake. + +6 Speak to every one according +as God shall enable thee. Bear +the infirmities of all, as a +perfect combatant; where the +labour is great, the gain is +the more. + +7 If thou shalt love the good +disciples, what thank is it? But +rather do thou subject to thee +those that are mischievous, in +meekness. + +8 Every wound is not healed +with the same plaister: if the +accessions of the disease be +vehement, modify them with soft +remedies: be in all things wise +as a serpent, but harmless as a +dove. + +9 For this cause thou art +composed of flesh and spirit; +that thou mayest modify those +things that appear before thy face. + +10 And as for those that are not +seen, pray to God that he would +reveal them into thee, that so +thou mayest be wanting in nothing, +but mayest abound in every gift. + +11 The times demand thee, as +the pilots the winds; and he that +is tossed in a tempest, the haven +where he would be. + +12 That thou mayest attain unto +God, be sober as the combatant +of God. The crown proposed to +thee is immortality, and eternal +life: concerning which thou art +also fully persuaded. I will be +thy surety in all things, by my +bonds, which thou halt loved. + +13 Let not those that seem +worthy of credit, but teach other +doctrines, disturb thee. Stand +firm and immoveable, as an anvil +when it is beaten upon. + +14 It is the part of a brave +combatant to be wounded, and yet +overcome. But especially we ought +to endure all things for God's +sake, that he may bear with us. + +15 Be every day better than +others; consider the times, and +expect him, who is above all time, +eternal; invisible, though for our +sakes made visible: impalpable, +and impassible, yet for us +subjected to sufferings; enduring +all manner of ways for our salvation. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + 1 Continues his advice, + 6 and teaches him how to advise others. + 12 Enforces unity and subjection to the bishop. + +LET not the widows be neglected: +be thou after God, their Guardian. + +2 Let nothing be done without thy +knowledge and consent; neither do +thou anything but according to the +will of God; as also thou dost, +with all constancy. + +3 Let your assemblies be more +full: inquire into all by name. + +4 Overlook not the men and +maid servants; neither let them +be puffed up: but rather let them +be the more subject to the glory +of God, that they may obtain from +him a better liberty. + +5 Let them not desire to be +set free at the public cost, that +they be not slaves to their own +lusts. + +6 Flee evil arts; or rather make +not any mention of them. + +7 Say to my sisters, that they +love the Lord; and be satisfied +with their own husbands, both in +the flesh and spirit. + +8 In like manner, exhort my +brethren in the name of Jesus +Christ, that they love their wives, +even as the Lord the church. + +9 If any man can remain in a +virgin state, to the honour of the +flesh of Christ, let him remain +without boasting; but if he boast, +he is undone. And if he desire to +be more taken notice of than the +bishop he is corrupted. + +10 But it becomes all such as +are married, whether men or women, +to come together with the consent +of the bishop, that so their +marriage may be according to +godliness, and not in lust. + +11 Let all things be done to the +honour of God. + +12 Hearken unto the bishop, +that God also may hearken unto +you. My soul be security for +them that submit to their bishop, +with their presbyters and deacons. +And may my portion be together +with theirs in God. + +13 Labour with one another; +contend together, run together, +suffer together; sleep together, +and rise together; as the stewards, +and assessors, and ministers of +God. + +14 Please him under whom ye +war; and from whom ye receive +your wages. Let none of you be +found a deserter; but let your +baptism remain, as your arms; +your faith, as your helmet; your +charity, as your spear; your +patience, as your whole armour. + +15 Let your works be your +charge, that so you may receive +a suitable reward. Be long +suffering therefore towards each +other in meekness; as God is +towards you. + +16 Let me have joy of you in +all things. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 Greets Polycarp on the peace of the church at Antioch: + 2 and desires him to write to that and other churches. + +NOW forasmuch as the church +of Antioch in Lyria is, as +I am told, in peace through your +prayers; I also have been the more +comforted, and without care in +God; if so be that by suffering, I +shall attain unto God; and through +your prayers I may be found a +disciple of Christ. + +2 It will be very fit, O most +worthy Polycarp, to call a select +council, and choose some one +whom ye particularly love, and +who is patient of labour: that he +may be the messenger of God; +and that going unto Syria, he may +glorify your incessant love, to the +praise of Christ. + +3 A Christian has not the power +of himself; but must be always +at leisure for God's service. +Now this work is both God's and +our's; when ye shall have +perfected it. + +4 For I trust through the grace +of God that ye are ready to every +good work that is fitting for you +in the Lord. + +5 Knowing therefore your +earnest affection for the truth, +I have exhorted you by these short +letters. + +6 But forasmuch as I have not +been able to write to all the +churches, because I must suddenly +sail from Troas to Neapolis; +(for so is the command of those +to whose pleasure I am subject;) +do you write to the churches that +are near you, as being instructed +in the will of God, that they also +may do in like manner. + +7 Let those that are able send +messengers; and let the rest send +their letters by those who shall be +sent by you: that you may be +glorified to all eternity, +of which you are worthy. + +8 I salute all by name; particularly +the wife of Epitropus with all her +house and children. I salute Attalus +my well-beloved. + +9 I salute him who shall be +thought worthy to be sent by you +into Syria. Let grace be ever +with him, and with Polycarp who +sends him. + +10 I wish you all happiness in +our God, Jesus Christ; in whom +continue, in the unity and +protection of God. + +11 I salute Alce my well- +beloved. Farewell in the Lord. + + + + + REFERENCES TO THE SEVEN EPISTLES OF IGNATIUS. + +[The Epistles of Ignatius are translated by Archbishop Wake from the text +of Vossius. He says that there were considerable difference in the +editions; the best for a long time extant containing fabrications, and +the genuine being altered and corrupted. Archbishop Usher printed old +Latin translations of them at Oxford, in 1644. At Amsterdam, two years +afterwards, Vossius printed six of them in their ancient and pure Greek; +and the seventh, greatly amended from the ancient Latin version, was +Printed at Paris, by Ruinart, in 1689, in the Acts and Martyrdom of +Ignatius, from a Greek uninterpolated copy. These are supposed to form +the collection that Polycarp made of the Epistles of Ignatius, mentioned +by Irenaes, Origen, Eusebius, Jerome, Athanasius, Theodoret, and other +ancients: but many learned men have imagined all of them to be +apocryphal. This supposition, the piety of Archbishop Wake, and his +persuasion of their utility to the faith of the church, will not permit +him to entertain: hence he has taken great pains to render the present +translation acceptable, by adding numerous readings and references to the +Canonical Books.] + + + + + + + THE EPISTLE OF + POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS. + + [The genuineness of this Epistle is controverted, but implicitly + believed by Archbishop Wake, whose translation is below. There is + also a translation by Dr. Cave attached to his life of Polycarp.] + + +CHAPTER I. + + Polycarp commends the Philippians for their respect to + those who suffered for the Gospel; and for their own faith. + +POLYCARP, and the presbyters +that are with him, to the +church of God which is at Philippi; +mercy unto you, and peace from +God Almighty, and the Lord Jesus +Christ our Saviour, be multiplied. + +2 I rejoiced greatly with you +in our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye +received the images of a true love, +and accompanied, as it behoved you, +those who were in bonds, becoming +saints; which are the crowns of +such as are truly chosen by God +and our Lord: + +3 As also that the root of the +faith which was preached from +ancient times, remains firm in you +to this day; and brings forth fruit +to our Lord Jesus Christ, who +suffered himself to be brought +even to the death for our sins: + +4 Whom God hath raised up, having +loosed the pains of death. Whom +having not seen, ye love; in whom +though now ye see him not, yet +believing, ye rejoice with joy +unspeakable and full of glory. + +5 Into which many desire to +enter; I knowing that by grace ye +are saved; not by works, but by +the will of God through Jesus +Christ. + +6 Wherefore girding up the +loins of your minds; I serve +the Lord with fear, and in truth; +laying aside all empty and vain +speech, and the errors of many; +believing in him that raised up +our Lord Jesus Christ from the +dead, and hath given him glory +and a throne at his right hand. + +7 To whom all things are made +subject, both that are in heaven, +and that are in earth; whom every +living creature shall worship; +who shall come to be the judge of +the quick and dead: whose blood +God shall require of them that +believe not in him. + +8 But he that raised up Christ +from the dead, shall also raise up +us in like manner, if we do his +will, and walk according to his +commandments; and love those +things which he loved: + +9 Abstaining from all +unrighteousness; inordinate affection, +and love of money; from evil. +speaking; false witness; not +rendering evil for evil, or +railing for railing, or striking +for striking, or cursing +for cursing: + +10 But remembering what the +Lord has taught us saying, Judge +not, and ye shall not be judged; +forgive and ye shall be forgiven; +be ye merciful, and ye shall obtain +mercy; for with the same measure +that ye meet withal, it shall be +measured to you again. + +11 And again; Blessed are the +poor, and they that are persecuted +for righteousness sake; for theirs +is the kingdom of God. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + 2 Exhorts to Faith, Hope, and Charity. + 5 Against covetousness, and as to the + duties of husbands, wives, widows, + 9 deacons, young men, virgins, and presbyters. + +THESE things, my brethren, +I took not the liberty of myself +to write unto you concerning +righteousness, but you yourselves +before encouraged me to it. + +2 For neither can i, nor any +other such as I am, come up to +the wisdom of the blessed and +renowned Paul; who being himself +in person with those who then +lived, did with all exactness and +soundness teach the word of truth; +and being gone from you wrote an +epistle to you. + +3 Into which if you look, you +will be able to edify yourselves in +the faith that has been delivered +unto you, which is the mother of +us all; being followed with hope, +and led on by a general love, both +towards God and towards Christ, +and towards our neighbour. + +4 For if any man has these +things, he has fulfilled the law +of righteousness: for he that has +charity is far from all sin. + +5 But the love of money is the +root of all evil. Knowing therefore +that as we brought nothing into this +world, so neither may we carry any +thing out; let us arm ourselves +with the armour of righteousness. + +6 And teach ourselves first to +walk according to the commandments +of the Lord; and then your wives +to walk likewise according to the +faith that is given to them; in +charity, and in purity; loving +their own husbands, with all +sincerity, and all others alike, +with all temperance; and to bring up +their children in the instruction +and fear of the Lord. + +7 The widows likewise teach +that they be sober as to what +concerns the faith of the Lord: +praying always for all men; being far +from all detraction, evil speaking, +false witness; from covetousness, +and from all evil. + +8 Knowing that they are the +altars of God, who sees all blemishes, +and from whom nothing is hid; who +searches out the very reasonings, +and thoughts, and secrets of our +hearts. + +9 Knowing therefore that God +is not mocked, we ought to walk +worthy both of his command and +of his glory. + +10 Also the deacons must be +blameless before him, as the +ministers of God in Christ, and +not of men. Not false mousers, not +double tongued, not lovers of money; +but moderate in all things; +compassionate, careful; walking +according to the truth of the Lord, +who was the servant of all. + +11 Whom if we please in this +present world, we shall also be +made partakers of that which is +to come, according as he has +promised to us, that he will raise +us from the dead; and that if we +shall walk worthy of him, we shall +also reign together with him, if +we believe. + +12 In like manner the younger +men must be unblameable in all +things; above all, taking care of +their purity, and to restrain +themselves from all evil. For it is +good to be cut off from the lusts that +are in the world; because every +such lust warreth against the +spirit: and neither fornicators, +nor effeminate, nor abusers of +themselves with mankind, shall +inherit the kingdom of God; nor +they who do such things as are +foolish and unreasonable. + +13 Wherefore ye must needs +abstain from all these things, +being subject to the priests and +deacons, as unto God and Christ. + +14 The virgins admonish to +walk in a spotless and pure +conscience. + +15 And let the elders be +compassionate and merciful towards +all; turning them from their errors; +seeking out those that are weak; +not forgetting the widows, the +fatherless, and the poor; but +always providing what is good +both in the sight of God and man. + +16 Abstaining from all wrath, +respect of persons, and unrighteous +judgment; and especially being +free from all covetousness. + +17 Not easy to believe anything +against any; not severe in judgment; +knowing that we are all debtors +in point of sin. + +18 If therefore we pray to the +Lord that he would forgive us, we +ought also to forgive others; for +we are all in the sight of our Lord +and God; a and must all stand before +the judgment-seat of Christ; +and shall every one give an +account of himself. + +19 Let us therefore serve him in +fear, and with all reverence as +both himself hath commanded; +and as the Apostles who have +preached the Gospel unto us, and +the prophets who have foretold +the coming of our Lord have +taught us: + +20 Being zealous of what is +good; abstaining from all offence, +and from false brethren; and +from those who bear the name of +Christ in hypocrisy; who deceive +vain men. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + 1 As to faith in our Saviour Christ; + his nature and sufferings, the resurrection and judgment. + 3 Exhorts to prayer + 5 and steadfastness in the faith, from the examples of Christ, + 7 and Apostles and saints, and exhorts to carefulness + in all well-doing. + +FOR whosoever does not confess +that Jesus Christ is come in +the flesh, he is Antichrist: and +whoever does not confess his +suffering upon the cross, is +from the devil. + +2 And whosoever perverts the +oracles of the Lord to his own +lusts, and says that there shall. +neither be any resurrection, nor +judgment, he is the first-born of +Satan. + +3 Wherefore leaving the vanity +of many, and their false doctrines; +let us return to the word that was +delivered to us from the beginning: +Watching unto prayer; and +persevering in fasting; + +4 With supplication beseeching +the all seeing God not to lead us +into temptation; as the Lord hath +said, The spirit is truly willing, +but the flesh is weak. + +5 Let us therefore without ceasing +hold steadfastly to him who is our +hope, and the earnest of our +righteousness, even Jesus Christ; +Who, his own self, bare our sins +in his own body on the tree: who +did no sin, neither was guile found +in his mouth; but suffered all for +us that we might live through +him. + +6 Let us therefore imitate his +patience; and if we suffer for his +name, let us glorify him; for this +example he has given us by himself, +and so have we believed. + +7 Wherefore I exhort all +of you that ye obey the word of +righteousness, and exercise all +patience; which ye have seen set +forth before your eyes, not only +in the blessed Ignatius, and Zozimus, +and Rufus; but in others among +yourselves; and in Paul himself, +and the rest of the Apostles: + +8 Being confident of this, that +all these have not run in vain, but +in faith and righteousness; and +are gone to the place that was due +to them from the Lord; with +whom also they suffered. + +9 For they loved not this +present world; but him who died, +and was raised again by God for +us. + +10 Stand therefore in these +things, and follow the example of +the Lord; being firm and immutable +in the faith, lovers of the +brotherhood, lovers of one +another: companions together +in the truth, being kind and +gentle towards each other, +despising none. + +11 When it is in your power to +do good defer it not, for charity +delivered from death. + +12 Be all of you subject one to +another, having your conversation +honest among the Gentiles; that +by your good works, both ye +yourselves may receive praise, and +the Lord may not be blasphemed +through you. But woe be to him +by whom the name of the Lord is +blasphemed. + +13 Therefore teach all men +sobriety; in which do ye also +exercise yourselves. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Valens, a presbyter, having fallen into the sin + of covetousness, he exhorts them against it. + +I am greatly afflicted for Valens, +who was once a presbyter among you; +that he should so little understand +the place that was given to him in +the church, Wherefore I admonish you +that ye abstain from covetousness; +and that ye be chaste, and true of +speech. + +2 Keep yourselves from all evil. +For he that in these things cannot +govern himself, how shall he be +able to prescribe them to another? + +3 If a man does not keep himself +from covetousness, he shall be +polluted with idolatry, and be +judged as if he were a Gentile. + +4 But who of you are ignorant +of the judgment of God? Do we +not know that the saints shall +judge the world, as Paul teaches? + +5 But I have neither perceived +nor heard anything of this kind +in you, among whom the blessed +Paul laboured; and who are +named in the beginning of his +Epistle. + +6 For he glories of you in all +the churches who then only knew +God; for we did not then know +him. Wherefore, my brethren, I +am exceedingly sorry both for him +and for his wife; to whom God +grant a true repentance. + +7 And be ye also moderate upon +this occasion; and look not upon +such as enemies, but call them +back as suffering and erring +members, that ye may save your +whole body: for by so doing, +ye shall edify your own selves. + +8 For I trust that ye are well +exercised in the Holy Scriptures, +and that nothing is hid from you +but at present it is not granted +unto me to practise that which is +written, Be angry and sin not; +and again, Let not the sun go +down upon your wrath. + +9 Blessed be he that believeth +and remembereth these things; +which also I trust you do. + +10 Now the God and Father of +our Lord Jesus Christ, and he +himself who is our everlasting +high-priest, the Son of God, even +Jesus Christ, build you up in faith +and in truth, and in all meekness +and lenity; in patience and long- +suffering, in forbearance and +chastity: + +11 And grant unto you a lot and +portion among his saints, and us +with you; and to all that are under +the heavens, who shall believe in +our Lord Jesus Christ, and in his +Father who raised him from the dead. + +12 Pray for all the saints: +pray also for kings, and all that +are in authority; and for those who +persecute you, and hate you, and for +the enemies of the cross; that your +fruit may be manifest in all; and +that ye may be perfect in Christ. + +13 Ye wrote to me, both ye, and +also Ignatius, that if any one +went from hence into Syria, he +should bring your letters with +him; which also I will take care +of, as soon as I shall have a +convenient opportunity; either +by myself, or him whom I shall +send upon your account. + +14 The Epistle of Ignatius, +which he wrote unto us, together +with what others of his have come +to our hands, we have sent to you, +according to your order; which +are subjoined to this Epistle: + +15 By which we may be greatly +profited; for they treat of faith +and patience, and of all things that +pertain to edification in the Lord +Jesus. + +16 What you know certainly of +Ignatius, and those that are +with him, signify to us. + +17 These things have I written +unto you by Crescens, whom by +this present Epistle I have +recommended to you, and do now +again commend. + +18 For he has had his conversation +without blame among us; and I suppose +also with you. + +19 Ye will also have regard unto +his sister when she shall come +unto you. + +20 Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus +Christ; and in favour with all +yours. Amen. + + + + + + + THE FIRST PART OF THE + BOOK OF HERMAS CALLED HIS VISION. + + +VISION I. + + 1 Against filthy and proud thoughts; + 20 also the neglect of Hermas in chastising his children. + +HE who had bred me up sold a +certain young maid at Rome; +whom when I saw many years +after, I remembered her, and +began to love her as a sister. +It happened some time afterwards, +that I saw her washing in the river +Tyber; and I reached out my hand +unto her, and brought her out of +the river, + +2 And when I saw her I thought +with myself, saying, How happy +should I be if I had such a wife, +both for beauty and manners. +This I thought with myself; nor +did I think any thing more. But +not long after, as I was walking, +and musing on these thoughts, I +began to honour this creature of +God, thinking with myself; how +noble and beautiful she was. + +3 And when I had walked a little, +I fell asleep; and the spirit +caught me away, and carried me +through a certain place towards +the right hand, through which no +man could pass. It was a place +among rocks, very steep, and +unpassable for water. + +4 When I was past this place, +I came into a plain; and there +falling down upon my knees, I +began to pray unto the Lord, and +to confess my sins. + +5 And as I was praying, the +heaven was opened, and I saw the +woman which I had coveted, +saluting me from heaven, and +saying, Hermas, hail! and I looking +upon her, answered, Lady, what +dost thou do here? She answered +me, I am taken up hither to accuse +thee of sin before the Lord. + +6 Lady, said I, wilt thou +convince me? No, said she: but +hear the words which I am about +to speak unto thee. God who +dwelleth in heaven, and hath made +all things out of nothing, and +hath multiplied them for his holy +church's sake, is angry with thee +because thou hast sinned against +me. + +7 And I answering said unto +her, Lady, if I have sinned against +thee, tell me where, or in what +place, or when did I ever speak +an unseemly or dishonest word +unto thee? + +8 Have I not always esteemed +thee as a lady? Have I not always +reverenced thee as a sister? Why +then dost thou imagine these +wicked things against me? + +9 Then she, smiling upon me, +said: the desire of naughtiness +has risen up in thy heart. Does +it not seem to thee to be an ill +thing for a righteous man to have +an evil desire rise up in his heart. + +10 It is indeed a sin, and that a +very great sin, to such a one; for +a righteous man thinketh that +which is righteous. And whilst +he does so, and walketh uprightly, +he shall have the Lord in heaven +favourable unto him in all his +business. + +11 But as for those who think +wickedly in their hearts, they take +to themselves death and captivity; +and especially those who love this +present world, and glory in their +riches, and regard not the good +things that are to come; their +souls wander up and down and +know not where to fix. + +12 Now this is the case of such +as are double-minded, who trust +not in the Lord, and despise and +neglect their own life. + +13 But do thou pray unto the +Lord, and he will heal thy sins, +and the sins of thy whole house, +and of all his saints. + +14 As soon as she had spoken +these words the heaven were shut, +and I remained utterly swallowed +up with sadness and fear: and +said within myself, if this be laid +against me for sin, how can I be +saved. + +15 Or how should I ever be able +to entreat the Lord for my many +and great sins? With what words +shall I beseech him to be merciful +unto me? + +16 As I was thinking over these +things, and meditating in myself +upon them, behold a chair was +set over against me of the whitest +wool, as bright as snow. + +17 And there came an old woman +in a bright garment, having +a book in her hand, and sat alone, +and saluted me, saying, Hermas, +hail! and I being full of sorrow +and weeping, answered, Hail Lady! + +18 And she said unto me, Why +art thou sad, Hermas, who wert +wont to be patient, and modest, +and always cheerful? I answered, +and said to her, Lady, a reproach +has been laid to my charge by an +excellent woman, who tells me +that I have sinned against her. + +19 She replied, Far be any such +thing from the servant of God. +But it may be the desire of her +has risen up in thy heart? For +indeed such a thought maketh the +servants of God guilty of sin. + +20 Nor ought such a detestable +thought to be in the servant of +God: nor should he who is approved +by the Spirit desire that which +is evil; but especially Hermas, +who contains himself from all +wicked lusts, and is full of all +simplicity, and of great innocence. + +21 Nevertheless the Lord is +not so much angry with thee for +thine own sake, as upon the +account of thy house, which has +committed wickedness against the +Lord, and against their parents. + +22 And for that out of thy +fondness towards thy sons, thou +hast not admonished thy house, +but hast permitted them to live +wickedly; for this cause the Lord +is angry with thee: but he will heal +all the evils that are done in thy +house. For through their sins +and iniquities, thou art wholly +consumed in secular affairs. + +23 But now the mercy of God +hath taken compassion upon thee, +and upon thine house, and hath +greatly comforted thee. Only +as for thee, do not wander, but be +of an even mind, and comfort thy +house. + +24 As the workman bringing +forth his work, offers it to +whomsoever he pleaseth; so shalt +thou by teaching every day what +is just, cut off a great sin. +Wherefore cease not to admonish thy +sons, for the Lord knows that they +will repent with all their heart, +and they shall be written in the +book of life. + +25 And when she had said this, +she added unto me; Wilt thou +hear me read? I answered her, +Lady, I will. + +26 Hear then, said she; +and opening the book she read, +gloriously, greatly, and wonderfully, +such things as I could not keep in +my memory. For they were terrible +words, such as no man could bear. + +27 How it be I committed her +last words to my remembrance; +for they were but few, and of great +use to us:-- + +28 Behold the mighty Lord, who +by his invisible power, and with +his excellent wisdom made the +world, and by his glorious counsel +beautified his creature, and with +the word of his strength fixed the +heaven, and founded the earth +upon the waters; and by his +powerful virtue established the +Holy Church, which he hath +blessed. + +29 Behold he will remove the +heavens, and the mountains, the +hills, and the seas; and all things +shall be made plain for his elect; +that he may render unto them the +promise which he has promised, +with much honour and joy; if so +be that they shall keep the +commandments of God, which they +have received with great faith. + +30 And when she had made an end +of reading, she rose out of the +chair; and behold four young men +came, and carried the chair to +the east. + +31 And she called me unto her, +and touched my breast, and said +unto me, Did my reading please +thee? I answered, Lady, these +last things please me; but what +went before was severe and hard. + +32 She said unto me, these last +things are for the righteous, but +the foregoing for the revolters and +heathen. + +33 And as she was talking with +me, two men appeared, and took +her upon their shoulders, and +went to the east where the chair +was. + +34 And she went cheerfully +away; and as she was going, said +unto me, Hermas, be of good +cheer. + + + +VISION II. + + Again, of his neglect in correcting his talkative wife; + and of his lewd sons. + +AS I was on the way to Cuma, +about the same time that I +went the year before, I began to +call to mind the vision I formerly +had. And again the spirit carried +me away, and brought me into the +same place, in which I had been +the year before. + +2 And when I was come into the +place, I fell down upon my knees, +and began to pray unto the Lord, +and to glorify his name, that he +had esteemed me worthy, and had +manifested unto me my former +sins. + +3 And when I arose from prayer, +behold I saw over against me the +old woman whom I had seen the +last year, walking and reading +in a certain book. + +4 And she said unto me, Canst +thou tell these things to the +elect of God? I answered and said +unto her, Lady, I cannot retain +so many things in my memory, but +give me the book, and I will write +them down. + +5 Take it, says she, and see that +thou restore it again to me. + +6 As soon as I had received it, +I went aside into a certain place +of the field, and transcribe every +letter, for I found no syllables. + +7 And as soon as I had finished +what was written in the book, the +book was suddenly caught out of +my hand, but by whom I saw not. + +8 After fifteen days, when I +had fasted, and entreated the Lord +with all earnestness, the knowledge +of the writing was revealed unto me. +Now the writing was this:-- + +9 Thy seed, O Hermas! hath +sinned against the Lord, and have +betrayed their parents, through +their great wickedness. And they +have been called the betrayers of +their parents, and have gone on in +their treachery. + +10 And now have they added +lewdness to their other sins, and +the pollutions of their naughtiness: +thus have they filled up the measure +of their iniquities. But do thou +upbraid thy sons with all these +words; and thy wife, who shall be +as thy sister; and let her learn +to refrain her tongue, with which +she calumniates. + +11 And when she shall hear these +things, she will refrain herself, +and shall obtain mercy. + +12 And they also shall be +instructed, when thou shalt have +reproached them with these words, +which the Lord has commanded to +be revealed unto them. + +13 Then shall their sins be +forgiven, which they have heretofore +committed, and the sins of all the +saints who have sinned even unto +this day; if they shall repent with +all their hearts, and remove all +doubts out of their hearts. + +14 For the Lord hath sworn by +his glory concerning his elect, +having determined this very time, +that if any one shall even now +sin, he shall not be saved. + +15 For the repentance of the +righteous has its end; the days of +repentance are fulfilled to all the +saints; but to the heathen, there +is repentance even unto the last +day. + +16 Thou shalt therefore say to +those who are over the church, +that they order their ways in +righteousness; so that they may +fully receive the promise with +much glory. + +17 Stand fast therefore ye that +work righteousness and continue +to do it, that your departure may +be with the holy angels. + +18 Happy are ye, as many as +shall endure the great trial that is +at hand, and whosoever shall not +deny his life. + +19 For the Lord hath sworn by +his Son, that whoso, denieth his +Son and HIM, being afraid of his +life, he will also deny him in the +world that is to come. + +20 But those who shall never +deny him, he will of his exceeding +great mercy be favourable unto +them. + +21 But thou, O Hermas! remember +not the evils which thy sons have +done, neither neglect thy sister, +but take care that they amend of +their former sins. + +22 For they will be instructed +by this doctrine, if thou shalt not +be mindful of what they have done +wickedly. + +23 For the remembrance of evils +worketh death, but the forgetting +of them eternal life. + +24 But thou, O Hermas! hast +undergone a great many worldly +troubles for the offences of thy +house, because thou hast neglected +them, as things that did not belong +unto thee; and thou art wholly +taken up with thy great business. + +25 Nevertheless, for this cause +shalt thou be saved, that thou hast +not departed from the living God, +and thy simplicity and singular +continency shall preserve thee, if +thou shalt continue in them. + +26 Yes, they shall save all such +as do such things, and walk in +innocence and simplicity. + +27 They who are of this kind +shall prevail against all impiety, +and continue until life eternal. + +28 Happy are all they that do +righteousness, they shall not be +consumed for ever. + +29 But thou wilt say, Behold +there is a great trial coming. If +it seem good to thee, deny him +again. + +30 The Lord is nigh to them that +turn to him, as it is written in +the book of Heldam and Modal, +who prophesied to the people of +Israel in the wilderness. + +31 Moreover, brethren, it was +revealed to me, as I was sleeping, +by a very goodly young man, saying +unto me, What thinkest thou of that +old woman from whom thou receivedst +the book; who is she? I answered, +a Sybil. + +32 Thou art mistaken said he, +she is not. I replied, Who is she +then, sir? He answered me, It is +the church of God. + +33 And I said unto him, Why +then does she appear old? She is +therefore, said he, an old woman, +because she was the first of all +the creation, and the world was +made for her. + +34 After this I saw a vision at +home in my own house, and the +old woman, whom I had seen before, +came to me and asked me whether +I had yet delivered her book to +the elders of the church? And +I answered, that I had not yet. + +35 She replied, Thou hast well +done, for I have certain words +more to tell thee. But when I +shall have finished all the words, +they shall be clearly understood +by the elect. + +36 And thou shalt write two +books, and send one to Clement +and one to Grapte. For Clement +shall send it to the foreign cities, +because it is permitted to him so +to do: but Grapte shall admonish +the widows and orphans. + +37 But thou shalt read in this +city with the elders of the church. + + + +VISION III. + + Of the building of the church triumphant, + and of the several sorts of reprobates. + +THE vision which I saw, brethren, +was this. + +2 When I had often fasted and +prayed unto the Lord, that he +would manifest unto me the +revelation, which he had promised +by the old woman to show unto me; +the same night she appeared unto +me, and said unto me, + +3 Because thou dost thus afflict +thyself, and art so desirous to know +all things, come into the field, +where thou wilt, and about the +sixth hour, I will appear unto thee, +and show thee what thou must +see. + +4 I asked her, saying; Lady, +into what part of the field? She +answered, wherever thou wilt, only +choose a good and a private place. +And before I began to speak and +tell her the place, she said unto +me; I will come where thou wilt. + +5 I was therefore, brethren in +the field and I observed the hours, +and came into the place where I +had appointed her to come. + +6 And I beheld a bench placed; +it was a linen pillow, and over it +spread a covering of fine linen. + +7 When I saw these things ordered +in this manner, and that there was +nobody in the place, I began to be +astonished, and my hair stood on end, +and a kind of horror seized me; +for I was alone. + +8 But being come to myself, +and calling to mind the glory of +God, and taking courage, I fell +down upon my knees and began +again to confess my sins as before. + +9 And whilst I was doing this, +the old woman came thither with +the six young men whom I had +seen before, and stood behind me +as I was praying, and heard me +praying and confessing my sins +unto the Lord. + +10 And touching me, she said; +Leave off praying now only for thy +sins; pray also for righteousness, +that thou mayest receive a part of +it in thy house. + +11 And she lifted me up from +the place, and took me by the +hand, and brought me to the seat; +and said to the young men, go, +and build. + +12 As soon as they were departed, +and we were alone, she said unto me; +sit here. I answered her; Lady, +let those who are elder sit first. +She replied, Sit down as I bid you. + +13 And when I would have sat +on the right side, she suffered me +not, but made a sign to me with +her hand, that I should sit on the +left. + +14 As I was therefore musing, +and full of sorrow, that she would +not suffer me to sit on the right +side, she said unto me, Hermas, +why art thou sad? + +15 The place which is on the +right hand is theirs who have +already attained unto God, and have +suffered for his name-sake. But +there is yet a great deal remaining +unto thee, before thou canst sit +with them. + +16 But continue as thou doest, +in thy sincerity, and thou shalt sit +with them; as all others shall, +who do their works, and shall bear +what they have borne. + +17 I said to her; Lady, I would +know what it is that they have +suffered? Hear then, said she: +wild beasts, scourgings, +imprisonments, and crosses +for his name-sake. + +18 For this cause the right hand +of holiness belongs to them, and +to all others as many as shall +suffer for the name of God; but +the left belongs to the rest. + +19 Howbeit the gifts and the +promises belong to both, to them +on the right, and to those on the +left hand; only that sitting on the +right hand they have some glory +above the others. + +20 But thou art desirous to sit +on the right hand with them, and +yet thy defects are many. But +thou shalt be purged from thy +defects, as also all who doubt not +shall be cleansed from all the sins +which they have committed unto +this day. + +21 And when she had said this +she would have departed. + +22 Wherefore, falling down before +her feet, I began to entreat her, +for the Lord's sake, that she +would show me the vision which +she had promised. + +23 Then she again took me by +the hand, and lifted me up, and +made me sit upon the seat at the +left side; and holding up a certain +bright wand, said unto me, Seest +thou that great thing? I replied, +Lady, I see nothing. + +24 She answered, Dost thou not +see over against thee a great tower, +which is built upon the water with +bright square stones? + +25 For the tower was built upon +a square by these six young men +that came with her. + +26 But many thousand of other +men brought stones; some drew +them out of the deep, others +carried them from the ground, +and gave them to the six young men; +and they took them and built. + +27 As for those stones which +were drawn out of the deep, they +put them all into the building; +for they were polished, and their +squares exactly answered one another, +and so one was joined in such wise +to the other, that there was no +space to be seen where they +joined, insomuch that the whole +tower appeared to be built as it +were of one stone. + +28 But as for the other stones +that were taken off from the +ground, some of them they rejected, +others they fitted into the building. + +29 As for those which were rejected, +some they cut out, and cast them +at a distance from the tower; +but many others of them lay round +about the tower, which they made +no use of in the building. + +30 For some of these were +rough, others had clefts in them, +others were white and round, not +proper for the building of the +tower. + +31 But I saw the other stones +cast afar off from the tower, and +falling into the high-way, and yet +not continuing in the way, but +were rolled from the way into a +desert place. + +32 Others I saw falling into the +fire and burning; others fell near +the water, yet could not roll +themselves into it, though very +desirous to fall into the water. + +33 And when she had showed +me these things she would have +departed; but I said to her, Lady, +what doth it profit me to see these +things, and not understand what +they mean? + +34 She answered and said unto +me; You are very cunning, in +that you are desirous to know +those things which relate to the +tower. Yea, said I, lady, that I +may declare them unto the brethren, +and they may rejoice, and hearing +these things may glorify God +with great glory. + +35 Then she said, Many indeed +shall hear them, and when they +shall have heard them, some shall +rejoice, and others weep. And +yet even these, if they shall +repent, shall rejoice too. + +36 Hear therefore what I shall +say concerning the parable of the +tower, and after this be no longer +importunate with me about the +revelation. + +37 For these revelations have +an end, seeing they are fulfilled. +But thou dost not leave off to +desire revelations, for thou art +very urgent. + +38 As for the tower which thou +seest built, it is myself, namely, +the church, which have appeared +to thee both now and heretofore. +Wherefore ask what thou wilt +concerning the tower, and I will +reveal it unto thee, that thou +mayest rejoice with the saints. + +39 I said unto her, Lady, +because thou hast thought me once +worthy to receive from thee the +revelation of all these things, +declare them unto me. + +40 She answered me, Whatsoever +is fit to be revealed unto thee +shall be revealed: only yet thy +heart be with the Lord, and doubt +not, whatsoever thou shalt see. + +41 I asked her, Lady, why is the +tower built upon the water? She +replied, I said before to thee that +thou wert very wise to inquire +diligently concerning the building, +therefore thou shalt find the truth. + +42 Hear therefore why the tower +is built upon the water: because +your life is and shall be saved by +water. For it is founded by the +word of the almighty and honourable +name, and is supported by the +invisible power and virtue of God. + +43 And I answering, said +unto her, These things are very +admirable; but, lady, who are +those six young men that build? + +44 They are, said she, the angels +of God, who were first appointed, +and to whom the Lord has delivered +all his creatures, to frame and +build them up, and to rule over +them. For by these the building +of the tower shall be finished. + +45 And who are the rest who +bring them stones? + +46 They also are the holy angels +of the Lord; but the others are +more excellent than these. Wherefore +when the whole building of the +tower shall be finished, they +shall all feast together beside +the tower, and shall glorify God, +because the structure of the +tower is finished. + +47 I asked her, saying, I would +know the condition of the stones, +and what the meaning of them +is? + +48 She answering, said unto +me, Art thou better than all others +that this should be revealed unto +thee? For others are both before +thee and better than thou art, +to whom these visions should be +made manifest. + +49 Nevertheless, that the name +of God may be glorified, it has been +shown and shall be revealed unto +thee, for the sake of those who are +doubtful, and think in their hearts +whether these things are so or not. + +50 Tell them that all these +things are true, and that there is +nothing in them that is not true +but all are firm and truly +established. + +51 Hear now then concerning +the stones that are in the building. + +52 The square and white stones +which agree exactly in their joints, +are the apostles, and bishops, and +doctors, and ministers, who +through the mercy of God have +come in, and governed, and taught +and ministered holily and modestly +to the elect of God, both they +that have fallen asleep, and which +yet remain; and have always +agreed with them, and have had +peace within themselves, and have +heard each other. + +53 For which cause their joints +exactly meet together in the building +of the tower. + +54 They which are drawn out +of the deep and put into the +building, and whose joints agree +with the other stones which are +already built, are those which are +already fallen asleep, and have +suffered for the sake of the Lord's +name. + +55 And what are the other +stones, lady, that are brought +from the earth? I would know +what are they. + +56 She answered, They which +lie upon the ground and are not +polished, are those which God has +approved, because they have +walked in I the law of the Lord, +and directed their ways in his +commandments. + +57 They which are brought and +put in the building of the tower, +are the young in faith and the +faithful. And these are admonished +by the angels to do well because +iniquity is not found in them. + +58 But who are those whom they +rejected, and laid beside the tower? + +59 They are such as have sinned +and are willing to repent; for +which cause they are not cast far +from the tower, because they will +be useful for the building, if they +shall repent. + +60 They therefore that are yet +to repent, if they repent they shall +become strong in the faith; that +is, if they repent now, whilst the +tower is building. For if the +building shall be finished there +will then be no place for them to +be put in, but they shall be rejected; +for he only has this privilege who +shall now be put into the tower. + +61 But would you know who +they are that were cut out, and +cast afar off from the tower? +Lady said I, I desire it. + +62 They are the children of iniquity, +who believed only in hypocrisy, +and departed not from their evil +ways; for this cause they shall not +be saved, because they are not of +any use in the building by reason +of their sins. + +63 Wherefore they are cut out, +and cast afar off, because of the +anger of the Lord, and because +they have provoked him to anger +against them. + +64 As for the great number of +other stones which thou hast seen +placed about the tower, but now +put into the building; those which +are rugged, are they who have +known the truth, but have not +continued in it, nor been joined +to the saints, and therefore are +unprofitable. + +65 Those that have clefts in +them, are they that keep up discord +in their hearts against each other, +and live not in peace; that are +friendly when present with their +brethren, but as soon as they are +departed from one another, their +wickedness still continues in +their hearts: these are the clefts +which are seen in those stones. + +66 Those that are maimed and +short, are they who have believed +indeed, but still are in great +measure full of wickedness; for +this cause they are maimed and +not whole. + +67 But what are the white and +round stones, lady, and which are +not proper for the building of the +tower? + +68 She answering said unto +me: How long wilt thou continue +foolish and without understanding, +asking everything and discerning +nothing? + +69 They are such as have faith +indeed, but have withal the riches +of this present world. When +therefore any troubles arise, for +the sake of their riches and traffic, +they deny the Lord. + +70 I answering, said unto her, +When therefore will they be +profitable to the Lord? When their +riches shall be cut away, says she, +in which they take delight, then +they will be profitable unto the +Lord for his building. + +71 For as a round stone, unless +it be cut away and is cast somewhat +of its bulk, cannot be made square, +so they who are rich in this world; +unless their riches be pared off; +cannot be made profitable unto the +Lord. + +72 Learn this from thy own +experience: when thou wert rich, +thou wast unprofitable; but now +thou art profitable, and fit for the +life which thou hast undertaken; +for thou also once was one of +those stones. + +73 As for the rest of the stones +which thou sawest cast afar +off from the tower, and running in +the way, and tumbled out of the +way into desert places; they are +such as have believed indeed, +but through their doubting have +forsaken the true way, thinking that +they could find a better. But they +wander and are miserable, going +into desolate ways. + +74 Then for those stones which +fell into the fire and were burnt, +they are those who have for ever +departed from the living God; +nor doth it ever come into their +hearts to repent, by reason of the +affection which they bear to their +lusts and wickedness which they +commit. + +75 And what are the rest which +fell by the water, and could not +roll into the water? + +76 They are such as have heard +the word, and were willing to be +baptised in the name of the Lord; +but considering the great holiness +which the truth requires, have +withdrawn themselves, an walked +again after wicked lusts. + +77 Thus she finished the +explanation of the tower. + +78 But I being still urgent, +asked her, Is there repentance +allowed to all those stones which +are thus cast away, and were not +suitable to the building of the +tower; and shall they find place +in this tower? + +79 They may repent, said she, +yet they cannot come into this +tower; but, they shall be placed +in a much lower rank, and then +only after they shall have been +afflicted and fulfilled the days of +their sins. + +80 And for this cause they shall +be removed, because they have +received the word of righteousness: +and then they shall be translated +from their afflictions, if they +shall have a true sense in their +hearts of what they have done amiss. + +81 But if they shall not have +this sense in their hearts, they +shall not be saved by reason of +the hardness of their hearts. + +82 When therefore I had done +asking her concerning all these +things, she said unto me, Wilt +thou see something else? And +being desirous of seeing it, +I became very cheerful of +countenances. + +83 She therefore looking back +upon me, and smiling a little, said +unto me, Seest thou seven women +about the tower? Lady, said I, +I see them. + +84 This tower, replied she, is +supported by them, according to +the command of the Lord: hear +therefore the effects of them. + +85 The first of them, which +holds fast with her hand, is called +Faith; The next, which is girt +up, and looks manly, is named +Abstinence: she is the daughter +of Faith. + +86 Whosoever therefore shall +follow her shall be happy in all +his life, because he shall abstain +from all evil works, believing that +if he shall contain himself from +all concupiscence, he shall be +the heir of eternal life. And +what, lady, said I, are the other +five? + +87 They are, replied she, the +daughters of one another. The +first of them is called Simplicity; +the next Innocence; the third +Modesty; then Discipline; and +the last of all is Charity. When +therefore thou shalt have fulfilled +the works of their mother, thou +shalt be able to do all things. + +88 Lady, said I, I would know +what particular virtue every one +of these has. + +89 Hear then, replied she; +they have equal virtues, and their +virtues are knit together, and +follow one another as they were +born. + +90 From Faith proceeds Abstinence; +from Abstinence, Simplicity; from +Simplicity, Innocence; from Innocence, +Modesty; from Modesty, Discipline +and Charity. Therefore the works +of these are holy, and chaste, and +right. + +91 Whoever therefore shall +serve these, and hold fast to their +works, he shall have his dwelling +in the tower with the saints of +God. + +92 Then I asked her concerning +the times, whether the end were +now at hand? + +93 But she cried out with a loud +voice, saying, O foolish man! +Dost thou not see the tower yet a +building? When therefore the +tower shall be finished, and built, +it shall have an end; and indeed +it shall soon be accomplished. + +94 But do not ask me any more +questions. What has been said +may suffice thee and all the saints +for the refreshment of your spirits. +For these things have not been +revealed to thee only, but that +thou mayest make them manifest +unto all. + +95 For therefore, O Hermas, +after three days thou must understand +these words which I begin +to speak unto thee, that thou +mayest speak them in the ears of +the saints; that when thou shall +have heard and done them, they +may be cleansed from their +iniquities, and thou together +with them. + +96 Hear me therefore, O my +sons! I have bred you up in much +simplicity, and innocency, and +modesty, for the love of God, +which has dropped down upon +you in righteousness, that you +should be sanctified and justified +from all sin and wickedness; but +ye will not cease from your evil +doings. + +97 Now therefore hearken unto +me, and have peace one with another, +and visit one another, and receive +one another, and do not enjoy +the creatures of God alone. + +98 Give freely to them that are +in need. For some by too free +feeding contract an infirmity in +their flesh, and do injury to their +bodies; whilst the flesh of others, +who have not food, withers away, +because they want sufficient +nourishment, and the bodies are +consumed. + +99 Wherefore this intemperance +is hurtful to you, who have, and +do not contribute to them that +want. Prepare for the judgment +that is about to come upon you. + +100 Ye that are the more eminent, +search out them that are hungry, +whilst the tower is yet unfinished. +For when the tower shall be finished, +ye shall be willing to do good, +and shall not find any place in it. + +101 Beware, therefore, ye that +glory in your riches, lest perhaps +they groan who are in want, and +their sighing come up unto God, +and ye be shut out with your goods +without the gate of the tower. + +102 Behold I now warn you who +are set over the church, and love +the highest seats, be not ye like +unto those that work mischief. + +103 And they indeed carry about +their poison in boxes, but ye +contain your poison and infection +in your hearts, and will not purge +them, and mix your sense with a +pure heart, that ye might find +mercy with the Great King. + +104 Take heed, my children, +that your dissensions deprive you +not of your lives. How will ye +instruct the elect of God, when +ye yourselves want correction? +Wherefore admonish one another, +and be at peace among yourselves, +that I, standing before your +Father, may give an account +of you unto the Lord. + +105 And when she had made +an end of talking with me, the six +young men that built, came and +carried her to the tower; and four +others took up the seat on which +she sat, and they also went away +again to the tower. I saw not the +faces of these, for their backs +were towards me. + +106 As she was going away, I +asked her, that she would reveal +to me what concerned the three +forms, in which she had appeared +unto me. + +107 But she answering said unto +me, concerning these things +thou must ask some other, that +they may be revealed unto thee. + +108 Now, brethren, in the first +vision the last year, she appeared +unto me exceedingly old, and +sitting in a chair. + +109 In another vision, she had +indeed a youthful face, but her +flesh and hair were old; but she +talked with me standing, and was +more cheerful than the first time. + +110 In the third vision, she was +in all respects much younger, and +comely to the eye; only she had +the hair of an aged person: yet +she looked cheerful, and sat upon +a seat. + +111 I was therefore very sad +concerning these things, until I +might understand the vision. + +112 Wherefore I saw the same +old woman in a vision of the night +saying unto me, All prayer needeth +humiliation. Fast, therefore, and +thou shalt learn from the Lord +that which thou dost ask. I fasted +therefore one day. + +113 The same night a young +man appeared to me and said, +Why dost thou thus often desire +Revelations in thy prayers? Take +heed that by asking many things, +thou hurt not the body. Let these +Revelations suffice thee. + +114 Canst thou see more notable +Revelations than those which +thou hast already received? + +115 I answered and said unto +him, Sir, I only ask this one +thing upon the account of the +three figures of the old woman +that appeared to me, that the +Revelation may be complete. + +116 He answered me, You are +not without understanding, but +your doubts make you so; for as +much as you have not your heart +with the Lord. + +117 I replied and said, But we +shall learn these things more +carefully from you. + +118 Hear then, says he, concerning +the figures about which you inquire. + +119 To begin; in the first vision +she appeared to thee in the shape +of an old woman sitting in, a chair, +because your old spirit was decayed, +and without strength, by reason +of your infirmities, and the +doubtfulness of your heart. + +120 For as they who are old +have no hope of renewing +themselves, nor expect any thing +but their departure; so you being +weakened through your worldly +affairs gave yourself up to sloth, +and cast not away your solicitude +from yourself upon the Lord: and +your sense was confused, and you +grew old in your sadness. + +121 But, sir, I would know why +she sat upon a chair? + +122 He answered, because every +one that is weak sitteth upon a +chair by reason of his infirmity, +that his weakness may be upheld. +Behold therefore the figure of the +first vision. + +123 In the second vision you +saw her standing, and having a +youthful face, and more cheerful +than her former; but her flesh +and her hair were ancient. Hear, +said he, this parable also. + +124 When any one grows old, +he despairs of himself by reason +of his infirmity and poverty, and +expects nothing but the last day of +his life. + +125 But on a sudden an inheritance +is left to him, and he hears of it, +and rises: and being become +cheerful, he puts on new strength. +And now he no longer sits down, +but stands, and is delivered from +his former sorrow; and sits not, +but acts manfully. + +126 So you, having heard the +Revelation which God revealed +unto you, because God had +compassion upon you, and renewed +your spirit, both laid aside your +infirmities, and strength came to +you, and you grew strong in the +faith; and God, seeing your +strength, rejoiced. + +127 For this cause he showed +you the building of the tower, +and will show other things unto you, +if you shall have peace with all +your heart among each other. + +128 But in the third vision you +saw her yet younger, fair and +cheerful, and of a serene +countenance. + +129 For, as if some good news +comes to him that is sad, he +straightway forgets his sadness, +and regards nothing else but the +good news which he has heard; +and for the rest he is comforted, +and his spirit is renewed through +the joy which he has received +even so you have been refreshed +in your spirit by seeing these good +things. + +130 And for that you saw her +sitting upon a bench, it denotes a +strong position; because a bench +has four feet, and stands strongly. +And even the world itself is upheld +by the four elements. + +131 They therefore that repent +perfectly, shall be young; and +they that turn from their sins +with their whole heart, shall +be established. + +132 And now you have the +Revelation fully, ask no more +to have any thing farther +revealed unto you. + +133 But if any thing is to be +revealed, it shall be made manifest +unto you. + + + +VISION IV. + + Of the trial, and tribulation that is about + to come upon men. + +I SAW a vision brethren, twenty +days after the former vision; +a representation of the tribulation +that is at hand. I was walking in +the field way. + +2 Now from the public way to +the place whither I went is about +ten furlongs; it is a way very +little frequented: + +3 And as I was walking alone, I +entreated the Lord that he would +confirm the Revelations which he +had shown unto me by his Holy +Church. + +4 And would grant repentance +to all his servants who had been +offended, that his great and +honourable name might be glorified, +and because he thought me worthy +to whom he might show his wonders, +and, that I might honour him, +and give thanks unto him. + +5 And behold somewhat like a +voice answered me; Doubt not, +Hermas. Wherefore I began to +think, and say within myself, why +should I doubt, seeing I am thus +settled by the Lord, and have seen +such glorious things? + +6 I had gone but a little farther, +brethren, when behold I saw a +dust rise up to heaven. I began +to say within myself, is there a +drove of cattle coming, that rises +such a dust? + +7 It was about a furlong off from +me. And behold I saw the dust +rise more and more, insomuch that +I began to suspect that there was +somewhat extraordinary in it. + +8 And the sun shone a little; +and behold I saw a great beast, as +it were a whale; and fiery locusts +came out of his mouth. The height +of the beast was about a hundred +feet, and he had a head like a +large earthen vessel. + +9 I began to weep, and to pray +unto the Lord that he would deliver +me from it. Then I called to mind +the word which I had heard; +Doubt not, Hermas. + +10 Wherefore, brethren, putting +on a divine faith, and remembering +who it was that had taught me great +things, I delivered myself bodily +unto the beast. + +11 Now the beast came on in +such a manner, as if it could at +once have devoured a city. + +12 I came near unto it, and the +beast extended its whole bulk upon +the ground, and put forth nothing +but its tongue, nor once moved itself +till I had quite passed by it. + +13 Now the beast had upon its +head four colours; first black, +then a red and bloody colour, then +a golden, and then a white. + +14 After that I had passed by +it, and was gone forward about +thirty feet, behold there met me a +certain virgin, well adorned as if +she had been just come out of her +bride-chamber; all in white, having +on white shoes, and a veil down her +face, and covered with shining hair. + +15 Now I knew by my former +visions that it was the church, +and thereupon grew the more cheerful. +She saluted me, saying, Hail, O Man! +I returned the salutation, saying, +Lady, Hail! + +16 She answering said unto me, +Did nothing meet you, O man! +I replied, Lady, there met me such +a beast, as seemed able to devour +a whole people; but by the power +of God, and through his singular +mercy, I escaped it. + +17 Thou didst escape it well, +said she, because thou didst cast +thy whole care upon God, and +opened thy heart unto him, +believing that thou couldst be safe +by no other than by his great and +honourable name. + +18 For this cause the Lord sent +his angel, who is over the beast, +whose name is Hegrin, and stopped +his mouth, that he should not +devour thee, Thou hast escaped +a great trial through thy faith, and +because thou didst not doubt for +such a terrible beast. + +19 Go, therefore, and relate to +the elect of God the great things +that he hath done for thee. And +thou shalt say unto them, that this +beast is the figure of the trial that +is about to come. + +20 If, therefore, ye shall have +prepared yourselves, ye may escape +it, if your hearts be pure and +without spot; and if ye shall serve +God all the rest of your days +without complaint. + +21 Cast all your care upon the +Lord, and he will direct them. +Believe in God, ye doubtful, +because he can do all things; +he can both turn away his wrath +from you, and send you help and +security. + +22 Woe to the doubtful, to those +who shall hear these words, and +shall despise them: it had been +better for them that they had not +been born. + +23 Then I asked her concerning +the four colours which the beast +had upon its head. But she +answered me saying; Again thou +art curious in that thou asketh +concerning these things. But I +said to her, Lady, chew me what +they are? + +24 Hear, said she; The black +which thou sawest denotes the +world in which you dwell. The +fiery and bloody colour signifies +that this age must be destroyed +by fire and blood. + +25 The golden part are ye, who +have escaped out of it; for as gold +is tried by the fire, and is made +profitable, so are ye also in like +manner tried who dwell among the +men of this world. + +26 They therefore, that shall +endure to the end, and be proved +by them, shall be purged. And as +gold, by this trial, is cleansed +and loses its dross, so shall ye +also cast away all sorrow and +trouble, and be made pure for +the building of the tower. + +27 But the white colour denotes +the time of the world which is to +come, in which the elect of God +shall dwell: because the elect of +God shall be pure and without +spot until life eternal. + +28 Wherefore do not thou cease +to speak these thing in the ears of +the saints. Here ye have the figure +of the great tribulation that is +about to come; which, if you +please, shall be nothing to you. + +29 When she had spoken thus +much, she departed; but I saw +not whither she went. But suddenly +I heard a noise, and I turned +back, being afraid, for I thought +that the beast was coming toward +me. + + + + + + + THE SECOND PART OF THE + BOOK OF HERMAS, CALLED HIS COMMANDS. + + +Introduction. + +WHEN I had prayed at home, +and was sat down upon the +bed, a certain man came in to me +with a reverend look, in the habit +of a Shepherd, clothed with a white +cloak, having his bag upon his +back, and his staff in his hand, and +saluted me. + +2 I returned his salutation, and +immediately he sat down by me, +and said unto me, I am sent by +that venerable messenger, that +I should dwell with thee all the +remaining days of thy life. + +3 But I thought that he was +come to try me, and said unto him, +Who are you? For I know to +whom I am committed. He said +unto me, Do you not know me? +I answered no. I am, said he, +that shepherd to whose care you +are delivered. + +4 Whilst he was yet speaking, +his shape was changed; and when +I knew that it was he to whom I +was committed, I was ashamed, +and a sudden fear came upon me, +and I was utterly overcome with +sadness, because I had spoken so +foolishly unto him. + +5 But he said unto me, Be not +ashamed, but receive strength in +thy mind, through the commands +which I am about to deliver unto +thee. For, said he, I am sent to +show unto thee all those things +again, which thou hast seen before, +but especially such of them as may +be of most use unto thee. + +6 And first of all write my +Commands and Similitudes, the rest +thou shall so write as I shall show +unto thee. But I therefore bid +thee first of all write my Commands +and Similitudes, that by often +reading of them thou mayest +the more easily keep them in +memory. + +7 Whereupon I wrote his Commands +and Similitudes, as he bade me. + +8 Which things if when you +have heard, ye shall observe to do +them, and shall walk according to +them, and exercise yourselves in +them with a pure mind, ye shall +receive from the Lord those things +which he has promised unto you. + +9 But if having heard them ye +shall not repent, but shall still go +on to add to your sins, ye shall +be punished by him. + +10 All these things that Shepherd, +the angel of repentance, commanded +me to write. + + + +COMMAND I. + + Of believing in one God. + +FIRST of all believe that +there is one God who created and +brought all things out of nothing +into existence. + +2 He comprehends all things, +and is only INFINITE, not to be +comprehended by any. + +3 Who can neither be defined +by any words, nor conceived by +the mind. + +4 Therefore believe in him, and +fear him; and fearing him abstain +from all evil. + +5 Keep these things, and cast +all lust and iniquity far from +thee, and put on righteousness, +and thou shalt live to God, if thou +shalt keep his commandment. + + + +COMMAND II. + + That we must avoid detraction, and do our + alms-deeds with simplicity. + +HE said unto me, Be innocent +and without disguise; so shalt +thou be like an infant who knows +no malice which destroys the +life of man. + +2 Especially see that thou speak +evil of none, nor willingly hear +any one speak evil of others. + +3 For if thou observest not this, +thou also who hearest shall be +partaker of the sin of him that +speaketh evil, by believing the +slander, and thou also shalt have +sin, because thou believedst him +that spoke evil of thy brother. + +4 Detraction is a pernicious +thing; an inconstant, evil spirit; +that never continues in peace, but +is always in discord. Wherefore +refrain thyself from it, and keep +peace ever more with thy brother. + +5 Put on an holy constancy, +in which there are no sins, but +all is full of joy; and do good +of thy labours. + +6 Give without distinction to +all that are in want, not doubting +to whom thou givest. + +7 But give to all, for God will +have us give to all, of all his own +gifts. They therefore that receive +shall give an account to God, both +wherefore they received and for +what end. + +8 And they that receive without +real need, shall give an account +for it; but he that gives shall be +innocent. + +9 For he has fulfilled his duty +as he received it from God; not +making any choice to whom he +should give, and to whom not. +And this service he did with +simplicity and to the glory +of God. + +10 Keep therefore this command +according as I have delivered it +into thee: that thy repentance +nay be found to be sincere, and +that good may come to thy house; +and have a pure heart. + + + +COMMAND III. + + Of avoiding lying, and the repentance of Hermas + for his dissimulation. + +MOREOVER he said unto me +love truth; and let all the +speech be true which proceeds out +of thy mouth. + +2 That the spirit which the Lord +hath given to dwell in thy flesh +may be found true towards all +men; and the Lord be glorified, +who hath given such a spirit unto +thee: because God is true in all +his words, and in him there is no +lie. + +3 They therefore that lie, deny +the Lord, and become robbers of +the Lord, not rendering to God +what they received from him. + +4 For they received the spirit +free from lying: If therefore they +make that a liar, they defile what +was committed to them by the +Lord, and become deceivers. + +5 When I heard this, I wept +bitterly; and when he saw me +weeping, he said unto me, Why +weepest thou? And I said, Because, +sir, I doubt whether I can be saved. + +6 He asked me, Wherefore? +I replied, Because, sir, I never +spake a true word in my life; but +always lived in dissimulation, and +affirmed a lie for truth to all men; +and no man contradicted me, but +all gave credit to my words. How +then can I live, seeing I have done +in this manner? + +7 And he said unto me, Thou +thinkest well and truly; for thou +oughtest, as the servant of God, +to have walked in the truth, and +not have joined an evil conscience +with the spirit of truth, nor have +grieved the holy and true Spirit +of God. + +8 And I replied unto him, +Sir, I never before hearkened +so diligently to these things. +He answered, Now thou hearest them +Take care from henceforth, that +even those things which thou hast +formerly spoken falsely for the +sake of thy business, may, by +thy present truth receive pardon. + +9 For even those things may +be forgiven, if for the time to come +thou shalt speak the truth; and +by so doing thou mayest attain +unto life. + +10 And whosoever shall hearken +unto this command, and do it, +and shall depart from all lying, +he shall live unto God. + + + +COMMAND IV. + + Of putting away one's wife for adultery. + +FURTHERMORE, said he, I +command thee, that thou keep +thyself chaste; and that thou +suffer not any thought of any +other marriage, or of fornication, +to enter into thy heart; for such +a thought produces great sin. + +2 But be thou at all times mindful +of the Lord, and thou shalt never +sin. For if such an evil thought +should arise in thy heart, then +thou shall be guilty of a great +sin; and they who do such things, +follow the way of death. + +3 Look therefore to thyself, and +keep thyself from such a thought; +for where chastity remains in the +heart of a righteous man, there an +evil thought ought never to arise. + +4 And I said unto him, Sir, +suffer me to speak a little to you. +He bade me say on. And I answered, +Sir, if a man that is faithful +in the Lord shall have a wife, +and shall catch her in adultery; +doth a man sin that continues to +live still with her? + +5 And he said unto me, As long +as he is ignorant of her sin, he +commits no fault in living with +her; but if a man shall know his +wife to, have offended, and she +shall not repent of her sin, but go +on still in her fornication, and a +man shall continue nevertheless +to live with her, he shall become +guilty of her sin, and partake with +her in her adultery. + +6 And I said unto him, What +therefore is to be done, if the +woman continues on in her sin? +He answered, Let her husband put +her away, and let him continue +by himself; but if he shall put +away his wife and marry another, +he also doth commit adultery. + +7 And I said, What, if the +woman that is so put away, should +repent, and be willing to return +to her husband, shall she not be +received by him? He said unto me, +Yes; and if her husband shall +not receive her, he will sin, and +commit a great offence against +himself; for he ought to receive +the offender, if she repents: only +not often. + +8 For, to the servants of God, +there is but one repentance; and +for this cause a man that putteth +away his wife ought not to take +another, because she may repent. + +9 This act is alike both in the +man and in the woman. Now they +commit adultery, not only who +pollute their flesh, but who +also make an image. If therefore +a woman perseveres in any thing +of this kind, and repents not, +depart from her; and live not with +her, otherwise thou also shalt be +partaker of her sin. + +10 But it is therefore commanded +that both the man and the woman +should remain unmarried, because +such persons may repent. + +11 Nor do I in this administer +any occasion for the doing of these +things; but rather that whoso has +offended, should not offend any +more. + +12 But for their former sins, +God who has the power of healing +will give a remedy; for he has +the power of all things. + +13 I asked him again, and +said, Seeing the Lord hath thought +me worthy that thou shouldest +dwell with me continually, speak +a few words unto me, because I +understand nothing, and my heart +is hardened through my former +conversation; and open my +understanding because I am very +dull, and apprehend nothing at all. + +14 And he answering said +unto me, I am the minister of +repentance, and give understanding +to all that repent. Does it not +seem to thee to be a very wise +thing to repent? Because he that +does so gets great understanding. + +15 For he is sensible that he +hath sinned and done wickedly in +the sight of the Lord, and he +remembers within himself that he +has offended, and repents and does +no more wickedly, but does that +which is good, and humbles his +soul and afflicts it, because he has +offended. You see therefore that +repentance is great wisdom. + +16 And I said unto him, For this +cause, sir, I inquire diligently +into all things, because I am a +sinner, that I may know what I +must do that I may live; because +my sins are many. + +17 And he said unto me, Thou +shalt live if thou shalt keep these +my commandments. And whosoever +shall hear and do these commands +shall live unto God. + +18 And I said unto him, I have +even now heard from certain +teachers, that there is no other +repentance beside that of baptism, +when we go down into the water, +and receive the forgiveness of our +sins; and that after that, we must +sin no more, but live in purity. + +19 And he said unto me, Thou +hast been rightly informed. Never- +the-less seeing now thou inquirest +diligently into all things, I will +manifest this also unto thee; yet +not so as to give any occasion of +sinning, either to those who shall +hereafter believe, or to those +who have already believed in the +Lord. + +20 For neither they who have +newly believed, or shall hereafter +believe, have any repentance of sins, +but forgiveness of them. + +21 But as to those who have +been called to the faith, and since +that are fallen into any gross sin, +the Lord hath appointed repentance, +because God knoweth the thoughts +of all men's hearts, and their +infirmities, and the manifold +wickedness of the devil, who is +always contriving something +against the servants of God, and +maliciously lays snares for them. + +22 Therefore our merciful Lord +had compassion towards his creature, +and appointed that repentance, and +gave unto me the power of it. And +therefore I say unto thee, if any +one after that great and holy +calling shall be tempted by the +devil and sin, he has one repentance. +But if he shall often sin and repent, +it shall not profit such a one; +for he shall hardly live unto God. + +23 And I said, Sir, I am restored +again to life since I have thus +diligently hearkened to these +commands. For I perceive that if I +shall not hereafter add any more +of my sins, I shall be saved. + +24 And he said, Thou shalt be +saved: and so shall all others, as +many as shall observe these +commandments. + +25 And again I said unto him, +Sir, seeing thou hearest me +patiently, show me yet one thing +more. Tell me, saith he, what it +is. + +26 And I said, If a husband or +a wife die, and the party which +survives marry again, does he sin +in so doing? He that marries +says he, sins not: howbeit, if +he shall remain single, he shall +thereby gain to himself great +honour before the Lord. + +27 Keep therefore thy chastity +and modesty, and thou shalt live +unto God. Observe from henceforth +those things which I speak +with thee, and command thee to +observe, from the time that I +have been delivered unto thee, and +dwell in thy house. + +28 So shall thy former sins be +forgiven, if thou shalt keep these +my commandments. And in like +manner shall all others be forgiven, +who shall observe these my commandments. + + + +COMMAND V. + + Of the sadness of the heart, and of patience. + +Be patient, says he, and long- +suffering; so shalt thou have +dominion over all wicked works, +and shall fulfil all righteousness. + +2 For if thou shalt be patient, +the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in +thee shall be pure, and not be +darkened by any evil spirit; but +being full of joy shall be enlarged, +and feast in the body in which it +dwells, and serve the Lord with +joy, and in great peace. + +3 But if any anger shall overtake +thee, presently the Holy Spirit +which is in thee will be straightened +and seek to depart from thee. + +4 For he is choked by the evil +spirit, and has not the liberty of +serving the Lord as he would; for +he is grieved by anger. When, +therefore, both these spirits dwell +together, it is destructive to a +man. + +5 As if one should take a little +wormwood, and put it into a vessel +of honey, the whole honey would +be spoiled; and a great quantity +of honey is corrupted by a very +little wormwood, and loses the +sweetness of honey, and is no +longer acceptable to its Lord +because the whole honey is made +bitter, and loses its use. + +6 But if no wormwood be put +into the honey, it is sweet and +profitable to its Lord. Thus is +forbearance sweeter than honey, +and profitable to the Lord who +dwelleth in it. + +7 But anger is unprofitable. +If therefore anger shall be mixed +with forbearance, the soul is +distressed, and its prayer is +not profitable with God. + +8 And I said unto him, Sir, +I would know the sinfulness of +anger, that I may keep myself from +it. And he said unto me, Thou +shall know it; and if thou shalt +not keep thyself from it, thou shalt +lose thy hope with all thy house. +Wherefore depart from it. + +9 For I the messenger of +righteousness am with thee, and +all that depart from it: as many +as shall repent with all their hearts, +shall live unto God; and I will be with +them, and will keep them all. + +10 For all such as have repented +have been justified by the most +holy messenger, who is a minister +of salvation. + +11 And now, says he, hear +the wickedness of anger; how +evil and hurtful is is, and how it +overthrows the servants of God; +for it cannot hurt those that are +full of faith because the power +of God is with them; but it +overthrows the doubtful, and those +that are destitute of faith. + +12 For as often as it sees such +men, it casts itself into their +hearts; and so a man or woman +is in bitterness for nothing: for +the things of life, or for sustenance, +or for a vain word, if any should +chance to fall in; or by reason +of any friend, or for a debt, +or for any other superfluous +things of the like nature. + +13 For these things are foolish, +and superfluous, and vain to the +servants of God. But equanimity +is strong, and forcible; and of +great power, and sitteth in great +enlargement; is cheerful, rejoicing +in peace; and glorifying God at +all times I with meekness. + +14 And this long-suffering +dwells with those that are full of +faith. But anger is foolish, and +light, and empty. Now bitterness +is bred through folly; by +bitterness, anger; by anger, fury; +and this fury arising from so +many evil principles, worketh a +great and incurable sin. + +15 For when all these things, +are in the same man in which the +Holy Spirit dwells, the vessel +cannot contain them, but runs +over: and because the Spirit being +tender cannot tarry with the evil +one; it departs and dwells with +him that is meek. + +16 When, therefore, it is +departed from the man in whom it +dwelt, that man becomes destitute +of the Holy Spirit, and is afterwards +filled with wicked spirits, and +is blinded with evil thoughts. +Thus doth it happen to all angry +men. + +17 Wherefore depart then from +anger, and put on equanimity, and +resist: wrath; so then shalt be +found with modesty and chastity +by God. Take good heed, therefore, +that thou neglect not this commandment. + +18. For if thou shalt obey this +command, then thou shalt also be +able to observe the other commandments +which I shall command thee. + +19 Wherefore strengthen thyself +now in these commands, that then +mayest live unto God. And whosoever +shall observe these commandments +shall live unto God. + + + +COMMAND VI. + + That every man has two angels and of the + suggestions of both. + +I COMMANDED thee, said he, +in my first commandments, +that thou shouldst keep faith and +fear, and repentance. Yes, sir, +said I. + +2 He continued. But now I +will shew thee the virtues of these +commands, that then mayest know +their effects; how they are +prescribed alike to the just +and unjust. + +3 Do thou therefore believe the +righteous, but give no credit to +the unrighteous. For righteousness +keepeth the right way, but +unrighteousness the wicked way. + +4 Do thou therefore keep the +right way, and leave that which is +evil. For the evil way has not a +good end, but hath many stumbling- +blocks; it is rugged and full +of thorns, and leads to destruction; +and it is hurtful to all such +as walk in it. + +5 But they who go in the right +way walk with evenness, and without +offence; because it is not rough +nor thorny. + +6 Thou seest therefore how it is +best to walk in this way. Thou +shalt therefore go, says he, and all +others, as many as believe in God +with all their heart, shall go +through it. + +7 And now, says he, I understand +first of all what belongs to faith. +There are two angels with man; +one of righteousness, the other +of iniquity. + +8 And I said unto him, Sir, +how shall I know that there are +two such angels with man? Hear, +says he, and understand. + +9 The angel of righteousness, +is mild and modest, and gentle, +and quiet. When, therefore, he +gets into thy heart, immediately +he talks with thee of righteousness, +of modesty, of chastity, of +bountifulness, of forgiveness, +of charity, and piety. + +10 When all these things come +into thy heart, know then that the +angel of righteousness is with thee. +Wherefore hearken to this angel +and to his works. + +11 Learn also the works of the +angel of iniquity. He is first of +all bitter, and angry, and foolish; +and his works are pernicious, and +overthrow the servants of God. +When therefore these things come +into thine heart; thou shalt know +by his works, that this is the angel +of iniquity. + +12 And I said unto him, Sir, +how shall I understand these +things? Hear, says he, and +understand; When anger overtakes +thee, or bitterness, know that he is +in thee: + +13 As also, when the desire of +many things, and of the best meats, +and of drunkenness; when the +love of what belongs to others, +pride, and much speaking, and +ambition; and the like things, +come upon thee. + +14 When therefore these things +arise in thine heart, know that the +angel of iniquity is with thee. +Seeing therefore thou knowest his +works, depart from them all, and +give no credit to him: because his +works are evil, and become not the +servants of God. + +15 Here therefore thou hast +the works of both these angels. +Understand now and believe the +angel of righteousness, because +his instruction is good. + +16 For let a man be never so +happy; yet if the thoughts of the +other angel arise in his heart, that +man or woman must needs sin. + +17 But let man or woman be +never so wicked, if the works of +the angel of righteousness come +into their hearts, that man or +woman must needs do some good. + +18 Thou seest therefore how +it is good to follow the angel of +righteousness. If therefore thou +shall follow him, and submit to +his works, thou shalt live unto God. +And as many as shall submit to +his work shall live also unto God. + + + +COMMAND VII. + + That we must fear God but not the Devil. + +FEAR God, says he, and keep +his commandments. For if +thou keepest his commandments +thou shalt be powerful in every +work, and all thy works shall be +excellent. For by fearing God, +thou shalt do everything well. + +2 This is that tear with which +thou must be affected that thou +mayest be saved. But fear not +the Devil: for if thou fearest the +Lord, thou shalt have dominion +over him; because there is no +power in him. + +3 Now if there be no power in +him, then neither is he to be +feared: for every one that has +power, is to be feared. But he +that has no power is despised by +every one. + +4 Fear the works of the Devil, +because they are evil. For by +fearing the Lord, thou wilt fear +and do not the works of the Devil, +but keep thyself from them. + +5 There is therefore a twofold +fear; if thou wilt not do evil, fear +the Lord and thou shalt not do it. +But if thou wilt do good, the fear +of the Lord is strong, and great +and glorious. + +6 Wherefore, fear God and thou +shalt live: and whosoever shall +fear him, and keep his commandments, +their life is with the Lord. +But they who keep them not, +neither is there life in them. + + + +COMMAND VIII. + + That we must flee from evil, and do good works. + +I HAVE told thee, said he, +that there are two kinds of +creatures of the Lord, and that +there is a two-fold abstinence. +From some things therefore thou +must abstain, and from others not. + +2 I answered, Declare to me, +sir, from what I must abstain, and +from what not. Hearken, said he, +Keep thyself from evil, and do it +not; yet abstain not from good, +but do it. For if thou shalt abstain +from what is good, and not do it, +thou shalt sin. Abstain therefore +from all evil, and thou shalt know +all righteousness. + +3 I said, What evil things are +they from which I must abstain? +Hearken, said he; from adultery, +from drunkenness, from riots, from +excess of eating, from daintiness +and dishonesty, from pride, from +fraud, from lying, from detraction, +from hypocrisy, from remembrance +of injuries, and from all evil +speaking. + +4 For these are the works of +iniquity, from which the servant +of God must abstain. For he that +cannot keep himself from these +things, cannot live unto God. + +5 But hear, said he, what +follows of these kind of things: +for indeed many more there are +from which the servant of God must +abstain. From theft, and cheating; +from false witness, from covetousness, +from boasting, and all other things +of the like nature. + +6 Do these things seem to thee +to be evil or not? Indeed they +are very evil to the servants of +God, Wherefore the servant of +God must abstain from all these +works. + +7 Keep thyself therefore from +them, that thou mayest live unto +God, and be written among those +that abstain from them. And thus +have I shown thee what things +thou must avoid: now learn from +what thou must not abstain. + +8 Abstain not from any good +works, but do them. Hear, said +he, what the virtue of those good +works is which thou must do, that +thou mayest be saved. The first +of all is faith; the fear of the +Lord; charity; concord; equity; +truth; patience; chastity. + +9 There is nothing better than +these things in the life of men; +who shall keep and do these +things in their life. Hear next +what follow these. + +10 To minister to the widows; +not to despise the fatherless and +poor; to redeem the servants of +God from necessity; to be hospitable +(for in hospitality there is +sometimes great fruit); not to be +contentious, but be quiet. + +11 To be humble above all men; +to reverence the aged; to labour +to be righteous; to respect the +brotherhood; to bear affronts; to +be long-suffering; not to cast +away those that have fallen from +the faith, but to convert them, and +make them be of good cheer: to +admonish sinners; not to oppress +those that are our debtors; and all +other things of a like kind. + +12 Do these things seem to thee +to be good or not? And I said, +What can be better than these +words? Live then, said he, in +these commandments, and do not +depart from them. For if thou +shalt keep all these commandments, +thou shalt live unto God. And all +they that shall keep these +commandments shall live unto God. + + + +COMMAND IX. + + That we must ask of God daily; + and without doubting. + +AGAIN he said unto me; remove from +thee all doubting; and question +nothing at all when thou askest +any thing of the Lord; saying +within thyself, how shall I +be able to ask any thing of the +Lord and receive it, seeing I have +so greatly sinned against him? + +2 Do not think thus, but turn +unto the Lord with all thy heart, +and ask of him without doubting, +and thou shalt know the mercy of +the Lord; bow that he will not +forsake thee, but will fulfil the +request of thy soul. + +3 For God is not as men, mindful +of the injuries he has received; +but he forgets injuries, and has +compassion upon his creature. + +4 Wherefore purify thy heart +from all the vices of this present +world; and observe the commands +I have before delivered unto thee +from God; and thou shall receive +whatsoever good things thou shalt +ask, and nothing shall be wanting +unto thee of all thy petitions; if +thou shalt ask of the Lord without +doubting. + +5 But they that are not such, +shall obtain none of those things +which they ask. For they that are +full of faith, ask all things with +confidence, and receive from the +Lord, because they ask without +doubting. But he that doubts, +shall hardly live unto God, except +he repent. + +6 Wherefore purify thy heart +from doubting, and put on faith, +and trust in God, and thou shall +receive all that thou shalt ask. +But if thou shouldest chance to +ask something, and not immediately +receive it, yet do not therefore +doubt, because thou hast not +presently received the petition +of thy soul. + +7 For it may be thou shalt not +presently receive it for thy trial, +or else for some sin which thou +knowest not. But do not thou +leave off to ask, and then thou +shalt receive. Else if thou shalt +cease to ask, thou must complain +of thyself, and not of God, that he +has not given unto thee what thou +didst desire. + +8 Consider therefore this doubting +how cruel and pernicious it is; +and how it utterly roots out many +from the faith, who were very +faithful and firm. For this doubting +is the daughter of the Devil, and +deals very wickedly with the +servants of God. + +9 Despise it therefore, and thou +shalt rule over it on every occasion. +Put on a firm and powerful faith: +for faith promises all things +and perfects all things. But +doubting will not believe that it +shall obtain any thing by all that +it can do. + +10. Thou seest therefore, says +he, how faith cometh from above +from God; and hath great power. +But doubting is an earthly spirit, +and proceedeth from the Devil, +and has no strength. + +11 Do thou therefore keep the +virtue of faith, and depart from +doubting, in which is no virtue, +and thou shalt live unto God. And +all shall live unto God, as many +as do these things. + + + +COMMAND X. + + Of the sadness of the heart; and that + we must take, heed not to grieve the + spirit of God that is in us. + +PUT all sadness far from thee; +for it is the sister of doubting +and of anger. How, sir, said I +is it the sister of these? For +sadness, and anger, and doubting, +seem to me to be very different +from one another. + +2 And he answered: Art thou +without sense that thou dost not +understand it? For sadness is the +most mischievous of all spirits, +and the worst to the servants of +God: It destroys the spirits of all +men, and torments the Holy Spirit, +and it saves again. + +3 Sir, said I, I am very foolish, +and understand not these things. +I cannot apprehend how it can +torment, and yet save. Hear, said +he, and understand. They who +never sought out the truth, nor +inquired concerning the majesty +of God, but only believed, are +involved in the affairs of the +heathen. + +4 And there is another lying +prophet that destroys the minds +of the servants of God; that is +of those that are doubtful, not of +those that fully trust in the Lord. +Now those doubtful persons come +to him, as to a divine spirit, and +inquire of him what shall befall +them. + +5 And this lying prophet, having +no power in him of the Divine +Spirit, answers them according to +their demands, and fills their souls +with promises according as they +desire. Howbeit that prophet is +vain, and answers vain things to +those who are themselves vain. + +6 And whatsoever is asked of +him by vain men, he answers them +vainly; nevertheless he speaketh +some things truly. For the Devil +fills him with his spirit, that he +may overthrow some of the +righteous. + +7 Whosoever therefore are +strong in the faith of the Lord, +and have put on the truth; they +are not joined to such spirits, but +depart from them. But they that +are doubtful, and often repenting, +like the heathens, consult them, +and heap up to themselves great +sin, serving idols. + +8 As many therefore as are +such, inquire of them upon every +occasion; worship idols, and are +foolish; and void of the truth. +For every spirit that is given +from God needs not to be asked: +but having the power of divinity +speaks all things of itself, +because he comes from above; +from the power of God. + +10 But he, that being asked +speaks according to men's desires +and concerning many other affairs +of this present world, understands +not the tidings which relate unto +God. For these spirits are darkened +through such affairs, and corrupted, +and broken. + +11 As good vines if they are +neglected, are oppressed with weeds +and thorns, and at last killed by +them; so are the men who believe +such spirits. + +12 They fall into many actions +and businesses, and are void of +sense, and when they think of +things pertaining unto God, they +understand nothing at all; but +at any time they chance to hear +any thing concerning the Lord, +their thoughts are upon their +business. + +13 But they that have the fear +of the Lord, and search out the +truth concerning God, having all +their thoughts towards the Lord; +apprehend whatsoever is said to +them, and forthwith understand +it, because they have the fear +of the Lord in them. + +14 For where the spirit of the +Lord dwells, there is also much +understanding added. Wherefore +join thyself to the Lord, and thou +shalt understand all things. + +15 Learn now, O unwise man! +how sadness troubleth the Holy +Spirit, and how it saves. When +a man that is doubtful is engaged +in any affair, and does not +accomplish it by reason of his +doubting; this sadness enters +into him, and grieves the Holy +Spirit, and makes him sad. + +16 Again anger, when it over. +takes any man for any business he +is greatly moved; and then again +sadness entereth into the heart of +him, who was moved with anger, +and he is troubled for what he hath +done, and repenteth, because he +hath done amiss. + +17 This sadness therefore seemeth +to bring salvation, because he +repenteth of his evil deed. But +both the other things, namely, +doubting and sadness, such as +before was mentioned, vex the +spirit: doubting, because his +work did not succeed; and sadness, +because he angered the Holy Spirit. + +18 Remove therefore sadness +from thyself, and afflict not the +Holy Spirit which dwelleth in +thee, lest he entreat God, and +depart from thee. For the spirit +of the Lord which is given to +dwell in the flesh, endureth no +such sadness. + +19 Wherefore clothe thyself +with cheerfulness, which has always +favour with the Lord, and thou shalt +rejoice in it. For every cheerful +man does well; and relishes those +things that are good, and despises +sadness. + +20 But the sad man does always +wickedly. First, he doth wickedly, +because he grieveth the Holy Spirit, +which is given to man being of a +cheerful nature. And again he does +ill, because be prays with sadness +unto the Lord, and maketh not first +a thankful acknowledgment unto him +of former mercies, and obtains not +of God what he asks. + +21 For the prayer of a sad man +has not always efficacy to come up +to the altar of God. And I said +unto him, Sir, why has not the +prayer of a sad man virtue to come +up to the altar of God? Because, +said he, that sadness remaineth in +his heart. + +22 When therefore a man's +prayer shall be accompanied with +sadness, it will not suffer his +requests to ascend pure to the altar +of God. For as wine when it is +mingled with vinegar, has not the +sweetness it had before; so sadness +being mixed with the Holy Spirit, +suffers not a man's prayer to be +the same as it would be otherwise. + +23 Wherefore cleanse thyself +from sadness, which is evil, and +thou shalt live unto God. And all +others shall live unto God, as many +as shall lay aside sadness, and put +on cheerfulness. + + + +COMMAND XI. + + That the spirits and prophets are to be + tried by their works; and of a twofold, spirit. + +HE showed me certain men +sitting upon benches, and +one sitting in a chair: and he said +unto me; Seest thou those who sit +upon the benches? Sir, said I, +I see them. He answered, They +are the faithful; and he who sits +in the chair is an earthly spirit. + +2 For he cometh not into the +assembly of the faithful, but avoids +it. But he joins himself to the +doubtful and empty; and prophesies +to them in corners and hidden places; +and pleases them by speaking according +to all the desires of their hearts. + +3 For he placing himself among +empty vessels, is not broken, but +the one fitteth the other. But +when he cometh into the company +of just men, who are full of the +spirit of God, and they pray unto +the Lord; that man is emptied, +because that earthly spirit flies +from him, and he is dumb, and +cannot speak anything. + +4 As if in a store-house you +shall stop up wine or oil, and +among those vessels place an +empty jar; and when afterwards +you come to open it, you shall +find it empty as you stopped it up; +so those empty prophets when +they come among the spirits of +the just, are found to be such as +they came. + +5 I said, How then shall a +man be able to discern them? +Consider what I am going to say +concerning both kinds of men; +and as I speak unto thee so shalt +thou prove the prophet of God, +and the false prophet. + +6 And first try the man who +hath the spirit of God, because +the spirit which is from above is +humble, and quiet, and departs +from all wickedness; and from the +vain desires of the present world; +and makes himself more humble +than all men; and answers to none +when he is asked; nor to every +one singly: for the Spirit of God +doth not speak to a man when he +will, but when God pleases. + +7 When therefore a man who hath +the Spirit of God hath come into +the church of the righteous, who +have the faith of God, and they +pray unto the Lord; then the holy +angel of God fills that man with +the blessed Spirit, and he speaks +in the congregation as he is moved +of God. + +8 Thus therefore is the spirit, +of God known, because whosoever +speaketh by the Spirit of God, +speaketh as the Lord will. + +9 Hear now concerning the +earthly spirit, which is empty and +foolish, and without virtue. And +first of all the man who is supposed +to have the Spirit, (whereas he hath +it not in reality), exalteth himself, +and desires to have the first seat, +and is wicked, and full of words. + +10 And spends his time in pleasure, +and in all manner of voluptuousness, +and receives the reward of his +divination; which if he receives +not, he does not divine. + +11 Should the Spirit of God +receive reward, and divine? It doth +not become a prophet of God so to +do. + +12 Thus you seethe life of each +of these kind of prophets. Wherefore +prove that man by his life and works, +who says that he hath the Holy Spirit. +And believe the Spirit which comes +from God, and has power as such. +But believe not the earthly and +empty spirit, which is from the +devil, in whom there is no faith +nor virtue. + +13 Hear now the similitude +which I am about to speak unto +thee. Take a stone, and throw it +up towards heaven; or take a +spout of water, and mount it up +thitherward; and see if thou +canst reach unto heaven. + +14 Sir; said I, how can this be +done? For neither of those things +which you have mentioned, are +possible to be done. And he +answered, Therefore as these things +cannot be done, so is the earthy +spirit without virtue, and without +effect. + +15 Understand yet farther the +power which cometh from above, +in this similitude. The grains of +hail that drop down are exceedingly +small; and yet when they fall upon +the head of a man, how do they +cause pain to it. + +16 And again, consider, the +droppings of a house; how the +little drops falling upon the earth, +work a hollow in the stones. + +17 So in like manner the least +things which come from above, +and fall upon the earth, have great +force. Wherefore join thyself +to this spirit, which has the +power; and depart from the other +which is empty. + + + +COMMAND XII. + + Of a two fold desire: that the commands of God, + are not impossible: and that the devil is not + to be feared by them that believe. + +AGAIN he said unto me; +remove from thee all evil +desires, and put on good and +holy desires. For having put on a +good desire, thou shalt hate that +which is evil, and bridle it as thou +wilt. But an evil desire is dreadful, +and hard to be tamed. + +2 It is very horrible and wild; +and by its wildness consumes men. +And especially if a servant of God +shall chance to fall into it, except +he be very wise, he is ruined by +it. For it destroys those who have +not the garment of a good desire +and are engaged in the affairs of +this present world; and delivers +them unto death. + +3 Sir, said I, what are the works +of an evil desire, which bring men +unto death? Shew them to me that +I may depart from them. Hear, said he, +by what works an evil desire bringeth +the servants of God unto death. + +4 First of all, it is an evil desire +to covet another man's wife, or +for a woman to covet another's +husband; as also to desire the +dainties of riches; and multitude +of superfluous meats; and drunkenness; +and many delights. + +5 For in much delicacy there is +folly; and many pleasures are +needless to the servants of God. +Such lusting therefore is evil and +pernicious, which brings to death +the servants of God. For all such +lusting is from the devil. + +6 Whosoever therefore shall +depart from all evil desires, +shall live unto God; but they +that are subject unto them shall +die forever. For this evil lusting +is deadly. Do thou therefore put +on the desire of righteousness, +and being armed with the fear of +the Lord resist all wicked lusting. + +7 For this fear dwelleth in good +desires; and, when evil coveting +shall see thee armed with the fear +of the Lord, and resisting it; it +will fly far from thee, and not +appear before thee, but be afraid +of thy armour. + +8 And thou shall have the victory, +and be crowned for it; and shall +attain to that desire which is +good; and shall give the victory +which thou hast obtained unto +God, and shall serve him in doing +what thou thyself wouldest do. + +9 For if thou shalt serve good +desires, and be subject to them; +then thou shalt be able to get the +dominion over thy wicked lustings; +and they will be subject to thee, +as thou wilt. + +10 And I said, Sir, I would +know how to serve that desire +which is good? Hearken, said he, +Fear God, and put thy trust in +him, and love truth, and +righteousness, and do that +which is good. + +10 If thou shalt do these things, +thou shall be an approved servant +of God, and serve him; and all +others who shall in like manner +serve a good desire, shall live unto +God. + +12 And when he had fulfilled +these twelve commands, he said +unto me, Thou hast now these +commands, walk in them; and exhort +those that hear them, to repent, +and that they keep their +repentance pure all the +remaining days of their life. + +13 And fulfil diligently this +ministry which I commit to thee, +and thou shalt receive great +advantage by it, and find favour +with all such as shall repent +and believe thy words. For I am +with thee, and will force them +to believe. + +14 And I said unto him, Sir, +these commands are great and +excellent, and able to cheer the +heart of that man that shall be +able to keep them. But, Sir, +I cannot tell, whether they can +be observed by any man? + +15 He answered, Thou shalt +easily keep these commands, and +they shall not be hard: howbeit, +if thou shalt suffer it once to +enter into thine heart that they +cannot be kept by any one, thou +shalt not fulfil them. + +16 But now I say unto thee, +if thou shalt not observe these +commands, and shall neglect them, +thou shalt not be saved, nor thy +children, nor thy house: because +thou hast judged that these +commands cannot be kept by man. + +17 These things he spake +very angrily unto me, insomuch +that he greatly affrighted me, +for he changed his countenance +so that a man could not bear his +anger. + +18 And when he saw me altogether +troubled and confounded, he began +to speak more moderately and +cheerfully, saying, O foolish, +and without understanding! + +19 Unconstant, not knowing +the majesty of God how great and +wonderful he is; who created the +world for man, and hath made +every creature subject unto him; +and given him all power, that he +should be able to fulfil all these +commands. + +20 He is able, said he, to fulfil +all these commands, who has the +Lord in his heart; but they who +have the Lord only in their mouths, +their hearts are hardened, and +they are far from the Lord: to +such persons these commands are +hard and difficult. + +21 Therefore, ye that are empty +and light in the faith, put the +Lord your God in your hearts; +and ye shall perceive how that +nothing is more easy than these +commands, nor more pleasant, nor +more gentle and holy. + +22 And turn yourselves to the +Lord your God, and forsake the +devil and his pleasures, because +they are evil, and bitter, and +impure. And fear not the devil, +because he has no power over you. + +23 For I am with you, the +messenger of repentance, who have +the dominion over him. The devil +doth indeed affright men but his +terror is vain. Wherefore fear +him not, and he will flee from you. + +24 And I said unto him; Sir, +hear me speak a few words unto +you. He answered, Say on: A +man indeed desires to keep the +commandments of God, and there +is no one but what prays unto God, +that he may be able to keep his +commandments; + +25 But the devil is hard, and +by his power rules over the servants +of God. And he said; He cannot +rule over the servants of God, +who trust in him with all their +hearts. + +26 The devil may strive, but he +cannot overcome them. + +27 For if ye resist him, he will +flee away with confusion from you. +But they that are not full in the +faith, fear the devil, as if he had +some great power. For the devil +tries the servants of God and if he +finds them empty, he destroys +them. + +28 For as man, when he fills up +vessels with good wine, and among +them puts a few vessels half full, +and comes to try and taste of the +vessels, doth not try those that are +full, because he knows that they +are good, but tastes those that are +half full, lest they should grow +sour; (for vessels half full soon +grow sour, and lose the taste of +wine:) so the devil comes to the +servants of God to try them. + +29 They that are full of faith +resist him stoutly, and he departs +from them, because he finds no +place where to enter into them +then he goes to those that are not +full of faith, and because he has a +place of entrance he goes into +them, and does what he will with +them, and they become his servants. + +30 But I, the messenger of +repentance, say unto you, fear not +the devil, for I am sent unto you, +that I may be with you, as many +as shall repent with your whole +heart, and that I may confirm you +in the faith. + +31 Believe therefore, ye who +by reason of your transgressions +have forgot God and your own +salvation; and adding to your +sins have made your life very +heavy. + +32 That if ye shall turn to the +Lord with your whole hearts, and +shall serve him according to his +will; he will heal you of your +former sins, and ye shall have +dominion over all the works of the +devil. + +33 Be not then afraid in the +least of his threatenings, for they +are without force, as the nerves of +a dead man. But hearken unto +me, and fear the Lord Almighty, +who is able to save and to destroy +you; and keep his commands, that +ye may live unto God. + +34 And I said unto him; Sir, +I am now confirmed in all the +commands of the Lord whilst you +are with me, and I know that you +will break all the powers of the +devil. + +35 And we also shall overcome +him, if we shall be able, through +the help of the Lord, to keep these +commands which you have delivered. + +36 Thou shalt keep them, said +he, if thou shalt purify thy heart +towards the Lord. And all they +also shall keep them who shall +cleanse their hearts from the vain +desires of the present world, and +shall live unto God. + + + + + + + THE THIRD PART OF THE + BOOK OF HERMAS, CALLED HIS SIMILITUDES. + + +SIMILITUDE I. + + That seeing we have no abiding city in this world, + we ought to look after that which is to come. + +AND he said onto me; Ye know +that ye who are the servants +of the Lord, live here as in +a pilgrimage; for your city +is far off from this city. + +2 If, therefore, ye know your +city in which ye are to dwell, +why do ye here buy estates, and +provide yourselves with delicacies, +and stately buildings, and +superfluous houses? For he that +provides himself these things +in this city, does not think +of returning into his own city. + +3 O foolish, and doubtful, and +wretched man; who understandest +not that all these things belong +to other men, and are under the +power of another. For the Lord +of this city saith unto thee; +Either obey my laws, or depart +out of my city. + +4 What therefore shalt thou do +who art subject to a law in thine +own city? Canst thou for thy +estate, or for any of those things +which thou hast provided, deny +thy law? But if thou shalt deny +it, and wilt afterwards return into +thy own city, thou shalt not be +received, but shall be excluded +thence. + +5 See therefore, that like a man +in another country, thou procure +no more to thyself than what is +necessary, and sufficient for thee; +and be ready, that when the God +or Lord of this city shall drive +thee out of it thou mayest oppose +his law, and go into thine own +city; where thou mayest with all +cheerfulness live according to +thine own law with no wrong. + +6 Take heed therefore ye that +serve God, and have him in your +hearts: work ye the works of +God, being mindful both of his +commands and of his promises, +which he has promised; and be +assured that he will make them +good unto you; if ye shall keep +his commandments. + +7 Instead therefore of the +possessions that ye would otherwise +purchase, redeem those that are +in want from their necessities, +as every one is able; justify the +widows; judge the cause of the +fatherless; and spend your riches +and your wealth in such works as +these. + +8 For this end has God enriched +you, that ye might fulfil these +kind of services. It is much +better to do this, than to buy lands +or houses; because all such things +shall perish with this present time. + +9 But what ye shall do for the +name of the Lord, ye shall find +in your city, and shall have joy +without sadness or fear. Wherefore +covet not the riches of the heathen; +for they are destructive to the +servants of God. + +10 But trade with your own riches +which you possess, by which ye may +attain unto everlasting joy. + +11 And do not commit adultery, +nor touch any other man's wife, +nor desire her; but covet that +which is thy own business, and +thou shalt be saved. + + + +SIMILITUDE II. + + As the vine is supported by the elm, + so is the rich man helped by the prayers of the poor. + +AS I was walking into the field, +and considered the elm and +the vine, and thought with myself +of their fruits, an angel appeared +unto me, and said unto me; What +is it that thou thinkest upon thus +long within thyself? + +2 And I said unto him, Sir, I +think of this vine and this elm +because their fruits are fair. +And he said unto me; These two +trees are set for a pattern to +the servants of God. + +3 And I said unto him, Sir, I +would know in what the pattern +of these trees which thou mentionest, +does consist. Hearken, saith he; +seest thou this vine and this +elm? Sir, said I, I see them. + +4 This vine, saith he, is fruitful, +but the elm is a tree without fruit. +Nevertheless this vine unless it +were set by this elm, and supported +by it, would not bear much +fruit; but lying along upon the +ground, would bear but ill fruit, +because it did not hang upon the +elm; whereas, being supported +upon the elm, it bears fruit both +for itself and for that. + +5 See, therefore, how the elm +gives no less, but rather more +fruit, than the vine. How, Sir, +said I, does it bear more fruit +than the vine? Because, said he, +the vine being supported upon +the elm gives both much and good +fruit; whereas, if it lay along +upon the ground, it would bear +but little, and that very ill too. + +6 This similitude, therefore, +is set forth to the servants of God; +and it represents the rich and poor +man. I answered, Sir, make this +manifest unto me. Hear, said he; +the rich man has wealth: howbeit +towards the Lord he is poor; for +he is taken up about his riches, +and prays but little to the Lord; +and the prayers which he makes +are lazy and without force. + +7 When therefore, the rich man +reaches out to the poor those +things which he wants, the poor +man prays unto the Lord for the +rich; and God grants unto the +rich man all good things, because +the poor man is rich in prayer; +and his requests have great power +with the Lord. + +8 Then the rich man ministers +all thing to the poor, because he +perceives that he is heard by the +Lord; and he the more willingly +and without doubting, affords him +what he wants, and takes care that +nothing be lacking to him. + +9 And the poor man gives +thanks unto the Lord for the rich; +because they both do their work +from the Lord. + +10 With men, therefore, the +elm is not thought to give any +fruit; and they know not, neither +understand that its company being +added to the vine, the vine bears a +double increase, both for itself and +for the elm. + +11 Even so the poor praying +unto the Lord for the rich, are +heard by him; and their riches +are increased, because they minister +to the poor of their wealth. +They are, therefore, both made +partakers of each other's good +works. + +12 Whosoever, therefore, shall +do these things, he shall not be +forsaken by the Lord, but shall be +written in the book of life. + +13 Happy are they who are rich, +and perceive themselves to be +increased: for he that is sensible +of this, will be able to minister +somewhat to others. + + + +SIMILITUDE III. + + As the great trees in the winter cannot be + distinguished from the dry; so neither can the + righteous from the wicked in this present world. + +AGAIN he showed me many +trees whose leaves were shed, +and which seemed to me to be +withered, for they were all alike. +And he said unto me, Seest thou +these trees? I said, Sir, I see that +they look like dry trees. + +2 He answering, said unto me; +These trees are like unto the men +who live in the present world. I +replied: Sir, why are they like +unto dried trees? Because, said +he, neither the righteous, nor +unrighteous, are known from one +another; but all are alike in this +present world. + +3 For this world is as the winter +to the righteous men, because +they are not known, but dwell +among sinners. + +4 As in the winter all the trees +having lost their leaves, are like +dry trees; nor can it be discerned +which are dry and which are green: +so in this present world neither +the righteous, nor wicked are +discerned from each other; but they +are all alike. + + + +SIMILITUDE IV. + + As in the summer the living trees are distinguished + from the dry by their fruit and green leaves; + so in the world to come the righteous shall be + distinguished from the unrighteous by their happiness. + +AGAIN he showed me many +other trees, of which some +had leaves, and others appeared +dry and withered. And he said +unto me, Seest thou these trees +I answered, Sir, I see them; some +are dry, and others full of leaves. + +2 These trees, saith be, which +are green, are the righteous, who +shall possess the world to come. +For the world to come, is the summer +to the righteous; but to sinners +it is the winter. + +3 When, therefore, the mercy +of the Lord shall shine forth, then +they who serve God shall be made +manifest, and plain unto all. For +as in the summer the fruit of every +tree is shown and made manifest. +so also the works of the righteous +shall be declared and made manifest, +and they shall all be restored +in that world merry and joyful. + +4 For the other kind of men, +namely the wicked, like the trees +which thou rawest dry, shall, as +such, be found dry and without +fruit in that other world; and like +dry wood shall be burnt; and it +shall be made manifest that they +have done evil all the time of their +life; + +5 And they shall be burnt because +they have sinned and have not +repented of their sins. And +also all the other nations shall +be burnt, because they have not +acknowledged God their Creator. + +6 Do then, therefore, bring forth +good fruit, that in the summer thy +fruit may be known; and keep +thyself from much business, and +thou shalt not offend. For they +who are involved in much business, +sin much; because they are taken +up with their affairs, and +serve not God. + +7 And how can a man that does +not serve God, ask anything of +God, and receive it? But they +who serve him, ask and receive +what they desire. + +8 But if a man has only one +thing to follow, he may serve God, +because his mind is not taken off +from God, but he serves him with +a pure mind. + +9 If, therefore, thou shalt do +this, thou mayest have fruit in +the world to come; and as many as +shall do in like manner, shall +bring forth fruit. + + + +SIMILITUDE V. + Of a true fast, and the rewards of it: + also of the cleanliness of the body. + +AS I was fasting, and sitting +down in a certain mountain, +and giving thanks unto God for all +the things that he had done unto +me; behold, I saw the Shepherd, +who was wont to converse with +me, sitting by me, and saying +unto me: What has brought thee +hither thus early in the morning? +I answered, Sir, to-day I keep a +station. + +2 He answered, What is a station; +I replied, it is a fast. He said, +What is that fast? I answered, +I fast as I have been wont to +do. Ye know not, said he, what +it is to fast unto God; nor is this +a fast which ye keep, profiting +nothing with God. + +3 Sir, said I, what makes you +speak thus? He replied, I speak +it, because it is not the true fast +which you think that you keep; +but I will show you what that is +which is a complete fast, and +acceptable unto God. + +4 Hearken, said he, The Lord +does not desire such a needless +fast; for by fasting in this manner, +thou advancest nothing in +righteousness. + +5 But the true fast is this: Do +nothing wickedly in thy life, but +serve God with a pure mind; and +keep his commandments, and walk +according to his precepts, nor +suffer any wicked desire to enter +into the mind. + +6 But trust in the Lord, that if +thou dost these things, any fearest +him, and abstaineth from every +evil work, thou shall live unto +God. + +7 If thou shalt do this, thou +shall perfect a great fast, and an +acceptable one unto the Lord. + +8 Hearken unto the similitude +which I am about to propose +unto thee, as to this matter. + +9 A certain man having a farm, +and many servants, planted a vineyard +in a certain part of his estate for +his posterity: + +10 And taking a journey into +a far country, chose one of his +servants which he thought the most +faithful and approved, and delivered +the vineyard into his care; +commanding him that he should +stake up the vines. Which if he +did, and fulfilled his command, he +promised to give him his liberty. +Nor did he command him to do +any thing more; and so went into +a far country. + +11 And after that servant had +taken that charge upon him, he +did whatsoever his lord commanded +him. And when he had staked the +vineyard, and found it to be full +of weeds, he began to think within +himself, saying: + +12 I have done what my lord +commanded me, I will now dig +this vineyard, and when it is digged, +it will be more beautiful; and the +weeds being pulled up, it will +bring forth more fruit and not be +choked by the weeds. + +13 So setting about this work +he digged it, and plucked up all +the weeds that were in it; and so +the vineyard became very beautiful +and prosperous, not being choked +with weeds. + +14 After some time the lord of +the vineyard comes and goes into +the vineyard, and when he saw +that it was handsomely staked and +digged, and the weeds plucked up +that were in it, and the vines +flourishing, he rejoiced greatly at +the care of his servant. + +15 And calling his son whom +he loved, and who was to be his +heir, and his friends with whom +he was wont to consult; he tells +them what he had commanded his +servant to do, and what his +servant had done more; and they +immediately congratulated that +servant, that he had received so +full a testimony from his lord. + +16 Then he said to them, I +indeed promised this servant his +liberty, if he observed the command +which I gave him; and he observed it, +and besides has done a good work +to my vineyard, which has exceedingly +pleased me. + +17 Wherefore, for this work +which he hath done, I will make +him my heir together with my +son; because that when he saw +what was good, he neglected it +not, but did it. + +18 This design of the lord both +his son and his friends approved, +namely, that his servant should be +heir together with his son. + +19 Not long after this the master +of the family calling together, his +friends, sent from his supper several +kinds of food to that servant. + +20 Which when he had received, +he took so much of them as was +sufficient for himself, and divided +the rest among his fellow-servants. + +21 Which when they had received, +they rejoiced; and wished that +he might find yet greater favour +with his lord, for what he had +done to them. + +22 When his lord heard all these +things, he was again filled with +great joy: and calling again his +friends and his son together, he +related to them what his servant +had done with the meats which he +had sent unto him. + +23 They therefore so much the +more assented to the master of the +household; and he ought to make +that servant his heir together with +his son. + +24 I said unto him, sir, I know +not these similitudes, neither can +I understand them, unless you +expound them unto me. I will, +says he, expound, all things unto +thee whatsoever I have talked with +thee, or shown unto thee. + +25 Keep the commandments of +the Lord and thou shalt be approved, +and shall be written in the number +of those that keep his commandments. +But if besides those things which +the Lord hath commanded, thou shalt +add some good thing; thou shall +purchase to thyself a greater dignity, +and be in more favour with the Lord +than thou shouldst otherwise have been. + +26 If therefore thou shalt keep +the commandments of the Lord, +and shalt add to them these stations, +thou shall rejoice; but especially +if thou shalt keep them according +to my commands. + +27 I said unto him, sir, whatsoever +thou shall command me, I will observe; +for I know that thou wilt be with me. +I will, said he, be with thee who hast +taken up such a resolution; and I will +be with all those who purpose in like +manner. + +28 This fast, saith he, whilst +thou dost also observe the +commandments of the Lord, is +exceeding good; therefore thus +shalt thou keep it. + +29 First of all, take heed to +thyself, and keep thyself from every +wicked act, and from every filthy +word, and from every hurtful desire; +and purify thy mind from all the +vanity of this present world. If +thou shalt observe these things, +this fast shall be right. + +30 Thus therefore do. Having +performed what is before written, +that day on which thou fastest +thou shalt taste nothing at all but +bread and water; and computing +the quantity of food which thou +art want to eat upon other days, +thou shalt lay aside the expense +which thou shouldest have made +that day, and give it unto the +widow, the fatherless, and the +poor. + +31 And thus thou shalt perfect +the humiliation of thy soul; that +he who receives of it may satisfy +his soul, and his prayer come up +to the Lord God for thee. + +32 If therefore thou shalt thus +accomplish thy fast, as I command +thee, thy sacrifice shall be +acceptable unto the Lord, and thy +fast shall be written in his book. + +33 This station, thus performed, +is good and pleasing and acceptable +unto the Lord. These things if thou +shalt observe with thy children and +with all thy house, thou shalt +be happy. + +34 And whosoever, when they +hear these things, shall do them, +they also shall be happy; and +whatsoever they shall ask of the +Lord they shall receive it. + +35 And I prayed him that he +would expound unto me the similitude +of the farm, and the Lord, and of +the vineyard, and of the servant +that had staked the vineyard; +and of the weeds that were +plucked out of the vineyard; and +of his son and his friends which +he took into counsel with him; +for I understand that that was +a similitude. + +36 He said unto me, Thou art +very bold in asking; for thou +oughtest not to ask any thing; +because if it be fitting to show it +unto thee, it shall be showed unto +thee. + +37 I answered him; Sir, whatsoever +thou shalt show me, without explaining +it unto me, I shall in vain see it, +if I do not understand what it is. +And if thou shalt propose any +similitudes, and not expound them, +I shall in vain hear them. + +38 He answered me again, saying: +Whosoever is the servant of God, +and has the Lord in his heart, +he desires understanding of him, +and receives it; and he explains +every similitude, and understands +the words of the Lord which need +an inquiry. + +39 But they that are lazy and +slow to pray, doubt to seek from +the Lord: although the Lord be of +such an extraordinary goodness, +that without ceasing he giveth all +things to them that ask of him. + +40 Thou therefore who art +strengthened by that venerable +messenger, and hast received such +a powerful gift of prayer; seeing +thou art not slothful, why dost +thou not now ask understanding of +the Lord, and receive it? + +41 I said unto him; seeing I +have thee present, it is necessary +that I should seek it of thee, and +ask thee; for thou shewest all +things unto me, and speakest to +me when thou art present. + +42 But if I should see or hear +these things when thou wert not +present, I would then ask the Lord +that he would chew them unto me. + +43 And he replied, I said a +little before that thou wert subtle +and bold, in that thou asketh the +meaning of these similitudes. + +44 But because thou still persistest, +I will unfold to thee this parable +which then desirest, that thou mayest +make it known unto all men. + +45 Hear, therefore, said he, +and understand. The farm before +mentioned denotes the whole earth. +The Lord of the farm is he, who +created and finished all things; +and gave virtue unto them. + +46 His son is the Holy Spirit; +the servant is the Son of God: the +vineyard is the people whom he +saves. The stakes are the messengers +which are set oven them by the Lord, +to support his people. The weeds +that are plucked up out of the +vineyard, are the sins which +the servants of God had +committed. + +47 The food which he sent him +from his supper, are the commands +which he gave to his people by his +Son. The friends whom he called +to counsel with him, are the holy +angels whom he first created. The +absence of the master of the household, +is the time that remains unto +his coming. + +48 I said unto him, Sir, all +these things are very excellent, +and wonderful, and good. But, +continued I, could I or any other +man besides, though never so wise, +have understood these things? + +49 Wherefore now, sir, tell me, +what I ask. He replied, ask me +what thou wilt. Why, said I, is +the Son of God in this parable, +put in the place of a servant. + +50 Hearken, he said: the Son +of God is not put in the condition +of a servant, but in great power +and authority. I said unto him, +how, sir? I understand it not. + +51 Because, said he, the Son set +his messengers over those whom +the Father delivered unto him, to +keep every one of them; but he +himself laboured very much, and +suffered much, that he might blot +out their offences. + +52 For no vineyard can be digged +without much labour and pains. +Wherefore having blotted out the +sins of his people, he showed to +them the paths of life, giving +them the law which he had +received of the Father. + +53 You see, said he, that he is +the Lord of his people, having +received all power from his Father. +But why the lord did take his +son into counsel, about dividing +the inheritance, and the good +angels, hear now. + +54 That Holy Spirit, which was +created first of all, he placed in the +body in which God should dwell; +namely, in a chosen body, as it +seemed good to him. This body +therefore into which the Holy +Spirit was brought, served that +Spirit, walking rightly and purely +in modesty; nor ever defiled that +Spirit. + +55 Seeing therefore the body at +all times obeyed the Holy Spirit, +and laboured rightly and chastely +with him, nor faltered at anytime; +that body being wearied conversed +indeed servilely, but being +mightily approved to God with +the Holy Spirit, was accepted by +him. + +56 For such a stout course +pleased God, because he was not +defiled in the earth, keeping the +Holy Spirit. He called therefore +to counsel his Son, and the good +angels, that there might be some +place of standing given to this +body which had served the Holy +Spirit without blame; lest it +should seem to have lost the +reward of its service. + +57 For every pure body shall +receive its reward; that is found +without spot, in which the Holy +Spirit has been appointed to dwell. +And thus you have now the exposition +of this parable also. + +58 Sir, said I, I now understand +your meaning, since I have heard +this exposition. Hearken farther, +said he: keep this thy body clean +and pure, that the Spirit which +shall dwell in it may bear witness +unto it, and be judged to have +been with thee. + +59 Also take heed that it be not +instilled into thy mind that this +body perishes, and thou abuse it +to any lust. For if thou shalt +defile thy body, thou shalt also at +the same time defile the Holy +Spirit; and if thou shalt defile +the Holy Spirit, thou shall not +live. + +60 And I said, What if through +ignorance this should have been +already committed, before a man +heard these words; How can he +attain into salvation, who has thus +defiled his body? + +61 He replied, As for men's former +actions which through ignorance +they have committed, God only can +afford a remedy unto them; for all +the power belongeth unto him. + +62 But now guard thyself; and +seeing God is almighty and merciful, +he will grant a remedy to what thou +hast formerly done amiss, if for the +time, to come thou shalt not defile +thy body and spirit: + +63 For they are companions together, +and the one cannot be defiled but the +other will be so too. Keep therefore +both of them pure, and thou shalt +live unto God. + + + +SIMILITUDE VI. + + Of two sorts of voluptuous men, and of + their death and defection; and of the + continuance of their pains. + +AS I was sitting at home, and +praising God for all the things +which I had seen; and was thinking +concerning the commands, that they +were exceedingly good, and great, +and honest, and pleasant, and +such as were able to bring a man +to salvation; I said thus within +myself, I shall be happy if I walk +according to these commands; and +whosoever shall walk in them shall +live unto God. + +2 Whilst I was speaking on this +wise within myself, I saw him +whom I had before been wont to +see, sitting by me; and he spake +thus unto me: + +3 What doubtest thou concerning +my commands which I have delivered +unto thee? They are good, doubt not, +but trust in the Lord, and thou shalt +walk in them; for I will give thee +strength to fulfil them. + +4 These commands are profitable +to those who shall repent of the +sins which they have formerly +committed; if for the time to come +they shall not continue in them. + +5 Whosoever therefore ye be +that repent, cast away from you +the naughtiness of the present +world; and put on all virtue, and +righteousness, and so shall ye be +able to keep these commands; +and not sin from henceforth any +more. + +6 For if ye shall keep yourselves +from sin for the time to come, +ye shall cut off a great deal +of your former sins. Walk in my +commands, and ye shall live unto +God: These things have I spoken +unto you. + +7 And when he, had said this, +he added; let us go into the field, +and I will show thee shepherds of +sheep. I replied, sir, let us go. + +8 And we came into a certain +field, and there he showed me a +young shepherd, finely arrayed, +with his garments of a purple +colour. And he fed large flocks; +and his sheep were full of pleasure, +and in much delight and cheerfulness; +and they skipping, ran here and there. + +9 And the shepherd took very +great satisfaction in his flock; and +the countenance of that shepherd +was cheerful, running up and down +among his flock. + +10 Then the angel said unto +me, Seest then this shepherd? +I answered, sir, I see him. +He said unto me, this is the +messenger of delight and pleasure. +He therefore corrupts the minds +of the servants of God, and turns +them from the truth, delighting them +with many pleasures, and they perish. + +11 For they forget the commands +of the living God, and live in +luxury and in vain pleasures, +and are corrupted by the evil +angel, some of them even unto +death; and others to a falling +away. + +12 I replied; I understand not +what you mean, by saying unto +death, and to a falling away. +Hear, says he; all those sheep +which thou sawest exceeding +joyful, are such as have for ever +departed from God, and given +selves up to the lusts of this +present time. + +13 To these therefore there is +no return, by repentance, unto +life; because, to their other sins +they have added this, that they +have blasphemed the name of the +lord: These kind of men are +ordained unto death. + +14 But those sheep which thou +sawest not leaping, but feeding in +one place; are such as have indeed +given themselves up to pleasure +and delights; but have not spoken +anything wickedly against the Lord. + +15 These therefore are only +fallen off from the truth, and so +have yet hope laid up for them in +repentance. For such a falling off +hath some hope still left of a +renewal; but they that are dead, +are utterly gone for ever. + +16 Again we went a little farther +forward, and he showed me a great +shepherd, who had as it were a rustic +figure; clad with a white goat's skin, +having his bag upon his shoulder, +and in his hand a stick full of knots, +and very hard, and a whip in his other +hand; and his countenance was stern and +sour, enough to affright a man; +such was his look. + +17 He took from that young +shepherd such sheep as lived in +pleasures, but did not skip up and +down; and drove them into a +certain steep craggy place fall of +thorns and briars, insomuch that +they could not get themselves free +from them: + +18 But being entangled in them, +fed upon thorns and briars, and +were grievously tormented with +his whipping. For he still drove +them on, and afforded them not +any place, or time, to stand still. + +19 When therefore I saw them so +cruelly whipped and afflicted, +I was grieved for them; because +they were greatly tormented, nor +had they any rest afforded them. + +20 And I said unto the shepherd +that was with me: Sir, who is this +cruel and implacable shepherd, who +is moved with no compassion towards +these sheep? He answered, This +shepherd is indeed one of the holy +angels, but is appointed for the +punishment of sinners. + +21 To him therefore are delivered +those who have erred from God, +and served the lusts and pleasures +of this world. For this cause he +punishes them every one according +to their deserts, with cruel and +various kinds of pains. + +22 Sir, said I, I would know +what kind of pains they are which +every one undergoes? Hearken, +said he; The several pains and +torments are those which men +every day undergo in their present +lives. For some suffer losses; +others poverty; others divers +sicknesses. Some are unsettled; others +suffer injuries from those that are +unworthy; others fall under many +other trials and inconveniences. + +23 For many with an unsettled +design at many things, and it +profiteth them not; and they say +that they have not success in their +undertakings. + +24 They do not call to their +mind what they have done amiss, +and they complain of the Lord. +When therefore they shall have +undergone all kind of vexation +and inconvenience; then they are +delivered over to me for good +instruction, and are confirmed +in the Faith of the Lord, and +serve the Lord all the rest of +their days with a pure mind. + +25 And when they begin to repent +of their sins, then they call to +mind their works which they have +done amiss, and give honour to +God, saying, that he is a just +Judge, and they have deservedly +suffered all things according to +their deeds. + +26 Then for what remains of +their lives, they serve God with a +pure mind; and have success in +all their undertakings, and receive +from the Lord whatever they desire. + +27 And then they give thanks +unto the Lord that they were +delivered unto me; nor do they +suffer any more cruelty. + +28 I said unto him; Sir, I entreat +you still to show me now one thing. +What, said he, dost thou ask? +I said unto him; Are they who +depart from the fear of God, +tormented for the same time that +they enjoyed their false delight +and pleasures? He answered me; +they are tormented for the same +time. + +29 And I said unto him; They +are then tormented but little; +whereas they who enjoy their +pleasures so as to forget God, +ought to endure seven times as +much punishment. + +30 He answered me; Thou art +foolish, neither understandest thou +the efficacy of this punishment. +I said unto him; Sir, if I understood +it, I would not desire you to tell me. + +31 Hearken, said he, and learn +what the force of both is, both of +the pleasure and of the punishment. +An hour of pleasure is terminated +within its own space: but one hour +of punishment has the efficacy of +thirty days. Whosoever therefore +enjoys his false pleasure for one day, +and is one day, tormented; that one +day of punishment is equivalent to +a whole year's space. + +32 Thus look how many days +any one pursues his pleasures, so +many years is he punished for it. +You see therefore how that the +time of worldly enjoyments is but +short; but that of pain and torments, +a great deal more. + +33 I replied; Sir, forasmuch as +I do not understand at all these +times of pleasure and pain; I +entreat you that you would explain +yourself more clearly concerning +them. He answered me, saying; +Thy foolishness still sticks unto +thee. + +34. Shouldst thou not rather +purify thy mind, and serve God? +Take heed, lest when thy time is +fulfilled, thou be found still +unwise. Hear then, as thou desirest, +that thou mayest the more easily +understand. + +35 He that gives himself up one +day to his pleasures and delights, +and does whatsoever his soul desires, +is full of great folly, nor understands +what he does, but the day following +forgets what he did the day before. + +36 For delight and worldly +pleasure are not kept in memory, +by reason of the folly that is rooted +in them. But when pain and torment +befall a man a day, he is in effect +troubled the whole year after; +because his punishment continues +firm in his memory. + +37 Wherefore he remembers it +with sorrow the whole year; and +then calls to mind his vain pleasure +and delight, and perceives that for +the sake of that he was punished. + +38 Whosoever therefore have +delivered themselves over to such +pleasures, are thus punished; because +that when they had life, they rendered +themselves liable to death. + +39 I said unto him; Sir, what +pleasures are hurtful? He answered; +That is pleasure to every man +which he doth willingly. + +40 For the angry man, gratifying +his passion, perceives pleasure +in it; and so the adulterer, and +drunkard; the slanderer and liar; +the covetous man and the defrauder; +and whosoever commits anything like +unto these, he followeth his evil +disposition, because he receives +a satisfaction in the doing of it. + +41 All these pleasures and delights +are hurtful to the servants of God. +For these therefore they are tormented +and suffer punishment. + +42 There are also pleasures that +bring salvation unto men. For many, +when they do what is good, find +pleasure in it, and are attracted +by the delights of it. + +43 Now this pleasure is profitable +to the servants of God, and brings +life to such men; but those hurtful +pleasures, which were before mentioned, +bring torments and punishment. + +44 And whosoever shall continue +in them, and shall not repent of +what they have done, shall bring +death upon themselves. + + + +SIMILITUDE VII. + + That they who repent, must bring forth, + fruits worthy of repent once. + +AFTER a few days I saw the +same person that before talked +with me, in the same field, in +which I had seen those shepherds, +And he said unto me; What seekest +thou? Sir, said I, I came to entreat +you that You would command the +shepherd, who is the minister of +punishment, to depart out of my +house, because he greatly afflicts +me. + +3 And he answered, It is necessary +for thee to endure inconveniencies +and vexations; for so that good angel +hath commanded concerning thee, +because he would try thee. + +4 Sir, said I; What so great +offence have I committed, that I +should be delivered to this messenger? +Hearken, said he: Thou art indeed +guilty of many sins, yet not so +many that thou shouldest be +delivered to this messenger. + +5 But thy house hath committed +many sins and offences, and therefore +that good messenger being grieved +at their doings commanded that for +some time thou shouldst suffer +affliction; that they may both +repent of what they have done, and +may wash themselves from all the +lusts of this present world. + +6 When therefore they shall have +repented, and be purified, then that +messenger which is appointed over +thy punishment, shall depart from +thee. + +7 I said unto him; Sir, if they +have behaved themselves so as to +anger that good angel, yet what +have I done? He answered: They +cannot otherwise be afflicted, +unless thou, who art the head +of the family, suffer. + +8 For whatsoever thou shalt +suffer, they must needs feel it +but as long as thou shalt stand +well established, they cannot +experience any vexation. + +9 I replied; But, sir, behold +they also now repent with all their +hearts. I know, says he, that they +repent with all their hearts; but +dost thou therefore think that their +offences who repent, are immediately +blotted out. + +10 No, they are not presently; +but he that repents must afflict his +soul and show himself humble in +all his affairs, and undergo many +and divers vexations. + +11 And when he shall have suffered +all things that were appointed for him; +then perhaps HE that made him, and +formed all things besides, will be +moved with compassion towards him, +and afford him some remedy; and +especially if HE shall perceive +his heart who repents, to be free +from every evil work. + +12 But at present it is expedient +for thee, and for thy house, to be +grieved; and it is needful that +thou shouldst endure much vexation, +as the angel of the Lord who committed +thee unto me, has commanded. + +13 Rather give thanks unto the +Lord, that knowing what was to +come he thought thee worthy, to +whom he should foretell that trouble +was coming upon thee, who art able +to bear it. + +14 I said unto him; Sir, but be +thou also with me, and I shall +easily undergo any trouble. I will, +said he, be with thee; and I will +entreat the messenger who is set +over thy punishment, that he +would moderate his afflictions +towards thee. + +15 And moreover thou shalt +suffer adversity but for a little +time; and then thou shalt again +be restored to thy former state; +only continue on in the humility +of thy mind. + +16 Obey the Lord with a pure +heart; thou, and thy house, and +thy children; and walk in the +commands which I have delivered +unto thee; and then thy repentance +may be firm and pure. + +17 And if thou shalt keep +these things with thy house, thy +inconveniencies shall depart from thee. + +18 And all vexation shall in like +manner depart from those, whosoever +shall walk according to these commands. + + + +SIMILITUDE VIII. + + That there are many kinds of elect, and of + repenting sinners: and how all of these shall + receive a reward proportionable to the measure + of their repentance and good works. + +AGAIN he showed me a willow +which covered the fields and +the mountains, under whose shadow +came all such as were called by +the name of the Lord. + +2 And by that willow stood an. +angel of the Lord very excellent +and lofty, and did cut down bows +from the willow with a great +hook; and reached out to the people +that were under the shadow of the +willow, little rods, as it were +about a foot long. + +3 And when all of them had +taken them, he laid aside his hook, +and the tree continued entire, as I +had before seen it; at which I +wondered, and mused within myself. + +4 Then that shepherd said unto +me; Forbear to wonder that the +tree continues whole, +not-with-standing so many boughs have +been cut off from it: but stay a +little, for now it shall be shown +thee, what that angel means, who +gave those rods to the people. + +5 So he again demanded the +rods of them; and in the same +order that every one had received +them, was he called to him, and +restored his rod; which when he +had received, he examined them. + +6 From some he received them +dry and rotten, and as it were +touched with the moth; those he +commanded to be separated from +the rest, and placed by themselves. +Others gave in their rods dry +indeed, but not touched with the +moth: these also he ordered to be +set by themselves. + +7 Others gave in their rods half +dry; these also were set apart, +Others gave in their rods half dry +and cleft; these too were set by +themselves. Others brought in +their rods half dry and half green, +and these were in like manner +placed by themselves. + +8 Others delivered up their rods +two parts green, and the third +dry; and they too were set apart. +Others brought their rods two +parts dry, and the third green; +and were also placed by themselves. + +9 Others delivered up their rods +less dry (for there was but a very +little, to wit, their tops dry), but +they had clefts, and these were set +in like manner by themselves. In +the rods of others there was but a +little green, and the rest dry; and +these were set aside by themselves. + +10 Others came, and brought +their rods green as they had +received them, and the greatest +part of the people brought their +rods thus; and the messenger +greatly rejoiced at these, and they +also were put apart by themselves. + +11 Others brought in their rods +not only green, but full of branches; +and these were set aside, being +also received by the angel +with great joy. Others brought +their rods green with branches, +and those also some fruit upon +them. + +12 They who had such rods, +were very cheerful; and the angel +himself took great joy at them; +nor was the shepherd that stood +with me, less pleased with them. + +13 Then the angel of the Lord +commanded crowns to be brought, +and the crowns were brought made +of palms; and the angel crowned +those men in whose rods he found +the young branches with fruit, and +commanded them to go into the +tower. + +14 He also sent those into the +tower, in whose hands he found +branches without fruit, giving a +seal unto them. For they had the +same garment, that is, one white +as snow; with which he bade them +go into the tower And so he did +to those who returned their rods +green as they had received them; +giving them a white garment, and +so sent them away to go into the +tower. + +15 Having done this, he said to +the shepherd that was with me, +I go my way; but do thou send +these within the walls, every one +into the place in which he has +deserved to dwell; examining first +their rods, but examine them +diligently that no one deceive thee; +and if any one shall escape thee, +I will try them upon the altar. +Having said this to the shepherd, +he departed. + +16 After he was gone, the shepherd +said unto me; Let us take the rods +from them, and plant them; if +perchance they may grow green again. +I said unto him; Sir, how can those +dry rods ever grow green again? + +17 He answered me; That tree. +is a willow, and always loves to +live. If therefore these rods shall +be planted, and receive a little +moisture, many of them will +recover themselves. + +18 Wherefore I will try, and +will pour water upon them, and if +any of them can live, I will rejoice +with them; but if not, at least by +this means I shall be found not +to have neglected my part. + +19 Then he commanded me to +call them; and they all came +unto him, every one in the rank +in which he stood, and gave him +their rods; which having received +he planted every one of them in +their several orders. + +20 And after he had planted +them all, he poured much water +upon them, insomuch that they +were covered with water, and did +not appear above it. Then when +he had watered them, he said unto +me; Let us depart, and after a +little time we will return and visit +them. + +21 For he who created this tree, +would have all those live that +received rods from it. And I hope +now that these rods are thus +watered, many of them receiving +in the moisture, will recover: + +22 I said unto him, Sir, tell +me what this tree denotes? For I +am greatly astonished, that after +so many branches have been cut +off, it seems still to be whole: +nor does there any thing the less +of it appear to remain, which +greatly amazes me. + +23 He answered, Hearken. This +great tree which covers the plains +and the mountains, and all the +earth, is the law of God, published +throughout the whole world. + +24 Now this law is the Son of +God, who is preached to all the +ends of the earth. The people +that stand under its shadow, are +those which have heard his preaching, +and believed. + +25 The great and venerable +angel which you saw, was Michael +who had the power over his people, +and governs them. For he has +planted the law in the hearts +of those who have believed: and +therefore he visits them to whom +lie has given the law, to see if +they have kept it. + +26 And he examines every +one's rod; and of those, many that +are weakened: for those rods are +the law of the Lord. Then he discerns +all those who have not kept the law, +knowing the place of every one of them. + +27 I said unto him, Sir, why +did he send away some to the +tower, and left others here to you? +He replied, those who have +transgressed the law, which they +received from him, are left in my +power, that they may repent of +their sins: but they who fulfilled +this law and kept it, are under his +power. + +28 But who then, said I, are +those, who went into the tower +crowned? He replied, all such as +having striven with the devil, have +overcome him, are crowned: and +they are those, who have suffered +hard things, that they might keep +the law. + +29 But they who gave up their +rods green, and with young +branches, but without fruit, have +indeed endured trouble for the +same law, but have not suffered +death; neither have they denied +their holy law. + +30 They who delivered up their +rods green as they received them, +are those who were modest and +just, and have lived with a +very pure mind, and kept the +commandments of God. + +31 The rest thou shalt know, +when I shall have considered those +rods which I have planted and +watered. + +32 After a few days we returned, +and in the same place stood that +glorious angel, and I stood by him. +Then he said unto me; Gird thyself +with a towel, and serve me. + +33 And I girded myself with +a clean towel, which was made of +coarse cloth. And when he saw +me girded, and ready to minister +unto him, he said, Call those men +whose rods have been planted, +every one in his order as he +gave them. + +34 And he brought me into the +field, and I called them all, +and they all stood ready in their +several ranks. Then he said unto +them; let every one pluck up his +rod, and bring it unto me. And +first they delivered theirs, whose +rods had been dry and rotten. + +35 And those whose rods still +continued so, he commanded to +stand apart. Then they came +whose rods had been dry but not +rotten. Some of these delivered. +in their rods green; others dry +and rotten, as if they had been +touched by the moth. + +36 Those who gave them up +green, he commanded to stand +apart: but those whose rods were +dry and rotten, he caused to stand +with the first sort. Then came +they whose rods had been half +dry, and cleft: many of these +gave up their rods green, and +uncleft. + +37 Others delivered them up +green with branches, like unto +theirs who went crowned into the +tower. Others delivered them +up dry, but not rotten; and some +gave them up as they were before, +all dry, and cleft. + +38 Every one of these he ordered +to stand apart; some by themselves, +others in their respective ranks. + +32 Then came they whose rods +had been green, but cleft. These +delivered their rods altogether +green, and stood in their own +order. And the shepherd rejoiced +at these, because they were all +changed, and free from their +clefts. + +40 Then they gave in their rods, +who had them half green and +half dry. Of these some were +found wholly green, others half +dry: others green, with young +shoots. And all these were sent +away, every one to his proper +rank. + +41 Then they gave up their +rods, who had them before two +parts green, and the third dry. +Many of those gave in their rods +green; many half dry; the rest +dry but not rotten. So these were +sent away, each to his proper +place. + +42 Then came they who before +had their rods two parts dry and +the third green; many of these +delivered up their rods half dry, +others dry and rotten; others half +dry and cleft: but few green. And +all these were set every one in his +own rank. + +43 Then they reached in their +rods, in which there was before +but a little green, and the rest +dry. Their rods were for the +most part found green, having +little boughs, with fruit upon +them; and the rest altogether +green. + +44 And the shepherd upon sight +of these rejoiced exceedingly, +because he had found them thus; +and they also went to their +proper orders. + +45 Now after he had examined +all their rods, he said unto me, +I told thee that this tree loved +life thou seest how many have +repented, and attained unto +salvation. Sir, said I, I see it. + +46 That thou mightest know +saith he, that the goodness and +mercy of the Lord is great, and +to be had in honour; who gave +his spirit to them that were found +worthy of repentance. + +47 I answered, Sir, why then +did not all of them repent? He +replied, Those whose minds the +Lords foresaw would be pure, and +that they would serve him with +all their hearts, to them he gave +repentance. + +48 But for those whose deceit +and wickedness he beheld, and +perceived that they would not +truly return unto him; to them +he denied any return unto +repentance, lest they should again +blaspheme his law with wicked +words. + +49 I said unto him; Now, Sir, +make known unto me, what is the +place of every one of those, who +have given up their rods, and +what their portion; that when +they may have not kept their seal +entire, but have wasted the seal +which they received, shall hear +and believe these thins, and may +acknowledge their evil deeds and +repent; + +50 And receiving again their +seal from you, may give glory to +God, that he was moved with +compassion towards them, and sent +you to renew their spirits. + +51 Hearken, said he; they +whose rods have been found +and rotten, and as it were touched +with the moth; are the deserters +and the betrayers of the church; + +52 Who with the rest of their +crimes, have also blasphemed the +Lord, and denied his name when +he had called upon them. Therefore +all these are dead unto God +and thou seest that none of them +have repented, although they +have heard my commands which +thou hast delivered unto them. +From these men therefore life is +far distant. + +53 They also who have delivered +up their rods dry, but not rotten, +have not been far from them. For +they have been counterfeits, +and brought in evil doctrines, +and have perverted the servants +of God, especially those +who had sinned; not suffering +them to return unto repentance, +but keeping them back by their +false doctrines. + +54 These therefore have hope; +and thou seest that many of them +have repented, since the time +that thou hast laid my commands +before them; and many more +will yet repent. But they, that +shall not repent; shall lose both +repentance and life. + +55 But they that have repented, +their place is begun to be within +the first walls, and some of them +are even gone into the tower. +Thou seest therefore, said he, that +in the repentance of sinners there +is life; but for those who repent +not, death is prepared. + +56 Hear now concerning +those who gave in their rods half +dry and full of clefts. Those whose +rods were only half dry, are the +doubtful; for they are neither +living nor dead. + +57 But they who delivered in +their rods, not only half dry but +also full of clefts, are both doubtful +and evil speakers; who detract from +those that are absent, and have +never peace among themselves, +and who envy one another. + +58 Howbeit, to those also +repentance is offered; for thou +seest that some of these have +repented. + +59 Now all those of this kind +who have quickly repented, shall +have a place in the tower; and +they who have been more slow in +their repentance, shall dwell within +the walls: but they that shall +not repent, and shall continue on +in their wicked doings, shall die +the death. + +60 As for those who had their +rods green, but yet cleft; they +are such as were always faithful +and good, but they had some envy +and strife among themselves +concerning dignity and pre-eminence. + +61 Now all such as are vain, and +without understanding, contend +with one another about these +things. + +62 Nevertheless, seeing they +are otherwise good, if when they +shall hear these commands they +shall amend themselves, and shall +at my persuasion suddenly repent; +they shall at last dwell in the +tower, like those who have truly +and worthily repented. + +63 But if any one shall again +return to his dissension; he shall +be shut out from the tower, and +shall lose his life. For the life +of those who keep the commandments +of the Lord, consists in doing +what they are commanded; not in +principality, or in any other +dignity. + +64 For by forbearance and humility +of mind, men shall attain unto life; +but by seditions and contempt of the +law, they shall purchase death unto +themselves. + +65 They who in their rods +had half dry and half green, are +those who are engaged in many +affairs of the world, and are not +joined to the saints. For which +cause half of them liveth, and +half is dead. + +66 Wherefore many of these +since the time that they have +heard my commands, have repented, +and begun to dwell in the tower. +But some of them have +wholly fallen away; to these there +is no more place for repentance. + +67 For by reason of their present +interests, they have blasphemed +and denied God: and for this +wickedness they have lost life. +And of these many are still in +doubt, yet these may return; and +if they shall quickly repent, they +shall have a place in the tower; +but if they shall be more slow, +they shall dwell within the walls; +but if they shall not repent, they +shall die. + +68 As for those who had two +parts of their rods green, and the +third dry; they have by manifold +ways denied the Lord. Of these +many have repented, and found +a place in the tower: and many +have altogether departed from +God. These have utterly lost life. + +69 And some being in a doubtful +state, have raise up dissensions: +these may yet return, if they +shall suddenly repent and not +continue in their lusts; but if +they shall continue in their +evil-doing they shall die. + +70 They who gave in their +rods two parts dry, and the other +been, are those who have indeed +been faithful, but withal rich and +full of good things; and thereupon +upon have desired to be famous +among the heathen which are +without, and have thereby fallen +into great pride, and begun to +aim at high matters, and to +forsake the truth. + +71 Nor were they joined to the +saints, but lived with the heathen; +and this life seemed the more pleasant +to them. Howbeit they have not +departed from God, but continued +in the faith; only they have +not wrought the works of faith. + +72 Many therefore of these have +repented; and begun to dwell in +the tower. Yet others still living +among the heathen people, and +being lifted up with their vanities, +have utterly fallen away from +God, and followed the works and +wickedness of the heathen. +These kind of men therefore are +reckoned among strangers to the +Gospel. + +73 Others of these began to be +doubtful in their minds; despairing +by reason of their wicked doings +ever to attain unto salvation +Others being thus made doubtful, +did moreover stir up dissensions. + +74 To these therefore, and to +those who by reason of their doings +are become doubtful, there is still +hope of return; but they must repent +quickly, that their place may be in +the tower. But they that repent not, +and continue still in their pleasures, +are nigh unto death. + +75 As for those who gave in +their rods green, excepting their +tops, which only were dry, and +had clefts; these were always +good, and faithful, and upright +before God: nevertheless they +sinned a little, by reason of their +empty pleasures and trifling +thoughts which they had within +themselves. + +76 Wherefore many of them +when they heard my words, +repented forthwith, and began to +dwell in the tower. Nevertheless +some grew doubtful, and others +to their doubtful minds added +dissensions. To these therefore +there is still hope of return, +because they were always good; +but they shall not hardly be moved. + +77 As for those, lastly, who +gave in their rods dry, their tops +only excepted, which alone were +green; they are such as have +believed indeed in God, but have +lived in wickedness; yet without +departing from God: having always +willingly borne the name of the +Lord, and readily received into +their houses the servants of God. + +78 Wherefore hearing these +things they returned, and without +delay repented, and lived in all +righteousness. And some of them +suffered death: others readily +underwent many trials, being +mindful of their evil doings. + +79 If And when he had ended +his explications of all the rods, +he said unto me, Go, and say unto +all men that they repent, and they +shall live unto God; because the +Lord being moved with great +clemency hath sent me to preach +repentance unto all: + +80 Even unto those who by +reason of their evil doings, deserve +not to attain unto salvation. But +the Lord will by patient, and keep +the invitation that was made by +his Son. + +81 I said unto him, sir, I hope +that all when they shall hear these +things, will repent. For I trust +that everyone acknowledging his +crimes, and taking up the fear +of the Lord, will return unto +repentance. + +82 He said unto me, Whosoever +shall repent with all their +hearts, and cleanse themselves +from all the evils that I have +before mentioned, and not add +anything more to their sins, +shall receive from the Lord cure +of their former iniquities, if they do +not make any doubt of these commands, +and shall live unto God. + +83 But they that shall continue +to add to their transgressions, and +still converse with the lusts of +the present world, shall condemn +themselves unto death. But do +thou walk in these commands, and +whosoever shall Walk in these, and +exercise them rightly, shall live +unto God. + +84 And having showed me all +these things, he said; I will show +thee the rest in a few days. + + + +SIMILITUDE IX. + + The greatest mysteries of the militant and + triumphant Church which is to be built. + +AFTER I had Written the Commands +and similitudes of the Shepherd, +the Angel of Repentance came unto +me, and said to me, I will show +thee all those things which the +Spirit spake with thee under +the figure of the church. For +that Spirit is the Son of God. + +2 And because thou wert weak +in body, it was not declared unto +thee by the angel, until thou wert +strengthened by the Spirit, and +increased in force, that thou +mightest also see the angel: + +3 For then indeed the building +of the tower was very well and +gloriously shown unto thee by the +church; nevertheless thou sawest +all things shown unto thee as it +were by a virgin. + +4 But now thou art enlightened +by the angel, and yet by the same +Spirit. But thou must consider +all things diligently; for therefore +am I sent into thy house by that +venerable messenger, that when +thou shalt have seen all things +powerfully, thou mayest not be +afraid as before. + +5 And he led me to the height +of a mountain in Arcadia, and we +sat upon its top. And he showed +me a great plain, and about it +twelve mountains in different +figures. + +6 The first was black as soot. +The second was smooth, without +herbs. The third was full of +thorns and thistles. The fourth +had herbs half dried; of which +the upper part was green, but that +next the root was dry; and some +of the herbs, when the sun grew +hot, were dry. + +7 The fifth mountain was very +rugged; but yet had green herbs. +The sixth mountain was full of +clefts, some lesser, and some +greater; and in these clefts grew +grass, not flourishing, but which +seemed to be withering. + +8 The seventh mountain had +delightful pasture, and was wholly +fruitful; and all kinds of cattle, +and of the birds of heaven; fed +upon it; and the more they fed +on it, the more and better did the +grass grow. + +9 The eighth mountain was full +of fountains, and from those +fountains were watered all kinds of +the creatures of Cod. The ninth +mountain had no water at all, but +was wholly destitute of it; and +nourished deadly serpents, very +destructive to men. + +10 The tenth mountain was full +of tall trees, and altogether shady; +and under the shade of them lay +cattle resting and chewing the cud. + +11 The eleventh mountain was +full of the thickest trees, and +those trees seemed to be loaded +with several sorts of fruits; that +whosoever saw them could not choose +but desire to eat of their fruit. + +12 The twelfth mountain was +altogether white, and of a most +pleasant aspect, and itself gave a +most excellent beauty to itself. + +13 In the middle of the plain +he showed me a huge white rock, +which rose out of the plain, and +the rock was higher than those +mountains, and was square; so +that it seemed capable of supporting +the whole world. + +14 It looked to me to be old, +yet it had in it a new gate, which +seemed to have been newly hewn +out of it. Now that gate was +bright beyond the sun itself; +insomuch, that I greatly wondered +at its light. + +15 About the gate stood twelve +virgins; of which four that stood +at the corners of the gate, seemed +to me to be the chiefest, although +the rest were also of worth: and +they stood in the four parts of the +gate. + +16 It added also to the grace of +those virgins, that they stood in +pairs, clothed with linen garments, +and decently girded, their right +arms being at liberty, as if they +were about to lift up some burthen; +for so they were adorned, and were +exceeding cheerful and ready. + +17 When I saw this, I wondered +with myself to see such great +and noble things. And again I +admired upon the account of those +virgins, that they were so handsome +and delicate; and stood with such +firmness and constancy, as if they +would carry the whole heaven. + +18 And as I was thinking thus +within myself, the shepherd said +unto me; What thickest thou within +thyself? Why art thou disquieted, +and fillest thyself with care? + +19 Do not seem to consider, as +if thou wert wise, what thou doest +not understand, but pray unto the +Lord, that thou mayest have ability +to understand it. What is to come +thou canst not understand, but +thou seest that which is before +thee. + +20 Be not therefore disquieted +at those things which thou canst +not see; but get the understanding +of those which thou seest. + +21 Forbear to be curious; and +I will show thee all things that I +ought to declare unto thee: but +first consider what yet remains. + +22 And when he had said this unto +me I looked up, and behold I saw +six tall and venerable men coming; +their countenances were all alike, +and they called a certain multitude +of men; and they who came at their +call were also tall and stout. + +23 And those six commanded +them to build a certain tower over +that gate. And immediately there +began to be a great noise of those +men running here and there about +the gate, who were come together +to build the tower. + +24 But those virgins which stood +about the gate perceived that the +building of the tower was to be +hastened by them. And they +stretched out their hands, as if +they were to receive somewhat +from them to do. + +25 Then those six men commanded, +that they should lift up stones +out of a certain deep place, +and prepare them for the building +of the tower. And there were +lifted up ten white stones, square, +and not cut round. + +26 Then those six men called +the ten virgins to them, and +commanded them to carry all the +stones that were to be put into +the building, and having carried +them through the gate to deliver +them to those that were about to +build the tower. + +27 Immediately the virgins began +all of them together to lift up +those stones, that were before +taken out of the deep. + +28 And they who also stood about +the gate did carry stones in such +a manner, that those stones which +seemed to be the strongest were +laid at the corners, and the rest +were put into the sides; + +29 And thus they carried all the +stones, and bringing them through +the gate delivered them to the +builders, as they had been +commanded: who receiving them +at their hands, built with them. + +30 But this building was made +upon that great rock, and over the +gate; and by these the whole tower +was supported. But the building +of the ten stones filled the whole +gate, which began to be made for +the foundation of that tower. + +31 After those ten stones did +five and twenty others rise up +out of the deep; and these were +placed in the building of the same +tower; being lifted up by those +virgins, as the others had been +before. + +32 After these did fire and thirty +others rise up; and these were also +in like manner fitted into the same +work. Then forty other stones were +brought up, and all these were added +unto the building of that tower. + +33 So there began to be four +ranks in the foundation of that +tower; and the stones ceased to +rise out of the deep; and they +also which built rested a little. + +34 Again, those six men commanded +the multitude, that they should +bring stones out of those twelve +mountains to the building of the +same tower. + +35 So they cut out of all the +mountains stones of divers colours, +and brought them and gave them to +the virgins; which when they had +received they carried them, and +delivered them into the building +of the tower. + +36 In which when they were built +they became white, and different +from what they were before; for +they were all alike, and did +change their former colours. +And some were reached up by the +men themselves, which when they +came into the building, continued +such is they were put in. + +37 These neither became white, +nor different from what they were +before; because they were not +carried by the virgins through +the gate. Wherefore these stones +were disagreeable in the building; +which, when these six men perceived +they commanded them to be removed, +and put again in the place from +which they were brought. + +38 And they said to those who +brought these stones; Do not ye +reach up to us any stones for this +building, but lay them down by +the tower, that these virgins may +carry them and reach them to us. + +39 For unless they shall be +carried by these virgins through +this gate, they cannot change their +colours: therefore do not labour +in vain. + +40 So the building that day +was done; howbeit the tower was +not finished, for it was afterwards +to be built; therefore now also +there was some delay made of it. + +41 And these six men commanded +those that built to depart, and +as it were to rest for some time; +but they ordered those virgins +that they should not depart from +the tower; so now they seemed +to me to be left for the guarding +of it. + +42 When all were departed, +I said unto the shepherd; Sir, +why is not the building of the +tower finished? Because it cannot, +said he, be finished until its Lord +comes, and approves of the building; +that if he shall find any stones +in it that are not good they may +be changed; for this tower is built +according to his will. + +43 Sir, said I, I would know +what the building of this tower +signifies; as also I would be +informed concerning this rock, +and this gate; + +44 And concerning the mountains, +and the virgins, and the stones +that did rise out of the deep, +and were not cut, but put into +the building just as they came +forth; and why the ten stones +were first laid in the foundation; +then the twenty-five, then thirty- +five; then forty? + +45 Also concerning those stones +that were put into the building, +and again taken out, and carried +back into their places? Fulfil, I +pray, the desire of my soul as to +all these things, and manifest all +unto me. + +46 And he said unto me; If thou +shalt not be dull, thou shall +know all, and shall see all the +other things that are about to +happen in this, tower: and shall +understand diligently all these +similitudes. + +47 And after a few days we +came into the same place where +we had sat before; and he said +unto me, Let us go unto the +tower; for the Lord of it will +come and examine it. + +48 So we came thither, and +found none but those virgins there. +And he asked them whether the +Lord of that tower was come +thither? And they replied, that +he would be there presently to +examine the building. + +49 After a very little while I +saw a great multitude of men +coming, and in the middle of them +a man so tall, that he surpassed +the tower in height. + +50 About him were those six, +who before commanded in the +building, and all the rest of +those who had built that tower, +and many others of great dignity: +and the virgins that kept the tower +ran to meet him, and kissed him, +and began to walk near unto him. + +51 But he examined the building +with so much care, that he handled +every stone; and struck every one +with a rod which he held in his hand: + +52 Of which some being so struck +turned black as soot; others were +rough; some looked as if they had +cracks in them; others seemed maimed; +some neither black nor white; some +looked sharp, and agreed not with the +other stones, and others were full +of spots. + +53 These were the several kinds +of those stones which were not +found proper in the building; all +which the Lord commanded to be +taken out of the tower, and laid +near it, and other stones to be +brought and put in their places. + +54 And they that built, asked +him from which of the mountains +he would have stones brought to +put in the place of those that were +laid aside. But he forbad them +to bring any from the mountains, +and commanded that they should +take them out of a certain field +that was near. + +55 So they digged in the field, +and found many bright square +stones, and some also that were +round. Howbeit, all that were +found in that field were taken +away, and carried through the +gate by those virgins; and those +of them that were square were +fitted and put into the places of +those that were pulled out. + +56 But the round ones were not +put into the building, because they +were hard, and it would have +required too much time to cut them +but they were placed about the +tower, as if they should hereafter +be cut square, and put into the +building; for they were very +white. + +57 When he who was chief in +dignity, and lord of the whole +tower saw this, he called to him +the shepherd that was with me, +and gave him the stones that were +rejected and laid about the tower, +and said unto him; cleanse these +stones with all care, and fit them +into the building of the tower, that +they may agree with the rest; but +those that will not suit with the +rest, cast away afar off from the +tower. + +58 When he had thus commanded him, +he departed, with all those that +came with him to the tower but +those virgins still stood about +the tower to keep it. + +59 And I said unto that shepherd; +How can these stones, seeing they +have been rejected, return into +the building of this tower? +He replied; I will cut off the +greatest part from these stones, +and will add them to the building, +and they will agree with the rest. + +60 And I said, Sir, how will +they be able to fill the same place, +when they shall be so much cut +away? He answered; They that +shall be found too little shall be +put into the middle of the building, +and the greater shall be placed +without, and keep them in. + +61 When he had said thus unto +me, he added; Let us go, and after +three days we will return, and +I will put these stones, being +cleansed, into the tower. + +62 For all these that are about +the tower must be cleansed, lest +the master of the house chance to +come upon the sudden, and find +those which are about the tower +unclean; and be so exasperated +that these stones should never be +put into the building of this tower, +and I shall be looked upon to have +been unmindful of my master's +commands. + +63 When therefore we came +after three days to the tower, +he said unto me; Let us examine +all these stones, and let us see +which of them may go into the +building. I answered, Sir, +let us see. + +64 And first of all we began +to consider those which had been +black; for they were found just +such as they were when they were +pulled out of the tower: wherefore +he commanded them to be removed +from the tower and put by themselves. + +65 Then he examined those +which had been rough; and commanded +many of those to be cut round, and +to be fitted by the virgins into +the building of the tower; so they +took them, and fitted them into +the middle of the building and +he commanded the rest to be laid +by with the black ones, for they +also were become black. + +66 Next he considered those +which were full of cracks, and +many of those also he ordered to +be pared away, and so to be added +to the rest of the building, by the +came virgins. + +67 These were placed without +because they were found entire; +but the residue through the +multitude of their cracks could +not be reformed, and therefore +were cast away from the building +of the tower. + +68 Then he considered those +that had been maimed; many of +these had cracks, and were become +black; others had large clefts; +these he commanded to be placed +with those that were rejected; + +69 But the rest being cleansed +and reformed, he commanded to +be put into the building. These +therefore those virgins took up, +and fitted into the middle of the +building, because they were but +weak. + +70 After these he examined those +which were found half white and +half black, and many of those +which were now black; these also +he ordered to be laid among +those that were cast away. + + +71 The rest were found altogether +white; those were taken up by the +virgins, and fitted into the same +tower: and they were put in the +outside, because they were found +entire; that so they might keep +in those that were placed in the +middle, for nothing was cut off +from them. + +72 Next he looked upon those +which had been hard and sharp; +but few of these were made use of, +because they could not be cut, for +they were found very hard: but +the rest were formed, and fitted by +the virgins into the middle of the +building, because they were more +weak. + +73 Then he considered those +which had spots; of these a few +were found black, and they were +carried to their fellows. The rest +were white and entire; and they +were fitted by the virgins into the +building, and placed in the outside, +by reason of their strength. + +74 After this he came to +consider those stones which were +white and round: and he said unto +me, What shall we do with these +stones? I answered, Sir, I cannot +tell. + +75 He replied, Canst thou +think of nothing then for these? +I answered, Sir, I understand not +this art; neither am I a stone-cutter, +nor can I tell anything. + +76 And he said, seest thou not +that they are very round? Now +to make them square, I must cut +off a great deal from them; howbeit, +it is necessary that some of these +should go into the building of the +tower. + +77 I answered; If it be necessary, +why do you perplex yourself, and +not rather choose, if you have +any choice among them, and fit +them into the building. + +78 Upon this he chose out the +largest and brightest, and squared +them; which, when he had done +the virgins took them up, and +fitted them into the building. + +79 And the rest that remained +were carried back into the same +field from which they were taken; +howbeit, they were not cast away; +because, said he, there is yet a +little wanting to this tower, which +is to be built; and perhaps the +Lord will have these stones fitted +into this building, because they +are exceeding white. + +80 Then there were called twelve +very stately women, clothed with +a black garment, girded, and their +shoulders free, and their hair +loose. These seemed to me to be +country women. + +81 And the shepherd commanded +them to take up those stones +which were cast out of the building, +and carry them back to the mountains +out of which they were taken. + +82 And they took them all up +joyfully, and carried them back to +their places from whence they had +been taken. + +83 When not one stone remained +about the tower, he said unto +me, Let us go about this tower, +and see whether anything be +wanting to it. + +84 We began therefore to go +round about it; and when he saw +that it was handsomely built, he +began to be very glad; for it was +so beautifully framed, that any one +that had seen it must have been in +love with the building. + +85 For it seemed to be all but +one stone, nor did a joint any +where appear; but it looked as if +it had all been cut out of one rock. + +86 And when I diligently +considered what a tower it was, +I was extremely pleased: and he +said unto me, Bring hither some +lime and little shells, that I may +fill up the spaces of those stones +that were taken out of the building, +and put in again; for all things +about the tower must be made even. + +87 And I did as he commanded +me, and brought them unto him +and he said unto me, Be ready to +help me, and this work will quickly +be finished. + +88 He therefore filled up +the spaces of those stones, and +commanded the place about the tower +to be cleansed. + +89 Then those virgins took besoms, +and cleansed all the place around, +and took away all the rubbish, +and threw water on; which being +done, the palace became delightful, +and the tower beauteous. + +90 Then he said unto me, All +is now clean if the Lord should +come to finish the tower, he will +find nothing whereby to complain +of us. + +91 When he had said this he +would have departed. But I laid +hold on his bag, and began to +entreat him for the Lord's sake, that +he would explain to me all things +that he had shown me. + +92 He said unto me, I have at +present a little business; but I +will suddenly explain all things +unto thee. Tarry here for me till +I come. + +93 I said unto him, Sir, what +shall I do here alone? He answered, +Thou art not alone, seeing all +these virgins are with thee. + +94 I said, Sir, deliver me then +unto them. Then he called them +and said unto them, I commend +this man unto you until I shall +come; + +95 So I remained with those +virgins: now they were cheerful +and courteous unto me; especially +the four, which seemed to be +the chiefest among them. + +96 Then those virgins said +unto me, that shepherd will not +return hither to-day. I said unto +them, What then shall I do? They +answered, Tarry for him till the +evening, if perhaps he may come +and speak with thee; but if not, +yet thou shalt continue with us +till he does come. + +97 I said unto them, I will +tarry for him till evening; but if +he comes not by that time, I will +go home, and return hither again +the next morning. + +98 They answered me, As thou +art delivered unto us, thou mayest +not depart from us. I said, Where +shall I tarry? + +99 They replied, Thou shalt +sleep with us as a brother, not +as a husband; for thou art our +brother, and we are ready from +henceforth to dwell with thee; +for thou art very dear to us. + +100 Howbeit I was ashamed to +continue with them. But she that +seemed to be the chiefest amongst +them, embraced me, and began +to kiss me. And the rest when +they saw that I was kissed by her, +began also to kiss me as a brother; +and led me about the tower, and +played with me. + +101 Some of them also sung +psalms, others made up the chorus +with them. But I walked about +the tower with them, rejoicing +silently, and seeming to myself +to be grown young again. + +102 When the evening came on, +I would forthwith have gone +home, but they withheld me, +and suffered me not to depart. +Wherefore I continued with them +that night near the same tower. + +103 So they spread their linen +garments upon the ground; and +placed me in the middle, nor did +they anything else, only they +prayed. + +104 I also prayed with them +without ceasing, nor less than +they. Who, when they saw me pray +in that manner, rejoiced greatly: +and I continued there with their +till the next day. + +105 And when we had worshipped God, +then the shepherd came and said unto +them: You have done no injury to +this man? They answered, Ask him. +I said unto him, Sir, I have received +a great deal of satisfaction in that +I have remained with them. + +106 And he said unto me, How didst +thou sup? I answered, Sir, I feasted +the whole night upon the words of +the Lord. They received thee well +then, said he? I said, Sir, very well. + +107 He answered, Wilt thou +now learn what thou didst desire? +I replied, Sir, I will: and first I +pray thee that thou shouldest show +me all things in the order that I +asked them. + +108 He answered, I will do all +as thou wouldst have me, nor +will I hide any thing from thee. + +109 First of all, Sir, said I, +tell me, what this rock and this +gate denote? Hearken, said he; +this rock, and this gate, are the +Son of God. I replied, Sir, how +can that be; seeing the rock is +old, but the gate new? + +110 Hear, said he, O foolish +man! and understand. The Son +of God is indeed more ancient +than any creature; insomuch +that he was in council with his +Father at the creation of all +things. + +111 But the gate is therefore +new, because he appeared in the +last days in the fullness of time; +that they who shall attain unto +salvation, may by it enter into the +kingdom of God. + +112 You have seen, said he, +those stones which were carried +through the gate, how they were +placed in the building of the +tower; but that those which were +not carried through the gate, +were sent away into their own +places? +113 I answered, sir, I saw it. +Thus, said he, no man shall enter +into the kingdom of God, but he +who shall take upon him the name +of the Son of God. + +114 For if you would enter +into any city, and that city should +he encompassed with a wall, and +had only one gate, could you +enter into that city except by that +gate? + +115 I answered, Sir, how could +I do otherwise? As therefore, said +he, there would be no other way +of entering into that city but by +its gate, so neither can any one +enter into the kingdom of God, +but only by the name of his Son, +who is most dear unto him. + +116 And he said unto me, +Didst thou see the multitude of +those that built that tower? Sir, +said I, I saw it. He answered, +All those are the angels, venerable +in their dignity, + +117 With those is the Lord +encompassed as with a wall: but +the gate is the Son of God, who is +the only way of coming unto God. +For no man shall go to God, but +by his Son. + +118 Thou sawest also, said he, +the six men, and in the middle of +them that venerable great man, +who walked about the tower, and +rejected the stones out of the tower? + +119 Sir, said I, I saw them. +He answered, that tall man was +the Son of God; and those six +were his angels of most eminent +dignity, which stand about him +on the right hand and on the left. + +120 Of these excellent angels +none comes in unto God without +him. He added, Whosoever there. +fore shall not take upon him his +name, he shall nor enter into the +kingdom of God. + +121 Then I said, What is this +tower? This, said he, is the church. +And what, Sir, are these virgins? +He said unto me, These are the +holy spirits, for no man can enter +into the kingdom of God, except +these clothe him with their garment, + +122 For it will avail thee nothing +to take up the name of the Son of +God, unless thou shalt also +receive their garment from them. +For these virgins are the powers +of the Son of God. So shall a +man in vain bear his name, unless +he shall be also endued with his +powers. + +123 And he said unto me, sawest +thou those stones that were cast +away? They bore indeed the name, +but put not on their garment. +I said, Sir, what is their +garment? Their very names, +said he, are their garment. + +124 Therefore whosoever beareth +the name of the Son of God, +ought to bear their names also; +for the Son of God also himself +beareth their names. + +125 As for those stones, +continued he, which being delivered +by their hands, thou sawest remain +in the building, they were clothed +with their power; for which cause +thou seest the whole tower of the +same colour with the rock, and made +as it were of one stone. + +126 So also those who have +believed in God by his Son, have +put on his spirit. Behold there +shall be one spirit, and one body, +and one colour of their garments; +and all they shall attain this, who +shall bear the names of these virgins. + +127 And I said, Sir, why then +were those stones cast away which +were rejected, seeing they also +were carried through the gate, +and delivered by the hands of +these virgins into the building +of this tower? + +128 Seeing, said he thou takest +care to inquire diligently into all +things, hear also concerning those +stones which were rejected. All +these received the name of the +Son of God, and with that the +power of these virgins. + +129 Having therefore received +these spirits, they were perfected, +and brought into the number of +the servants of God; and they +began to be one body, and to have +one garment, for they were endued +with the same righteousness, +which they alike exercised. + +130 But after that they beheld +those women which thou sawest +clothed with a black garment, +with their shoulders at liberty and +their hair loose; they fixed their +desires upon them, being tempted +with their beauty; and were +clothed with their power, +and cast off the clothing +of the virgins: + +131 Therefore were they cast +off from the house of God, and +delivered to those women. But +they that were not corrupted with +their beauty, remained in the +house of God. This, said he, is +the signification of those stones +which were rejected. + +132 And I said, sir, what if +any of these men shall repent, and +cast away their desire of those +women, and be converted, and +return to these virgins, and put +on again their virtue; shall they +not enter into the house of God? + +133 They shall enter, said he, +if they shall lay aside all the +works of those women, and shall +resume the power of these virgins, +and shall walk in their works. + +134 And for this cause there is +a stop in the building, that if they +shall repent, they may be added +to the building of this tower; but +if they shall not repent, that others +may be built in their places, and +so they may be utterly cast away. + +135 For all these things I gave +thanks unto the Lord, that being +moved with mercy towards all +those upon whom his name is +carried, he sent to us the angel of +repentance to preside over us who +have sinned against him; and that +he has refreshed our spirits which +were almost gone, and who had +no hope of salvation, but are now +refreshed to the renewal of life. + +136 Then I said, Show me now +sir, why this tower is not built +upon the ground, but upon a rock, +and upon the gate? He replied, +Thou art foolish, and without +understanding, therefore thou +asketh this. + +137 And I said, sir, I must +needs ask all things of you +because I understand nothing at all. +For all your answers are great and +excellent; and which a man can +hardly understand. + +138 Hear, said he: The name +of the Son of God is great and +without bounds, and the whole +world is supported by it. If +therefore, said I, every creature +of God be sustained by his Son, +why should he not support those +also who have been invited by him, +and who carry his name, and walk +in his commandments? + +139 Seest thou not, said he, that +he doth support them, who with +all their heart, bear his name? +He therefore is their foundation, +and gladly supports those who do +not deny his name, but willingly +bear it. + +140 And I said: Sir, tell me +the names of these virgins; and of +those women that were clothed +with the black garment. + +141 Hear, said he, the names of +those virgins which are the more +powerful, and stand at the corners +of the gate. These are their +names: + +142 The first is called Faith; +the second Continence; the third +Power; the fourth Patience; the +rest which stand beneath these +are, Simplicity, Innocence, +Chastity, Cheerfulness, Truth, +Understanding, Concord, Charity. + +143 Whosoever therefore bear +these names, and the name of the +Son of God, shall enter into the +kingdom of God. + +144 Hear now, said he, the +names of those women, which +were clothed with the black garment. +Of these, four are the principal: +the first is Perfidiousness; +the second, Incontinence; the +third, Infidelity; the fourth, +Pleasure. + +145 And the rest which follow +are called thus, Sadness, Malice, +Lust, Anger, Lying, Foolishness, +Pride, and Hatred. The servant +of God, which carries these spirits, +shall see indeed the kingdom of +God, but he shall not enter into it. + +146 But, sir, what are those +stones which were taken out of the +deep and fitted into the building? +The ten, said he, which were +placed at the foundation, are the +first age; the following five-and- +twenty, are the second, of righteous +men. + +147 The next thirty-five, are the +prophets and ministers of the Lord. +And the forty, are the Apostles and +doctors of the preaching of the +Son of God. + +148 And I said, sir, why did the +virgins put even those stones into +the building after they were carried +through the gate? And he said, +Because these first carried those +spirits, and they departed not one +from the other, neither the men +from the spirits, nor the spirits +from the men: + +149 But the spirits were joined +to those men even to the day of +their death; who if they had not +had these spirits with them, they +could not have been useful to the +building of this tower. + +150 And I said, sir, show me +this farther. He answered, What +dost then ask? Why did these +stones come out of the deep, and +were placed into the building of +this tower, seeing that they long +ago carried those holy spirits? + +151 It was necessary, said he, +for them to ascend by water, that +they might be at rest. For they +could not otherwise enter into the +kingdom of God, but by laying +aside the mortality of their former +life. + +152 They therefore being dead, +were nevertheless sealed with the +seal of the Son of God, and so +entered into the kingdom of God. + +153 For before a man receives +the name of the Son of God, he is +ordained unto death; but when he +receives that seal, he is freed from +death, and assigned unto life. + +154 Now that seal is the water +of baptism, into which men go +down under the obligation unto +death, but come up appointed unto +life. + +155 Wherefore to those also was +this seal preached, and they made +use of it, that they might enter +into the kingdom of God. + +156 And I said, Why then, sir, +did these forty stones also ascend +with them out of the deep, having +already received that seal? + +157 He answered, Because +these Apostles and teachers, who +preached the name of the Son of +God, dying after they had received +his faith and power, preached to +them who were dead before: and +they gave this seal to them. + +158 They went down therefore +into the water with them, and again +came up. But these went down +whilst they were alive, and came +up again alive: whereas those who +were before dead, went down dead, +but came up alive; + +159 Through these therefore +they received life, and knew the +Son of God: for which cause they +came up with them, and were fit +to come into the building of the +tower; and were not cut, but put +in entire; because they died in +righteousness, and in great purity; +only this seal was wanting to +them. + +160 Thus you have the explication +of these things. + +161 I answered: Sir, tell me +now what concerns those mountains; +why are they so different, some +of one form, and some of another? + +162 Hear, said he; These twelve +mountains which thou seest, are +twelve nations, which make up the +whole world. Wherefore the Son +of God is preached to them, by +those whom he sent unto them. + +163 But why, said I, are they +different, and every one of a figure? +He replied, Hearken. Those twelve +nations which possess the whole +world, are twelve people. + +164 And as thou hast beheld +these mountains different, so are +they. I will therefore open to +thee the meaning and actions of +every mountain. + +165 But first, sir, said I, show +me this; Seeing these mountains +are so different, how have they +agreed in the building of this +tower; and been brought to one +colour; and are no less bright +than those that came out of the +deep? + +166 Because, replied he, all the +nations which are under heaven, +have heard and believed in the +same one name of the Son of God +by whom they are called. + +167 Wherefore having received +his seal, they have all been made +partakers of the same understanding +and knowledge; and their faith +and charity have been the same; +and they have carried the spirits +of these virgins together with his +name. + +168 And therefore the building +of this tower appeared to be of the +same colour, and did shine like +the brightness of the sun. + +169 But after that they had thus +agreed in one mind, there began to +be one body of them all; howbeit +some of them polluted themselves, +and were cast off from those of the +righteous, and again returned to +their former state, and became +even worse than they were before. + +170 How, air, said I, were +they worse who knew the Lord? +He answered: If he who knows +not the Lord liveth wickedly, +the punishment of his wickedness +attends him; + +171 But he who has known the +Lord, ought to abstain altogether +from all wickedness, and more and +more to be the servant of +righteousness. + +172 And does not he then seem +to thee to sin more who ought to +follow goodness, if he shall prefer +the part of sin; than he who +offends without knowing the +power of God? + +173 Wherefore these are indeed +ordained unto death; but they who +have known the Lord, and have +seen his wonderful works, if they +shall live wickedly, they shall be +doubly punished, and shall die for +ever. + +174 As therefore thou hast seen +that after the stones were cast out +of the tower, which had been rejected, +they were delivered to wicked and +cruel spirits; and thou beheldest +the tower so cleansed, as if it had +all been made of one stone: + +175 So the church of God, when +it shall be purified: (the wicked +and counterfeits, the mischievous +and doubtful, and all that have +behaved themselves wickedly in it, +and committed divers kinds of sin, +being cast out) shall become one +body, and there shall be one +understanding, one opinion, +one faith, and the same charity. + +176 And then shall the Son of +God rejoice among them, and shall +receive his people with a pure will. + +177 And I said; Sir, all these +things are great and honourable; +but now show unto me the effect +and force of every mountain: that +every soul which trusteth in the +Lord, when it shall hear these +things may honour his great, and +wonderful, and holy name. + +178 Hear, said he, the variety +of these mountains, that is, of the +twelve nations. + +179 They who have believed +of the first mountain, which is +black, are those who have revolted +from the faith, and spoken wicked +things against the Lord; and +betrayed the servants of God. + +180 These are condemned to +death; there is no repentance for +them: and therefore they are +black, because their kind is +wicked. + +181 Of the second mountain +which was smooth, are the +hypocrites, who have believed, +and the teachers of naughtiness: +and these are next to the foregoing, +which have not in them the fruit of +righteousness. + +182 For as their mountain is +barren and without fruit so also +such kind of men have indeed the +name of Christians, but are empty +of faith; nor is there any fruit of +the truth in them. + +183 Nevertheless there is room +left to them of repentance, if they +shall speedily pursue it; but if +they shall delay, they also shall +be partakers of death with the +foregoing kind. + +184 I said, air, why is there +room left to those for repentance, +and not to the foregoing kind, +seeing their sins are well nigh the +same? + +185 There is therefore, said he, +to these a return unto life by +repentance, because they have not +blasphemed against their Lord, +nor betrayed the servants of God: +but by their desire of gain have +deceived men, leading them according +to the lusts of sinners; wherefore +they shall suffer for this thing. + +186 Howbeit there is still left +them room for repentance, because +they have not spoken any thing +wickedly against the Lord. + +187 They who are of the +third mountain which had thorns +and brambles, are those who +believed, but were some of them +rich; others taken up with many +affairs: the brambles are their +riches; the thorns, those affairs in +which they were engaged. + +188 Now they who are entangled +in much business, and in diversity +of affairs, join not themselves to +the servants of God, but wander, +being called away by those affairs +with which they are choked. + +189 And so they which are rich, +with difficulty yield themselves to +the conversation of the servants +of God; fearing lest any thing +should be asked of them. These +therefore shall hardly enter the +kingdom of God. + +190 For as men walk with difficulty +bare-foot over thorns, even so +these kind of men shall scarcely +enter into the kingdom of God. + +191 Nevertheless there is afforded +to all these a return unto repentance, +if they shall quickly return to it; +because in their former days they +having neglected to work, in the time +that is to come they may do some good. + +192 If therefore having +repented they shall do the works +of righteousness, they shall live; +but if they shall continue in their +evil courses, they shall be delivered +to those women who will take away +their lives. + +193 As for the fourth mountain, +which had many herbs, the upper +part of which is green, but +the roots dry, and some of which +being touched with the heat of the +sun, are withered; + +194 It denotes the doubtful, who +have believed, and some others +who carry the Lord on their tongues, +but have him not in their hearts: +therefore their grass is dry, +and without root; because they +live only in words, but their +works are dead. + +195 These therefore are neither +dead nor living, and withal are +doubtful. For the doubtful are +neither green nor dry; that is +neither dead nor alive. + +196 For as the herbs dry away +at the sight of the sun, so the +doubtful, as soon as they hear of +persecution, and fear inconveniencies, +return to their idols, and again +serve them, and are ashamed +to bear the name of their Lord. + +197 This kind of men then is +neither dead nor alive; nevertheless +these also may live, if they shall +presently repent; but if not, +they shall be delivered to those +women, who shall take away their +lives. + +198 As concerning the fifth +mountain that is craggy, and yet +has green grass; they are of this +kind who have believed, and are +faithful indeed, but believe with +difficulty, and are bold and self- +conceited; and would be thought +to know all things, but really +know nothing. + +199 Wherefore, by reason of +this confidence, knowledge is +departed from them; and a rash +presumption is entered into them. + +200 But they carry themselves +high, and as prudent men; and +though they are fools, yet would +seem to be teachers. + +201 Now by reason of this folly +many of them whilst they magnify +themselves, are become vain and +empty. For boldness and vain +confidence is a very evil spirit. + +202 Wherefore many of these +are cast away; but others +acknowledging their error, have +repented, and submitted themselves +to those who are knowing. + +203 And to all the rest of this +kind, there is repentance allowed; +forasmuch as they were not so +much wicked as foolish, and void +of understanding. + +204 If these therefore shall +repent, they shall live unto God; +but if not, they shall dwell with +those women, who shall exercise +their wickedness upon them. + +205 For what concerns the +sixth mountain having greater and +lesser clefts, they are such as have +believed; but those in which were +lesser clefts are they who have had +controversies among themselves; +and by reason of their quarrels +languish in the faith: + +206 Nevertheless many of these +have repented, and so will the rest +when they shall hear my commands; +for their controversies are but +small, and they will easily +return unto repentance. + +207 But those who have the +greater clefts, will be as stiff +stones, mindful of grudges and +offences, and full of anger among +themselves. These therefore are +cast from the tower, and refused +to be put into its building; for +this kind of men shall hardly +live. + +208 Our God and Lord, who +ruleth over all things, and has +power over all his creatures, will +not remember our offences, but is +easily appeased by those who +confess their sins: but man being +languid, mortal, infirm, and full +of sins, perseveres in his anger +against man; as if it were in his +power to save or destroy him. + +209 But I, as the angel who am +set over your repentance, admonish +you, that whosoever among you has +any such purpose he should lay it +aside, and return unto repentance; +and the Lord will heal your former +sins, if you shall purge yourself +from this evil spirit; but if you +shall not do it, ye shall be +delivered to him unto death. + +210 As for the seventh mountain +in which the grass was green +and flourishing, and the whole +mountain faithful; and all kind of +cattle fed upon the grass of it, and +the more the grass was eaten, so +much the more it flourished; + +211 They are such as believed, +and were always good and upright; +and without any differences among +themselves, but still rejoiced +in the servants of God, having +put on the spirit of these virgins; +and been always forward to show +mercy to all men, readily giving +to all men of their labours +without upbraiding, and without +deliberation. + +212 Wherefore the Lord seeing +their simplicity and innocence, +has increased them in the works of +their hands, and given them grace +in all their works. + +213 But I, who am the angel +appointed over your repentance, +exhort you, that as many as are of +this kind would continue in the +same purpose, that your seed may +not be rooted out for ever. + +214 For the Lord hath tried +you, and written you into our +number; and all your seed shall +dwell with the Son of God; for ye +are all of his spirit. + +215 As concerning the eighth +mountain in which were a great +many springs, by which every +kind of all the creatures of God +was watered; they are such as +have believed the Apostles which +the Lord sent into all the world to +preach; + +216 And some of them being +teachers have preached and taught +purely and sincerely, and have +not in the least yielded to any evil, +desires, but have constantly walked +in righteousness and truth. + +217 These therefore have their +conversations among the angels. + +218 Again; as for what concerns +the ninth mountain which is +a desert, and full of serpents; they +are such as have believed, but had +many stains: + +219 These are such ministers as +discharge their ministry amiss; +ravishing away the goods of the +widows and fatherless; and serve +themselves, not others, out of +those things which they have +received. + +220 These, if they continue in +this covetousness, have delivered +themselves unto death, nor shall +there be any hope of life for them. +But if they shall be converted, +and shall discharge their ministry +sincerely, they may live. + +221 As for those which were +found rough, they are such as +have denied the name of the Lord, +and not returned again to the +Lord, but have become savage +and wild; not applying themselves +to the servants of God; but being +separated from them, have for a +little carelessness lost their lives. + +222 For as a vine that is forsaken +in a hedge, and never dressed, +perishes and is choked by the +weeds, and in time becomes wild, +and ceases to be useful to its lord; +so this kind of men despairing of +themselves, and being soured, +have begun to be unprofitable to +their Lord. + +223 Howbeit, to these there is, +after all, repentance allowed, if +they shall not be found from their +hearts to have denied Christ; but +if any of these shall be found to +have denied him from his heart, +I cannot tell whether such a one +can attain unto life. + +224 I say therefore that if any +one hath denied, he should in +these days return unto repentance; +for it cannot be that anyone +who now denies the Lord, can +afterwards attain unto salvation +nevertheless repentance is promised +unto them who have formerly denied. + +225 But he who will repent +must hasten on his repentance, +before the building of this tower +is finished; otherwise, he shall be +delivered by those women unto +death. + +226 But they that are maimed, +are the deceitful; and those who +mix with one another, are the +serpents that you saw mingled in +that mountain. + +227 For as the poison of serpents +is deadly unto men, so the words +of such persons infect and +destroy men. They are therefore +maimed in their faith, by reason +of that kind of life which they +lead. + +228 Howbeit some of them, +having repented, have been saved; +and so shall others of the same +kind be also saved, if they shall +repent; but if not, they shall die +by those women who power and +force posses, + +229 For what concerns the +tenth mountain, in which were the +trees covering the cattle, they are +such as have believed; and some +of them have been bishops, that is, +governors of the churches. + +230 Others, are such stones as +have not feignedly, but with a +cheerful mind entertained the +servants of God. + +231 Then, such as have been set +over inferior ministries, and have +protected the poor and the widows; +and have always kept a chaste +conversation: therefore they +also are protected by the Lord. + +232 Whosoever shall do on this +wise, are honoured with the Lord; +and their place is among the +angels, if they shall continue +to obey the Lord even unto the end. + +233 As to the eleventh mountain +in which were trees loaded +with several sorts of fruit; they +are such as have believed, and +suffered death, for the name of the +Lord; and have endured with a +heavy mind, and have given up +their lives with all their hearts. + +234 And I said, Why then, sir, +have all these fruit indeed, but yet +some fairer than others? + +235 Hearken, said he: Whosoever +have suffered for the name of +the Lord are esteemed honourable +by the Lord; and all their offences +are blotted out, because they have +suffered death for the name of the +Son of God. + +236 Hear now, why their fruits +are different, and some of them +excel others. They who were +brought before magistrates, and +being asked, denied not the Lord, +but suffered with a ready mind; +these are more honourable with +the Lord. The fruits therefore +that are the most fair are these. + +237 But they who were fearful +and doubtful, and have deliberated +with themselves whether they +should confess or deny Christ, and +yet have suffered; their fruits are +smaller, because that this thought +came into their hearts. + +238 For it is a wicked and evil +thought for a servant to deliberate +whether he should deny his master: +Take heed therefore ye who +have such thoughts, that this mind +Pontinrie not in you, and ye die +unto God. + +239 But ye who suffer death for +his name sake, ought to honour +the Lord, that he has esteemed +you worthy to bear his name; and +that you should be delivered from +all your sins. + +240 And why therefore do you +not rather esteem yourselves happy? +Ye think verily that if any +one among you suffer, he performs +a great work! Yet the Lord +giveth you life, and ye understand +it not. For your offences did +oppress you; and if you had not +suffered for his name sake, ye would +now be dead unto the Lord. + +241 Wherefore I speak this unto +you who deliberate whether ye +should confess or deny him. Confess +that ye have the Lord for your +God, lest at any time denying him, +ye be delivered up into bonds. + +242 For if all nations punish +their servants which deny their +masters; what think you that the +Lord will do unto you, who has +the power of all things? + +243 Remove therefore out of +your hearts these doubts, that ye +may live for ever unto God. + +244 As for the twelfth mountain, +which was white, they are +such as have believed like sincere +children, into whose thoughts +there never came any malice, nor +have they ever known what sin +was, but have always continued in +their integrity. + +245 Wherefore this kind of men +shall without all doubt inherit the +kingdom of God; because they +have never in any thing defiled +the commandments of God, but +have continued with sincerity in +the same condition all the days of +their lives. + +246 Whosoever therefore, said +he, shall continue as children +without malice; shall be more +honourable than all those of whom +I have yet spoken: for all such +children are honoured by the +Lord, and esteemed the first of +all. + +247 Happy therefore are ye +who shall remove all malice from +you, and put on innocence; be. +cause ye shall first see the Lord. +248 And after he had thus +ended his explication of all the +mountains, I said unto him, Sir, +show me now also what concerns +the stones that were brought out +of the plain, and put into the +tower in the room of those that +were rejected. + +249 As also concerning those +round stones which were added +into the building of the tower; +and also of those who still +continued round. + +250 Hear now, says he, +concerning those stones which were +brought out of the plain into the +building of the tower, and placed +in the room of those that were +rejected: they are the roots of +that white mountain. + +251 Wherefore because those +who have believed of that mountain, +were very innocent; the lord of +this tower commanded that they +which were of the roots of this +mountain should be placed into +the building. + +252 For he knew that if they +were put into, this building they +would continue bright; nor would +any of them any more be made +black. + +253 But if he had added after +this manner, from the rest of the +mountains, he would almost have +needed again to visit the tower, +and to cleanse it. + +254 Now all these white stones +are the young men who have believed, +or shall believe; for they are all +of the same kind. Happy is this +kind, because it is innocent. + +255 Hear now also concerning +those round and bright stones; all +these are of this white mountain. +But they are therefore found +round, because their riches have +a little darkened them from the +truth, and dazzled their eyes. + +256 Howbeit they have never +departed from the Lord, nor has +any wicked word proceeded out +of their mouths; but all +righteousness, and virtue, +and truth. + +257 When therefore the Lord +saw their minds, and that they +might adorn the truth; he +commanded that they should continue +good, and that their riches should +be pared away: + +258 For he would not have +them taken wholly away, to the +end they might do some good +with that which was left, and live +unto God; because they also are +of a good kind. + +259 Therefore was there little +cut off from them, and so they +were put into the building of this +tower. + +260 As for the rest which +continued still round, and were +not found fit for the building of +this tower, because they have not +yet received the seal; they were +carried back to their place, be. +cause they were found very +round. + +261 But this present world must +be cut away from them, and the +vanities of their riches; and then +they will be fit for the kingdom of +God. For they must enter into +the kingdom of God, because God +has blessed this innocent kind. + +262 Of this kind therefore none +shall fall away: for though any of +them being tempted by the devil +should offend, he shall soon return +to his Lord God. + +263 I the angel of repentance +esteem you happy, whosoever are +innocent as little children, because +your portion is good and honourable +with the Lord. + +264 And I say unto all you +who have received this seal; keep +simplicity, and remember not the +offences which are committed +against you, nor continue in +malice, or in bitterness, through +the memory of offences. + +265 But become one spirit, +and provide remedies for these +evil rents, and remove them from +you; that the lord of the sheep +may rejoice at it; for he will +rejoice, if he shall find all whole. + +266 But if any of these sheep +shall be found scattered away, Woe +shall be to the shepherds; and +if the shepherds themselves shall +be scattered; what will they answer +to the lord of the sheep-fold? +Will they say that they were +troubled by the sheep? But +they shall not be believed. + +267 For it is an incredible thing +that the shepherd should suffer by +his flock; and he shall be the more +punished for his life. + +268 Now I am the shepherd; +and especially must give an +account of you. + +269 Wherefore take care of +yourselves whilst the tower is, +yet building. The Lord dwells +in those that love peace, for peace +is beloved; but he is far off from +the contentious, and those who are +full of malice. + +270 Wherefore restore unto him +the Spirit entire, as ye received it. +For if thou shalt give unto a +fuller a garment new and whole, +thou wilt expect to receive it whole +again; if therefore the fuller shall +restore it unto thee torn, wouldst +thou receive it? + +271 Wouldst thou not presently +be angry, and reproach him, +saying: I gave my garment to thee +whole, why halt thou rent it, and +made it useless to me? Now it is +of no use to me, by reason of the +rent which thou hast made in it. +Wouldst thou not say all this to a +fuller, for the rent which he made +in thy garment? + +272 If therefore thou wouldst +be concerned for thy garment, +and complain that thou hadst not +received it whole; what thinkest +thou that the Lord will do, who +gave his Spirit to thee entire, and +thou hast rendered him altogether +unprofitable, so that he can be of +no use unto his Lord? For being +corrupted by thee, he is no longer +profitable to him. + +273 Will not therefore the Lord +do the same concerning his Spirit, +by reason of thy deed? Undoubtedly, +said I, he will do the same +to all those whom he shall find to +continue in the remembrance of +injuries. + +274 Tread not then under foot +he said, his mercy; but rather +honour him, because he is so +patient with respect to your offences, +and not like one of you; but repent, +for it will be profitable for you. + +275 All these things which +are above written, I the shepherd +and angel of repentance, have +shown and spoken to the servants +of God. + +276 If therefore ye shall believe +and hearken to these words, and +shall walk in them and correct +your ways, ye shall live. But if +ye shall, continue in malice, and +in the remembrance of injuries, +no such sinners shall live unto +God. + +277 All these things which were +to be spoken by me, I have thus +delivered unto you. Then the +shepherd said unto me, Hast thou +asked all things of me? +I answered, sir, I have. + +278 Why then, said he, hast +thou not asked concerning the +spaces of these stones that were +put in the building, that I may +explain that also unto thee? +I answered, sir, I forgot it. +Hear, then, said he, concerning +these also. + +279 They are those who have +now heard these commands, and +have repented with all their +hearts; + +280 And when the Lord saw +that their repentance was good +and pure, and that they could +continue in it, he commanded +their former sins to be blotted +out. For these spaces were their +sins, and they are therefore made +even that they might not appear. + + + +SIMILITUDE X. + +Of Repentance and alms-deeds. + +AFTER I had written this +book, the angel which had +delivered me to that shepherd, +came into the house where I was +and sat upon the bed, and that +shepherd stood at his right hand. + +2 Then he called me and said +unto me; I delivered thee and +thy house to this shepherd, that +thou mightest be protected by +him. I said, Yes, Lord. + +3 If therefore, said he, thou +wilt be protected from all +vexations and from all cruelty, and +have success in every good word +and work, and have all virtue and +righteousness; walk in those +commands which he has given thee, +and thou shalt have dominion +over all sin. + +4 For if thou keepest those +commands, all the lust and pleasure +of this present world shall be +subject to thee; and success shall +follow thee in every good undertaking. + +5 Take therefore his gravity +and modesty towards thee, and +say unto all, that he is in great +honour and renown with God, and +is a prince of great authority, and +powerful in his office. + +6 To him only is the power of +repentance committed throughout +the whole world. Does he not +seem to thee to be of great +authority? + +7 But ye despise his goodness, +and the modesty which he shows +towards you. + +8 I said unto him; Sir, ask +him since the time that he came +into my house whether I have +done any thing disorderly, or +have offended him in any thing? + +9 I know, said he, that thou +hast done nothing disorderly, +neither wilt thou hereafter do +any such thing, and therefore I +speak these things with thee that +then mayest persevere; for he +has given me a good account +concerning thee. + +10 But thou shalt speak these +things to others, that they who +either have repented, or shall +repent, may be like-minded with +thee, and he may give me as +good an account of them also; +and that I may do the same unto +the Lord. + +11 I answered; Sir, I declare +to all men the wonderful works of +God; and I hope that all who +love them, and have before sinned, +when they shall hear these things, +will repent, and recover life. + +12 Continue therefore, said he, +in this ministry, and fulfil it. +And whosoever shall do according +to the commands of this shepherd, +he shall live; and shall have great +honour both here and with the +Lord. + +13 But they that shall not keep +his commands, flee from their life, +and are adversaries to it. And +they that follow not his commands, +shall deliver themselves +unto death; and shall be every +one guilty of his own blood. + +14 But I say unto thee, keep +these commandments, and thou +shalt find a cure for all thy sins. + +15 Moreover, I have sent +these virgins to dwell with thee; +for I have seen that they are very +kind to thee. Thou shalt therefore +have them for thy helpers, +that thou mayest the better keep +the commands which he hath given +thee; for these commands cannot +be kept without these virgins. + +16 And as I see how they are +willing to be with thee, I will +also command them that they shall +not all depart from thy house. + +17 Only do thou purify thy +house; for they will readily dwell +in a clean house. For they are +clean and chaste, and industrious; +and all of them have grace with +the Lord. + +18 If therefore thou shalt have +thy house pure, they will abide +with thee. But, if it shall be +never so little polluted, they will +immediately depart from thy house; +for these virgins cannot endure any +manner of pollution. + +19 I said unto him; Sir, I hope +that I shall so please them, that +they shall always delight to dwell +in my house. And as he to whom +you have committed me, makes +no complaint of me; so neither +shall they complain. + +20 Then he said to that shepherd: +I see that the servant of God will +live and keep these commandments, +and place these virgins in a pure +habitation. + +21 When he had said this, +he delivered me again to that +shepherd, and called the virgins, +and said unto them; Forasmuch as I +see that ye will readily dwell in +this man's house, I commend him +and his family to you, that ye may +not at all depart from his house. +And they willingly heard these +words. + +22 Then he said unto me, +Go on manfully in thy ministry; +declare to all men the great things +of God, and thou shalt find grace +in this ministry. + +23 And whosoever shall walk +in these commands, shall live, +and be happy in his life. But he +that shall neglect them, shall not +live, and shall be unhappy in his +life. + +24 Say unto all that whosoever +can do well, cease not to exercise +themselves in good works, for it +is profitable unto them. For I +would that all men should be +delivered from the inconveniences +they lie under. + +25 For he that wants, and +suffers inconveniences in his +daily life, is in great torment +and necessity. Whosoever therefore +delivers such a soul from necessity, +gets great joy unto himself. + +26 For he that is grieved with +such inconveniencies is equally +tormented, as if he were in chains. +And many upon the account of +such calamities, being not able to +bear them, have chosen even to +destroy themselves. + +27 He therefore that knows the +calamity of such a man, and does +not free him from it, commits a +great sin, and is guilty of his +blood. + +28 Wherefore exercise yourselves +in good works, as many as +have received ability from the +Lord; lest whilst ye delay to do +them, the building of the tower be +finished; because for your sakes +the building is stopped. + +29 Except therefore ye shall +make haste to do well, the tower +shall be finished, and ye shall be +shut out of it. + +30 And after he had thus spoken +with me, he rose up from the bed +and departed, taking the shepherd +and virgins with him. + +31 Howbeit he said unto me, +that he would send back the +shepherd and virgins unto +my house. Amen. + + + + + REFERENCES TO THE BOOK OF + HERMAS, THE SHEPHERD. + + [This book, divided into three parts, called his VISIONS, COMMANDS, + and SIMILITUDES, is thus entitled, because it was composed by + Hermas, brother to Pius, bishop of Rome; and because the Angel, who + bears the principal part in it, is represented in the form and habit + of a shepherd. Ireneus quotes it under the very name of Scripture. + Origen thought it a most useful writing, and that it was divinely + inspired; Eusebius says that, though it was not esteemed canonical, + it was read publicly in the churches, which is corroborated by + Jerome; and Athanasius cites it, calls it a most useful work, and + observes, that though it was not strictly canonical, the Fathers + appointed it to be read for direction and confirmation in faith and + piety. Jerome, notwithstanding this, and that he applauded it in his + catalogue of writers, in his comments upon it afterwards, terms it + apocryphal and foolish. Tertullian praised it when a Catholic, and + abused it when a Montanist. Although Gelasius ranks it among the + apocryphal books, it is found attached to some of the most ancient + MSS. of the New Testament; and Archbishop Wake, believing it the + genuine work of an apostolical Father, preserves it to the English + reader by the foregoing translation, in which he has rendered the + three parts of it not only more exact, but in greater purity than + they had before appeared. The archbishop procured Dr. Grabe to + entirely collate the old Latin version with an ancient MS. in the + Lambeth library; and the learned prelate himself still further + improved the whole from a multitude of fragments of the original + Greek never before used for that purpose.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Forbidden Gospels and Epistles, +Complete, by Archbishop Wake + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FORBIDDEN GOSPELS *** + +***** This file should be named 6516.txt or 6516.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/6/5/1/6516/ + +Produced by David Widger with additional proofing by Curtis A. 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