YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE) APOCRYPHAL BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT A.MAIC NAN, PINX CRAVURE.GEBBIE IhuSSONCOL CHRIST CONSOLING THF. AFFLICTED jao \n"t PUBLISHERS' PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. In ten years our "Apocryphal Books of the New Testament" has run through three large editions, and we were in full belief that the work could not be made more complete ; but there has just been published in Germany, under the editorship of the learned Dr. Tischendorf, a most important fragment recently discovered in Syria, from which we have had translated the following important historical letters bearing on the death of Christ : 1. Letter of Herod to Pilate, the Governor .... See page 269 2. Letter of Pilate to Herod " 270 3. Epistle of Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar ... " 272 4. The Report of Pilate, the Governor, concerning our Lord Christ which was sent to Augustus Caosar in Home " 273 5. The Report of Pontius Pilate, which was sent to the Emperor Tiberius in Rome " 275 6. The Trial and Condemnation of Pilate " 277 7. The Death of Pontius Pilate who condemned Jesus " 279 We are glad to note a decidedly increasing interest in regard to the Apocryphal Books as evidenced by increased sales. Man, conscious of his weakness, looks around for guidance. Catholics offer him an infallible Church. Protestants, an infallible Bible. We believe that infallibility belongs only to God ; and although inspiration may not be certain for these Apocryphal Books, yet for more than three centuries they were accepted by the early Christians as inspired, and therefore should be regarded with interest. The theory of Inspiration has been altered more than once since these books were rejected as uninspired. It was once altered when men began to appeal to the Greek and the Hebrew against the Latin Vulgate. It was altered again when they appealed to lexicons and grammars and the usage of contemporary writers against authoritative interpretation. It was altered again when the science of textual criticism shattered the exclusive claims of tho received text. And every alteration, though a shock to the faith of some, and a trial to all, led to closer study, clearer insight, and a more reverential acceptance ofthe sacred volume, and all connected therewith. 1 publishers' preface. Clergymen, though they buy the book, do not generally give us letters of commendation for publishing it, but the EEV". T. De- WITT TALMAGE, of Brooklyn, one of tho most eminent divines of the nineteenth century, in December, 1889, says of one of the Apocryphal Gospels : "The Marvellous Boyhood of Christ." "Por nineteen centuries there has been singular silence on this sub ject. ' What kind of a boy was He ? ' We have whole libraries of books and whole galleries of statuary and painting telling us about His nativity, but silence reigns regarding His boyhood. "There are various separate sources," said the preacher, "from which we may gather knowledge of the boyhood of Christ. What He was as a man, we know ; and by minimizing the picture of the man, we can get the picture of the boy. In His manhood Christ was a blonde. We can easily picture Him to ourselves as the yellow-haired, wise, thoughtful lad described in the text (Luke). "Then there is the Apocryphal Gospel, a book which has been kept out of the sacred canon because it is not credited with inspiration. This book gives us many particulars regarding the boyhood of Christ. But because it is an uninspired book its statements are not accepted. "Surely this is unfair. Prescott's 'Mexico' is not an inspired book ; nor is it free from errors. Macaulay's ' History of England ' is not an inspired book ; and it is not in every instance absolutely correct. But is there nothing true in them ? nothing to be learned from these great works ? Are we to reject Prcscott and Maeaulay in toto becauso their works arc not tho fruit of inspiration ? Surely not. Tho Apocryphal Gospel tells us that Christ worked miracles when a boy. Is there anything impossible in the supposition that He did? If He was divine as a man, He was divine as a boy. The Apocryphal Gospel tells us that on one occasion when walking with His mother He met two thieves. Naming them, He said to His mother : ' Those men are to die with Me on the cross — the one on My right, the other on My left.' Why should not the boy Christ be able to prophesy? "Christ was a joyous boy of the fields. We are not permitted to think that the shadows of Calvary darkened His pathway as a youth, and the Apocryphal Books of the New Testament show a great deal of the early life of Christ not to be found in the four Evangelists. ' ' Importance of the Apocryphal Gospels. Justin, Ireneus, Clement of Alexandria, and other early Christian authors, mention many circumstances which must have been derived from the Apocryphal Gospels. Baronius quotes Nicephorus as saying that Hippolytus is one who mentions such circumstances as are to be PUBLISHERS preface. 3 seen only in the Apocryphal Books. Origen, also, has allusions which could only be obtained from these Books. Gregory of Nyssa and Epiphanius, and the writer of a discourse ascribed to Eusebius, make use of statements contained in the Apocryphal Gospels. We also know that a careful examination of the Fathers shows many other pas sages corresponding in a remarkable manner with what we read in the Apocryphal Gospels. Thus Athanasius, in his treatise on the "In carnation ofthe Word," refers to the downfall of idols in Egypt, when Christ went thither : "Who, among righteous men or kings, went down into Egypt, and at his coming the idols of Egypt fell?" etc. In his fourth oration against the Arians, also, he mentions the fear of the keepers of Hades when Christ descended to the Underworld. Elsewhere he mentions that Christ arose from the dead at midnight. He may not really have read any of the extant rejected Gospels, but he evidently knew some of the traditions contained in them. It is when wo corao to later writers that we find tho Apooryphal traditions set forth as verities. John of Damascus, Nicephorus, and a host of others might be mentioned in this connection. Hence it has come to pass that, short of a place among the Books of the New Testament, many Apocryphal writings have been elevated to the highest possible dignity. It is well known that the Legenda Aurea drew largely from several of the Apocryphal Gospels. The histories of Joachim, Anna, Joseph, and Mary, as contained in the service books of the Catholic Church, are in the Christian Apocrypha. Such facts show the impor tance of these documents, and the desirableness of an acquaintance with them. Books of this kind cannot become truly obsolete so long as they lie at the basis of the faith and practice of millions. In the middle ages and onward the Apocryphal Books were very popular ; were read with avidity ; were reproduced in poetry, and were literally translated into a variety of languages. In one form or another we encounter them in Egypt, Syria Persia and India, in Greece and Italy, in Germany, Spain and France, in Britain, and as far north as Iceland. Dr. Tischendorf, writing of "The Origin and Use of the Apocrypha] Gospels," among other things, shows tlie use mado of them in sup porting various doctrines and opinions concerning Christ, Mary, Joseph, the parents of Mary, the descent of Christ into the Under world, and so forth. He next proceeds to indicate the many evidences of their general and special influence in the Church, which condemned and yet adopted them. He then mentions the well known fact that Mohammed and other Arabic writers drew largely from the Christian Apocrypha. After this he resumes his illustrations from Church writers, who have accepted as facts what they have taken from the Apocryphal Gospels. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Christ Consoling the Afflicted . . . (Photogravure) Frontispiece PAQI Members of the Council of Nice Presenting their Decision to the Emperor Constantine: Fourth Century v The Emperor Constantine Presenting the Labors of the Council of Nice to Christ for his blessing 10 The Birth of the Virgin 17 Elizabeth receiving the Visit of Mary 25 The Birth of Christ 33 The Adoration of the Magi 41 The Birth of John the Baptist 4!) The Presentation in the Temple 57 Mary Offering in the Temple 65 The Birth of Christ 73 The Murder of the Innocents 73 St. John the Baptist .81 The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan 89 Tlie Last Judgment 97 Hell 105 Christ's Entry into Jerusalem, and Christ before Pilate . . . 113 The two spies sent by Joshua to Jericho, and their escape from the house from Bahab 121 Christ in the Prsetorium and mocked, and his Descent into Hell . . 129 The Bed Sea swallowing up the army of Pharaoh, after the Israelites had passed through 137 Christ Praying in the Garden 145 Peter cutting off the ear of Malchus, and the kiss of Judas . . . 145 Christ bearing his Cross to Golgotha, followed by holy women . . 153 Veronica afflicted with an issue of blood 161 Christ on the Cross between the two Malefactors 177 Marriage of Cana in Galilee 193 The Burial of Christ 193 Mary supporting the dead Christ on her knees 209 The Interment of Christ 217 The Resurrection of Christ 225 Christ as a Gardener appearing to Mary Magdalene .... 233 Jesus Christ ascending to Heaven with two angels .... 241 Jonah cast into the sea, and liis coming out of the whale . . . 257 /1FTER ihe 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,* 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. Alexander then wrote a circular-letter to "Bern, on Eccl. vol. ii., p. 177. IV all bishops, in which he represents Arius and his partisans as heretics, apostates, blasphemous enemies of God, full of impudence and impiety, forerunners of Antichrist, imitators of Judas, and men whom it was not lawful to salute, or to bid God-speed. There is no reason to doubt of the probity and sincerity of those who opposed Alexander and the Nicene Fathers; for what did they get by it besides obloquy and banishment ? Many good men were engaged on both sides of the controversy. So it was in the fourth century, and 80 it hath been ever since. Eusebius of Nicomedia, and Eusebius the historian, endeavoured to pacify Alexander, and to persuade him to make up the quarrel ; and Con stantine sent a letter by the illustrious Hosius of Corduba to Alexander and Arius, in which he reprimanded them both for disturbing the church with their insignificant dis putes. But the affair was gone too far to be thus composed, and Socrates represents both sides as equally contentious and refractory. To settle this and other points, the Nicene council was summoned, consisting of about three hundred and eighteen bishops, — a mystical number* of which many profound remarks have been made. The first thing they did was to quarrel, and to express their resentments, and to present accusations to the emperor against one another. So say Socrates, Sozomen, and Rufinus. Theodoret favours his brethren in this affair, and seems to throw the fault upon the laity. But the whole story, as it is related by them all, and even by Theodoret, shows that the bishops accused one another. The emperor burnt all their libels, * Barnabas, viii. 11, 12, 13. and exhorted them to peace and unity; so that if they had not been restrained by his authority, and by fear and respect, they would probably have spent their time in altercations. This council of Nice is one of the most famous and interesting events presented to us in ecclesiastical history ; and yet, what is surprising, scarcely any part of the History of the Church has been unfolded with such negligence, or rather passed over with such rapidity. The ancient writers are neither agreed with respect to the time or place in which it was assembled, the number of those who sat in council, nor the bishop who presided in it. No authentic acts of its famous sentence have been committed to writing, or at least none have been transmitted to our time.* Although it is uncertain whether the books of the New Testament were declared canonical by the Nicene Council, or by some other, or when or by whom they were collected into a volume, it is certainf that they were considered genu ine and authentic (with a few variations of opinion as to some of them) by the most early Christian writers; and that they were selected from various other Gospels and Epistles, the titles of which are mentioned in the works of the Fathers and early historians of the church.J The books that exist, of those not included in the canon, are carefully brought together in the present volume. They naturally assume the title of the Apocryphal New Testament; and he who possesses this and the New Testament, has in the two volumes, a collection of all the historical records * Mosheim, Eccl. Hist., c. v. _ 12. f See Table II. at the end of this work. J See Table I. at end. VI relative to Christ and his Apostles, now in existence, and considered sacred by Christians during the first four cen turies after his birth. In a complete collection of the Apocryphal writings the Apostles' Creed is necessarily included, and as necessarily given, as it stood in the fourth and until the sixth century, (from Mr. Justice Bailey's edition of the Common Prayer Book), without the article of Christ's Descent into Hell; — an interpolation concerning which the author of the Preface to the Catalogue of the MSS. of the King's Library thus expresses himself: "I wish that the insertion of the article of Christ's Descent into HeU into the Apostles' Creed could be as well accounted for as the insertion of the said verse (1 John v. 7*). * Catalogue of MSS. of the king's library, by David Casly, 4to, in Pref. p. xxiv. For large particulars of Christ's Descent into Hell, see the Gospel of Nicodemus, chap. xiii. to xx. The verse above alluded to by Mr. Casly is 1 John, v. 7. This spurious passage, in the authorized version of the New Testament, printed by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and the King's Printers, and appointed to be read in churches, stands thus : "For there are three that bear record in .Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost ; and these three are one." This verse, Mr. Casly says, is now generally given up ; being in no Greek MS. save one at Berlin, which is discovered to have been transcribed from the printed Biblia Complutensia ; and another modern one at Dublin, probably translated or corrected from the Latin Vulgate. It is conjectured that it may have been inserted by the mistake of a Latin copyist: for the owners of MSS. often wrote glosses or paraphrases of particular passages between the lines, and ignorant transcribers sometimes mistook these notes for interlined omissions by the original scribes, and accordingly in re-copy ing the MSS. incorporated these glosses or paraphrases into the body of the text. For instance, Jerome, in one of his letters, says that an explanatory note which he himself had made in the margin of his Psalter had been incorporated by some transcriber into the text ; and Dr. Bentley, in the 96th page of his Epistle, annexed to Malala's Chronicle, has proved Xiva opoc iotiv ev r-n Apafluf, in Galatians iv- 25, to be of the same stamp.f f Cat. King's Libr. Pref. p. xii. vn " The best that can be said for it is, that it might possibly have come in, in like manner, not long before, from a gloss It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader, that in 1516 and 1519 Erasmus published his first and second editions of the Greek Testament, both of which omitted the three heavenly witnesses. That having promised to insert them in his text, if they were found iu a single Greek MS. ; he was soon informed of the existence of such a MS. in England, and consequently inserted 1 John, v. 7, in his third edition, 1522. That this MS., after a profound sleep of two centuries, has at last been found in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. That the Complutensian edition, which was not published till 1522, though it professes to be printed in 1514, has the seventh and eighth verses patched up from the modern Latin MS., and the final clause of the eighth verse, which is omitted in its proper place, trans ferred to the end of the seventh. That Colinreus, in 1534, omitted the verse on the faith of MS. That E. Stephens, in his famous edition of 1550, inserted the verse, and marked the words ev rut ovpavm as wanting in seven MSS. That Beza, suspecting no mistake, concluded that these seven MSS. contained the rest of the seventh verse, and the eighth with the words ev rvi y-nt* Sir Isaac Newton wrote a Dissertation upon this passage, wherein he gave a clear, exact, and comprehensive view of the whole question, and wherein he says, that when the adversaries of Erasmus had got the date.f The text is not contained in any Greek manuscript which was written earlier than the fifteenth century. 2. Nor in any Latin manuscript earlier than the ninth century. 3. It is not found in any of the ancient versions. 4. It is not cited by any of the Greek ecclesiastical writers, though, to prove the doctrine of the Trinity, they have cited the words both before and after this. 5. It is not cited by any of the early Latin Fathers, even when the subjects upon which they treat would naturally have led them to appeal to its authority. 6. It is first cited by Vigilius Tapsensis, a Latin writer of no credit, in the latter end of the fifth century, and by him it is suspected to have been forged. 7. It has been admitted as spurious in. many editions of the New Testament since the reformation : — in the first two of Erasmus, in those of Aldus Colinoeus, Zwinglius, and lately of Griesbach. 8. It was omitted by Luther in his German version ; in the old English Bibles of Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Elizabeth, it was printed in small types, or included in brackets ; but between the years 1566 and 1580, it began to be printed as it now stands, by whose authority is not known. — (See Travis's Letters to Gibbon, and Porson's to Travis. Also Griesbach's excellent • Porson's Letters to Travis. Preface. t Newton's works by Horsley, 4to, vol. v. p. 649.— Bishop Horsley, In his edition of Sir Isaac Newton's works, has not included several MSS. on theological subjects for the reasons which perhaps Induce the nobleman in whose possession they remain to withhold them still from publication. His lordship's judgment in this respect is said to be influenced by a prelate whose notions do not accord either with Sir Isaac's opinions or criticisms. They are fairly transcribed, In the illustrious author's own hand-writing, ready for the press ; and it is to be regretted that the production of his luminous mind be suppressed by any censorship, however respectable, vin or paraphrase, that was at firs.t put in the margin or between the lines." Dissertation on the Text at the end of his second volume. Archbishop Newcome omits the text, and the Bishop of Lincoln expresses his conviction that it is spurious. (Elem. of Theol. vol. ii. p. 90, note).* In a sumptuous Latin MS. of the Bible, written so late as the thirteenth century, formerly belonging to the Capuchin Convent at Montpelier, after wards in the possession of Harley, Earl of Oxford, and now deposited in the British Museum, the verse of the three heavenly witnesses is wanting, as appears by the following literal extract from it : Wit est qui uenit per aquam ($ sanauinem. tlje rpeT Hou iu aq solum, seb in aqua (3 snnpinem (31 spu. spe est qui testificator quoniam rpe est Ijeritas. ©noniam tres suut. qui testimonium bant in tra. SSpe. aqua. ($ sanguis. ©t tres unum suutf The following Greek and Latin authors have not quoted the text : J Qreek authors: — Irenoeus — Clemens Alexandrinus — Dionyxius Alexandri- nus, (or the writer against Paul of Samosata under his name) — Athanasius —The Synopsis of Scripture — The Synod of Sardica — Epiphanius — Basil — Alexander of Alexandria — Gregory Nyssen — Nazianzen, with his two com mentators, Elias Cretensis and Nicetas — Didymus de Spiritu Sancto — Chry- sostome — An author under his name de sancta et consubstantiali Trinitate — Caesarius — Proclus — The Council of Nice, as it is represented by Gelasius Cyzicenus — Hyppolytus — Andrias — Six catenae quoted by Simon — The mar ginal scholia of three MSS. — Hesychius — John Damascenus — Oecumenius — Euthymius Zigabenus. Latin authors : — The author de Baptismo Ilsereticorum, among Cyprian's works — Novatian— Hilary — Lucifer Calazitanns — Jerome — Augustine — Am brose — Faustinus Leo Magnus— The author de Promissis — Eucberius — Facundus— Cerealis — Busticus — Bede — Gregory — Philastrius — Arnobins,. junior — Pope Eusebius. It is evident that if the text of the heavenly witnesses had beeu known from the beginning of Christianity, the ancients would have eagerly seized it, inserted it in their creeds, quoted it repeatedly against the heretics, and selected it as the brightest ornament of every book that they wrote upon the * Improved version of the New Testament, 1808. . Haiil. Coll. MSS. Cod. 4778. t Porson's Letters to Travis, p. 363. By the publication of this volume, the Editor conceives he has rendered an acceptable service to the theological student and the ecclesiastical antiquary ; — he has endeavoured to render it more gratifying to the reader, and more con venient for reference, by arranging the books into chapters, and dividing the chapters into verses. He has only to add, that the lover of old literature will here find the obscure but unquestionable origin of several remarkable relations in the Golden Legend, the Lives of the Saints, and similar subject of the Trinity. In short, if this verse be really genuine, notwith standing its absence from all the visible Greek MSS. except two, one of which awkwardly translates the verse from the Latin, and the other tran scribes it from a printed book; notwithstanding its absence from all the versions except the vulgate ; and even from many of the best and oldest MSS. of the vulgate ; notwithstanding the deep and dead silence of all the Greek writers down to the thirteenth, and most of the Latins down to the middle of the eighth century ; if, in spite of all these objections, it be still genuine, no part of Scripture whatsoever can be proved either spurious or genuine ; and Satan has been permitted, for many centuries, miraculously to banish the finest passage in the N. T. from the eyes and memories of almost all the Christian authors, translators, and transcribers.* Sir Isaac Newton observes, " that what the Latins have done to this text (1 John v. 7), the Greeks have done to that of St. Paul (Timothy iii. 16). For by changing o into 0 the abbreviation of Seoc, they now read, Great is tlie mystery of Godliness : God manifested in the flesh : whereas all the churches for the first four Or five hundred years, and the authors of all the ancient versions, Jerome, as well as the rest, read, ' Great is the mystery of godliness which was manifested in the flesh.' " Sir Isaac gives a list of authors, who, he says, " wrote all of them, in the fourth and fifth centuries for the Deity of the Son, and incarnation of God ; and some of them largely, and in several tracts ; and yet," he says, " I cannot find that they ever allege this text to prove it, excepting that Gregory Nyssenf once urges it, (if the passage crept not into him out of some marginal annotation). In all the times of the hot and lasting Arian controversy, it never came into play; though now these disputes are over, they that read God made manifest in the flesh, think Sir Isaac says, " one of the most obvious and pertinent texts for the business." There are other interpolations and corruptions of pnssages in the New Testament, but the Editor perceiveH that the few observations he has hastily collected and thrown together in this note, have already extended it to undue length, and it must here close. * Porson'n Letters to Travis, 8vo, p. 402. t Orat. xl. Contra Eunom. productions, concerning the birth of the Virgin, her marriage with Joseph, on the budding of his rod, the nativity of Jesus, the miracles of his Infancy, his labouring with Joseph at the carpentry trade, and the actions of his followers. Several of the papal pageants for the populace, and the monkish mysteries performed as dramas at Chester, Coventry, New castle, and in other parts of England, are almost verbatim representations of the stories. Many valuable pictures by the best masters — prints by the early engravers, particularly of the Italian and German schools — wood cuts in early black letter, and black books — and illumination of missals and monastic MSS. — receive immediate elucidation on referring to the Apocryphal New Testament, and are without explana tion from any other source. THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE PRESENTING THE LABORS OF THE COUNCIL OF NICE TO CHRIST FOR HIS BLESSING. [P__e 11. FROM AH BARLY GREEK MANUSCRIPT. THE ORDER OF ALL THE BOOKS OF THE APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT, WITH Their proper Names and Number of Cliapters. TlffARY hath Chapters -LTX protevangelion I. Infancy . . . ,. II. Infancy . . Christ and Abgarus The Apostles' Creed Laodiceans . . . Paul and Seneca Paul and Thecla I. Corinthians . II. Corinthians . Barnabas . . . , 8 .16 ,22. 4 22 1 1 1412 23 4 15 Ephesians hath Chapters . 4 Magnesians 4 Trallians 4 Romans 3 Philadelphians 3 Smyrnseans 3 Polycarp 3 Philippians 4 I. Hermas — Visions ... 4 II. Hermas — Commands . 12 III. Hermas — Similitudes . 10 Letters of Herod and Pilate 7 (xi) PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. Although the Apocryphal New Testament was put out without pretension or ostentatious announcement, or even solicitude for its fate, yet a large Edition has been sold in a few months. The Public demanding an other, to this second Edition a small fragment of the Second Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, accidentally omitted, has been added ; it forms the fifth chapter of that Epistle. There is, likewise annexed, a Table of the years wherein all the Books of the New Testament are stated to have been written : to the '' Order of the Books of the Apockyphal New Testa ment," the authorities from whence they have been taken are affixed ; and finally, many errors in the numerous scriptural references subjoined in the notes to the Epistles have been corrected. These are the only material vari ations from the first Edition. It escaped the Editor to notice that the legends of the Koran and the Hin doo Mythology are considerably connected with this volume. Many of the acts and miracles ascribed to the Indian God, Creeshna, during his incarna tion, are precisely the same with those attributed to Christ in his infancy, by the Apocryphal Gospels, and so largely particularized by the Kev. Thomas Maurice in his learned History of Hindostan. Reference to the preceding Preface will leave little doubt that the Apo cryphal writings formed an interesting portion of the lay, as well as the monkish literature of our forefathers. There is a Translation of the Gospel of Nicodemus almost coeval with the origin of printing in England ; (a) and ancient MSS. of the Gospels of the Infancy are still extant in the Welsh lan guage under the title of Mabinogi Jesu, Grist. Concerning any genuineness of any portion of the work, the Editor has not offered an opinion, nor is it necessary that he should. The brief notice at the head of each Gospel directs the reader to its source, and will assist him to inquire further, and form an opinion for himself. Yet respecting the Epistles, which commence at page 91, and occupy the remaining two-thirds of the volume, the Editor would call attention to Archbishop Wake's testi- (o) It was printed, in quarto, first by JUanl-a*" *' WHortie In 1609; next by 3ofm allot in 1626 ; by the same printer subsequently ; and several times afterwards. xii PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. Xlll ¦mony. The pious and learned Prelate says, that these Epistles (a) are a full and perfect collection of " all the genuine writings that remain to us of the Apostolic Fathers, and carry on the antiquity of the Church from the time of the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament to about a hundred and fifty years after Christ ; that except the Holy Scriptures, there is nothing remain ing of the truly genuine Christian antiquity more early ; (6) that they contain all that can with any certainty be depended upon of the most Primitive Fathers, (c) who had not only the advantage of living in the apostolical times, of hearing the Holy Apostles, and conversing with them, but were most of them persons of a very eminent character in the church, too : (d) that we cannot with any reason doubt of what they deliver to us as the Gospel of Christ, but ought to receive it, if not with equal veneration, yet but a little less respect than we do the Sacred Writings of tliose who were their masters and instructors;" and, ''if," says the Archbishop, (who translated these Epistles), (e) ''it shall be asked how I came to choose the drudgery of a translator, rather than the more ingenious part of publishing somewhat of my own composing, it was, in short, this j because I hoped that such writ ings as these would find a more general and unprejudiced acceptance with all sorts of men than anything that could be written by any one now living." As a literary curiosity, tho work has attracted much notico ; as throwing a light upon the arts of design and engraving, it has already been useful to the painter, and the collector of pictures and prints ; and, as relating to theology, it has induced various speculations and inquiry. But the Editor has been charged with expressing too little veneration for the councils of the Church. He feels none. It is true that respecting the three hundred Bishops assembled al the council of Nice, the Emperor Con stantine (/) says, that what was approved by these Bishops could be nothing less than the determination of God himself; since the Holy Spirit residing in such great and worthy souls, unfolded to them the divine will, (g) Yet Sa- binus, the Bishop of Heraclea, affirms, that, " excepting Constantine himself! and Eusebius Pamphilus, they were a set of illiterate simple creatures, that understood nothing ; " and Pappus seems to have estimated them very low, for in his Synodicon to that council, he tells us, that having " promiscuously put all the books that were referred to the council for determination, under the communion table in a church, they besought the Lord that the inspired writings might get upon the table while the spurious ones remained under neath, and that it happened accordingly." A commentator (h) on this legend suggests that nothing less than such a sight could sanctify that fiery zeal which breathes throughout an edict published by Constantine, in which he decrees that all the writings of Arius should be burned and that any per son concealing any writing composed by him, and not immediately producing it, and committing it to the flames, should be punished with death, (i) Let us, with the illustrious Jortin, (k) consider a council called, and presided over (a) Abp. Wake's Apostollo Fathers, Bagster's Edition, 8 to, 1817, Prelim. Disc., p. 120. (fi) Abp. Wake's Apostolie Fathers, Bagster's Edition, 8vo, Prelim. Disc, p. 120. {.) p. 126. (d) p. 128. (e) p. 165. (/) Socrates, Sehol. Ecel. Hist. b. i. 9. (g) Ibid. e. 9. Luke xiii. 11. Matt. ix. 20, &c. See concerning this woman called Veronica, on whom this miracle was performed, and the statue which she erected to the honour of Christ, in Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1 . 7, c. 18. 4 John ii. 1, &c. <¦ Luke iv. 33, &c. e Matt. v. 23. ' Mark iii. 11. 8 Matt. viii. 5, &c. 70 Christ's miracles witnessed. NICODEMUS. His death demanded. 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 can not proceed but from God. 45 But others said to Pilate, That he had l 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 ? CHAP. VI. 1 Pilate dismayed by the turbulence of the Jews, 5 who demand Barabbas to be released, and Clirist 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 for nication, said to them, What shall I do, seeing there is like to be a tumult among the people.2 2 They said unto him, We know not ; let them look to it who raise the tumult. 3 Pilate then called the multi tude again, and said to them, Ye know that ye have a custom, that I should release to you one pri soner at the feast ofthe passover ; 4 I have a noted prisoner, a murderer, who is called Barab bas, 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 ?8 5 They all cry out, and say, Release to us Barabbas. 6 Pilate saith to them, What then shall I do with Jetus 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 ?4 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 an ger said to them, Your nation hath always been seditious, and you are always against tliose 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 wilder ness with manna and the flesh of 'Johnxi.W.&c. *" Matt, xxvii. 24. 4 John xix. 12. 8 Matt, xxvii. 21. 71 by the Jews, and NICODEMUS. ordered by Pilate. 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 mol ten calf, and worshipped it, aud sacrificed to it, and said, These are Thy Gods, 0 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, aud forgave your iniquity. 14 Alter wards 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 judg ment 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 iu all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under.1 18 When Pilate heard this account, he was afraid ; and com manding silence among the peo ple, who made a noise, he said to Jesus, Art thou therefore a king ? 19 All the Jews replied to Pi late, he is the very person whom Herod sought to have slain. 20 Then Pilate taking water, washed his hands before the peo, pie 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 follow ing words: 23 Thy own nation hath charged thee as making thyself a king ; wherefore I, Pilate, sen tence thee to be whipped accord ing to the laws of former gover nors; and that thou be first bound, then hanged upon a cross in that place where thou art now a prisoner ; and also two crimi nals 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,:l 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 cru cified 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 gar ments, and upon his vesture they cast lots. 6 The people in the mean time stood by, and the chief priests 1 Matt. ii. 72 2 Matt, xxvii. 24, &c. "Matt xxvii. 33. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. [Page S8. FROM A PAINTING ON WOOD BY FRA FILIPPO LZPPI. THE MURDER OF THE INNOCENTS. [Page 41. FROM A PAINTING ON WOOD BY MATTEO DI GIOVANNI. ¦Chriat'a crvtiifixion NICODEMUS. attended by miracles, 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 tho Jews deliver thyself. 8 Then Longinus, a certain sol dier, taking a spear,1 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.2 10 But one of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus, whose name was Gestas, said to Jesus, If thou art the Christ.deli- ver thyself and us. 11 But the thief who was cru cified on his right hand, whose name was Dimas, answering, re buked 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 king dom. 13 Jesus answering, said to him, Verily I say unto thee, that this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. CHAP. VIII. 1 Miraculous appearance at his death. 10 The Jews say the eclipse was natural. 12 Joseph of Arimalhcca embalms Christ's body and buries it. AND it was about the sixth hour,9 and darkness was upon the face of the whole earth until the ninth hour. 2 And while the sun was eclipsed, behold the vail 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, whicli slept, arose. 3 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Hely, Hely, lama zabac- thani*. 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 sigh't; 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 exceeding sorrowful ; 9 And calling the Jews toge ther, said to them, Have ye seen the miracle of the sun's eclipse, and the other things which camo 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. 1 1 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. ¦John xix. 34. ' John xix. 19. ' Matt, xxvii. 45, &c. 73 and his body buried by NICODEMUS. Joseph of Arimathcea. 12 And 'behold a certain man of Arimathsea, named Joseph, who also was 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 pound weight; and they took down Jesus from the cross with tears, and bound him with 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, aud caused to be cut out of a rock, im which never any man had been put ; and they rolled a great stone to the door ofthe sepulchre. CHAP. IX. 1 The Jews angry with Nicodemus ; 5 and with Joseph of Arimatluca, 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 per sons who had shewn any good actions towards him. 2 But when they all concealed themselves through fear of the Jews Nicodemus alone shewed 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 con federate 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 Pi late ? 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 aginst that just person, in cruci fying him, giving him vinegar to drink, crowning him with thorns, tearing his body with whips, and prayed down the guilt of his blood upon you. 7 The Jews at the hearing of this were disquieted, and trou bled; and they seized Joseph, and commanded him to be put in custody before the falibalh, and kept there till the sabbath whs 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 ofthe 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 liv ing God in speaking against Da vid. But ye scribes and doctors know that God saith by the pro phet, Vengeance is mine, and I 74 1 John xix. 38. Joseph of A. imprisoned. NICODEMUS. Christ rises again 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. 1 1 For the governor, when he waslied his hands, said, I am clear from the blood of this just person. But ye answered and cried out, His blood be upon U3 and our children. According as ye have said, may ye perish for ever. 12 The elders ofthe Jews hear ing these words, were exceadingly 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 Le vites, that they should all meet after the sabbath, and they con trived to what death they should put Joseph. 14 When they had done this, the rulers, Annas and Caiaphas, ordered Joseph to be brought forth. Tf In this place there is a portion of the Gospel lost or omitted, which cannot be supplied. CHAP. X. 1 Joseph's escape. 2 The soldiers relate Christ' s resurrection. 18 Christ is seen preaching in Galilee. 21 The Jews re pent of their cruelty to him. WHEN all the assembly heard this, 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 guard ing the sepulchre of Jesus, there was an earthquake ; and we saw an angel of God roll away the stone of the sepulchre and 3sit 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 say ing to the women at the sepul chre 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 pre sently, 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 toge ther 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 whom the wo men 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. 1 Dent, xxxii. 35 ; Heb. x. 40. 2 Matt, xxviii. 11, 12, &c. 8 Matt, xxviii. 1, 2, &c. 75 and preaehea in Galilee. NICODEMUS. The Jews repent. 1 1 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 Jo seph is in his own city of Ari- mathsea. 14 The soldiers replied, If Jo seph be in Arimathsea, and Jesus in Galilee, we heard the angel in form the women. 15 The Jews hearing this, were afraid, and said among them selves, If by any means these things should become public, then every body 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 gover nor 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 Tf But a certain priest Phi- nees, 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, say ing, 19 We have seen Jesus, whom ye crucified, talking with his eleven disciples, and sitting in the 76 'Matt, xxviii. Ifi, midst of them in Mount Olivet, and saying to them,1 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 whoso ever shall believe and be baptiz ed, 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 ofour fathers liveth, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, ac cording as we heard Jesus talk ing with his disciples, and accord ing 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 as cending into heaven, we should be guilty of sin. 25 Then the chief priests im mediately rose up, and holding the book of the law in their hands, conjured these men, say ing, Ye shall no more heieafter declare those things which ye have spoke 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. and Mark xvi. 16. Joaeph of Arimathcea NICODEMUS. invited by the Jews 27 Then the Jews did assem ble all together, and having ex pressed the most lamentable concern, said, What is this ex traordinary 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 bo given to foreigners,1 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. CHAP. XI. 1 Nicodemus counsels the Jews. 6 Joseph found. 11 Invited by the Jews to return. 19 Relates the man ner 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 Eli jah 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 ofthe prophets said* to him, Perhaps the spirit hath carried him into one of the mountains of Israel, there per haps 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 wc shall find him, and be satisfied. 5 And the counsel of Nicode mus 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 wc have found Joseph in his city of Arimathen. 6 The rulers hearing this, and all the people, were glad, and praised the God of Israel, be cause 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 pa per, 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 per fectly surprised at your escape from prison. 9 We know that it was mali cious counsel which wo took against thee, and that the Lord took care of thee, and the Lord himself delivered thee from our designs. Peace be unto thee, Jo seph, who art honourable among all the people. 10 A_nd they chose seven of 1 Heathens. 77 to relate the NICODEMUS. manner of his escape. 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 has protected me un der 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. . 16 And they all kissed him; and Nicodemus took him to his house, having prepared a .largo 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 appear ing among us. Tell us therefore before God, all that came to pass. 19 Then Joseph answering, said, Ye did indeed put me un- ;78 der 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, Shew 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 shewed me the linea clothes, and napkin which I put round his head. Then I knew that it was Jesus, and worshipped him, ond suid, Blessed bo ho who cometh in the liamo of the Lord. 25 Jesus again taking me by the hand, led me to Arimalhsea 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. CHAP. XII. 1 The Jews astonished and confounded. 17 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 re surrection. 21 They are sought and found, 22 brought to the synagogue, 23 privately sworn to secrecy, 25 and un dertake to write what they had seen. WHEN the chief priests and Levites heard all these The Jewa dismayed. NICODEMUS. Charinus and Lenthius, things, they were astonished, and fell down with their faces on the ground as dead men, and crying out to ono another, said, What is this extraordinary sign which is come to pass in Jerusalem ? We know the father aud mother of Jesus. 2 And a certain Levite said, I know many of his relations, reli gious persons, who are wont to oiler sacrifices aud burnt-offcr- iugs 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 thou hast 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 con cerning that child ; He is appoint ed 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 answer ed with one accord, In the pre sence 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."2 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 bo dy the honorable Joseph buried in a new sepulchre, aud he testi fies 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 ^f Then Joseph rising up, said to Annas and Caiaphas, Ye may be justly under a great sur prise, 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.3 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 owd, and we were all present at their death and fu neral. 17 Go therefore and see their tombs, for these are open, and 1 Luke, ii. 29. 2 Deut. xvii. 6. » Matt, xxvii. 53. 78 who rose with Christ, NICODEMUS. relate his descent to hell. they are risen : and behold, they are in the city of Arimath_ea, spending their time together in offices of devotion. 18 Some, indeed, have heard the sound of their voices in pray er, but they will not discourse with any one, 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 Gama liel, went to Arimathsea, 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 syna gogue 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, CHAP. XIII. 1 The narrative of Charinus and Len thius commences. 3 A great light in hell. 7 Simeon arrives, and announces the coming of Christ. 0LORD Jesus and Father, who art God, also the resur rection and life of the dead, give us leave to declare thy mysteries, which we saw after death, belong ing to thy cross ; for we are sworn by thy name. 2 For thou hast forbid 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 dark ness, on a sudden there appeared the colour of the sun like gold, and a substantial purple-colour ed light enlighteningVthe 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,1 This is the light of the Father, and the Son of God, according to my prophe cy, 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 re gion of the shadow of death. light is arisen. And now he is ' Isai, xi. 1 . Matt iv. 16. au ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST. [Page 119. i?ROM A TRIPTYCHON BY AN ITALIAN PAINTER OF THE THIR TEENTH OR FOURTEENTH CENTURY. who rose with Christ, NICODEMUS. relates his descent to hell. come, and hath enlightened us who sat in death. 7 And while we were all re joicing 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 tem ple, and being moved by the Holy Ghost, said to him, and acknowledged,1 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 coining 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, Be hold 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 dark ness and the shadow of death. CHAP. XIV. 1 Adorn causes Seth to relate what he heard from Michael the archangel, when he sent him to Paradise to en treat 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 hetir 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 pray ing to God at the gates of Para dise, beheld the angel of tho 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 aud 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 1 Luke ii. 29. ' Mall. iii. 13. 81 Satan and the Prince NICODEMUS. of hell quarrel. 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 on 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. CHAP. XV. 1 Quarrel between Satan and the prince of hell concerning the expected arrived of Christ in hell. WHILE all the saints were rejoicing, behold Satan, the prince and captain of death, said to the prince of hell,1 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, a My soul is sorrowful even to death. 3 Besides he did many inju ries 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 8 Then Satan replying, said to the prince of hell, Why didst thou express a doubt, and wast afraid to receive that Jesus of Nazarethy 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 bis suffering ; I mixed the gall and vinegar, and commanded that he should drink it ; I pre pared 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 hini hither, subject both to thee and me. 11 Then the prince of hell an swering, 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 1 St. Jerome affirms that the soul of Christ went to hell. *- Matt. xxvi. 38. 82 Christ arrivea at hell, NICODEMUS. and Satan is expelled. 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 ths prince of hell, It is the very sam9 person, Jesus of Nazareth. 16 Which when the prince of hell heard, he said to him, I ad jure 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 time disturbed ; 18 And we were not ablo to detain Lazarus,1 but he gave him self 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 Aud I know now that he is Almighty God who could per form such things, who is mighty in hia 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. CHAP. XVI. 1 Christ's arrival at hell-gales ; the con fusion thereupon, 10 He descends into hell. AND while Satan and the prince of hell were dis coursing 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, De part 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 Da vid, cried out saying, 8Did not I when on earth truly prophesy and say, 0 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,4 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 earth ; for the dew which is from the Lord shall bring deliverance to them. 1 John xi. * Psalm xxiv. 7, &c. •Psalm cvii. 15, &c. 'Isaiah xxvi. 19. 83 Hell greatly disturbed on NICODEMUS. Christ's going thither- 11 And I said in another place, 0 death, 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,1 Open now thy gates, and take away thine iron bars ; for thou wilt now be bound, and have no power. 13 Then there was 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 perceiv ing the same voice repeated, cried out as though he had been ignor ant, 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 by his spirit. And now, as I have above 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 en lightened those places which had ever before been in darkness, 19 And broke asunder the fet ters 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.8 CHAP. 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 se veral kingdoms, when they saw the clearness of the light, 2 And Christ himself on a sudden appearing in their habi tations; they cried out therefore, and said, We are bound by thee ; thou seemest to intend our con fusion before the Lord. 3 Who art thou, who hast no sign of corruption, but that bright appearance wliich is a full proof of thy greatness, of whicli . yet thou seemest to take no notice ? 4 Y^ho art thou, so powerful and so weak, so great and so lit tle, a mean and yet a soldier of the first rank, who can com mand in the form of a servant as 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 thou thy liberty among the dead, and givest disturbance to our legions ? 7 Who art thou, who dost re lease the captives that were held in chains by original sin, and bringest them into their former liberty ? 8 Who art thou, who dost 1 Psalm xxiv, 7, &c. 84 'Psalm cii. 19,20. 'Lukei. 79. Christ gives Beelzebub NICODEMUS. dominion ovsr Satan. spread so glorious and divine a light over those who were made blind by the darkness of sin ? 9 In like manner all the le gions 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, nev er sent us such a dead man be fore, 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. .CHAP. XVIII. 1 Beelzebub, prince of hell, vehemently upbraids Salan for persecuting Christ ami brinqing him to hell. 4. Christ gives Beelzebul) dominion over S-dan for ever, as a recompense for taking away Adam and his sons. rpHEN the prince of hell took _l_ Satan, and with great in- , dignation said to him, O thou ! prince of destruction, author of Beelzebub's defeat and banish ment, 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 de struction, 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 pri sons from top to bottom, dis missed all the captives, released all who were bound, and all who were wont formerly to groan under the weight of their tor ments have now insulted us, and we are like to be defeated by their prayers. 5 Our impious dominions are subdued, and no part of man kind is now left in our subjec tion, 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 oc casion be merry. 7 Tf O Satan, thou prince of all the wicked, father of the im pious and abandoned, why wouldest thou attempt this ex ploit, seeing our prisoners were hitherto always without the least hopes 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 0 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, 85 Leaves hell and takes NICODEMUS. the saints with him. 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 0 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 in nocent and righteous, and there by hast lost all the sinners, im pious and unrighteous persons in the whole world ? 14 While the prince of hell was thus speaking to Satan, the King of Glory said to Beelze bub, the prince of hell, Satan, the prince shall be subject to thy dominion for ever, in the room of Adam and his right eous sons, who are mine. CHAP. XIX. 1 Christ takes Adam by tlie 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 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 h'im, Peace be to thee, and all thy righteous posterity, which is mine. 4 Then Adam, casting him self at the feet of Jesus, ad dressed himself to him, with tears, in humble language, and a loud voice, saying,1 5 I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast 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 0 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 fore tell by the law and thy holy prophets. 9 Thou hast redeemed.the liv ing by thy cross, and art come down to us, that by the death of the cross thou mightest de liver us from hell, and by thy power from death. 10 O, Lord, as thou hast put the ensigns of thy glory in hea ven, and hast set up the sign of 86 1 Psalm xxx. 1, &c. Adam converses NICODEMUS. with Enoch, &c thy redemption, even thy cross on earth ! so, Lord, set the sign of the victory of thy cross in hell, that death may have do minion 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,1 O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvel lous things ; his right hand and his holy arm have gotten hini the victory. 14 The Lord hath made known his salvation, his right eousness hath ho openly shewn in the sight of the heathen. 15 And the whole multitude of saints answered, saying,2 This honour have all his saints, Amen, Praise ye the Lord. 16 Afterward3, the , prophet Habakkuk3 cried out, and said, Thou wentest forth for the sal vation of thy people, even for the salvation of thy people. 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. CHAP. XX. 1 Christ delivers Adam io 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 iii Paradise ? 3 One of them answering, said, I am Enoch, who was trans lated by the word of God :6 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 If And while the holy Enoch and Elias were relating this, behold there came another man in a miserable figure carry ing 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 wick edness upon earth. 8 And the Jews crucified me with Jesus ; and I observed the surprising things which hap- 1 Psalm xnviii. 1, &c. » Psalm cxlix. 2. 3 Hab. iii. 13. * Matt. xxiu. 39. 6 Gen. v. 24. • Kings ii. 11. 'Rev- xi. 11. 0 87 Blessed thief's story, NICODEMUS. how lie came to Paradiae. pened in the creation at the cru cifixion of the Lord Jesus. 9 And I believed him to be the Creator of all things, and the Almighty King ; and 1 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 Para dise.1 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 Para dise will not admit thee, shew 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 mc 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 mer cies, who hast shewn 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 Bpiritual and holy life. Amen. CHAP. XXI. 1 Charinus and Lenthius being only allowed three days to remain on earth, 1 deliver in their narratives, which miraculously correspond ; they vanish, 13 and PUate records these transac tions. THESE are the divine and sacred mysteries which we saw and heard. I, Charinus and Lenthius are not allowed to de clare 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 per sons till the time come when the Lord will allow you to relate the mysteries of his divinity. 4 The archangel Michael far ther 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 resur rection of Christ. 5 For we have only three days allowed us from the dead, who arose to celebrate the passover ofour 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 al lowed 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 88 . 1 Luke xxiii. 43. THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST IN THE JORDAN. [Page 69. FROM A '* BOOK OF THE EVANGELISTS,'* GREEK MANUSCRIPT OF THE TWELFTH CENTURY, Charinus and Lenthius NICODEMUS. conclude their visit. Christ, and the Saviour of us all. Amen, Amen, Amen. 7 And after they had made an end of writing and had wrote in two distinct pieces of paper, Cha rinus gave what he wrote into the hands of Annas, and Caiaphas, and Gamaliel. 8 Lenthius likewise gave what he wrote into the hands of Nico demus and Joseph ; and immedi ately they were changed into exceeding white forms and were seen no more. 9 But what they had wrote 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 surpris ing 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. 1 1 And they went about with great concern, and fear, and trem bling, 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 con cerning Jesus, were presently told by Joseph and Nicodemus to the governor. 1 3 And Pilate wrote down all these transactions, and placed all these accounts in the public re cords of his hall. CHAP. XXII. I PUate goes to the temple ; calls together the rulers, and scribes, and doctors. 2 Commands the gates to be shut ; orders the book of the Scripture ; and causes the Jews to relate what they really knew concerning Chrixt. 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, they are 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 fates should be shut, said to them, have heard that ye have a cer tain 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 Scrip tures have found any thing of that Jesus whom ye crucified, and at what time of the world he ought to have come : shew 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 ofthe chapel, and said to Pilate, Thou hast made us to swear, O judge, by the build ing 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 delibe rating among one another about 89 The Jews repent and NICODEMUS. acknowledge Christ. the miracles which Jesus had wrought, we found many wit nesses 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 ascend ing unto 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 hand* 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 speak ing 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 come on earth, 12 And we further consider ed; that perhaps he was the very God of Israel who spoke to Moses, Thou shalt make the ark ofthe testimony ; two cubits and a half shall be the length there of, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.1 13 By these five cubits and a half for the building of the ark of the Old Testament, we per ceived and knew that in five thousand years and a half (one thousand) years, Jesus Christ was to come in the ark or taber nacle of a body ; 14 And so our scriptures tes tify that he is the son of God, and the Lord and King of Israel. 15 And because after his suf fering, our chief priests were sur prised at the signs which were, wrought by his means, we opened that book to search all the gene rations 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, two hundred and twelve 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 hun dred years. And from the Baby lonish captivity to the incarna tion 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 wo crucified, is Jesus Christ the Son of God, and true and Almighty God. Amen. In the name of the Holy Trinity, thus end the Acts of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which the Empe ror Theodosius the Or eat found at Jerusalem, in the hall of Pontius Pilate among the public records; the things were acted in the nineteenth year of Tibe rius Ccesar, Emperor of the Romans, and in the seventeenth year ofthe government of Herod the son of Herod king of Gali lee, on the eighth of the calends of April, which is the twenty- 90 1 Exod. xxv. 10. THE APOSTLES' CREED. third day of tlie month of March, in the ccnd Olympiad, when Joseph and Caiaphas were Ru lers of the Jews; being a His tory written in Hebrew by Ni codemus, of what happened after our Saviour'a vrutijixion. The APOSTLES' CREED. [It is affirmed by Ambrose, " that the twelve Apostles, as Bkilful artificers assembled together, and made a key by their common advice, that is, the Creed: by which the darkness of the devil is disclosed, that the light of Christ may appear."1 Others fable that every Apostle inserted an article, by which the creed is divided into twelve articles ; and a ser mon, fathered upon St. Austin, and quoted by the Lord Chancellor King, fabricates that each particular article was thus inserted by each particular Apostle: — "Peter. — 1. I believe in God the Father Almighty j " John. — 2. Maker of heaven and earth ; " James. — 3. And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord ; " Andrew. — 4. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Vir gin Mary; "Philip, — 5. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried ; " Thomas. — 6. He descended into- hell, the third day he rose again from the dead ; " Bartholomew. — 7. He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; *' Matthew. — 8. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead; '' James, the son of Alpheus. — 9. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church ; "Simon Zelotes. — 10. The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; "Jude the brother of James. — 11. The resurrection ofthe body; " Matthias. — 12. Life everlasting. Amen."' Archbishop Wake says : " With respect to the Apostles being the authors of this Creed, it is not niy intention to enter on any particular examination of this matter, which has been so fully handled, not only by the late critics of the Church of Borne, Natalis Alexander,9 Du Pin,* 1 Arab. Opera, tom. iii. Serm. 38, p. 265. ' King's Hist. Apost. Creed, 8vo, p. 26. "Nat, Alex., ?1, vol. i., p. 490, Ac. «Du Pin, Biblioth. Ec cies., vol. i., p. 25. 91 THE APOSTLES' CREED. &c, but yet more especially by Archbishop Usher,1 Gerard Vossius,' Suicer,3 Spanhemius,4 Tentzelius,6 and Sam. Basnage,6 among the Pro testants. It shall suffice to say, that as it is not likely, that had any such thing as this been done by the Apostles, St. Luke would _ have passed it by, without taking the least notice of it : so the diversity of Creeds in the ancient Church, and that not only in expression, but in some whole Articles too, sufficiently shows, that the Creed which we call by that name, was not composed by the twelve Apostles, much less in the same form in which it now is."7 Mr. Justice Bailey says: '' It is not to be understood that this Creed was framed by the Apostles, or indeed ihat it existed as a Creed in their time ;"8 and after giving the Creed as it existed in the year 600, and which is here copied from his Common Prayer Book, he says, " how long this form had existed before the year GOO is not exactly known. The additions were probably made in opposition to particular heresies and errors." The most important "addition,'' since the year of Christ 600, is that which affirms, that Christ descended into hell. This has been proved not only to have been an invention after the Apostles' time, but even after the time of Eusebius. Bishop Pearson says,9 that the descent into hell was not in the ancient creeds or rules of faith. '* It is not to be found in the rules of faith delivered by Irenaeus,10 by Origen,11 or by Tertul lian.12 It is not expressed in tliose creeds which were made by the councils as larger explications of the Apostles' Creed ; not in the Nicene, or Constantinopolitan ; not in those of Ephesus, or Chalcedon ; not in those confessions made at Sardica, Antioch, Selucia, Sirmium, &c. It is not mentioned in several confessions of faith delivered by particular persons ; not in that of Eusebius Canadensis, presented to the council of Nice;13 not in that of Marcellus, bishop of Ancyra, delivered to Pope Julius ;u not in that of Arius and Euzoius, presented to Constantine ;15 not in that of Acacius, bishop of Csesarea, delivered into the synod of Selncia;16 not in that of Eustathius, Theophilus, and Sylvanus, sent to Liberius ;" there is no mention of it in the creed of St. Basil ;18 in the creed of Epiphanus,la Gelastus, Damascus, Macarius, &c. It is not in tho creed expounded by St. Cyril, though some have produced that creed to prove it. It is not in the creed expounded by St. Augustine :'" not in that other,21 attributed to St. Augustine in another place ; not in that expounded by Maximus Taurinensis ; nor in that so often inter preted by Petrus Chrysologus ; nor in that of the church of Antioch, delivered by Cassianus;22 neither is it to be seen in the MS. creeds set forth by the learned Archbishop of Armagh. It is affirmed by Buffinus, that in his time it was neither in the Boman nor the Oriental Creeds.''23 1 Diatrib. de Symb. 2 Voss. Dissert, de tribus Symbolis. 3 Suicer. The- aaur. Eccies. tom. ii. Voce ov/zpolop, p 1086, &c. 4 Spanhem, Introd. ad Hist. Eccies., \ ii., c. 3. 6 Ernest. Tentzel. Exercit. select. Exercit. I. 6 Sam. Basnage Exercit. Hist. Crit. ad Ann. XLIV. num. 17, 18. 7 Wake's Apost. Fathers, 8vo, p. 103. 8 Mr. Justice Bailey's Common Prayer, 1813, p. 9. 9 Pearson on the Creed, fol. 1676, p. 225. 10 Lib. 1, c. 2. u Lib. de Prin- cip. in Prooem. 12 Advers. Praxeam., c. ii., Virgin, veland., c. 1. — De Pree- .cript. advers. Hseres., c. 13. ls Theodoret, 1. 1, c. 2. " Epiphan. Ha., es. 72. ls Socrat. 1. 1, c. 19. » Ibid. 1. 2, c. 40. » Ibid. 1. 4, c. 12. 18 Tract. de Fide in Ascet. 19 In Anchorat., c. 120. » De Fide et Symbolo. 21 De Symbolo ad Catechumenos. n De lncarnat., lib. 6. " Exposit. in Symbol., Apost., -g 20. 92 THE APOSTLES' CREED. As it stood An. Dom. 600. Copied from Mr. Justice Bailey's Edition of the book of Common Prayer. " Before the year 600, it was no more than this. —Mr. Justice Bailey. p. 9 n. 1 I Believe in God the Fa ther Almighty: 2 And in Jesus Christ his on ly begotten Son, our Lord ; 3 Who was born of the Holy Ghost and Virgin Mary, 4 And was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and was buried ; 5 And the third day rose again from the dead. 6 Ascended into heaven, sit teth on the right hand of the Father ; 7 Whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead ; 8 And in the Holy Ghost ; 9 The Holy Church ; 10 The remission of sins ; 11 And the resurrection of the flesh, Amen. As it stands in the book of Common Prayer of tlie United Church of Eng land and Ireland as by law estab lished. 1 I Believe in God the Fa ther Almighty, maker of heaven and earth : 2 And in Jesus Christ his on ly Son, our Lord : 3 Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, 4 Suffered under Pontius Pi late, was crucified, dead and buried ; 5 He descended into hell ; 6 The third day he rose again from the dead ; 7 He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; 8 From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 9 Tf I believe in the Holy Ghost ; 10 The holy Catholic Church ; the communion of saints ; 11 The forgiveness of sins ; 12 The resurrection of the body ; and the life everlasting, Amen. 93 THE EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE to the LAODI- CEANS. TThis Epistle has been highly esteemed by several learned men of the church of Borne and others. The Quakers have printed a translation ind plead for it as the reader may see, by consulting Poole's Annotations 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 Li brary of Joannes a Viridario, at Padua, which he transcribed and pub lished, 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 MdS., Cod. 1212.] 1 He salutes the brethren. 3 exhorts them to persevere in good works, 4 and not to be moved bg 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 judg ment. 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 ac company salvation. 6 And now my bonds, which I suffer in Christ, are manifest, in which I rejoice and am glad. 7 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 ; (for) 94 to me 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 be loved, rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, aud 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 re port, 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 Je sus 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. The EPISTLES of 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, pp. 89, 90 ; and it is from thence that the present translation is made. Bar- onius, Bellarmine, Dr. Cave, Spanheim, and others, contend that they are not genuine.] CHAP. I. Ann_eus Seneca to Paul Greeting. I SUPPOSE, Paul, you have been informed of that conver sation, which passed yesterday between me and my Lucilius, concerning hypocrisy and other subjects; for there were some of "which I send which I could immediately have wrote an answer, had the young man been at home, whom I in tended to have sent to you : 2 For you know when, and by whom, at what seasons, and to whom I must deliver every thing 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 conversa tion: 4 We were much delighted with your book of many Epistles, which you have wrote to some cities and chief towns of pro vinces, and contain wonderful instructions for moral conduct: 5 Such sentiments, as I sup pose you were not the author of, but only the instrument of con veying, though sometimes both the author and the instrument. 6 For such is the sublimity of those doctrines, and their gran deur, 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. CHAP. II. Paul to Seneca Greeting. I RECEIVED your letter yes terday with pleasure : to 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 es teemed a censor, a philosopher, or be the tutor of so great a prince, and a master of every thing, if you were not sincere. I wish you a lasting prosperity. CHAP. III. Ann_eus Seneca to Paul Greeting. I HAVE completed some vo lumes, and divided them into their proper parts. 2 I am determined to read them to Caesar, and if any favour able 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 opi nion of it, before I published it to Caesar, that you might be con vinced of my affection to you. Farewell, dearest Paul. 95 PAUL TO SENECA. 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 be gin to come, we shall presently see each other. I wish you all prosperity. CHAP. V. AmnjEds Seneca lo Paul Greeting. WE are very much concerned at your too long absence from us. 2 What is it, or what affairs are they, which obstruct your coming ? 3 If you fear the anger of Caesar, because you have abon- doned your former religion, and made proselytes also of other,-., you have this to plead, that your acting thus proceeded not from inconstancy, but judgment. Farewell. CHAP. VI. Paul to Seneca and Luoilius 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 declare3 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 occa sions of quarrelling. 4 And if we show a submissive temper, we shall overcome effec tually in all points, if so be they are, who are capable of seeing and acknowledging themselves to have been in the wrong. Fare well. CHAP. VII. Ann_eus Seneca to Paul Greeting. I PROFESS myself extremely pleased with the reading your letters to the Galatians, Corin thians, and people of Achaia. 2 For the Holy Ghost has iu 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 bro ther, that I may not at once dis honestly conceal anything from you, and be unfaithful to my own conscience, that the emperor is extremely pleased with the senti ments of your Epistles ; 5 For when he heard the be ginning of them read, he declar ed, That he was surprised to find such notions in a person, who hud 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 hira 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. Fare well. CHAP. VIII. Paul to Seneca Greeting. ALTHOUGH I know the em peror is both an admirer and favourer ofour (religion), yet give me leave to advise you against your suffering any injury, (by shewing favour to us.) THE LAST JUDGMENT. [Page HI. PROM A PERSIAN MINIATURE OF THE EIGHTH CENTURY. PAUL AND SENECA. 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 wor shipper of the heathen gods. 3 I know not what you parti cularly had in view, when you told him of this ; but I suppose you did it out of too great re spect for me. 4 But I desire that for the fu ture you would not do so; for you had need be careful, lest by shewing your affection for me, you should offend your master : 5 His anger indeed will do us no harm, if he continue a hea then; nor will his not being angry be of any service to us : 6 And if the empress act wor thy of her character, she will not be angry ; but if she acts as a woman, she will be affronted. Farewell. A1 CHAP. IX. Ann.eus Seneca to Paul Greeting, I KNOW that my letter, where in 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 di vert men's minds from their for mer manners and practices, that I have always been surprised, and have been fully convinced of it by many arguments here tofore. 3 Let us therefore begin afresh ; and if any thing hereto fore has been imprudently acted, do you forgive. 4 I have sent you a book de copia verborum. Farewell, dear est Paul. 7 CHAP. X. Paul to Seneca Greeting. S often as I write to you, and place my name before yours, I do a thing both dis agreeable to myself, and con trary 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 ofthe calends of July, in the fourth consulship of Nero, and Messala. CHAP. XI. Ann_eus Seneca to Paul Greeting. ALL happiness to you, my dearest Paul. 2 If a person so great, and1 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 sc 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 rae ; 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 xth of the calends of April, in the. consulship of Aprianus- and Capito. 97 PAUL AND SENECA. CHAP. XII. Ann.eus Seneca to Paul Greeting. ALL happiness to you,my dear est Pau 1. Do you not sup pose 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, appeal ing (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 un alterable happiness. 4 Former ages have produced (tyrants) Alexander the son of Philip, and Dionysius ; ours also has produced Caius Csesar ; 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 with out 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 vil lanies with lies, is appointed to, or reserved till, his proper time. 7 And as the life of every ex cellent 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. 98 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 ofthe calends of April, in the consulship of Frigius and Bassus. CHAP. XIII. Ann-eus Seneca to Paul Greeting. ALL happiness to you, my dearest Paul. 2 You have wrote many vo lumes in an allegorical and mys tical style, and therefore such mighty matters and business being committed to you, require not to be set off with any rhe torical flourishes of speech, but only with some proper elegance. 3 I remember you often say, 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 re spect to true Latin, and to choose just words, that so you may the better manage thenoble trust which is reposed in you. 5 Farewell. Dated vth of the names of July, Leo and Savinus consuls. CHAP. XIV. Paul to Seneca Greeting. YOUR serious consideration requited with these discov eries, 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 mate rial, which is subject to corrup tion, but the durable word of God, which shall increase and bring forth fruit to eternity. PAUL AND THECLA. 3 That which by your wis dom 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, pru dently make known to the em peror, his family, and to faithful friends ; 6 And though your sentiments will seem disagreeable, and not be comprehended by them, see ing 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 con sulship of Leo and Savinus. The ACTS of 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 of 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 Cliristians. Cyprian, Eusebius. Epiphanius, Austin, Gregory Nazianzen, Chrysostom, and Severus Sulpitius, who all lived within the fourth century, mention Thecla, or refer to her history. Basil of Seleucia wrote her acts, suffer ings, and victories, in verse; and Euagrius Scholasticus, an ecclesiasti cal 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. Eccl., lib. 3, cap. 8.— Cardinal Baronius, 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, wliich Dr. Mills copied and transmitted to Dr. Grabe.] The Martyrdom of the holy and glorious first Martyr and Apos tle Thecla. CHAP. I. 1 Demos and Hermogemes become PauVs companions, 4 Paul visits Onesi- phorus. 8 Invited by Demos and Hermogenes. 11 Preaches to the household of Onesiphorus. 12 His WHEN Paul went up to Ico nium, after his flight from Antioch, Demas and Hermoge nes 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 Paul's companions PAUL AND THECLA. and preachings. 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 Tf 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 person age, 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 de scription which Titus had given them. 7 At length they saw, a man coming (namely Paul), of a low stature, bald (or shaved) on the head, crooked thighs, handsome legs, hollow-eyed ; had a crooked nose; full of grace; for some times he appeared as a man, sometimes he had the counte nance of an angel. And Paul saw Onesiphorus, and was glad. 8 Tf And Onesiphorus said : Hail, thou servant of the blessed God. Paul replied, The grace of God be with thee and thy family. 9 But Demas and Hermoge- nes were moved with envy, and, under a show of great religion, Demas said, And are not we also servants ofthe blessed God? Why didst thou not salute us ? 10 Onesiphorus replied, Be cause I have not perceived' in you the fruits of righteousness ; nevertheless, if ye are of that sort, ye 6hall be welcome to my house also. 100 11 Then Paul went into the house of Onesiphorus, and there was great joy among the family on that account : and they em ployed themselves in prayer, breaking of bread, and hearing Paul preach the word of God concerning temperance and the resurrection, in the following manner : 12 Tf 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 Tf Blessed are> they who- abandon their secular enjoy ments ; for they shall be accept ed 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 trem ble 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 Tf 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 ob serve 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 Tf Blessed are the bodies and Thecla admires PAUL AND THECLA. Paul's preaching. souls of virgins ; for they are ac ceptable to God, and shall not lose the reward of their virginity ; for the word of their (heavenly) Father shall prove eifectual to their salvation in the day of his Son, and they shall enjoy rest for evermore. CHAP. II. 1 Thecla listens anxiously to Paul's preaching. 6 Thamyris, her admirer, concerts with Theoclia her mother to dissuade her, 12 iu vain. 14 Demas and Hermogenes vilify Paul to Thamyris. WHILE Paul was preach ing 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 Tha myris) sat at a certain window in her house. 2 From whence, by the advan tage of a window in the house where Paul was, she both night and day heard Paul's sermons concerning God, concerning cha rity, concerning faith in Christ, and concerning prayer ; 3 Nor would she depart from the window, till with exceeding joy she was subdued to the doc trines of faith. 4 At length, when she saw many women and virgins going in to 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 Tf But when she would not be prevailed upon to depart from tho 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 admire, Tha myris, 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 doc trine ; who, besides all the rest, tells them that there is but one God, who alone is to be worship ped, and that we ought to live in chastity. 8 Tf 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 attend ing 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 tak ing care not to surprise her, he said, Thecla, my spouse, why sit- test thou in this melancholy pos ture ? 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 asto nished, makest no reply ? 11 Then they wept exceeding ly, Thamyris, that he had lost y 101 Demas and Hermogenes PAUL AND THECLA. betray Paul. his spo use ; 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 who went into Paul, and came out from him ; and he saw two men engaged in a very warm dispute, and said tP them ; 14 Tf 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, per suading them, that they ought not to marry, but continue as they are ? 15 1 promise to give you a con siderable sum, if you will give me a just account of him ; for I am the chief person of this city. 16 Demas and Hermogenes re plied, We cannot so exactly tell who he is; but this we know, that he deprives young men of their (intended) wives, and vir gins of their (intended) hus bands, by teaching, There can be no future resurrection, unless ye continue in chastity, and do not defile your flesh. CHAP. 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 entertain ment, where there was wine in 102 abundance, and very rich provi sion. 2 They were brought to a table richly spread, and made to drink plentifully by Thamyris, on ac count of the love he had for The cla 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 in tended wife. 4 Tf Then Demas and Hermo genes answered both together, and said, Let him be brought be fore the governor Castellius, as one who endeavours to persuade the people into the new religion of the Christians, and he, accord ing 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 resurrec tion 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 ac count from them, was filled with hot resentment : 7 And rising early in the morn ing he went to the house of One siphorus, attended by the magis trates, the jailor, and a great mul titude 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 Castel lius. 9 And all the multitude cried out, Away with this impostor Paul imprisoned, PAUL AND THECLA. Thecla vigils him. (magician), for he has perverted the minds of our wives, and all the people hearken to him. CHAP. IV. 1 Paul accused before the governor by Thamyris. 5 Defends himself. 9 Is committed to prison, 10 and visited by Thecla. j rnHEN Thamyris standing be- JL fore the governor's judg ment-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 matri mony 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 (whis pered 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 tp give an account, O' governor, of my doctripes, I desire your audience. 6 That God, who is a God of vengeance, and who stands in need of nothing but the salva tion 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 Ids Son Jesus Christ, whom I preach, and in whom I instruct men to place their hopes as that pjrson who only had such com passion 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 re ceived 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 pri son, who then opened the doors to her, and let her in ; 11 And when she made a pre sent of a silver looking-glass to the jailor, was allowed to go into the room where Paul was ; then she sat 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 be haved himself with courage, her faith so far increased that she kissed his chains. CHAP. V. 1 Thecla sought and found by her rela tions. 4 Brought with Paul before the governm. 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, but one of the porter's fellow-ser vants 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 accord ing to his direction, and there 103 Thecla miraculously PAUL AND THECLA. saved from burning. found her ; and when they came out, they got a mob together, and went and told the governor all that 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 sum mons she received with joy, and went. 6 When Paul was brought thither, the mob with more ve hemence cried out, He is a ma gician, 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 ? S She stood still, with her reyes fixed upon Paul ; and find ing 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 Thamy ris, that all women may learn from her to avoid such practices. 9 Then the governor was ex ceedingly 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 thea tre ; 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 104 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 in stantly 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 tho governor, with surprise behold ing 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 erup tion from the earth beneath, and a cloud from above to pour down great quantities of rain and hail ; 16 Insomuch that by the rup ture of the earth, very many were in great danger, and some were killed, the fire was extin guished, and Thecla preserved. CHAP. 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, toge ther 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 where withal to buy bread ; for Onesi phorus had left all his substance to follow Paul with his family. HELL. IFsge 83. rAINTKD IN FRESCO BY ANDREA ORCAGNA IN THE CHURCH OF ST. MARIA NOVELLO AT FLORENCE. KEY TO THE PLATE "HELL." i. Entrance to the confines of Hell. 2. Charon in his bark. 3. The Minotaur roaring at the approach of condemned souls. 4. Souls agitated by the impure breath of evil spirits. 5. Cerberus devouring the souls of gourmands. 6. The avaricious and prodigal condemned to carry burdens. 7. The envious and angry cast into the Styx. 8. Tower and wall of the evil city. 9. In this ditch are those who have sinned against their neighbors; Centaurs shoot arrows at them. 10. Those who have sinned against themselves are here tormented by Harpies. 1 1 . Rain of fire for those who have sinned against God. 12. Soul of the tyrant Gerion cast into the flames. 13. Debauchees and corruptors of youth flogged by devils. 14. Poisonous gulf into which flatterers are plunged. 15. Lake of fire in the caldrons into which Simonaics are cast. 16. Sorcerers and diviners, their faces turned backward. 17. Bog of boiling pitch for cheats, thieves, and deceivers. 18. Hypocrite crucified. 19. Perfidious advisers plunged into a flaming ditch. 20. For scandalous persons : one holds his head in his hand. 2 1 . Robbers and other criminals tormented by a centaur armed with serpents. 22. Alchemists and quacks a prey to leprosy. 23. Well of ice, for traitors and the ungrateful. 24. Pluto in the midst of a glacier devouring the damned. 25. The holy city of Jerusalem. Thecla visits Paul, PAUL AND THECLA. and restate Alexander. 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 buy ing the bread, he saw his neigh bour Thecla and was surprised, and said to her, Thecla, where are you going? 5 She replied, I am in pur suit of Paul, having been deli vered from tho 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 K 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 pre served me from the fire, to see Paul again. 9 Paul then arose, and when he saw her, said, O God, who searchcst the heart, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, I praise thee that thou hast answered my prayer. iO ^ And there prevailed among them in the cave an en tire 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 so laced 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 fornica tion, and you being handsome, I am afraid lest you should meet with greater temptation than the former, and should not with stand, 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. CHAP. VII. 1 Paul and Thecla go to Antioch. 2 Alexander, a magistrate, falls in love with Thecla : 4 kisses her byfoi-ce : 5 slie resists him: 6 is earned before the governor, and condemned to be thrown to wild beasts. THEN Paul sent back Onesi phorus and his family to their own home, and taking Thecla along with him, went for Antioch ; 2 And as soon as they came into 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 stran ger; 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. 105 and ia thrown PAUL AND THECLA. to wild beasts, 5 Then she laid hold on Alex ander, 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,1 he condemned her to be thrown among the beasts. CHAP. VIII. 2 Thecla entertained by Trifina; 3 brought out to the wild beasts ; a she- lion licks Iter feet. 5 Trifina upon a vision of her deceased daughter, adopts Thecla, 11 who is taken lo the amphi theatre again. WHICH when the people saw, they said : The judg ments 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 am phitheatre, 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 sur prise, accompanied Thecla, and the she-lion licked the feet ol Thecla. The title written which denotes her crime, was, Sacri lege. Then the woman cried out, 0 God, the judgments of this city are unrighteous. 5 After the beasts had been shewn, Trifina took Thecla home with her, and they went to bed ; and behold, the daughter of Tri fina, who was dead, appeared to her mother, and said; Mother, let the young woman, Thecla, be reputed by you as your daugh ter 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 iu her room ; wherefore I desire, Thecla, that you would pray for my daughter, that she may be translated into a state of happi ness, and to life eternal. 7 When Thecla heard this, she immediately prayed to the Lord, and said : 0 Lord God of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ, thou Son of the Most High, grant that her daughter Falconilla may live forever. Trifina hear ing this groaned again, and said: O unrighteous judgments! O unreasonable wickedness 1 that such a creature should (again) be cast to the beasts 1 8 Tf On the morrow, at break of day, Alexander came to Tri- fina's house, and said : The governor and the people are waiting ; bring the criminal forth. 9 But Trifina ran in so violent- • There being something wanting here in the old Greek MS., it is supplied out of the old Latin version, which is in the Bodleian Library, Cod. Digb. 39, riither than out of Simeon Metaphrastes, a writer of the eleventh century. 106 The beasts refusing PAUL AND THECLA. to destroy Thecla. ly upon him, that he was affright ed, 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 engag ed, 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 woman cried out, and said : Let the whole city suf fer 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 ac tion. Kill us all, O governor. O cruel sight! 0 unrighteous judg ment. CHAP. IX. 1 Tliecla thrown naked to the wild beasts; 2 they all refuse lo attack her; 8 throws herself into a pit of water. 10 other wild beasts refuse her. 11 Tied to wild bulls. 13 Miraculously saved. 21 Released. 24 Entertained by Tri. fina. THEN Thecla was taken out of the hand of Trifina, strip ped naked, had a girdle put on, and thrown into the place ap pointed 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, aud 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 to 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 The cla, 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 her self into the water, and said, In thy name, 0 my Lord Jesus Christ, I am this last day baptiz ed. The women and the people seeing this, cried out, and said, Do not throw yourself into the water. And the governor him self cried out, to think that the fish (sea calves) were like to de vour so much beauty. 8 If 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 lighting and fire, were killed, and swam dead upon the surface of the water, and a cloud of fire surrounded 107 iS'Ae is saved PAUL AND THECLA. and released. 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 out cry ; 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 num ber of people ; and upon this all the beasts lay as though they had been fast asleep, and did not touch Thecla. 1 1 Whereupon Alexander said to the Governor, I have some very terrible bulls ; let us bind her to them. To which the gover nor, 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 torment ed, might more violently drag Thecla about, till they had kill ed 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 mem bers of the bulls, and she stood in the middle of the stage, as un concerned as if she had not been bound. 14 But in the mean time Tri fina, 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 com passion on me and the city, and release this woman, who has 108 fought with the beasts ; lest, both you and I, and the whole city be destroyed : 16 For if Csesar should have any account of what has passed now, he will certainly immediate ly destroy the chy, because Tri fina, a person of royal extract, and a relation of his, is dead upon her seat. 17 Upon this the governor1 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 be liever 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 eter nal salvation, and the foundation of eternal life. He is a refuge to those who are in distress ; a sup port to the afflicted, hope and de fence 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 Tj When thegoverncr 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 Thecla visits Paul PAUL AND THECLA. and her mother. 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 be lieve there shall be a resurrec tion of the dead ; now I am persuaded that my daughter is alive. Come therefore home with me, my daughter Thecla, and I will make over all that I have to you. 24 So Thecla went with Tri fina, 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 everywhere 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 preachiug the word of God ; and she stood by • him among the throng. CHAP. X. 1 Tliecla visits P_mI. S Visits Onesi phorus. 8 Visits her mother. 9 Who repulses her. 12 Is tempted by the devil. 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 per ceived, 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, aud led her to the house of Hermes ; and Thecla related to Paul ail that had befallen her in Antioch, insomuch that Paul exceedingly wondered, and all who heard were cbnfirmed 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 Tf So Thecla went to Ico nium. 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 en lightened 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 aloue art God forever and ever. Amen. 8 Tf Thecla now (on her re turn) found Thamyris dead, but her mother Jiving. So calling her mother, she said to her : Theoclia, my mother, is it possi ble 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. 109 Works miracles. PAUL AND THECLA. Escapes defilement. 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 Daphine ; and when she came there, she went to the cave, where she had found Paul with Onesiphorus, and fell down on the ground; and wept be fore God. 11 When she departed thence, she went to Seleucia, and en lightened many in the knowledge of Christ. 12 Tf And a bright cloud con ducted her in her journey. 13 And after she had arrived at Seleucia she went to a place out of the city, about the dis tance of a furlong, being afraid of the inhabitants, because they were worshippers of idols. 14 And she was led (by the elouel) into a mountain called Calaraon, or Rodeon. There she abode many years, and under went 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 aban doned this world, and led a mo nastic life with her. 1 6 Hereby a good report was spread everywhere of Thecla, and she wrought several (mira culous) 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 in stantly cured of whatsoever dis temper they had. 17 The unclean spirits were cast out, making a noise; all received their sick made whole, I 110 and glorified God, who had be- 1 stowed such power on the virgin Thecla ; 18 Insomuch that the physi cians 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 ser vant of Christ. CHAP. XL 1 Is attempted to be ravished, 1 2 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 to gether 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 apprized of their design, and said to them, PAUL AND THECLA. Young men, what is your busi ness? 6 They replied, Is there any one within, whose name is The cla ? She answered, What would you have with her ? They said, We have a mind to lie with her. 7 The blessed Thecla an swered: 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 : It is 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 hor. Then sho with tho (greatest) mildness said to them: Young men havo patience, and see the glory of the Lord. 9 And while they held her, she looked up to heaven and said; 0 God most reverend, to whom none can be likened ; who makest thyself glorious over thine enemies ; who didst deliver me from the fire, and didst not give me up to Thamyris, 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, The cla, 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 observ ing, 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 open ed. 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 con firmation 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 mo nastic 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. Ill The FIRST EPISTLE of CLEMENT 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 apostolical man, and Rufinus 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 ofthe 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 such a use as he here does of it?— The present is the Arch bishop'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. CHAP. I. He commends them for their excellent order and piety in Christ, before their schism broke out. THE Church of God which 4s at Rome, to the Church of God which is at Corinth, 2 elect, sanctified 8by the will of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord: grace and peace from the Al mighty God, by Jesus Christ be multiplied unto you.4 2 Tf Brethren, the 6 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 inquir ed of us : 3 "As also of that wicked and detestable sedition, so ' unbecom ing the elect of God, whicli a few heady 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 experimented the firmness of your faith, 9and 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 ? 1 Sojourneth. * Called. See Hammond on Matt. xx. s Gr. Pearson's note on this place. Ed. Colomesii. p. 2. 6 Ibid Strange to. 112 in. * See Bp. "And. 'Gr. Gr. Lodged as a stranger. 8 Adorned with all manner of virtues. [Pug* 81. CHRIST'S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM, AND CHRIST BEFORE PILATE. [Page ST. PROM INTAGLIOS IN A DOX OP ROCK CRYSTAL, BY A EARLY VENETIAN ARTIST. How the divisions I. CLEMENT. in tlie church began. 5 For ye did all things with- out respect of persons and walk ed 'according to the laws of God ; being subject to those who had the rule over you, and giving the honour that was fit ting to the 2 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 4 order their houses gravely, with all 5 discretion. 8 . "Ye were all of you humble minded, not 'boasting of any thing: desiring rather to be sub ject than to govern; to 8give than to receive ; being 'content with the portion God hath dis pensed to you ; 9 And hearkening diligently to his word, ye "were enlarged in your bowels, having his u suffering always before your eyes. 10 Thus a firm, and u 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 of18 good designs, ye did with M 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 any thing ye had unwillingly sinned against him. 12 Ye contended day and night for the whole brotherhood ; that 16 with compassion and a good conscience, the number of his elect might be saved. 13 Ye were sincere, and with out offence towards each other ; not mindful of injuries ; all se dition and schism was an abom ination unto you. 14 Ye bewailed every one his neighbour's sins, esteeming their defects your own. 15 Yels were kind one to ano ther without grudging|j being ready to every good work. And being adorned with a conversa tion altogether virtuous and reli gious, ye did all things in the fear of God ; whose "command ments were written upon the tables of your heart. CHAP. II. How their divisions began. ALL honour and enlargement was given unto you ; and so was fulfilled that which is written, 18my beloved did eat and drink, he was enlarged and waxed fat, and he kicked. 2 From hence came emula tion, and envy, and strife, and sedition; persecution and "dis order, 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. 1 In. s Presbyters. * Canon, rule. 4 Themselves do their own bininefs. Vid. Not. .Tumi in loc. 6 Temperance, sobriety. 6 1 Pet. v. 5. 'Proud. 8 Acts, xx. 35. 91 Tim. vi. 8. I0Embrac2d it in your very bowels. " -n-aOrjuara. See Dr. Grabe's Addit. to Bp. Bull's Def. fid. Nic p. 60, 61. '2Gr. Tanapa. "Holy counsel, or purpose, or will. "Gr. good. 15With mercy and conscience. 16 Ye were without repentance in all well-doing. Ti'us iii. 1. " Prov. vii. 3. I8 Deut. xxxii. 15. 19 Confusion, tumults, &c 8 113 Envy and emulation I. CLEMENT. the original of strife. 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 command ments nor liveth as is fitting in Christ : 5 But every one 1 follows his own wicked lusts : having taken up an unjust and wicked envy, by which death first entered into the world. CHAP. III. Envy and emulation the original of all strife and disorder. Examples of the mischiefs they have occasioned. POR thus it is written, 2 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 of fering 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? 3If thou shalt offer aright, but not divide aright, hast thou not sinned ? Hold thy peace : unto thee shall be his 1 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 6the death of a brother. For "this our father ' Jacob fled from the face of his brother Esau. 6 It was this that caused 8 Joseph to be persecuted even unto death, and to come into bondage. Envy forced "Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard his own countrymen ask him, 10 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 u shut out of the camp, from the rest of the con gregation seven days. 8 12 Emulation l3 sent Dathan and Abiram quick into the "grave because they raised up a sedition against Moses the ser vant of God. 9 For this David u was not only hated of strangers, but was persecuted even by Saul the king of Israel. 10 But 16not to insist upon antient 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, 18 the most faithful and righteous 19 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 un just envy underwent not one or 1 Walketh after. 'Gen. iv. 3, &c. 'This is according to the x,xx. 1 ' Anoarpojiij, conversion. 6Fratricide. 6Envy. ' Gen. xxviii. "Gen. xxxvii. s Exodus ii. 15. 10 Exod. ii. 14. *•*¦ Made to lodge out. la Num. xii. 14, 1 .** . 13 Brought. u Hades. 16 Had, or underwent the hatred, not only, &c. 16 To cease from. 17 Comhatants, wrestlers. ls The faithful and most righteous. 19 Good. 114 He exhorts them to I. CLEMENT. live by the rules. two, but many 'sufferings; 'till at last being martyred, he went to the place of glory that was due unto him. 13 3 For the same cause did Paul in like manner receive the reward of his patience. Seven times * he was in bonds ; he was whippcd,was stoned; he preached both in the East and in the West ; 6 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 6 by the command of the governors, 15 And departed out of the world, and went unto his holy place ; being become a most emi nent 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 8 left a glorious example to us. 17 For 'this not only men but women have been perse cuted : " and having suffered very grievous and u cruel pun ishments, have finished the course of their faith with firm ness ; 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 bone, 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. CHAP. IV. 1 He exhorts them to live by the rules, and repent of their divisions, and they shall be forgiven. THESE things, beloved, we 15 write unto you, not only 16 for your instruction, but also for our own remembrance. 2 For we are all in the same " lists, and the same combat is 18 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,20 has obtained the grace of repentance for all the world. 6 Let us " search into all the ages that have gone before us ; and let us learn that our Lord has 22 in every one of them still given place for repentance to all such as would 23 turn to him. 7 " Noah preached repentance ; and as many as hearkened to him were saved. 25 Jonah denounced •Labours. 'And so. ' By envy. * Having borne seven times bonds, &c. s He received the, &c. * Vid. Pearson de Success, e. viii. _ 9. T Men who have lived godly, is gathered together. ' Become an excellent example among us. "Envy. 10 The names of Danae and Dirce I omit. — See Junius Annot. in loc. u Cursed afflictions dr torments. " Envy or emulation. "Gen. ii. 23. "Great. 16End. '• Instructing you, but also remembering, &c. "Place of encounter. "Imposed upon us all. " 1 Tim. v. 4. m Afforded or given to. " Look diligently to. " From age to age. " Be turned. " 2 Peter ii. 5 : Genesis vii. K John iii. 115 He sets before them the I. CLEMENT. examples of holy men. destruction against the Nine- vites: 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 3As I live, saith the Lord, I desire not the death of a sin ner, * but that he should repent. Adding farther this good sen tence, saying : 5 Turn from your iniquity, 0 house of Israel. 11" Say unto the children of my people, Though your sins should reach from earth to hea ven ; 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 8the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do well ; seek judgment, re lieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 13 Come now and let us rea son together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow ; though they be red as crimson, 9 they shall be as wool. 14 If ye be willing arid obe dient, 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. 1 5 These things has God esta blished by his Almighty will, desiring that all his beloved should come to repentance. CHAP. V. 1 He sets before them the examples of holy men, whose piety is recorded in the Scriptures. WHEREFORE let us obey his excellent and glorious will ; and 10 imploring his mercy and goodness, let us fall down upon our faces before him, and 11 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 minis tered to his excellent glory. Let us take Enoch for our example ; who beiug 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 20 he went out of his own country, and from 'Received salvation. 'Spoken. 3 Ezekiel xxxiii. 11. ' So much as his repentance. 6 Repent from. 6 Ezekiel xviii. 30, 23 : Isaiah i. ; Jeremiah iii. 4, 19. ' Isaiah v. 16. 8 Evil from your souls. • I will make them as wool. 10 Becoming suppliants of, &c. " Turn ourselves to his mercy. " Vain labour. " Gen. v. 24. " Found. " Being found. " Gen. vi., vii., viii. " In unity. " James ii. 23; Isaiah xii. 8. » Words. m This man. 116 Examples eminent for I. CLEMENT. kindness and charity. his own kindred, and from his father's house : that so forsaking a small country, and a weak affi nity, and a little house, he might inherit the promises of God. 6 For thus God said unto him ; ' get thee out of thy coun try, 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, aud 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 sepa rated himself from Lot, God said unto him; 2Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward and southward and eastward and 3 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 hospi tality, ' 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 unto him. CHAP. VI. 1 And particularly such as have been eminent for their kindness and charity to their neighbours. BY "hospitality and godliness 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 for sake those that trust in him ; but 8 will bring the disobedient to punishment and correction. 3 For his wife who went out with him, being of a different mind, 9 and not continuing in the same obedience, was for that rea son "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 mind ed, and distrustful of the power of God, are "prepared for con demnation, 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 hos pitable, received them, and hid 1 Gen. xii. 1. * Gen. xiii. 14. * Towards the sea. l Gen. xv. 5. s A son was given unto him. • Gen. xix. 2 ; 2 Peter ii. 6 ; Jude 7. ' See Not. in loc. or punished with. 8 But those that turn another way, he puts, Ac. 9 Not in concord. w Put for a sign. " Become. " Jos. ii. 1, &c. " He sent men that should take them, that being taken, &c. " Therefore hospitable Rahab. 117 What rules are given I. CLEMENT. ¦ for thia purpoae. 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 com manded : She answered, " The two men whom ye seek came unto me, but presently they de parted, and are gone: *Not dis covering them unto them. 8 Then she said to the "spies, 6 1 know that the Lord your God 'has given this city into your hands; for the fear of you is fallen upon all that dwell there in. When, therefore, ye shall have taken it 8 ye shall save me and my father's house. 9 And they answered her, saying, It shall be as thou hast spoken to 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 with out thy house, shall be de stroyed. 10 "And they gave her more over a sign : that she should hang out of her house a scarlet rope; "shewing thereby, that by the blood of our Lord, there should be redemption to all that believe und hope in God. Ye sec, beloved, how there was not only faith, but prophecy too in this woman. CHAP. VII. 1 What rules are given for this purpose. LET us, therefore, humble our selves, brethren, laying aside all pride, and boasting, and fool ishness, 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 mea sured to you again. 5 By this command, and by these rules, let us establish our selves, that so we may always walk obediently to his holy words ; being humble minded : 6 For so says "the Holy Scrip ture ; " upon whom shall I look, even upon him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at my word. 7 If It is, therefore, just and "righteous, men and brethren, that we should become obedient unto God, rather than follow 1 Men being sent by the king, and saying. ' Verse 4. s Verses 4, 5. * Vid. Conjecture. Coteler. in loc. 6Men. 6 Verse 9. 'Given you this city. "Verse 13. 9 Verses 18, 19. "Verse 18. "Many ofthe Fathers have applied this to the same purpose. — See not. Coteler . in loc. "Jer. ix. 23. Comp. 2 Cor. xi. 31. "Teaching us. "For thus he saith. 16 Luke vi. 35. "Holy "Word. "Isaiah lxvi. 2. "Holy. 118 He advises them I. CLEMENT. to be humble. 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 compas sion and sweetness of him that made us. , 10 For it is written, 3The 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, 6 1 have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like the cedar of Libanus. I passed by, and lo 1 he was not ; I Bought 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 peace able man. 13 Let us, therefore, hold fast to those who e 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, 10 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 be come 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 ofthe needy, now will I arise saith the Lord ; I will set him in safety, I will deal confidently with him. CHAP. VIII. He advises them to be humble ; and that from 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 " shew of pride and arro gance, u 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 come liness, and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 'In ' Prick on to.— See Junius Ann. s Psalm xxxvii. 9. 4Prov. ii. 10. * Psalm lxviii. 36. • With religion or godliness. ' With hypocrisy will it. " Isaiah xxix. 13. Psalm lxii. 4. "Blessed. "Cursed. "Psalm Ixxviii. H(i, 37. "Psalm xii. 3. " We will magnify our tongue. "Boasting. 16 Kainep tiwafievof, though he were powerful. "Isaiah liii. according to the Hebrew. Persuades to I. CLEMENT. healing of differences. 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 born 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 chastise ment ofour peace was upon him; and with his stripe3 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 ini quity 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 d umb, so he openeth not his mouth. 10 He was taken from prison, and from judgment ; and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgressions of my people was ho 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 right eous servant justify many: for he shall bear their iniquities. ' Psalm xxii. 6. *¦ MS.