The suppressed Gospels and Epistles of the original New Testament of Jesus the Christ, Complete
by William Wake · English · Gutenberg #6516 · 729,862 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: The suppressed Gospels and Epistles of the original New Testament of Jesus the Christ, Complete
Author: William Wake
Release date: December 18, 2004 [eBook #6516]
Most recently updated: December 29, 2020
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6516
Credits: Produced by David Widger with additional proofing by Curtis A. Weyant
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SUPPRESSED GOSPELS AND EPISTLES OF THE ORIGINAL NEW TESTAMENT OF JESUS THE CHRIST, COMPLETE ***
Produced by David Widger with additional proofing by Curtis A. Weyant
THE
SUPPRESSED
GOSPELS AND EPISTLES
OF THE ORIGINAL
NEW TESTAMENT
OF
JESUS THE CHRIST
AND OTHER PORTIONS OF THE ANCIENT HOLY SCRIPTURES.
NOW EXTANT, ATTRIBUTED TO
HIS APOSTLES, AND THEIR DISCIPLES,
AND VENERATED BY THE PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES DURING
THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES,
BUT SINCE, AFTER VIOLENT DISPUTATIONS
FORBIDDEN BY THE
BISHOPS OF THE NICENE COUNCIL,
IN THE REIGN OF THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE
AND OMITTED FROM THE CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANT
EDITIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, BY ITS COMPILERS
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL TONGUES, WITH HISTORICAL
REFERENCES TO THEIR AUTHENTICITY,
BY
ARCHBISHOP WAKE
AND OTHER
LEARNED DIVINES
THE ORDER OF ALL THE
FORBIDDEN BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
WITH THEIR PROPER NAMES, AND NUMBER OF CHAPTERS
CONTENTS:
Mary
Protevangelion
I. Infancy
II. Infancy
Nicodemus
Christ and Abgarus
Laodiceans
Paul and Seneca
Acts of Paul and Thecla
I. Clement
II. Clement
Barnabas
Ephesians
Magnesians
Trallians
Romans
Philadelphians
Smyrnaeans
Polycarp
Philippians
I. Hermas--Visions
II. Hermas--Commands
III. Hermas--Similitudes
PREFACE.
To uphold the "right of private judgment," and our "Christian liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free;" to add fuel to the fire of
investigation, and in the crucible of deep inquiry, melt from the gold
of pure religion, the dross of man's invention; to appeal from the
erring tribunals of a fallible Priesthood, and restore to its original
state the mutilated Testament of the Saviour; also to induce all earnest
thinkers to search not a part, but the whole of the Scriptures, if
therein they think they will find eternal life; I, as an advocate of
free thought and untrammelled opinion, dispute the authority of those
uncharitable, bickering, and ignorant Ecclesiastics who first suppressed
these gospels and epistles; and I join issue with their Catholic and
Protestant successors who have since excluded them from the New
Testament, of which they formed a part; and were venerated by the
Primitive Churches, during the first four hundred years of the Christian
Era.
My opposition is based on two grounds; first, the right of every rational
being to become a "Priest unto himself," and by the test of enlightened
reason, to form his own unbiased judgment of all things natural and
spiritual: second, that the reputation of the Bishops who extracted
these books from the original New Testament, under the pretence of being
Apocryphal, and forbade them to be read by the people, is proved by
authentic impartial history too odious to entitle them to any deference.
Since the Nicene Council, by a pious fraud, which I shall further allude
to, suppressed these books, several of them have been reissued from time
to time by various translators, who differed considerably in their
versions, as the historical references attached to them in the following
pages will demonstrate. But to the late Mr. William Hone we are indebted
for their complete publication for the first time in one volume, about
the year 1820; which edition, diligently revised, and purified of many
errors both in the text and the notes attached thereto, I have
re-published in numbers to enable all classes of the nation to purchase
and peruse them. As, however, instead of being called by their own
designation "Apocryphal," (which yet remains to be proved), they were
re-entitled THE FORBIDDEN BOOKS, and, from communications received,
appear to have agitated a portion of the great mass of ignorant bigotry
which mars the fair form of Religion in these sect-ridden dominions, I
have modified the title to its present shape with the hope that in spite
of illiberal clerical influence, my fellow Christians will read and
inwardly digest the sublime precepts they inculcate;--as pure, as holy,
and as charitable as those principles of Christianity taught in the
Scriptures they; now read by permission; although their minds may, after
mature reflection, doubt the truth of the miraculous records therein
given.
To ensure these Gospels and Epistles an unprejudiced and serious
attention, which they are entitled to, equally with those now patronised
by Church authority, I will briefly refer to that disgraceful epoch in
Roman Ecclesiastical Annals, when the New Testament was mutilated, and
priestly craft was employed for excluding these books from its pages.
HONE, in the preface to his first edition of the Apocryphal New
Testament, so called, without satisfactory grounds, by the Council of
Nice, in the reign of the Emperor Constantine, thus opens the subject:--
"After the writings contained in the New Testament were selected from the
numerous Gospels and Epistles then in existence, what became of the Books
that were rejected by the compilers?"
This question naturally occurs on every investigation as to the period
when and the persons by whom the New Testament was formed. It has been
supposed by many that the volume was compiled by the first Council of
Nice, which, according to Jortin (Rem. on Eccl. vol. ii. p. 177),
originated thus: Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, and Arius, who was a
presbyter in his diocese, disputed together about the nature of Christ;
and the bishop being displeased at the notions of Arius, and finding
that they were adopted by other persons, "was very angry." He commanded
Arius to come over to his sentiments, and to quit his own; as if a man
could change his opinions as easily as he can change his coat! He then
called a Council of War, consisting of nearly, a hundred bishops, and
deposed, excommunicated, and anathematized Arius, and with him several
ecclesiastics, two of whom were bishops. Constantine sent a letter, in
which he reprimanded the bishops for disturbing the church with their
insignificant disputes. But the affair was gone too far to be thus
composed. To settle this and other points, the Nicene Council was
summoned, consisting of about 318 bishops. The first thing they did was
to quarrel, and to express their resentments, and to present accusations
to the Emperor against one another. "The Emperor burnt all their libels,
and exhorted them to peace and unity." (See Mosheim's Eccle. Hist.) These
were the kind of spiritual shepherds of whom Sabinus, the Bishop
Heraclea affirms, that excepting Constantine himself, and Eusebius
Pamphilus, they "were a set of illiterate creatures, that understood
nothing." And now intelligent Catholics, especially Protestants who are
content to read only the books of the Testament authorized by the Council
of Nice, and agreed to ever since by your own bishops, although they and
you profess to dissent from the Papacy, hear what Pappus in his Synodican
to that Council says of their crafty contrivance when they separated the
books of the original New Testament:--He tells us, that having
"promiscuously put all the books that were referred to the Council for
deliberation under the communion-table in a church, they besought the
Lord that the inspired writings might get on the table, while the
spurious ones remained underneath; and that it happened accordingly!"
(See Com. Mace's N. T. p. 875.) Therefore, good reader, every Christian
sect from the fourth century to the present period, have been blessed
with the books that climbed upon the communion-table, and in consequence
were deemed inspired and canonical; at the same time have been forbidden
to read the Gospels and Epistles herein published, because they could
not perform the same feat, but remained under the table, and were
condemned accordingly, as uninspired and apocryphal writings. If you
believe this popish legend, you will not read the good books I lay before
you, but still continue to possess only HALF THE TESTAMENT, instead of
the PERFECT ONE, which will enable you to burst the trammels of
priestcraft, and by the light of God's whole truth become free. In
conclusion, I implore you to examine for yourselves, and observe the
testimony of Archbishop Wake and other learned divines and historians
appended thereto; and subscribe myself,
Your well-wisher,
EDWARD HANCOCK.
FORBIDDEN BOOKS
OF THE
NEW TESTAMENT.
THE GOSPEL OF THE BIRTH OF MARY.
CHAPTER I.
1 The Parentage of Mary.
7 Joachim her father, and Anna her mother,
go to Jerusalem to the feast of the dedication.
9 Issachar, the high priest, reproaches Joachim
for being childless.
THE blessed and ever glorious
Virgin Mary, sprung from
the royal race and family of David,
was born in the city of Nazareth,
and educated at Jerusalem, in the
temple of the Lord.
2 Her father's name was Joachim,
and her mother's Anna.
The family of her father was of
Galilee and the city of Nazareth.
The family of her mother was of
Bethlehem.
3 Their lives were plain and
right in the sight of the Lord,
pious and faultless before men;
for they divided all their substance
into three parts;
4 One of which they devoted to
the temple and officers of the
temple; another they distributed
among strangers, and persons in
poor circumstances; and the third
they reserved for themselves and
the uses of their own family.
5 In this manner they lived for
about twenty years chastely, in the
favour of God, and the esteem of
men, without any children.
6 But they vowed, if God should
favour them with any issue, they
would devote it to the service of
the Lord; on which account they
went at every feast in the year to
the temple of the Lord.
7 And it came to pass, that
when the feast of the dedication
drew near, Joachim, with some
others of his tribe, went up to
Jerusalem, and at that time,
Isachar was high-priest;
8 Who, when he saw Joachim
along with the rest of his
neighbours, bringing his offerings,
despised both him and his offerings,
and asked him,
9 Why he, who had no children,
would presume to appear among
those who had? Adding, that his
offerings could never be acceptable
to God, who was judged by him
unworthy to have children; the
Scripture having said, Cursed is
every one who shall not beget a
male in Israel.
10 He further said, that he ought
first to be free from that curse by
begetting some issue, and then
come with his offerings into the
presence of God.
11 But Joachim being much
confounded with the shame of such
reproach, retired to the shepherds
who were with the cattle in their
pastures;
12 For he was not inclined to
return home, lest his neighbours,
who were present and heard all
this from the high-priest, should
publicly reproach him in the same
manner.
CHAPTER II.
1 An angel appears to Joachim,
9 and informs him that Anna shall conceive and
bring forth a daughter, who shall be called Mary,
11 be brought up in the temple,
12 and while yet a virgin, in a way unparalleled,
bring forth the Son of God:
13 Gives him a sign,
14 and departs.
BUT when he had been there for
some time, on a certain day
when he was alone, the angel
of the Lord stood by him with
a prodigious light.
2 To whom, being troubled at
the appearance, the angel who had
appeared to him, endeavouring to
compose him, said:
3 Be not afraid, Joachim, nor
troubled at the sight of me, for
I am an angel of the Lord sent by
him to you, that I might inform
you that your prayers are heard,
and your alms ascended in the
sight of God.
4 For he hath surely seen your
shame, and heard you unjustly
reproached for not having children:
for God is the avenger of sin,
and not of nature;
5 And so when he shuts the
womb of any person, he does it for
this reason, that he may in a more
wonderful manner again open it,
and that which is born appear to
be not the product of lust, but the
gift of God.
6 For the first mother of your
nation, Sarah, was she not barren
even till her eightieth year: and
yet even in the end of her old age
brought forth Isaac, in whom the
promise was made of a blessing to
all nations.
7 Rachel, also, so much in
favour with God, and beloved so
much by holy Jacob, continued
barren for a long time, yet
afterwards was the mother of Joseph,
who was not only governor of
Egypt, but delivered many nations
from perishing with hunger.
8 Who among the judges was
more valiant than Sampson, or more
holy than Samuel? And yet both
their mothers were barren.
9 But if reason will not convince
you of the truth of my words, that
there are frequent conceptions in
advanced years, and that those
who were barren have brought forth
to their great surprise; therefore
Anna your wife shall bring you a
daughter, and you shall call her
name Mary;
10 She shall, according to your
vow, be devoted to the Lord from
her infancy, and be filled with the
Holy Ghost from her mother's
womb;
11 She shall neither eat nor
drink any thing which is unclean,
nor shall her conversation be
without among the common people,
but in the temple of the Lord;
that so she may not fall under any
slander or suspicion of what is bad.
12 So in the process of her
years, as she shall be in a
miraculous manner born of one that
was barren, so she shall, while yet
a virgin, in a way unparalleled,
bring forth the Son of the most
High God, who shall, be called
Jesus, and, according to the
signification of his name, be the
Saviour of all nations.
13 And this shall be a sign to
you of the things which I declare,
namely, when you come to the
golden gate of Jerusalem, you
shall there meet your wife Anna,
who being very much troubled
that you returned no sooner, shall
then rejoice to see you.
14 When the angel had said this,
he departed from him.
CHAPTER III.
1 The angel appears to Anna;
2 tells her a daughter shall be born unto her,
3 devoted to the service of the Lord in the temple,
5, who, being a virgin, and not knowing man,
shall bring forth the Lord,
6 and gives her a sign therefore.
8 Joachim and Anna meet, and rejoice,
10 and praise the Lord.
11 Anna conceives, and brings forth a daughter called Mary.
AFTERWARDS the angel appeared
to Anna his wife, saying;
Fear not, neither think that
which you see is a spirit;
2 For I am that angel who hath
offered up your prayers and alms
before God, and am now sent to
you, that I may inform you, that
a daughter will be born unto you,
who shall be called Mary, and
shall be blessed above all women.
3 She shall be, immediately
upon her birth, full of the grace of
the Lord, and shall continue during
the three years of her weaning
in her father's house, and afterwards,
being devoted to the service of the Lord,
shall not depart from the temple,
till she arrive to years of discretion.
4 In a word, she shall there
serve the Lord night and day in
fasting and prayer, shall abstain
from every unclean thing, and
never know any man;
5 But, being an unparalleled instance
without any pollution or defilement,
and a virgin not knowing any man,
shall ring forth a son, and a maid
shall bring forth the Lord, who
both by his grace and name and works,
shall be the Saviour of the world.
6 Arise therefore, and go up to
Jerusalem, and when you shall
come to that which is called the
golden gate (because it is gilt with
gold), as a sign of what I have told
you, you shall meet your husband,
for whose safety you have been so
much concerned.
7 When therefore you find these
things thus accomplished, believe
that all the rest which I have told
you, shall also undoubtedly be
accomplished.
8 According therefore to the
command of the angel, both of
them left the places where they
were, and when they came to the
place specified in the angels
prediction, they met each other.
9 Then, rejoicing at each other's
vision, and being fully satisfied in
the promise of a child, they gave
due thanks to the Lord, who exalts
the humble.
10 After having praised the
Lord, they returned home, and
lived in a cheerful and assured
expectation of the promise of God.
11 So Anna conceived, and
brought forth a daughter, and,
according to the angel's command,
the parents did call her name Mary.
CHAPTER IV.
1 Mary brought to the temple at three years old.
6 Ascends the stairs of the temple by miracle.
8 Her parents sacrifice and return home.
AND when three years were
expired, and the time of her
weaning complete, they brought
the Virgin to the temple of the
Lord with offerings.
2 And there were about the
temple, according to the fifteen
Psalms of degrees, fifteen stairs
to ascend.
3 For the temple being built in
a mountain, the altar of burnt-
offering, which was without, could
not be come near but by stairs;
4 The parents of the blessed
Virgin and infant Mary put her
upon one of these stairs;
5 But while they were putting
off their clothes, in which they had
travelled, and according to custom
putting on some that were more
neat and clean,
6 In the mean time the Virgin
of the Lord in such a manner went
up all the stairs one after another,
without the help of any to lead her
or lift her, that any one would have
judged from hence, that she was of
perfect age.
7 Thus the Lord did, in the
infancy of his Virgin, work this
extraordinary work, and evidence by
this miracle how great she was like
to be hereafter.
8 But the parents having offered
up their sacrifice, according to the
custom of the law, and perfected
their vow, left the Virgin with
other virgins in the apartments of
the temple, who were to be brought
up there, and they returned home.
CHAPTER V.
2 Mary ministered unto by angels.
4 The high priest orders all virgins of fourteen
years old to quit the temple and endeavour to be married.
5 Mary refuses,
6 having vowed her virginity to the Lord.
7 The high-priest commands a meeting of the chief persons
of Jerusalem,
11 who seek the Lord for counsel in the matter.
13 A voice from the mercy-seat.
15 The high-priest obeys it by ordering all the unmarried
men of the house of David to bring their rods to the altar,
17 that his rod which should flower, and on which the
Spirit of God should sit, should betroth the Virgin.
BUT the Virgin of the Lord, as
she advanced in years, increased
also in perfections, and according
to the saying of the Psalmist,
her father and mother forsook her,
but the Lord took care of her.
2 For she every day had the
conversation of angels, and every
day received visitors from God,
which preserved her from all sorts
of evil, and caused her to abound
with all good things;
3 So that when at length she
arrived to her fourteenth year, as
the wicked could not lay any thing
to her charge worthy of reproof,
so all good persons, who were
acquainted with her, admired her
life and conversation.
4 At that time the high-priest
made a public order, That all the
virgins who had public settlements
in the temple, and were come to
this age, should return home, and,
as they were now of a proper
maturity, should, according to the
custom of their country, endeavour
to be married.
5 To which command, though
all the other virgins readily yielded
obedience, Mary the Virgin of the
Lord alone answered, that she
could not comply with it,
6 Assigning these reasons, that
both she and her parents had
devoted her to the service of the
Lord; and besides, that she had
vowed virginity to the Lord,
which vow she was resolved never
to break through by lying with a
man.
7 The high-priest being hereby
brought into a difficulty,
8 Seeing he durst neither on the
one hand dissolve the vow, and
disobey the Scripture, which says,
Vow and pay,
9 Nor on the other hand
introduce a custom, to which
the people were strangers, commanded,
10 That at the approaching feast
all the principal persons both of
Jerusalem and the neighbouring
places should meet together, that
he might have their advice, how
he had best proceed in so difficult
a case.
11 When they were accordingly
met, they unanimously agreed to
seek the Lord, and ask counsel
from him on this matter.
12 And when they were all
engaged in prayer, the high-priest
according to the usual way, went
to consult God.
13 And immediately there was
a voice from the ark, and the mercy
seat, which all present heard, that
it must be enquired or sought out
by a prophecy of Isaiah, to whom
the Virgin should be given and be
betrothed;
14 For Isaiah saith, there shall
come forth a rod out of the stem of
Jesse, and a flower shall spring
out of its root,
15 And the Spirit of the Lord
shall rest upon him, the Spirit of
Wisdom and Understanding, the
Spirit of Counsel and Might, the
Spirit of Knowledge and Piety,
and the Spirit of the fear of the
Lord shall fill him.
16 Then, according to this
prophecy, he appointed, that all
the men of the house and family
of David, who were marriageable,
and not married, should bring their
several rods to the altar,
17 And out of whatsoever
person's rod after it was brought,
a flower should bud forth, and on
the top of it the Spirit of the Lord
should sit in the appearance of a
dove, he should be the man to
whom the Virgin should be given
and be betrothed.
CHAPTER VI.
1 Joseph draws back his rod.
5 The dove pitches on it. He betroths Mary and
returns to Bethlehem.
7 Mary returns to her parents' house at Galilee.
AMONG the rest there was a
man named Joseph of the
house and family of David, and a
person very far advanced in years,
who kept back his rod, when every
one besides presented his.
2 So that when nothing appeared
agreeable to the heavenly voice,
the high-priest judged it proper to
consult God again.
3 Who answered that he to
whom the Virgin was to be
betrothed was the only person of
those who were brought together,
who had not brought his rod.
4 Joseph therefore was betrayed.
5 For, when he did bring his
rod, and a dove coming from
Heaven pitched upon the top of
it, every one plainly saw, that the
Virgin was to be betrothed to him.
6 Accordingly, the usual
ceremonies of betrothing being over,
he returned to his own city of
Bethlehem, to set his house in
order, and make the needful
provisions for the marriage.
7 But the Virgin of the Lord,
Mary, with seven other virgins of
the same age, who had been weaned
at the same time, and who had
been appointed to attend her by
the priest, returned to her parents'
house in Galilee.
CHAPTER VII.
7 The salutation of the Virgin by Gabriel, who explains to her
that she shall conceive, without lying with a man, while a Virgin,
19 by the Holy Ghost coming upon her without the heats of lust.
21 She submits.
NOW at this time of her first
coming into Galilee, the
angel Gabriel was sent to her
from God, to declare to her the
conception of our Saviour, and
the manner and way of her
conceiving him.
2 Accordingly going into her,
he filled the chamber where she
was with a prodigious light, and
in a most courteous manner saluting
her, he said,
3 Hail, Mary! Virgin of the
Lord most acceptable! O Virgin
full of grace! The Lord is with
you. You are blessed above all
women, and you are blessed above
all men, that have been hitherto
born.
4 But the Virgin, who had
before been well acquainted with
the countenances of angels, and
to whom such light from heaven
was no uncommon thing,
5 Was neither terrified with the
vision of the angel, nor astonished
at the greatness of the light, but
only troubled about the angel's
words,
6 And began to consider what
so extraordinary a salutation should
mean, what it did portend, or what
sort of end it would have.
7 To this thought the angel,
divinely inspired, replies;
8 Fear not, Mary, as though
I intended anything inconsistent
with your chastity in this salutation:
9 For you have found favour
with the Lord, because you made
virginity your choice.
10 Therefore while you are a
Virgin, you shall conceive without
sin, and bring forth a son.
11 He shall be great, because
he shall reign from sea to sea, and
from the rivers even to the ends of
the earth?
12 And he shall be called the
Son of the Highest; for he who is
born in a mean state on earth,
reigns in an exalted one in heaven.
13 And the Lord shall give him
the throne of his father David, and
he shall reign over the house of
Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom
there shall be no end.
14 For he is the King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords, and his throne
is forever and ever.
15 To this discourse of the
angel the Virgin replied, not, as
though she were unbelieving, but
willing to know the manner of it.
16 She said, How can that be?
For seeing, according to my vow,
I have never known any man, how
can I bear a child without the
addition of a man's seed.
17 To this the angel replied
and said, Think not, Mary, that
you shall conceive in the ordinary
way.
18 For, without lying with a
man, while a Virgin, you shall
conceive; while a Virgin, you
shall bring forth; and while a
Virgin shall give suck.
19 For the Holy Ghost shall
come upon you, and the power of
the Most High shall overshadow
you, without any of the heats of
lust.
20 So that which shall be born
of you shall be only holy, because
it only is conceived without sin,
and being born, shall be called the
Son of God.
21 Then Mary stretching forth
her hands, and lifting her eyes to
heaven, said, Behold the handmaid
of the Lord! Let it be unto me
according to thy word.
CHAPTER VIII.
1 Joseph returns to Galilee, to marry the Virgin
he had betrothed;
4 perceives she is with child,
5 is uneasy,
7 purposes to put her away privily,
8 is told by the angel of the Lord it is not the
work of man but the Holy Ghost;
12 Marries her, but keeps chaste,
13 removes with her to Bethlehem,
15 where she brings forth Christ.
JOSEPH therefore went from
Judaea to Galilee, with intention
to marry the Virgin who was
betrothed to him:
2 For it was now near three
months since she was betrothed
to him.
3 At length it plainly appeared
she was with child, and it could
not be hid from Joseph:
4 For going to the Virgin in a
free manner, as one espoused, and
talking familiarly with her, he
perceived her to be with child,
5 And thereupon began to be
uneasy and doubtful, not knowing
what course it would be best to take;
6 For being a just man, he was
not willing to expose her, nor
defame her by the suspicion of
being a harlot, since he was a
pious man:
7 He purposed therefore privately
to put an end to their agreement,
and as privately to send her away.
8 But while he was meditating
these things, behold the angel of
the Lord appeared to him in his
sleep, and said, Joseph, son of
David, fear not;
9 Be not willing to entertain
any suspicion of the Virgin's
being guilty of fornication, or to
think any thing amiss of her,
neither be afraid to take her to wife:
10 For that which is begotten
in her and now distresses your
mind, is not the work of man, but
the Holy Ghost.
11 For she of all women is that
only Virgin who shall bring forth
the Son of God, and you shall call
his name Jesus, that is, Saviour:
for he will save his people from
their sins.
12 Joseph thereupon, according
to the command of the angel,
married the Virgin, and did not
know her, but kept her in chastity.
13 And now the ninth month
from her conception drew near,
when Joseph took his wife and
what other things were necessary
to Bethlehem, the city from whence
he came.
14 And it came to pass, while
they were there, the days were
fulfilled for her bringing forth.
15 And she brought forth her
first-born son, as the holy
Evangelists have taught, even our
Lord Jesus Christ, who with the
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
lives and reigns to everlasting ages.
REFERENCES TO MARY'S GOSPEL
[In the primitive ages there was a Gospel extant bearing this name,
attributed to St. Matthew, and received as genuine and authentic by
several of the ancient Christian sects. It is to be found in the works
of Jerome, a Father of the Church, who flourished in the fourth century,
from whence the present translation is made. His contemporaries,
Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis, and Austin also mention a gospel under
this title. The ancient copies differed from Jerome's, for from one of
them the learned Faustus, a native of Britain, who became Bishop of Riez,
in Provence, endeavoured to prove that Christ was not the Son of God till
after his baptism; and that he was not of the house of David and tribe of
Judah, because, according to the Gospel he cited, the Virgin herself was
not of this tribe, but of the tribe of Levi; her father being a priest of
the name of Joachim. It was likewise from this Gospel that the sect of
the Collyridians established the worship and offering of manchet bread
and cracknels, or fine wafers, as sacrificed to Mary, whom they imagined
to have been born of a Virgin, as Christ is related in the Canonical
Gospels to have been born of her. Epiphanius likewise cites a passage
concerning the death of Zacharias, which is not in Jerome's copy, viz.:
"That it was the occasion of the death of Zacharias in the temple, that
when he had seen a vision, he, through surprise, was willing to disclose
it, and his mouth was stopped. That which he saw was at the time of his
offering incense, and it was a man standing in the form of an ass.
When he was gone out, and had a mind to speak thus to the people, Woe
unto you, whom do you worship? he who had appeared to him in the temple
took away the use of his speech. Afterwards when he recovered it, and was
able to speak, he declared this to the Jews; and they slew him. They add
(viz. the Gnostics in this book), that on this very account the
high-priest was appointed by their lawgiver (by God to Moses) to carry
little bells, that whensoever he went into the temple to sacrifice he,
whom they worshipped, hearing the noise of the bells, might have time
enough to hide himself, and not be caught in that ugly shape and figure."
The principal part of this Gospel is contained in the Protevangelion of
James which follows next in order.]
THE GOSPEL CALLED
THE PROTEVANGELION;
Or, an Historical Account of the BIRTH of CHRIST, and the perpetual
VIRGIN MARY, his Mother, by JAMES THE LESSER, Cousin and Brother
of the Lord Jesus, chief Apostle and first Bishop of the Christians in
Jerusalem.
CHAPTER I.
1 Joachim, a rich man,
2 offers to the Lord,
3 is opposed by Reuben the high priest,
because he has not begotten issue in Israel,
6 retires into the wilderness and fasts
forty days and forty nights.
IN the history of the twelve
tribes of Israel we read there
was a certain person called
Joachim, who being very rich, made
double offerings to the Lord God,
having made this resolution:
My substance shall be for the
benefit of the whole people, that
I may find mercy from the Lord
God for the forgiveness of my sins.
2 But at a certain great feast
of the Lord, when the children of
Israel offered their gifts, and
Joachim also offered his, Reuben the
high-priest opposed him, saying,
it is not lawful for thee to offer
thy gifts, seeing thou hast not
begot any issue in Israel.
3 At this, Joachim being
concerned very much, went away to
consult the registries of the twelve
tribes, to see whether he was the
only person who had begot no
issue.
4 But upon inquiry he found
that all the righteous had raised
up seed in Israel;
5 Then he called to mind the
patriarch Abraham, How that God
in the end of his life had given him
his son Isaac; upon which he was
exceedingly distressed, and would
not be seen by his wife:
6 But retired into the wilderness,
and fixed his tent there, and
fasted forty days and forty nights,
saying to himself,
7 I will not go down either to
eat or drink, till the Lord my
God shall look down upon me, but
prayer shall be my meat and drink.
CHAPTER. II.
1 Anna, the wife of Joachim mourns her barrenness,
6 is reproached with it by Judith her maid,
9 sits under a laurel tree and prays to the Lord.
IN the mean time his wife Anna
was distressed and perplexed
on a double account, and said,
I will mourn both for my widowhood
and my barrenness.
2 Then drew near a great feast
of the Lord, and Judith her maid,
said, How long will you thus
afflict your soul? The feast of
the Lord is now come, when it is
unlawful for any one to mourn.
3 Take therefore this hood
which was given by one who
makes such things, for it is not
fit that I, who am a servant should
wear it, but it well suits a person
of your greater character.
4 But Anna replied, Depart
from me, I am not used to such
things; besides, the Lord hath
greatly humbled me.
5 I fear some ill-designing person
hath given thee this, and thou
art come to reproach me with my sin.
6 Then Judith her maid answered,
what evil shall I wish you,
when you will not hearken to me?
7 I cannot wish you a greater
curse than you are under, in that
God hath shut up your womb, that
you should not be a mother in
Israel.
8 At this Anna was exceedingly
troubled, and having on her wedding
garment, went about three o'clock
in the afternoon to walk in her
garden.
9 And she saw a laurel-tree and
sat under it, and prayed unto the
Lord, saying,
10 O God of my fathers, bless
me and regard my prayer, as thou
didst bless the womb of Sarah;
and gavest her a son Isaac.
CHAPTER III.
1 Anna perceiving a sparrow's nest in the
laurels bemoans her barrenness.
AND as she was looking towards
heaven she perceive a sparrow's
nest in the laurel,
2 And mourning within herself,
she said, Wo is me, who begat
me? and what womb did bear
me, that I should be thus
accursed before the children of
Israel, and that they should
reproach and deride me in the
temple of my God: Wo is me,
to what can I be compared?
3 I am not comparable to the
very beasts of the earth, for even
the beasts of the earth are fruitful
before thee, O Lord! Wo is me,
to what can I be compared?
4 I am not compared to the
brute animal, for even the brute
animals are fruitful before thee,
O Lord! Wo is me, to what am I
comparable?
5 I cannot be comparable to
these waters, for even the waters
are fruitful before thee, O Lord!
Wo is me, to what can I be compared?
6 I am not comparable to the
waves of the sea; for these,
whether they are calm, or in motion,
with the fishes which are in them,
praise thee, O Lord! Wo is me to
what can I be compared?
7 I am not comparable to the
very earth, for the earth produces
its fruits, and praises thee, O Lord!
CHAPTER IV.
1 An Angel appears to Anna and tells her she shall conceive;
two angels appear on the same errand.
5 Joachim sacrifices.
8 Anna goes to meet him,
9 rejoicing that she shall conceive.
THEN an angel of the Lord
stood by her and said, Anna,
Anna, the Lord hath heard thy
prayer; thou shalt conceive and
bring forth, and thy progeny shall
be spoken of in all the world.
2 And Anna answered, As the
Lord my God liveth, whatever I
bring forth, whether it be male or
female, I will devote it to the Lord
my God and it shall minister to
him in holy things, during its
whole life.
3 And behold there appeared
two angels, saying unto her,
Behold Joachim thy husband is
coming with his shepherds.
4 For an angel of the Lord
hath also come down to him, and
said, The Lord God hath heard
thy prayer, make haste and go
hence, for behold Anna thy wife
shall conceive.
5 And Joachim went down and
called his shepherds, saying, Bring
me hither ten she-lambs without
spot or blemish, and they shall
be for the Lord my God.
6 And bring me twelve calves
without blemish, and the twelve
calves shall be for the priests and
the elders.
7 Bring me also a hundred
goats, and the hundred goats shall
be for the whole people.
8 And Joachim went down with
the shepherds, and Anna stood
by the gate and saw Joachim
coming with the shepherds.
9 And she ran, and hanging
about his neck, said, Now I know
that the Lord hath greatly blessed
me:
10 For behold, I who was as a
widow am no longer as a widow, and
I who was barren shall conceive.
CHAPTER V.
1 Joachim abides the first day in his house but
sacrifices on the morrow.
2 Consults the plate on the priests forehead,
3 and is without sin.
6 Anna brings forth a daughter,
9 whom she calls Mary.
AND Joachim abode the first
day in his house, but on the
morrow he brought his offerings,
and said,
2 If the Lord be propitious to
me let the plate which is on the
priests forehead make it manifest.
3 And he consulted the plate
which the priest wore, and saw it,
and behold sin was not found in
him.
4 And Joachim said, Now I know
that the Lord is propitious
to me, and hath taken away all
my sins.
5 And he went down from the
temple of the Lord justified,
and he went to his own house.
6 And when nine months were
fulfilled to Anna, she brought
forth, and said to the midwife,
What have I brought forth?
7 And she told her, A girl.
8 Then Anna said, The Lord
hath this day magnified my soul;
and she laid her in bed.
9 And when the days of her
purification were accomplished,
she gave suck to the child; and
called her name Mary.
CHAPTER VI.
1 Mary at nine months old, walks nine steps.
3 Anna keeps her holy.
4 When she is a year old, Joachim makes a great feast.
7 Anna gives her the breast, and sings a song to the Lord.
AND the child increased in
strength every day, so that
when she was nine months old, her
mother put her upon the ground,
to try if she could stand; and
when she had walked nine steps,
she came again to her mother's
lap.
2 Then her mother caught her
up, and said, As the Lord my God
liveth, thou shalt not walk again
on this earth, till I bring thee
into the temple of the Lord.
3 Accordingly she made her
chamber a holy place, and suffered
nothing uncommon or unclean to
come near her, but invited certain
undefiled daughters of Israel, and
they drew her aside.
4 But when the child was a year
old, Joachim made a great feast,
and invited the priests, scribes,
elders, and all the people of
Israel;
5 And Joachim then made an
offering of the girl to the chief-
priests, and they blessed her,
saying, The God of our fathers bless
this girl, and give her a name
famous and lasting through all
generations. And all the people
replied, So be it, Amen:
6 Then Joachim a second time
offered her to the priests, and they
blessed her, saying, O most high
God, regard this girl, and bless
her with an everlasting blessing.
7 Upon this her mother took
her up, and gave her the breast,
and sung the following song to the
Lord.
8 I will sing a song unto the
Lord my God, for he hath visited
me, and taken away from me the
reproach of mine enemies, and
hath given me the fruit of his
righteousness, that it may now be
told the sons of Reuben, that Anna
gives suck.
9 Then she put the child to rest
in the room which she had consecrated,
and she went out and ministered unto
them.
10 And when the feast was
ended, they went away rejoicing,
and praising the God of Israel.
CHAPTER VII.
3 Mary being three years old, Joachim causes certain virgins to
light each a lamp, and goes with her to the temple.
5 The high-priest places her on the third step of the altar, and
sits dances with her feet.
BUT the girl grew, and when
she was two years old, Joachim
said to Anna, Let us lead her
to the temple of the Lord,
that we may perform our vow,
which we have vowed unto the
Lord God, lest he should be angry
with us, and our offering be
unacceptable.
2 But Anna said, Let us wait
the third year, lest she should
be at a loss to know her father.
And Joachim said, Let us then
wait.
3 And when the child was
three years old, Joachim said,
Let us invite the daughters of the
Hebrews, who are undefiled, and let
them take each a lamp, and let
them be lighted, that the child
may not turn back again, and her
mind be set against the temple of
the Lord,
4 And they did thus till they
ascended into the temple of the Lord.
And the high-priest received her,
and blessed her, and said, Mary,
the Lord God hath magnified thy
name to all generations, and to the
very end of time by thee will the
Lord shew his redemption to the
children of Israel.
5 And he placed her upon the
third step of the altar, and the
Lord gave unto her grace, and she
dance with her feet, and all the
house of Israel loved her.
CHAPTER VIII.
2 Mary fed in the temple by angels.
3 When twelve years old the priests consult what to do with her.
6 The angel of the Lord warns Zacharias to call together all the
widowers, each bringing a rod.
7 The people meet by sound of trumpet.
8 Joseph throws away his hatchet, and goes to the meeting.
11 A dove comes forth from his rod, and alights on his head.
12 He is chosen to betroth the Virgin,
13 refuses because he is an old man,
14 is compelled,
16 takes her home, and goes to mind his trade of building.
AND her parents went away
filled with wonder, and praising God,
because the girl did not return back
to them.
2 But Mary continued in the
temple as a dove educated there,
and received her food from the
hand of an angel.
3 And when she was twelve
years of age, the priests met in a
council, and said, Behold, Mary is
twelve years of age, what shall we
do with her, for fear lest the holy
place of the Lord our God should
be defiled?
4 Then replied the priests to
Zacharias the high-priest, Do you
stand at the altar of the Lord, and
enter into the holy place, and make
petitions concerning her, and
whatsoever the Lord shall manifest
unto you, that do.
5 Then the high-priest entered
into the Holy of Holies, and taking
away with him the breast-plate of
judgment made prayers concerning her;
6 And behold the angel of the
Lord came to him, and said,
Zacharias, Zacharias, Go forth and
call together all the widowers
among the people, and let every
one of them bring his rod, and
he by whom the Lord shall shew
a sign shall be the husband of
Mary.
7 And the criers went out
through all Judaea, and the trumpet
of the Lord sounded, and all
the people ran and met together.
8 Joseph also throwing away
his hatchet, went out to meet
them; and when they were met,
they went to the high-priest;
taking every man his rod.
9 After the high-priest had
received their rods, he went
into the temple to pray;
10 And when he had finished
his prayer, he took the rods, and
went forth and distributed them,
and there was no miracle attended
them.
11 The last rod was taken by
Joseph, said behold a dove
proceeded out of the rod, and
flew upon the head of Joseph.
12 And the high-priest said,
Joseph, Thou art the person
chosen to take the Virgin of the
Lord, to keep her for him:
13 But Joseph refused, saying,
I am an old man, and have children,
but she is young, and I fear
lest I should appear ridiculous
in Israel.
14 Then the high-priest replied,
Joseph, Fear the Lord thy God,
and remember how God dealt with
Dathan, Korah, and Abiram, how
the earth opened and swallowed
them up, because of their
contradiction.
15 Now therefore, Joseph, fear
God lest the like things should
happen in your family.
16 Joseph then being afraid,
took her unto his house, and
Joseph said unto Mary, Behold, I
have taken thee from the temple
of the Lord, and now I will leave
thee in my house; I must go to
mind my trade of building. The
Lord be with thee.
CHAPTER IX.
1 The priests desire a new veil for the temple,
3 seven virgins cast lots for making different parts of it,
4 the lot to spin the true purple falls to Mary.
5 Zacharias, the high priest, becomes dumb.
7 Mary takes a pot to draw water, and hears a voice,
8 trembles and begins to work,
9 an angel Appears and salutes her, and tells her she
shall conceive by the Holy Ghost,
17 she submits.
19 Visits her cousin Elizabeth, whose child in her womb leaps.
AND it came to pass, in a council
of the priests, it was said,
Let us make a new veil for the
temple of the Lord.
2 And the high-priest said,
Call together to me seven undefiled
virgins of the tribe of David.
3 And the servants went and
brought them into the temple of
the Lord, and the high-priest said
unto them, Cast lots before me
now, who of you shall spin the
golden thread, who the blue, who
the scarlet, who the fine linen, and
who the true purple.
4 Then the high-priest knew
Mary; that she was of the tribe of
David; and he called her, and the
true purple fell to her lot to spin,
and she went away to her own
house.
5 But from that time Zacharias
the high-priest became dumb, and
Samuel was placed in his room till
Zacharias spoke again.
6 But Mary took the true purple;
and did spin it.
7 And she took a pot, and
went out to draw water, and heard
a voice saying unto her, Hail thou
who art full of grace, the Lord
is with thee; thou art blessed
among women.
8 And she looked round to the
right and to the left (to see) whence
that voice came, and then trembling
went into her house, and laying
down the water-pot, she took
the purple, and sat down in her
seat to work it.
9 And behold the angel of the
Lord stood by her, and said, Fear
not, Mary, for thou hast found
favour in the sight of God.
10 Which when she heard, she
reasoned with herself what that
sort of salutation meant.
11 And the angel said unto her,
The Lord is with thee, and thou
shalt conceive:
12 To which she replied, What!
shall I conceive by the living God
and bring forth as all other
women do?
13 But the angel returned
answer, Not so, O Mary, but the
Holy Ghost shall come upon thee,
and the power of the Most High
shall overshadow thee;
14 Wherefore that which shall
be born of thee shall be holy,
and shall be called the Son of the
Living God, and thou shalt call his
name Jesus; for he shall save his
people from their sins.
15 And behold thy cousin Elizabeth,
she also hath conceived a son in her
old age.
16 And this now is the sixth
month with her, who was called
barren: for nothing is impossible
with God.
17 And Mary said, Behold the
handmaid of the Lord; let it be
unto me according to thy word.
18 And when she had wrought
her purple, she carried it to the
high-priest, and the high-priest
blessed her, saying, Mary, the
Lord God hath magnified thy name,
and thou shalt be blessed in all the
ages of the world.
19 Then Mary, filled with joy,
went away to her cousin Elizabeth,
and knocked at the door.
20 Which when Elizabeth heard,
she ran and opened to her, and
blessed her, and said, Whence is
this to me, that the mother of my
Lord should come unto me?
21 For lo! as soon as the voice
of thy salutation reached my ears,
that which is in me leaped and
blessed thee.
22 But Mary, being ignorant of
all those mysterious things which
the archangel Gabriel had spoken
to her, lifted up her eyes to heaven,
and said, Lord! What am I, that
all the generations of the earth
should call me blessed?
23 But perceiving herself daily
to grow big, and being afraid, she
went home, and hid herself from
the children of Israel; and was
fourteen years old when all these
things happened.
CHAPTER X.
1 Joseph returns from building houses, finds the Virgin
grown big, being six months gone with child,
2 is jealous and troubled,
8 reproaches her,
10 she affirms her innocence,
13 he leaves her,
16 determines to dismiss her privately,
17 is warned in a dream that Mary is with child by the Holy Ghost,
20 and glorifies God who had shewn him such favour.
AND when her sixth month was
come, Joseph returned from
his building houses abroad, which
was his trade, and entering into the
house, found the Virgin grown big:
2 Then smiting upon his face,
he said, With what face can I look
up to the Lord my God? or, what
shall I say concerning this young
woman?
3 For I received her a Virgin
out of the temple of the Lord my
God, and have not preserved her
such!
4 Who has thus deceived me?
Who has committed this evil in
my house, and seducing the Virgin
from me, hath defiled her?
5 Is not the history of Adam exactly
accomplished in me?
6 For in the very instant of his
glory, the serpent came and found
Eve alone, and seduced her.
7 Just after the same manner it
has happened to me.
8 Then Joseph arising from the
ground, called her, and said, O
thou who hast been so much
favoured by God, why hast thou
done this?
9 Why hast thou thus debased
thy soul, who wast educated in the
Holy of Holies, and received thy
food from the hand of angels?
10 But she, with a flood of tears,
replied, I am innocent, and have
known no man.
11 Then said Joseph, How
comes it to pass you are with
child?
12 Mary answered, As the Lord
my God liveth, I know not by what
means.
13 Then Joseph was exceedingly afraid,
and went ay from her, considering
what he should do with her;
and he thus reasoned with himself:
14 If I conceal her crime, I shall
be found guilty by the law of the
Lord;
15 And if I discover her to the
children of Israel, I fear, lest
she being with child by an angel,
I shall be found to betray the life
of an innocent person.
16 What therefore shall I do?
I will privately dismiss her.
17 Then the night was come
upon him, when behold an angel
of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream, and said,
18 Be not afraid to take that
young woman, for that which is
within her is of the Holy Ghost,
19 And she shall bring forth
a son, and thou shalt call his name
Jesus, for he shall save his people
from their sins.
20 Then Joseph arose from his
sleep, and glorified the God of
Israel, who had shewn him such
favour, and preserved the Virgin.
CHAPTER XI.
3 Annas visits Joseph, perceives the Virgin big with child,
4 informs the high priest that Joseph had privately married her.
8 Joseph and Mary brought to trial on the charge.
17 Joseph drinks the water of the Lord as an ordeal,
and receiving no harm, returns home.
THEN came Annas the scribe,
and said to Joseph, Wherefore
have we not seen you since
your return?
2 And Joseph replied, Because
I was weary after my journey, and
rested the first day.
3 But Annas turning about
perceived the Virgin big with child.
4 And went away to the priest,
and told him, Joseph in whom you
placed so much confidence, is
guilty of a notorious crime, in
that he hath defiled the Virgin
whom he received out of the temple
of the Lord, and hath privately
married her, not discovering it to
the children of Israel.
5 Then said the priest, Hath
Joseph done this?
6 Annas replied, If you send
any of your servants you will find
that she is with child.
7 And the servants went, and
found it as he said.
8 Upon this both she and Joseph
were brought to their trial, and
the priest said unto her, Mary,
what hast thou done?
9 Why hast thou debased thy
soul, and forgot thy God, seeing
thou wast brought up in the Holy
of Holies, and didst receive thy
food from the hands of angels, and
heardest their songs?
10 Why hast thou done this?
11 To which with a flood of
tears she answered, As the Lord
my God liveth, I am innocent in
his sight, seeing I know no man.
12 Then the priest said to Joseph,
Why hast thou done this?
13 And Joseph answered, As
the Lord my God liveth, I have
not been concerned with her.
14 But the priest said, Lie not,
but declare the truth; thou hast
privately married her, and not
discovered it to the children of
Israel, and humbled thyself under
the mighty hand (of God), that thy
seed might be blessed:
15 And Joseph was silent.
16 Then said the priest
(to Joseph), You must restore to
the temple of the Lord the Virgin
which you took thence.
17 But he wept bitterly, and the
priest added, I will cause you both
to drink the water of the Lord,
which is for trial, and so your
iniquity shall be laid open before
you.--[bitter water that causeth the curse]
18 Then the priest took the water,
and made Joseph drink, and sent him
to a mountainous place,
19 And he returned perfectly
well, and all the people wondered
that his guilt was not discovered.
20 So the priest said, Since the
Lord hath not made your sins
evident, neither do I condemn
you.
21 So he sent them away.
22 Then Joseph took Mary, and
went to his house, rejoicing and
praising the God of Israel.
CHAP. XII.
1 A decree from Augustus for taxing the Jews.
5 Joseph puts Mary on an ass, to return to Bethlehem,
6 she looks sorrowful,
7 she laughs,
8 Joseph inquires the cause of each,
9 she tells him she sees two persons,
one mourning and the other rejoicing.
10 The delivery being near, he takes her
from the ass, and places her in a cave.
AND it came to pass, that there
went forth a decree from
the Emperor Augustus, that all
the Jews should be taxed, who
were of Bethlehem in Judaea.
2 And Joseph said, I will take
care that my children be taxed;
but what shall I do with this young
woman?
3 To have her taxed as my wife
I am ashamed; and if I tax her as
my daughter, all Israel knows she
is not my daughter.
4 When the time of the Lord's
appointment shall come, let him do
as seems good to him.
5 And he saddled the ass, and
put her upon it, and Joseph and
Simon followed after her, and
arrived at Bethlehem within three
miles.
6 Then Joseph turning about
saw Mary sorrowful, and said
within himself, Perhaps she is in
pain through that which is within
her.
7 But when he turned about
again, he saw her laughing, and
said to her,
8 Mary, how happens it, that I
sometimes see sorrow, and sometimes
laughter and joy in thy countenance?
9 And Mary replied to him,
I see two people with mine eyes,
the one weeping and mourning,
the other laughing and rejoicing.
10 And he went again across
the way, and Mary said to Joseph,
Take me down from the ass, for
that which is in me presses to come
forth.
11 But Joseph replied, Whither
shall I take thee? for the place is
a desert.
12 Then said Mary again to Joseph,
take me down, for that which is
within me mightily presses me.
13 And Joseph took her down.
14 And he found there a cave,
and let her into it.
CHAPTER XIII.
1 Joseph seeks a Hebrew midwife,
2 perceives the owls stopping in their flight,
3 the working people at their food not moving,
8 the sheep standing still,
9 the shepherd fixed and immoveable,
10 and kids with their mouths touching
the water but not drinking.
AND leaving her and his sons
in the cave, Joseph went
forth to seek a Hebrew midwife in
the village of Bethlehem.
2 But as I was going (said Joseph),
I looked up into the air,
and I saw the clouds astonished,
and the fowls of the air stopping in
the midst of their flight.
3 And I looked down towards
the earth, and saw a table spread,
and working people sitting around
it, but their hands were upon the
table and they did not move to
eat.
4 They who had meat in their
mouths did not eat.
5 They who lifted their hands
up to their heads did not draw
them back,
6 And they who lifted them up
to their mouths did not put any
thing in;
7 But all their faces were fixed
upwards.
8 And I beheld the sheep dispersed,
and yet the sheep stood still.
9 And the shepherd lifted up
his hand to smite them, and his
hand continued up.
10 And I looked unto a river,
and saw the kids with their mouths
close to the water, and touching it,
but they did not drink.
CHAPTER XIV.
1 Joseph finds a midwife.
10 A bright cloud overshadows the cave.
11 A great light in the cave, gradually
increases until the infant is born.
13 The mid-wife goes out, and tells Salome
that she has seen a virgin bring forth.
17 Salome doubts it.
20 her hand withers,
22 she supplicates the Lord,
28 is cured,
30 but warned not to declare what she had seen.
THEN I beheld a woman coming
down from the mountains,
and she said to me, Where art thou
going, O man?
2 And I said to her, I go to
enquire for a Hebrew midwife.
3 She replied to me, Where is
the woman that is to be delivered?
4 And I answered, In the cave,
and she is betrothed to me.
5 Then said the midwife, Is she
not thy wife?
6 Joseph answered, It is Mary,
who was educated in the Holy of
Holies, in the house of the Lord,
and she fell to me by lot, and is
not my wife, but has conceived by
the Holy Ghost.
7 The midwife said, Is this true?
8 He answered, Come and see.
9 And the midwife went along
with him, and stood in the cave.
10 Then a bright cloud over-
shadowed the cave, and the mid-
wife said, This day my soul is
magnified, for mine eyes have seen
surprising things, and salvation is
brought forth to Israel.
11 But on a sudden the cloud
became a great light in the cave,
so that their eyes could not bear it.
12 But the light gradually
decreased, until the infant appeared,
and sucked the breast of his mother,
Mary.
13 Then the midwife cried out,
and said, How glorious a day is
this, wherein mine eyes have seen
this extraordinary sight!
14 And the midwife went out
from the cave, and Salome met
her.
15 And the midwife said to her,
Salome, Salome, I will tell you a
most surprising thing which I saw,
16 A virgin hath brought forth,
which is a thing contrary to
nature.
17 To which Salome replied, As
the Lord my God liveth unless I
receive particular proof of this
matter, I will not believe that a
virgin hath brought forth.
18 If Then Salome went in, and
the midwife said, Mary, shew thyself,
for a controversy is risen
concerning thee.
19 And Salome received satisfaction.
20 But her hand was withered,
and she groaned bitterly;
21 And said, Woe to me, because
of mine iniquity; for I have
tempted the living God, and my
hand is ready to drop off.
22 Then Salome made her
supplication to the Lord, and said,
O God of my Fathers, remember me,
for I am of the seed of Abraham,
and Isaac, and Jacob.
23 Make me not a reproach
among the children of Israel, but
restore me sound to my parents.
24 For thou well knowest,
O Lord, that I have performed many
offices of charity in thy name,
and have received my reward from
thee.
25 Upon this an angel of the
Lord stood by Salome, and said,
The Lord God hath heard thy
prayer, reach forth thy hand to
the child, and carry him, and by
that means thou shalt be restored.
26 Salome filled with exceeding
joy, went to the child, and said,
I will touch him.
27 And she purposed to worship
him, for she said, This is a great
king, which is born in Israel.
28 And straightway Salome was
cured.
29 Then the midwife went out
of the cave, being approved by God.
30 And lo! a voice came to Salome.
Declare not the strange things
which thou hast seen, till
the child shall come to Jerusalem.
31 So Salome also departed,
approved by God.
CHAPTER XV.
1 Wise men come from the east.
3 Herod alarmed;
8 desires them if they find the child to bring him word.
10 They visit the cave and offer the child their treasure,
11 and being warned in a dream, do not return to Herod,
but go home another way.
THEN Joseph was preparing to
go away, because there arose
a great disorder in Bethlehem by
the coming of some wise men
from the east,
2 Who said, Where is the King
of the Jews born? For we have
seen his star in the east, and are
come to worship him.
3 When Herod heard this, he
was exceedingly troubled, and sent
messengers to the wise men, and
to the priests, and enquired of
them in the town-hall,
4 And said unto them, Where
have you it written concerning
Christ the king, or where should
he be born?
5 Then they say unto him, In
Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it
is written: And thou Bethlehem in
the land of Judah, art not the least
among the princes of Judah, for
out of thee shall come a ruler,
who shall rule my people Israel.
6 And having sent away the
chief priests, he enquired of the
wise men in the town-hall, and
said unto them, What sign was it
ye saw concerning the king that is
born?
7 They answered him, We saw
an extraordinary large star shining
among the stars of heaven, and so
out-shined all the other stars, as
that they became not visible, and
we knew thereby that a great king
was born in Israel, and therefore
we are come to worship him.
8 Then said Herod to them, Go
and make diligent inquiry; and if
ye find the child, bring me word
again, that I may come and worship
him also.
9 So the wise men went forth,
and behold, the star which they
saw in the east went before them,
till it came and stood over the cave
where the young child was with
Mary his mother.
10 Then they brought forth out
of their treasures, and offered unto
him gold and frankincense, and
myrrh.
11 And being warned in a dream
by an angel, that they should not
return to Herod through Judaea,
they departed into their own country
by another way.
CHAPTER XVI.
1 Herod enraged, orders the infants in Bethlehem to be slain.
2 Mary puts her infant in an ox-manger.
3 Elizabeth flees with her son John to the mountains.
6 A mountain miraculously divides and receives them.
9 Herod incensed at the escape of John, causes Zacharias
to be murdered at the altar.
23 The roofs of the temple rent, the body miraculously
conveyed, and the blood petrified.
25 Israel mourns for him.
27 Simeon chosen his successor by lot.
THEN Herod perceiving that
he was mocked by the wise
men, and being very angry,
commanded certain men to go and
to kill all the children that were
in Bethlehem, from two years old
and under.
2 But Mary hearing that the
children were to be killed, being
under much fear, took the child,
and wrapped him up in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in an
ox-manger, because there was no
room for them in the inn.
3 Elizabeth also, hearing that
her son John was about to be
searched for, took him and went
up unto the mountains, and looked
around for a place to hide him;
4 And there was no secret place
to be found.
5 Then she groaned within herself,
and said, O mountain of the Lord,
receive the mother with the child.
6 For Elizabeth could not climb up,
7 And instantly the mountain
was divided and received them.
8 And there appeared to them
an angel of the Lord to preserve
them.
9 But Herod made search after
John, and sent servants to Zacharias,
when he was (ministering) at the altar,
and said unto him, Where hast thou hid
thy son?
10 He replied, to them, I am a
minister of God, and a servant at
the altar: how should I know
where my son is?
11 So the servants went back,
and told Herod the whole; at
which he was incensed, and said,
Is not this son of his like to be
king of Israel?
12 He sent therefore again his
servants to Zacharias, saying, Tell
us the truth, where is thy son, for
you know that your life is in my
hand.
13 So the servants went and told
him all this:
14 But Zacharias replied to
them, I am a martyr for God, and
if ye shed my blood, the Lord will
receive my soul.
15 Besides know that ye shed
innocent blood.
16 However Zacharias was murdered
in the entrance of the temple
said altar, and about the partition;
17 But the children of Israel
knew not when he want killed.
18 Then at the hour of salutation
the priests went into the temple
but Zacharias did not according
to custom, meet them and bless them.
19 Yet they still continued
waiting for him to salute them;
20 And when they found he did
not in a long time come, one of
them ventured into the holy place
where the altar was, and he saw
blood lying upon the ground
congealed:
21 When, behold, a voice from
heaven said, Zacharias is murdered,
and his blood shall not be
wiped away, until the revenger
of his blood come.
22 But when he heard this, he
was afraid; and went forth and told
the priests what he had seen and
heard; and they all went in, and
saw the fact.
23 Then the roofs of the temple
howled, and were rent from the
top to the bottom:
24 And they could not find the
body, but only blood made hard
like stone.
25 And they went away, and
told the people, that Zacharias
was murdered, and all the tribes
of Israel heard thereof, and mourned
for him, and lamented three days:
26 Then the priests took
council together concerning
a person to succeed him.
27 And Simeon and the other
priests cast lots, and the lot fell
upon Simeon.
28 For he had been assured by
the Holy Spirit, that he should not
die, till he had seen Christ come in
the flesh.
(I James wrote this History in Jerusalem: and when the disturbance
was I retired into a desert place, until the death of Herod, and the
disturbances ceased at Jerusalem. That which remains is, that I
glorify God that he hath given me such wisdom to write unto you who
are spiritual, and who love God: to whom (be ascribed) glory and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen.)
THE PROTEVANGELION.
Note on the death of Zacharias in Chap. 16.
There is a story both in the Jerusalem and Babylonish Talmud very similar
to this. It is cited by Dr. Lightfoot, Talmud, Hierosol, in Taanith, fol.
69; and Talmud. Babyl. in Sanhedr., fol. 96. "O Rabbi Jochanan said,
Eighty thousand priests were slain for the blood of Zacharias. Rabbi
Judas asked Rabbi Achan, Where did they kill Zacharias? Was it in the
woman's court, or in the court of Israel? He answered, Neither in the
court of Israel, nor in the court of women, but in the court of the
priests; and they did not treat his blood in the same manner as they were
wont to treat the blood of a ram or young goat. For of these it is
written, He shall pour out his blood, and cover it with dust. But it is
written here, The blood is in the midst of her: she set it upon the top
of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground. (Ezek. xxiv. 7.) But why
was this? That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance: I have
set his blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered.
They committed seven evils that day: they murdered a priest, a prophet,
and a king; they shed the blood of the innocent; they polluted the court:
that day was the Sabbath: and the day of expiation. When therefore
Nebuzaradan came there (viz. to Jerusalem,) he saw his blood bubbling,
and said to them, What meaneth this? They answered, It is the blood of
calves, lambs, and rams, which we have offered upon the altar. He
commanded then, that they should bring calves, and lambs, and rams, and
said I will try whether this be their blood: accordingly they brought
and slew them, but the blood of Zacharias still bubbled, but the blood of
these did not bubble. Then he said, Declare to me the truth of this
matter, or else I will comb your flesh with iron combs. Then said they to
him, He was a priest, prophet, and judge, who prophesied to Israel all
these calamities which we have suffered from you; but we arose against
him, and slew him. Then, said he, I will appease him; then he took the
rabbis and slew them upon his (viz. Zacharias's) blood, and he was not
yet appeased. Next he took the young boys from the schools, and slew them
upon his blood; and yet it bubbled. Then he brought the young priests and
slew them in the same place, and yet it still bubbled. So he slew at
length ninety-four thousand persons upon his blood, and it did not as yet
cease bubbling; then he drew near to it, and said, O Zacharias,
Zacharias, thou halt occasioned the death of the chief of thy
countrymen, shall I slay them all? then the blood ceased, and did bubble
no more."
REFERENCES TO THE PROTEVANGELION.
[This Gospel is ascribed to James. The allusions to it in the ancient
Fathers are frequent, and their expressions indicate that it had
obtained a very general credit in the Christian world. The controversies
founded upon it chiefly relate to the age of Joseph at the birth of
Christ, and to his being a widower with children, before his marriage
with the Virgin. It seems material to remark, that the legends of the
latter ages affirm the virginity of Joseph, notwithstanding Epiphanius,
Hilary, Chrysostom, Cyril, Euthymius, Thephylaet, Occumenius, and indeed
all the Latin Fathers till Ambrose, and the Greek Fathers afterwards,
maintain the opinions of Joseph's age and family, founded upon their
belief in the authenticity of this book. It is supposed to have been
originally composed in Hebrew. Postellus brought the MS. of this Gospel
from the Levant, translated it into Latin, and sent it to Oporimus,
a printer at Basil, where Bibliander, a Protestant Divine, and the
Professor of Divinity at Zurich, caused it to be printed in 1552.
Postellus asserts that it was publicly read as canonical in the eastern
churches they making no doubt that James was the author, of it. It is,
nevertheless considered apocryphal by some of the most learned divines in
the Protestant and Catholic churches.]
THE FIRST GOSPEL OF
THE INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST.
CHAPTER I.
1 Caiphas relates that Jesus, when in his cradle,
informed his mother that he was the Son of God.
5 Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem to be taxed, Mary's
time of bringing forth arrives, and she goes into a cave.
8 Joseph fetches in a Hebrew woman. The cave filled with
great lights.
11 The infant born,
17 and cures the woman.
19 Arrival of the shepherds.
THE following accounts we found
in the book of Joseph the
high-priest, called by some
Caiphas:
2 He relates, that Jesus spake
even when he was in the cradle,
and said to his mother:
3 Mary, I am Jesus the Son of
God, that word, which thou didst
bring forth according to the
declaration of the angel Gabriel to
thee, and my father hath sent me
for the salvation of the world.
4 In the three hundred and
ninth year of the era of Alexander,
Augustus published a decree that
all persons should go to be taxed
in their own country.
5 Joseph therefore arose, and
with Mary his spouse he went to
Jerusalem, and then came to Bethlehem,
that he and his family might be taxed
in the city of his fathers.
6 And when they came by the cave,
Mary confessed to Joseph that her
time of bringing forth was come,
and she could not go on to the city,
and said, Let us go into this cave.
7 At that time the sun was very
near going down.
8 But Joseph hastened away,
that he might fetch her a midwife;
and when he saw an old Hebrew
woman who was of Jerusalem, he
said to her, Pray come hither,
good woman, and go into that cave,
and you will there see a woman
just ready to bring forth.
9 It was after sunset, when the
old woman and Joseph with her
reached the cave, and they both
went into it.
10 And behold, it was all filled
with lights, greater than the light
of lamps and candles, and greater
than the light of the sun itself.
11 The infant was then wrapped
up in swaddling clothes, and sucking
the breasts of his mother St.
Mary.
12 When they both saw this
light, they were surprised; the
old woman asked St. Mary, Art
thou the mother of this child?
13 St. Mary replied, She was.
14 On which the old woman
said, Thou art very different from
all other women.
15 St. Mary answered, As there
is not any child like to my son,
so neither is there any woman like
to his mother.
16 The old woman answered,
and said, O my Lady, I am come
hither that I may obtain an
everlasting reward.
17 Then our Lady St. Mary
said to her, Lay thine hands upon
the infant, which, when she had
done, she became whole.
18 And as she was going forth,
she said, From henceforth, all the
days of my life, I will attend upon
and be a servant of this infant.
19 After this, when the shepherds
came, and had made a fire, and they
were exceedingly rejoicing, the
heavenly host appeared to them,
praising and adoring the supreme God.
20 And as the shepherds were
engaged in the same employment,
the cave at that time seemed like
a glorious temple, because both
the tongues of angels and men
united to adore and magnify God,
on account of the birth of the Lord
Christ.
21 But when the old Hebrew
woman saw all these evident miracles,
she gave praises to God, and
said, I thank thee, O God, thou
God of Israel, for that mine eyes
have seen the birth of the Saviour
of the world.
CHAP. II.
1 The child circumcised in the cave,
2 and the old woman preserving his foreskin or navel-string in a
box of spikenard, Mary afterwards anoints Christ with it.
5 Christ brought to the temple;
6 He shines,
7 and angels stand around him adoring.
8 Simeon praises Christ.
AND when the time of his
circumcision was come: namely,
the eighth day, on which the
law commanded the child to be
circumcised; they circumcised
him in the cave.
2 And the old Hebrew woman
took the foreskin (others say she
took the navel-string), and preserved
it in an alabaster-box of old oil
of spikenard.
3 And she had a son who was a
druggist, to whom she said, Take
heed thou sell not this alabaster-
box of spikenard-ointment, although
thou shouldst be offered three
hundred pence for it.
4 Now this is that alabaster-
box which Mary the sinner procured,
and poured forth the ointment out
of it upon the head and the feet
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and wiped
them off with the hairs of her head.
5 Then after ten days they
brought him to Jerusalem, and on
the fortieth day from his birth
they presented him in the temple
before the Lord, making the proper
offerings for him, according
to the requirement of the law of
Moses: namely, that every male
which opens the womb shall be
called holy unto God.
6 At that time old Simeon saw
him shining as a pillar of light,
when St. Mary the Virgin, his
mother, carried him in her arms,
and was filled with the greatest
pleasure at the sight.
7 And the angels stood around
him, adoring him, as a king's
guards stand around him.
8 Then Simeon going near to
St. Mary, and stretching forth his
hands towards her, said to the
Lord Christ, Now, O My Lord,
thy servant shall depart in peace,
according to thy word;
9 For mine eyes have seen thy
mercy, which thou hast prepared
for the salvation of all nations;
a light to all people, and the glory
of thy people Israel.
10 Hannah the prophetess was
also present, and drawing near,
she gave praises to God, and
celebrated the happiness of Mary.
CHAPTER III.
1 The wise men visit Christ. Mary gives them
one of his swaddling clothes.
3 An angel appears to them in the form of a star.
4 They return and make a fire, and worship the
swaddling cloth, and put it in the fire where it
remains unconsumed.
AND it came to pass, when the
Lord Jesus was born at Bethlehem,
a city of Judaea, in the time of Herod
the King;--the wise men came from the
East to Jerusalem, according to the
prophecy of Zoradascht, [Zoroaster]
and brought with them offerings:
namely, gold, frankincense, and myrrh,
and worshipped him, and offered to him
their gifts.
2 Then the Lady Mary took one
of his swaddling clothes in which
the infant was wrapped, and gave
it to them instead of a blessing,
which they received from her as a
most noble present.
3 And at the same time there
appeared to them an angel in the
form of that star which had before
been their guide in their journey;
the light of which they followed
till they returned into their own
country.
4 On their return their kings
and princes came to them inquiring,
whom they had seen and done?
What sort of journey and return
they had? What Company
they had on the road?
5 But they produced the swaddling
cloth which St. Mary had given
them, on account whereof they kept
a feast.
6 And having, according to the
custom of their country, made
a fire, they worshipped it.
7 And casting the swaddling
cloth into it, the fire took it
and kept it.
8 And when the fire was put out,
they took forth the swaddling cloth
unhurt, as much as if the fire had
not touched it.
9 Then they began to kiss it,
and put it upon their heads and
their eyes saying, This is certainly
an undoubted truth, and it is really
surprising that the fire could not
burn it, and consume it.
10 Then they took it, and with
the greatest respect laid it up
among their treasures.
CHAPTER IV.
1 Herod intends to put Christ to death.
3 An angel warns Joseph to take the child
and his mother into Egypt.
6 Consternation on their arrival.
13 The idols fall down.
15 Mary washes Christ's swaddling clothes, hangs them to
dry on a post, and the son of a priest puts one on his head;
16 And being possessed of devils they leave him.
NOW Herod perceiving that the
wise men did delay and not return
to him, called together the priest
and wise men, and said, Tell me in
what place the Christ should be born.
2 And when they replied, in
Bethlehem,--a city of Judaea, he
began to contrive in his own mind
the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 But an angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in his sleep,
and said, Arise, take the child and
his mother, and go into Egypt as soon
as the cock crows. So he arose,
and went.
4 And as he was considering
with himself about his journey,
the morning came upon him.
5 In the length of the journey
the girts of the saddle broke.
6 And now he drew near to a great
city, in which there was an idol,
to which the priests of the other
idols and gods of Egypt brought
their offerings and vows.
7 And there was by this idol a
priest ministering to it, who, as
often as Satan spoke out of that
idol, related the things he said to
the inhabitants of Egypt, and those
countries.
8 This priest had a son three
years old, who was possessed with
a great multitude of devils, who
uttered many strange things and
when the devils seized him, walked
about naked with his clothes torn,
throwing stones at those whom
he saw.
9 Near to that idol was the inn
of the city, into which when Joseph
and St. Mary were come, and had
turned into that inn, all the
inhabitants of the city were
astonished.
10 And all the magistrates and
priests of the idols assembled
before that idol, and made inquiry
there, saying, What means all this
consternation, and dread, which
has fallen upon all our country?
11 The idol answered them,
The unknown God is come thither,
who is truly God; nor is there any
one besides him, who is worthy of
divine worship for he is truly the
Son of God.
12 At the fame of him this
country trembled, and at his
coming it is under the present
commotion and consternation, and
we ourselves are afrighted by the
greatness of his power.
13 And at the same instant this
idol fell down, and at his fall all
the inhabitants of Egypt, besides
others ran together.
14 But the son of the priest,
when his usual disorder came upon
him going into the inn, found
there Joseph and St. Mary, whom
all the rest had left behind and
forsook.
15 And when the Lady St. Mary
had washed the swaddling clothes
of the Lord Christ, and hanged
them out to dry upon a post, the
boy possessed with the devil took
down one of them, and put it upon
his head.
16 And presently the devils
began to come out of his mouth,
and fly away in the shape of crows
and serpents.
17 From that time the boy was
healed by the power of the Lord
Christ and he began to sing
praises, and give thanks to the
Lord who had healed him.
18 When his father saw him
restored to his former state of
health, he said, My son, what has
happened to thee, and by what
means wert thou cured?
19 The son answered, When the
devils seized me, I went into the
inn, and there found a very
handsome woman with a boy, whose
swaddling clothes she had just
before washed, and hanged out upon
a post.
20 One of these I took, and put
it upon my head, and immediately
the devils left me, and fled away.
21 At this the father exceedingly
rejoiced, and said, My son,
perhaps this boy is the son of the
living God, who made the heavens
and the earth.
22 For as soon as he came
amongst us, the idol was broken,
and all the gods fell down, and
were destroyed by a greater power.
23 Then was fulfilled the prophecy
which saith, Out of Egypt I have
called my son.
CHAPTER V.
1 Joseph and Mary leave Egypt.
3 Go to the Haunts of robbers,
4 Who hearing a mighty noise,
as of a great army flee away.
NOW Joseph and Mary when
they heard that the idol was
fallen down and destroyed, were
seized with fear and, trembling,
and said, When we Were in the
land of Israel, Herod, intending
to kill Jesus, slew for that purpose
all the infants at Bethlehem, and
that neighbourhood.
2 And there is no doubt but
the Egyptians if they come to
hear that this idol is broken and
fallen down, will burn us with fire.
3 They went therefore hence to
the secret places of robbers, who
robbed travellers as they pass by,
of their carriages and their clothes
and carried them away bound.
4 These thieves upon their
coming heard a great noise such
as the noise of a king with a great
army, and many horse and the
trumpets sounding at his departure
from his own city, at which they
were so affrighted, as to leave
all their booty behind them and
fly away in haste.
5 Upon this the prisoners arose,
and loosed each other's bonds,
and taking each man his bags,
they went way, and saw Joseph
and Mary coming towards them,
and inquired, Where is that king,
the noise of whose approach the
robbers heard, and left us,
so that we are now come off safe?
6 Joseph answered, He will come
after us.
CHAPTER VI.
1 Mary looks on a woman in whom Satan had taken
up his abode, and she becomes dispossessed.
5 Christ kissed by a bride made dumb by sorcerers,
cures her.
11 Miraculously cures a gentlewoman in whom Satan
had taken up his abode.
16 A leprous girl cured by the water in which he was
washed, and becomes the servant of Joseph and Mary.
20 The leprous son of a prince's wife cured in like manner.
37 Has mother offers large gifts to Mary, and dismisses her.
THEN they went into another
city where there was a woman
possessed with a devil, and in
whom Satan, that cursed rebel,
had taken up his abode.
2 One night, when she went to
fetch water, she could neither
endure her clothes on, nor to be
in any house; but as often as they
tied her with chains or cords, she
brake them, and went out into desert
places, and sometimes standing
where roads crossed, and in
church yards, would throw stones
at men.
3 When St. Mary saw this
woman, she pitied her; where
upon Satan presently left her, and
fled away in the form of a young
man, saying, Wo to me, because
of thee, Mary, and thy son.
4 So the woman was delivered
from her torment; but considering
herself naked, she blushed,
and avoided seeing any man and
having put on her clothes, went
home, and gave an account of her
case to her father and relations
who, as they were the best of the
city, entertained St. Mary and
Joseph with the greatest respect.
5 The next morning having
received a sufficient supply of
provisions for the road, they went
from them, and about the evening of
the day arrived at another town,
where a marriage was then about
to be solemnized; but by the arts
of Satan and the practices of a
sorcerers, the bride was become
so dumb, that she could not so
much as open her mouth.
6 But when this dumb bride
saw the Lady St. Mary entering
into the town, and carrying
Lord Christ in her arms, she
stretched out her hands to the
Lord Christ, and-took him in her
arms, and closely hugging him,
very often kissed him, continually
moving him and, pressing him to
her body.
7 Straightway the string of her
tongue was loosed, and her ears
were opened, and she began to
sing praises unto God, who had
restored her.
8 So there was great joy among
the inhabitants of the town that
night, who thought that God and
his angels were come down among
them.
9 In this place they abode
three days, meeting with the greatest
respect and most splendid entertainment.
10 And being then furnished by
the people with provisions for the
road, they departed and went to
another city, in which they were
inclined to lodge, because it was a
famous place.
11 There was in this city a
gentlewoman, who, as she went down
one day to the river to bathe, behold
cursed Satan leaped upon her in the
form of a serpent.
12 And folded himself about her
belly, and every night lay upon
her.
13 This woman seeing the Lady
St. Mary, and the Lord Christ the
infant in her bosom, asked the
Lady St. Mary, that she would
give her the child to kiss, and
carry in her arms.
14 When she had consented,
and as soon as the woman had
moved the child, Satan left her,
and fled away, nor did the woman
ever afterwards see him.
15 Hereupon all the neighbors
praised the Supreme God, and the
woman reward them with ample,
beneficence.
16 On the morrow, the same
woman brought perfumed water to
wash the Lord Jesus; and when
she had washed him, she preserved
the water.
17 And there was a girl there,
whose body was white with a
leprosy, who being sprinkled with
this water, and washed, was
instantly cleansed from her leprosy.
18 The people therefore said
Without doubt Joseph and Mary,
and that boy are Gods, for they do
not look like mortals.
19 And when they were making
ready to go away, the girl, who
had been troubled with the leprosy,
came and desired they would
permit her to go along with them;
so they consented and the girl went
with them till they came to a city
in which was the palace of a great
king, and whose house was not far
from the inn.
20 Here they staid, and when
the girl went one day to the
prince's wife, and found her in a
sorrowful and mournful condition,
she asked her the reason of her
tears.
21 She replied, wonder not at
my groans, for I am under a great
misfortune, of which I dare not
tell any one.
22 But, says the, girl, if you
will entrust me with your private
grievance, perhaps I may find you
a remedy for it.
23 Thou, therefore, says the
prince's wife, shall keep the
secret, and not discover it to
any one alive.
24 I have been married to this
prince, who rules as king over
large dominions, and lived long
with him before he had any child
by me.
25 At length I conceived by
him, but alas! I brought forth a
leprous son; which, when he saw
him would not own to be his, but
said to me,
26 Either do thou kill him, or
send him to some nurse in such a
place, that he may be never heard
of; and now take care of yourself;
I will never see you more.
27 So here I pine, lamenting
my wretched and miserable
circumstances. Alas, my son! alas,
my husband; Have I disclosed it
to you?
28 The girl replied I have found
a remedy for your disease, which
I promise you, for I also was
leprous, but God hath cleansed
me, even he who is called Jesus
the son of the Lady Mary.
29 The woman inquiring where
that God was, whom she spake
of; the girl answered, He lodges
with you here, in the same house.
30 But how can this be? says
she; where is he? Behold, replied
the girl, Joseph and Mary; and
the infant who is, with them is
called Jesus; and it is he who
delivered me from my disease and
torment.
31 But by what means, says she,
were you cleansed from your leprosy?
Will not you tell me that?
32 Why not? says the girl; I
took the water with which his
body had been washed, and poured
it upon me, and my leprosy
vanished.
33 The prince's wife then arose
and entertained them, providing a
great feast for Joseph among a
large company of men.
34 And the next day took
perfumed water to wash the Lord
Jesus, and afterwards poured the
same water upon her son, whom
she had brought with her, and her
son was instantly cleansed from
his leprosy,
35 Then she sang thanks and
unto God, and said, Blessed
is the mother that bare thee,
O Jesus!
36 Dost thou thus cure men of
the same nature with thyself, with
the water with which thy body is
washed?
37 She then offered very large
gifts to the Lady Mary, and sent
her away with all imaginable
respect.
CHAPTER VII.
1 A man who could not enjoy his wife, freed from his disorder.
5 A young man who had been bewitched, and turned into a
mule miraculously cured by Christ being put on his back,
28 and is married to the girl who had been cured of leprosy.
THEY came afterwards to another
city, and had a mind to lodge there.
2 Accordingly they went to a man's
house, who was newly married
but by the influence of sorcerers
could not enjoy his wife.
3 But they lodging at his house
that night, the man was freed of
his disorder.
4 And when they were preparing
early in the morning to go forward
on their journey, the new-married
person hindered them, and
provided a noble entertainment
for them.
5 But going forward on the
morrow, they came to another
city, and saw three women going
from a certain grave with great
weeping.
6 When St. Mary saw them, she
spake to the girl who was their
companion, saying, Go and inquire
of them, what is the matter with
them, and what misfortune has
befallen them?
7 When the girl asked them,
they made her no answer, but
asked her again, Who are ye? and
where are you going? For the day
is far spent, and night is at hand.
8 We are travellers, saith the
girl, and we are seeking for an inn
to lodge at.
9 They replied, Go along with
us, and lodge with us.
10 They then followed them,
and were introduced into a new
house, well furnished with all
sorts of furniture.
11 Now it was winter-time, and
the girl went into the parlour
where these women were, and
found them weeping and lamenting
as before.
12 By them stood a mule, covered
over with silk, and an ebony collar
hanging down from his neck, whom
they kissed and were feeding.
13 But when the girl said, How
handsome, ladies, that mule is!
they replied with tears, and said,
This mule, which you see, was our
brother, born of this same mother
as we;
14 For when our father died,
and left us a very large estate, and
we had only this brother, and we
endeavoured to procure him a suitable
match, and thought he should
be married as other men, some
giddy and jealous women bewitched
him without our knowledge.
15 And we one night, a little before
day, while the doors of the house
were all shut fast, saw this our
brother was changed into a mule,
such as you now see him to be:
16 And we in the melancholy
condition in which you see us,
having no father to comfort us,
have applied to all the wise men,
magicians, and diviners in the
world, but they have been of no
service to us.
17 As often therefore as we find
ourselves oppressed with grief, we
rise and go with this our mother
to our father's tomb, where, when
we have cried sufficiently, we
return home.
18 When the girl had heard this
she said, Take courage, and cease
your fears, for you have a remedy
for your afflictions near at hand
even amoung you and in the midst
of your house.
19 For I was also leprous; but
when I saw this woman, and this
little infant with her, whose name
is Jesus, I sprinkled my body with
the water with which his mother
had washed him and I was
presently made well.
20 And I am certain that he is
also capable of relieving you under
your distress. Wherefore arise,
go to my mistress Mary, and when
you have brought her into your
own parlour, disclose to her the
secret, at the same time earnestly
beseeching her to compassionate
your case.
21 As soon as the women had
heard the girl's discourse, they
hastened away to the Lady St.
Mary, introduced themselves to
her, and sitting down before her,
they wept.
22 And said, O our Lady St.
Mary, pity your handmaids, for
we have no head of our family, no
one elder than us; no father or
brother to go in or out before us.
23 But this mule, which you
see, was our brother, which some
women by witchcraft have brought
into this condition which you see:
we therefore entreat you to
compassionate us.
24 Hereupon St. Mary was
grieved at their case, and taking
the Lord Jesus, put him upon the
back of the mule.
25 And said to her son, O Jesus
Christ, restore (or heal) according
to thy extraordinary power this
mule, and grant him to have again
the shape of a man and a rational
creature, as he had formerly.
26 This was scarce said by the
Lady St. Mary, but the mule
immediately passed into a human
form, and became a young man
without any deformity.
27 Then he and his mother and
the sisters worshipped the Lady
St. Mary, and lifting the child
upon their heads, they kissed him,
and said, Blessed is thy mother,
O Jesus, O Saviour of the world!
Blessed are the eyes which are
so happy to see thee.
28 Then both the sisters told
their mother, saying, Of a truth,
our brother is restored to his former
shape by the help of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the kindness
of that girl who told us of Mary
and her son.
29 And inasmuch as our brother
is unmarried, it is fit that we
marry him to this girl their
servant.
30 When they had consulted
Mary in this matter, and she had
given her consent, they made a
splendid wedding for this girl.
31 And so their sorrow being
turned into gladness, and their
mourning into mirth, they began
to rejoice, and to make merry,
and sing, being dressed in their
richest attire, with bracelets.
32 Afterwards they glorified and
praised God, saying, O Jesus, son
of David, who changest sorrow
into gladness, and mourning into
mirth!
33 After this Joseph and Mary
tarried there ten days, then went
away, having received great
respect from these people.
34 Who, when they took their
leave of them, and returned home,
cried,
35 But especially the girl.
CHAPTER VIII.
1 Joseph and Mary pass through a country infested by robbers.
3 Titus a humane thief, offers Dumachus, his comrade,
forty groats to let Joseph and Mary pass unmolested.
6 Jesus prophecies that the thieves Dumachus and Titus shall be
crucified with him and that Titus shall go before him into paradise.
10 Christ causes a well to spring from a sycamore tree, and Mary
washes his coat in it.
11 A balsam grows there from his sweat. They go to Memphis, where
Christ works more miracles. Return to Judea.
15 Being warned, depart for Nazareth.
IN their journey from hence they
came into a desert country and
were told it was infested with
robbers; so Joseph and St. Mary
prepared to pass through it in the
night.
2 And as they were going along,
behold they saw two robbers asleep
in the road, and with them a great
number of robbers, who were their
confederates, also asleep.
3 The names of these two were
Titus and Dumachus; and Titus
said to Dumachus, I beseech thee
let these persons go along quietly,
that our company may not perceive
anything of them.
4 But Damachus refusing, Titus
again said, I will give thee forty
groats, and as a pledge take my
girdle, which he gave him before
he had done speaking, that he
might not open his mouth or make
a noise.
5 When the Lady St. Mary saw
the kindness which this robber did
shew them, she said to him, The
Lord God will receive thee to his
right hand and grant thee pardon
of thy sins.
6 Then the Lord Jesus answered,
and said to his mother, When
thirty years are expired, O mother,
the Jews will crucify me at
Jerusalem;
7 And these two thieves shall
be with me at the same time upon
the cross, Titus on my right hand,
and Dumachus on my left, and
from that time Titus shall go before
me into paradise;
8 And when she had said, God
forbid this should be thy lot, O
my son, they went on to a city in
which were several idols; which,
as soon as they came near to it,
was turned into hills of sand.
9 Hence they went to that
sycamore tree, which is now called
Matarea.
10 And in Materea the Lord
Jesus caused a well to spring
forth, in which St. Mary washed
his coat;
11 And a balsam is produced,
or grows, in that country, from
the sweat which ran down there
from the Lord Jesus.
12 Thence they proceeded to
Memphis, and saw Pharoah, and
abode three years in Egypt.
13 And the Lord Jesus did very
many miracles, in Egypt, which
are neither to be found in
Gospel of the Infancy nor in the
Gospel of Perfection.
14 At the end of three years
he returned out of Egypt, and
when he came near to Judea,
Joseph was afraid to enter;
15 For hearing that Herod was
dead, and that Archelaus his son
reigned in his stead, he was afraid.
16 And when he went to Judea,
an, angel of God appeared to
him, and said, O Joseph go
into the city of Nazareth, and
abide there.
17 It is strange indeed, that he,
who is the Lord of all countries,
should be thus carried backward and
forward, through so many countries.
CHAPTER IX.
2 Two sick children cured by water
wherein Christ was washed.
WHEN they came afterwards
into the city of Bethlehem,
they found there several very
desperate distempers, which became
so troublesome to children by seeing
them, that most of them died.
2 There was there a woman who
had a sick son, whom she brought,
when he was at the point of death,
to the Lady St. Mary, who saw
her when she was washing Jesus
Christ.
3 Then said the woman, O my
Lady Mary, look down upon this
my son, who is afflicted with most
dreadful pains.
4 St. Mary hearing her, said,
Take a little of that water with
which I have washed my son, and
sprinkle it upon him.
5 Then she took a little of that
water, as St. Mary had commanded,
and sprinkled it upon her son,
who being wearied with his violent
pains, was fallen asleep; and after
he had slept a little, awaked
perfectly well and recovered.
6 The mother being abundantly
glad of this success, went again to
St. Mary, and St. Mary said to
her, Give praise to God, who hath
cured this thy son.
7 There was in the same place
another woman, a neighbour of
her, whose son was now cured.
8 This woman's son was afflicted
with the same disease, and his eyes
were now almost quite shut, and
she was lamenting for him day
and night.
9 The mother of the child which
was cured, said to her, Why do
you not bring your son to St. Mary,
as I brought my son to her, when
he was in the agonies of death;
and he was cure by that water,
with which the body of her son
Jesus was washed?
10 When the woman heard her
say this, she also went, and having
procured the same water, washed
her son with it, whereupon his
body and his eyes were instantly
restored to their former state.
11 And when she brought her
son to St. Mary, and opened his
case to her, she commanded her to
give thanks to God for the recovery
of her son's health, and tell
no one what had happened.
CHAPTER X.
1 Two wives of one man, each have a son sick.
2 One of them named Mary, and whose son's name was Caleb,
presents the Virgin with a handsome carpet, and Caleb is cured;
but the son of the other wife dies,
4 which occasions a difference between the women.
5 The other wife puts Caleb into a hot oven, and he is
miraculously preserved,
9 she afterwards throws him into a well,
and he is again preserved;
11 his mother appeals to the Virgin against the other wife,
12 whose downfall the Virgin prophecies,
13 and who accordingly falls into the well,
14 therein fulfilling a saying of old.
THERE were in the same city
two wives of one man, who
had each a son sick. One of them
was called Mary, and her son's
name was Caleb.
2 She arose, and taking her son,
went to the Lady St. Mary, the
mother of Jesus, and offered her a
very handsome carpet, saying, O
my Lady Mary accept this carpet
of me, and instead of it give me a
small swaddling cloth.
3 To this Mary agreed, and
when the mother of Caleb was
gone, she made a coat for her son
of the swaddling cloth, put it on
him, and his disease was cured;
but the son of the other wife died.
4 Hereupon there arose between
them a difference in doing
the business of the family by turns,
each her week;
5 And when the turn of Mary
the mother of Caleb came, and she
was heating the oven to bake
bread, and went away to fetch the
meal, she left her son Caleb by the
oven;
6 Whom the other wife, her
rival, seeing to be by himself,
took and cast him into the oven,
which was very hot, and then went
away.
7 Mary on her return saw her
son Caleb lying in the middle of
the oven laughing, and the oven
quite as cold as though it had not
been before heated, and knew that
her rival the other wife had thrown
him into the fire.
8 When she took him out, she
brought him to the Lady St. Mary,
and told her the story, to whom
she replied, Be quiet, I am
concerned lest thou shouldest make
this matter known.
9 After this her rival, the other
wife, as she was drawing water at
the well, and saw Caleb playing
by the well, and that no one was
near, took him, and threw him
into the well.
10 And when some men came to
fetch water from the well, they
saw the boy sitting on the
superficies of the water, and
drew him out with ropes, and were
exceedingly surprised at the child,
and praised God.
11 Then came the mother and
took him and carried him to the
Lady St. Mary, lamenting, and
saying, O my Lady, see what my
rival hath done to my son, and
how she hath cast him into the
well, and I do not question but
one time or other she will be the
occasion of his death.
12 St. Mary replied to her, God
will vindicate your injured cause.
13 Accordingly a few days after,
when the other wife came to the
well to draw water, her foot was
entangled in the rope, so that she
fell headlong into the well, and
they who ran to her assistance
found her skull broken, and bones
bruised.
14 So she came to a bad end,
and in her was fulfilled that saying
of the author, They digged a well,
and made it deep, but fell themselves
into the pit which they prepared.
CHAPTER XI.
1 Bartholomew, when a child and sick, miraculously
restored by being laid on Christ's bed.
ANOTHER woman in that city
had likewise two sons sick.
2 And when one was dead, the
other, who lay at the point of
death, she took in her arms to the
Lady St. Mary, and in a flood of
tears addressed herself to her,
saying,
3 O my Lady, help and relieve
me; for I had two sons, the one I
have just now buried, the other I
see is fast at the point of death
behold how I (earnestly) seek for
your from God, and pray to him.
4 Then she said, O Lord, thou
art gracious, and merciful, and
kind; thou, hast given me two
sons; one of them thou halt taken
to thyself, O spare me this other.
5 St. Mary then perceiving the
greatness of her sorrow, pitied her
and said, Do thou place thy son in
my son's bed, and cover him with
his clothes.
6 And when she had placed him
in the bed wherein Christ lay,
at the moment when his eyes were
just closed by death; as soon as
ever the small of the garments of
the Lord Jesus Christ reached the
boy, his eyes were opened, and
calling with a loud voice to his
mother, he asked for bread, and
when he had received it, he sucked
it.
7 Than his mother said, O Lady
Mary, now I am assured that the
powers of God do dwell in you, so
that thy son can cure children who
are of the same sort as himself, as
soon as they touch his garments.
8 This boy, who was thus cured,
is the same who in the Gospel is
called Bartholomew.
CHAPTER XII.
A leprous woman healed by Christ's washing water.
7 A princess healed by it and restored to her husband.
AGAIN, there was a leprous
woman who went to the Lady
St. Mary, the mother of Jesus,
and said, O my Lady, help me.
2 St. Mary replied, What help
does thou desire? Is it gold or
silver, or that thy body be cured
of its leprosy?
3 Who, says the woman, can
grant me this?
4 St. Mary replied to her, Wait
a little till I have washed my son
Jesus, and put him to bed.
5 The woman waited, as she
was commanded; and Mary when
she had put Jesus in bed, giving
her the water with which she had
washed his body, said, Take some
of the water, and pour it upon thy
body;
6 Which when she had done,
she instantly became clean, and
praised God, and gave thanks to
him.
7 Then she went away, after
she had abode with her three
days;
8 And going into the city, she
saw a certain prince, who had
married another prince's daughter;
9 But when he came to see her,
he perceived between her eyes the
signs of leprosy like a star, and
thereupon declared the marriage
dissolved and void.
10 When the woman saw these
persons in this condition, exceeding
sorrowful, and shedding abundance
of tears, she inquired of them
the reason of their crying;
11 They replied, inquire not
into our circumstances; for we
are not able to declare our
misfortunes to any, person,
whatsoever.
12 But she still pressed and
desired them to communicate their
case to her; intimating, that she
might be able to direct them
to a remedy.
13 So when they showed the young
woman to her, and the signs
of the leprosy, which appeared
between her eyes;
14 She said, I also whom ye
see in this place, was afflicted
with the same distemper, and going
on some business to Bethlehem, I
went into a certain cave, and saw
a woman named Mary, who had a
son called Jesus.
15 She seeing me to be leprous,
was concerned for me, and gave
me some water with which she
had washed her son's body, with
that I sprinkled my body, and
became clean.
16 Then said these women, Will
you Mistress, go along with us,
and show the Lady St. Mary to
us?
17 To which she consenting,
they arose and went to the Lady
St. Mary, taking with them very
noble presents.
18 And when they came in and
offered their presents to her,
they showed the leprous young woman
whom they brought with them to
her.
19 Then said St. Mary, The
mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ
rest upon you;
20 And giving them a little of
that water, with which she had
washed the body of Jesus Christ,
she bade them wash the diseased
person with it, which when they
had done, she was presently
cured;
21 So they, and all who were
present, praised God; and being
filled with joy, they went back to
their own city, and gave praises to
God on that account.
22 Then the prince hearing that
his wife was cured, took her home
and made a second marriage, giving
thanks unto God for the recovery
of his wife's health.
CHAPTER XIII.
1 A girl, whose blood Satan sucked receives one
of Christ's swaddling clothes from the Virgin,
14 Satan comes like a dragon, and she shews it to him;
flames and burning coals proceed from it and fall upon him;
19 he is miraculously discomfited, and leaves the girl.
THERE was also a girl, who
was afflicted by Satan,
2 For that cursed spirit did
frequently appear to her in the shape
of a dragon, and was inclined to
swallow her up, and had so sucked
out all her blood, that she looked
like a dead carcass.
3 As often as she came to herself,
with her hands wringed about
her head she would cry out, and
say, Wo, Wo is me, that there is
no one to be found, who can deliver
me from that impious dragon!
4 Her father and mother, and
all who were about her and saw
her, mourned and wept over her;
5 And all who were present
would especially be under sorrow
and in tears, when they heard her
bewailing and saying, My brethren
and friends, is here no one who can
deliver me from this murderer?
6 Then the prince's daughter,
who had been cured of her leprosy,
hearing the complaint of that girl,
went upon the top of her castle,
and saw her with her hands twisted
about her head, pouring out a flood
of tears, and all the people that
were about her in tears.
7 Then she asked the husband
of the possessed person, Whether
his wife's mother was alive? He
told her, That her father and
mother were both alive,
8 Then she ordered her mother
to be sent to her; to whom, when
she saw her coming, she said,
Is this possessed girl thy daughter?
She moaning and bewailing said,
Yes madam I bore her.
9 The prince's daughter answered,
Disclose the secret of her case to me,
for I confess to you that I was leprous,
but the Lady Mary, the mother of
Jesus Christ, healed me.
10 And if you desire your
daughter to be restored to her
former state, take her to Bethlehem,
and inquire for Mary the mother
of Jesus, and doubt not but your
daughter will be cured; for I do
not question but you will come
home with great joy at your
daughter's recovery.
11 As soon as ever she had done
speaking, she arose and went with
her daughter to the place appointed,
and to Mary, and told her the case
of her daughter.
12 When St. Mary had heard
her story, she gave her a little
of the water with which she had
washed the body of her son Jesus,
and bade her pour it upon the
body of her daughter.
13 Likewise she gave her one of
the swaddling cloths of the Lord
Jesus, and said, Take this swaddling
cloth, and shew it to thine
enemy as often as thou seest him
and she sent them away in
peace.
14 After they had left that
city and returned home, and the
time was come in which Satan was
wont to seize her, in the same
moment this cursed spirit appeared
to her in the shape of a huge
dragon, and the girl seeing him
was afraid,
15 The mother said to her, Be
not afraid, daughter; let him alone
till he come nearer to thee! then
shew him the swaddling cloth,
which the Lady Mary gave us, and
we shall see the event.
16 Satan then coming like a
dreadful dragon, the body of the
girl trembled for fear.
17 But as soon as she had put
the swaddling cloth upon her
head, and about her eyes, and
chewed it to him, presently there
issued forth from the swaddling
cloth flames and burning coals,
and fell upon the dragon.
18 Oh! how great a miracle was
this, which was done: as soon as
the dragon saw the swaddling
cloth of the Lord Jesus, fire went
forth and was scattered upon his
head and eyes; so that he cried
out with a loud voice, What have
I to do with thee, Jesus, thou son
of Mary? Whither shall I flee
from thee?
19 So he drew back much
affrighted, and left the girl.
20 And she was delivered from
this trouble, and sang praises and
thanks to God, and with her all
who were present at the working
of the miracle.
CHAPTER XIV.
1 Judas when a boy possessed by Satan, and brought up
by his parents to Jesus to be cured, whom he tries to bite,
7 but failing, strikes Jesus and makes him cry out.
Whereupon Satan goes from Jesus in the shape of a dog.
ANOTHER woman likewise
lived there, whose son was
possessed by Satan,
2 This boy, named Judas, as
often as Satan seized him, was
inclined to bite all that were
present; and if he found no one else
near him, he would bite his own
hands and other parts.
3 But the mother of this miserable
boy, hearing of St. Mary and her son
Jesus, arose presently and taking
her son in her arms, brought him
to the Lady Mary.
4 In the meantime, James and
Joses had taken away the infant,
the Lord Jesus, to play at a proper
season with other children;
and when they went forth, they
sat down and the Lord Jesus with
them.
5 Then Judas, who was possessed,
came and sat down at the right hand
of Jesus.
6 When Satan was acting upon him
as usual, he went about to bite
the Lord Jesus.
7 And because he could not do
it, he struck Jesus on the right
side, so that he cried out.
8 And in the same moment Satan
went out of the boy, and ran
away like a mad dog.
9 This same boy who struck
Jesus, and out of whom Satan went
in the form of a dog, was Judas
Iscariot, who betrayed him to the
Jews.
10 And that same side, on which
Judas: struck him, the Jews
pierced with a spear.
CHAPTER XV.
1 Jesus and other boys play together,
and make clay figures of animals.
4 Jesus causes them to walk,
6 also makes clay birds, which he causes to fly,
and eat and drink.
7 The children's parents alarmed,
and take Jesus for a sorcerer.
8 He goes to a dyer's shop, and throws all the
cloths into the furnace, and works a miracle therewith.
15 Whereupon the Jews praise God.
AND when the Lord Jesus was
seven years of age, he was
on a certain day with other boys
his companions about the same
age;
2 Who, when they were at play,
made clay into several shapes,
namely--asses, oxen, birds, and
other figures;
3 Each boasting of his work,
and endeavouring to exceed the
rest.
4 Then the Lord Jesus said to
the boys, I will command these
figures which I have made to
walk.
5 And immediately they moved,
and when he commanded them to
return, they returned.
6 He had also made the figures
of birds and sparrows, which,
when he commanded to fly, did
fly, and when he commanded to
stand still, did stand still; and if
he gave them meat and drink, they
did eat and drink.
7 When at length the boys went
away, and related these things to
their parents, their fathers said to
them, Take heed, children, for the
future of his company, for he is a
sorcerer; shun and avoid him, and
from henceforth never play with
him.
8 On a certain day also, when
the Lord Jesus was playing with
the boys, and running about, he
passed by a dyer's shop, whose
name was Salem.
9 And there were in his shop
many pieces of cloth belonging to
the people of that city, which they
designed to dye of several colours.
10 Then the Lord Jesus going
into the dyer's shop, took all the
cloths, and threw them into the
furnace.
11 When Salem came home, and
saw the cloths spoiled, he began to
make a great noise, and to chide
the Lord Jesus, saying,
12 What hast thou done to me,
O thou son of Mary? Thou hast
injured both me and my neighbours;
they all desired their cloths
of a proper colour; but thou hast
come and spoiled them all.
13 The Lord Jesus replied, I
will change the colour of every
cloth to what colour thou desirest.
14 And then he presently began
to take the cloths out of the furnace,
and they were all dyed of those same
colours which the dyer desired.
15 And when the Jews saw this
surprising miracle, they praised
God.
CHAP. XVI.
1 Christ miraculously widens or contracts the gates,
milk pails, sieves, or boxes, not properly made by Joseph,
4 he not being skilful at his carpenter's trade.
5 The King of Jerusalem gives Joseph an order for a throne.
6 Joseph works on it for two years in the king's palace,
and makes it two spans too short. The king being angry with him,
10 Jesus comforts him,
13 commands him to pull one side of the throne, while he
pulls the other, and brings it to its proper dimensions.
14 Whereupon the bystanders praise God.
AND Joseph, wheresoever he
went in the city, took the
Lord Jesus with him, where he
was sent for to work to make
gates, or milk-pails, or sieves, or
boxes; the Lord Jesus was with
him, wheresoever he went.
2 And as often as Joseph had
anything in his work, to make
longer, or shorter, or wider, or
narrower, the Lord Jesus would
stretch his hand towards it.
3 And presently it became as
Joseph would have it:
4 So that he had no need to
finish anything with his own hands,
for he was not very skilful at his
carpenter's trade.
5 On a certain time the King
of Jerusalem sent for him, and
said, I would have thee make me
a throne of the same dimensions
with that place in which I
commonly sit.
6 Joseph obeyed, and forthwith
began the work, and continued two
years in the king's palace before
he finished it.
7 And when he came to fix it
in its place, he found it wanted
two spans on each side of the
appointed measure.
8 Which when the king saw,
he was very angry with Joseph;
9 And Joseph afraid of the
king's anger, went to bed without
his supper, taking not any thing
to eat.
10 Then the Lord Jesus asked
him, What he was afraid of?
11 Joseph replied, Because I
have lost my labour in the work
which I have been about these two
years.
12 Jesus said to him, Fear not,
neither be cast down;
13 Do thou lay hold on one side
of the throne, and I will the other,
and we will bring it to its just
dimensions.
14 And when Joseph had done
as the Lord Jesus said, and each
of them had with strength drawn
his side, the throne obeyed, and
was brought to the proper
dimensions of the place:
15 Which miracle when they
who stood by saw, they were
astonished, and praised God.
16 The throne was made of the
same wood which was in being
in Solomon's time, namely, wood
adorned with various shapes, and
figures.
CHAP. XVII.
1 Jesus plays with boys at hide and seek.
3 Some women put his playfellows in a furnace,
7 where they are transformed by Jesus into kids.
10 Jesus calls them to go and play, and they
are restored to their former shape.
ON another day the Lord Jesus
going out into the street,
and seeing some boys who were
met to play, joined himself to their
company.
2 But when they saw him, they
hid themselves, and left him to
seek for them;
3 The Lord Jesus came to the
gate of a certain house, and asked
some women who were standing
there, Where the boys were gone?
4 And when they answered,
That there was no one there; the
Lord Jesus said, Who are those
whom ye see in the furnace?
5 They answered, They were
kids of three years old.
6 Then Jesus cried out aloud,
and said, Come out hither, O ye
kids, to your shepherd;
7 And presently the boys came
forth like kids, and leaped about
him; which when the women saw,
they were exceedingly amazed, and
trembled,
8 Then they immediately worshipped,
the Lord Jesus, and beseeched him,
saying, O our Lord Jesus, son of
Mary, thou art truly that good
shepherd of Israel! have mercy
on thy handmaids, who stand before
thee, who do not doubt, but that
thou, O Lord, art come to save,
and not to destroy.
9 After that, when the Lord
Jesus said, the children of Israel
are like Ethiopians among the
people; the women said, Thou,
Lord, knowest all things, nor is
any thing concealed from thee:
but now we entreat thee, and
beseech of thy mercy, that thou
wouldest restore those boys to
their former state.
10 Then Jesus said, Come hither,
O boys, that we may go and
play; and immediately, in the
presence of these women, the kids
were changed, and returned into
the shape of boys.
CHAPTER XVIII.
1 Jesus becomes the king of his playfellows,
and they crown him with flowers;
4 miraculously causes a serpent who had
bitten Simon the Canaanite, then a boy,
to suck out all the poison again;
16 the serpent bursts, and Christ restores the boy to health.
IN the month Adar Jesus
gathered together the boys, and
ranked them as though he had
been a king.
2 For they spread their garments
on the ground for him to sit
on; and having made a crown of
flowers, put it upon his head, and
stood on his right and left as the
guards of a king.
3 And if any one happened to
pass by, they took him by force,
and said, Come hither, and worship
the king, that you may have a
prosperous journey.
4 In the mean time, while
these things were doing, there
came certain men, carrying a boy
upon a couch;
5 For this boy having gone with
his companions to the mountain to
gather wood, and having found
there a partridge's nest, and put
his hand in to take out the eggs,
was stung by a poisonous serpent,
which leaped out of the nest; so
that he was forced to cry out for
the help of his companions; who,
when they came, found him lying
upon the earth like a dead person.
6 After which his neighbours
came and carried him back into
the city.
7 But when they came to the
place where the Lord Jesus, was
sitting like a king, and the other
boys stood around him like his
ministers, the boys made haste to
meet him, who was bitten by the
serpent, and said to his neighbours,
Come and pay your respects to the
king;
8 But when, by reason of their
sorrow, they refused to come, the
boys drew them, and forced them
against their wills to come.
9 And when they came to the
Lord Jesus, he inquired, On what
account they carried that boy?
10 And when they answered that
a serpent had bitten him, the Lord
Jesus said to the boys, Let us go
and kill that serpent.
11 But when the parents of the
boy desired to be excused, because
their son lay at the point of death;
the boys made answer, and said,
Did not ye hear what the king
said? Let us go and kill the serpent;
and will not ye obey him?
12 So they brought the couch
back again, whether they would
or not.
13 And when they were come to
the nest, the Lord Jesus said to
the boys, Is this the serpent's
lurking place? They said, It was.
14 Then the Lord Jesus calling
the serpent, it presently came forth
and submitted to him; to whom he
said, Go and suck out all the poison
which thou hast infused into that
boy:
15 So the serpent crept to the
boy, and took away all its poison
again.
16 Then the Lord Jesus cursed
the serpent, so that it immediately
burst asunder, and died;
17 And he touched the boy with
his hand to restore him to his
former health;
18 And when he began to cry,
the Lord Jesus said, Cease crying
for hereafter thou shall be my
disciple;
19 And this is that Simon the
Canaanite, who is mentioned in
the Gospel.
CHAPTER XIX.
1 James being bitten by a viper,
Jesus blows on the wound and cures him.
4 Jesus charged with throwing a boy from
the roof of a house,
10 miraculously raises the dead boy to acquit him;
12 fetches water for his mother, breaks the pitcher
and miraculously gathers the water in his mantle
and brings it home;
16 makes fish pools on the Sabbath,
20 causes a boy to die who broke them down,
22 another boy runs against him,
whom he also causes to die.
ON another day Joseph sent his
son James to gather wood,
and the Lord Jesus went with
him;
2 And when they came to the
place where the wood was, and
James began to gather it, behold,
a venomous viper bit him, so that
he began to cry, and make a
noise.
3 The Lord Jesus seeing him in
this condition, came to him, and
blowed upon the place where the
viper had bit him, and it was
instantly well.
4 On a certain day the Lord
Jesus was with some boys, who
were playing on the house-top,
and one of the boys fell down, and
presently died.
5 Upon which the other boys all
running away, the Lord Jesus was
left alone on the house-top.
6 And the boy's relations came
to him and said to the Lord Jesus,
Thou didst throw our son down
from the house-top.
7 But he denying it, they cried
out, Our son is dead, and this is
he who killed him.
8 The Lord Jesus replied to
them, Do not charge me with a
crime of which you are not able to
convict me, but let us go and ask
the boy himself, who will bring
the truth to light.
9 Then the Lord Jesus going
down stood over the head of the
dead boy, and said with a loud
voice, Zeinunus, Zeinunus, who
threw thee down from the housetop?
10 Then the dead boy answered,
thou didst not throw me down,
but such a one did.
11 And when the Lord Jesus
bade those who stood by to take
present praised God on account
of that miracle.
12 On a certain time the
Lady St. Mary had commanded
the Lord Jesus to fetch her some
water out of the well;
13 And when he had gone to
fetch the water, the pitcher, when
it was brought up full, brake;
14 But Jesus spreading his mantle
gathered up the water again,
and brought it in that to his
mother;
15 Who, being astonished at
this wonderful thing, laid up this,
and all the other things which she
had seen, in her memory.
16 Again on another day the
Lord Jesus was with some boys
by a river, and they drew water
out of the river by little channels,
and made little fish-pools.
17 But the Lord Jesus had
made twelve sparrows, and placed
them about his pool on each side,
three on a side.
18 But it was the Sabbath day,
and the son of Hanani a Jew came
by, and saw them making these
things, and said, Do ye thus make
figures of clay on the Sabbath?
And he ran to them, and broke
down their fish-pools.
19 But when the Lord Jesus
clapped his hands over the sparrows
which he had made, they fled away
chirping.
20 At length the son of Hanani
coming to the fish-pool of Jesus
to destroy it, the water vanished
away, and the Lord Jesus said to
him,
21 In like manner as this water
had vanished, so shall thy life
vanish; and presently the boy
died.
22 Another time, when the
Lord Jesus was coming home in
the evening with Joseph, he met
a boy, who ran so hard against
him, that he threw him down;
23 To whom the Lord Jesus
said, As thou hast thrown me
down, so shalt thou fall, nor ever
rise.
24 And that moment the boy
fell down and died.
CHAPTER XX.
4 Christ sent to school to Zaccheus to learn
his letters, and teaches Zaccheus.
13 Sent to another schoolmaster,
14 refuses to tell his letters, and the schoolmaster
going to whip him, his hand withers and he dies.
THERE was also at Jerusalem
one named Zaccheus, who
was a schoolmaster:
2 And he said to Joseph, Joseph,
why dost thou not send Jesus to me,
that he may learn his letters?
3 Joseph agreed, and told St. Mary;
4 So they brought him to that
master; who, as soon as he saw
him, wrote out an alphabet for him,
5 And he bade him say Aleph;
and when he had said Aleph, the
master bade him pronounce Beth.
6 Then the Lord Jesus said to
him, Tell me first the meaning of
the letter Aleph, and then I will
pronounce Beth.
7 And when the master threatened
to whip him, the Lord Jesus
explained to him the meaning of
the letters Aleph and Beth;
8 Also which were the straight
figures of the letters, which the
oblique, and what letters had
double figures; which had points,
and which had none; why one
letter went before another; and
many other things he began to tell
him, and explain, of which the
master himself had never heard,
nor read in any book.
9 The Lord Jesus farther said
to the master, Take notice how I
say to thee; then he began clearly
and distinctly to say Aleph, Beth,
Gimel, Daleth, and so on to the
end of the alphabet.
10 At this the master was so
surprised, that he said, I believe
this boy was born before Noah;
11 And turning to Joseph, he
said, Thou hast brought a boy to
me to be taught, who is more
learned than any master.
12 He said also to St. Mary,
This your son has no need of any
learning.
13 They brought him then
to a more learned master, who,
when he saw him, said, say Aleph;
14 And when he had said Aleph,
the master bade him pronounce
Beth; to which the Lord Jesus
replied, Tell me first the meaning
of the letter Aleph, and then I
will pronounce Beth.
15 But this master, when he did
lift up his hand to whip him, had
his hand presently withered, and
he died.
16 Then said Joseph to St. Mary,
Henceforth we will not allow him
to go out of the house; for every
one who displeases him is killed.
CHAPTER XXI.
[Compare Luke ii. 42, whose meagre account is deficient
of the sublime details here given of the subjects disputed upon.]
1 Disputes learnedly with the doctors in the temple,
7 on law,
9 on astronomy,
12 on physics and metaphysics.
21 Is worshipped by a philosopher,
28 and fetched home by his mother.
AND when he was twelve years
old, they brought him to
Jerusalem to the feast; and when
the feast was over, they returned.
2 But the Lord Jesus continued
behind in the temple among the
doctors and elders, and learned
men of Israel; to whom he proposed
several questions of learning,
and also gave them answers:
3 For he said to them, Whose
son is the Messiah? They answered,
the son of David.
4 Why then, said he, does he in
the spirit call him Lord? When he
saith, The Lord said to my Lord,
sit thou at my right hand, till I
have made thine enemies thy foot-
stool.
5 Then a certain principal Rabbi
asked him, Hast thou read books?
6 Jesus answered, he had read
both books, and the things which
were contained in books.
7 And he explained to them the
books of the law, and precepts,
and statutes: and the mysteries
which are contained in the books
of the prophets; things which
the mind of no creature could
reach.
8 Then said that Rabbi, I never
yet have seen or heard of such
knowledge! What do you think
that boy will be?
9 When a certain astronomer,
who was present, asked the Lord
Jesus, Whether he had studied
astronomy?
10 The Lord Jesus replied, and
told him the number of the spheres
and heavenly bodies, as also their
triangular, square, and sextile
aspect; their progressive and
retrograde motion; their size and
several prognostications; and other
things which the reason of man
had never discovered.
11 There was also among them
a philosopher well skilled in
physic and natural philosophy,
who asked the Lord Jesus, Whether
he had studied physic?
12 He replied, and explained to
him physics and metaphysics.
13 Also those things which were
above and below the power of nature;
14 The powers also of the body,
its humours, and their effects.
15 Also the number of its members,
and bones, veins, arteries,
and nerves;
16 The several constitutions of
body, hot and dry, cold and moist,
and the tendencies of them;
17 How the soul operated upon
the body;
18 What its various sensations
and faculties, were;
19 The faculty of speaking, anger,
desire;
20 And lastly the manner of its
composition and dissolution; and
other things, which the
understanding of no creature
had ever reached.
21 Then that philosopher arose,
and worshipped the Lord Jesus,
and said, O Lord Jesus, from
henceforth I will be thy disciple
and servant.
22 While they were discoursing
on these and such like things,
the Lady St. Mary came in, having
been three days walking about
with Joseph, seeking for him.
23 And when she saw him sitting
among the doctors, and in his turn
proposing questions to them, and
giving answers, she said to him,
My son, why hast thou done thus
by us? Behold I and thy father
have been at much pains in
seeking thee.
24 He replied, Why did ye seek
me? Did ye not know that I ought
to be employed in my father's
house?
25 But they understood not the
words which he said to them.
26 Then the doctors asked Mary,
Whether this were her son? And
when she said, He was, they said,
O happy Mary, who hast borne
such a son.
27 Then he returned with them
to Nazareth, and obeyed them in
all things.
28 And his mother kept all these
things in her mind;
29 And the Lord Jesus grew in
stature and wisdom, and favour
with God and man.
CHAPTER XXII.
1 Jesus conceals his miracles,
2 studies the law,
3 and is baptized.
NOW from this time Jesus began
to conceal his miracles and
secret works,
2 And gave himself to the study
of the law, till he arrived to the
end of his thirtieth year;
3 At which time the Father publicly
owned him at Jordan, sending
down this voice from heaven, This
is my beloved son, in whom I am
well pleased;
4 The Holy Ghost being also
present in the form of a dove.
5 This is he whom we worship
with all reverence, because he gave
us our life and being, and brought
us from our mother's womb,
Glory to God,
6 Who, for our sakes, took a
human body, and hath redeemed
us, that so he might embrace
us with everlasting mercy, and
shew his free, large, bountiful
grace and goodness to us.
7 To him be glory and praise,
and power, and dominion, from
henceforth said for evermore.
Amen.
(The end of the whole Gospel of
the Infancy, by the assistance of
the Supreme God, according to
what we found in the original.)
REFERENCES TO THE FIRST GOSPEL OF
THE INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST
[Mr. Henry Sike, Professor of Oriental Languages at Cambridge, first
translated and published this Gospel in 1697. It was received by the
Gnostics, a sect of Christians in the second century; and several of its
relations were credited in the following ages by other Christians, viz.,
Eusebius, Athanasius, Epiphanius; Chrysostom. &c. Sozomen says, he was
told by many, and he credits the relations, of the idols in Egypt falling
down on Joseph, and Mary's flight thither with Christ; and of Christ
making a well to wash his clothes in a sycamore-tree, from whence balsam
afterwards proceeded; which stories are from this Gospel. Chemnitius, out
of Stipulensis, who had it from Peter Martyr, Bishop of Alexandria, in
the third century, says, that the place in Egypt where Christ was
banished is now called Matarea, about ten miles beyond Cairo; that the
inhabitants constantly burn a lamp in remembrance of it; and that there
is a garden of trees yielding a balsam, which were planted by Christ when
a boy. M. La Crosse cites a synod at Angamala, in the Mountain of
Malabar, A. D. 1599, which shows this Gospel was commonly read by the
Nestorians in the country. Ahmed Ibu Idris, a Mahometan divine, says, it
was used by some Christians in common with the other four Gospels; and
Ocobius de Castro mentions a Gospel of Thomas, which he says, he saw and
had translated to him by an Armenian Archbishop at Amsterdam, that was
read in very many churches of Asia and Africa, as the only rule of their
faith. Fabricius takes it to be this Gospel. It has been supposed, that
Mahomet and his coadjutors used it in compiling the Koran. There are
several stories believed of Christ, proceeding from this Gospel; as that
which Mr. Sike relates out of La Brosse's Persic Lexicon, that Christ
practised the trade of a dyer, and his working a miracle with the
colours; from whence the Persian dyers honour him as their patron, and
call a dye-house the shop of Christ. Sir John Chardin mentions Persian
legends concerning Christ's dispute with his schoolmaster about his ABC;
and his lengthening the cedar-board which Joseph sawed too short.]
Note on the Miracles of Christ in the preceding Gospels.
A great void in the early life of the Saviour is filled up by these
Gospels. In none of the Canonical Evangelists is any mention made of the
childhood of Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, more
rapidly than satisfactorily, pass over the period intervening between His
birth and ministry. It is natural to suppose that the Infant Redeemer's
earliest days were spent in the society of other young children, and it
is quite consistent with every sincere Christians faith to believe that
He had the power to perform the miracles here ascribed to him otherwise,
a limit will be set to His divine attributes, doubts raised against His
performance of the miracles related by the four Evangelists, in the
authorised version of the Testament, and a denial given of the
declaration therein, "With GOD nothing is impossible!"
THE SECOND, OR ST. THOMAS'S GOSPEL OF
THE INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST.
An Account of the ACTIONS and MIRACLES of our Lord and Saviour
JESUS CHRIST in his INFANCY.
CHAPTER I.
2 Jesus miraculously clears the water after rain.
4 Plays with clay sparrows, which he animates
on the Sabbath day.
I THOMAS, an Israelite, judged
it necessary to make known to
our brethren among the Gentiles,
the actions and miracles of Christ
in his childhood, which our Lord
and God Jesus Christ wrought
after his birth in Bethlehem in our
country, at which I myself, was
astonished; the beginning of which
was as followeth.
2 When the child Jesus was
five years of age, and there had
been a shower of rain, which was
now over, Jesus was playing with
other Hebrew boys by a running
stream; and the water running
over the banks, stood in little
lakes;
3 But the water instantly became
clear and useful again; he
having smote them only by his
word, they readily obeyed him.
4 Then he took from the bank
of the stream some soft clay, and
formed out of it twelve sparrows;
and there were other boys playing
with him.
5 But a certain Jew seeing the
things which he was doing, namely,
his forming clay into the figures
of sparrows on the Sabbath day,
went presently away, and told
his father Joseph, and said,
6 Behold, thy boy is playing by
the river side, and has taken clay,
and formed it into twelve sparrows,
and profaneth the Sabbath.
7 Then Joseph came to the
place where he was, and when he
saw him, called to him, and said,
Why doest thou that which it is
not lawful to do on the Sabbath
day?
8 Then Jesus clapping together
the palms of his hands, called to
the sparrows, and said to them
Go, fly away; and while ye live
remember me.
9 So the sparrows fled away
making a noise.
10 The Jews seeing this, were
astonished, and went away, and
told their chief persons what a
strange miracle they had seen
wrought by Jesus.
CHAPTER II.
2 Causes a boy to wither who broke down his fish-pools;
6 Partly restores him.
7 Kills another boy.
16 causes blindness to fall on his accusers,
18 for which, Joseph pulls him by the ear.
BESIDES this, the son of Annas
the scribe, was standing there
with Joseph, and took a bough
of a willow tree, and scattered
the waters which Jesus had
gathered into lakes.
2 But the boy Jesus seeing what
he had done, became angry, and
said to him, Thou fool, what harm
did the lake do thee, that thou
shouldest scatter the water?
3 Behold, now thou shalt wither
as a tree, and shalt not bring forth
either leaves, or branches, or fruit.
4 And immediately he became
withered all over.
5 Then Jesus went away home.
But the parents of the boy who
was withered, lamenting the
misfortune of his youth, took and
carried him to Joseph, accusing him,
and said, Why dost thou keep a
son who is guilty of such actions?
6 Then Jesus at the request of
all who were present did heal him,
leaving only some small member
to continue withered, that they
might take warning.
7 Another time Jesus went
forth into the street, and a boy
running by, rushed upon his
shoulder;
8 At which Jesus being angry,
said to him, Thou shalt go no
farther;
9 And he instantly fell down
dead:
10 Which when some persons
saw, they said, Where was this
boy born, that every thing which
he says presently cometh to pass?
11 Then the parents of the dead
boy going to Joseph, complained,
saying, You are not fit to live with
us, in our city, having such a boy
as that:
12 Either teach him that he
bless and not curse, or else depart
hence with him, for he kills our
children.
13 Then Joseph calling the
boy Jesus by himself, instructed
him, saying, Why doest thou such
things to injure the people so, that
they hate us and prosecute us?
14 But Jesus replied, I know
that what thou sayest is not of
thyself, but for thy sake I will
say nothing;
15 But they who have said these
things to thee, shall suffer
everlasting punishment.
16 And immediately they who
had accused him became blind,
17 And all they who saw it were
exceedingly afraid and confounded,
and said concerning him, Whatsoever
he saith, whether good or bad,
immediately cometh to pass and
they were amazed.
18 And when they saw this action
of Christ, Joseph arose, and
plucked him by the ear, at which
the boy was angry, and said to
him, Be easy;
19 For if they seek for us, they
shall not find us: thou hast done
very imprudently.
20 Dost thou not know that I
am thine? Trouble me no more.
CHAPTER III.
1 Astonishes his schoolmaster by his learning.
A CERTAIN schoolmaster
named Zaccheaus, standing
in a certain place, heard Jesus
speaking these things to his father.
2 And he was much surprised,
that being a child he should speak
such things; and after a few days
he came to Joseph, and said,
3 Thou hast a wise and sensible
child, send him to me, that he may
learn to read.
4 When he sat down to teach
the letters to Jesus, he began with
the first letter Aleph;
5 But Jesus pronounced the
second letter Mpeth (Beth) Cghimel
(Gimel), and said over all the
letters to him to the end.
6 Then opening a book, he
taught his master the prophets
but he was ashamed, and was at a
loss to conceive how he came to
know the letters.
7 And he arose and went home,
wonderfully surprised at so strange
a thing.
CHAPTER IV.
1 Fragment of an adventure at a dyer's.
AS Jesus was passing by a certain
shop, he saw a young man dipping
(or dyeing) some cloths and stockings
in a furnace, of a sad colour, doing
them according to every person's
particular order;
2 The boy Jesus going to the
young man who was doing this,
took also some of the cloths ......
(Here endeth the fragment of
Thomas's Gospel of the Infancy
of Jesus Christ.)
REFERENCE TO ST. THOMAS'S GOSPEL OF THE
INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST.
[The original in Greek, from which this translation is made, will be
found printed by Cotelerius, in his notes on the constitutions of the
Apostles, from a MS. in the French King's Library, No. 2279.--It is
attributed to St. Thomas, and conjectured to have been originally
connected with the, Gospel of Mary. Unfortunately this ancient MS. was
found torn at the second verse of the fourth chapter.]
THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS,
FORMERLY CALLED THE ACTS OF PONTIUS PILATE.
The Gospel of NICODEMUS, the disciple,
concerning the Sufferings and Resurrection
of our Master and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST.
CHAPTER I.
1 Christ accused to Pilate by the Jews
of healing on the Sabbath.
9 Summoned before Pilate by a messenger
who does him honour.
20 Worshipped by the standards bowing down to him.
ANNAS and Caiphas, and
Summas, and Datam, Gamaliel,
Judas, Levi, Nepthalim, Alexander,
Cyrus, and other Jews, went
to Pilate about Jesus, accusing
him with many bad crimes.
2 And said, We are assured that
Jesus is the son of Joseph, the
carpenter, and born of Mary, and
that he declares himself the Son of
God, and a king; and not only so,
but attempts the dissolution of the
Sabbath, and the laws of our
fathers.
3 Pilate replied, What is it
which he declares? and what is it
which he attempts dissolving?
4 The Jews told him, We have
a law which forbids doing cures
on the Sabbath day; but he cures
both the lame and the deaf, those
afflicted with the palsy, the blind,
the lepers, and demoniacs, on that
day, by wicked methods.
5 Pilate replied, How can he
do this by wicked methods? They
answered He is a conjurer, and
casts out devils by the prince of
the devils; and so all things,
become subject to him.
6 Then said Pilate, Casting out
devils seems not to be the work of
an unclean spirit, but to proceed
from the power of God.
7 The Jews replied to Pilate,
We entreat your highness to summon
him to appear before your tribunal,
and hear him yourself.
8 Then Pilate called a messenger,
and said to him, By what means
will Christ be brought hither?
9 Then went the messenger
forth, and knowing Christ,
worshipped him; and having spread
the cloak which he had in his hand
upon the ground, he said, Lord,
walk upon this, and go in, for the
governor calls thee.
10 When the Jews perceived
what the messenger had done,
they exclaimed (against him) to
Pilate, and said, Why did you not
give him his summons by a beadle,
and not by a messenger?--For the
messenger, when he saw him,
worshipped him, and spread the
cloak which he had in his hand
upon the ground before him, and
said to him, Lord, the governor
calls thee.
11 Then Pilate called the
messenger, and said, Why hast thou
done thus?
12 The messenger replied, When
thou sentest me from Jerusalem to
Alexander, I saw Jesus sitting in
a mean figure upon a she-ass, and
the children of the Hebrews cried
out, Hosannah, holding boughs of
trees in their hands.
13 Others spread their garments
in the way, and said, Save us, thou
who art in heaven; blessed is he
who cometh in the name of the
Lord.
14 Then the Jews cried out,
against the messenger, and said,
The children of the Hebrews made
their acclamations in the Hebrew
language; and how couldst thou,
who art a Greek, understand the
Hebrew?
15 The messenger answered
them and said, I asked one of the
Jews and said, What is this which
the children do cry out in the
Hebrew language?
16 And he explained it to me,
saying, they cry out, Hosannah,
which being interpreted, is, O
Lord, save me; or, O Lord, save.
17 Pilate then said to them,
Why do you yourselves testify to
the words spoken by the children,
namely, by your silence? In what
has the messenger done amiss?
And they were silent.
18 Then the governor said unto
the messenger, Go forth and
endeavour by any means to bring
him in.
19 But the messenger went forth
and did as before; and said, Lord
come in, for the governor calleth
thee.
20 And as Jesus was going in
by the ensigns, who carried the
standards, the tops of them bowed
down and worshipped Jesus.
21 Whereupon the Jews exclaimed
more vehemently against the ensigns.
22 But Pilate said to the Jews,
I know it is not pleasing to you
that the tops of the standards did
of themselves bow and worship
Jesus; but why do ye exclaim
against the ensigns, as if they had
bowed and worshipped?
23 They replied to Pilate,
We saw the ensigns themselves
bowing and worshipping Jesus.
24 Then the governor called the
ensigns, and said unto them, Why
did you do thus?
25 The ensigns said to Pilate,
We are all Pagans and worship
the gods in temples; and how
should we think anything about
worshipping him? We only held
the standards in our hands,
and they bowed themselves and
worshipped him.
26 Then said Pilate to the rulers
of the synagogue, Do ye yourselves
choose some strong men, and let
them hold the standards, and we
shall see whether they will then
bend of themselves.
27 So the elders of the Jews
sought out twelve of the most
strong and able old men, and made
them hold the standards, and they
stood in the presence of the governor.
28 Then Pilate said to the
messenger, Take Jesus out, and by
some means bring him in again.
And Jesus and the messenger went
out of the hall.
29 And Pilate called the ensigns
who before had borne the standards,
and swore to them, that if they
had not borne the standards in
that manner when Jesus before
entered in, he would cut off
their heads.
30 Then the governor commanded
Jesus to come in again.
31 And the messenger did as he
had done before, and very much
entreated Jesus that he would go
upon his cloak, and walk on it;
and he did walk upon it, and went
in.
32 And when Jesus went in,
the standards bowed themselves as
before, and worshipped him.
CHAPTER II.
2 Is compassionated by Pilate's wife,
7 charged with being born in fornication.
12 Testimony to the betrothing of his parents.
15 Hatred of the Jews to him.
NOW when Pilate saw this, he
was afraid, and was about to
rise from his seat.
2 But while he thought to rise,
his own wife who stood at a
distance, sent to him, saying, Have
thou nothing to do with that just
man; for I have suffered much
concerning him in a vision this
night.
3 When the Jews heard this
they said to Pilate, Did we not say
unto thee, He is a conjuror? Behold,
he hath caused thy wife to dream.
4 Pilate then calling Jesus, said,
thou hast heard what they testify
against thee, and makest no answer?
5 Jesus replied, If they had not
a power of speaking, they could
not have spoke; but because every
one has the command of his own
tongue, to speak both good and
bad, let him look to it.
6 But the elders of the Jews
answered, and said to Jesus, What
shall we look to?
7 In the first place, we know
this concerning thee, that thou
wast born through fornication;
secondly, that upon the account of
thy birth the infants were slain in
Bethlehem; thirdly, that thy father
and mother Mary fled into Egypt,
because they could not trust their
own people.
8 Some of the Jews who stood
by spake more favourably, We
cannot say that he was born
through fornication; but we know
that his mother Mary was betrothed
to Joseph, and so he was not born
through fornication.
9 Then said Pilate to the Jews
who affirmed him to be born
through fornication, This your
account is not true, seeing there was
a betrothment, as they testify who
are of your own nation.
10 Annas and Caiphas spake to
Pilate, All this multitude of people
is to be regarded, who cry out,
that he was born through fornication,
and is a conjurer; but they who deny
him to be born through fornication,
are his proselytes and disciples.
11 Pilate answered Annas and
Caiphas, Who are the proselytes?
They answered, They are those
who are the children of Pagans,
and are not become Jews, but
followers of him.
12 Then replied Eleazer, and
Asterius, and Antonius, and James,
Caras and Samuel, Isaac and Phinees,
Crispus and Agrippa, Annas and Judas,
We are not proselytes, but children
of Jews, and speak the truth,
and were present when Mary was
betrothed.
13 Then Pilate addressing
himself to the twelve men who
spake this, said to them, I conjure
you by the life of Caesar, that ye
faithfully declare whether he was
born through fornication, and those
things be true which ye have related.
14 They answered Pilate, We
have a law whereby we are forbid
to swear, it being a sin: Let them
swear by the life of Caesar that it
is not as we have said, and we will
be contented to be put to death.
15 Then said Annas and Caiphas
to Pilate, Those twelve men will
not believe that we know him to be
basely born, and to be a conjurer,
although he pretends that he is
the Son of God, and a king: which
we are so far from believing, that
we tremble to hear.
16 Then Pilate commanded
every one to go out except the
twelve men who said he was not
born through fornication, and
Jesus to withdraw to a distance,
and said to them, Why have the Jews
a mind to kill Jesus?
17 They answered him, They
are angry because he wrought
cures on the sabbath day. Pilate
said, Will they kill him for a
good work? They say unto him,
Yes, Sir.
CHAPTER III.
1 Is exonerated by Pilate.
11 Disputes with Pilate concerning truth.
THEN Pilate, filled with anger,
went out of the hall, and said
to the Jews, I call the whole
world to witness that I find no
fault in that man.
2 The Jews replied to Pilate,
If he had not been a wicked person,
we had not brought him before thee.
3 Pilate said to them, Do ye take
him and try him by your law.
4 Then the Jews said, It is not
lawful for us to put any one to
death.
5 Pilate said to the Jews, The
command, therefore, thou shalt
not kill, belongs to you, but
not to me.
6 And he went again into the
hall, and called Jesus by himself,
and said to him, Art thou the king
of the Jews?
7 And Jesus answering, said
to Pilate, Dost thou speak this
of thyself, or did the Jews tell
it thee concerning me?
8 Pilate answering, said to
Jesus, Am I a Jew? The whole
nation and rulers of the Jews have
delivered thee up to me. What
hast thou done?
9 Jesus answering, said, My
kingdom is not of this world:
if my kingdom were of this world,
then would my servants fight,
and I should not have been
delivered to the Jews: but now
my kingdom is not from hence.
10 Pilate said, Art thou a king
then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest
that I am a king: to this end
was I born, and for this end came
I into the world; and for this
purpose I came, that I should bear
witness to the truth; and every
one who is of the truth, heareth
my voice.
11 Pilate saith to him, What is
truth?
12 Jesus said, Truth is from
heaven.
13 Pilate said, Therefore truth
is not on earth.
14 Jesus saith to Pilate,
Believe that truth is on earth
among those, who when they have
the power of judgment, are governed
by truth, and form right judgment.
CHAPTER IV.
1 Pilate finds no fault in Jesus.
16 The Jews demand his crucifixion.
THEN Pilate left Jesus in the hall,
and went out to the Jews, and said,
I find not any one fault in Jesus.
2 The Jews say unto him, But
he said, I can destroy the temple
of God, and in three days build it
up again.
3 Pilate saith to them, What
sort of temple is that of which he
speaketh?
4 The Jews say unto him,
That which Solomon was forty-six
years in building, he said he
would destroy, and in three days
build up.
5 Pilate said to them again, I
am innocent from the blood of that
man! do ye look to it.
6 The Jews say to him, His
blood be upon us and our children.
Then Pilate calling together the
elders and scribes, priests and
Levites, saith to them privately,
Do not act thus; I have found
nothing in your charge (against
him) concerning his curing sick
persons, and breaking the sabbath,
worthy of death.
7 The priests and Levites replied
to Pilate, By the life of Caesar,
if any one be a blasphemer, he is
worthy of death; but this man hath
blasphemed against the Lord.
8 Then the governor again
commanded the Jews to depart out
of the hall; and calling Jesus,
said to him, What shall I do with
thee?
9 Jesus answered him, Do according
as it is written.
10 Pilate said to him, How is it
written?
11 Jesus saith to him, Moses
and the prophets have prophesied
concerning my suffering and
resurrection.
12 The Jews hearing this, were
provoked, and said to Pilate,
Why wilt thou any longer hear the
blasphemy of that man?
13 Pilate saith to them, If these
words seem to you blasphemy, do
ye take him, bring him to your
court, and try him according to
your law.
14 The Jews reply to Pilate,
Our law saith, he shall be obliged
to receive nine and thirty stripes,
but if after this manner he shall
blaspheme against the Lord, he
shall be stoned.
15 Pilate saith unto them, If
that speech of his was blasphemy,
do ye try him according to your
law.
16 The Jews say to Pilate, Our
law command us not to put any one
to death. We desire that he may be
crucified, because he deserves the
death of the cross.
17 Pilate saith to them, It is not
fit he should be crucified: let him
be only whipped and sent away.
18 But when the governor looked
upon the people that were present
and the Jews, he saw many of the
Jews in tears, and said to the
chief priests of the Jews, All
the people do not desire his death.
19 The elders of the Jews answered
to Pilate, We and all the people
came hither for this very purpose,
that he should die.
20 Pilate saith to them, Why should
he die?
21 They said to him, Because
he declares himself to be the Son
of God and a King.
CHAP. V.
1 Nicodemus speaks in defence of Christ,
and relates his miracles.
12 Another Jew,
26 with Veronica,
34 Centurio, and others,
testify of other miracles.
BUT Nicodemus, a certain Jew,
stood before the governor,
and said, I entreat thee,
O righteous judge, that thou
wouldst favour me with the
liberty of speaking a few words.
2 Pilate said to him, Speak on.
3 Nicodemus said, I spake to
the elders of the Jews, and the
scribes, and priests and Levites,
and all the multitude of the Jews,
in their assembly; What is it ye
would do with this man?
4 He is a man who hath wrought
many useful and glorious miracles,
such as no man on earth ever
wrought before, nor will ever
work. Let him go, and do him
no harm; if he cometh from God,
his miracles, (his miraculous
cures) will continue; but if from
men, they will come to nought.
5 Thus Moses, when he was
sent by God into Egypt, wrought
the miracles which God commanded
him, before Pharaoh king of Egypt;
and though the magicians of that
country, Jannes and Jambres,
wrought by their magic the same
miracles which Moses did, yet they
could not work all which he did;
6 And the miracles which the
magicians wrought, were not of
God, as ye know, O Scribes and
Pharisees; but they who wrought
them perished, and all who
believed them.
7 And now let this man go;
because the very miracles for
which ye accuse him, are from
God; and he is not worthy of
death.
8 The Jews then said to Nicodemus,
Art thou become his disciple,
and making speeches in his favour?
9 Nicodemus said to them, Is
the governor become his disciple
also, and does he make speeches
for him? Did not Caesar place
him in that high post?
10 When the Jews heard this
they trembled, and gnashed their
teeth at Nicodemus, and said to
him, Mayest thou receive his
doctrine for truth, and have
thy lot with Christ!
11 Nicodemus replied, Amen;
I will receive his doctrine, and
my lot with him, as ye have said.
12 Then another certain Jew
rose up, and desired leave of the
governor to hear him a few words.
13 And the governor said,
Speak, what thou hast a mind.
14 And he said, I lay for thirty-
eight years by the sheep-pool at
Jerusalem, labouring under a great
infirmity, and waiting for a cure
which should be wrought by the
coming of an angel, who at a
certain time troubled the water: and
whosoever first after the troubling
of the water stepped in, was made
whole of whatsoever disease he had.
15 And when Jesus saw me languishing
there, he said to me, Wilt thou be
made whole? And I answered, Sir,
I have no man, when the water is
troubled, to put me into the pool.
16 And he said unto me, Rise,
take up thy bed and walk. And
I was immediately made whole,
and took up my bed and walked.
17 The Jews then said to Pilate,
Our Lord Governor, pray ask
him what day it was on which he
was cured of his infirmity.
18 The infirm person replied,
It was on the sabbath.
19 The Jews said to Pilate, Did
we not say that he wrought his
cures on the sabbath, and cast out
devils by the prince of devils?
20 Then another certain Jew
came forth, and said, I was blind,
could hear sounds, but could not
see any one; and as Jesus was
going along, I heard the multitude
passing by, and I asked what
was there?
21 They told me that Jesus was
passing by: then I cried out,
saying, Jesus, Son of David, have
mercy on me. And he stood still,
and commanded that I should be
brought to him, and said to me,
What wilt thou?
22 I said, Lord, that I may
receive my sight.
23 He said to me, Receive thy
sight: and presently I saw, and
followed him, rejoicing and giving
thanks,
24 Another Jew also came forth,
and said, I was a leper, and he
cured me by his word only, saying,
I will, be thou clean; and presently
I was cleansed from my leprosy.
25 And another Jew came
forth, and said I was crooked,
and he made me straight by his
word.
26 And a certain woman
named Veronica, said, I was
afflicted with an issue of blood
twelve years, and I touched the
hem of his garment, and presently
the issue of blood stopped.
27 The Jews then said, We
have a law, that a woman shall
not be allowed as an evidence.
28 And, after other things,
another Jew said, I saw Jesus
invited to a wedding with his
disciples, and there was a want
of wine in Cana of Galilee;
29 And when the wine was all
drank, he commanded the servants
that they should fill six pots which
were there with water, and they
filled them up to the brim, and he
blessed them and turned the water
into wine, and all the people drank,
being surprised at this miracle,
30 And another Jew stood forth,
and said, I saw Jesus teaching
in the synagogue at Capernaum;
and there was in the synagogue
a certain man who had a devil;
and he cried out, saying,
let me alone; what have we to
do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth?
Art thou come to destroy us?
I know that thou art the Holy One
of God.
31 And Jesus rebuked him, saying,
Hold thy peace, unclean spirit,
and come out of the man; and
presently he came out of him, and
did not at all hurt him.
32 The following things were
also said by a Pharisee: I saw
that a great company came to
Jesus from Galilee and Judea, and
the sea-cost, and many countries
about Jordan; and many infirm
persons came to him, and he healed
them all.
33 And I heard the unclean
spirits crying out, and saying,
Thou art the Son of God. And
Jesus strictly charged them, that
they should not make him known.
34 After this another person,
whose name was Centurio, said,
I saw Jesus in Capernaum, and I
entreated him, saying, Lord, my
servant lieth at home sick of the
palsy.
35 And Jesus said to me, I
will come and cure him.
36 But I said, Lord, I am not
worthy that thou shouldst come
under my roof; but only speak
the word, and my servant shall be
healed.
37 And Jesus said unto me, Go
thy way; and as thou hast believed
so be it done unto thee. And my
servant was healed from that same
hour.
38 Then a certain nobleman
said, I had a son in Capernaum,
who lay at the point of death; and
when I heard that Jesus was come
into Galilee, I went and besought
him that he would come down to
my house, and heal my son, for he
was at the point of death.
39 He said to me, Go thy way,
thy son liveth.
40 And my son was cured from
that hour.
41 Besides these, also many
others of the Jews, both men and
Women, cried out and said, He is
truly the Son of God, who cures
all diseases only by his word, and
to whom the devils are altogether
subject.
42 Some of them farther said,
This power can proceed from none
but God.
43 Pilate said to the Jews, Why
are not the devils subject to your
doctors?
44 Some of them said, The
power of subjecting devils cannot
proceed but from God.
45 But others said to Pilate,
That he had raised Lazarus from
the dead, after he had been four
days in his grave.
46 The governor hearing this,
trembling, said to the multitude of
the Jews, What will it profit you
to shed innocent blood?
CHAPTER VI.
1 Pilate dismayed by the turbulence of the Jews,
5 who demand Barabbas to be released, and Christ
to be crucified.
9 Pilate warmly expostulates with them,
20 washes his hands of Christ's blood,
23 and sentences him to be whipped and crucified.
THEN Pilate having called
together Nicodemus, and the
fifteen men who said that Jesus
was not born through fornication,
said to them, What shall I do,
seeing there is like to be a tumult
among the people.
2 They say unto him, We know
not; let them look to it who raise
the tumult.
3 Pilate then called the
multitude again, and said to them,
Ye know that ye have a custom, that
I should release to you one prisoner
at the feast of the passover:
4 I have a noted prisoner, a
murderer, who is called Barabbas,
and Jesus who is called Christ, in
whom I find nothing that deserves
death; which of them, therefore,
have you a mind that I should
release to you?
5 They all cry out, and say,
Release to us Barabbas.
6 Pilate saith to them, What
then shall I do with Jesus who is
called Christ?
7 They all answer, Let him be
crucified.
8 Again they cry out and say to
Pilate, You are not the friend of
Caesar, if you release this man;
for he hath declared that he is the
Son of God, and a king. But are
you inclined that he should be
king, and not Caesar?
9 Then Pilate filled with anger
said to them, Your nation hath
always been seditious, and you are
always against those who have
been serviceable to you.
10 The Jews replied, Who are those
who have been serviceable to us?
11 Pilate answered them, Your
God who delivered you from the
hard bondage of the Egyptians,
and brought you over the Red Sea
as though it had been dry land,
and fed you in the wilderness with
manna and the flesh of quails, and
brought water out of the rock, and
gave you a law from heaven.
12 Ye provoked him all ways,
and desired for yourselves a
molten calf, and worshipped it,
and sacrificed to it, and said,
These are thy Gods, O Israel,
which brought thee out of the
land of Egypt:
13 On account of which your
God was inclined to destroy you;
but Moses interceded for you, and
your God heard him, and forgave
your iniquity.
14 Afterwards ye were enraged
against, and would have killed
your prophets, Moses and Aaron,
when they fled to the tabernacle,
and ye were always murmuring
against God and his prophets.
15 And arising from his
judgment seat, he would have gone
out; but the Jews all cried out,
We acknowledge Caesar to be king,
and not Jesus;
16 Whereas this person, as
soon as he was born, the wise
men came and offered gifts unto
him; which when Herod heard,
he was exceedingly troubled,
and would have killed him:
17 When his father knew this,
he fled with him and his mother
Mary into Egypt. Herod, when
he heard he was born, would have
slain him; and accordingly sent
and slew all the children which
were in Bethlehem, and in all the
coasts thereof, from two years old
and under.
18 When Pilate heard this
account, he was afraid; and
commanding silence among the
people, who made a noise, he said
to Jesus, Art thou therefore a king?
19 All the Jews replied to
Pilate, he is the very person
whom Herod sought to have slain.
20 Then Pilate taking water,
washed his hands before the people
and said, I am innocent of the
blood of this just person; look ye
to it.
21 The Jews answered and said,
His blood be upon us and our
children.
22 Then Pilate commanded Jesus
to be brought before him, and
spake to him in the following
words;
23 Thy own nation hath charged
thee as making thyself a king;
wherefore I, Pilate, sentence thee
to be whipped according to the
laws of former governors; and
that thou be first bound, then
hanged upon a cross in that place
where thou art now a prisoner;
and also two criminals with thee,
whose names are Dimas and Gestas.
CHAP. VII.
1 Manner of Christ's crucifixion
with the two thieves.
THEN Jesus went out of the
hall, and the two thieves
with him.
2 And when they came to the
place which is called Golgotha,
they stript him of his raiment, and
girt him about with a linen cloth,
and put a crown of thorns upon his
head, and put a reed in his hand.
3 And in like manner did they
to the two thieves who were
crucified with him, Dimas on his
right hand and Gestas on his left.
4 But Jesus said, My Father,
forgive them, For they know not
what they do.
5 And they divided his garments,
and upon his vesture they cast lots.
6 The people in the mean time
stood by, and the chief priests
and elders of the Jews mocked him,
saying, He saved others, let him
now save himself if he can; if he
be the son of God, let him now
come down from the cross.
7 The soldiers also mocked him,
and taking vinegar and gall, offered
it to him to drink, and said to him,
If thou art king of the Jews,
deliver thyself.
8 Then Longinus, a certain soldier,
taking a spear, pierced his side,
and presently there came forth blood
and water.
9 And Pilate wrote the title
upon the cross in Hebrew, Latin,
and Greek letters, viz., THIS IS
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
10 But one of the two thieves
who were crucified with Jesus,
whose name was Gestas, said to
Jesus, If thou art the Christ,
deliver thyself and us.
11 But the thief who was
crucified on his right hand,
whose name was Dimas, answering,
rebuked him, and said, Dost not
thou fear God, who art condemned
to this punishment? We indeed
receive rightly and justly the
demerit of our actions; but this
Jesus, what evil hath he done.
12 After this, groaning, he said
to Jesus, Lord, remember me
when thou comest into thy kingdom.
13 Jesus answering, said to
him, Verily I say unto thee, that
this day thou shalt be with me in
Paradise.
CHAPTER VIII.
1 Miraculous appearance at his death.
10 The Jews say the eclipse was natural.
12 Joseph of Arimathaea embalms Christ's
body and buries it.
AND it was about the sixth
hour, and darkness was upon
the face of the whole earth until
the ninth hour.
2 And while the sun was eclipsed,
behold the veil of the temple was
rent from the top, to the bottom;
and the rocks also were rent, and
the graves opened, and many
bodies of saints, which slept,
arose.
3 And about the ninth hour
Jesus cried out with a loud voice,
Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani? which
being interpreted is, My God, My
God, why hast thou forsaken me?
4 And after these things, Jesus
said, Father, into thy hands I
commend my spirit; and having
said this, he gave up the ghost.
5 But when the centurion saw
that Jesus thus crying out gave up
the ghost, he glorified God, and
said, Of a truth this was a just
man.
6 And all the people who stood
by, were exceedingly troubled at
the sight; and reflecting upon
what had passed, smote upon their
breasts, and then returned to the
city of Jerusalem.
7 The centurion went to the
governor, and related to him all
that had passed:
8 And when he had heard all
these things, he was exceedingly
sorrowful;
9 And calling the Jews together,
said to them, Have ye seen the
miracle of the sun's eclipse, and
the other things which came to
pass, while Jesus was dying?
10 Which when the Jews heard,
they answered to the governor,
The eclipse of the sun happened
according to its usual custom.
11 But all those who were the
acquaintance of Christ, stood at
a distance, as did the women who
had followed Jesus from Galilee,
observing all these things.
12 And behold a certain man
of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who
was also a disciple of Jesus, but
not openly so, for fear of the Jews,
came to the governor, and entreated
the governor that he would give him
leave to take away the body of Jesus
from the cross.
13 And the governor gave him leave.
14 And Nicodemus came, bringing
with him a mixture of myrrh and
aloes about a hundred pounds
weight; and they took down Jesus
from the cross with tears, and
bound him in linen cloths with
spices, according to the custom of
burying among the Jews;
15 And placed him in a new
tomb, which Joseph had built,
and caused to be cut out of a rock,
in which never any man had been
put; and they rolled a great stone
to the door of the sepulchre.
CHAPTER IX.
1 The Jews angry with Nicodemus:
5 and with, Joseph of Arimathaea,
7 whom they imprison.
WHEN the unjust Jews heard
that Joseph had begged and buried
the body of Jesus, they sought
after Nicodemus, and those fifteen
men who had testified before the
governor, that Jesus was not born
through fornication, and other
good persons who had shown any
good actions towards him.
2 But when they all concealed
themselves through fear of the
Jews, Nicodemus alone showed
himself to them, and said, How
can such persons as these enter
into the synagogue?
3 The Jews answered him, But
how durst thou enter into the
synagogue, who wast a confederate
with Christ? Let thy lot be along
with him in the other world.
4 Nicodemus answered, Amen;
so may it be, that I may have
my lot with him in his kingdom.
5 In like manner Joseph, when
he came to the Jews, said to them,
Why are ye angry with me for
desiring the body of Jesus of
Pilate? Behold, I have put him in
my tomb, and wrapped him up in
clean linen, and put a stone at the
door of the sepulchre:
6 I have acted rightly towards
him; but ye have acted unjustly
against that just person, in
crucifying him, giving him vinegar
to drink, crowning him with thorns,
tearing his body with whips, and
praying down the guilt of his blood
upon you.
7 The Jews at the hearing of
this were disquieted and troubled;
and they seized Joseph, and
commanded him to be put in custody
before the Sabbath, and kept there
till the Sabbath was over.
8 And they said to him, Make
confession; for at this time it is
not lawful to do thee any harm,
till the first day of the week come.
But we know that thou wilt not be
thought worthy of a burial; but
we will give thy flesh to the birds
of the air, and the beasts of the
earth.
9 Joseph answered, That speech
is like the speech of proud Goliath,
who reproached the living God in
speaking against David. But ye
scribes and doctors know that God
saith by the prophet, Vengeance is
mine, and I will repay to you evil
equal to that which ye have
threatened to me.
10 The God whom you have
hanged upon the cross, is able to
deliver me out of your hands. All
your wickedness will return upon
you.
11 For the governor, when he
washed his hands, said, I am clear
from the blood of this just person.
But ye answered and cried out,
His blood be upon us and our
children. According as ye have
said, may ye perish for ever.
12 The elders of the Jews hearing
these words, were exceedingly
enraged; and seizing Joseph, they
put him into a chamber where
there was no window; they fastened
the door, and put a seal upon
the lock;
13 And Annas and Caiaphas placed
a guard upon it, and took counsel
with the priests and Levites,
that they should all meet after
the Sabbath, and they contrived
to what death they should put Joseph.
14 When they had done this, the
rulers, Annas and Caiaphas,
ordered Joseph to be brought
forth.
(In this place there is a portion
of the Gospel lost or omitted.
which cannot be supplied. It
may, nevertheless, be surmised
from the occurrence related in
the next chapter, that the order
of Annas and Caiaphas were rendered
unnecessary by Joseph's miraculous
escape, and which was announced
to an assembly of people.)
CHAPTER X.
1 Joseph's escape.
2 The soldiers relate Christ's resurrection.
18 Christ is seen preaching in Galilee.
21 The Jews repent of their cruelty to him.
WHEN all the assembly heard
this (about Joseph's escape),
they admired and were astonished,
because they found the same seal
upon the lock of the chamber, and
could not find Joseph.
2 Then Annas and Caiaphas went
forth, and while they were all
admiring at Joseph's being gone,
behold one of the soldiers, who
kept the sepulchre of Jesus, spake
in the assembly,
3 That while they were guarding
the sepulchre of Jesus, there was
an earthquake; and we saw an angel
of God roll away the stone of the
sepulchre and sit upon it;
4 And his countenance was like
lightning and his garment like
snow; and we became through fear
like persons dead.
5 And we heard an angel saying
to the women at the sepulchre of
Jesus, Do not fear; I know that
you seek Jesus who was crucified;
he is risen as he foretold;
6 Come and see the place where
he was laid; and go presently, and
tell his disciples that he is risen
from the dead; and he will go before
you into Galilee; there ye shall
see him as he told you.
7 Then the Jews called together
all the soldiers who kept the sepulchre
of Jesus, and said to them, Who are
those women, to whom the angel spoke?
Why did ye not seize them.
8 The soldiers answered and said,
We know not who the women were;
besides we became as dead persons
through fear, and how could we
seize those women?
9 The Jews said to them, As the
Lord liveth, we do not believe you;
10 The soldiers answering said to
the Jews, when ye saw and heard
Jesus working so many miracles,
and did not believe him, how should
ye believe us? Ye well said,
As the Lord liveth, for the Lord
truly does live.
11 We have heard that ye shut
up Joseph, who buried the body of
Jesus, in a chamber, under a lock
which was sealed; and when ye
opened it, found him not there.
12 Do ye then produce Joseph
whom ye put under guard in the
chamber, and we will produce
Jesus whom we guarded in the
sepulchre.
13 The Jews answered and said,
We will produce Joseph, do ye
produce Jesus. But Joseph is in
his own city of Arimathaea.
14 The soldiers replied,
If Joseph be in Arimathaea,
and Jesus in Galilee, we heard
the angel inform the women.
15 The Jews hearing this, were
afraid, and said among themselves,
If by any means these things
should become public, then
everybody will believe in Jesus.
16 Then they gathered a large
sum of money, and gave it to the
soldiers, saying, Do ye tell the
people that the disciples of Jesus
came in the night when ye were
asleep, and stole away the body of
Jesus; and if Pilate the governor
should hear of this, we will satisfy
him and secure you.
17 The soldiers accordingly took
the money, and said as they were
instructed by the Jews; and their
report was spread abroad among
all the people.
18 But a certain priest Phinees,
Ada a schoolmaster, and a Levite,
named Ageus, they three came from
Galilee to Jerusalem, and told
the chief priests and all who
were in the synagogues, saying,
19 We have seen Jesus, whom
ye crucified, talking with his
eleven disciples, and sitting in the
midst of them in Mount Olivet,
and saying to them,
20 Go forth into the whole world,
preach the Gospel to all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Ghost; and whosoever shall believe
and be baptized, shall be saved.
21 And when he had said these
things to his disciples, we saw him
ascending up to heaven.
22 When the chief priests and
elders, and Levites heard these
things, they said to these three
men, Give glory to the God of
Israel, and make confession to
him, whether those things are true,
which ye say ye have seen and heard.
23 They answering said, As the
Lord of our fathers liveth, the
God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
according as we heard Jesus talking
with his disciples, and according
as we saw him ascending up to
heaven, so we have related the
truth to you.
24 And the three men farther
answered, and said, adding these
words, If we should not own the
words which we heard Jesus speak,
and that we saw him ascending
into heaven, we should be guilty
of sin.
25 Then the chief priests
immediately rose up, and holding
the book of the law in their hands,
conjured these men, saying, Ye
shall no more hereafter declare
those things which ye have spoken
concerning Jesus.
26 And they gave them a large
sum of money, and sent other
persons along with them, who
should conduct them to their own
country, that they might not by any
means make any stay at Jerusalem.
27 Then the Jews did assemble
all together, and having expressed
the most lamentable concern said,
What is this extraordinary thing
which is come to pass in Jerusalem?
28 But Annas and Caiaphas comforted
them, saying, Why should we believe
the soldiers who guarded the sepulchre
of Jesus, in telling us, that an angel
rolled away the stone from the door
of the sepulchre?
29 Perhaps his own disciples told
them this, and gave them money
that they should say so, and they
themselves took away the body of Jesus.
30 Besides, consider this, that
there is no credit to be given to
foreigners, because they also took
a large sum of us, and they have
declared to us according to the
instructions which we gave them.
They must either be faithful to us
or to the disciples of Jesus.
CHAPTER XI.
1 Nicodemus counsels the Jews.
6 Joseph found.
11 Invited by the Jews to return.
19 Relates the manner of his miraculous escape.
THEN Nicodemus arose, and
said, Ye say right, O sons of
Israel; ye have heard what those
three men have sworn by the Law
of God, who said, We have seen
Jesus speaking with his disciples
upon mount Olivet, and we saw
him ascending up to heaven.
2 And the scripture teacheth
us that the blessed prophet Elijah
was taken up to heaven, and Elisha
being asked by the sons of the
prophets, Where is our father Elijah?
He said to them, that he is taken up
to heaven.
3 And the sons of the prophets
said to him, Perhaps the spirit
hath carried him into one of the
mountains of Israel, there perhaps
we shall find him. And they besought
Elisha, and he walked about with
them three days, and they could
not find him.
4 And now hear me, O sons of
Israel, and let us send men into
the mountains of Israel, lest
perhaps the spirit hath carried
away Jesus, and there perhaps we
shall find him, and be satisfied.
5 And the counsel of Nicodemus
pleased all the people; and they
sent forth men who sought for Jesus,
but could not find him; and they
returning, said, We went all about,
but could not find Jesus, but we
have found Joseph in his city of
Arimathaea.
6 The rulers hearing this, and
all the people, were glad, and
praised the God of Israel, because
Joseph was found, whom they had
shut up in a chamber, and could
not find.
7 And when they had formed a
large assembly, the chief priests
said, By what means shall we bring
Joseph to us to speak with him?
8 And taking a piece of paper,
they wrote to him, and said, Peace
be with thee, and all thy family,
We know that we have offended
against God and thee. Be pleased
to give a visit to us, your fathers,
for we were perfectly surprised at
your escape from prison.
9 We know that it was malicious
counsel which we took against
thee, and that the Lord took care
of thee, and the Lord himself
delivered thee from our designs.
Peace be unto thee, Joseph, who
art honourable among all the
people.
10 And they chose seven of
Joseph's friends, and said to them,
When ye come to Joseph, salute
him in peace, and give him this
letter.
11 Accordingly, when the men
came to Joseph, they did salute
him in peace, and gave him the
letter.
12 And when Joseph had read it,
he said, Blessed be the Lord God,
who didst deliver me from the
Israelites, that they could not
shed my blood. Blessed be God,
who hast protected me under thy
wings.
13 And Joseph kissed them, and
took them into his house. And on
the morrow, Joseph mounted his
ass, and went along with them to
Jerusalem.
14 And when all the Jews heard
these things, they went out to
meet him, and cried out, saying,
Peace attend thy coming hither,
father Joseph.
15 To which he answered,
Prosperity from the Lord attend
all the people.
13 And they all kissed him; and
Nicodemus took him to his house,
having prepared a large
entertainment.
17 But on the morrow, being
a preparation-day, Annas, and
Caiaphas, and Nicodemus, said to
Joseph, Make confession to the
God of Israel, and answer to us
all those questions which we shall
ask thee;
18 For we have been very much
troubled, that thou didst bury the
body of Jesus; and that when we
had locked thee in a chamber, we
could not find thee; and we have
been afraid ever since, till this
time of thy appearing among us.
Tell us therefore before God, all
that came to pass.
19 Then Joseph answering,
said Ye did indeed put me under
confinement, on the day of
preparation, till the morning.
20 But while I was standing at
prayer in the middle of the night,
the house was surrounded with
four angels; and I saw Jesus as
the brightness of the sun, and fell
down upon the earth for fear.
21 But Jesus laying hold on my
hand, lifted me from the ground,
and the dew was then sprinkled
upon me; but he, wiping my face,
kissed me, and said unto me, Fear
not, Joseph; look upon me for
it is I.
22 Then I looked upon him, and
said, Rabboni Elias! He answered
me, I am not Elias, but Jesus of
Nazareth, whose body thou didst
bury.
23 I said to him, show me the
tomb in which I laid thee.
24 Then Jesus, taking me by the
hand, led me unto the place where
I laid him, and showed me the
linen clothes, and napkin which I
put round his head. Then I knew
that it was Jesus, and worshipped
him, and said; Blessed be he who
cometh in the name of the Lord.
25 Jesus again taking me by the
hand, led me to Arimathaea, to my
own house, and said to me, Peace
be to thee; but go not out of thy
house till the fortieth day; but
I must go to my disciples.
CHAPTER XII.
1 The Jews astonished and confounded.
16 Simeon's two sons, Charinus and Lenthius,
rise from the dead at Christ's crucifixion.
19 Joseph proposes to get them to relate the
mysteries of their resurrection.
21 They are sought and found,
22 brought to the synagogue,
23 privately sworn to secrecy,
25 and undertake to write what they had seen.
WHEN the chief priests and
Levites heard all these
things, they were astonished, and
fell down with their faces on the
ground as dead men, and crying
out to one another, said, What is
this extraordinary sign which is
come to pass in Jerusalem? We
know the father and mother of
Jesus.
2 And a certain Levite said,
I know many of his relations,
religions persons, who are wont to
offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings
to the God of Israel, in the temple,
with prayers.
3 And when the high-priest
Simeon took him up in his arms,
he said to him, Lord, now lettest
thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word; for mine
eyes have seen thy salvation,
which then halt prepared before
the face of all people; a light to
enlighten the Gentiles, and the
glory of thy people Israel.
4 Simeon in like manner blessed
Mary the Mother of Jesus, and
said to her, I declare to thee
concerning that child; He is
appointed for the fall and rising
again of many, and for a sign
which shall be spoken against;
5 Yea, a sword shall pierce
through thine own soul also, and
the thoughts of many hearts shall
be revealed.
6 Then said all the Jews, Let
us send to those three men, who
said they saw him talking with
his disciples in mount Olivet.
7 After this, they asked them
what they had seen; who answered
with one accord, In the presence
of the God of Israel we affirm,
that we plainly saw Jesus talking
with his disciples in Mount Olivet,
and ascending up to heaven.
8 Then Annas and Caiaphas took
them into separate places, and
examined them separately; who
unanimously confessed the truth,
and said, they had seen Jesus.
9 Then Annas and Caiaphas said
"Our law saith, By the mouth of
two or three witnesses every word
shall be established."
10 But what have we said?
The blessed Enoch pleased God,
and was translated by the word of
God; and the burying-place of the
blessed Moses is known.
11 But Jesus was delivered to
Pilate, whipped, crowned with
thorns, spit upon, pierced with a
spear, crucified, died upon the
cross, and was buried, and his
body the honourable Joseph buried
in a new sepulchre, and he testifies
that he saw him alive.
12 And besides, these men have
declared, that they saw him talking
with his disciples in Mount Olivet,
and ascending up to heaven.
13 Then Joseph rising up, said
to Annas and Caiaphas, Ye may be
justly under a great surprise,
that you have been told, that
Jesus is alive, and gone up to
heaven.
14 It is indeed a thing really
surprising, that he should not
only himself arise from the dead,
but also raise others from their
graves, who have been seen by
many in Jerusalem.
15 And now hear me a little
We all knew the blessed Simeon,
the high-priest, who took Jesus
when an infant into his arms in
the temple.
16 This same Simeon had two sons
of his own, and we were all present
at their death and funeral.
17 Go therefore and see their
tombs, for these are open, and
they are risen: and behold, they
are in the city of Arimathaea,
spending their time together in
offices of devotion.
18 Some, indeed, have heard
the sound of their voices in prayer,
but they will not discourse with
anyone, but they continue as mute
as dead men.
19 But come, let us go to them,
and behave ourselves towards them
with all due respect and caution.
And if we can bring them to swear,
perhaps they will tell us some of
the mysteries of their resurrection.
20 When the Jews heard this
they were exceedingly rejoiced.
21 Then Annas and Caiaphas,
Nicodemus, Joseph, and Gamaliel,
went to Arimathaea, but did not
find them in their graves; but
walking about the city, they found
them on their bended knees at
their devotions:
22 Then saluting them with all
respect and deference to God, they
brought them to the synagogue at
Jerusalem; and having shut the
gates, they took the book of the
law of the Lord,
23 And putting it in their hands,
swore them by God Adonai, and
the God of Israel, who spake to
our fathers by the law and the
prophets, saying, If ye believe
him who raised you from the dead,
to be Jesus, tell us what ye have
seen, and how ye were raised from
the dead.
24 Charinus and Lenthius, the
two sons of Simeon, trembled
when they heard these things, and
were disturbed, and groaned; and
at the same time looking up to
heaven, they made the sign of the
cross with their fingers on their
tongues,
25 And immediately they spake,
and said, Give each of us some
paper, and we will write down for
you all those things which we have
seen. And they each sat down
and wrote, saying:--
CHAPTER XIII.
1 The narrative of Charinus and Lenthius commences.
3 A great light in hell.
7 Simeon arrives, and announces the coming of Christ.
O LORD Jesus and Father, who
art God, also the resurrection
and life of the dead, give us
leave to declare thy mysteries,
which we saw after death, belonging
to thy cross; for we are sworn by
thy name.
2 For thou hast forbidden thy
servants to declare the secret
things, which were wrought by
thy divine power in hell.
3 When we were Placed with
our fathers in the depth of hell,
in the blackness of darkness,
on a sudden there appeared the
colour of the sun like gold,
and a substantial purple-coloured
light enlightening the place.
4 Presently upon this, Adam,
the father of all mankind, with
all the patriarchs and prophets,
rejoiced and said, That light is the
author of everlasting light, who
hath promised to translate us to
everlasting light.
5 Then Isaiah the prophet cried
out and said, This is the light
of the Father, and the Son of God,
according to my prophecy, when I
was alive upon earth.
6 The land of Zabulon, and the
land of Nephthalim, beyond Jordan,
a people who walked in darkness,
saw a great light; and to them
who dwelled in the region of the
shadow of death, light is arisen.
And now he is come, and hath
enlightened us who sat in death.
7 And while we were all rejoicing
in the light which shone upon us,
our father Simeon came among us,
and congratulating all the company,
said, Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ
the Son of God.
8 Whom I took up in my arms when
an infant in the temple, and
being moved by the Holy Ghost,
said to him, and acknowledged,
That now mine eyes have seen thy
salvation, which thou hast prepared
before the face of all people; a
light to enlighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of thy people Israel.
9 All the saints who were in
the depth of hell, hearing this,
rejoiced the more.
10 Afterwards there came forth
one like a little hermit, and was
asked by every one, Who art thou?
11 To which he replied, I am
the voice of one crying in the
wilderness, John the Baptist, and
the prophet of the Most High, who
went before his coming to prepare
his way, to give the knowledge of
salvation to his people for the
forgiveness of sins.
12 And I, John, when I saw
Jesus coming to me, being moved
by the Holy Ghost, I said, Behold
the Lamb of God, behold him who
takes away the sins of the world.
13 And I baptized him in the
river Jordan, and saw the Holy
Ghost descending upon him in the
form of a dove, and heard a voice
from heaven saying, This is my
beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.
14 And now while I was going
before him, I came down hither to
acquaint you, that the Son of God
will next visit us, and, as the
day-spring from on high, will come to
us, who are in darkness and the
shadow of death.
CHAPTER XIV.
1 Adam causes Seth to relate what he heard
from Michael the archangel, when he sent him
to Paradise to entreat God to anoint his
head in his sickness.
BUT when the first man our father
Adam heard these things, that
Jesus was baptized in Jordan,
he called out to his son Seth,
and said,
2 Declare to your sons, the
patriarchs and prophets, all those
things, which thou didst hear from
Michael, the archangel, when I
sent thee to the gates of Paradise,
to entreat God that he would
anoint my head when I was sick.
3 Then Seth, coming near to the
patriarchs and prophets, said, I,
Seth, when I was praying to God
at the gates of Paradise, beheld
the angel of the Lord, Michael,
appear unto me, saying, I am sent
unto thee from the Lord; I am
appointed to preside over human
bodies.
4 I tell thee, Seth, do not pray
to God in tears, and entreat him
for the oil of the tree of mercy
wherewith to anoint thy father
Adam for his head-ache;
5 Because thou canst not by any
means obtain it till the last day
and times, namely, till five thousand
and five hundred years be past.
6 Then will Christ, the most
merciful Son of God, come on
earth to raise again the human
body of Adam, and at the same
time to raise the bodies of the
dead, and when he cometh he will
be baptized in Jordan;
7 Then with the oil of his
mercy he will anoint all those
who believe in him; and the oil
of his mercy will continue to
future generations, for those
who shall be born of the water
and the Holy Ghost unto eternal
life.
8 And when at that time the
most merciful Son of God, Christ
Jesus, shall come down on earth,
he will introduce our father Adam
into Paradise, to the tree of mercy.
9 When all the patriarchs and
prophets heard all these things
from Seth, they rejoiced more.
CHAPTER XV.
1 Quarrel between Satan and the prince of hell,
concerning the expected arrival of Christ in hell.
WHILE all the saints were
rejoicing, behold Satan, the
prince and captain of death, said
to the prince of hell,
2 Prepare to receive Jesus of
Nazareth himself, who boasted
that he was the Son of God, and
yet was a man afraid of death, and
said, My soul is sorrowful even to
death.
3 Besides he did many injuries
to me and to many others; for
those whom I made blind and lame
and those also whom I tormented
with several devils, he cured by
his word; yea, and those whom I
brought dead to thee, he by force
takes away from thee.
4 To this the prince of hell
replied to Satan, Who is that so
powerful prince, and yet a man who
is afraid of death?
5 For all the potentates of the
earth are subject to my power,
whom thou broughtest to subjection
by thy power.
6 But if he be so powerful in his
human nature, I affirm to thee for
truth, that he is almighty in his
divine nature, and no man can
resist his power:
7 When therefore he said he was
afraid of death, he designed to
ensnare thee, and unhappy it will be
to thee for everlasting ages,
8 Then Satan replying, said to
the prince of hell, Why didst thou
express a doubt, and wast afraid to
receive that Jesus of Nazareth,
both thy adversary and mine?
9 As for me, I tempted him and
stirred up my old people the Jews
with zeal and anger against him;
10 I sharpened the spear for his
suffering; I mixed the gall and
vinegar, and commanded that he
should drink it; I prepared the
cross to crucify him, and the nails
to pierce through his hands and
feet; and now his death is near
at hand, I will bring him hither,
subject both to thee and me.
11 Then the prince of hell
answering, said, Thou saidst to me
just now, that he took away the
dead from me by force.
12 They who have been kept here
till they should live again upon
earth, were taken away hence,
not by their own power, but by
prayers made to God, and their
almighty God took them from me.
13 Who then is that Jesus of
Nazareth that by his word hath
taken away the dead from me
without prayer to God?
14 Perhaps it is the same who
took away from me Lazarus, after
he had been four days dead, and
did both stink and was rotten, and
of whom I had possession as a dead
person, yet he brought him to life
again by his power.
15 Satan answering, replied to
the prince of hell, It is the very
same person, Jesus of Nazareth.
16 Which when the prince of hell
heard, he said to him, I adjure
thee by the powers which belong
to thee and me, that thou bring
him not to me.
17 For when I heard of the power
of his word, I trembled for fear,
and all my impious company were
at the same disturbed;
18 And we were not able to detain
Lazarus, but he gave himself a
shake, and with all the signs of
malice he immediately went away
from us; and the very earth, in
which the dead body of Lazarus
was lodged, presently turned him
out alive.
19 And I know now that he is
Almighty God who could perform
such things, who is mighty in his
dominion, and mighty in his human
nature, who is the Saviour of
mankind.
20 Bring not therefore this person
hither, for he will set at liberty
all those whom I hold in prison
under unbelief, and bound with
the fetters of their sins, and will
conduct them to everlasting life.
CHAPTER XVI.
1 Christ's arrival at hell-gates;
the confusion thereupon.
19 He descends into hell.
AND while Satan and the Prince
of hell were discoursing thus
to each other, on a sudden there
was a voice as of thunder, and the
rushing of winds, saying, Lift up
your gates, O ye princes; and be
ye lift up, O everlasting gates,
and the King of Glory shall come in.
2 When the prince of hell heard
this, he said to Satan, Depart from
me, and begone out of my habitations;
if thou art a powerful warrior,
fight with the King of Glory.
But what hast thou to do with
him?
3 And he cast him forth from his
habitations.
4 And the prince said to his
impious officers, Shut the brass gates
of cruelty, and make them fast with
iron bars, and fight courageously,
lest we be taken captives.
5 But when all the company of
the saints heard this they spake
with a loud voice of anger to the
prince of hell,
6 Open thy gates, that the King
of Glory may come in.
7 And the divine prophet David
cried out, saying, Did not I, when
on earth, truly prophesy and say,
O that men would praise the Lord
for his goodness, and for his
wonderful works to the children
of men!
8 For he hath broken the gates
of brass, and cut the bars of iron
in sunder. He hath taken them
because of their iniquity, and
because of their unrighteousness
they are afflicted.
9 After this, another prophet,
namely, holy Isaiah, spake in like
manner to all the saints, Did not
I rightly prophesy to you when I
was alive on earth?
10 The dead men shall live, and
they shall rise again who are in
their graves, and they shall rejoice
who are in the earth; for the dew
which is from the Lord, shall
bring deliverance to them.
11 And I said in another place,
O grave, where is thy victory?
O death, where is thy sting?
12 When all the saints heard
these things spoken by Isaiah,
they said to the prince of hell,
Open now thy gates, and take
away thine iron bars; for thou
wilt now be bound, and have no
power.
13 Then was there a great voice,
as of the sound of thunder, saying,
Lift up your gates, O princes; and
be ye lifted up, ye gates of hell,
and the King of Glory will enter
in.
14 The prince of hell perceiving
the same voice repeated, cried out,
as though he had been ignorant,
Who is that King of Glory?
15 David replied to the prince
of hell, and said, I understand the
words of that voice, because I
spake them in his spirit. And now,
as I have before said, I say unto
thee, the Lord strong
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