and savest as one that hath no need, that
didst catch the fish for the breakfast and the dinner and madest all satisfied
with a little bread. Jesu, that didst rest from the weariness of wayfaring like
a man, and walkedst on the waves like a God. 48 Jesu most high, voice arising
from perfect mercy, Saviour of all, the right hand of the light, overthrowing
the evil one in his own nature, and gathering all his nature into one place;
thou of many forms, that art only begotten, first-born of many brethren God of
the Most High God, man despised until now (Syr. and humble). Jesu Christ that
neglectest us not when we call upon thee, that art become an occasion of life
unto all mankind, that for us wast judged and shut up in prison, and loosest all
that are in bonds, that wast called a deceiver and redeemest thine own from
error: I beseech thee for these that stand here and believe on thee, for they
entreat to obtain thy gifts, having good hope in thy help, and having their
refuge in thy greatness; they hold their hearing ready to listen unto the words
that are spoken by us. Let thy peace come and tabernacle in them and renew them
from their former deeds, and let them put off the old man with his deeds, and
put on the new that now is proclaimed unto them by me.
49 And he laid his hands on them and blessed them, saying: The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ shall be upon you for ever. And they said, Amen. And the woman
besought him, saying: O apostle of the Most High, give me the seal, that that
enemy return not again unto me. Then he caused her to come near unto him (Syr.
went to a river which was close by there), and laid his hands upon her and
sealed her in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost; and many
others also were sealed with her. And the apostle bade his minister (deacon) to
set forth a table; and he set forth a stool which they found there, and spread a
linen cloth upon it and set on the bread of blessing; and the apostle stood by
it and said: Jesu, that hast accounted us worthy to partake of the eucharist of
thine holy body and blood, lo, we are bold to draw near unto thine eucharist and
to call upon thine holy name: come thou and communicate unto us (Syr. adds
more).
50 And he began to say: Come, O perfect compassion, Come O communion of the
male, Come, she that knoweth the mysteries of him that is chosen, Come, she that
hath part in all the combats of the noble champion (athlete), Come, the silence
that revealeth the great things of the whole greatness, Come, she that
manifesteth the hidden things and maketh the unspeakable things plain, the holy
dove that beareth the twin young, Come, the hidden mother, Come, she that is
manifest in her deeds and giveth joy and rest unto them that are joined unto
her: Come and communicate with us in this eucharist which we celebrate in thy
name and in the love-feast wherein we are gathered together at thy calling.
(Syr. has other clauses and not few variants.) And having so said he marked out
the cross upon the bread, and brake it, and began to distribute it. And first he
gave unto the woman, saying: This shall be unto thee for remission of sins and
eternal transgressions (Syr. and for the everlasting resurrection). And after
her he gave unto all the others also which had received the seal (Syr. and said
to them: Let this eucharist be unto you for life and rest, and not for judgement
and vengeance. And they said, Amen. Cf. 29 fin.).
The Sixth Act: of the youth that murdered the Woman.
51 Now there was a certain youth who had wrought an abominable deed, and he
came near and received of the eucharist with his mouth: but his two hands
withered up, so that he could no more put them unto his own mouth. And they that
were there saw him and told the apostle what had befallen; and the apostle
called him and said unto him: Tell me, my child, and be not ashamed, what was it
that thou didst and camest hither? for the eucharist of the Lord hath convicted
thee. For this gift which passeth among many doth rather heal them that with
faith and love draw near thereto, but thee it hath withered away; and that which
is come to pass hath not befallen without some effectual cause. And the Youth,
being convicted by the eucharist of the Lord, came and tell at the apostle's
feet and besought him, saying: I have done an evil deed, yet I thought to do
somewhat good. I was enamoured of a woman that dwelleth at an inn without the
city, and she also loved me; and when I heard of thee and believed, that thou
proclaimest a living God, I came and received of thee the seal with the rest;
for thou saidst: Whosoever shall partake in the polluted union, and especially
in adultery, he shall not have life with the God whom I preach. Whereas
therefore I loved her much, I entreated her and would have persuaded her to
become my consort in chastity and pure conversation, which thou also teachest:
but she would not. When, therefore, she consented not, I took a sword and slew
her: for I could not endure to see her commit adultery with another man.
52 When the apostle heard this he said: O insane union how ruinest thou unto
shamelessness! O unrestrained lust, how hast thou stirred up this man to do
this! O work of the serpent, how art thou enraged against thine own! And the
apostle bade water to be brought to him in a bason; and when the water was
brought, he said: Come, ye waters from the living waters, that were sent unto
us, the true from the true, the rest that was sent unto us from the rest, the
power of salvation that cometh from that power which conquereth all things and
subdueth them unto its own will: come and dwell in these waters, that the gift
of the Holy Ghost may be perfcctly consummated in them. And he said unto the
youth: Go, wash thy hands in these waters. And when he had washed they were
restored; and the apostle said unto him: Believest thou in our Lord Jesus Christ
that he is able to do all things? And he said: Though I be the least, yet I
believe. But I committed this deed thinking that I was doing somewhat good: for
I besought her as I told thee, but she would not obey me, to keep herself
chaste.
53 And the apostle said to him: Come, let us go unto the inn where thou didst
commit this deed. And the youth went before the apostle in the way, and when
they came to the inn they found her Iying dead. And the apostle when he saw her
was sorry, for she was a comely girl. And he commanded her to be brought into
the midst of the inn: and they laid her on a bed and brought her forth and set
her down in the midst of the court of the inn. And the apostle laid his hand
upon her and began to say: Jesu, who alway showest thyself unto us; for this is
thy will, that we should at all times seek thee, and thyself hast given us this
power, to ask and to receive, and hast not only permitted this, but hast taught
us to pray: who art not seen of our bodily eyes, but art never hidden from the
eyes of our soul, and in thine aspect art concealed, but in thy works art
manifested unto us: and in thy many acts we have known thee so far as we are
able, and thyself hast given us thy gifts without measure, saying: Ask and it
shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened
unto you: we beseech thee, therefore, having the fear (suspicion) of our sins;
and we ask of thee, not riches, not gold, not silver, not possessions, not aught
else of the things which come of the earth and return again unto the earth; but
this we ask of thee and entreat, that in thine holy name thou wouldest raise up
the woman that lieth here, by thy power, to the glory and faith of them that
stand by.
54 And he said unto the youth (Syr. ' Stretch thy mind towards our Lord,' and
he signed him with the cross), having signed (sealed) him: Go and take hold on
her hand and say unto her: I with my hands slew thee with iron, and with my
hands in the faith of Jesus I raise thee up. So the youth went to her and stood
by her, saying: I have believed in thee, Christ Jesu. And he looked unto Judas
Thomas the apostle and said to him: Pray for me that my Lord may come to my
help, whom I also call upon. And he laid his hand upon her hand and said: Come,
Lord Jesu Christ: unto her grant thou life and unto me the earnest of faith in
thee. And straightway as he drew her hand she sprang up and sat up, looking upon
the great company that stood by. And she saw the apostle also standing over
against her, and leaving the bed she leapt forth and fell at his feet and caught
hold on his raiment, saying: I beseech thee, my lord where is that other that
was with thee, who left me not to remain in that fearful and cruel place, but
delivered me unto thee, saying: Take thou this woman, that she may be made
perfect, and hereafter be gathered into her place?
55 And the apostle said unto her: Relate unto us where thou hast been. And
she answered: Dost thou who wast with me and unto whom I was delivered desire to
hear? And she began to say: [This desciption of hell-tourments is largely
derived from the Apocalypse of Peter] A man took me who was hateful to look upon
altogether black, and his raiment exceedingly foul, and took me away to a place
wherein were many pits (chasms), and a great stench and hateful odour issued
thence. And he caused me to look into every pit, and I saw in the (first) pit
flaming fire, and wheels of fire ran round there, and souls were hanged upon
those wheels, and were dashed (broken) against each other; and very great crying
and howling was there, and there was none to deliver. And that man said to me:
These souls are of thy tribe, and when the number of their days is accomplishcd
(lit. in the days of the number) they are (were) delivered unto torment and
affliction, and then are others brought in in their stead, and likewise these
into another place. These are they that have reversed the intercourse of male
and female. And I looked and saw infants heaped one upon another and struggling
with each other as they lay on them. And he answered and said to me: These are
the children of those others, and therefore are they set here for a testimony
against them. (Syr. omits this clause of the children, and lengthens and dilutes
the preceding speech.)
56 And he took me unto another pit, and I stooped and looked and saw mire and
worms welling up, and souls wallowing there, and a great gnashing of teeth was
heard thence from them. And that man said unto me: These are the souls of women
which forsook their husbands and committed adultery with others, and are brought
into this torment. Another pit he showed me whereinto I stooped and looked and
saw souls hanging, some by the tongue, some by the hair, some by the hands, and
some head downward by the feet, and tormented (smoked) with smoke and brimstone;
concerning whom that man that was with me answered me: The souls which are
hanged by the tongue are slanderers, that uttered Iying and shameful words, and
were not ashamed, and they that are hanged by the hair are unblushing ones which
had no modesty and went about in the world bareheaded; and they that are hanged
by the hands, these are they that took away and stole other men's goods, and
never gave aught to the needy nor helped the afflicted, but did so, desiring to
take all, and had no thought at all of justice or of the law; and they that hang
upside down by the feet, these are they that lightly and readily ran in evil
ways and disorderly paths, not visiting the sick nor escorting them that depart
this life, and therefore each and every soul receiveth that which was done by
it. (Syr. omits almost the whole section.)
57 Again he took me and showed me a cave exceeding dark, breathing out a
great stench, and many souls were looking out desiring to get somewhat of the
air, but their keepers suffered them not to look forth. And he that was with me
said: This is the prison of those souls which thou sawest: for when they have
fulfilled their torments for that which each did, thereafter do others succeed
them: and there be some that are wholly consumed and (some, Syr.) that are
delivered over unto other torments. And they that kept the souls which were in
the dark cave said unto the man that had taken me: Give her unto us that we may
bring her in unto the rest until the time cometh for her to be delivered unto
torment. But he answered them: I give her not unto you, for I fear him that
delivered her to me: for I was not charged to leave her here, but I take her
back with me until I shall receive order concerning her. And he took me and
brought me unto another place wherein were men being sharply tormented (Syr.
where men were). And he that was like unto thee took me and delivered me to
thee, saying thus to thee: Take her, for she is one of the sheep that have gone
astray. And I was taken by thee, and now am I before thee. I beseech thee,
therefore, and supplicate that I may not depart unto those places of punishment
which I have seen.
58 And the apostle said: Ye have heard what this woman hath related: and
there are not these torments only, but others also, worse than these; and ye, if
ye turn not unto this God whom I preach, and abstain from your former works and
the deeds which ye committed without knowledge, shall have your end in those
torments. Believe therefore on Christ Jesus, and he will forgive you the sins ye
have committed hitherto, and will cleanse you from all your bodily lusts that
abide on the earth, and will heal you of all your trespasses which follow you
and depart with you and are found upon (before) you. Put off therefore every one
of you the old man, and put on the new, and forsake your former walk and
conversation; and let them that stole steal no more, but live by labouring and
working; and let the adulterous no more fornicate, lest they deliver themselves
unto eternal torment; for adultery is before God exceeding evil beyond other
sins. And put away from you covetousness and Iying and drunkenness and
slandering, and render not evil for evil: for all these things are strange and
alien unto the God who is preached by me: but rather walk ye in faith and
meekness and holiness and hope, wherein God delighteth, that ye may become his
own, expecting of him the gifts which some few only do receive.
59 All the people therefore believed and gave their souls obediently unto the
living God and Christ Jesus, rejoicing in the blessed works of the Most High and
in his holy service. And they brought much money for the service of the widows:
for the apostle had them gathered together in the cities, and unto all of them
he sent provision by his own ministers (deacons), both clothes and nourishment.
And he himself ceased not preaching and speaking to them and showing that this
is Jesus Christ whom the scriptures proclaimed, who is come and was crucified,
and raised the third day from the dead. And next he showed them plainly,
beginning from the prophets, the things concerning the Christ, that it was
necessary that he should come, and that in him should be accomplished all things
that were foretold of him. And the fame of him went forth into all the cities
and countries, and all that had sick or them that were oppressed by unclean
spirits brought them, and some they laid in the way whereby he should pass, and
he healed them all by the power of the Lord. Then all that were healed by him
said with one accord: Glory be to thee, Jesu, who hast granted us all alike
healing through thy servant and apostle Thomas. And now being whole and
rejoicing, we beseech thee that we may be of thy flock, and be numbered among
thy sheep; receive us therefore, Lord, and impute not unto us our transgressions
and our former faults which we committed being in ignorance.
60 And the apostle said: Glory be to the only-begotten of the Father! Glory
be to the first-born of many brethren! Glory be to thee, the defender and helper
of them that come unto thy refuge! that sleepest not, and awakest them that are
asleep that livest and givest life to them that lie in death! O God Jesu Christ,
Son of the living God, redeemer and helper, refuge and rest of all that are
weary (labour) in thy work, giver of healing to them that for thy name s sake
bear the burden and heat of the day: we give thanks for (to) the gifts that are
given us of thee and granted us by thy help and thy dispensation that cometh
unto us from thee.
61 Perfect thou therefore these things in us unto the end that we may have
the boldness that is in thee: look upon us for for thy sake have we forsaken our
homes and our parents, and for thy sake have we gladly and willingly become
strangers: look upon us, Lord, for we have forsaken our own possessions for thy
sake, that we might gain thee the possession that cannot be taken away: look
upon us, Lord, for we have forsaken them that belong unto us by race, that we
might be joined unto thy kinship: look upon us, Lord, that have forsaken our
fathers and mothers and fosters, that we might behold thy Father, and be
satisfied with his divine food: look upon us, Lord, for for thy sake have we
forsaken our bodily consorts and our earthly fruits, that we might be partakers
in that enduring and true fellowship, and bring forth true fruits, whose nature
is from above, which no man can take from us, with whom we shall abide and who
shall abide with us.
The Seventh Act: of the Captain.
62 Now while the apostle Thomas was proclaiming throughout all India the word
of God, a certain captain of the king Misdaeus (Mazdai, Syr.) came to him and
said unto him: I have heard of thee that thou takest no reward of any man, but
even that thou hast thou givest to them that need. For if thou didst receive
rewards, I would have sent thee a great sum, and would not have come myself, for
the king doeth nought without me: for I have much substance and am rich, even
one of the rich men of India. And I have never done wrong to any; but the
contrary hath befallen me. I have a wife, and of her I had a daughter and I am
well affectioned toward her, as also nature requireth and have never made trial
of another wife. Now it chanced that there was a wedding in our city, and they
that made the marriage feast were well beloved of me: they came in therefore and
bade me to it, bidding also my mife and her daughter. Forasmuch then as they
were my good friends I could not refuse: I sent her therefore, though she
desired not to go, and with them I sent also many servants: so they departed,
both she and her daughter, decked with many ornaments.
63 And when it was evening and the time was come to depart from the wedding I
sent lamps and torches to meet them: and I stood in the street to espy when she
should come and I should see her with my daughter. And as I stood I heard a
sound of lamentation. Woe for her! vvas heard out of every mouth. And my
servants with their clothes rent came to me and told me what was done. We saw,
said they, a man and a boy with him. And the man laid his hand upon thy wife,
and the boy upon thy daughter: and they fled from them: and we smote (wounded)
them with our swords, but our swords fell to the ground. And the same hour the
womem fell down, gnashing their teeth and beating their heads upon the earth and
seeing this we came to tell it thee. And when I heard this of my servants I rent
my clothes and smote my face with my hands, and becoming like one mad I ran
along the street, and came and found them cast in the market-place; and I took
them and brought them to my house, and after a long space they awaked and stood
up, and sat down.
64 I began therefore to inquire of my wife: What is it that hath befallen
thee? And she said to me: Knowest thou not what thou hast done unto me? for I
prayed thee that I might not go to the wedding, because I was not of even health
in my body; and as I went on the way and came near to the aqueduct wherein the
water floweth, I saw a black man standing over against me nodding at me with his
head, and a boy like unto him standing by him; and I said to my daughter: Look
at those two hideous men, whose teeth are like milk and their lips like soot.
And we left them and went towards the aqueduct; and when it was sunset and we
departed from the wedding, as we passed by with the young men and drew near the
aqueduct, my daughter saw them first, and was affrighted and fled towards me;
and after her I also beheld them coming against us: and the servants that were
with us fled from them (Syr.) and they struck us, and cast down both me and my
daughter. And when she had told me these things, the devils came upon them again
and threw them down: and from that hour they are not able to come forth, but are
shut up in one room or a second (Syr. in a room within another): and on their
account I suffer much, and am distressed: for the devils throw them down
wheresoever they find them, and strip them naked. I beseech and supplicate thee
before God, help me and have pity on me, for it is now three years that a table
hath not been set in my house, and my wife and my daughter have not sat at a
table: and especially for mine unhappy daughter, which hath not seen any good at
all in this world.
65 And the apostle, hearing these things from the captain, was greatly
grieved for him, and said unto him: Believest thou that Jesus will heal them?
And the captain said: Yea. And the apostle said: Commit thyself then unto Jesus,
and he will heal them and procure them succour. And the captain said: Show me
him, that I may entreat him and believe in him. And the apostle said: He
appeareth not unto these bodily eyes, but is found by the eyes of the mind. The
captain therefore lifted up his voice and said: I believe thee, Jesu, and
entreat and supplicate thee, help my little faith which I have in thee. And the
apostle commanded Xenophon (Syr. Xanthippus) the deacon to assemble all the
brethren; and when the whole multitude was gathered, the apostle stood in the
midst and said:
66 Children and brethren that have believed on the Lord, abide in this faith,
preaching Jesus who was proclaimed unto you by me, to bring you hope in him; and
forsake not (be not forsaken of) him, and he will not forsake you. While ye
sleep in this slumber that weigheth down the sleepers, he, sleeping not, keepeth
watch over you; and when ye sail and are in peril and none can help, he walking
upon the waters supporteth and aideth. For I am now departing from you, and it
appeareth not if I shall again see you according to the flesh. Be ye not
therefore like unto the people of Israel, who losing sight of their pastors for
an hour, stumbled. But I leave unto you Xenophon the deacon in my stead; for he
also like myself proclaimeth Jesus: for neither am I aught, nor he, but Jesus
only; for I also am a man clothed with a body, a son of man like one of you; for
neither have I riches as it is found with some, which also convict them that
possess them, being wholly useless, and left behind upon the earth, whence also
they came, and they bear away with them the transgressions and blemishes of sins
which befall men by their means. And scantly are rich men found in almsgivillg:
but the merciful and lowly in heart, these shall inherit the kingdom of God: for
it is not beauty that endureth with men, for they that trust in it, when age
cometh upon them, shall suddenly be put to shame: all things therefore have
their time; in their season are they loved and hated. Let your hope then be in
Jesus Christ the Son of God, which is always loved, and always desired: and be
mindful of us, as we of you: for we too, if we fulfil not the burden of the
commandments are not worthy to be preachers of this name, and hereafter shall we
pay the price (punishment) of our own head.
67 And he prayed with them and continued with them a long time in prayer and
supplication, and committing them unto the Lord, he said: O Lord that rulest
over every soul that is in the body; Lord, Father of the souls that have their
hope in thee and expect thy mercies: that redeemest from error the men that are
thine own and settest free from bondage and corruption thy subjects that come
unto thy refuge: be thou in the flock of Xenophon and anoint it with holy oil,
and heal it of sores, and preserve it from the ravening wolves. And he laid his
hand on them and said: The peace of the Lord shall be upon you and shall journey
with us.
The Eighth Act: of the wild asses.
68 The apostle therefore went forth to depart on the way: and they all
escorted him, weeping and adjuring him to make remembrance of them in his
prayers and not to forget them. He went up then and sat upon the chariot,
leaving all the brethren, and the captain came and awaked the driver, saying: I
entreat and pray that I may become worthy to sit beneath his feet, and I will be
his driver upon this way, that he also may become my guide in that way whereby
few go.
69 And when they had journeyed about two miles, the apostle begged of the
captain and made him arise and caused him to sit by him, suffering the driver to
sit in his own place. And as they went along the road, it came to pass that the
beasts were wearied with the great heat and could not be stirred at all. And the
captain was greatly vexed and wholly cast down, and thought to run on his own
feet and bring other beasts for the use of the chariot; but the apostle said:
Let not thine heart be troubled nor affrighted, but believe on Jesus Christ whom
I have proclaimed unto thee, and thou shalt see great wonders. And he looked and
saw a herd of wild asses feeding by the wayside, and said to the captain: If
thou hast believed on Christ Jesus, go unto that herd of wild asses and say:
Judas Thomas the apostle of Christ the new God saith unto you: Let four of you
come, of whom we have need (or, of whom we may have use).
70 And the captain went in fear, for they were many; and as he went, they
came to meet him; and when they were near, he said unto them: Judas Thomas the
apostle of the new God commandeth you: Let four of you come, of whom I have
need. And when the wild asses heard it, they ran with one accord and came to
him, and when they came they did him reverence. [Syr. has a long prayer: And
Judas Thomas the apostle of our Lord lifted up his voice in praise and said:
Glorious art thou, God of truth and Lord of all natures, for thou didst will
with thy will, and make all thy works and finish all thy creatures, and bring
them to the rule of their nature, and lay upon them all thy fear that they might
be subject to thy command. And thy will trod the path from thy secrecy to
manifestation, and was caring for every soul that thou didst make, and was
spoken of by the mouth of all the prophets, in all visions and sounds and
voices; but Israel did not obey because of their evil inclination. And thou,
because thou art Lord of all, hast a care for the creatures, so that thou
spreadest over us thy mercy in him who came by thy will and put on the body, thy
creature, which thou didst will and form according to thy glorious wisdom. He
whom thou didst appoint in thy secrecy and establish in thy manifestation, to
him thou hast given the name of Son, he who was thy will, the power of thy
thought; so that ye are by various names, the Father and the Son and the Spirit,
for the sake of the government of thy creatures, for the nourishing of all
natures, and ye are one in glory and power and will; and ye are divided without
being separated, and are one though divided, and all subsists in thee and is
subject to thee, because all is thine. And I rely upon thee, Lord, and by thy
command have subjected these dumb beasts, that thou mightest show thy
ministering power upon us and upon them because it is needful, and that thy name
might be glorilied in us and in the beasts that cannot speak.] And the apostle
said unto them: Peace be unto you. Yoke ye four of you in the stead of these
beasts that have come to a stand. And every one of them came and pressed to be
yoked: there were then four stronger than the rest, which also were yoked. And
the rest, some went before and some followed. And when they had journeyed a
little way he dismissed the colts, saying: I say unto you the inhabiters of the
desert, depart unto your pastures, for if I had had need of all, ye would all
have gone with me; but now go unto your place wherein ye dwell. And they
departed quietly until they were no more seen.
71 Now as the apostle and the captain and the driver went on, the wild asses
drew the chariot quietly and evenly, lest they should disturb the apostle of
God. And when they came near to the city gate they turned aside and stood still
before the doors of the captain's house. And the captain said: It is not
possible for me to relate what hath happened, but when I see the end I will tell
it. The whole city therefore came to see the wild asses under the yoke; and they
had heard also the report of the apostle that he was to come and visit them. And
the apostle asked the captain: Where is thy dwelling, and whither dost thou
bring us? And he said to him: Thou thyself knowest that we stand before the
doors, and these which by thy commandment are come with thee know it better than
I.
72 And having so said he came down from the chariot. The apostle therefore
began to say: Jesu Christ, that art blasphemed by the ignorance of thee in this
country; Jesu, the report of whom is strange in this city; Jesu, that receivest
all (Syr. sendest on before the apostles in every country and in every city, and
all thine that are worthy are glorified in thee; Jesu, that didst take a form
and become as a man, and wert seen of all us that thou mightest not separate us
from thine own love: thou, Lord, art he that gavest thyself for us, and with thy
blood hast purchased us and gained us as a possession of great price: and what
have we to give thee, Lord, in exchange for thy life which thou gavest for us?
for that which we would give, thou gavest us: and this is, that we should
entreat of thee and live.
73 And when he had so said, many assembled from every quarter to see the
apostle of the new God. And again the apostle said: Why stand we idle? Jesu,
Lord, the hour is come: what wilt thou have done? command therefore that that be
fulfilled which needeth to be done. Now the captain's wife and her daughter were
sore borne down by the devils, so that they of the house thought they would rise
up no more: for they suffered them not to partake of aught, but cast them down
upon their beds recognizing no man until that day when the apostle came thither.
And the apostle said unto one of the wild asses that were yoked on the right
hand: Enter thou within the gate, and stand there and call the devils and say to
them: Judas Thomas the apostle and disciple of Jesus Christ saith unto you: Come
forth hither: for on your account am I sent and unto them that pertain to you by
race, to destroy you and chase you unto your place, until the time of the end
come and ye go down into your own deep of darkness.
74 And that wild ass went in, a great multitude being with him, and said:
Unto you I speak, the enemies of Jesus that is called Christ: unto you I speak
that shut your eyes lest ye see the light: unto you I speak, children of Gehenna
and of destruction, of him that ceaseth not from evil until now, that alway
reneweth his workings and the things that befit his being: unto you I speak,
most shameless, that shall perish by your own hands. And what I shall say of
your destruction and end, and what I shall tell, I know not. For there are many
things and innumerable to the hearing: and greater are your doings than the
torment that is reserved for you (Syr. however great your bodies, they are too
small for your retributions). But unto thee I speak, devil, and to thy son that
followeth with thee: for now am I sent against you. And wherefore should I make
many words concerning your nature and root, which yourselves know and are not
ashamed? but Judas Thomas the apostle of Christ Jesus saith unto you, he that by
much love and affection is sent hither: Before all this multitude that standeth
here, come forth and tell me of what race ye are.
75 And straightway the woman came forth with her daughter, both like dead
persons and dishonoured in aspect: and the apostle beholding them was grieved.
especially for the girl, and saith unto the devils: God forbid that for you
there should be sparing or propitiation, for ye know not to spare nor to have
pity: but in the name of Jesus, depart from them and stand by their side. And
when the apostle had so said, the women fell down and became as dead; for they
neither had breath nor uttered speech: but the devil answered with a loud voice
and said: Art thou come hither again, thou that deridest our nature and race?
art thou come again, that blottest out our devices? and as I take it, thou
wouldest not suffer us to be upon the earth at all: but this at this time thou
canst not accomplish. And the apostle guessed that this devil was he that had
been driven out from that other woman.
76 And the devil said: I beseech thee, give me leave to depart even whither
thou wilt, and dwell there and take commandment from thee, and I will not fear
the ruler that hath authority over me. For like as thou art come to preach good
tidings, so I also am come to destroy; and like as, if thou fulfil not the will
of him that sent thee, he will bring punishment upon thy head, so I also if I do
not the will of him that sent me, before the season and time appointed, shall be
sent unto mine own nature; and like as thy Christ helpeth thee in that thou
doest, so also my father helpeth me in that I do; and like as for thee he
prepareth vessels worthy of thine inhabiting, so also for me he seeketh out
vessels whereby I may accomplish his deeds; and like as he nourisheth and
provideth for his subjects, so also for me he prepareth chastisements and
torments, with them that become my dwellingplaces (Syr. those in whom I dwell);
and like as for a recompense of thy working he giveth thee eternal life, so also
unto me he giveth for a reward of my works eternal destruction; and like as thou
art refreshed by thy prayer and thy good works and spiritual thanksgivings, so I
also am refreshed by murders and adulteries and sacrifices made with wine upon
altars (Syr. sacrifices and libations of wine), and like as thou convertest men
unto eternal life, so I also pervert them that obey me unto eternal destruction
and torment: and thou receivest thine own and I mine.
77 And when the devil had said these things and yet more the apostle said:
Jesus commandeth thee and thy son by me to enter no more into the habitation of
man: but go ye forth and depart and dwell wholly apart from the habitation of
men. And the devils said unto him: Thou hast laid on us a harsh commandment: but
what wilt thou do unto them that now are concealed from thee? for they that have
wrought all the images rejoice in them more than thee: and many of them do the
more part worship, and perform their will, sacrificing to them and bringing them
food, by libations and by wine and water and oflering with oblations. And the
apostle said: They also shall now be abolished, with their works. And suddenly
the devils vanished away: but the women lay cast upon the earth as if were dead,
and without speech.
78 And the wild asses stood together and parted not one from another; but he
to whom speech was given by the power of the Lord -while all men kept silence,
and looked to see what they would do- the wild ass said unto the apostle: Why
standest thou idle, O apostle of Christ the Most High, who looketh that thou
shouldest ask of him the best of learning? Wherefore then tarriest thou? (Syr.
that thou shouldest ask him, and he would give thee? Why delayest thou, good
disciple?) for lo, thy teacher desireth to show by thy hands his mighty works.
Why standest thou still, O herald of the hidden one? for thy (Lord) willeth to
manifest through thee his unspeakable things, which he reserveth for them that
are worthy of him, to hear them. Why restest thou, O doer of mighty works in the
name of the Lord? for thy Lord encourageth thee and engendereth boldness in
thee. Fear not, therefore; for he will not forsake the soul that belongeth unto
thee by birth. Begin therefore to call upon him and he will readily hearken to
thee. Why standest thou marvelling at all his acts and his workings? for these
are small things which he hath shown by thy means. And what wilt thou tell
concerning his great gifts? for thou wilt not be sufficient to declare them. And
why marvellest thou at his cures of the body which he worketh? (Syr. which come
to an end) especially when thou knowest that healing of his which is secure and
lasting, which he bringeth forth by his own nature? And why lookest thou unto
this temporal life, and hast no thought of that which is eternal (Syr. when thou
canst every day think on that which is eternal)?
79 But unto you the multitudes that stand by and look to see these that are
cast down raised up, I say, believe in the apostle of Jesus Christ: believe the
teacher of truth, believe him that showeth vou the truth, believe Jesus, believe
on the Christ that was born, that the born may live by his life: who also was
raised up through infancy, that perfection might appear by his manhood (man). He
did teach his own disciples: for he is the teacher of the truth and maketh wise
men wise (Syr. who went to school that through him perfect wisdom might be
known: he taught his teacher because he was the teacher of verity and the master
of the wise). Who also offered the gift in the temple that he might show that
all the (every) offering was sanctified. This is his apostle, the shewer-forth
of truth: this is he that performeth the will of him that sent him. But there
shall come false apostles and prophets of lawlessness, whose end shall be
according to their deeds; preaching indeed and ordaining to flee from
ungodliness, but themselves at all times detected in sins, clad indeed with
sheep's clothing, but within, ravening wolves. Who suffice not themselves with
one wife but corrupt many women; who, saying that they despise children, dcstroy
many children (boys), for whom they vvill pay the penalty; that content not
themselves wiih their own possessions, but desire that all useless things should
minister unto them only; professing to be his disciples; and with their mouth
they utter one thing, but in their heart they think another; charging other men
to beware of evil, but they themselves perform nought that is good; who are
accounted temperate, and charge other men to abstain from fornication theft, and
covetousness, but in all these things do they themselves walk secretly, teaching
other men not to do them.
80 And when the wild ass had declared all these things, all men gazed upon
him. And when he ceased the apostle said: What I shall think concerning thy
beauty, O Jesu, and what I shall tell of thee, I know not, or rather I am not
able, for I have no power to declare it, O Christ that art in rest, and only
wise that only knowest the inward of the heart and understandest the thought.
Glory be to thee, merciful and tranquil. Glory to thee, wise word. Glory to thy
compassion that was born unto us. Glory to thy mercy that was spread out over
us. Glory to thy greatness that was made small for us. Glory to thy most high
kingship that was humbled for us. Glory to thy might which was enfeebled for us.
Glory to thy Godhead that for us was seen in likeness of men. Glory to thy
manhood that died for us that it might make us live. Glory to thy resurrection
from the dead; for thereby rising and rest cometh unto our souls. Glory and
praise (good report) to thine ascending into the heavens; for thereby thou hast
shewed us the path of the height, and promised that we shall sit with thee on
thy right hand and with thee judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Thou art the
heavenly word of the Father: thou art the hidden light of the understanding,
shewer of the way of truth, driver away of darkness, and blotter-out of error.
81 Having thus spoken, the apostle stood over the women, saying: My Lord and
my God, I am not divided from thee (or doubt not concerning thee), nor as one
unbelieving do I call upon thee, who art always our helper and succourer and
raiser-up; who breathest thine own power into us and encouragest us and givest
confidence in love unto thine own servants. I beseech thee, let these souls be
healed and rise up and become such as they were before they were smitten of the
devils. And when he thus spake the women turned and sat up. And the apostle bade
the captain that his servants should take them and bring them within (Syr. and
give them food, for they had not eaten for many days). And when they were gone
in, the apostle said unto the wild asses, Follow me. And they went after him
until he had brought them without the gate. And when they had gone out, he said
to them: Depart in peace unto your pastures. The wild asses therefore went away
willingly; and the apostle stood and took heed to them lest they should be hurt
of any, until they had gone afar off and were no more seen. And the apostle
returned with the multitude into the house of the captain.
The Ninth Act: of the Wife of Charisius.
82 Now it chanced that a certain woman, the wife of Charisius, that was next
unto the king, whose name was Mygdonia, came to see and behold the new name and
the new God who was being proclaimed, and the new apostle who had come to visit
their country: and she was carried by her own servants; and because of the great
crowd and the narrow way they were not able to bring her near unto him. And she
sent unto her husband to send her more to minister to her; and they came and
approached her, pressing upon the people and beating them. And the apostle saw
it and said to them: Wherefore overthrow ye them that come to hear the word, and
are eager for it? and ye desire to be near me but are far off, as it was said of
the multitude that came unto the Lord: Having eyes ye see not, and having ears
ye hear not; and he said to the multitudes: He that hath ears to hear, let him
hear; and: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.
83 And looking upon them that carried her, he said unto them: This blessing
and this admonition [Here and elsewhere there is a marked divergence between the
texts of U and P, the Roman and Paris MSS.: Bonnet prints them separately. P is
on the whole much shorter. Syr. differs from both. I follow U, but it is very
corrupt.] which was promised unto them is for you that are heavily burdened now.
Ye are they that carry burdens grievous to be borne, and are borne about by her
command. And though ye are men, they lay on you loads as on brute beasts, for
they that have authority over you think that ye are not men such as themselves,
whether bond or free. For neither shall possessions profit the rich, nor poverty
save the poor from judgement; nor have we received a commandment which we are
not able to perform, nor hath he laid on us burdens grievous to be borne nhich
we are not able to carry; nor building which men build; nor to hew stones and
prepare houses, as your craftsmen do by their own knowledge. But this
commandment have we reccived of the Lord, that that which pleaseth not us when
it is done by another this we should not do to any other man.
84 Abstain therefore first from adultery, for this is the beginning of all
evils, and next from theft, which enticed Judas Iscariot, and brought him unto
hanging; (and from covetousness,) for as manv as yield unto covetousness see not
that which they do; and from vainglory and from all foul deeds, especially them
of the body, whereby cometh eternal condemnation. For this is the chief city of
all evils; and likewise it bringeth them that hold their heads (necks) high unto
tyranny, and draweth them down unto the deep, and subdueth them under its hands
that they see not what they do; wherefore the things done of them are hidden
from them.
85 But do ye become well-pleasing unto God in all good things, in meekness
and quietness: for these doth God spare, and granteth eternal life and setteth
death at nought. And in gentleness which followeth on all good things, and
overcometh all enemies and alone receiveth the crown of victory: with gentleness
(Syr.), and stretching out of the hand to the poor, and supplying the want of
the needy, and distributing to them that are in necessity, especially them that
walk in holiness. For this is chosen before God and leadeth unto eternal life:
for this is before God the chief city of all good: for they that strive not in
the course (stadium) of Christ shall not obtain holiness. And holiness did
appear from God, doing away fornication, overthrowing the enemy, well-pleasing
unto God: for she is an invincible champion (athlete), having honour from God,
glorified of many: she is an ambassador of peace, announcing peace: if any gain
her he abideth without care, pleasing the Lord, expecting the time of
redemption: for she doeth nothing amiss, but giveth life and rest and joy unto
all that gain her. [P has nothing of this, and Syr. makes better sense, but is
not very interesting.]
86 But meekness hath overcome death and brought him under authority, meekness
hath enslaved the enemy (U and P and Syr. now present the same text), meekness
is the good yoke: meekness feareth not and opposeth not the many: meekness is
peace and joy and exaltation of rest. Abide ye therefore in holiness and receive
freedom from me, and be near unto meekness for in these three heads is portrayed
the Christ whom I proclaim unto you. Holiness is the temple of Christ, and he
that dwelleth in her getteth her for an habitation , because for forty days and forty nights he fasted, tasting
nothing: and he that keepeth her shall dwell in her as on a mountain. And
meekness is his boast: for he said unto Peter our fellow apostle: Turn back thy
sword and put it again into the sheath thereof: for if I had willed so to do,
could I not have brought more than twelve legions of angels from my Father?
87 And when the apostle had said these things in the hearing of all the
multitude, they trode and pressed upon one another: and the wife of Charisius
the king's kinsman Ieapt out of her chair and cast herself on the earth before
the apostle, and caught his feet and besought and said: O disciple of the living
God, thou art come into a desert country, for we live in the desert; being like
to brute beasts in our conversation, but now shall we be saved by thy hands; I
beseech thee, therefore, take thought of me, and pray for me, that the
compassion of the God whom thou preachest may come upon me, and I may become his
dwelling place and be joined in prayer and hope and faith in him, and I also may
receive the seal and become an holy temple and he may dwell in me.
88 And the apostle said: I do pray and entreat for you all, brethren, that
believe on the Lord, and for you, sisters, that hope in Christ, that in all of
you the word of God may tabernacle and have his tabernacle therein: for we have
no power over them (Syr. because ye are given power over your own souls). And he
began to say unto the woman Mygdonia: Rise up from the earth and compose thyself
(take off thine ornaments, P; be mindful of thyself, Syr.). For this attire that
is put on shall not profit thee nor the beauty of thy body, nor thine apparel,
neither yet the fame of thy rank, nor the authority of this world, nor the
polluted intercourse with thine husband shall avail thee if thou be bereaved of
the true fellowship: for the appearance (fantasy) of ornamenting cometh to
nought, and the body waxeth old and changeth, and raiment weareth out, and
authority and lordship pass away (U corrupt; P abridges; Syr. has: passeth away
accompanied with punishment, according as each person hath conducted himself in
it), and the fellowship of procreation also passeth away, and is as it were
condemnation. Jesus only abideth ever, and they that hope in him. Thus he spake,
and said unto the woman: Depart in peace, and the Lord shall make thee worthy of
his own mysteries. But she said: I fear to go away, lest thou forsake me and
depart unto another nation. But the apostle said to her: Even if I go, I shall
not leave thee alone, but Jesus of his compassion will be with thee. And she
fell down and did him reverence and departed unto her house.
89 Now Charisius, the kinsman of Misdaeus the king, bathed himself and
returned and laid him down to dine. And he inquired concerning his wife, where
she was; for she had not come out of her own chamber to meet him as she was
wont. And her handmaids said to him: She is not well. And he entered quickly
into the chamber and found her Iying on the bed and veiled: and he unveiled her
and kissed her, saying: Wherefore art thou sorrowful to-day? And she said: I am
not well. And he said unto her: Wherefore then didst thou not keep the guise of
thy freedom (Syr. pay proper respect to thy position as a free woman) and remain
in thy house, but didst go and listen unto vain speeches and look upon works of
sorcery? but rise up and dine with me, for I cannot dine without thee. But she
said to him: To-day I decline it, for I am greatly afeared.
90 And when Charisius heard this of Mygdonia, he would not go forth to
dinner, but bade his servants bring her to dine with him (Syr. bring food to him
that he might sup in her presence): when then they brought it in, he desired her
to dine with him, but she excused herself; since then she would not, he dined
alone, saying unto her: On thine account I refused to dine with Misdaeus the
king, and thou, wast thou not willing to dine with me? but she said: It is
because I am not well. Charisius therefore rose up as he was wont and would
sleep with her, but she said: Did I not tell thee that for today I refused it?
91 When he heard that he went to another bed and slept; and awaking out of
sleep he said: My lady Mygdonia, hearken to the dream which I have seen. I saw
myself lie at meat near to Misdaeus the king, and a dish of all sorts was set
before us: and I saw an eagle come down from heaven and carry off from before me
and the king two partridges, which he set against his heart; and again he came
over us and flew about above us, and the king bade a bow to be brought to him;
and the eagle again caught away from before us a pigeon and a dove, and the king
shot an arrow at him, and it passed through him from one side to the other and
hurt him not; and he being unscathed rose up into his own nest. And I awoke, and
I am full of fear and sore vexed, because I had tasted of the partridge, and he
suffered me not to put it to my mouth again. And Mygdonia said unto him: Thy
dream is good: for thou every day eatest partridges, but this eagle had not
tasted of a partridge until now.
92 And when it was morning Charisius went and dressed himself and shod his
right foot with his left shoe; and he stopped, and said to Mygdonia: What then
is this matter? for look, the dream and this action of mine! But Mygdonia said
to him: And this also is not evil, but seemeth to me very good; for from an
unlucky act there will be a change unto the better. And he washed his hands and
went to salute Misdaeus the king.
93 And likewise Mygdonia rose up early and went to salute Judas Thomas the
apostle, and she found him discoursing with the captain and all the multitude,
and he was advising them and speaking of the woman which had received the Lord
in her soul, whose wife she was; and the captain said: She is the wife of
Charisius the kinsman of Misdaeus the king. And: Her husband is a hard man, and
in every thing that he saith to the king he obeyeth him: and he will not suffer
her to continue in this mind which she hath promised; for often-times hath he
praised her before the king, saying that there is none other like her in love:
all things therefore that thou speakest unto her are strange unto her. And the
apostle said: If verily and surely the Lord hath risen upon her soul and she
hath received the seed that was cast on her, she will have no care of this
temporal life, nor fear death, neither will Charisius be able to harm her at
all: for greater is he whom she hath received into her soul, if she have
received him indeed.
94 And Mygdonia hearing this said unto the apostle: In truth, my lord, I have
received the seed of thy words, and I will bear fruit like unto such seed. The
apostle saith: Our souls give praise and thanks unto thee, O Lord, for they are
thine: our bodies give thanks unto thee, which thou hast accounted worthy to
become the dwelling-place of thy heavenly gift. And he said also to them that
stood by: Blessed are the holy, whose souls have never condemned them, for they
have gained them and are not divided against themselves: blessed are the spirits
of the pure, and they that have received the heavenly crown whole from the world
(age) which hath been appointed them: blessed are the bodies of the holy, for
they have been made worthy to become temples of God, that Christ may dwell in
them: blessed are ye, for ye have power to forgive sins: blessed are ye if ye
lose not that which is committed unto you, but rejoicing and departing bear it
away with you: blessed are ye the holy, for unto you it is given to ask and
receive: blessed are ye meek for you hath God counted worthy to become heirs of
the heavenly kingdom. Blessed are ye meek, for ye are they that have overcome
the enemy: blessed are ye meek, for ye shall see the face of the Lord. Blessed
are ye that hunger for the Lord's sake for for you is rest laid up, and your
souls rejoice from henceforth. Blessed are ye that are quiet, (for ye have been
counted worthy) to be set free from sin [and from the exchange of clean and
unclean beasts]. And when the apostle had said these things in the hearing of
all the multitude, Mygdonia was the more confirmed in the faith and glory and
greatness of Christ.
95 But Charisius the kinsman and friend of Misdaeus the king came to his
breakfast and found not his wife in the house; and he inquired of all that were
in his house: Whither is your mistress oone? And one of them answered and said:
She is gone unto that stranger. And when he heard this of his servant, he was
wroth with the other servants because they had not straightway told him what was
done: and he sat down and waited for her. And when it was evening and she was
come into the house he said to her: Where wast thou? And she answered and said:
With the physician. And he said: Is that stranger a physician? And she said:
Yea, he is a physician of souls: for most physicians do heal bodies that are
dissolved, but he souls that are not destroyed. Charisius, hearing this, was
very angry in his mind with Mygdonia because of the apostle, but he answered her
nothing, for he was afraid; for she was above him both in wealth and birth: but
he departed to dinner, and she went into her chamber. And he said to the
servants: Call her to dinner. But she would not come.
96 And when he heard that she would not come out of her chamber, he went in
and said unto her: Wherefore wilt thou not dine with me and perchance not sleep
with me as the wont is? yea, concerning this I have the greater suspicion, for I
have heard that that sorcerer and deceiver teacheth that a man should not live
with his wife, and that which nature requireth and the godhead hath ordained he
overthroweth. When Charisius said these things, Mygdonia kept silence. He saith
to her again: My lady and consort Mygdonia, be not led astray by deceitful and
vain words, nor by the works of sorcery which I have heard that this man
performeth in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; for it was never yet
heard in the world that any raised the dead, and, as I hear, it is reported of
this man that he raiseth dead men. And for that he neither eateth nor drinketh,
think not that for righteousness sake he neither eateth nor drinketh but this he
doth because he possesseth nought, for what should he do which hath not even his
daily bread? And he hath one garment because he is poor, and as for his not
receiving aught of any (he doth so, to be sure, because he knoweth in himself
that he doth not verily heal any man, Syr.).
97 And when Charisius so said, Mygdonia was silent as any stone, but she
prayed, asking when it should be day, that she might go to the apostle of
Christ. And he withdrew from her and went to dinner heavy in mind, for he
thought to sleep with her according to the wont. And when he was gone out, she
bowed her knees and praved, saying: Lord God and Master, merciful Father,
Savionr Christ, do thou give me strength to overcome thc shamelessness of
Charisius, and grant me to keep the holiness wherein thou delightest, that I
also may by it find eternal life. And when she had so prayed she laid herself on
her bed and veiled herself.
98 But Charisius having dined came upon her, and she cried out, saying: Thou
hast no more any room by me: for my Lord Jesus is greater than thou, who is with
me and resteth in me. And he laughed and said: Well dost thou mock, saying this
of that sorcerer, and well dost thou deride him, who saith: Ye have no life with
God unless ye purify yourselves. And when he had so said he essayed to sleep
with her, but she endured it not and cried out bitterly and said: I call upon
thee, Lord Jesu, forsake me not! for with thee have I made my refuge; for when I
learned that thou art he that seekest out them that are veiled in ignorance and
savest them that are held in error And now I entreat thee whose report I have
heard and believed, come thou to my help and save me from the shamelessness of
Charisius, that his foulness may not get the upper hand of me. And she smote her
hands together (tied his hands, Syr.) and fled from him naked, and as she went
forth she pulled down the curtain of the bed-chamber and wrapped it about her;
and went to her nurse, and slept there with her.
99 But Charisius was in heaviness all night, and smote his face with his
hands, and he was minded to go that very hour and tell the king concerning the
violence that was done him, but he considered with himself, saying: If the great
heaviness which is upon me compelleth me to go now unto the king, who will bring
me in to him? for I know that my abuse hath overthrown me from my high looks and
my vainglory and majesty, and hath cast me down into this vileness and separated
my sister Mygonia from me. Yea, if the king himself stood before the dools at
this hour, I could not have gone out and answered him. But I will wait until
dawn, and I know that whatsoever I ask of the king, he granteth it me: and I
will tell him of the madness of this stranger, how that it tyrannously casteth
down the great and illustrious into the depth. For it is not this that grieveth
me, that I am deprived of her companying, but for her am I grieved, because her
greatness of soul is humbled: being an honourable lady in whom none of her house
ever found fault (condemned), she hath fled away naked, running out of her own
bedchamber, and I know not whither she is gone; and it may be that she is gone
mad by the means of that sorcerer, and in her madness hath gone forth into the
market-place to seek him; for there is nothing that appealeth unto her lovable
except him and the things that are spoken by him.
100 And so saving he began to lament and say: Woe to me, O my consort, and to
thee besides! for I am too quickly bereaved of thee. Woe is me, my most dear
one, for thou excellest all my race: neither son nor daughter have I had of thee
that I might find rest in them; neither hast thou yet dwelt with me a full year,
and an evil eye hath caught thee from me. Would that the violence of death had
taken thee, and I should yet have reckoned myself among kings and nobles: but
that I should suffer this at the hands of a stranger, and belike he is a slave
that hath run away, to mine ill fortune and the sorrow of mine unhappy soul! Let
there be no impediment for me until I destroy him and avenge this night, and may
I not be well-pleasing before Misdaeus the king if he avenge me not with the
head of this stranger; (and I will also tell him) of Siphor the captain vvho
hath been the occasion of this. For by his means did fhe stranger appear here,
and lodgeth at his house: and many there be that go in and come out whom he
teacheth a new doctrine; saying that none can live if he quit not all his
substance and become a renouncer like himself: and he striveth to make many
partakers with him.
101 And as Charisius thought on these things, the day dawned: and after the
night (?) he put on a mean habit, and shod himself, and went downcast and in
heaviness to salute the king. And when the king saw him he said: Wherefore art
thou sorrowful, and comest in such garb? and I see that thy countenance is
changed. And Charisius said unto the king: I have a new thing to tell thee and a
new desolation which Siphor hath brought into India, even a certain Hebrew, a
sorcerer, whom he hath sitting in his house and who departeth not from him: and
many are there that go in to him: whom also he teacheth of a new God, and layeth
on them new laws such as never yet were heard, saving: It is impossible for you
to enter into that eternal life which I proclaim unto you, unless ye rid you of
your wives, and likewise the wives of their husbands. And it chanced that mine
unlucky wife also went to him and became a hearer of his words, and she believed
them, and in the night she forsook me and ran unto the stranger. But send thou
for both Siphor and that sorcerer that is hid with (in) him, and visit it (?) on
their head, lest all that are of our nation perish.
102 And when Misdaeus his friend heard this he saith to him: Be not grieved
nor heavy, for I will send for him and avenge thee, and thou shalt have thy wife
again, and the others that cannot I will avenge. And the king went forth and sat
on the judgement seat, and when he was set he commanded Siphor the captain to be
called. They went therefore unto his house and found him sitting on the right
hand of the apostle and Mygdonia at his feet, hearkening to him with all the
multitude. And they that were sent from the king said unto Siphor: Sittest thou
here listening to vain words, and Misdaeus the king in his wrath thinketh to
destroy thee because of this sorcerer and deceiver whom thou hast brought into
thine house? And Siphor hearing it was cast down, not because of the king's
threat against him, but for the apostle, because the king was disposed contrary
to him. And he said to the apostle: I am grieved concerning thee: for I told
thee at the first that that woman is the wife of Charisius the king's friend and
kinsman, and he will not suf'fer her to perform that she hath promised, and all
that he asketh of the king he granteth him. But the apostle said unto Siphor:
Fear nothing, but believe in Jesus that pleadeth for us all, for unto his refuge
are we gathered together. And Siphor, hearing that, put his garment about him
and went unto Misdaeus the king,
103 And the apostle inquired of Mygdonia: What was the cause that thy husband
was wroth with thee and devised this against us? And she said: Because I gave
not myself up unto his corruption (destruction): for he desired last night to
subdue me and subject me unto that passion which he serveth: and he to whom I
have committed my soul delivered me out of his hands; and I fled away from him
naked, and slept with my nurse: but that which befell him I know not, wherefore
he hath contrived this. The apostle saith: These things will not hurt us; but
believe thou on Jesus, and he shall overthrow the wrath of Charisius and his
madness and his impulse; and he shall be a companion unto thee in the fearful
way, and he shall guide thee into his kingdom, and shall bring thee unto eternal
life giving thee that confidence which passeth not away nor changeth.
104 Now Siphor stood before the king, and he inquired of him: Who is that
sorcerer and whence, and what teacheth he whom thou hast lurking in thine house?
And Siphor answered the king: Thou art not ignorant, O king, what trouble and
grief I, with my friends had concerning my wife, whom thou knowest and many
others remember, and concerning my daughter, whom I value more than all my
possessions, what a time and trial I suffered; for I became a laughing-stock and
a curse in all our country. And I heard the report of this man and went to him
and entreated him, and took him and brought him hither. And as I came by the way
I saw wonderful and amazing things: and here also many did hear the wild ass and
concerning that devil whom he drove out, and healed my wife and daughter, and
now are they whole; and he asked no reward but requireth faith and holiness,
that men should become partakers with him in that which he doeth: and this he
teacheth to worship and fear one God, the ruler of all things, and Jesus Christ
his Son, that they may have eternal life. And that which he eateth is bread and
salt, and his drink is water from evening unto evening, and he maketh many
prayers; and whatsoever he asketh of his God, he giveth him. And he teacheth
that this God is holy and mighty, and that Christ is living and maketh alive,
wherefore also he chargeth them that are there present to come unto him in
holiness and purity and love and faith.
105 And when Misdaeus the king heard these things of Siphor he sent many
soldiers unto the house of Siphor the captain, to bring Thomas the apostle and
all that were found there. And they that were sent entered in and found him
teaching much people; and Mygdonia sat at his feet. And when they beheld the
great multitude that were about him, they feared, and departed to their king and
said: We durst not say aught unto him, for there was a great multitude about
him, and Mygdonia sitting at his feet was listening to the things that were
spoken by him. And when Misdaeus the king and Charisius heard these things,
Charisius leaped out from before the king and drew much people with him and
said: I will bring him, O king, and Mygdonia whose understanding he hath taken
away. And he came to the house of Siphor the captain, greatly disturbed, and
found him (Thomas) teaching: but Mygdonia he found not, for she had withdrawn
herself unto her house, having learnt that it had been told her husband that she
was there.
106 And Charisius said unto the apostle: Up, thou wicked one and destroyer
and enemy of mine house: for me thy sorcery harmeth not, for I will visit thy
sorcery on thine head. And when he so said, the apostle looked upon him and said
unto him: Thy threatenings shall return upon thee, for me thou wilt not harm any
whit: for greater than thee and thy king and all your army is the Lord Jesus
Christ in whom I have my trust. And Chalisius took a kerchief (turban, Syr.) of
one of his slaves and cast it about the neck of the apostle, saying: Hale him
and bring him away; let me see if his God is able to deliver him out of my
hands. And they haled him and led him away to Misdaeus the king. And the apostle
stood before the king, and the king said to him: Tell me who thou art and by
what power thou doest these things. But the apostle kept silence. And the king
commanded his officers (subjects) that he should be scourged with an hundred and
twenty-eight (hundred and fifty, Syr.) blows, and bound, and be cast into the
prison; and they bound him and led him away. And the king and Charisius
considered how they should put him to death, for the multitude worshipped him as
God. And they had it in mind to say: The stranger hath reviled the king and is a
deceiver.
107 But the apostle went unto the prison rejoicing and exulting, and said: I
praise thee, Jesu, for that thou hast not only made me worthy of faith in thee,
but also to endure much for thy sake. I give thee thanks therefore, Lord, that
thou hast taken thought for me and given me patience: I thank thee Lord, that
for thy sake I am called a sorcerer and a wizard. Receive thou me therefore with
the blessing (Syr. Iet me receive of the blessing) of the poor, and of the rest
of the weary, and of the blessings of them whom men hate and persecute and
revile, and speak evil words of them. For lo, for thy sake I am hated: lo for
thy sake I am cut off from the many, and for thy sake they call me such an one
as I am not.
108 And as he prayed, all the prisoners looked on him, and besought him to
pray for them: and when he had prayed and was set down, he began to utter a
psalm in this wise:
[Here follows the Hymn of the Soul: a most remarkable composition, originally
Syriac, and certainly older than the Acts, with which it has no real connexion.
We have it in Greek in one manuscript, the Vallicellian, and in a paraphrase by
Nicetas of Thessalonica, found and edited by Bonnet.]
1 When I was an infant child
in the palace of my Father
2 and resting in the wealth and luxury of my nurturers,
out of the East, our native country, my parents provisioned me and sent me.
4 And of the wealth of those their treasures they put together a load
5 both great and light, that I might carry it alone.
6 Gold is the load, of them that are above (or of the land of the Ellaeans or
Gilaeans),
and silver of the great treasures (or of Gazzak the great)
7 and stones, chalcedonies from the Indians
and pearls from the Kosani (Kushan).
8 And they armed me with adamant
9 and they took off from me (Gr. put on me) the garment set with gems,
spangled with gold, which they had made for me because they loved me
10 and the robe that was yellow in hue, made for my stature.
11 And they made a covenant with me, and inscribed it on mine understanding,
that I should forget it, and said:
12 If thou go down into Egypt, and bring back thence the one pearl
13 which is there girt about by the devouring serpent
14 thou shalt put on the garment set with gems, and that robe
whereupon it resteth (or which is thereon)
15 and become with thy brother that is next unto us (Gr. of the well-
remembered) an heir (Gr. herald) in our kingdom.
109. 16 And I came out of the East by a road difficult and fearful, with two
guides
17 and I was untried in travelling by it.
18 And I passed by the borders of the Mosani (Maishan) where is the resort of
the merchants of the East,
19 and reached the land of the Babylonians .
20 But when I entered into Egypt, the guides left me which had journeyed with
me.
21 And I set forth by the quickest way to the serpent, and by his hole I
abode
22 watching for him to slumber and sleep, that I might take my pearl from
him.
23 And forasmuch as I was alone I made mine aspect strange, and appeared as
an alien to my people.
24 And there I saw my kinsman from the East, the free-born
25 a lad of grace and beauty, a son of princes (or an anointed one).
26 He came unto me and dwelt with me,
27 and I had him for a companion, and made him my friend and partaker in my
journey (or merchandise).
28 And I charged him to beware of the Egyptians, and of partaking of those
unclean things (or consorting with those unclean men).
29 And I put on their raiment, lest I should seem strange, as one that had
come from without
30 to recover the pearl; and lest the Egyptians should awake the serpent
against me.
31 But, I know not by what occasion, they learned that I was not of their
country.
32 And with guile they mingled for me a deceit, and I tasted of their food.
33 And I knew no more that I was a king's son, and I became a servant unto
their king.
34 And I forgat also the pearl for which my fathers had sent me,
35 and by means of the heaviness of their food I fell into a deep sleep.
110. 36 But when this befell me, my fathers also were ware of it, and grieved
for me
37 and a proclamation was published in our kingdom, that all should meet at
our doors.
38 And then the kings of Parthia and they that bare office and the great ones
of the East
39 made a resolve concerning me, that I should not be left in Egypt,
40 and the princes wrote unto me signifying thus (and every noble signed his
name to it, Syr.):
41 From the (thy) Father the King of kings, and thy mother that ruleth the
East,
42 and thy brother that is second unto us; unto our son that is in Egypt,
peace.
43 Rise up and awake out of sleep, and hearken unto the words of the letter
44 and remember that thou art a son of kings; lo, thou hast come under the
yoke of bondage.
45 Remember the pearl for the which thou wast sent into Egypt (Gr. puts this
after 46).
46 Remember thy garment spangled with gold,
47 Thy name is named in the book of life,
48 and with thy brother whom thou hast received in our
kingdom.
111. 49 and the King [as ambassador] sealed it
50 because of the evil ones, even the children of the Babylonians and the
tyrannous demons of Labyrinthus (Sarbug, Syr.).
51 52 It flew and lighted down
by me, and became all speech.>
53 And I at the voice of it and the feeling of it started up out of sleep
54 and I took it up and kissed it and read it.
55 And it was written concerning that which was recorded in mine heart.
56 And I remembered forthwith that I was a son of kings, and my freedom
yearned (sought) after its kind.
57 I remembered also the pearl for the which I was sent down into Egypt
58 and I began (or came) with charms against the terrible serpent,
59 and I overcame him (or put him to sleep) by naming the name of my Father
upon him,
60 .
61 And I caught away the pearl and turned back to bear it unto my fathers.
62 And I stripped off the filthy garment and left it in their land,
63 and directed my way forthwith to the light of my fatherland in the East.
64 And on the way I found my letter that had awakened me,
65 and it, like as it had taken a voice and raised me when I slept, so also
guided me with the light that came from it.
66 For at times the royal garment of silk before mine eyes,
67
68 and with love leading me and drawing me onward,
69 I passed by Labyrinthus (Sarbug), and I left Babylon upon my left hand
70 and I came unto Meson (Mesene; Maishan) the great,
71 that lieth on the shore of the sea,
72 73 from the heights of Warkan (Hyrcania?) had my parents sent thither
74 by the hand of their treasurers, unto whom they committed it because of
their faithfulness>.
112. 75 But I remembered not the brightness of it; for I was yet a child and
very young when I had left it in the palace ot my Father,
76 but suddenly, [when] I saw the garment made like unto me as it had been in
a mirror.
77 And I beheld upon it all myself (or saw it wholly in myself) and I knew
and saw myself through it,
78 that we were divided asunder, being of one; and again were one in one
shape.
79 Yea, the treasurers also which brought me the garment
80 I beheld, that they were two, yet one shape was upon both, one royal sign
was set upon both of them.
81 The money and the wealth had they in their hands, and paid me the due
price,
82 and the lovely garment, which was variegated with bright colours
83 with gold and precious stones and pearls of comely hue
84 they were fastened above (or in the height)
85 .
86 And the likeness of the King of kings was all in all of it.
87 Sapphire stones were fitly set in it above (or, like the sapphire stone
also were its manifold hues).
113. 88 And again I saw that throughout it motions of knowledge were being
sent forth,
89 and it was ready to utter speech.
90 And I heard it speak :
91 I am of him that is more valiant than all men, for whose sake I was reared
up with the Father himself.
92 And I also perceived his stature (so Gr.- Syr. I perceived in myself that
my stature grew in accordance with his working).
93 And all its royal motions rested upon me as it grew toward the impulse of
it (And with its kingly motions it was spreading itself toward me).
94 And it hastened, reaching out from the hand of unto
him that would receive it
95 and me also did yearning arouse to start forth and meet it and receive it.
96 And I stretched forth and received it, and adorned myself with the beauty
of the colours thereof (mostly Syr.; Gr. corrupt)
97 and in my royal robe excelling in beauty I arrayed myself wholly.
98 And when I had put it on, I was lifted up unto the place of peace
(sahltation) and homage
99 and I bowed my head and worshipped the brightness of the Father which had
sent it unto me.
100 for I had performed his commandments, and he likewise that which he had
promised,
101 and at the doors of his palace which was from the beginning I mingled
among ,
102 and he rejoiced over me and received me with him into his palace,
103 and all his servants do praise him vvith sweet voices.
104 And he promised me that with him I shall be sent unto the gates of the
king,
105 that with my gifts and my pearl we may appear together before the king.
[Immediately on this, in the Syriac, follows a Song of Praise of Thomas the
apostle consisting of forty-two ascriptions of praise and four final clauses
(Wright, pp. 245-51). It has no bearing on the Acts, and is not in itself so
remarkable as to need to be inserted here.]
114 And Charisius went home glad, thinking that his wife would be with him,
and that she had become such as she was before, even before she heard the divine
word and believed on Jesus. And he went, and found her with her hair dishevelled
and her clothes rent, and when he saw it he said unto her: My lady Mygdonia, why
doth this cruel disease keep hold on thee? and wherefore hast thou done this? I
am thine husband from thy virginity, and both the gods and the law grant me to
have rule over thee, what is this great madness of thine, that thou art bccome a
derision in all our nation? but put thou away the care that cometh of that
sorcerer; and I will remove his face from among us, that thou mayest see him no
more.
115 But Mygdonia when she heard that gave herself up unto grief, groaning and
lamenting and Charisius said again; Have I then so much wronged the gods that
they have afflicted me with such a disease? what is my great offence that they
have cast me into such humiliation? I beseech thee. Mvgdonia trangle my soul no
more with the pitiful sight of thee and thy mean appearance and afflict not mine
heart with care for thee I am Charisius thine husband, whom all the nation
honoureth and feareth. What must I do? I know not whither to turn. What am I to
think? shall I keep silence and endure? yet who can be patient when men take his
treasure? and who can endure to lose thy sweet ways? and what is there for me?
(Syr. thy beauties which are ever before me) the fragrance of thee is in my
nostrils, and thy bright face is fixed in mine eyes. They are taking away my
soul, and the fair body which I rejoiced to see they are destroying, and that
sharpest of eyes they are blinding and cutting off my right hand: my joy is
turning to grief and my life to death, and the light of it is being dyed (?)
with darkness. Let no man of you my kindred henceforth look on me; from you no
help hath come to me, nor will I hereafter worship the gods of the east that
have enwrapped me in such calamities, nor pray to them any more nor sacrifice to
them, for I am bereaved of my spouse. And what else should I ask of them? for
all my glory is taken away, yet am I a prince and next unto the king in power;
but Mygdonia hath set me at nought, and taken away all these things. (Would that
some one would blind one of my eyes, and that thine eyes would look upon me as
they were wont, Syr. which has more clauses, to the same effect.)
116 And while Charisius spake thus with tears, Mygdonia sat silent and
looking upon the ground; and again he came unto her and said: My lady Mygdonia,
most desired of me, remember that out of all the women that are in India I chose
and took thee as the most beautiful, though I might have joined to myself in
marriage many more beautiful: but yet I lie, Mygdonia, for by the gods it would
not have been possible to find another like thee in the land of India; but woe
is me alway, for thou wilt not even answer me a word: but if thou wilt, revile
me, so that I may only be vouchsafed a word from thee. Look at me, for I am more
comely than that sorcerer: but thou art my wealth and honour: and all men know
that there is none like me: and thou art my race and kindred; and lo, he taketh
thee away from me.
117 And when Charisius had so said, Mygdonia saith unto him: He whom I love
is better than thee and thy substance: for thy substance is of earth and
returneth unto the earth; but he whom I love is of heaven and will take me with
him unto heaven. Thy wealth shall pass awav, and thy beauty shall vanish, and
thy robes, and thy many works: and thou shalt be alone, naked, with thy
transgressions. Call not to my remembrance thy deeds (unto me), for I pray the
Lord that I may forget thee, so as to remember no more those former pleasures
and the custom of the body; which shall pass away as a shadow, but Jesus only
endureth for ever, and the souls which hope in him. Jesus himself shall quit me
of the shameful decds which I did with thee. And when Charisius heard this, he
turned him to sleep, vexed (dissolved) in soul, saying to her: Consider it by
thyself all this night: and if thou wilt be with me such as thou wast before,
and not see that sorcerer, I will do all according to thy mind, and if thou wilt
remove thine affection from him I will take him out of the prison and let him go
and remove into another country, and I will not vex thee, for I know that thou
makest much of the stranger. And not with thee first did this matter come about,
for many other women also hath he deceived with thee; and they have awaked sober
and returned to themselves: do not thou then make nought of my words and cause
me to be a reproach among the Indians.
118 And Charisius having thus spoken went to sleep: but she took ten denarii
(20 zuze, Syr.), and went secretly to give them to the gaolers that she might
enter in to the apostle. But on the way Judus Thomas came and met her, and she
saw him and was afraid, for she thought that he was one of the rulers: for a
great light went before him. And she said to herself as she fled: have lost
thee, O my unhappy soul! for thou wilt not again see Judas the apostle of
the living , and not yet hast thou received the holy seal. And she
fled and ran into a narrow place and there hid herself, saying: I would rather
choose to be killed (taken) by the poorer, whom it is possible to persuade, than
to fall into the hand of this mighty ruler, who will despise gifts.
The Tenth Act: wherein Mygdonia receiveth baptism.
119 And while Mygdonia thought thus with herself, Judas came and stood over
her, and she saw him and was afraid, and fell down and became lifeless with
terror. But he stood by her and took her by the hand and said unto her: Fear
not, Mygdonia: Jesus will not leave thee, neither will the Lord unto whom thou
hast committed thy soul overlook thee. His compassionate rest will not forsake
thee: he that is kind will not forsake thee, for his kindness' sake, nor he that
is good for his goodness' sake. Rise up then from the earth, thou that art
become wholly above it: look on the light, for the Lord leaveth not them that
love him to walk in darkness: behold him that travelleth with his servants, that
he is unto them a defender in perils. And Mygdonia arose and looked on him and
said: Whither wentest thou, my lord? and who is he that brought thee out of
prison to behold the sun? Judas Thomas saith unto her: My Lord Jesus is mightier
than all powers and all kings and rulers.
120 And Mygdonia said: Give me the seal of Jesus Christ and I shall ( Iet me)
receive the gift at thy hands before thou departest out of life. And she took
him with her and entered into the court and awaked her nurse, saying unto her:
Narcia (Gr. Marcia), my mother and nurse, all thy service and refreshment thou
hast done for me from my childhood until my present age are vain, and for them I
owe thee thanks which are temporal; do for me now also a ravour, that thou
mayest for ever receive a recompense from him that giveth great gifts. And
Narcia in answer saith: What wilt thou, my daughter Mygdonia, and what is to be
done for thy pleasure? for the honours which thou didst promise me before, the
stranger hath not suffered thee to accomplish, and thou hast made me a reproach
among all the nation. And now what is this new thing that thou commandest me?
And Mygdonia saith: Become thou partaker with me in eternal life, that I may
receive of thee perfect nurture: take bread and bring it me, and wine mingled
with water, and spare my freedom (take pity on me a free-born woman, Syr.). And
the nurse said: I will bring thee many loaves, and for water flagons of wine,
and fulfil thy desire. But she saith to the nurse: Flagons I desire not, nor the
many loaves: but this only, bring wine mingled with water and one loaf, and oil
.
121 And when Narcia had brought these things, Mygdonia stood before the
apostle with her head bare; and he took the oil and poured it on her head,
saying: Thou holy oil given unto us for sanctification, sccret mystery whereby
the cross was shown unto us, thou art the straightener of the crooked limbs,
thou art the humbler (softener) of hard things (works), thou art it that showeth
the hidden treasures, thou art the sprout of goodness; let thy power come, let
it be established upon thy servant Mygdonia, and heal thou her by this freedom.
And when the oil was poured upon her he hade her nurse unclothe her and gird a
linen cloth about her; and there was there a fountain of water upon which the
apostle went up, and baptized Mygdonia in the name of the Father and the Son and
the Holy Ghost. And when she was baptized and clad, he brake bread and took a
cup of water and made her a partaker in the body of Christ and the cup of the
Son of God, and said: Thou hast received thy seal, get for thyself eternal life.
And immediately there was heard from above a voice saying: Yea, amen. And when
Narcia heard that voice, she was amazed, and besought the apostle that she also
might receive the seal; and the apostle gave it her and said: Let the care of
the Lord be about thee as about the rest.
122 And having done these things the apostle returned unto the prison, and
found the doors open and the guards still sleeping. And Thomas said: Who is like
thee, O God? who withholdest not thy loving affection and care from any who is
like thee, the merciful, who hast delivered thy creatures out of evil. Life that
hath subdued death, rest that hath ended toil. Glory be to the only-begotten of
the Father. Glory to the compassionate that was sent forth of his heart. And
when he had said thus, the guards waked and beheld all the doors open, and the
prisoners <+ asleep, Syr.>, and said in themselves: Did not we fasten the
doors? and how are they now open, and the prisoners within?
123 But at the dawn Charisius went unto Mygdonia , and
found them praying and saying: O new God that by the stranger hast come hither
unto us, hidden God of the dwellers in India (Syr. who art hidden from); God
that hast shown thy glory by thine apostle Thomas, God whose report we have
heard and believed on thee; God, unto whom we are come to be saved; God, who for
love of man and for pity didst come down unto our littleness; God who didst seek
us out when we knew him (thee) not; God that dwellest in the heights and from
whom the depths are not hid: turn thou away from us the madness of Charisius.
And Charisius hearing that said to Mygdonia: Rightly callest thou me evil and
mad and foul I for if I had not borne with thy disobedience, and given thee
liberty, thou wouldest not have called on God against me and made mention of my
name before God. But believe me, Mygdonia that in that sorcerer there is no
profit, and what he promiseth to perform he cannot: but I will perform before
thy sight all that I promise, that thou mayest believe, and bear with my words
and be to me as thou wast beforetime.
124 And he came near and besought her again, saying: If thou wilt be
persuaded of me, I shall henceforth have no grief; remember that day when thou
didst meet me first; tell the truth: was I more beautiful unto thee at that
time, or Jesus at this? And Mygdonia said: That time required its own, and this
time also; that was the time of the beginning, but this of the end; that was the
time of temporal life, this of eternal; that of pleasure that passeth away, but
this of pleasure that abideth for ever; that, of day and night, this of day
without night. Thou sawest that marriage that was passing, and here, and single
but this marriage continueth for ever; that was a partnership of corruption, but
this of eternal life; those groomsmen (and maids) were men and women of time,
but these abide unto the end. That marriage upon earth setteth up dropping dew
of the love of men (Syr. That union was founded upon the earth where there is an
unceasing press: this is founded upon the bridge of fire upon which is sprinkled
grace: both corrupt); that bride-chamber is taken down again, but this remaineth
always; that bed was strown with coverlets (that grow old), but this with love
and faith. Thou art a bridegroom that passest away and art dissolved (changed),
but Jesus is a true bridegroom, enduring for ever immortal, that dowry was of
money and robes that grow old, but this is of living words which never pass
away.
125 And when Charisius heard these things he went unto the king and told him
all: and the king commanded Judas to be brought, that he might judge him and
destroy him. But Charisius said: Have patience a little, O king, and first
persuade the man making him afraid, that he may persuade Mygdonia to be unto me
as formerly. And Misdaeus sent and fetched the apostle of Christ, and all the
prisoners were grieved because the apostle departed from them, for they yearned
after him, saying: Even the comfort which we had have they taken away from us.
126 And Misdaeus said unto Judas: Wherefore teachest thou this new doctrine,
which both gods and men hate, and which hath nought of profit? And Judas said:
What evil do I teach? And Misdaeus said: Thou teachest, saying that men with the God whom thou preachest. Judas saith:
Thou sayest true, O king: thus do I teach. For tell me, art thou not wroth with
thy soldiers if they wait on thee in filthy garments? if then thou, being a king
of earth and returning unto earth, request thy subjects to be reverend in their
doings, are ye wroth and said ye that I teach ill when I say that they who serve
my king must be reverend and pure and free from all grief and care of children
and unprofitable riches and vain trouble? For indeed thou wouldest have thy
subjects follow thy conversation and thy manners, and thou punishest them if
they despise thy commandments: how much more must they that believe on him serve
my God with much reverence and cleanness and security, and be quit of all
pleasures of the body, adultery and prodigality and theft and drunkenness and
belly-service and foul deeds?
127 And Misdaeus hearing these things said: Lo, I let thee go: go then and
persuade Mygdonia, the wife of Charisius, not to desire to depart from him.
Judas saith unto him: Delay not if thou hast aught to do: for her, if she hath
rightly received what she hath learned, neither iron nor fire nor aught else
stronger than these will avail to hurt or to root out him that is held in her
soul. Misdaeus saith unto Judas: Some poisons do dissolve other poisons, and a
theriac cureth the bites of the viper; and thou if thou wilt canst give a
solvent of those diseases, and make peace and concord betwixt this couple: for
by so doing thou wilt spare thyself, for not yet art thou sated with life; and
know thou that if thou do not persuade her, I will catch thee away out of this
life which is desirable unto all men. And Judas said: This life hath been given
as a loan, and this time is one that changeth, but that life whereof I teach is
incorruptible; and beauty and youth that are seen shall in a little cease to be.
The king saith to him: I have counselled thee for the best, but thou knowest
thine own alfairs.
128 And as the apostle went forth from before the king, Charisius came to him
and entreated him and said: I beseech thee, O man: I have not sinned against
thee or any other at any time, nor against the gods; wherefore hast thou stirred
up this great calamity against me? and for what cause hast thou brought such
disturbance upon mine house? and what profit hast thou of it? but if thou
thinkest to gain somewhat, tell me the gain, what it is, and I will procure it
for thee without labour. To what end dost thou make me mad, and cast thyself
into destruction? for if thou persuade her not, I will both dispatch thee and
finally take myself out of life. But if, as thou sayest, after our departing
hence there is there life and death, and also condemnation and victory and a
place of judgement, then will I also go in thither to be judged with thee: and
if that God whom thou preachest is just and awardeth punishment justly, I know
that I shall gain my cause against thee; for thou hast injured me, having
suffered no wrong at my hands: for indeed even here I am able to avenge myself
on thee and bring upon thee all that thou hast done unto me. Therefore be thou
persuaded, and come home with me and persuade Mygdonia to be with me as she was
at first, before she beheld thee. And Judas saith to him: Believe me, my child
that if men loved God as much as they love one another, they would ask of him
all things and receive them, and none would do them violence (there would be
nothing which would not obey them, Syr.).
129 And as Thomas said this, they came unto the house of Charisius and found
Mygdonia sitting and Narcia standing by her, and her hand supporting her cheek;
and she was saying: Let the remainder of the days of my life, O mother, be cut
off from me, and all the hours become as one hour, and let me depart out of life
that I may go the sooner and behold that beautiful one, whose report I have
heard, even that living one and giver of life unto them that believe on him,
where is not day and night, nor light and darkness, nor good and evil, nor poor
and rich, nor male and female, nor free and bond, nor proud that subjecteth the
humble. And as she spake the apostle stood by her, and forthwith she rose up and
did him reverence. Then Charisius said unto him: Seest thou how she feareth and
honoureth thee and all that thou shalt bid her she will do willingly?
13O And as he so spake, Judas saith unto Mygdonia: My daughter Mygdonia, obey
that which thy brother Charisius saith. And Mygdonia saith: If thou wast not
able the deed in word wilt thou compel me to endure the act? for I have
heard of thee that this life is of no profit, and this relief is for a time, and
these possessions are transitory. And again thou saidst that whoso renounceth
this life shall receive the life eternal, and whoso hateth the light of day and
night shall behold a light that is not overtaken, that whoso despiseth this
money shall find other and eternal money. But now because thou art in fear. Who that hath done somewhat and is praised for
the work changeth it? straightway overthroweth it from
the foundation? who diggeth a spring water in a thirsty land and straightway
filleth it in? who findeth a treasure and useth it not? And Charisius heard lt
and said: I will not imitate you, neither will I hasten to destroy you; nor
though I may so do, will I put bonds about thee (but thee I will bind, Syr.);
and I will not suffer thee to speak with this sorcerer; and if thou obey me,
well, but if not, I know what I must do.
131 And Judas went out of Charisius' house and departed unto the house of
Siphor and lodged there with him. And Siphor said: I will prepare for Judas a
hall (triclinium) wherein he may teach (Syr. Siphor said to Judas: Prepare
thyself an apartment, &c.). And he did so; and Siphor said : I and my wife
and daughter will dwell henceforth in holiness, and in chastity, and in one
affection. I beseech thee that we mav receive of thee the seal, and become
worshippers of the true God and numbered among his sheep and lambs. And Judas
said: I am afraid to speak that which I think: yet I know somewhat, and what I
know it is not possible for me to utter.
132 And he began to say concerning baptism: This baptism is remission of sins
(the Greek MSS. U and P have divergent texts, both obscure): this bringeth forth
again light that is shed about us: this bringeth to new birth the new man (this
is the restorer of understandings Syr.): this mingleth the spirit (with the
body), raiseth up in threefoldwise a new man and partaker of the
remission of sins. Glory be to thee, hidden one, that art communicated in
baptism. Glory to thee the unseen power that is in baptism. Glory to thee,
renewal, whereby are renewed they that are baptized and with affection take hold
upon thee.
And having thus said, he poured oil over their heads and said: Glory be to
thee the love of compassion (bowels). Glory to thee name of Christ. Glory to
thee, power established in Christ. And he commanded a vessel to be brought, and
baptized them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.
133 And when they were baptized and clad, he set bread on the table and
blessed it, and said: Bread of life, the which who eat abide incorruptible:
Bread that filleth the hungry souls with the blessing thereof: thou art he that
vouchsafest to receive a gift, that thou mayest become unto us remission of
sins, and that they who eat thee may become immortal: we invoke upon thee the
name of the mother, of the unspeakable mystery of the hidden powers and
authorities (? we name the name of the unspeakable mystery, that is hidden from
all &c.): we invoke upon thee the name of [thy?] Jesus. And he said: Let the
powers of blessing come, and be established in this bread, that all the souls
which partake of it may be washed from their sins. And he brake and gave unto
Siphor and his wife and daughter.
The Eleventh Act: concerning the wife of Misdaeus.
134 Now Misdaeus the king, when he had let Judas go, dined and went home, and
told his wife what had befallen Charisius their kinsman, saying: See what hath
come to pass to that unhappy man, and thou thyself knowest, my sister Tertia,
that a man hath nought better than his own wife on whom he resteth; but it
chanced that his wife went unto that sorcerer of whom thou hast heard that he is
come to the land of the Indians, and fell into his charms and is parted from her
own husband; and he knoweth not what he should do. And when I would have
destroyed the malefactor, he would not have it. But do thou go and counsel her
to incline unto her husband, and forsake the vain words of the sorcerer.
135 And as soon as she arose Tertia went to the house of Charisius her
husband's , and found Mygdonia Iying upon the earth in humiliation, and
ashes and sackcloth were spread under her, and she was praying that the Lord
would forgive her her former sins and she might soon depart out of life. And
Tertia said unto her: Mygdonia, my dear sister and companion what is this hand
(Syr. this folly)? what is the disease that hath overtaken thee? and why doest
thou the deeds of madmen? Know thyself and come back unto thine own way, come
near unto thy many kinsfolk, and spare thy true husband Charisius, and do not
things unbefitting a free-woman. Mygdonia saith unto her: O Tertia, thou hast
not yet heard the preacher of life: not yet hath he touched thine ears, not yet
hast thou tasted the medicine of life nor art freed from corruptible mourning.
Thou standest in the life of time, and the everlasting life and salvation thou
knowest not, and perceivest not the incorruptible fellowship. Thou standest clad
in robes that grow old and desirest not those that are eternal, and art proud of
this beauty which vanisheth and hast no thought of the holiness of thy soul; and
art rich in a multitude of servants, (and hast not freed thine own soul from
servitude, Syr.) and pridest thyself in the glory that cometh of many, but
redeemest not thyself from the condemnation of death.
136 And when Tertia heard this of Mygdonia she said: I pray thee, sister,
bring me unto that stranger that teacheth these great things, that I also may go
and hear him, and be taught to worship the God whom he preacheth, and become
partaker of his prayers, and a sharer in all that thou hast told me of. And
Mygdonia saith to her: He is in the house of Siphor the captain; for he is
become the occasion of life unto all them that are being saved in India. And
hearing that, Tertia went quickly to Siphor's house, that she might see the new
apostle that was come thither. And when she entered in, Judas said unto her:
What art thou come to see? a man that is a stranger and poor and contemptible
and needy, having neither riches nor substance; yet one thing I possess which
neither kings nor rulers can take away, that neither perisheth nor ceaseth,
which is Jesus the Saviour of all mankind, the Son of the living God, who hath
given life unto all that believe on him and take refuge with him and are known
to be of the number of his servants (sheep, Syr.). Unto whom saith Tertia: May I
become a partaker of this life which thou promisest that all they shall receive
who come together unto the assembly of God. And the apostle said: The treasury
of the holy king is opened wide, and they which worthily partake of the good
things that are therein do rest, and resting do reign: but first, no man cometh
unto him that is unclean and vile: for he knoweth our inmost hearts and the
depths of our thought, and it is not possible for any to escape him. Thou, then,
if verily thou believest in him, shalt be made worthy of his mysteries; and he
will magnify thee and enrich thee, and make thee to be an heir of his hingdom.
137 And Tertia having heard this returned home rejoicing, and found her
husband awaiting her, not having dined, and when Misdaeus saw her he said:
Whence is it that thine entering in to-day is more beautiful? and wherefore art
thou come walking, which beseemeth not free-born women like thee? And Tertia
saith unto him: I owe thee the greatest of thanks for that thou didst send me
unto Mygdonia, for I went and heard of a new life, and I saw the new apostle of
the God that giveth life unto them that believe on him and fulfil his
commandments; I ought therefore myself to recompense thee for this favour and
admonition with good advice; for thou shalt be a great king in heaven if thou
obey me and fear the God that is preached by the strangrer, and keep thyself
holy unto the living God. For this kingdom passeth away, and thy comfort will be
turned into affliction: but go thou to that man, and believe him, and thou shalt
live unto the end. And when Misdaeus heard these things of his wife, he smote
his face with his hands and rent his clothes and said: May the soul of Charisius
find no rest, for he hath hurt me to the soul; and may he have no hope, for he
hath taken away my hope. And he went out greatly vexed.
138 And he found Charisius his friend in the market-place, and said unto him:
Why hast thou cast me into hell to be another companion to thyself? why hast
thou emptied and defrauded me to gain nought? why hast thou hurt me and profited
thyself not at all? why hast thou slain me and thyself not lived? Why hast thou
wronged me and thyself not got justice? why didst thou not suffer me to destroy
that sorcerer before he corrupted my house with his wickedness? And he kept hold
upon (was upbraiding, Syr.) Charisius. And Charisius saith: Why, what hath
befallen thee? Misdaeus said: He hath bewitched Tertia. And they went both of
them unto the house of Siphor the captain, and found Judas sitting and teaching.
And all they that were there rose up before the king, but he arose not. And
Misdaeus perceived that it was he, and took hold of the seat and overset it, and
took up the seat with both his hands and smote his head so that he wounded it,
and delivered him to his soldiers, saying: Take him away, and hale him with
violence and not gently, that his shame may be manifest unto all men. And they
haled him and took him to the place where Misdaeus judged, and he stood there,
held of the soldiers of Misdaeus.
The Twelfth Act: concerning Ouazanes (Iuzanes) the son of Misdaeus.
139 And Ouazanes (Iuzanes, P; Vizan, Syr.) the son of Misdaeus came unto the
soldiers and said: Give me him that I may speak with him until the king cometh.
And they gave him up, and he brought him in where the king gave judgement. And
Iuzanes saith: Knowest thou not that I am the son of Misdaeus the king, and I
have power to say unto the king what I will, and he will sufier thee to live?
tell me then, who is thy God, and what power dost thou claim and glory in it?
for if it be some power or art of magic, tell it me and teach me, and I will let
thee go. Judas saith unto him: Thou art the son of Misdacus the king who is king
for a time, but I am the servant of Jesus Christ the eternal king, and thou hast
power to say to thy father to save whom thou wilt in the temporal life wherein
men continue not, which thou and thy father grant, but I beseech my Lord and
intercede for men, and he giveth them a new life which is altogether enduring.
And thou boastest thyself of possessions and servants and robes and luxury and
unclean chamberings, but I boast myself of povertv and philosophy and humility
and lasting and prayer and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost and of my brethren
that are worthy of God: and I boast myself of eternal life. And thou reliest on
(hast taken refuge with) a man like unto thyself and not able to save his own
soul from judgement and death, but I rely upon the living God, upon the saviour
of kings and princes, who is the judge of all men. And ye indeed to-day
perchance are, and to-morrow are no more, but I have taken refuge with him that
abideth for ever and knoweth all our seasons and times. And if thou wilt become
the servant of this God thou shalt soon do so; but show that thou wilt be a
servant worthy of him hereby: first by holiness (puritv), which is the head of
all good things, and then by fellowship with this God whom I preach, and
philosophy and simplicity and love and faith and in him, and unity of
pure food (simplicity of pure i e, Syr.).
140 And the young man was persuaded by the Lord and sought occasion how he
might let Judas escape: but while he thought thereon, the king came, and the
soldiers took Judas and led him forth. And Iuzanes went forth with him and stood
beside him. And when the king was set he bade Judas be brought in, with his
hands bound behind him; and he was brought into the midst and stood there. And
the king saith: Tell me who thou art and by what power thou doest these things.
And Judas saith to him: I am a man like thee, and by the power of Jesus Christ I
do these things. And Misdaeus saith: Tell me the truth before I destroy thee.
And Judas saith: Thou hast no power against me, as thou supposest, and thou wilt
not hurt me at all. And the king was wroth at his words, and commanded to heat
iron plates and set him upon them barefoot; and as the soldiers took off his
shoes he said: The wisdom of God is better than the wisdom of men. Thou Lord and
King (do thou take counsel against them, Syr.) and let thy goodness resist his
wrath. And they brought the plates which were like fire, and set the apostle
upon them, and straightway water sprang up abundantly from the earth, so that
the plates were swallowed up in it, and they that held him let him go and
withdrew themselves.
141 And the king seeing the abundance of water said to Judas: Ask thy God
that he deliver me from this death, that I perish not in the flood. And the
apostle prayed and said: Thou that didst bind this element (nature) and gather
it into one place and send it forth into divers lands; that didst bring disorder
into order, that grantest mighty works and great wonders by the hands of Judas
thy servant; that hast mercy on my soul, that I may alway receive thy
brightness; that givest wages unto them that have laboured; thou saviour of my
soul, restoring it unto its own nature that it may have no fellowship with
hurtful things; that hast alway been the occasion of life: do thou restrain this
element that it lift not up itself to destroy; for there are some of them that
stand here who shall believe on thee and live. And when he had prayed, the water
was swallowed up by little and little, and the place became dry. And when
Misdaeus saw it he commanded him to be taken to the prison: Until I shall
consider how he must be used.
142 And as Judas was led away to the prison they all followed him, and
Iuzanes the king's son walked at his right hand, and Siphor at the left. And he
entered into the prison and sat down, and Iuzanes and Siphor, and he persuaded
his wife and his daughter to sit down, for they also were come in to hear the
word ot life. For they knew that Misdaeus would slay him because of the excess
of his anger. And Judas began to say: O liberator of my soul from the bondage of
the many, because I gave myself to be sold ; behold, I rejoice
and exult, knowing that the times are fulfilled for me to enter in and receive
. Lo, I am to be set free from the cares that are
on the earth; lo, I fulfil mine hope and reccive truth; lo, I am set free from
sorrow and put on joy alone; lo, I become careless and griefless and dwell in
rest; lo, I am set free from bondage and am called unto liberty; lo, I have
served times and seasons, and I am lifted up above times and seasons; lo, I
receive my wages from my recompenser, who giveth without reckoning (number)
because his wealth sufficeth for the gift; and
I shall not put it on again; lo, I sleep and awake, and I shall no more go to
sleep; lo, I die and live again, and I shall no more taste of death; lo, they
rejoice and expect me, that I may come and be with their kindred and be set as a
flower in their crown; Io, I reign in the kingdom whereon I set my hope, even
frorm hence; lo, the rebellious fall before me, for I have escaped them; lo,
(unto me) the peace hath come, whereunto all are gathered.
143 And as the apostle spake thus, all that were there hearkened, supposing
that in that hour he would depart out of life. And again he said: Believe on the
physician of all , both seen and unseen, and on the saviour of the
souls that need help from him. This is the free-born of kings, this the
physician of his creatures; this is he that was reproached of his own slaves;
this is the Father of the height and the Lord of nature and the Judge (? Father
of nature and Lord of the height and supreme Judge, Syr.): he came of the
greatest, the only-begotten son of the deep; and he was called the son of
(became visible through, Syr.) Mary the virgin, and was termed the son of Joseph
the carpenter: he whose littleness (we beheld) with the eyes of our body, but
his greatness we received by faith, and saw it in his works whose human body we
felt also with our hands, and his aspect we saw transfigured (changed) with our
eyes, but his heavenly semblance on the mount we were not able to see: he that
made the rulers stumble and did violence unto death: he, the truth that lieth
not, that at the last paid the tribute for himself and his disciplcs: whom the
prince beholding feared and the powers that were with him were troubled; and the
prince bare witness (asked him, Syr.) who he was and from whence, and knew not
the truth, because he is alien from truth: he that having authority over the
world, and the pleasures therein, and the possessions and the comfort,
all these things and turneth away his subjects, that they should not
use them.
144 Alld having fulfilled these sayings, he arose and prayed thus: our
Father, which art in heaven: hallowed be thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be
done, as in heaven so upon earth: and
forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
My Lord and God, hope and confidence and teacher, thou hast taught me to pray
thus, behold, I pray this prayer and fulfil thy commandment: be thou with me
unto the end; thou art he that from childhood hast sown life in me and kept me
from corruption; thou art he that hast brought me unto the poverty of this
world, and exhorted me unto the true riches; thou art he that hast made me known
unto myself and showed me that I am thine; and I have kept myself pure from
woman, that that which thou requirest be not found in defilement.
[At the words 'My Lord and God' begins the double text, represented on the
one hand by the MS. U and on the other by the Paris MS. P, and three (partly
four) others. These insert the prayer after ch. 167. Their text, I believe, may
be the original Greek. I follow it here, repeating the first paragraph.]
(144) My Lord and God, my hope and my confidence and my teacher, that hast
implanted courage in me, thou didst teach me to pray thus; behold, I pray thy
prayer and bring thy will to fulfilment: be thou with me unto the end. Thou art
he that from my youth up didst give me patience in temptation and me
life and preserve me from corruption; thou art he that didst bring me into the
poverty of this world and fill me with the true riches; thou art he that didst
show me that I was thine: wherefore I was never joined unto a wife, that the
temple worthy of thee might not be found in pollution.
145 My mouth sufficeth not to praise thee, neither am I able to conceive the
care and providence (carefulness) which hath been about me from thee which thou
hast had for me). For I desired to gain riches, but thou by a vision didst show
me that they are full of loss and iniury to them that gain them and I believed
thy showing, and continued in the poverty of the world until thou, the true
riches wert revealed unto me, who didst fill both me and the rest that were
worthy of thee with thine own riches and set free thine own from care and
anxiety. I have therefore fulfilled thy commandments, O Lord, and accomplished
thy will, and become poor and needy and a stranger and a bondman and set at
nought and a prisoner and hungry and thirsty and nalied and unshod, and I have
toiled for thy sake, that my confidence might not perish and my hope that is in
thee might not be confounded and my much labour might not be in vain and my
weariness not be counted for nought: let not my prayers and rmy continual
fastings perish, and my great zeal toward thee; let not my seed of wheat be
changed for tares out of thy land, Iet not the enemy carry it away and mingle
his own tares therewith; for thy land verily receiveth not his tares, neither
indeed can they be laid up in thine houses.
146 I have planted thy vine in the earth, it hath sent down its roots into
the depth and its growth is spread out in the height, and the fruits of it are
stretched forth upon the earth, and they that are worthy of thee are made glad
by them, whom also thou hast gained. The money which thou hast from me I laid
down upon the table (bank); this, when thou requirest it, restore unto me with
usury, as thou hast promised. With thy one mind have I traded and have made ten,
thou hast added rnore to me beside that I had, as thou didst covenant. I have
forgiven my debtor the mine, require thou it not at my hands. I was bidden to
the supper and I came: and I refused the land and the yoke of oxen and the wife,
that I might not for their sake be rejected; I was bidden to the wedding, and I
put on white raiment, that I might be worthy of it and not be bound hand and
foot and cast into the outer darkness. My lamp with its bright light expecteth
the master coming from the marriage, that it may receive him, and I may not (?
he may not) see it dimmed because the oil is spent. Mine eyes, O Christ, look
upon thee, and mine heart exulteth with joy because I have fulfilled thy will
and perfected thy commandments; that I may be likened unto that watchful and
careful servant who in his eagerness neglecteth not to keep vigil (other MSS.: I
have not slumbered idly in keeping thy commandments: in the first sleep and at
midnight and at cockcrow, that mine eyes may behold thee, &c.). All the
night have I laboured to keep mine house from robbers, lest it be broken
through.
147 My loins have I girt close with truth and bound my shoes on my feet, that
I may never see them gaping: mine hands have I put unto the yoked plough and
have not turned away backward, lest my furrows go crooked. The plough-land is
become white and the harvest is come, that I may receive my wages. My garment
that groweth old I have worn out, and the labour that hath brought me unto rest
have I accomplished. I have kept the first watch and the second and the third,
that I may behold thy face and adore thine holy brightness. I have rooted out
the worst (pulled down my barns, Syr.) and left thern desolate upon earth, that
I may be filled full from thy treasures (Gr. MSS. add: all my substance have I
sold, that I may gain thee the pearl). The moist spring that was in me have I
dried up, that I may live and rest beside thine inexhaustible spring (al. and
Syr.: rest beside thy living spring). The captive whom thou didst commit to me I
have slain, that he which is set free in me may not fall from his confidence.
Him that was inward have I made outward and the outward , and all thy
fullness hath been fulfilled in me. I have not returned unto the things that are
behind, but have gone forward unto the things that are before, that I become not
a reproach. The dead man have I quickened, and the living one have I overcome,
and that which was lacking have I filled up (Syr. Wright, not the older one,
inserts negatives, ' not quickened ', &c.), that I may receive the crown of
victory, and the power of Christ may be accomplished in me. I have received
reproach upon earth, but give thou me the return and the recompense in the
heavens. (U omits practically all this chapter.)
148 Let not the powers and the officers perceive me, and let them not have
any thought concerning me; let not the publicans and exactors ply their calling
upon me; let not the weak and the evil cry out against me that am valiant and
humble, and when I am borne upward let them not rise up to stand before me, by
thy power, O Jesu, which surroundeth me as a crown: for they do flee and hide
themselves, they cannot look on thee: but (for) suddenly do they fall upon them
that are subject to them, and the portion of tile sons of the evil one doth
itself cry out and convict them; and it is not hid from them, nor their nature
is made known: the children of the evil one are separated off. Do thou then
grant me, Lord, that I may pass by in quietness and joy and peace, and pass over
and stand before the judge, and let not the devil (or slanderer) look upon me;
let his eyes be blinded by thy light which thou hast made to dwell in me, close
thou up (muzzle) his mouth: for he hath found nought against me.
[We revert to U.]
149 And he said again unto them that were about him: believe in the Saviour of them that have laboured in his
service: for my soul already flourisheth because my time is near to receive him;
for he being beautiful draweth me on always to speak concerning his beauty, what
it is though I be not able and suffice not to speak it worthily: thou that art
the light (feeder, Syr.) of my poverty and the supplier of my defects and
nurturer of my need: be thou with me until I come and receive thee for evermore.
The Thirteenth Act: wherein Iuzanes receiveth baptism with the rest.
150 And Iuzanes the youth besought the apostle, saying: I pray thee, O man,
apostle of God, suffer me to go, and I will persuade the gaoler to permit thee
to come home with me, that by thee I may receive the seal, and become thy
minister and a keeper of the commandments of the God whom thou preachest. For
indeed, formerly I walked in those things which thou teachest, until my father
compelled me and joined me unto a wife by name Mnesara; for I am in my
one-and-twentieth year, and have now been seven years married, and before I was
joined in marriage I knew no other woman, wherefore also I was accounted useless
of my father, nor have I ever had son or daughter of this wife and also my wife
herself hath lived with me in chastity all this time, and to-day, if she had
been in health, and had listened to thee, I know well that both I should have
been at rest and she would have received eternal life; but she is in peril and
afflicted with much illness; I will therefore persuade the keeper that he
promise to come with me, for I live by myself: and thou shalt also heal that
unhappy one. And Judas the apostle of the Most High, hearing this, said to
Iuzanes: If thou believest, thou shalt see the marvels of God, and how he saveth
his servants.
151 And as they spake thus together, Tertia and Mvgdonia and Narcia stood at
the door of the prison, and they gave the gaoler 363 staters of silver and
entered in to Judas; and found Iuzanes and Siphor and his wife and daughter, and
all the prisoners sitting and hearing the word. And when they stood by him he
said to them: Who hath suffered you to come unto us? and who opened unto you the
sealed door that ye came forth? Tertia saith unto him: Didst not thou open the
door for us and tell us to come into the prison that we might take our brethren
that were there, and then should the Lord show forth his glory in us? And when
we came near the door, I know not how, thou wast parted from us and hid thyself
and camest hither before us where also we heard the noise of the door, when thou
didst shut us out. We gave money therefore to the keepers and came in and lo, we
are here praying thee that we may persuade thee and let thee escape until the
king's wrath against thee shall cease. Unto whom Judas said: Tell us first of
all how ye were shut up.
152 And she saith to him: Thou wast with us, and didst never leave us for one
hour, and askest thou how we were shut up? but if thou desirest to hear, hear.
The king Misdaeus sent for me and said unto me: Not yet hath that sorcercr
prevailed over thee, for, as I hear, he bewitcheth men with oil and water and
bread, and hath not yet bewitched thee; but obey thou me, for if not, I will
imprison thee and wear thee out, and him I will destroy; for I know that if he
hath not yet given thee oil and water and bread, he hath not prevailed to get
power over thee. And I said unto him: Over my body thou hast authority, and do
thou all that thou wilt; but my soul I will not let perish with thee. And
hearing that he shut me up in a chamber (beneath his dining-hall, Syr.): and
Charisius brought Mygdonia and shut her up with me: and thou broughtest us out
and didst bring us even hither; but give thou us the seal quickly, that the hope
of Misdacus who counselleth thus may be cut off.
153 And when the apostle heard this, he said: Glory be to thee, O Jesu of
many forms, glory to thee that appearest in the guise of our poor manhood: glory
to thee that encouragest us and makest us strong and givest grace and consolest
and standest by us in all perils, and strengthenest our weakness. And as he thus
spake, the gaoler came and said: Put out the lamps, lest any accuse you unto the
king. And then they extinguished the lamps, and turned to sleep; but the apostle
spake unto the Lord: It is the time now, O Jesu, for thee to make haste; for, lo
the children of darkness sit (make us to sit, Syr.) in their own darkness, do
thou therefore enlighten us with the light of thy nature. And on a sudden the
whole prison was light as the day: and while all they that were in the prison
slept a deep sleep, they only that had believed in the Lord continued waking.
154 Judas therefore saith to Iuzanes: Go thou before and make ready the
things for our need. Iuzanes thererore saith: And who will open me the doors of
the prison? for the gaolers shut them and are gone to sleep. And Judas saith:
Believe in Jesus, and thou shalt find the doors open. And when he went forth and
departed from them, all the rest followed after him. And as Iuzanes was gone on
before, Mnesara his wife met him coming unto the prison. And she knew him and
said: My brother Iuzanes, is it thou? and he saith, Yea, and art thou Mnesara?
and she saith Yea. Iuzanes said unto her; Whither walkest thou, especialiy at so
untimely an hour? and how wast thou able to rise up? And she said: This youth
laid his hand on me and raised me up, and in a dream I say that I should go
where the stranger sitteth, and become perfectly whole. Iuzanes saith to her:
What youth is with thee? And she said: Seest thou not him that is on my right
hand, leading me by the hand?
155 And while they spake together thus, Judas, with Siphor and his wife and
daughter and Tertia and Mygdonia and Narcia came unto Iuzanes' house. And
Mnesara the wife of Iuzanes seeing him did reverence and said: Art thou come
that savedst us from the sore disease? thou art he whom I saw in the night
delivering unto me this youth to bring me to the prison. But thy goodness
suffered me not to grow weary, but thou thyself art come unto me. And so saying
she turned about and saw the youth no more; and finding him not, she saith to
the apostle: I am not able to walk alone: for the youth whom thou gavest me is
not here. And Judas said: Jesus will henceforth lead thee. And thereafter she
came running unto him. And when they entered into the house of Iuzanes the son
of Misdaeus the king though it was yet night, a great light shined and was shed
about them.
156 And then Judas began to pray and to speak thus: O companion and defender
(ally) and hope of the weak and confidence of the poor: refuge and lodging of
the weary: voice that came forth of the height (sleep, Gr.): comforter dwelling
in the midst: port and harbour of them that pass through the regions of the
rulers: physician that healest without payment: who among men wast crucified for
many: who didst go down into hell with great might: the sight of whom the
princes of death endured not; and thou camest up with great glory, and gathering
all them that fled unto thee didst prepare a way, and in thy footsteps all they
journeyed whom thou didst redeem; and thou broughtest them into thine own fold
and didst join them with thy sheep: son of mercy, the son that for love of man
wast sent unto us from the perfect country (fatherland) that is above, the Lord
of all possessions (undefiled possessions, Syr.): that servest thy servants that
they may live: that fillest creation with thine own riches: the poor, that wast
in need and didst hunger forty days: that satisfiest thirsty souls with thine
own good things; be thou with Iuzanes the son of Misdaeus and with Tertia and
Mnesara, and gather them into thy fold and mingle them with thy number; Be unto
them a guide in the land of error: be unto them a physician in the land of
sickness: be unto them a rest in the land of the weary: sanctify them in a
polluted land: be their physician both of bodies and souls: make them holy
temples of thee, and let thine holy spirit dwell in them.
157 Having thus prayed over them, the apostle said unto Mygdonia: Unclothe
thy sisters. And she took off their clothes and girded them with girdles and
brought them: but Iuzanes had first gone before, and they came after him; and
the apostle took oil in a cup of silver and spake thus over it: Fruit more
beautifull than all other fruits, unto which none other whatsoever may be
compared: altogether merciful: fervent with the force of the word: power of the
tree which men putting upon them overcome their adversaries: crowner of the
conquerors: help (symbol) and joy of the sick: that didst announce unto men
their salvation that showest light to them that are in darkness; whose leaf is
bitter, but in thy most sweet fruit thou art fair, that art rough to the sight
but soft to the taste; seeming to be weak, but in the greatness of thy strength
able to bear the power that beholdeth all things. Having thus said [a corrupt
word follows]: Jesu: let his victorious might come and be established in this
oil, like as it was established in the tree (wood) that was its kin, even his
might at that time, whereof they that crucified thee could not endure the word:
let the gift also come whereby breathing upon his (thine) enemies thou didst
cause them to go backward and fall headlong and let it rest on this oil,
whereupon we invoke thine holy name. And having thus said, he poured it first
upon the head ol Iuzanes and then upon the women's heads, saying: In thy name, O
Jesu Christ, let it be unto these souls for remission of sins and for turning
back of the adversary and for salvation of their souls. And he commanded
Mygdonia to anoint them but he himself anointed Iuzanes. And having anointed
them he led them down into the water in the name of the Father and the Son and
the Holy Ghost.
158 And when they were come up, he took bread and a cup, and blessed it and
said: Thine holy body w}lich was crucified for us do we eat, and thy blood that
was shed for us unto salvation do we drink; let therefore thy body be unto us
salvation and thy blood for remission of sins. And for the gall which thou didst
drink for our sakes let the gall of the devil be removed from us: and for the
vinegar which thou hast drunk for us, let our weakness be made strong: and for
the spitting which thou didst receive for us, let us receive the dew of thy
goodness: and by (or for) the reed wherewith they smote thee for us, let us
receive the perfect house: and whereas thou receivedst a crown of thorns for our
sake, let us that have loved thee put on a crown that fadeth not away; and for
the linen cloth wherein thou wast Wrapped, let us also be girt about with thy
power that is not vanquished and for the new tomb and the burial let us receive
renewing of soul and body: and for that thou didst rise up and revive, let us
revive and live and stand before thee in righteous judgement. And he brake and
gave the eucharist unto Iuzanes and Tertia and Mnesara and the wife and daughter
of Siphor and said: Let this eucharist be unto you for salvation and joy and
health of your souls. And they said: Amen. And a voice was heard, saying: Amen:
fear ye not, but only believe.
[THE MARTYRDOM]
Here we revert to the text of P and its companions.
159 And after these things Judas departed to be imprisoned.
And Tertia with Mygdonia and Narcia also went to be imprisoned. And the
apostle Thomas said unto them -the multitude of them that had believed being
present: Daughters and sisters and fellow-servants which have believed in my
Lord and God, ministers of my Jesus, hearken to me this day: for I do deliver my
word unto you, and I shall no more speak with you in this flesh nor in this
world; for I go up unto my Lord and God Jesus Christ, unto him that sold me,
unto that Lord that humbled himself even unto me the little, and brought me up
unto eternal greatness, that vouchsafed to me to become his servant in truth and
steadfastness: unto him do I depart, knowing that the time is fulfilled, and the
day appointed hath drawn near for me to go and receive my recompense from my
Lord and God: for my recompenser is righteous, who knoweth me, how I ought to
receive my reward; for he is not grudging nor envious, but is rich in his gifts,
he is not a lover of craft (OT sparing) in that he giveth, for he hath
confidence in his possessions which cannot fail.
160 I am not Jesus, but I am his servant: I am not Christ, but I am his
minister; I am not the Son of God, but I pray to become worthy of God. Continue
ye in the faith of Christ: continue in the hope of the Son of God: faint not at
affliction, neither be divided in mind if ye see me mocked or that I am shut up
in prison ; for I do accomplish his will. For if I had willed not
to die, I know in Christ that I am able thereto: but this which is called death,
is not death, but a setting free from the body; wherefore I receive gladly this
setting free from the body, that I may depart and see him that is beautiful and
full of mercy, him that is to be loved: for I have endured much toil in his
service, and have laboured for his grace that is come upon me, which departeth
not from me. Let not Satan, then, enter you by stealth and catch away your
thoughts: let there be in you no place for him: for he is mighty whom ye have
received. Look for the coming of Christ, for he shall come and receive you, and
this is he whom ye shall see when he cometh.
161 When the apostle had ended these sayings, they went into the house, and
the apostle Thomas said: Saviour that didst suffer many things for us, let these
doors be as they were and let seals be set on them. And he left them and went to
be imprisoned: and they wept and were in heaviness, for they knew that Misdaeus
would slay him (not knowing that, M. would release him, P.).
162 And the apostle found the keepers wrangling and saying: Wherein have we
sinned against this wizard? for by his art magic he hath opened the doors and
would have had all the prisoners escape: but let us go and report it unto the
king, and tell him concerning his wife and his son. And as they disputed thus,
Thomas held his peace. They rose up early, therefore, and went unto the king and
said unto him: Our lord and king, do thou take away that sorcerer and cause him
to be shut up elsewhere, for we are not able to keep him; for except thy good
fortune had kept the prison, all the condemned persons would have escaped for
now this second time have we found the doors open: and also thy wife, O king,
and thy son and the rest depart not from him. And the king, hearing that, went,
and found the seals that were set on the doors whole; and he took note of the
doors also, and said to the keepers: Wherefore lie ye? for the seals are whole.
How said ye that Tertia and Mygdonia come unto him into the prison? And the
keepers said: We have told thee the truth.
163 And Misdaeus went to the prison and took his seat, and sent for the
apostle Thomas and stripped him (and girded him with a girdle) and set him
before him and saith unto him: Art thou bond or free? Thomas said: I am the
bondsman of one only, over whom thou hast no authority. And Misdaeus saith to
him: How didst thou run away and come into this country? And Thomas said: I was
sold hither by my master, that I might save many, and by thy hands depart out of
this world. And Misdaeus said: Who is thy lord? and what is his name? and of
what country is he? And Thomas said: My Lord is thy master and he is Lord of
heaven and earth. And Misdaeus saith: What is his name? Thomas saith: Thou canst
not hear his true name at this time: but the name that was given unto him is
Jesus Christ. And Misdaeus saith unto him: I have not made haste to destroy
thee, but have had long patience with thee: but thou hast added unto thine evil
deeds, and thy sorceries are dispersed abroad and heard of throughout all the
country: but this I do that thy sorceries may depart with thee, and our land be
cleansed from them. Thomas saith unto him; These sorceries depart with me when I set forth hence, and know thou this that I shall
never forsake them that are here.
164 When the apostle had said these things, Misdaeus considered how he should
put him to death; for he was afraid because of the much people that were subject
unto him, for many also of the nobles and of them that were in authority
believed on him. He took him therefore and went forth out of the city; and armed
soldiers also went with him. And the people supposed that the king desired to
learn somewhat of him, and they stood still and gave heed. And when they had
walked one mile, he delivered him unto four soldiers and an offlcer, and
commanded them to take him into the mountain and there pierce him with spears
and put an end to him, and return again to the city. And saying thus unto the
soldiers, he himself also returned unto the city.
165 But the men ran after Thomas, desiring to deliver him from death. And two
soldiers went at the right hand of the apostle and two on his left, holding
spears, and the officer held his hand and supported him. And the apostle Thomas
said: O the hidden mysteries which even until our departure are accomplished in
us! O riches of his glory, who will not suffer us to be swallowed up in this
passion of the body! Four are they that cast me down, for of four am I made; and
one is he that draweth me, for of one I am, and unto him I go. And this I now
understand, that my Lord and God Jesus Christ being of one was pierced by one,
but I, which am of four, am pierced by four.
166 And being come up into the mountain unto the place where he was to be
slain, he said unto them that held him, and to the rest: Brethren, hearken unto
me now at the last; for I am come to my departure out of the body. Let not then
the eyes of your heart be blinded, nor your ears be made deaf. Believe on the
God whom I preach, and be not guides unto yourselves in the hardness of your
heart, but walk in all your liberty, and in the glory that is toward men, and
the life that is toward God.
167 And he said unto Iuzanes: Thou son (to the son, P) of the (earthly) king
Misdaeus and minister (to the minister) of our Lord Jesus Christ: give unto the
servants of Misdaeus their price that they may suffer me to go and pray. And
Iuzanes persuaded the soldiers to let him pray. And the blessed Thomas went to
pray, and kneeled down, and rose up and stretched forth his hands unto heaven,
and spake thus:
[Here P and the rest give -rightly- the prayer of cc. 144-8. U and its
companions give the foilowing: He turned to his prayer; and it was this: My Lord
and my God, and hope and redeemer and leader and guide in all countries, be thou
with all them that serve thee, and guide me this day as I come unto thee. Let
not any take my soul which I have committed unto thee: let not the publicans see
me, and let not the exactors accuse me falsely (play the sycophant with me). Let
not the serpent see me, and let not the children of the dragon hiss at me.
Behold, Lord, I have accomplished thy work and perfected thy commandment. I have
become a bondman; therefore to-day do I receive freedom. Do thou therefore give
me this and perfect me: and this I sav, not for that I doubt, but that they may
hear for whom it is needful to hear.]
168 And when he had thus prayed he said unto the soldiers: Come hither and
accomplish the commandments of him that sent you. And the four came and pierced
him with their spears, and he fell down and died.
And all the brethren wept; and they brought beautiful robes and much and fair
linen, and buried him in a royal sepulchre wherein the former (first) kings were
laid.
169 But Siphor and Iuzanes would not go down to the city, but continued
sitting by him all the day. And the apostle Thomas appeared unto them and said:
Why sit ye here and keep watch over me? I am not here, but I have gone up and
received all that I was promised. But rise up and go down hence; for after a
little time ye also shall be gathered unto me.
But Misdaeus and Charisius took away Mygdonia and Tertia and afflicted them
sorely: howbeit they consented not unto their will. And the apostle appeared
unto them and said: Be not deceived: Jesus the holy, the living one, shall
quickly send help unto you. And Misdaeus and Charisius, when they perceived that
Mygdonia and Tertia obeyed them not, suffered them to live according to their
own desire.
And the brethren gathered together and rejoiced in the grace of the Holy
Ghost: now the apostle Thomas when he departed out of the world made Siphor a
presbyter and Iuzanes a deacon, when he went up into the mountain to die. And
the Lord wrought with them, and many were added unto the faith.
170 Now it came to pass after a long time that one of the children of
Misdaeus the king was smitten by a devil, and no man could cure him, for the
devil was exceeding fierce. And Misdaeus the king took thought and sad: I will
go and open the sepulchre, and take a bone of the apostle of God and hang it
upon my son and he shall be healed. But while Misdaeus thought upon this, the
apostle Thomas appeared to him and said unto him: Thou believedst not on a
living man, and wilt thou believe on the dead? yet fear not, for my Lord Jesus
Christ hath compassion on thee and pitieth thee of his goodness.
And he went and opened the scpulchre, but found not the apostle there, for
one of the brethren had stolen him away and taken him unto Mesopotamia; but from
that place where the bones of the apostle had lain Misdaeus took dust and put it
about his son's neck, saying: I believe on thee, Jesu Christ, now that he hath
left me which troubleth men and opposeth them lest they should see thee. And
when he had hung it upon his son, the Iad became whole.
Misdaeus the king therefore was also gathered among the brethren, and bowed
his head under the hands of Siphor the priest; and Siphor said unto the
bretbren: Pray ye for Misdaeus the king, that he may obtain mercy of Jesus
Christ, and that he may no more remember evil against him. They all therefore,
with one accord rejoicing, rmade prayer for him; and the Lord that loveth men,
the King of Kings and Lord of lords, granted Misdaeus also to have hope in him;
and he was gathered with the multitude of them that had believed in Christ,
glorifying the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, whose is power and
adoration, now and for ever and world without end. Amen.
[U (and Syr.) ends: The acts of Judas Thomas the apostle are completed, which
he did in India, fulfilling the commandment of him that sent him. Unto whom be
glory, world without end. Amen.]
