These are all forms of Christian Apocrypha
Revelation of Paul - Revelation of John the Theologian - Gospel of Marcion - Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew - part 1 - Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew - part 2 - Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew - part 3 - Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew - part 4 - Gospel of Peter - Gospel of the Nativity of Mary - Gospel of Mary of Magdalene - Gospel of James - Gospel of Bartholomew - Gospel of Nicodemus - Consummation of Thomas the Apostle - Compilation of Thomas - part 1 - Compilation of Thomas - part 2 - Apocalypse of the Virgin - Apocalypse of Peter - Apocalypse of Thomas - Acts of Thomas - Acts of Thomas - Part 2 - Acts of Thomas - Part 3 - Acts of Thomas - Part 4 - Acts of Phillip - Acts of Peter - Acts of Peter and Paul - Acts of Peter and Andrew - Acts of Paul - Acts of John - Acts of John the Theologian - Acts of Barnabus - Acts of Andrew and Matthew - Acts and Martyrdom of Matthew - Acts and Martyrdom of Andrew
The Acts of Thomas - Part 2
The Fifth Act: Concerning the devil that took up his abode in the woman
42 And the apostle entered into the city and all the multitude followed
him. And he thought to go unto the parents of the young man whom he
had made alive when he was slain by the serpent: for they earnestly
besought him to come unto them and enter into their house. But a very
beautiful woman on a sudden uttered an exceeding loud cry, saying: O
Apostle of the new God that art come into India, and servant of that holy
and only good God; for by thee is he preached, the Saviour of the souls
that come unto him, and by thee are healed the bodies of them that are
tormented by the enemy, and thou art he that is become an occasion of
life unto all that turn unto him: command me to be brought before thee
that I may tell thee what hath befallen me, and peradventure of thee I
may have hope, and these that stand by thee may be more confident in
the God whom thou preachest. For I am not a little tormented by the
adversary now this five years' space (one Greek MS. And the apostle
bade her come unto him, and the woman stood before him and said: I, O
servant of him that is indeed God am a woman: the rest have, As a
woman) I was sitting at the first in quiet, and peace encompassed me on
every side and I had no care for anything, for I took no thought for any
other.
43 And it fell out one day that as I came out from the bath there
met me a man troubled and disturbed, and his voice and speech seemed to
me exceeding faint and dim; and he stood before me and said
I and thou will be in one love and we will have intercourse
together as a man with his wife; And I answered and said to
him: I never had to do with my betrothed, for I refused to
marry, and how shall I yield myself to thee that wouldest
have intercourse with me in adulterous wise? And having so
said, I passed on, and I said to my handmaid that was with
me: Sawest thou that youth and his shamelessness, how boldly
he spake with me, and had no shame? but she said to me: I
saw an old man speaking to thee. And when I was in mine
house and had dined my soul suggested unto me some suspicion
and especially because he was seen of me in two forms; and
having this in my mind I fell asleep. He came, therefore, in
that night and was joined unto me in his foul intercourse.
And when it was day I saw him and fled from him, and on the
night following that he came and abused me; and now as thou
seest me I have spent five years being troubled by him, and
he hath not departed from me. But I know and am persuaded
that both devils and spirits and destroyers are subject unto
thee and are filled with trembling at thy prayers: pray thou
therefore for me and drive away from me the devil that ever
troubleth me, that I also may be set free and be gathered
unto the nature that is mine from the beginning, and receive
the grace that hath been given unto my kindred.
44 And the apostle said: O evil that cannot be restrained!
O shamelessness of the enemy! O envious one that art never
at rest! O hideous one that subduest the comely! O thou of
many forms! As he will he appeareth, but his essence cannot
be changed. O the crafty and faithless one! O the bitter
tree whose fruits are like unto him! O the devil that
overcometh them that are alien to him! O the deceit that
useth impudence! O the wickedness that creepeth like a
serpent, and that is of his kindred! (Syr. wrongly adds a
clause bidding the devil show himself.) And when the apostle
said this, the malicious one came and stood before him, no
man seeing him save the woman and the apostle, and with an
exceeding loud voice said in the hearing of all: 45 What
have we to do with thee, thou apostle of the Most High! What
have we to do with thee, thou servant of Jesus Christ? What
have we to do with thee, thou counsellor of the holy Son of
God? Wherefore wilt thou destroy us, whereas our time is not
yet come? Wherefore wilt thou take away our power? for unto
this hour we had hope and time remaining to us. What have we
to do with thee? Thou hast power over thine own, and we over
ours. Wherefore wilt thou act tyrannously against us, when
thou thyself teachest others not to act tyrannously?
Wherefore dost thou crave other men's goods and not suffice
thyself with thine own? Wherefore art thou made like unto
the Son of God which hath done us wrong? for thou resemblest
him altogether as if thou wert born of him. For we thought
to have brought him under the yoke like as we have the rest,
but he turned and made us subject unto him: for we knew him
not; but he deceived us with his form of all uncomeliness
and his poverty and his neediness: for seeing him to be
such, we thought that he was a man wearing flesh, and knew
not that it is he that giveth life unto men. And he gave us
power over our own, and that we should not in this present
time leave them but have our walk in them: but thou wouldest
get more than thy due and that which was given thee, and
afflict us altogether.
46 And having said this the devil wept, saying: I leave
thee, my fairest consort, whom long since I found and rested
in thee; I forsake thee, my sure sister, my beloved in whom
I was well pleased. What I shall do I know not, or on whom I
shall call that he may hear me and help me. I know what I
will do: I will depart unto some place where the report of
this man hath not been heard, and peradventure I shall call
thee, my beloved by another name (Syr. for thee my beloved I
shall find a substitute). And he lifted up his voice and
said: Abide in peace for thou hast taken refuge with one
greater than I, but I will depart and seek for one like
thee, and if I find her not, I will return unto thee again:
for I know that whilst thou art near unto this man thou hast
a refuge in him, but when he departeth thou wilt be such as
thou wast before he appeared, and him thou wilt forget, and
I shall have opportunity and confidence: but now I fear the
name of him that hath saved thee. And having so said the
devil vanished out of sight: only when he departed fire and
smoke were seen there: and all that stood there were
astonied.
47 And the apostle seeing it, said unto them: This devil
hath shown nought that is alien or strange to him, but his
own nature, wherein also he shall be consumed, for verily
the fire shall destroy him utterly and the smoke of it shall
be scattered abroad. And he began to say:
Jesu, the hidden mystery that hath been revealed unto us,
thou art he that hast shown unto us many mysteries; thou
that didst call me apart from all my fellows and spakest
unto me three (one, Syr.) words wherewith I am inflamed, and
am not able to speak them unto others. Jesu, man that wast
slain, dead buried! Jesu, God of God, Saviour that
quickenest the dead, and healest the sick! Jesu, that wert
in need like 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 basin; 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 perfectly 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 Lying 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 always 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 description of hell torments 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 accomplished (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 Lying 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 Lying 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 wife 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! was 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 women 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 glorified 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 always 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 offering 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 you 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, destroy many children (boys), for whom
they will pay the penalty; that content not themselves with
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.