Acts of Peter

Acts of Peter

But on the first day of the week, on Sunday, a multitude gathered together, and they

brought many sick people to Peter, that he might cure them. And one of the multitude was bold enough to say to Peter, " Peter, look, before our eyes you did make many blind see and deaf hear and the lame walk, and have helped the weak, and given them strength; why have you not helped your \'irgin daughter, which grew up beautifully and believed on the name of God? For look, one of her sides is wholly paralyzed, and there she is helpless in the corner. One can see those which you have cured; but for your own daughter you did not care." But Peter smiled and said to him, " My son, God alone knows why her body is sick. Know that God is not unable or powerless, to give his present to my daughter. But that your soul may be convinced and those present believe the more" he looked at his daughter and said to her, " Arise from your place with the help of none except Jesus alone, and walk wholly before those present and come to me." And she arose and came to him. The multitude rejoiced over that which had taken place. And Peter said to them: " look, your hearts are convinced that God is not powerless concerning the things which we ask of him." They rejoiced the more and glorified God. Said Peter to his daughter, " Return to your place, sit down there, and be helpless again, for it is good for me and you." And the girl did as she was bidden, and became as before. The whole multitude wept and besought Peter to make her whole.

Peter said to them: " As the Lord hveth, this is good for her and for me. For on the day on which she was born to me, I saw a vision and the Lord said to me, ' Peter, this day has been born to you a great affliction, for this (daughter) will hurt many souls, if her body remains well ! ' I, however, thought that the vision was chaffing me. " When the girl was ten years old, she became a stumbling-block to many. And a very rich man, Ptolemy by name, when he saw the girl bathing with her mother, sent for her to take her for his wife; but her mother consented not. He often sent for her, for he could not wait. (Pages 133-134 are wanting.) <themenof> (135) Ptolemy brought the girl, and leaving her before the door of the house, went away. " When I saw this, I and her mother went downstairs and found the girl, one side of her body from head to foot being paralyzed and dried up. We carried her away, praising the Lord that he had kept his servant from defilement and violation and... This is the reason why the girl < remains > thus to this day. But now you shall hear what happened to Ptolemy. He repented and lamented night and day over that which had happened to him; and because of the many tears which he shed, he became blind. Having decided to hang himself, look, about the ninth hour of that day, whilst alone in his bedroom, he saw a great light, which illuminated the whole house, and he heard a voice saying to him: 'Ptolemy, God has not given

the vessels for corruption and violation; it is unseemly for you, as you have believed on me, to violate my virgin, whom you shall know as your sister, as if I had become one spirit to both of you — but arise, and speedily go to the house of the apostle Peter and you shall see my glory. He will make known the matter to you.' And Ptolemy delayed not, but ordered his people to show him the way and bring him to me. When he had come to me, he told all that had happened to him in the power of Jesus Christ, our Lord. And he saw with the eyes of his flesh and with the eyes of his soul, and many hoped on Christ; he did good to them and gave them the presence of God. "After this Ptolemy died; he departed and went to his Lord. <When he>, however, <made> his will, he left a piece of land in the name through her he became a "beof my liever in God and because daughter, was made whole. I, however, who was appointed administrator, have acted carefully. I sold the acre, and God alone knows that neither I nor my daughter have kept anything from the money of the acre, but I sent the whole sum to the poor. Know, therefore, O servant of Christ Jesus, that God rules (?) his people, and prepares for each what is good; we, however, think that God has forgotten us. Now then, brothers and sisters, let us mourn, be watchful and pray, and God's goodness will look upon us, and we hope for it." And some other addresses delivered Peter before them, and glorifying the name of the Lord

Christ he gave of the bread to every one of them; and after having distributed it, he rose and went into the house.

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A certain gardener had one daughter, a virgin and his only child. He begged Peter to pray for her. Peter answered that the Lord would grant what was useful for her soul. Immediately the girl died.

The father, not understanding the benefit, pleaded that his only daughter might be raised. She was restored to life; but not many days later a servant lodging in the house assaulted her, and both disappeared.

Peter said to the father who mourned without restraint: “She has escaped the assaults of the adversary, the conflicts of the body, and the disasters of the world; and you weep as though you did not understand what mercy has been shown.”

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I. When Paul was at Rome and confirmed many in the faith, it also ^ happened that a certain woman named Candida, wife of Quartus the custodian, heard Paul and listened to his words and became a believer. And when she on her part had instructed her husband, who became a believer, Quartus persuaded Paul to leave the city (and to go) wherever he pleased. Paul said to him, " If such be the will of God, he will reveal it to me." And Paul fasted three days and besought the Lord to grant what were good for him, and in a vision he saw the Lord, who said to him, " Paul, arise, and in your body be a physician to the Spaniards! " At this he related to the brothers and sisters what God had commanded (him), and without hesitation he made ready to leave the city. When Paul was preparing to leave (the city), there was a great lamentation among the brothers and sisters because

they thought they would never see Paul again; yea, they even tore their garments, bearing in mind that Paul often had a quarrel with the teachers of the Jews ^ and had paid them off (with such words): Christ, on whom your fathers laid their hands, abrogated their Sabbath and their fasting and festivals and circumcision and abrogated the teaching of men and the other traditions. And the brothers and sisters adjured Paul, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ ^ not to stay away more than a year, saying, " We know your love for your brothers and sisters; forget us not, when you comest (to Spain), and leave us not alone like children without a mother." And while they were thus beseeching him with tears, a sound was heard from heaven and a very loud voice, saying, " Paul, the servant of God, is chosen to the ministry for the time of his life; under the hands of Nero, the wicked and bad man, he will die before your eyes." And there was a great fear among the brothers and sisters because of the voice, which had come from heaven, and they were the more confirmed (in the faith). 2. And they brought bread and water as a sacrifice to Paul that he might offer prayer (over it) and distribute it among them. Among those present was also a woman, named Rufina, who also wished to receive the eucharist from the hands of Paul. And when she came forward, Paul, filled by the

Spirit of God, said to her: " Rufina, not as a worthy one do you approach the altar of God, since you do rise from the side not of a husband, but of a fornicator and you do endeavor to receive God's eucharist. look, Satan will trample down your heart and expose you before the eyes of all who believe in the Lord, that they may see and believe and know, that they have believed on the living God, the searcher of hearts. But if you will repent of your deed, he is faithful to forgive your sins and can free you from this sin. But if you repentest not while you are still in the body, the devouring fire and the outer darkness will receive you for ever." And directly Rufina collapsed, being paralyzed on the left side from head to foot. Nor could she speak any more, for her tongue was tied.^ When the old believers and neophytes ^ saw this, they beat their breasts, remembering their former sins, lamented and said, " We know not whether God forgives us the former sins, which we have commit ed." ^ And Paul asked for silence, and said: " Men and brothers and sisters, you who have now commenced to believe on Christ, if you continue not in your former works committed according to the tradition of your fathers, and abstain from every deceit and wrath, from all s A drastic illustration to I Cor. XI, 27, 29. ^ i.e. newly converted. " The general notion existed that through baptism the former sins were forgiven; see Tertullian de bapt. I; Aristides apol. 4, Hermas maud. IV, I, 11; 2, 2; Justin dial., 116, Book of Jubilees, XXII, 14.

cruelty and fornication and pollution and pride and jealousy and insolence and enmity,^ Jesus the living God will forgive you what you have done ignorantly. therefore, you servants of God, let every one of you put on peace, serenity, mildness, faith, charity, knowledge, wisdom, love for the brotherhood, hospitality, mercy, moderation, chastity, goodness, righteousness.^ Then you will have in eternity for your guide the first-born of every creature and the power in peace with our Lord." When Paul had spoken thus, they asked him to pray for them. And Paul lifted up his voice and said, " Eternal God, God of heavens, God of unspeakable essence, who has established all by your word, and have added to your grace a bond connected with the whole world, Father of your holy Son Jesus Christ, we jointly beseech you through your Son Jesus Christ to strengthen the souls which were once unbelieving, but now believe. Once I was a blasphemer, but now I am blasphemed; once I was a persecutor, now I suffer persecution from others; once I was an enemy of Christ, now I ask to be permitted to be a friend. For I trust in his mercy and promise; (for) I believe that I am a believer and have received remission of my former sins. Therefore, I also exhort you, brothers and sisters, to believe in God the Father Almighty and put all your trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, his Son. If you believe on him, no man will be able to pluck you out of his promise. In like manner bend your knees and commend me to the Lord, who am about to go to another nation, that his grace may go before me and my journey be prosperous, that it (the grace) may receive his holy vessels and the believers, and thanking me, who proclaimed to them the word of the Lord, they become firmly established (in the faith)." And the brothers and sisters wept for a long time, and with Paul they besought God and said, " O Lord Jesus Christ, be you with Paul, and bring him safely back to us, for we know our weakness, which is still in us." 3. And beseechingly a great multitude of women implored blessed Paul on their knees, and kissed his feet and conducted him to the harbor. And Dionysius and Balbus from Asia, Roman knights, illustrious men, together with a senator named Demetrius, took a hold of Paul's right hand and said, " Paul, I should like to leave the city and be always with you, if I were not a state's officer." In like manner spoke Cleobius and Iphitus and Lysimachus and Aristeus of the house of Caesar, and two matrons Berenice and Philostrate, together with the presbyter Narcissus, ^"^ after they had conducted him to the harbor. Since a storm was threatening, he 1° These are not the only persons belonging to the higher ranks of Roman society, which are mentioned in the Acts. We shall meet with other names yet (see chaps. 8, 17, 23, 30, 33,.34, etc.). This proves that about the year Christianity had also its adherents among the prominent and rich; see Harnack, Mission, p. 376 ff.

sent the brothers and sisters back to Rome (to announce) that everyone who wished to hear Paul before he left might come out. When the brothers and sisters had heard it, they went up to the city. They communicated it to the brothers and sisters who had remained in the city, and the news soon spread. Some came on horses, others walked, others came down the Tiber to the harbor, and for three days he strengthened them by (his) faith, and on the fourth day to the fifth hour. By turns they prayed with Paul, offered him their gifts, and put everything that was necessary into the ship, and gave him also two believing young men as companions, and bidding him farewell in the Lord they returned to Rome. 4. ^^ After a few days there was a great commotion inthe midst of the congregation, for (some) said that they had seen strange things by the hand of a man named Simon, who was at Aricia. They also added that he claimed to be the great power of God, doing nothing without God. Is he then Christ? We however believe on him, whom Paul has preached to us. For through him we saw how the dead were raised and (some) were healed from various diseases. This (the great power) seeks conflicts; we know it, for (thus far) not the least disturbance has risen among us. Perhaps he has already come to Rome. For yesterday he was asked with much acclamation (to do so), being told, " you are God in Italy, the saviour of the Romans;

hasten to Rome as quickly as possible." And he addressed the people and said with a thin voice, " On the following day about the seventh hour you shall see me fly over the gate of the city in the same dress in which I now speak to you. therefore, brothers and sisters, if it seemeth good to you, let us go and diligently await the end of the matter." And they all went out and came to the gate. About the seventh hour, there suddenly appeared afar off a dust-cloud in the sky, looking like a smoke shining wuth a glare of fire. And when it reached the gate, it suddenly disappeared. Then it appeared standing in the midst of the people, and all gazed at it and knew that it was he, whom they had seen the day before. And the brothers and sisters were exceedingly discomposed, especially as Paul was not at Rome, nor Timothy and Barnabas, whom Paul had sent to Macedonia, nor anyone who could strengthen us in the faith, especially the neophytes. And as Simon's authority grew more and more, and some of those among whom he labored, in their daily conversations, called Paul a sorcerer and a juggler, all of the great multitude which had been confirmed in the faith w^ere led astray, excepting the presbyter Narcissus and two women in the hospice of the Bithynians, and four others, who could not leave the house; and day and night they prayed the Lord that Paul might either return as soon as possible or some one else (come) to visit his servants whom the devil by his wickedness had perverted. 5. While they were sorrowing and fasting, God

was even then preparing Peter at Jerusalem for the future. After the twelve years had passed, according to the direction of the Lord to Peter, Christ showed to him the following vision, saying, " Peter, Simon, whom you have driven out of Judea, after you have exposed him as a magician, has forestalled you (and indeed) at Rome. And in short, all who believed on me he has perverted by the cunning and energy of Satan, whose power he proves to be. But delay not. Go to-morrow (to Caesarea), and there you will find a ship, ready to sail to Italy. And within a few days I will show you my grace which is to distinguish you before all." Admonished by this vision, Peter delayed not to mention it to the brothers and sisters and said, " I must go up to Rome, to subdue the enemy and opponent of the Lord and of our brothers and sisters." And he went down to Caesarea and quickly entered the ship which was ready to sail without providing (himself) with provisions. But the steersman, named Theon, looked at Peter and said, " What we have belongs to you. For what grace had we in receiving a man in precarious circumstances, who is like ourselves, without sharing with him what we have? If only we have a safe journey." Peter thanked him for his offer. And he fasted in the ship, being dejected and yet again comforted, because God regarded him as a servant worthy of his service. A few days afterward the steersman got up at breakfast time. And when he asked Peter to eat with him, he said, " Whoever you are, I know you too little; you are either a

God or a man. But as much as I can see, I think that you are a servant of God. As I directed my ship in the middle of the night, I fell asleep. It seemed to me as if a human voice from heaven said to me, Theon, Theon ! Twice it called me by name, and said to me, ' Amongst all the passengers treat Peter in the most honorable Avay. For with his help, you and the rest will safely make your journey.' " Peter, however, thinking that God wished to show his providence to all those who were in the ship, commenced at once to speak to Theon of the great deeds of God, and how the Lord had chosen him among the apostles and for what cause he went to Italy. Daily he spoke to him of the word of God. After they had become better acquainted, and Peter had found out that Theon was one with him in the faith and (that he would become) a worthy servant (of God), the ship was detained by the calm of the Adriatic Sea. Theon spoke of the calm to Peter, and said, "If you thinkest me worthy to be baptized in the sign of the Lord, you have now a chance." For all others in the ship were asleep, being drunk. Peter let himself down by a rope and baptized Theon in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. The other ascended out of the water rejoicing; Peter also had become more cheerful, because God had deemed Theon worthy of his name. And it happened that in the same place in which Theon was baptized, a young man, radiant in splendor, appeared, and said to them, "Peace (be) with you!" And both

Peter and Theon immediately ascended, entered the cabin and Peter took bread and gave thanks to the Lord, who had deemed him worthy of his holy service and that a young man had appeared to them, saying, "Peace (be) with you." (Peter said) " Best and only Holy One, for you did appear to us, O God Jesus Christ, in your name I have spoken, and he was signed with your holy sign. Therefore also I give to him in your name your eucharist, that he may for ever be your servant, perfect without blemish." When they were eating and rejoicing inthe Lord suddenly a moderate wind but not a violent one, arose at the stern of the ship which lasted six days and six nights, till they came to Puteoli. 6. Having landed at Puteoli, Theon left the ship and went to the inn, where he usually stayed, to make preparations for the reception of Peter. The inn-keeper's name was Ariston, a God-fearing man, and to him he went for the sake of the name (of Christ). And when he had come to the inn and found Ariston, Theon said to him, " God, who found you worthy to serve him, has also made known to me his grace through his holy servant, Peter, who has just arrived with me from Judjea, being bidden by our Lord to go to Italy." When Ariston heard this, he fell upon Theon's neck, embraced him and asked him to bring him to the ship and show Peter to him. For Ariston said, " since Paul had gone to Spain, there was not one among the brothers and sisters who could strengthen me. Besides, a certain Jew, named Simon, had broken into the city. By means of his magical sayings and his wickedness he had wholly perverted the entire fraternity, so that I also fled from Rome hoping for the arrival of Peter. For Paul had spoken of him, and I saw many things in a vision. Now I fully believe in my Lord, that he will again establish his ministry. That all misleading be extinguished from his servants. For our Lord Jesus Christ is faithful, that he can renew again our thoughts." When Theon heard this from the weeping Ariston, his confidence grew still more, and he was still more strengthened in his faith, seeing that he believed in the living God. When they came to the ship, Peter noticed them, and, filled with the Spirit, he smiled, so that Ariston fell upon his face to the feet of Peter, and said, *' Brother and sir, who makest known the sacred secrets and teachest the right way, which is in the Lord Jesus Christ, our God, through you he has shown us his coming. All whom Paul has given to us, we have lost through the energy of Satan. But now I trust in the Lord, who bade you his messenger to hasten to us, that he has deemed us worthy, to make us see through you his great and wonderful deeds. I therefore ask of you, come quickly to the city. For the brothers and sisters who gave offence, whom I saw fall into the snares of the devil, I left and fled hither, saying to them. brothers and sisters, stand in the faith; for it is necessary that within the next two months the mercy of our Lord bring you his servant. I saw a vision, namely, Paul speaking

to me, and saying, Ariston, flee from the city. Having heard this, I beheved without wavering, went from the city in the Lord, and, though the flesh which I bear is weak, yet I came hither, stood daily by the shore, and asked the sailors. Has Peter come with you? And now since the grace of the Lord is given us richly, I beseech you to go up to Rome without delay, lest the teaching of the wicked fellow increases still more." When Ariston had thus spoken amidst tears, Peter gave him his hand and lifted him up from the ground, speaking himself with tears and sighs: *' He who tempts the world by his angels got ahead of us; but he who has the power to deliver his servants from all temptation will destroy his misleadings and put them under the feet of those who believe on Christ, whom we preach." And when they entered by the gate Theon asked Peter and said, " During the long sea voyage you have never refreshed thyself on the ship, and now will you go from the ship on such a rough road ? No, stay, refresh thyself, and then go. From here to Rome the road is paved and I fear you might hurt thyself." But Peter answered and said to them, " But if it happened that about my neck and that of the enemy of the Lord a millstone were hanged (as my Lord said to us, if any had oflfended one of the brothers and sisters), and we be drowned in the depths of the sea? But not only will it be so that a millstone (be hanged about the neck), but what is worse, (I) the opponent of this persecutor of his servants shall be consumed far away from those who have believed

on the Lord Jesus Christ." In no way could Theon persuade him to remain a day longer. Whereupon Theon gave everything that was in the ship to those to whom it belonged, and followed Peter to Rome, who accompanied Ariston to the house of the presbyter Narcissus. 7. Soon it became known among the scattered brothers and sisters of the city that Peter had come (to Rome) on account of Simon, to prove that he is a seducer and persecutor of the good. And the whole multitude came together to see the apostle of the Lord, how he would confirm (the congregation) in Christ. When they gathered on the first of the Sabbaths to meet Peter, he began to speak with a loud voice: " you men who are here, hoping in Christ, you who suffered temptation a little while, learn why God sent his Son into the world, or why he begot (him) by the Virgin Mary. (Had he done this) without having in view some mercy or provision? For he meant to annul every offense and every ignorance and every activity of the devil, his instigations and powers, by means of which he once had the upjier hand, ere our God shone forth in the world. Since with their many and manifold weaknesses they run into death by their ignorance. Almighty God had compassion and sent his Son into the world, of which I am a witness. And he walked on the waters, of which I am also a witness as well as of that which he wrought in the world by signs and wonders which he performed. I confess, dearest brothers and sisters, that I was present; I denied our Lo-d Jcsns

Christ, not once, but thrice; for those who ensnared me were wicked dogs, just as they (also deceived) the prophets of the Lord. But the Lord laid it not to my charge; he turned to me and had mercy on the weakness of my flesh, so that I wept bitterly; and I mourned for my little faith, having been deceived bythe devil and not heeding the word of my Lord. And now, I tell you, men (and) brothers and sisters, who are convened in the name of Jesus Christ, Satan the deceiver sends his arrows also upon you, that you leave the (right) way. But fall not off, brothers and sisters, nor fail in your mind, but strengthen yourselves, stand fast and doubt not. For if Satan has offended me, whom the Lord esteemed so highly, that I denied the light of my hope, causing me to fall and persuading me to flee as if I believed in a man, what think you (will happen to you), which have just become converted? Do you imagine that he will not confound you for the sake of making you enemies of the kingdom of God and to bring you by the worst error into perdition? For every one whom he deprives of the hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is a child of perdition for all eternity. Repent, therefore, brothers and sisters, whom the Lord has chosen, and be firmly established in the Almighty Lord, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom no one has ever seen nor can see except he who believes on him. Know also whence the temptation has come for you. For (I came) not for the sake of convincing you with words, that he whom I preach is the Christ, but by reason of

miraculous deeds and powers I exhort you by faith in Jesus Christ, let no one wait for another (Saviour) besides him who is despised and whom the Jews have reviled, this crucified Nazarene, who died and rose again on the third day." 8. The brothers and sisters (reflected) and asked Peter to overcome Simon's claim that he was the power of God. Simon was staying at the house of the senator Marcellus, whom he had won over by his magical speech. " Believe us, brother Peter "' they said, " none among men was so wise as this Marcellus. All widows, who hoped in Christ, took their refuge in him; all orphans were fed by him. Will you know more, brother ? All the poor called Marcellus their patron; his house was called the house of the pilgrims and poor. To him the emperor said, ' I will give you no office, lest you rob the provinces and give (the plunder) to the Christians.' To which Marcellus replied, ' Yet everything that is mine is yours.' Said Caesar to him, * It were mine if you kept it for me; but now, it is not mine, since you give it to whom you please, and who knows to what low people ? ' This, brother Peter, we know and report to you, now that the so great benevolence of the man has been turned into blasphemy. For had he not been changed we certainly should not have left the holy faith in God our Lord. Now this Marcellus is furious and repents of his good deeds and says, * So much wealth have I spent for such a long time, in the foolish belief that I spent it for the knowledge of God.'

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(In his rage he feven goes) so far that, when a pilgrim comes to the door of his house, he beats him with a stick or has him beaten, and says, ' O, if I had not spent so much money on those impostors ! ' And many more blasphemies does he utter. But if you have something of the compassion of our Lord in you and the goodness of his precepts, help this man in his error; for he has shown goodness to a great many of God's servants." When Peter perceived this, he was very much moved, and said, " O, the manifold arts and temptations of the devil ! O, the cunnings and devices of the evil one ! Treasuring up to himself the great fire against the day of wrath, destruction of simple men, a ravening wolf, devouring and destroying eternal life! you did entice the first man to evil lust, and by your former wickedness and bodily bond you have bound him (to you). you are the fruit of bitterness, which is entirely bitter, for you infusest various desires. you have forced my school-fellow and co-apostle Judas to act wickedly, that he betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ; it is necessary that you be punished. you did harden the heart of Herod and kindle Pharaoh and did make him fight against Moses, the holy servant of God; you did embolden Caiaphas to deliver our Lord Jesus Christ to the unfriendly multitude; and now you are still firing your poisonous arrows at innocent souls. you wicked foe of all, you shall be extinguished as a curse from his Church (namely, from the Church), of the Son of the holy, almighty God, and

as a firebrand thrown from the fireplace, by the servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let your blackness turn against you and against your sons, the worst seed; let your wickedness turn against you; and against you your threats, and your temptations against you and your angels, you beginning of iniquity, abyss of darkness! Let the darkness which you have be with you and your vessels, which you ownest. Depart, therefore, from those who are about to believe in God; depart from the servants of Christ and from those who will serve in his army. Keep for you your garments of darkness; without cause you knockest at strange doors which belong not to you, but to Christ Jesus, who keeps them. For you, ravening wolf, will rob the sheep, which belong not to you, but to Christ Jesus, who keeps them with the greatest diligence." 9. When Peter had thus spoken with great sorrow of his soul, many more believers were added (to the congregation). And the brothers and sisters asked Peter that he should cope with Simon and not suffer that he disturb the people any longer. And without delay Peter left the meeting (synagogue), and went to the house of Marcellus, where Simon was. And a great multitude followed him. When he came to the door, he summoned the keeper and said to him, " Go, tell Simon, ' Peter, on whose account you did leave Judea, awaits you at the door ! ' " The keeper answered and said to Peter, " I know not, sir, whether you are Peter. But I have instructionsKnowing: that you did arrive yesterday In the city, he said to me, * Whether he comes in the day or at night, or at whatever hour, say that I. am not at home.' " But Peter said to the young man, " you have done well in telling me this, although you have been forced by him (not to say it to me)." And Peter, turning around to the people which followed him, said," You are about to see a great and wonderful sign." And Peter saw a big dog, chained by a big chain, and he went and loosened him. The dog, being loosed, became endowed with a human voice, and said to Peter, " What will you to have me to do, servant of the unspeakable living God ? " To which Peter said, " Go inside and tell Simon in the presence of the people, Peter sends word to you to come outside. For on your account have I come to Rome, you wicked one and destroyer of simple souls," And the dog ran away at once, and went into the midst of the people, which were with Simon, and, lifting his forefeet, he said with a very loud voice, " you, Simon, Peter, who stands at the door, bids you to come outside before all; for on your account have I come to Rome, you wicked one and destroyer of simple souls." When Simon heard this and saw the incredible occurrence, he had no words with which he otherwise deceived those present, while the others were confounded. lo. When Marcellus had seen this, he ran outside and fell down before Peter, and said, " Peter, you holy servant of the holy God, I embrace your feet; I have committed many sins; resent not my

sins, if you have some true faith in Christ, whom you preachest; if you rememberest the commandments, to hate none, to do no evil to anyone, as I have learned from your fellow-apostle Paul; mention not my sins, but pray for me to the Lord, the holy Son of God, whom I angered in persecuting his servants. Pray, therefore, for me, like a good advocate of God, that I may not be given over with the sins of Simon to the everlasting fire. For by his persuasion it came about, that I erected to him a statue ^^ with the following inscription: (Dedicated) to Simon, the juvenile god. If I knew, Peter, that you could be gained over with money, I would give (you) all my property. Despising, I would give it to you, to save my soul. If I had sons, I would esteem (them) for nothing, but only believe in the living God. I confess, however, that he only seduced me because he said that he is the power of God. Nevertheless I will tell you, sweetest Peter: I was not worthy to hear you, servant of God, and I was not firmly established in the belief in God which is in Christ: therefore I flinched. I pray you, therefore, be not angry at what I am about to say. Christ our Lord, whom you preachest in truth, said to your fellow-apostles in your presence, ' If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Re-

•J^ THE APOCRYPHAL ACTS

move hence to yonder place and it shall remove.' ^^ But this Simon called you, Peter, an unbeliever, because you did doubt on the waters. ^^ And I heard that he also said this: Those who are with me, understood me not.^^ If, therefore, you, upon whom he laid his hands,^^ whom he even has chosen, with whom he even performed miraculous deeds — if you doubted, therefore I also am sorry, and relying upon his testimony, I flee to your intercession. Receive me, who has fallen away from our Lord and his promise. But I believe that by repenting he will have mercy on me. For the Almighty isfaithful to forgive my sins." And Peter said with a loud voice, " Glory and praise be to our Lord, Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. To you be praise and honor for ever and ever. Amen. Since you have now also fully strengthened us and have fully established us in you before the eyes of all who see it, holy Lord, confirm Marcellus and give him and his house your peace to-day. But all that are lost or erring, you alone canst lead them rightly. We worship you, O Lord, the Shepherd of the sheep once scattered, but now they will be brought together through you. So receive Marcellus also as one of your sheep, and suffer not that he walk about any longer in error

or in ignorance; but receive him among the number of your sheep. Yea, Lord, receive him, since he beseeches you with sorrow and with tears." II. Having thus spoken, and having embraced Marcellus, Peter turned to the muhitude which stood beside him, when he perceived one laughing, in whom was a very bad devil. Peter said to him, " Whoever you are which have been laughing, show thyself in public." When the young man heard this, he ran into the court of the house, cried with a loud voice, threw himself against the wall, and said, " Peter, there is a good contention between Simon and the dog, which you did send inside. For Simon says to the dog, Say I am not here. But the dog tells him more things than you did command. And when he has fulfilled your behest, he will die at your feet." And Peter said, " Demon, whoever you are, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, depart from this young man without hurting him. Show thyself to all present." When the young man heard this, he rushed forward took hold of a large marble statue, which stood in the court of the house, and demolished it by kicks. It was a statue of Caesar. When Marcellus saw this, he slapped his forehead and said to Peter, " A great crime has been committed; for should Caesar hear of it through one of his spies, he will greatly punish us." Peter answered, " I see that you are not so, as a short time ago, when you did say to be ready to spend everything for the salvation of your soul. But if you are in earnest with your repentance and

believest in Christ with all your heart, take the water flowing down into your hands and beseeching the Lord, sprinkle it in his name on the pieces of the statue, and it shall be whole as before." Marcellus doubted not, but believed with his whole heart, and before taking the water he lifted up his hands and said, " I believe in you. Lord Jesus Christ. For your apostle Peter has examined me whether I have the right faith in your holy name. therefore I take water in my hands and sprinkle this statue in your name, that the statue become whole again as before. If it is your will, O Lord, that I live and receive no punishment from Caesar, let this statue be whole as before." And he sprinkled water on the stones, and the statue became whole. Peter was proud therefore, that he hesitated not to petition the Lord; but Marcellus also rejoiced in the Spirit, that such a sign — the first one — took place under his hands. He believed therefore, with all his heart on the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, by whom all things impossible become possible. 12. And Simon being inside, spoke thus to the dog: " Tell Peter that I am not in." But the dog said to him in the presence of Marcellus, " you most wicked and impudent, worst enemy of all who live and believe in Christ Jesus. A dumb animal, which received a human voice, has been sent to you to convince you and to prove that you are a juggler and deceiver. It required so many hours for you to say, Say I am not here ! you have not been ashamed to lift up your weak and useless voice

against Peter, the servant and apostle of Christ, as if you coLildst be hidden from him who told me to speak to your face. And this, not on your account, but on account of those whom you did deceive and bring into perdition. you shall therefore be accursed, you enemy and destroyer of the way of Christ's truth, who shall punish your iniquities which you did do with the imperishable fire, and you shall be in outer darkness." Having thus spoken these words, the dog ran away. And the multitude followed, so that Simon remained alone. And the dog came to Peter, who was with the crowd (which had come), to see the face of Peter; and the dog reported of his affair with Simon. To the messenger and apostle of the true God the dog said as follows: " Peter, you shall have a hard fight with Simon, the enemy of Christ, and with his adherents but; many whom he deceived you will convert to the faith. For this you shall receive a reward for your work from God." Having thus spoken, the dog fell at the feet of Peter and expired. ^'^ When the multitude with great astonishment saw the talking dog, many fell down at the feet of Peter, but others said: " Show us another miracle that we may believe you as a servant of the living God; for Simon too did many wonders in our presence, and on that account we followed him." 13. And Peter turning around saw a smoked tunny hanging by a window which he took, saying

the1" speaking In the Acts ass. of Thomas, ch. 41, we read the same of

8o THE APOCRYPHAL ACTS

to the people, " When you see this swimming in the water like a fish, will you be able to believe on him whom I preach ? " And all said with one voice, " Indeed we shall believe you." So he went to the pond near by, saying, " In your name, O Jesus Christ, on whom they believe not yet — (Tunny) in the presence of all these, live and swim like a fish." And he cast the tunny into the pond, and it became alive and began to swim. When the multitude saw the swimming fish — and he let him swim not only in (that) hour, but lest they said that it is a deception, he made him swim longer, thus bringing the people together from all parts and showing that the smoked tunny had again become a fish, the success was such that many threw pieces of bread into the water, thus seeing the fish fully. Very many who had witnessed this, followed Peter, and believed on the Lord, and met day and night in the house of Narcissus the presbyter. And Peter spoke to them of the prophetical writings and of the things done by our Lord Jesus Christ in word and deed. 14. Marcellus, however, increased daily (more and more in the faith), seeing the signs which Peter did by the grace of Jesus Christ, which was given to him. And Marcellus attacked Simon, who sat in the dining-room of his house. Revilingly he said to him, " O you most malevolent and most pestilential of men, destroyer of my soul and of my house, who did intend to lead me away from the Lord Christ, my Saviour." And he laid his hand

ACTS OF PETER 8l

on him, and ordered that he be thrown out of his house. And the servants having obtained permission, treated him in the most shameful way; some struck him in the face, some beat him with a rod, some flung stones at him, some emptied vessels containing dirt over his head (those especially), who for his sake had left their master and were imprisoned; other servants whose master he had influenced against them reviled and said to him, " Now we return to you the worthy reward, according to the will of God, who had mercy upon us and upon our lord." And Simon, thus treated, left the house and went to the house in which Peter stayed. Standing at the door of the house of the presbyter Narcissus, he cried, " look, here am I, Peter; come down, Peter, and I will prove that you did believe in a Jewish man and the son of a carpenter." 15. When Peter heard these things, he sent to him a woman with her suckling and said to her, " Go forth speedily and you shall see one seeking me. As for you, speak not, but keep silent and listen to what the child which you boldest will say to him." And the woman went down. And her babe was seven months old. Assuming a manly voice, it said to Simon, " O you horrible before God and men; O destroyer of truth and worst seed of corruption; O unfaithful fruit of nature! Only a little while, an everlasting punishment awaits you. Son of an impudent father, never taking root in good (soil), but in poison; unfaithful generation, destitute of all hope: when the dog accused you,

you wast not confounded. I, a child, am forced by God to speak and still you blushest not. But against your will, on the coming Sabbath day, another shall lead you to the Julian forum that you mayest be shown what you are. Leave, therefore, the door by which the saints enter in. For no more shall you corrupt innocent souls whom you did destroy and lead away from Christ. your whole evil nature will therefore be manifested, and your machinations will be spoiled. Now I say to you the last word: Jesus Christ says to you, Grow speechless by my name, and leave Rome till the coming Sabbath." At once he became speechless, and being constrained he left Rome till the next Sabbath and remained in a stable. The woman returned to Peter with the babe, and told Peter and the other brothers and sisters what the child had said to Simon. And they praised the Lord, who had shown such things to men. 1 6. When the night came, Peter saw Jesus clothed with a shining garment, smiling. Peter was yet awake, and (Christ) said to him, "the greatest part of the brothers and sisters has already come back through me, and through him by whom you have made signs in my name. But on the coming Sabbath you shall have a contest of faith, and many more Gentiles and Jews shall be converted in my name to me, who was reviled, despised and spit upon. For I shall show myself to you, when you askest for signs and wonders, and you shall

convert many, but you will have an opponent in Simon through the works of his father. But all his doings shall be manifested as sorcery and magical deception. And now delay not and you shall confirm in my name all those whom I shall send to you." When it was day, he told the brothers and sisters how the Lord had appeared to him and what he commanded him. " Believe me, men and brothers and sisters, I have driven this Simon from Judea; by means of his magical sayings he did much mischief. In Judea he stayed in the house of a woman called Eubola, highly esteemed in this world and having much gold and pearls. A\'ith two like him Simon sneaked in; none of the servants saw the two but only Simon; they used their magic are, carried off all the gold of the woman, and were not seen. When Eubola had found out what had taken place, she had the servants tortured, and said. You made use of the opportunity (when) the man of God (came to me), and robbed me, because you saw that he came to honor a plain woman; his name is the name of the Lord. And I fasted three days and prayed that this event l^ecome known, and in a vision I see Italicus and Antulus, whom I had instructed in the name of the Lord, and a boy naked and bound giving to me a wheaten bread and saying, Peter hold out yet for two days, and you shall see the great deeds of God. For (you shall see) that by means of magical are and trickery Simon and his two fellows have stolen the things from the house

of Eubola. At the ninth hour of the third day you shall see them at the gate which leads to Neapohs, trying to sell to a goldsmith, Agrippinus by name, a golden satyriscus weighing two pounds, and containing a precious stone. But you must not touch him, in order not to pollute thyself; but let some of the lady's servants accompany you, and having shown them the shop of the goldsmith, leave them. This event will make many believe in the Lord. For what they did steal in their cunning and wickedness shall be made manifest. " Upon hearing this, I went to Eubola, whom I found sitting in a rent garment and with disheveled hair and in grief. I said to her, Eubola, rise (and desist) from your grief; put your face in order, arrange your hair, and put on a dress which is suitable for you, and pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, who judges every soul. For he is the son of the invisible God, in whom you must be saved, if you will only heartily repent of your former sins; and receive strength from him. For the Lord wishes to inform you through me that you shall get back all that you have lost. And having received it, see to it that he may find you as such a one who renounces the present world and finds an everlasting comfort. therefore listen: let some of your (servants) watch at the gate which leads to Neapolis. Day after tomorrow, about the ninth hour, they shall notice two young men who wall offer for sale a golden satyriscus set in stones and weighing two pounds — for thus I was shown in a vision — to a certain

Agrippinus, a man of piety and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Through him it will be shown to you to believe on the living God and not in Simon the magician, the deceitful demon who would have you sorrowing and your innocent servants tortured, who deceived you with flattering words, but only with words, and only spoke with the mouth of piety, whereas he is wholly impious. For when you did imagine to have a good day and did put up an idol and adorned it, and did exhibit all your ornaments on a costly table, he (came) with two young men, whom none of you did see; they uttered their magical saying, robbed your jewels, and were not seen. But this trickery cannot last. For my God has revealed it to me that you mayest not be deceived and perish in hell; and whatever impiety and opposition you have shown toward God, who is all truth and a righteous judge of the living and the dead <he shall pardon you>, and men have no other hope of life except by him, through whom that which you have lost has been saved for you. And now save your soul. And she fell down to my feet and said, Man, who you are, I know not. It is true that I received that man as a servant of God, and whatever he asked of me for the care of the poor I spent much through his hands, besides what I richly gave to him. But what have I ever done to him that he brought such great misery over my house? Peter said to her, We must not believe in words, but in works and deeds. Therefore let us bring about what has been commenced. Thus I

left her, and with two stewards of Eubola I went to Agrippinus and said to him, See that you recognizest these. For to-morrow two young men shall come to you, offering for sale a golden satyriscus set in stones, which belongs to their mistress. Receive them under the pretense of examining and praising the work of the artist. These will come in — and the rest God will bring about for a proof. On the following day the stewards of the matron arrived about the ninth hour, and those young men were about to sell to Agrippinus the golden satyriscus. They were seized at once and the matter was reported to the matron. And she went to the governor, her mind being troubled, and with a very loud voice she told him of what had happened. When the governor, Pompey, noticed her, who had never appeared in public, and perceived how troubled she was in her mind, he arose from his judgment seat and went to the pretorium and had them brought before him and carefully examined. Being tortured, they confessed that they were in the service of Simon, who had induced them with money. They also confessed that all which belonged to Eubola was hidden in a cave under the ground on the other side of the gate together with many other things. When Pompey heard this, he arose to go to the gate, the two having been bound with double bonds. And look, Simon came to the gate to seek them, because tliey were so slow, when he beheld tlie great multitude and the two in bonds. He at once understood the case, took to flight, and was never

since seen in Judea. Eiibola, after she got her property, gave it for the service of the poor; she beheved in the Lord Jesus Christ and was strengthened, despised and renounced this world, supported the widows and orphans, clothed the poor, and after a long time fell asleep. This, most beloved brothers and sisters, took place in Judea, and he who was called the angel of Satan was driven away thence. 18. " Dearest and most beloved brothers and sisters, let us fast and pray to the Lord. He who drove him away thence is powerful enough to extirpate him hence. May he give us his power to oppose him and his magical sayings, and to demonstrate that he is the angel of Satan. For on the Sabbath our Lord will bring him against his will to the Julian forum. Let us therefore bend our knees before Christ, who hears us, though we have not cried (to him); who sees us, though he is not seen with these (our) eyes, but he is among us; if we wish, he will not forsake us. Let us therefore purify our souls from every evil temptation, and God will not leave us; and if we only beckon him with the eyes, he is with us." 19. When Peter had spoken thus, Marcellus came near, and said, " Peter, I have purified my whole house for you from every vestige of Simon, and have blotted out (every vestige) of his shameful dust. I took water and with his other servants, which belong to him, I called upon the holy name of Jesus Christ, and sprinkled my whole house and every dining-room and every colonnade as far as

SS THE APOCRYPHAL ACTS

the door, and said, I know, O Lord Jesus Christ, that you are pure and undefiled from every impurity, so that mine enemy and opponent is driven away from before your glance. And now, most blessed, I have invited to my purified house the widows and elders to come to you, that they pray wtih us. And each will receive for the sake of the ministry (of Christ) a piece of gold, that in truth they may be called servants of Christ. Everything else, however, is already prepared for the service (of God), Now I pray you, most blessed Peter, to seal their petitions, and beautify their prayers (which they offer) for me (by your presence). Let us therefore go; we will also take along Narcissus and all the brothers and sisters which are here." Peter consented to his simplicity, and in order to do his will, he goes with him and the other brothers and sisters. 20. When Peter had entered, he saw one of the old women deprived of her eyesight, whom her daughter led by the hand and conducted into the house of Marcellus. And Peter said to her, " Come here, mother; from this day Jesus gives you his right hand; through him we have a light which no man can approach to, which darkness cannot cover. Through me he says to you. Open the eyes, be seeing and walk alone." And the widow noticed at once how Peter put his hand upon her. When Peter came into the dining-room he saw that the gospel was read. And closing it he said, " Men, you who believe on Christ and hope in him, you shall know how the holy writing of our Lord must

be explained. What we have written down according to his grace, though it may seem to you ever so little, yet what it contains is comprehensive (enough) to be understood by humanity. It is necessary that we first know God's will or his goodness, since deceit was once spread and many thousands of men were drawn in perdition, therefore the Lord was moved by compassion to show himself in another form and to appear in the image of man, whom neither the Jews nor w^e can view in a worthy manner. For each of n& saw (him) as his capacity permitted to see (him). Now, however, Iwill explain to you that which has been read to you. And our Lord wished to let me see his majesty on the holy mountain; ^^ but when I with the sons of Zebedee saw his brightness, I fell at his feet as dead, closed my eyes and heard his voice in a manner which I cannot describe; I imagined I had been deprived of my eyesight by his splendor. I recovered a little and said within me. Perhaps the Lord has brought me hither to deprive me of my eyesight. And I said, If such be your will, O Lord, I shall not contradict. And he took me bythe hand and lifted me up. And when I arose, I saw him again as one whom I could not comprehend. How the merciful God, most beloved brothers and sisters, has borne our infirmities and took upon him our transgressions, as the prophet says: ' He bears our griefs; and has sorrows for us; yet we did esteem him "11 Pet. I, 16, 18; comp. Matt. XVII, i seq.

Stricken and afflicted.' ^^ Whereas ' he is in the Father and the Father in him '; ^^ in him also is the fulness of all majesty, who has shown us all his benefits. He ate and drank on our account, though he was neither hungry nor thirsty; he suffered and bore revilings for us, he died and rose for us. He also defended and strengthened me through his greatness when I sinned; he will also comfort you, that you love him, this Great and Small One, this Beautiful and Ugly One, this Young Man and Old Man, appearing in time, yet utterly invisible in eternity; whom a human hand has not grasped, but is now held by his servants; whom flesh has not seen and now sees; who has not been heard, but is known now, the word which is heard, and now he has suffered as ourselves; never chastised, but now chastised; who was before the world and is now perceived in time, great beginning of all dominion and delivered to the princes; glorious, but low among us; homely looking, yet attractive. This Jesus you have, brothers and sisters, (as) the door, the light, the way, the bread, the water, the life, the resurrection, the recreation, the pearl, the treasure, the seed, the satiety, the grain of mustard seed, the vine, the plow, the grace, the faith, the word: he is everything, and there is none greater than he; to him be praise in all eternity. Amen." ^^ i9Isa. LHI, 4.

ACTS OF PETER 9I

21. When the ninth hour had passed, they arose to pray. And look, Wind widows from the company of the old women who were present without Peter knowing it, and who were disbelieving cried out suddenly and said to Peter, " We sit together, O Peter, hoping and believing on Jesus Christ. As you did give the eyesight to one of our company, we ask, Peter, give us also of his compassion and love." But Peter said to them, " If you believe on Christ, if he is confirmed in you, see with the mind what you cannot see with the eyes; and your ears are closed, but within your mind they may be opened. These eyes will be closed again, which see nothing else than men and cattle, and dumb animals and stone and wood; but not all eyes see Jesus Christ. But now, O Lord, let your sweet and holy name help them; touch their eyes, for you are mighty, that they may see with their eyes." After they had prayed, the dining-room in which they were, became as bright as lightning; but such a (brightness) as is usually in the clouds. And it was not such a light as is during the day (but), indescribable, incomprehensible, as no man can describe it,a light which illuminated us so far that its wonderfulness made us dizzy, and we cried to the Lord and said, " Lord, have mercy upon your servants! What we can bear, O Lord, grant to us;

author uses the O. T. also, but he mainly uses the New- Test. Some of the predicates of Christ mentioned here are not found in the New Test. Christ is never called "grace," "faith."

for this we can neither see nor bear." Whilst we were prostrated, those widows stood erect, for they were blind. The bright light, however, which appeared to us, entered into their eyes and they became seeing. Peter said to them, " Tell what you have seen." They said, " We saw an old man whose appearance we cannot describe to you "; some, however (said), "We saw a young man"; others said, " We saw a boy tenderly touching our eyes; thus our eyes were opened." therefore Peter praised the Lord, and said, " you alone are the Lord God, to praise whom we need so many lips, able to thank you for your mercy. Therefore, brothers and sisters, as I told you before in a few words, greater is the constancy of God than our thoughts, as we have learned from the old widows, how they saw the Lord in different forms." 2.2. And he exhorted (the brothers and sisters) altogether that they might understand the Lord with all their strength, and with Marcellus and the other brothers and sisters he began to minister to the virgins of the Lord, and to rest till morning. Marcellus said to them, " you holy, undefiled virgins of the Lord, hearken: You know where you (may) abide. For that which is mine, is it not yours? Depart not, but refresh yourselves, for on the Sabbath which will commence to-morrow, Simon will contend with Peter, the holy one of the Lord. As the Lord has always been with him, may the Lord Christ be on his side, as for his apostle, for Peter has refused to eat anything, but fasted continually to be enabled to overcome the

bad enemy and persecutor of the truth of the Lord. For my servants have come and reported how they saw platforms erected in the forum and heard the multitude say, To-morrow at the break of the day two Jews must contend here concerning the discourses of God. Therefore let us watch till to-morrow morning and beseechingly ask our Lord Jesus Christ to hear our prayers in behalf of Peter." And Marcellus slept for a little while, and awaking said to Peter: " O Peter, apostle of Christ, let us boldly carry out our resolution. In my sleep I saw you sitting in an elevated place, and before (you) a great multitude, and a very ugly woman, according to her appearance an Ethiopian, ^^ no Egyptian, but very black, clad in filthy rags, but with an iron chain about the neck and a chain on her hands and feet; she danced. When you did see her, you did say to me with a loud voice, Marcellus, this is the whole power of Simon and of his god, which dances: behead her. And I said to you, Brother Peter, I am a senator of a noble race, and I have never contaminated my hands, not even a sparrow

have I ever killed. Upon hearing this, you did cry the louder, Come, our true sword, Jesus Christ, and cut off not only the head of the demon, but break also all his members in the presence of all these, whom I have tested in your service. And at once a man like you, O Peter (came) with a sword in his hand and knocked her down. And I looked at both of you, at you and at him who knocked down that demon, and you were both alike to my astonishment. After I awoke I communicated to you these signs of Christ." Upon hearing this, Peter was the more encouraged, because Marcellus had seen these things, for the Lord everywhere takes care of his own. Rejoicing and strengthened by these \vords, he rose to go to the forum. 22. And the brothers and sisters and all those which were at Rome came together, and for the pieces of gold (which they had received) each occupied a seat. Senators and prefects and officers also met. But when Peter came, he stood in the midst. All cried aloud, " Show us, O Peter, who your God is, or which majesty there is which gave you confidence. Be not disaffected to the Romans, they are lovers of the gods. We have the proofs of Simon, let us have yours also; show us, both of you, whom we must believe." And when they spoke thus, Simon also came. Dismayed he stood by the side of Peter, glancing especially at him. After a long silence Peter said, " you Roman men, you shall be our true judges. I say that I believe on the living and true God, of whom I will give you proofs, already

known to me, and of which many among you (can ah'eady) testify. You see that this one is silent, because he has been refuted and because I have driven him from Judea on account of the frauds perpetrated upon Eubola, a highly respected but single woman, by means of his magic. From thence he was driven away by me and came hither, believing that he can remain unknown among you; and now, here he stands face to face. Say on, Simon, did you not fall at my feet and those of Paul, when in Jerusalem you did perceive the miraculous cures which took place by our hands, and said, I pray you, take as much money of me as you wash, that (I too) may by laying on of hands perform such deeds. And when we heard this from you, we cursed you: do you think that we try to possess money? And now you fear nothing? ^^ My name is Peter, because the Lord Christ had the grace to call me ' to be ready for every cause.' ^^ For I believe in the living God, through wdioni I shall destroy your magic arts. Let him perform in your presence the wonderful things which he did. And will you not believe me what I just told you concerning him ? " And Simon said, " you have the impudence to speak of Jesus the Nazarene, the son of a carpenter, himself a carpenter,^^ whose family is of Judea. Listen Peter: -3 Comp. Acts of the Apostles VIII, 18-20.

The Romans have understanding; they are no fools." And turning to the people, he said, " Men of Rome, is a God born ? is he crucified ? Whoever has a master, is no God." And when he spoke this, many said, " you are right, Simon." 24. And Peter said, " Cursed be your words against Christ. you did speak so impudently whereas the prophet says of him, * Who shall declare his generation ? ' ^^ And another prophet says: ' And we have seen him, and he had no former comeliness.' ^^ And: * in the last days a child shall be born of the Holy Spirit; his mother knows not a man, and no one also says that he is his father.'-^ And again he says: 'she has brought forth and has not brought forth.' ^^ And again: ' is it a very little thing to offer you a battle? look, in the womb a virgin shall conceive.' ^^ And another prophet says to honor the father: ' We neither heard her voice, nor did a midwife come.' ^^ Another prophet says, ' he came not out of the womb of a woman, but degospels nothing of this kind is said of Jesus. He seems to have overlooked Mark VI, 3. 26Isa. LHI, 8.

scended from a heavenly place,' ^- and ' a stone was cut out without hands and has broken all kingdoms,' ^^and ' the stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner,' ^^ and he calls it ' the tried, precious '^^ stone. And again the prophet says of him: ' I saw him come wath the clouds of heaven like the Son of man.' ^° And what more shall I say? you men of Rome, if you knew^ the prophetical writings, I would explain to you all. It was necessary that through them it should be (spoken) in mystery (and) the Kingdom of God be completed. But this shall be opened to you afterward. Now (I turn) to you, Simon: do now one (of the signs) whereby you did deceive them before, and I shall frustrate it through my Lord Jesus Christ." Simon took courage and said, " If the prefect permits." 25. The prefect, however, w'ished to show (both) his patience, that he might not appear as acting unjustly. And the prefect summoned one of his slaves and thus spoke to Simon: " Take him, kill (him)." To Peter he said, "And do you revive him." And to the people the prefect said, " It is for you to decide which of these is accepted before God, he who kills, or he who revives." And Simon whispered something into the ear of

the slave, and without speaking aloud he brought it about that the slave became silent and died. But when the people began to murmur, one of the widows which had been cared for by Marcellus cried out, " Peter, servant of God, my son is dead, the only one which I had," The people made room for her, and they brought her to Peter. And she fell down at his feet and said, " I had only one son; by the labor of his hands he provided for me;^^ he lifted me up, he carried me. Now he is dead, who will give me a hand ? " Peter said to her, " In the presence of these witnesses go and bring your son, that they may be able to see and believe that he was raised up by the power of God; the other shall see it and perish." And Peter said to the young men, " We need young men, especially such as shall believe," And at once thirty young men offered themselves to carry the widow and to fetch her dead son. When the widow had recovered, the young men lifted her up. But she cried and said, " look (my) son, the servant of Christ has sent for you," and she tore her hair and scratched her face. And the young men which had come looked at the nose of the boy, whether he were really dead. When they perceived that he was dead, they comforted his mother and said, " If you really believest in the God of Peter, we will lift him up and bring him to Peter that he may revive him and restore him to you."

^'^ Comp. Lnke VH, ii sq.

26. While the young men were thus speaking, the prefect in the forum looked at Peter and said, " What sayest you, Peter ? look, the lad is dead; the emperor liked him, and I spared him not. I had indeed other and many young men; but I trusted in you and your Lord whom you proclaimest, if indeed you are sure and true: therefore I desired him to die." And Peter said, " God is neither tempted nor disparaged. But the Most Beloved (and) he who is to be worshipped with the whole heart, will hear those which are worthy. Since, however, my God and Lord Jesus Christ is now tempted among you, although he did so many signs and miracles through me to turn you from your sins, revive now, O Lord, in the presence of all, him whom Simon killed by his touch, through my voice in your power." And Peter said to the master of the lad, " Go, take hold of him by the right hand, and you shall have him alive and walk with you." And the prefect Agrippa ran and came to the lad, took his hand, and woke him up. And when the multitude saw this, they cried, " There is only one God, the God of Peter." 27. Meanwhile the widow's son is also brought on a bier by the young men. The people made room, and they brought him to Peter, Peter, however, lifted up his eyes toward heaven, stretched forth his hands and said, " Holy Father of your Son Jesus Christ, who have given us power to ask and to obtain through you, and to despise everything that is in this world and follow you only, who are seen

ill a few and wishest to be known in many: shine round, O Lord, enlighten, appear, revive the son of the aged widow, who is helpless without her son. And I take the word of my Lord Christ and say to you, young man, arise and walk ^^ with your mother, as long as you canst be of use to her. Afterward you shall be called to a higher ministry and serve as deacon and bishop." And the dead rose immediately, and the multitude saw and were amazed, and the people cried, " you, God Saviour, you, God of Peter, invisible God and Saviour." And they spoke with one another and wondered at the power of a man who with his word called upon his Lord, and they took (what had taken place) for their sanctification. 28. When the news had spread through the entire city, the mother of a senator came, and making her way through the multitude she fell down at Peter's feet and said, " I heard many people say that you are the minister of the merciful God and that you do impart his mercy to all who desire this light. Impart, therefore, also to (my) son the light, since I have learned that you are not ill-disposed toward any one: since a matron beseeches you, turn not away." Peter said to her, " will you believe in my God, through whom your son shall rise?" And the mother, weeping, said with a loud voice, "I believe; Peter, I believe." The w^hole multitude cried out, " Give the mother

ACTS OF PETER lOI

her son." And Peter said, " Let him be brought hither into the presence of all." And Peter, turning to the people, said, " you men of Rome, I, too, am one of you! I have human flesh and I am a sinner, but I have obtained mercy. Do not imagine that what I do, I do in my own power; I do it in the power of my Lord Jesus Christ, who is the judge of the quick and the dead. I believe on him, I have been sent by him, and (therefore) I dare to call upon him (and) to raise the dead. Go, therefore, you also, O Woman, and have your son brought hither and have him raised." And the woman made her way through the multitude, ran into the street with great joy, believed with her heart, and, coming to the house, she made her young men carry him, and came back to the forum. And she told the young men to cover their heads and go before the bier and carry everything that she intended to spend for the body of her son in front of the bier, that Peter, seeing this, might have pity on the body and on her. Whilst all were weeping, she came to the multitude, followed by a multitude of senators and matrons, who were to see God's wonderful deeds. And Nicostratus, who had died was very noble and much liked in the senate. They brought him and placed him before Peter. And Peter asked them to be silent, and said with a very loud voice, " you Romans, let a righteous judgment now take place between me and Simon, and judge you who of us believes in the living God, this or I. Let him raise up the body

which is before us and beheve (then) him like an angel of God. If he is not able, I will call upon my God. I will give the son alive to his mother, and (then) believe, that he is a sorcerer and deceiver, who enjoys your hospitality." When they heard this, it seemed right to them what Peter had said. They encouraged Simon, saying, " Show thyself publicly what you canst do: either you convincest (Peter) or you shall be convinced. Why do you stand still? Commence." When Simon perceived that they all pushed him, he stood in silence. When the people had become more quiet and looked at him, Simon cried and said, " you Romans, when you see that the dead is raised, will you cast Peter out of the city ? " And the whole multitude said, " We shall not only cast him out, but also burn him at once." Simon came to the head of the dead, bowed, and said three times, " Rise," and he showed the people how the dead had lifted up his head and moved it, and opened the eyes and lightly bowed to Simon. And immediately they began to gather wood to burn Peter. But Peter, having received the power of Christ, lifted up his voice and said to those who cried against him, " Now I see, Romans — what I dared not to say — that you are foolish and silly, so long as your eyes and your ears, and your senses are blinded. So far has your mind become darkened that you perceive not that you are bewitched, since you seemingly believe that a dead man rose who has not risen. It were sufficient for me, you

Romans, to keep silent and to die in silence and to leave you in the illusions of this world. But the punishment of the fire which is not quenched is before mine eyes; if it therefore seems good to you, let the dead speak, let him rise; if he is alive, let him untie the band from the chin, let him call his mother and say to you, Bawlers, why cry you? Let him beckon to you with his hand. If therefore, you wish to see that he is dead and you are bound, let this one step back from the bier, and you shall see him as you did see him when you brought him," And the prefect Agrippa could no longer restrain himself, but rose and with his own hand he chased Simon away. And the dead looked as before. And the people got into a rage and, converted from the magical spell of Simon, began to cry, " Hear, O Caesar, should the dead not rise, let Simon be burned instead of Peter, because he has really deceived us." But Peter stretched forth his hand and said, " you Romans, be patient. I say not that in case the boy is not raised, that Simon should be burned; when I say so, you will do it." And the people cried, " Even if you should not wish it, Peter, we shall do it." Peter said to them, " If you continue thereat, the boy shall not rise. We know not to recompense evil for evil, but we have learned to love our enemies, and to pray for them that persecute us. For should he even repent, it is better. For God will not remember the evil. Let him, therefore, come to the light of Christ. But if he cannot, let him inherit the portion of his father,

the devil. But let not your hands be contaminated. Having thus spoken to the people, he came to the boy, and before raising him he said to his mother, " These young men, whom you have set free in honor of your son, can as free men (also) obey their living master. For I know that the souls of some (among them) will be wounded, should they see your risen son and they serve again (as slaves). But let them all be free and receive their subsistence as before — for your son shall rise again — and let them be with him." And Peter looked at her for some time awaiting the answer. And the mother of the boy said, *' How can I do otherwise ? therefore I will declare before the prefect that they should possess all that which I had to spend on the corpse of my son." Peter said to her, " Let the rest be divided among the widows." And Peter rejoiced in his soul, and said in the spirit, *' O Lord, who are merciful, Jesus Christ, manifest thyself to your Peter, who calls upon you, as you did always show mercy and goodness, in the presence of all these who have been set free, that they may be able to serve. Now let Nicostratus arise." And Peter touched the side of the lad, and said, " Arise." And the lad arose, took up his garment, and sat and untied the chin, asked for the other garments, came down from the bier, and said to Peter, " I ask you, man, let us go to our Lord Christ, whom I heard speak to you; he said to you, pointing at me. Bring him hither, for he belongs to me." When Peter heard this he was still

ACTS OF PETER 105

more strengthened in the spirit by the help of the Lord, and said to the People, " you Romans, thus the dead are awakened, thus they speak, thus they walk rising; they live so long as it pleases God. But now (I turn to you) who came to see the spectacle: if you do not repent from these your sins, and from all your gods which you made, and from all uncleanness and evil lust <you shall fgrever be lost; repent therefore and> ^^ receive the communion of Christ in faith (that) you may obtain life for eternity." 29. From that hour on they worshipped him like a god upon their faces, and the sick, which they had at home (they brought) to be cured by him. And when the prefect perceived that such a great multitude adhered to Peter, he asked him to depart. And Peter bade the people to come into the house of Marcellus. And the mother of the lad asked Peter to come to her house. And Peter had charged Marcellus (to see to it) that on Sunday he be enabled to see the widows, as Marcellus had promised, that he might minister to them with his own hand. And the lad who had been raised said, " I leave not Peter." But his mother returned joyfully and cheerfully to her house. And on the day after the Sabbath she came into the house of Marcellus and brought two thousand pieces of gold, and said to Peter, " Divide these among the virgins of Christ, who minister to Him." But the lad who had been raised, perceiving that he had

I06 THE APOCRYPHAL ACTS

not yet given anything to anyone, ran to his house, opened a chest and brought four thousand pieces of gold, and said to Peter, " See, I also, who have been raised, offer the double gift of myself from now on as a living sacrifice to God."

[Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Peter.] ^ 30. (i) And on Sunday Peter spoke to the brothers and sisters and encouraged ^ them in the belief on Christ. And many senators and knights and wealthy women (and) matrons were present,^ and they were strengthened in the faith. There was also present a very rich woman, named Chryse, because all her vessels were of gold — since her birth * she neither used a vessel of silver nor of glass, but only of gold. She said to Peter, " Peter,^ servant of God, in a dream ^ he stood by me whom you callest God,'^ and said to me, Chryse,^ bring ten

thousand pieces of gold to my servant Peter; you owest these to him. I have brought them,^ fearing that some evil may come from him whom I saw and who went to heaven." ^° And having said this, and laid dovv^n the money, she went away. And Peter, seeing this, praised God, that the poor should now be provided for. Some of those present said to him, " Peter, is it not wrong to have accepted this money from her? All Rome ^^ speaks of her fornications, and (it is reported) that she is not satisfied with one husband; ^^ she uses even her own slaves. Have you therefore ^^ nothing to do with the golden table, but let everything be sent back to her, that came from her." ^^ When Peter heard this, he laughed and said to the brothers and sisters, " As to her conduct, ^^ I know nothing of it; since I have received this money I received it not without reason,^^ she brought it to me as a debtor ^'^ of Christ and gives it ^^ to the servants of Christ. For he has provided for them." ^^ 31. (2) And they also brought the suffering to

I08 THE APOCRYPHAL ACTS

•him on the Sabbath and asked (him) ^^ to treat them. And many^^ lame and podagrous were healed, and such as had fever and other diseases, and believed on the name of Jesus Christ, and very many ^^ were gained on that day for the grace of the Lord. When some days had passed Simon the Magician promised the people to convince Peter of not believing in the true God, but in a fallacious one. As he performed many tricks, those among the disciples which were steadfast laughed at him.^^ In the dining halls he made some spirits appear, which had the semblance of life, but in reality did not live. And what more shall I say to you? Having spoken a great deal of magic, he seemingly cured the lame and blind for a time, and dead persons, too, he made suddenly alive and made them move about, as well as Stratonicus.^"* In all this Peter followed him and refuted him before those

who saw it. And as he cut a poor figure, and was ridiculed by the Romans and lost their confidence since he promised to do something and could not do it (it came about) that he said to them, " Romans, you now think that Peter has overcome me, as if he were mightier (than I), and pay now more attention to him. You are mistaken.^^ For to-morrow I shall leave you godless and impious ones ^*^ and take refuge with God above, whose power I am, though having become weak. If, therefore, you have fallen, look I stand. I ascend to the father,^"^ and shall say to him, Me, your son which stands, they meant to make sit down; ^^ however, I had no deal with them, but returned to myself." ^^ 32. (3) And on the following day a still larger multitude gathered on the via sacra j^^ (holy street) to see him fly. And Peter also went to the place to see the spectacle and to refute him. For Such to perform your father Satan still Affords you might, by an angelic Power Azazel:— you, by the destroyer mark'd Chosen forerunner of the impious craft." [Quoted from Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers (ed. Harmer, London, 1893), p. 553; the original text is given on p.

no THE APOCRYPHAL ACTS

when he came to Rome, he confused the people by his flying. But Peter, who rebuked him, was not yet at Rome which he misled and deceived, so that some were driven out of their senses,^^ And standing on an elevated place ^^ he began to speak upon seeing Peter: " Peter, now, when I am about to ascend in the presence of all who see it, I say to you, if your God is almighty,^^ whom the Jews have killed, who stoned you, who were chosen by him, let him show that his belief is of God; ^^ let it be manifested by this (event), whether it is worthy of God.^^ For I ascend ^^ and will show myself to this people, who I am." And, look, he was lifted up,^^ and they saw him ascending over Rome and over its temples and hills. And the believers looked at Peter.^® And beholding the wonderful spectacle,^^ Peter cried to the Lord Jesus Christ, " If you allowest him to do what he has undertaken, all who believed on you shall be offended, and the

signs and wonders'**^ which you have shown to them through me will not be believed. Make haste, O Lord, show your mercy and ^^ make that he fall down, become enervated, and die not, but be prevented from doing damage and break his shank in three places." And he fell down"*^ and broke his shank in three places. And they cast stones upon him, and each went to his home having all faith in Peter.^^ And one of Simon's friends, Gemellus by name, from whom Simon had received much — he had a Greek wife ^^ — quickly ^^ ran away from the street, saw him with the broken shank, and said,^^ " Simon, if God's power is broken, shall not that God, whose power you are, be darkened ? " ^^ And Gemellus also followed Peter, and said to him, " I also, wish to be one of those wdio believe on Christ." And Peter said, " How could I be spiteful, my brother ?^^ Come and stay with us." And Simon, being in misery, found some who carried him by night ^^ on a stretcher from Rome to Aricia. ^° Lat. omits: and wonders.

There he remained and stayed ^° with a man (named) Castor, who on account of his sorcery ^^ had been driven from Rome to Terracina. Being operated,^^ Simon,^^ the angel of the devil, found there the end of his life. 33' (4) ^^ Now Peter remained in Rome, and rejoiced with the brothers and sisters in the Lord, returning thanks day and night for the multitude which was daily ^^ added to the holy name by the grace of the Lord.^^ And the four ^'^ concubines of the prefect Agrippa^^ also came to Peter, Agrippina, Nicaria, Euphemia and Doris.^^ And they heard the preaching concerning chastity and all sayings of the Lord, and repented and agreed among themselves to abstain from cohabitation with Agrippa, but were troubled by him. When Agrippa became embarrassed^*^ and distressed ^^ — for he loved ^0 Lat. adds: a few days. ^1 Lat. omits: on account of his sorcery. ^- Lat. adds: by two physicians. ^3 Lat. omits: Simon. 5* Here begins the second manuscript, which has preserved the Greek text of the martyrdom of Peter. (Codex Patmius, 48). Here also commences a paraphrasing Latin translation of the martyrdom of Peter, known under the title: " Martyrium beati Petri apostoli a Lino episcopo conscriptum " and published in Acta apost. apocrypha, I, i- 22. It is independent of the translation of the Act. Vercellcnscs. We call it Linus-martyrdom. ^^ Lat. omits: daily. ^^ Lat. omits: by the grace of the Lord. ^"^ Lat. omits: four.

them very much — he had them watched and secretly observed, whither they went, and he found out that they went to Peter. When they came (back),®2 j^g S3i(^ |-Q |-hem, "that Christian®^ has taught you not to have any communion with me. Know, then, that I will destroy you and burn that one alive." ^'^ But they were ready to endure anything by the hand of Agrippa, but would no more suffer themselves to satisfy his. lust; they had become strong in the power of Jesus.^^ 34. (5) And a very beautiful woman, the wife of Albinus,^^ a friend of the emperor, named Xanthippe,*^^ also came to Peter with the other matrons, and kept away from Albinus. Being in love with Xanthippe, he became enraged and wondered why she did no more share the couch with him, and, mad, like a beast, he intended to kill Peter.*^^ For he perceived that he was the cause of the separation from the bed.^^ But many other '^^ women delighted in the preaching concerning chastity and separated from their husbands, and men removed the couches of their wives,'^^ because they wished to serve God in chastity and purity. And there was 6- Lat. omits: When they came back, and reads: Agrippa said.

a great commotion in Rome/^ and Albinus told Agrippa what had happened to him, and said, " Either you avengest me of Peter, who has ahenated my wife from me,"^ or I shall avenge myself." And Agrippa said, " I suffered the same, for he has alienated my concubines." '^^ And Albinus said to him,"^^ "Why are you waiting? '^^ Let us seize him and kill him as an inquisitive man, that we may get our wives back, and avenge those also, which cannot kill him, whose wives he has also alienated." 35. (6) And as they took counsel together, Xanthippe heard of the advice which her husband had given to Agrippa, and she sent word to Peter, and asked him to leave Rome. And the other brothers and sisters, together with Marcellus, requested him to leave (the city)."^^ But '^^ Peter said to them, "Shall we run away, brothers and sisters?" And they said, "Nay; only <go away> since you canst still ■^2 Lat. omits: in Rome. The translation of this whole sentence reads in the Latin: But when a great tumult had been made by Albinus, he told the prefect of his wife, and said to him. ■^3 Lat.: Who has persuaded my wife to become a Christian. 7* Lat. omits: for he has... concubines.

serve the Lord." He obeyed the brothers and sisters, and went away alone, saying, " Let none of you go with me; I will go alone, after having changed my garment." When he went outside of the gate, he saw the Lord come into Rome. And seeing Him, he said, "Lord, whither are you going?" And the Lord said to him, " I go to Rome to be crucified." And Peter said to Him, " Lord, shall you be crucified again ? " And He said, " Yea, Peter, again I shall be crucified." This was to be done to Peter. 36. (7) He went again to the brothers and sisters and told them of the vision which he had. And their souls were sorrowing, and they wept and said, " We adjure you, Peter, have regard for us, the younger ones." And Peter said, " If it be the Lord's will, it will be, even if we will not. The Lord is mighty to strengthen you in his faith, and he will establish you in it and increase it in you whom He has planted, that you may also plant others through him. I will not object, so long as the Lord will keep me alive; and again if He will take me away, I shall be glad and rejoice." While Peter was speaking thus and the brothers and sisters wept, four soldiers seized him and brought him to Agrippa. And being sick '^^ he ordered to crucify him because of atheism. And the whole multitude of the brothers and sisters came together, rich and poor, widows and orphans, low and powerful; they ^8 The Linus-martyrium, p. 10. love-sick.

Il6 THE APOCRYPHAL ACTS

wished to see Peter and tear him away. And the people cried unceasingly as with one voice, " What, has Peter sinned, Agrippa ? What evil has he done to you ? Tell it to the Romans," And others said "<We must be afraid > lest the Lord destroy us also, should he die." And when Peter had come to the place, he appeased the multitude and said, " you men,^° who are in the service of Christ; you men, who hope in Christ, remember the signs and wonders, which you saw^ took place by me; think of the compassion of God,^^ how he performed cures for your sakes. Wait ^^ for him, till He comes and rewards every man according to his works. And now, be not angry with Agrippa,^^ for he is a servant of the powder of his father.^^ And that w^iich happens takes place as the Lord has told me that it should happen.^^ And why do I delay, and go not to the cross? " 37. (8) And when he had come to the cross, he began to say,®° " O name of the cross, hidden mystery; ^"^ O unspeakable mercy, which is expressed in the name of the cross; O nature of man, which cannot be separated; O ineffable and inseparable love, which cannot be shown by impure lips; ^^ I now apprehend you,^*^ who is standing at the end of his earthly career. I will make you known, as you are.^*^ I will not hide from me the mystery of the cross once closed and hidden to my soul.^^ you, who hope in Christ, ^2 think not this to be a cross which is visible; for entirely different from that which is visible is this (suffering) in conformity with the suffering of Christ. And now especially, since you, who can hear, can (hear it) from me, who is in the last and parting hour of his life, listen: Keep your souls from everything which you can perceive with the senses, from all that seems to be, and is not in reality.^^ Close these your eyes, shut these your ears;^^ <keep from you> ^^ the things (which are without). And you shall perceive what took place with Christ and the whole mystery of your salvation.^^ But the hour (has come) for you, Peter, to deliver your body to the

Il8 THE APOCRYPHAL ACTS

bailiffs/^'^ Take it, whose business it is.^^ Of you, executioners, I ask to "'^ crucify me with the head downward, and not otherwise. ^"^^^ And the reason I shall explain to the hearers." ^^^ 38. (9) Having- done as he wished, he began again: ^"^ "you men, whose calling it is to hear, listen W'hat I, being suspended, am about to tell you just now. Understand the mystery of the whole creation and the beginning of all things, as it was. For the first man whose image I bear, thrown downward with the head, showed a generation which did not formerly exist; ^^^ for it was dead, having no motion. Having been drawn down ^°'* who cast his origin upon the earth, he established the whole of the arrangement, ^"^^ suspended it after the manner of the calling, whereby he showed the right as the left and the left as the right, and changed all signs of nature, to look the ugly as beautiful and the really bad as good. On this the Lord says in a mystery: ^^^ " Unless you make the right as the left, and the left as the right, and the top as the bottom and the front as the backward,

ACTS OF PETER II9

you shall not know the Kingdom (of heaven)." ^^'^ This intelhgence I brought to you, and the manner of my suspension is the illustration of that man who was first made. you, my beloved, who now hear it and shall hear it,^°^ you must desist from the first error and return again. For it was fitting to come to the cross of Christ, who is the extended word, the one and only one, concerning which the Spirit ^'^^ says: For what else is Christ than the Word, sound of God? "^ That this wood standing erect, on which I am crucified, be Word; the sound, however, is the crossbeam (namely, the) nature of man; and the nail which on the erect wood holds the crossbeam in the middle is the conversion and repentance of man. 39. (10) " Since ^^^ you have made this known and revealed to me, O Word (of life), which has now been called by me wood of life,"^ I thank you, not with these lips which are nailed, neither with this tongue, through which comes forth truth and falsehood, also not with this wood, which is produced by the skill of earthly nature, but I thank you, O King,^^^ with that voice which is heard

1°" This saying is found also elsewhere; see Pick, Paralipomcna, p. 65. — Linus-mart.: Kingdom of God; the Coptic: you shall not come into the Kingdom of God. 10^ Copt.: hear it afterward. i09Lat.: holy Spirit.

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through silence, ^^* which is not heard by all, which comes not through the organs of the body, which enters not in the world and sounds not upon earth, which is also not written in books, which is also not heard by the one, nor by the other,^^^ but with this (voice), Jesus Christ,^^^ I thank you: with the silence of the ^^^ voice which the Spirit meets within me, who loves you, speaks with you, and sees you. you are knowable only according to the Spirit. you are to me, father, mother, brother, friend, servant, steward. you (are) all, and all (is) in you; and you (are) the existence, and there is nothing that is, besides you. To him, brothers and sisters, flee you also, and learn that your existence isin him alone, and you shall then obtain that of which he said to you: " Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man." ^^^ We now ask (of you) undefiled Jesus/^^ what you have promised us ^^^ to give; we praise you, we thank you, we confess you, in glorifying you, though we are weak, because you alone are God,^-^ and none other, to whom be glory ^^^ now and for ever. Amen." 11* Lat. omits: which is heard through silence.

40. (11) When the surrounding multitude cried aloud ^2^ the Amen, Peter, during this Amen, gave up his ghost to the Lord. ^2. When Marcellus saw that the blessed Peter had given up his ghost, without communicating with anyone, which were also impossible, he took him down from the cross with his own hands, and bathed him in milk and wine. And he broke seven pounds of mastic and other fifty pounds of myrrh and clove and spice and anointed his body, and filled a very costly trough of stone with Attic honey and buried him in his own tomb. And Peter came to Marcellus by night, and said, " Marcellus did you not hear the Lord say, ' Let the dead be buried by their own dead? When Marcellus said, " Yea," Peter said to him, " What you did spend on the dead is lost. For, though living, you did care like a dead for the dead." When Marcellus awoke, he narrated the appearance of Peter ^^^ to the brothers and sisters, and he was with those who had been strengthened by Peter in the faith on Christ, strengthening himself now the more till the arrival of Paul at Rome.^^*^ 41. (12) When Nero heard that Peter had departed this life, he blamed the prefect Agrippa that he had been killed, without having obtained his consent. For he had the intention to punish him the more severely, because Peter had instructed

^23 Coptic: aloud with Peter.

some of his servants and alienated them from him. Therefore he was angry, and for a long time he spoke not with Agrippa.^^^ He sought to destroy all brothers and sisters whom Peter had instructed.^^^ And in the night ^^^ he sees one ^^^ striking him, and saying:" Nero,^^^ you are not able now to persecute or destroy ^^^ the servants of Christ. Keep therefore your hands from them." ^^^ And in consequence of such a vision ^^^ Nero became much afraid, and let the disciples ^^^ alone at that time, in which Peter had also left the life.^^^ For the rest the brothers and sisters continued with one accord, rejoicing and glorying in the Lord, and praised the God and Saviour of our Lord Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory in all eternities.

Amen.^^'^ i"'Lat. omits: And for a long... Agrippa. i"s Lat. omits: brothers and sisters... instructed.

III