,this e,book was produced by ,david ,widger widgercecomet4net ,additional proofing was done by ,curtis ,a4 ,weyant ,,the ,,suppressed ,,gospels ,,and ,,epistles ,,of ,,the ,,original ,,new ,,testament ,,of ,,jesus ,,the ,,christ ,,and ,,other ,,portions ,,of ,,the ,,ancient ,,holy ,,scriptures4 ,,now ,,extant1 ,,attributed ,,to ,,his ,,apostles1 ,,and ,,their ,,disciples1 ,,and ,,venerated ,,by ,,the ,,primitive ,,christian ,,churches ,,during ,,the ,,first ,,four ,,centuries1 ,,but ,,since1 ,,after ,,violent ,,disputations ,,forbidden ,,by ,,the ,,bishops ,,of ,,the ,,nicene ,,council1 ,,in ,,the ,,reign ,,of ,,the ,,emperor ,,constantine ,,and ,,omitted ,,from ,,the ,,catholics ,,and ,,protestant ,,editions ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,testament1 ,,by ,,its ,,compilers ,,translated ,,from ,,the ,,original ,,tongues1 ,,with ,,historical ,,references ,,to ,,their ,,authenticity1 ,,by ,,archbishop ,,wake ,,and ,,other ,,learned ,,divines ,,the ,,epistles ,,of ,,jesus ,,christ ,,abgarus ,,king ,,of ,,edessa4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,a copy of a letter written by ,king ,abgarus to ,jesus2 and sent to him by ,ananius1 his footman1 to ,jerusalem1 #e inviting him to ,edessa4 ,,abgarus1 king of ,edessa1 to ,jesus the good ,saviour1 who appears at ,jerusalem1 greeting4 #b ,i have been informed concerning you and your cures1 which are performed without the use of medicines and herbs4 #c ,for it is reported1 that you cause the blind to see1 the lame to walk1 do both cleanse lepers1 and cast out unclean spirits and devils1 and restore them to health who have been long diseased2 and raiseth up the dead2 #d ,all which when ,i heard1 ,i was pursuaded of one of these two1 namely1 either that you are ,god himself descended from heaven2 who do these things1 or the ,son of ,god4 #e ,on this account therefore ,i have written to you1 earnestly to desire you would take the trouble of a journey hither1 and cure a disease which ,i am under4 #f ,for ,i hear the ,jews ridicule you and1 intend you mischief4 #g ,my city is indeed small1 but neat1 and large enough for us both4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,the answer of ,jesus by ,ananias the footman to ,abgarus the king1 #c declining to visit ,edessa4 ,,abgarus1 you are happy1 forasmuch as you have believed on me1 whom you have not seen4 #b ,for it is written concerning me1 that those who have seen me should not believe on me1 that they who have not seen might believe and live4 #c ,as to that part of your letter1 which relates to my giving you a visit1 ,i must inform you1 that ,i must fulfil all the ends of my mission in this country1 and after that be received up again to him who sent me4 #d ,but after my ascension ,i will send one of my disciples1 who will cure your disease1 and give life to you1 and all that are with you4 ,,references ,,to ,,the ,,epistles ,,of ,,jesus ,,christ ,,and ,,abgarus ,,king ,,of ,,edessa4 ,the first writer who makes any mention of the ,epistles that passed between ,jesus ,christ and ,abgarus1 is ,eusebius1 ,bishop of ,caesarea1 in ,palestine1 who flourished in the early part of the fourth century4 ,for their genuineness1 he appeals to the public registers and records of the ,city of ,edessa in ,mesopotamia1 where ,abgarus reigned1 and where he affirms that he found them written in the ,syriac language4 ,he published a ,greek translation of them1 in his ,ecclesiastical ,history4 ,the learned world has been much divided on this subject2 but1 notwithstanding the erudite ,grabe1 with ,archbishop ,cave1 ,dr1 ,parker1 and other divines1 have strenuously contended for their admission into the canon of ,scripture1 they are deemed apocryphal4 ,the ,rev4 ,jeremiah ,jones observes1 that the common people in ,england have this ,epistle in their houses in many places1 fixed in a frame1 with the picture of ,christ before it2 and that they generally1 with much honesty and devotion1 regard it as the word of ,god1 and the genuine ,epistle of ,christ4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,paul ,,the ,,apostle ,,to ,,the ,,laodiceans4 #a ,he salutes the brethren2 #c exhorts them to persevere in good works1 #d and not to be moved by vain speaking4 #f ,rejoices in his bonds1 #aj desires them to live in the fear of the ,lord4 ,,paul an ,apostle1 not of men1 neither by man1 but by ,jesus ,christ1 to the brethren which are at ,laodicea4 #b ,grace be to you1 and peace from ,god the ,father and our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 #c ,i thank ,christ in every prayer of mine1 that ye may continue and persevere in good works1 looking for that which is promised in the day of judgment4 #d ,let not the vain speeches of any trouble you1 who pervert the truth1 that they may draw you aside from the truth of the ,gospel which ,i have preached4 #e ,and now may ,god grant1 that my converts may attain to a perfect knowledge of the truth of the ,gospel1 be beneficent1 and doing good works which accompany salvation4 #f ,and now my bonds1 which ,i suffer in ,christ1 are manifest1 in which ,i rejoice and am glad4 ,for ,i know that this shall turn to my salvation for ever1 which shall be through your prayer1 and the supply of the ,holy ,spirit4 #h ,whether ,i live or die1 to live shall be a life to ,christ1 to die will be joy4 #i ,and our ,lord will grant us his mercy1 that ye may have the same love1 and be like-minded4 #aj ,wherefore1 my beloved1 as ye have heard of the coming of the ,lord1 so think and act in fear1 and it shall be to you life eternal2 #aa ,for it is ,god1 who worketh in you3 #ab ,and do all things without sin4 #ac ,and what is best1 my beloved rejoice in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ and avoid all filthy lucre4 #ad ,let all your requests be made known to ,god1 and be steady in the doctrine of ,christ4 #ae ,and whatsoever things are sound and true1 and of good reort1 and chaste1 and just1 and lovely1 these things do4 #af ,those things which ye have heard1 and received1 think on these things1 and peace shall be with you4 #ag ,all the saints salute you4 #ah ,the grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ be with your spirit4 ,amen4 #ai ,cause this ,epistle to be read to the ,colossians1 and the ,epistle of the ,colossians to be read among you4 ,,references ,,to ,,the ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,paul ,,the ,,apostle ,,to ,,the ,,laodiceans4 ,this ,epistle has been highly esteemed by several learned men of the church of ,rome and others4 ,the ,quakers have printed a translation1 and plead for it1 as the reader may see1 by consulting ,poole's ,annotation on ,col4 vi4 #af4 ,sixtus ,senensis mentions two ,,mss41 the one in the ,sorbonne ,library at ,paris1 which is a very ancient copy1 and the other in the ,library of ,joannes a ,viridario1 at ,padua1 which he transcribed and published2 and which is the authority for the following translation4 ,there is a very old translation of this ,epistle in the ,british ,museum1 among the ,harleian ,,mss41 ,cod4 #abab4 ,,the ,,epistles ,,of ,,st4 ,,paul ,,the ,,apostle ,,to ,,seneca1 ,,with ,,seneca' ,s ,,to ,,paul4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,annaeus ,,seneca to ,,paul ,greeting4 ,i ,,suppose1 ,paul1 you have been informed of that conversation1 which passed yesterday between me and my ,lucilius1 concerning hypocrisy and other subjects2 for there were some of your disciples in company with us2 #b ,for when we were retired into the ,sallustian gardens1 through which they were also passing1 and would have gone another way1 by our persuasion they joined company with us4 #c ,i desire you to believe1 that we much wish for your conversation2 #d ,we were much delighted with your book of many ,epistles1 which you have written to some cities and chief towns of provinces1 and contain wonderful instructions for moral conduct3 #e ,such sentiments1 as ,i suppose you were not the author of1 but only the instrument of conveying1 though sometimes both the author and the instrument1 #f ,for such is the sublimity of those1 doctrines1 and their grandeur1 that ,i suppose the age of a man is scarce sufficient to be instructed and perfected in the knowledge of them4 ,i wish your welfare1 my brother4 ,farewell4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,paul to ,,seneca ,greeting4 ,i ,,received your letter yesterday with pleasure1 to which ,i could immediately have written an answer1 had the young man been at home1 whom ,i intended to have sent to you3 #b ,for you know when1 and by whom1 at what seasons1 and to whom ,i must deliver everything which ,i send4 #c ,i desire therefore you would not charge me with negligence1 if ,i wait for a proper person4 #d ,i reckon myself very happy in having the judgment of so valuable a person1 that you are delighted with my ,epistles3 #e ,for you would not be esteemed a censor1 a philosopher1 or be the tutor of so great a prince1 and a master of everything1 if you were not sincere4 ,i wish you a lasting prosperity4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,annaeus ,,seneca to ,,paul ,greeting4 ,i ,,have completed some volumes and divided them into their proper parts4 #b ,i am determined to read them to ,caesar1 and if any favourable opportunity happens1 you also shall be present1 when they are read2 #c ,but if that cannot be1 ,i will appoint and give you notice of a day1 when we will together read over the performance4 #d ,i had determined1 if ,i could with safety1 first to have your opinion of it1 before ,i published it to ,caesar1 that you might be convinced of my affection to you4 ,farewell1 dearest ,paul4 ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,,paul to ,,seneca ,greeting4 ,,as often as ,i read your letters1 ,i imagine you present with me2 nor indeed do ,i think any other1 than that you are always with us4 #b ,as soon therefore as you begin to come1 we shall presently see each other4 ,i wish you all prosperity4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,annaeus ,,seneca to ,,paul ,greeting4 ,,we are very much concerned at your too long absence from us4 #b ,what is it1 or what affairs are they1 which obstructs your coming8 #c ,if you fear the anger of ,caesar because you have abandoned your former religion1 and made proselytes also of others1 you have this to plead1 that your acting thus proceeded not from inconstancy1 but judgment4 ,farewell4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,paul to ,,seneca and ,,lucilius ,greeting4 ,,concerning those things1 about which ye wrote to me1 it is not proper for me to mention anything in writing with pen and ink3 the one of which leaves marks1 and the other evidently declares things4 #b ,especially since ,i know that there are near you1 as well as me1 those who will understand my meaning4 #c ,deference is to be paid to all men1 and so much the more1 as they are more likely to take occasions of quarrelling4 #d ,and if we show a submissive temper1 we shall overcome effectually in all points1 if so be they are1 who are capable of seeing and acknowledging themselves to have been in the wrong4 ,farewell4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,annaeus ,,seneca to ,,paul ,greeting4 ,i ,,profess myself extremely pleased with the reading your letters to the ,galatians1 ,corinthians1 and people of ,achaia4 #b ,for the ,holy ,ghost has in them by you delivered those sentiments which are very lofty1 sublime1 deserving of all respect1 and beyond your own invention4 #c ,i could wish therefore1 that when you are writing things so extraordinary1 there might not be wanting an elegancy of speech agreeable to their majesty4 #d ,and ,i must own1 my brother1 that ,i may not at once dishonestly conceal anything from you1 and be unfaithful to my own conscience1 that the emperor is extremely pleased with the sentiments of your ,epistles2 #e ,for when he heard the beginning of them read1 he declared1 that he was surprised to find such notions in a person1 who had not had a regular education4 #f ,to which ,i replied1 ,that the ,gods sometimes made use of mean 7innocent7 persons to speak by1 and gave him an instance of this in a mean countryman named ,vatienus1 who1 when he was in the country of ,reate1 had two men appeared to him1 called ,castor and ,pollux1 and received a revelation from the gods4 ,farewell4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,paul to ,,seneca ,greeting4 ,,although ,i know the emperor is both an admirer and favourer of our religion1 yet give me leave to advise you against your suffering any injury 7by showing favour to us74 #b ,i think indeed you ventured upon a very dangerous attempt1 when you would declare 7to the emperor7 that which is so very contrary to his religion1 and way of worship2 seeing he is a worshipper of the heathen gods4 #c ,i know not what you particularly had in view1 when you told him of this2 but ,i suppose you did it out of too great respect for me4 #d ,but ,i desire that for the future you would not do so2 for you had need be careful1 lest by showing your affection for me1 you should offend your master3 #e ,his anger indeed will do us no harm1 if he continue a heathen2 nor will his not being angry be of any service to us3 #f ,and if the empress act worthy of her character1 she will not be angry2 but if she act as a woman1 she will be affronted4 ,farewell4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,anneus ,,seneca to ,,paul ,greeting4 ,,know that my letter1 wherein ,i acquainted you1 that ,i had read to the ,emperor your ,epistles1 does not so much affect you as the nature of the things 7contained in them47 #b ,which do so powerfully divert men's minds from their former manners and practices1 that ,i have always been surprised1 and have been fully convinced of it by many arguments heretofore4 #c ,let us therefore begin afresh2 and if any thing heretofore has been imprudently acted1 do you forgive4 #d ,i have sent you a book decopia verborum4 ,farewell1 dearest ,paul4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,paul to ,,seneca ,greeting4 ,,as often as ,i write to you1 and place my name before yours1 ,i do a thing both disagreeable to myself1 and contrary to our religion3 #b ,for ,i ought1 as ,i have often declared1 to become all things to all men1 and to have that regard to your quality1 which the ,roman law has honoured all senators with2 namely1 to put my name last in the 7inscription of the7 ,epistle1 that ,i may not at length with uneasiness and shame be obliged to do that which it was always my inclination to do4 ,farewell1 most respected master4 ,dated the fifth of the calends of ,july1 in the fourth ,consulship of ,nero1 and ,messala4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,annaeus ,,seneca to ,,paul ,greeting4 ,,all happiness to you1 my dearest ,paul4 #b ,if a person so great1 and every way agreeable as you are1 become not only a common1 but a most intimate friend to me1 how happy will be the case of ,seneca6 #c ,you therefore1 who are so eminent1 and so far exalted above all1 even the greatest1 do not think yourself unfit to be first named in the inscription of an ,epistle2 #d ,lest ,i should suspect you intend not so much to try me1 as to banter me2 for you know yourself to be a ,roman citizen4 #e ,and ,i could wish to be in that circumstance or station which you are1 and that you were in the same that ,i am4 ,farewell1 dearest ,paul4 ,dated the tenth of the calends of ,april1 in the ,consulship of ,aprianus and ,capito4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,annaeus ,,seneca to ,,paul ,greeting4 ,,all happiness to you1 my dearest ,paul4 ,do you not suppose ,i am extremely concerned and grieved that your innocence should bring you into sufferings8 #b ,and that all the people should suppose you 7,christians7 so criminal1 and imagine all the misfortunes that happen to the city1 to be caused by you8 #c ,but let us bear the charge with a patient temper1 appealing for our innocence to the court above1 which is the only one our hard fortune will allow us to address to1 till at length our misfortunes shall end in unalterable happiness4 #d ,former ages have produced 7tyrants7 ,alexander the son of ,philip1 and ,dionysius2 ours also has produced ,caius ,caesar2 whose inclinations were their only laws4 #e ,as to the frequent burnings of the city of ,rome1 the cause is manifest2 and if a person in my mean circumstances might be allowed to speak1 and one might declare these dark things without danger1 every one should see the whole of the matter4 #f ,the ,christians and ,jews are indeed commonly punished for the crime of burning the city2 but that impious miscreant1 who delights in murders and butcheries1 and disguises his villainies with lies1 is appointed to1 or reserved till1 his proper time4 #g ,and as the life of every excellent person is now sacrificed instead of that one person 7who is the author of the mischief71 so this one shall be sacrificed for many1 and be shall be devoted to be burnt with fire instead of all4 #h ,one hundred and thirty-two houses1 and four whole squares 7or islands7 were burnt down in six days3 the seventh put an end to the burning4 ,i wish you all happiness4 #i ,dated the fifth of the calends of ,april1 in the ,consulship of ,frigius and ,bassus4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,annaeus ,,seneca to ,,paul ,greeting4 ,,all happiness to you1 my dearest ,paul4 #b ,you have written many volumes in an allegorical and mystical style1 and therefore such mighty matters and business being committed to you1 require not to be set off with any rhetorical flourishes of speech1 but only with some proper elegance4 #c ,i remember you often said1 that many by affecting such a style do injury to their subjects1 and lose the force of the matters they treat of4 #d ,but in this ,i desire you to regard me1 namely1 to have respect to true ,latin1 and to choose just words1 that so you may the better manage the noble trust which is reposed in you4 #e ,farewell4 ,dated the fifth of the nones of ,july1 ,leo and ,savinus ,consuls4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,paul to ,,seneca ,greeting4 ,,your serious consideration is requited with those discoveries1 which the ,divine ,being has granted but to few2 #b ,i am thereby assured that ,i sow the most strong seed in a fertile soil1 not anything material1 which is subject to corruption1 but the durable word of ,god1 which shall increase and bring forth fruit to eternity4 #c ,that which by your wisdom you have attained to1 shall abide without decay for ever4 #d ,believe that you ought to avoid the superstitions of ,jews and ,gentiles4 #e ,the things which you have in some measure arrived to1 prudently make known to the emperor1 his family1 and to faithful friends2 #f ,and though your sentiments will seem disagreeable1 and not be comprehended by them1 seeing most of them will not regard your discourses1 yet the ,word of ,god once infused into them1 will at length make them become new men1 aspiring towards ,god4 #g ,farewell ,seneca1 who art most dear to us4 ,dated on the calends of ,august1 in the ,consulship of ,leo and ,savinus4 ,,references ,,to ,,the ,,epistles ,,of ,,st4 ,,paul ,,the ,,apostle ,,to ,,seneca1 ,,with ,,seneca',s ,,to ,,paul4 ,several very learned writers have entertained a favourable opinion of these ,epistles4 ,they are undoubtedly of high antiquity4 ,salmeron cites them to prove that ,seneca was one of ,caesar's household1 referred to by ,paul1 ,philip iv4 #bb1 as saluting the brethren at ,philippi4 ,in ,jerome's enumeration of illustrious men1 he places ,seneca1 on account of these ,epistles1 amongst the ecclesiastical and holy writers of the ,christian ,church4 ,sixtus ,senensis has published them in his ,bibliotheque1 p #hi1 #ij2 and it is from thence that the present translation is made4 ,baronius1 ,bellarmine1 ,dr4 ,cave1 ,spanheim1 and others1 contend that they are not genuine4 ,,the ,,acts ,,of ,,st4 ,,paul ,,and ,,thecla4 ,the martyrdom of the holy and glorious first ,martyr and ,apostle ,thecla4 ,,chapter ,i4 #a ,demas and ,hermogenes become ,paul's companions4 #d ,paul visits ,onesiphorus4 #h ,invited by ,demos and ,hermogenes4 #aa ,preaches to the household of ,onesiphorus4 #ab ,his sermon4 ,,when ,paul went up to ,iconium1 after his flight from ,antioch1 ,demas and ,hermogenes became his companions1 who were then full of hypocrisy4 #b ,but ,paul looking only at the goodness of ,god1 did them no harm1 but loved them greatly4 #c ,accordingly he endeavoured to make agreeable to them all the oracles and doctrines of ,christ1 and the design of the ,gospel of ,god's well-beloved son2 instructing them in the knowledge of ,christ1 as it was revealed to him4 #d ,and a certain man named ,onesiphorus1 hearing that ,paul was come to ,iconium1 went out speedily to meet him1 together with his wife ,lectra1 and his sons ,simmia and ,zeno1 to invite him to their house4 #e ,for ,titus had given them a description of ,paul's personage1 they as yet not knowing him in person1 but only being acquainted with his character4 #f ,they went in the king's highway to ,lystra1 and stood there waiting for him1 comparing all who passed by with that description which ,titus had given them4 #g ,at length they saw a man coming 7namely ,paul71 of a low stature1 bald on the head2 with crooked thighs1 handsome legs1 hollow-eyes2 and a crooked nose2 full of grace1 for sometimes he appeared as a man1 sometimes he had the countenance of an angel4 ,and ,paul saw ,onesiphorus1 and was glad4 #h ,and ,onesiphorus said3 ,hail1 thou servant of the blessed ,god4 ,paul replied1 ,the grace of ,god be with thee and thy family4 #i ,but ,denies and ,hermogenes were moved with envy1 and1 under a show of great religion1 ,demas said1 ,and are not we also servants of the blessed ,god8 ,why didst thou not salute us8 #aj ,onesiphorus replied1 ,because ,i have not perceived in you the fruits of righteousness2 nevertheless1 if ye are of that sort1 ye shall be welcome to my house also4 #aa ,then ,paul went into the house of ,onesiphorus1 and there was great joy among the family on that account3 and they employed themselves in prayer1 breaking of bread1 and hearing ,paul preach the word of ,god concerning temperance and the resurrection1 in the following manner3 #ab ,blessed are the pure in heart2 for they shall see ,god4 #ac ,blessed are they who keep their flesh undefiled 7or pure72 for they shall be the temple of ,god4 #ad ,blessed are the temperate 7or chaste72 for ,god will reveal himself to them4 #ae ,blessed are they who abandon their worldly enjoyments2 for they shall be accepted of ,god4 #af ,blessed are they who have wives1 as though they had them not2 for they shall be made angels of ,god4 #ag ,blessed are they who tremble at the word of ,god2 for they shall be comforted4 #ah ,blessed are they who keep their baptism pure2 for they shall find peace with the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost4 #ai ,blessed are they who pursue the wisdom or doctrine of ,jesus ,christ2 for they shall be called the sons of the ,most ,high4 #bj ,blessed are they who observe the instructions of ,jesus ,christ2 for they shall dwell in eternal light4 #ba ,blessed are they1 who for the love of ,christ abandon the glories of the world1 for they shall judge angels1 and be placed at the right hand of ,christ1 and shall not suffer the bitterness of the last judgment4 #bb ,blessed are the bodies and souls of virgins2 for they are acceptable to ,god1 and shall not lose the reward of their virginity2 for the word of their 7heavenly7 ,father shall prove effectual to their salvation in the day of his ,son1 and they shall enjoy rest for evermore4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 #a ,thecla listens anxiously to ,paul's preaching4 #e ,thamyris1 her admirer1 concerts with ,theoclia her mother to dissuade her1 #ab in vain4 #ad ,demas and ,hermogenes vilify ,paul to ,thamyris4 ,,while ,paul was preaching this sermon in the church which was in the house of ,onesiphorus1 a certain virgin named ,thecla 7whose mother's name was ,theoclia1 and who was betrothed to a man named ,thamyris7 sat at a certain window in her house4 #b ,from whence1 by the advantage of a window in the house where ,paul was1 she both night and day heard ,paul's sermons concerning ,god1 concerning charity1 concerning faith in ,christ1 and concerning prayer2 #c ,nor would she depart from the window1 till with exceeding joy she was subdued to the doctrines of faith4 #d ,at length1 when she saw many women and virgins going into ,paul1 she earnestly desired that she might be thought worthy to appear in his presence1 and hear the word of ,christ2 for she had not yet seen ,paul's person1 but only heard his sermons1 and that alone4 #e ,but when she would not be prevailed upon to depart from the window1 her mother sent to ,thamyris1 who came with the greatest pleasure1 as hoping now1 to marry her4 ,accordingly he said to ,theoclia1 ,where is my ,thecla8 #f ,theoclia replied1 ,thamyris1 ,i have something very strange to tell you2 for ,thecla1 for the space of three days1 will not move from the window1 not so much as to eat or drink1 but is so intent in hearing the artful and delusive discourses of a certain foreigner1 that ,i perfectly wonder ,thamyris1 that a young woman of her known modesty1 will suffer herself to be so prevailed upon4 #g ,for that man has disturbed the whole city of ,iconium1 and even your ,thecla1 among others4 ,all the women and young men flock to him to receive his doctrine2 who1 besides all the rest1 tells them that there is but one ,god1 who alone is to be worshipped1 and that we ought to live in chastity4 #h ,notwithstanding this1 my daughter ,thecla1 like a spider's web fastened to the window1 is captivated1 by the discourses of ,paul1 and attends' upon them with prodigious eagerness1 and vast delight2 and thus1 by attending on what he says1 the young woman is seduced4 ,now then do you go1 and speak to her1 for she is betrothed to you4 #i ,accordingly ,thamyris went1 and having saluted her1 and taking care not to surprise her1 he said1 ,thecla1 my spouse1 why sittest thou in this melancholy posture8 ,what strange impressions are made upon thee8 ,turn to ,thamyris1 and blush4 #aj ,her mother also spake to her after the same manner1 and said1 ,child1 why dost thou sit so melancholy1 and1 like one astonished1 makest no reply8 #aa ,then they wept exceedingly1 ,thamyris1 that he had lost his spouse2 ,theoclia1 that she had lost her daughter2 and the maids1 that they had lost their mistress2 and there was an universal mourning in the family4 #ab ,but all these things made no impression upon ,thecla1 so as to incline her so much as to turn to them1 and take notice of them2 for she still regarded the discourses of ,paul4 #ac ,then ,thamyris ran forth into the street to observe who they were that went in to ,paul1 and came out from him2 and he saw two men engaged in a very warm dispute1 and said to them2 #ad ,sirs1 what business have you here8 and who is that man within1 belonging to you1 who deludes the minds of men1 both young men and virgins1 persuading them1 that they ought not to marry1 but continue as they are8 #ae ,i promise to give you a considerable sum1 if ye will give me a just account of him2 for ,i am the chief person of this city4 #af ,demas and ,hermogenes replied1 ,we cannot so exactly tell who he is2 but this we know1 that he deprives young men of their 7intended7 wives1 and virgins of their 7intended7 husbands1 by teaching1 ,there can be no future resurrection1 unless ye continue in chastity1 and do not defile your flesh4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 #a ,they betray ,paul4 #g ,thamyris arrests him with officers4 ,,then said ,thamyris1 ,come along with me to my house1 and refresh yourselves4 ,so they went to a very splendid entertainment1 where there was wine in abundance1 and very rich provision4 #b ,they were brought to a table richly spread1 and made to drink plentifully by ,thamyris1 on account of the love he had for ,thecla and his desire to marry her4 #c ,then ,thamyris said1 ,i desire ye would inform me what the doctrines of this ,paul are1 that ,i may understand them2 for ,i am under no small concern about ,thecla1 seeing she so delights in that stranger's discourses1 that ,i am in danger of losing my intended wife4 #d ,then ,demas and ,hermogenes answered both together1 and said1 ,let him be brought before the governor ,castellius1 as one who endeavours to persuade the people into the new religion of the ,christians1 and he1 according to the order of ,caesar1 will put him to death1 by which means you will obtain your wife2 #e ,while we at the same time will teach her1 that the resurrection which he speaks of is already come1 and consists in our having children2 and that we then arose again1 when we came to the knowledge of ,god4 #f ,thamyris having this account from them1 was filled with hot resentment3 #g ,and rising early in the morning he went to the house of ,onesiphorus1 attended by the magistrates1 the ,jailor1 and a great multitude of people with staves1 and said to ,paul2 #h ,thou hast perverted the city of ,iconium1 and among the rest1 ,thecla1 who is betrothed to me1 so that now she will not marry me4 ,thou shalt therefore go with us to the governor ,castellius4 #i ,and all the multitude cried out1 ,away with this imposter1 for he has perverted the minds of our wives1 and all the people hearken to him4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 #a ,paul accused before the governor by ,thamyris4 #e ,defends himself4 #i ,is committed to prison1 #aj and visited by ,thecla4 ,,then ,thamyris standing before the governor's judgment-seat1 spake with a loud voice in the following manner4 #b ,o governor1 ,i know not whence this man cometh2 but he is one who teaches that matrimony is unlawful4 ,command him therefore to declare before you for what reason he publishes such doctrines4 #c ,while he was saying thus1 ,demas and ,hermogenes 7whispered to ,thamyris1 and7 said2 ,say that he is a ,christian1 and he will presently be put to death4 #d ,but the governor was more deliberate1 and calling to ,paul1 he said1 ,who art thou8 ,what dost thou teach8 ,they seem to lay gross crimes to thy charge4 #e ,paul then spake with a loud voice1 saying1 ,as ,i am now called to give an account1 ,o governor1 of my doctrines1 ,i desire your audience4 #f ,that ,god1 who is a ,god of vengeance1 and who strands in need of nothing but the salvation of his creatures1 has sent me to reclaim them from their wickedness1 and corruptions2 from all 7sinful7 pleasures1 and from death2 and to persuade them to sin no more4 #g ,on this account1 ,god sent his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 whom ,i preach1 and in whom ,i instruct men to place their hopes1 as that person who only had such compassion on the deluded world1 that it might not1 ,o governor1 be condemned1 but have faith1 the fear of ,god1 the knowlege of religion1 and the love of truth4 #h ,so that if ,i only teach those things which ,i have received by revelation from ,god1 where is my crime8 #i ,when the governor heard this1 he ordered ,paul to be bound1 and to be put in prison1 till he should be more at leisure to hear him more fully4 #aj ,but in the night1 ,thecla taking off her ear-rings1 gave them to the turnkey of the prison1 who then opened the door to her1 and let her in2 #aa ,and when she made a present of a silver looking-glass to the jailor1 was allowed to go into the room where ,paul was2 then she set down at his feet1 and heard from him the great things of ,god4 #ab ,and as she perceived ,paul not to be afraid of suffering1 but that by divine assistance he behaved himself with courage1 her faith so far increased that she kissed his chains4 ,,chapter ,v4 #a ,thecla sought and found by her relations4 #d ,brought with ,paul before the governor4 #i ,ordered to be burnt1 and ,paul to be whipt4 #ae ,thecla miraculously saved4 ,,at length ,thecla was missed and sought for by the family and by ,thamyris in every street1 as though she had been lost2 till one of the porter's fellow-servants told them1 that she had gone out in the night-time4 #b ,then they examined the porter1 and he told them1 that she was gone to the prison to the strange man4 #c ,they went therefore according to his direction1 and there found her2 and when they came out1 they got a mob together1 and went and told the governor all that had happened4 #d ,upon which he ordered ,paul to be brought before his judgment seat4 #e ,thecla in the mean time lay wallowing on the ground in the prison1 in that same place where ,paul had sat to teach her2 upon which the governor also ordered her to be brought before his judgment-seat2 which summons she received with joy1 and went4 #f ,when ,paul was brought thither1 the mob with more vehemence cried out1 ,he is a magician1 let him die4 #g ,nevertheless the governor attended with pleasure upon ,paul's discourses of the holy works of ,christ2 and1 after a council called1 he summoned ,thecla1 and said to her1 ,why do you not1 according to the law of the ,iconians1 marry ,thamyris8 #h ,she stood still1 with her eyes fixed upon ,paul2 and finding she made no reply1 ,theoclia1 her mother cried out saying1 ,let the unjust creature be burnt2 let her be burnt in the midst of the theatre1 for refusing ,thamyris1 that all women may learn from her to avoid such practices4 #i ,then the governor was exceedingly concerned1 and ordered ,paul to be whipt out of the city1 and ,thecla to be burnt4 #aj ,so the governor arose1 and went immediately into the theatre2 and all the people went forth to see the dismal sight4 #aa ,but ,thecla1 just as a lamb in the wilderness looks every way to see his shepherd1 looked around for ,paul2 #ab ,and as she was looking upon the multitude1 she saw the ,lord ,jesus in the likeness of ,paul1 and said to herself1 ,paul is come to see me in my distressed circumstances4 ,and she fixed her eyes upon him2 but he instantly ascended up to heaven1 while she looked on him4 #ac ,then the young men and women brought wood and straw for the burning of ,thecla2 who being brought naked to the stake1 extorted tears from the governor1 with surprise beholding the greatness of her beauty4 #ad ,and when they had placed the wood in order1 the people commanded her to go upon it2 which she did1 first making the sign of the cross4 #ae ,then the people set fire to the pile2 though the flame was exceeding large1 it did not touch her2 for ,god took compassion on her1 and caused a great eruption from the earth beneath1 and a cloud from above to pour down great quantities of rain and hail2 #af ,insomuch that by the rupture of the earth1 very many were in great danger1 and some were killed1 the fire was extinguished1 and ,thecla preserved4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 #a ,paul with ,onesiphorus in a cave4 #g ,thecla discovers ,paul2 #ab proffers to follow him3 #ac he exhorts her not for fear of fornication4 ,,in the mean time ,paul1 together with ,onesiphorus1 his wife and children1 was keeping a fast in a certain cave1 which was in the road from ,iconium to ,daphne4 #b ,and when they had fasted for several days1 the children said to ,paul1 ,father1 we are hungry1 and have not wherewithal to buy bread2 for ,onesiphorus had left all his substance to follow ,paul with his family4 #c ,then ,paul1 taking off his coat1 said to the boy1 ,go1 child1 and buy bread1 and bring it hither4 #d ,but while the boy was buying the bread1 he saw his neighbour ,thecla1 and was surprised1 and said to her1 ,thecla1 where are you going8 #e ,she replied1 ,i am in pursuit of ,paul1 having been delivered from the flames4 #f ,the boy then said1 ,i will bring you to him1 for he is under great concern on your account1 and has been in prayer and fasting these six days4 #g ,when ,thecla came to the cave1 she found ,paul upon his knees praying and saying1 ,o holy ,father1 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 grant that the fire may not touch ,thecla2 but be her helper1 for she is thy servant4 #h ,thecla then standing behind him1 cried out in the following words3 ,o sovereign ,lord ,creator of heaven and earth1 the ,father of thy beloved and holy ,son1 ,i praise thee that thou hast preserved me from the fire1 to see ,paul again4 #i ,paul then arose1 and when he saw her1 said1 ,o ,god1 who searchest the heart1 ,father of my ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,i praise thee that thou hast answered my prayer4 #aj ,and there prevailed among them in the cave an entire affection to each other2 ,paul1 ,onesiphorus1 and all that were with them being filled with joy4 #aa ,they had five loaves1 some herbs and water1 and they solaced each other in reflections upon the holy works of ,christ4 #ab ,then said ,thecla to ,paul1 ,if you be pleased with it1 ,i will follow you whithersoever you go4 #ac ,he replied to her1 ,persons are now much given to fornication1 and you being handsome1 ,i am afraid lest you should meet with greater temptation than the former1 and should ,not withstand1 but be overcome by it4 #ad ,thecla replied1 ,grant me only the seal of ,christ1 and no temptation shall affect me4 #ae ,paul answered1 ,thecla1 wait with patience1 and you shall receive the gift of ,christ4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 #a ,paul and ,thecla go to ,antioch4 #b ,alexander1 a magistrate1 falls in love with ,thecla3 #d kisses her by force3 #e she resists him3 #f is carried before the governor1 and condemned to be thrown to wild beasts4 ,,then ,paul sent back ,onesiphorus and his family to their own home1 and taking ,thecla along with him1 went for ,antioch2 #b ,and as soon as they came in4 to the city1 a certain ,syrian1 named ,alexander1 a magistrate in the city1 who had done many considerable services for the city during his magistracy1 saw ,thecla1 and fell in love with her1 and endeavoured by many rich presents to engage ,paul in his interest4 #c ,but ,paul told him1 ,i know not the woman of whom you speak1 nor does she belong to me4 #d ,but he being a person of great power in1 ,antioch1 seized her in the street and kissed her3 which ,thecla would not bear1 but looking about for ,paul1 cried out in a distressed loud tone1 ,force me not1 who am a stranger2 force me not1 who am a servant of ,god2 ,i am one of the principal persons of ,iconium1 and was obliged to leave that city because ,i would not be married to ,thamyris4 #e ,then she laid hold on ,alexander1 tore his coat1 and took his crown off his head1 and made him appear ridiculous before all the people4 #f ,but ,alexander1 partly as he loved her1 and partly being ashamed of what had been done1 led her to the governor1 and upon her confession of what she had done1 he condemned her to be thrown among the beasts4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 #b ,thecla entertained by ,trifina2 #c brought out to the wild beasts2 a she-lion licks her feet4 #e ,trifina upon a vision of her deceased daughter1 adopts ,thecla1 #aa who is taken to the amphitheatre again4 ,,which when the people saw1 they said3 ,the judgments passed in this city are unjust4 ,but ,thecla desired the favour of the governor1 that her chastity might not be attacked1 but preserved till she should be cast to the beasts4 #b ,the governor then inquired1 ,who would entertain her2 upon which a certain very rich widow1 named ,trifina1 whose daughter was lately dead1 desired that she might have the keeping of her2 and she began to treat her in her house as her own daughter4 #c ,at length a day came1 when the beasts were to be brought forth to be seen2 and ,thecla was brought to the amphitheatre1 and put into a den in which was an exceeding fierce she-lion1 in the presence of a multitude of spectators4 #d ,trifina2 without any surprise1 accompanied ,thecla1 and the she- lion licked the feet of ,thecla4 ,the title written which denoted her crime1 was ,sacrilege4 ,then the women cried out1 ,o ,god1 the judgments of this city are unrighteous4 #e ,after the beasts had been shown1 ,trifina took ,thecla home with her1 and they went to bed2 and behold1 the daughter of ,trifina1 who was dead1 appeared to her mother1 and said2 ,mother1 let the young woman1 ,thecla1 be reputed by you as your daughter in my stead2 and desire her that she should pray for me1 that ,i may be translated to a state of happiness4 #f ,upon which ,trifina1 with a mournful air1 said1 ,my daughter ,falconilla has appeared to me1 and ordered me to receive you in her room2 wherefore ,i desire1 ,thecla1 that you would pray for my daughter1 that she may be translated into a state of happiness1 and to life eternal4 #g ,when ,thecla heard this1 she immediately prayed to the ,lord1 and said3 ,o ,lord ,god of heaven and earth1 ,jesus ,christ1 thou ,son of the ,most ,high1 grant that her daughter ,falconilla may live forever4 ,trifina hearing this1 groaned again1 and said3 ,o unrighteous judgments6 ,o unreasonable wickedness6 that such a creature should 7again7 be cast to the beasts6 #h ,on the morrow1 at break of day1 ,alexander came to ,trifina's house1 and said3 ,the governor and the people are waiting2 bring the criminal forth4 #i ,but ,trifina ran in so violently upon him1 that he was affrighted1 and ran away4 ,trifina was one of the royal family2 and she thus expressed her sorrow1 and said2 ,alas6 ,i have trouble in my house on two accounts1 and there is no one who will relieve me1 either under the loss of my daughter1 or my being unable to save ,thecla4 ,but now1 ,o ,lord ,god1 be thou the helper of ,thecla thy servant4 #aj ,while she was thus engaged4 the governor sent one of his own officers to bring ,thecla4 ,trifina took her by the hand1 and1 going with her1 said3 ,i went with ,falconilla to her grave1 and now must go with ,thecla to the beasts4 #aa ,when ,thecla heard this1 she weeping prayed1 and said3 ,o ,lord ,god1 whom ,i have made my confidence and refuge1 reward ,trifina for her compassion to me1 and preserving my chastity4 #ab ,upon this there was a great noise in the amphitheatre2 the beasts roared1 and the people cried out1 ,bring in the criminal4 #ac ,but the women cried out1 and said3 ,let the whole city suffer for such crimes2 and order all of us1 ,o governor1 to the same punishment4 ,o unjust judgment6 ,o cruel sight6 #ad ,others said1 ,let the whole city be destroyed for this vile action4 ,kill us all1 ,o governor4 ,o cruel sight6 ,o unrighteous judgment4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 #a ,thecla thrown naked to the wild beasts2 #b but they all refuse to attack her4 #h ,she baptizes herself in a pit of water4 #aj ,other wild beasts refuse to injure her4 #aa ,tied to wild bulls4 #ac ,miraculously saved4 #ba4 ,released4 #bd ,entertained by ,trifina1 ,,then ,thecla was taken out of the hand of ,trifina1 stripped naked1 had a girdle put on1 and thrown into the place appointed for fighting with the beasts3 and the lions and the bears were let loose upon her4 #b ,but a she-lion1 which was of all the most fierce1 ran to ,thecla1 and fell down at her feet4 ,upon which the multitude of women shouted aloud4 #c ,then a she-bear ran fiercely towards her1 but the she lion met the bear1 and tore it in pieces4 #d ,again a he-lion1 who had been wont to devour men1 and which belonged to ,alexander1 ran towards her2 but the she-lion encountered the he-lion1 and they killed each other4 #e ,then the women were under a greater concern1 because the she-lion1 which had helped ,thecla1 was dead4 #f ,afterwards they brought out many other wild beasts2 but ,thecla stood with her hands stretched towards heaven1 and prayed2 and when she had done praying1 she turned about1 and saw a pit of water1 and said1 ,now it is a proper time for me to be baptized4 #g ,accordingly she threw herself into the water1 and said1 ,in thy name1 ,o my ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,i am this last day baptized4 ,the women and the people seeing this1 cried out and said1 ,do not throw yourself into the water4 ,and the governor himself cried out1 to think that the fish 7sea-calves7 were like to devour so much beauty4 #h ,notwithstanding all this1 ,thecla threw herself into the water1 in the name of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 #i ,but the fish 7sea-calves7 when they saw the lightning and fire1 were killed1 and swam dead upon the surface of the water1 and a cloud of fire surrounded ,thecla2 so that as the beasts could not come near her1 so the people could not see her nakedness4 #aj ,yet they turned other wild beasts upon her2 upon which they made a very mournful outcry2 and some of them scattered spikenard1 others cassia1 others amomus 7a sort of spikenard1 or the herb of ,jerusalem1 or ladies rose71 others ointment2 so that the quantity of ointment was large1 in proportion to the number of people2 and upon this all the beasts lay as though they had been fast asleep1 and did not touch ,thecla4 #aa ,whereupon ,alexander said to the governor1 ,i have some very terrible bulls2 let us bind her to them4 ,to which the governor1 with concern1 replied1 ,you may do what you think fit4 #ab ,then they put a cord round ,thecla's waist1 which bound also her feet1 and with it tied her to the bulls1 to whose privy-parts they applied red-hot irons1 that so they being the more tormented1 might more violently drag ,thecla about1 till they had killed her4 #ac ,the bulls accordingly tore about1 making a most hideous noise2 but the flame which was about ,thecla1 burnt off the cords which were fastened to the members of the bulls1 and she stood in the middle of the stage1 as unconcerned as if she had not been bound4 #ad ,but in the mean time ,trifina1 who sat upon one of the benches1 fainted away and died2 upon which the whole city was under a very great concern4 #ae ,and ,alexander himself was afraid1 and desired the governor1 saying3 ,i entreat you1 take compassion on me and the city1 and release this woman1 who has fought with the beasts2 lest both you and ,i1 and the whole city1 be destroyed2 #af ,for if ,caesar should have any account of what has passed now1 he will certainly immediately destroy the city1 because ,trifina1 a person of royal extract1 and a relation of his1 is dead upon her seat4 #ag ,upon this the governor called ,thecla from among the beasts to him1 and said to her1 ,who art thou8 and what are thy circumstances1 that not one of the beasts will touch thee8 #ah ,thecla replied to him2 ,i am a servant of the living ,god2 and as to my state1 ,i am a believer on ,jesus ,christ his ,son1 in whom ,god is well pleased2 and for that reason none of the beasts could touch me4 #ai ,he alone is the way to eternal salvation1 and the foundation of eternal life4 ,he is a refuge to those who are in distress2 a support to the afflicted1 hope and defence to those who are hopeless2 and in a word1 all those who do not believe on him1 shall not live1 but suffer eternal death4 #bj ,when the governor heard these things1 he ordered her clothes to be brought1 and said to her1 ,put on your clothes4 #ba ,thecla replied3 ,may that ,god who clothed me when ,i was naked among the beasts1 in the day of judgment clothe your soul with the robe of salvation4 ,then she took her clothes1 and put them on2 and the governor immediately published an order in these words3 ,i release to you ,thecla the servant of ,god4 #bb ,upon which the women cried out together with a loud voice1 and with one accord gave praise unto ,god1 and said2 ,there is but one ,god1 who is the ,god of ,thecla2 the one ,god who hath delivered ,thecla4 #bc ,so loud were their voices1 that the whole city seemed to be shaken2 and ,trifina herself heard the glad tidings1 and arose again1 and ran with the multitude to meet ,thecla2 and embracing her1 said3 ,now ,i believe there shall be a resurrection of the dead2 now ,i am persuaded that my daughter is alive4 ,come therefore home with me1 my daughter ,thecla1 and ,i will make all over that ,i have to you4 #bd ,so ,thecla went with ,trifina1 and was entertained there a few days1 teaching her the word of the ,lord1 whereby many young women were converted2 and there was great joy in the family of ,trifina4 #be ,but ,thecla longed to see ,paul1 and inquired and sent every where to find him2 and when at length she was informed that he was at ,myra1 in ,lycia1 she took with her many young men and women2 and putting on a girdle1 and dressing herself in the habit of a man1 she went to him to ,myra in ,lycia1 and there found ,paul preaching the word of ,god2 and she stood by him among the throng4 ,,chapter ,x4 #a ,thecla visits ,paul2 #f visits ,onesiphorus2 #h and visits her ,mother #i who repulses her4 #ad ,is tempted by the devil4 #af ,works miracles4 ,,but it was no small surprise to ,paul when he saw her and the people with her2 for he imagined some fresh trial was coming upon them2 #b ,which when ,thecla perceived1 she said to him3 ,i have been baptized1 ,o ,paul2 for he who assists you in preaching1 has assisted me to baptize4 #c ,then ,paul took her1 and led her to the house of ,hermes2 and ,thecla related to ,paul all that had befallen her in ,antioch1 insomuch that ,paul exceedingly wondered1 and all who heard were confirmed in the faith1 and prayed for ,trifina's happiness4 #d ,then ,thecla arose1 and said to ,paul1 ,i am going to ,iconium4 ,paul replied to her3 ,go and teach the word of the ,lord4 #e ,but ,trifina had sent large sums of money to ,paul1 and also clothing by the hands of ,thecla1 for the relief of the poor4 #f ,so ,thecla went to ,iconium4 ,and when she came to the house of ,onesiphorus1 she fell down upon the floor where ,paul had sat and preached1 and1 mixing tears with her prayers1 she praised and glorified ,god in the following words3 #g ,o ,lord the ,god of this house1 in which ,i was first enlightened by thee2 ,o ,jesus1 son of the living ,god1 who wast my helper before the governor1 my helper in the fire1 and my helper among the beasts2 thou alone art ,god for ever and ever1 ,amen4 #h ,thecla now 7on her return7 found ,thamyris dead1 but her mother living4 ,so calling her mother1 she said to her3 ,theoclia1 my mother1 is it possible for you to be brought to a belief1 that there is but one ,lord ,god1 who dwells in the heavens8 ,if you desire great riches1 ,god will give them to you by me2 if you want your daughter again1 here ,i am4 #i ,these and many other things she represented to her mother1 7endeavouring7 to persuade her 7to her own opinion74 ,but her mother ,theoclia gave no credit to the things which were said by the martyr ,thecla4 #aj ,so that ,thecla perceiving1 she discoursed to no purpose1 signing her whole body with the sign 7of the cross71 left the house and went to ,daphne2 and when she came there1 she went to the cave1 where she had found ,paul with ,onesiphorus1 and fell down upon the ground2 and wept before ,god4 #aa ,when she departed thence1 she went to ,seleucia1 and enlightened many in the knowledge of ,christ4 #ab ,and a bright cloud conducted her in her journey4 #ac ,and after she had arrived at ,seleucia she went-to a place out of the city1 about the distance of a furlong1 being afraid of the inhabitants1 because they were worshippers of idols4 #ad ,and she was lead 7by the cloud7 into a mountain called ,calamon1 or ,rodeon4 ,there she abode many years1 and underwent a great many grievous temptations of the devil1 which she bore in a becoming manner1 by the assistance which she had from ,christ4 #ae ,at length certain gentle-women hearing of the virgin ,thecla1 went to her1 and were instructed by her in the oracles of ,god1 and many of them abandoned this world1 and led a monastic life with her4 #af ,hereby a good report was spread everywhere of ,thecla1 and she wrought several 7miraculous7 cures1 so that all the city and adjacent countries brought their sick to that mountain1 and before they came as far as the door of the cave1 they were instantly cured of whatso'ever distemper they had4 #ag ,the unclean spirits were cast out1 making a noise2 all received their sick made whole1 and glorified ,god1 who had bestowed such power on the virgin ,thecla2 #ah ,insomuch that the physicians of ,seleucia were now of no more account1 and lost all the profit of their trade1 because no one regarded them2 upon which they were filled with envy1 and began to contrive what methods to take with this servant of ,christ4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 #a ,thecla is attempted to be ravished1 #ab escapes by a rock opening1 #ag and closing miraculously4 ,,the devil then suggested bad advice to their minds2 and being on a certain day met together to consult1 they reasoned among each other thus3 ,the virgin is a priestess of the great goddess ,diana1 and whatsoever she requests from her1 is granted1 because she is a virgin1 and so is beloved by all the gods4 #b ,now then let us procure some rakish fellows1 and after we have made them sufficiently drunk1 and given them a good sum of money1 let us order them to go and debauch this virgin1 promising them1 if they do it1 a larger reward4 #c 7,for they thus concluded among themselves1 that if they be able to debauch her1 the gods will no more regard her nor ,diana cure the sick for her74 #d ,they proceeded according to this resolution1 and the fellows went to the mountain1 and as fierce as lions to the cave1 knocking at the door4 #e ,the holy martyr ,thecla relying upon the ,god in whom she believed1 opened the door1 although she was before apprised of their design1 and said to them1 ,young men1 what is your business8 #f ,they replied1 ,is there any one within1 whose name is ,thecla8 ,she answered1 ,what would you have with her8 ,they said1 ,we have a mind to lie with her4 #g ,the blessed ,thecla answered1 ,though ,i am a mean old woman1 ,i am the servant of my ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 and though you have a vile design against me1 ye shall not be able to accomplish it4 ,they replied1 ,is it impossible8 but we must be able to do with you what we have a mind1 #h ,and while they were saying this1 they laid hold on her by main force1 and would have ravished her4 ,then she with the 7greatest7 mildness said to them3 ,young men have patience1 and see the glory of the ,lord4 #i ,and while they held her1 she looked up to heaven and said3 ,o ,god most reverend1 to whom none can be likened2 who makest thyself glorious over thine enemies2 who didst deliver me from the fire1 didst not give me up to ,thamyris1 and didst not give me up to ,alexander3 who deliveredst me from the wild beasts2 who didst preserve me in the deep waters2 who hast everywhere been my helper1 and hast glorified thy name in me2 #aj ,now also deliver me from the hands of these wicked and unreasonable men nor suffer them to debauch my chastity which ,i have hitherto preserved for thy honour2 for ,i love thee1 and long for thee1 and worship thee1 ,o ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost1 for evermore4 ,amen4 #aa ,then came a voice from heaven1 saying1 ,fear not ,thecla1 my faithful servant1 for ,i am with thee4 ,look and see the place which is opened for thee2 there thy eternal abode shall be2 there thou shalt receive the 7beatific7 vision4 #ab ,the blessed ,thecla observing1 saw the rock opened to as large a degree as that a man might enter in2 she did as she was commanded1 bravely fled from the vile crew1 and went into the rock1 which instantly so closed1 that there was not any crack visible where it had opened4 #ac ,the men stood perfectly astonished at so prodigious a miracle1 and had no power to detain the servant of ,god2 but only catching hold of her veil 7or hood71 they tore off a piece of it2 #ad ,and even that was by the permission of ,god1 for the confirmation of their faith1 who should come to see this venerable place2 and to convey blessings to those in succeeding ages1 who should believe on our ,lord ,jesus ,christ from a pure heart4 #ae ,thus suffered that first martyr and apostle of ,god1 and virgin1 ,thecla1 who came from ,iconium at eighteen years of age2 afterwards1 partly in journeys and travels1 and partly in a monastic life in the cave1 she lived seventy- two years2 so that she was ninety years old when the ,lord translated her4 #af ,thus ends her life4 #ag ,the day which is kept sacred to her memory1 is the twenty-fourth of ,september1 to the glory of the ,father1 and the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 now and for evermore4 ,amen4 ,,references ,,to ,,the ,,acts ,,of ,,st4 ,,paul ,,and ,,thecla4 ,tertullian says that this piece was forged by a ,presbyter of ,asia1 who being convicted1 confessed that he did it out of respect to ,paul1 and ,pope ,gelasius1 in his ,decree against apocryphal books1 inserted it among them4 ,notwithstanding this1 a large part of the history was credited and looked upon as genuine among the primitive ,christians4 ,cyprian1 ,eusebius1 ,epiphanius1 ,austin1 ,gregory1 ,nagianzen4 ,chrysostom1 and ,severus ,sulpitius1 who all lived within the fourth century mention ,thecla or refer to her history4 ,basil of ,seleucia wrote her acts1 sufferings and victories1 in verse2 and ,euagrius ,scholasticus an ecclesiastical historian1 about #eij1 relates that after the ,emperor ,zeno1 had abdicated his empire1 and ,basilik had taken possession of it1 he had a vision of the holy and excellent martyr ,thecla1 who promised him the restoration of his empire2 for which1 when it was brought about1 he erected and dedicated a most noble and sumptuous temple to this famous martyr1 ,thecla1 at ,seleucia1 a city of ,isauria1 and bestowed upon it very noble endowments1 which 7says the author7 are preserved even till this day4 ,hist4 ,ecel4 lib4 #c cap4 #h4--;,cardinal ,barenius1 ,locrinus1 ,archbishop ,wake1 and others2 and also the learned ,grabe1 who edited the ,septuagint1 and revived the ,acts of ,paul and ,thecla1 consider them as having been written in the ,apostolic age2 as containing nothing superstitious1 or disagreeing from the opinions and belief of those times2 and1 in short1 as a genuine and authentic history4 ,again1 it is said1 that this is not the original book of the early ,christians2 but however that may be1 it is published from the ,greek ,,ms4 in the ,bodlian ,library at ,oxford1 which ,dr4 ,mills copied and transmitted to ,dr1 ,grabe4