forth with me, but I will go forth alone, having changed the fashion of mine apparel. And as he
went forth of the city, he saw the Lord entering into Rome. And when he saw him, he said: Lord,
whither goest thou thus (or here)? And the Lord said unto him: I go into Rome to be crucified.
And Peter said unto him: Lord, art thou (being) crucified again? He said unto him: Yea, Peter, I
am (being) crucified again. And Peter came to himself: and having beheld the Lord ascending up
into heaven, he returned to Rome, rejoicing, and glorifying the Lord, for that he said: I am being
crucified: the which was about to befall Peter.
XXXVI. He went up therefore again unto the brethren, and told them that which had been seen
by him: and they lamented in soul, weeping and saying: We beseech thee, Peter, take thought for
us that are young. And Peter said unto them: If it be the Lord's will, it cometh to pass, even if we
will it not; but for you, the Lord is able to stablish you in his faith, and will found you therein
and make you spread abroad, whom he himself hath planted, that ye also may plant others
through him. But I, so long as the Lord will that I be in the flesh, resist not; and again if he take
me to him I rejoice and am glad.
And while Peter thus spake, and all the brethren wept, behold four soldiers took him and led him
unto Agrippa. And he in his madness (disease) commanded him to be crucified on an accusation
of godlessness.
The whole multitude of the brethren therefore ran together, both of rich and poor, orphans and
widows, weak and strong, desiring to see and to rescue Peter, while the people shouted with one
voice, and would not be silenced: What wrong hath Peter done, O Agrippa? Wherein hath he hurt
thee? tell the Romans! And others said: We fear lest if this man die, his Lord destroy us all.
And Peter when he came unto the place stilled the people and said: Ye men that are soldiers of
Christ! ye men that hope in Christ! remember the signs and wonders which ye have seen wrought
through me, remember the compassion of God, how many cures he hath wrought for you. Wait
for him that cometh and shall reward every man according to his doings. And now be ye not
bitter against Agrippa; for he is the minister of his father's working. And this cometh to pass at
all events, for the Lord hath manifested unto me that which befalleth. But why delay I and draw
not near unto the cross?
XXXVII. And having approached and standing by the cross he began to say: O name of the
cross, thou hidden mystery! O grace ineffable that is pronounced in the name of the cross! O
nature of man, that cannot be separated from God! O love (friendship) unspeakable and
inseparable, that cannot be shown forth by unclean lips! I seize thee now, I that am at the end of
my delivery hence (or, of my coming hither). I will declare thee, what thou art: I will not keep
silence of the mystery of the cross which of old was shut and hidden from my soul. Let not the
cross be unto you which hope in Christ, this which appeareth: for it is another thing, different
from that which appeareth, even this passion which is according to that of Christ. And now
above all, because ye that can hear are able to hear it of me, that am at the last and final hour of
my life, hearken: Separate your souls from every thing that is of the senses, from every thing that
appeareth, and does not exist in truth. Blind these eyes of yours, close these ears of yours, put
away your doings that are seen; and ye shall perceive that which concerneth Christ, and the
whole mystery of your salvation: and let thus much be said unto you that hear, as if it had not
been spoken. But now it is time for thee, Peter, to deliver up thy body unto them that take it.
Receive it then, ye unto whom it belongeth. I beseech you the executioners, crucify me thus, with
the head downward and not otherwise: and the reason wherefore, I will tell unto them that hear.
ron
(Ron)
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