said: I was sold hither by my master, that I might save many, and by thy hands depart out of this
world. And Misdaeus said: Who is thy lord? and what is his name? and of what country is he?
And Thomas said: My Lord is thy master and he is Lord of heaven and earth. And Misdaeus
saith: What is his name? Thomas saith: Thou canst not hear his true name at this time: but the
name that was given unto him is Jesus Christ. And Misdaeus saith unto him: I have not made
haste to destroy thee, but have had long patience with thee: but thou hast added unto thine evil
deeds, and thy sorceries are dispersed abroad and heard of throughout all the country: but this I
do that thy sorceries may depart with thee, and our land be cleansed from them. Thomas saith
unto him; These sorceries depart [NOT, Syr.] with me when I set forth hence, and know thou this
that I [THEY, Syr.] shall never forsake them that are here.
164 When the apostle had said these things, Misdaeus considered how he should put him to
death; for he was afraid because of the much people that were subject unto him, for many also of
the nobles and of them that were in authority believed on him. He took him therefore and went
forth out of the city; and armed soldiers also went with him. And the people supposed that the
king desired to learn somewhat of him, and they stood still and gave heed. And when they had
walked one mile, he delivered him unto four soldiers and an officer, and commanded them to
take him into the mountain and there pierce him with spears and put an end to him, and return
again to the city. And saying thus unto the soldiers, he himself also returned unto the city.
165 But the men ran after Thomas, desiring to deliver him from death. And two soldiers went at
the right hand of the apostle and two on his left, holding spears, and the officer held his hand and
supported him. And the apostle Thomas said: O the hidden mysteries which even until our
departure are accomplished in us! O riches of his glory, who will not suffer us to be swallowed
up in this passion of the body! Four are they that cast me down, for of four am I made; and one is
he that draweth me, for of one I am, and unto him I go. And this I now understand, that my Lord
and God Jesus Christ being of one was pierced by one, but I, which am of four, am pierced by
four.
166 And being come up into the mountain unto the place where he was to be slain, he said unto
them that held him, and to the rest: Brethren, hearken unto me now at the last; for I am come to
my departure out of the body. Let not then the eyes of your heart be blinded, nor your ears be
made deaf. Believe on the God whom I preach, and be not guides unto yourselves in the hardness
of your heart, but walk in all your liberty, and in the glory that is toward men, and the life that is
toward God.
167 And he said unto Iuzanes: Thou son (to the son, P) of the (earthly) king Misdaeus and
minister (to the minister) of our Lord Jesus Christ: give unto the servants of Misdaeus their price
that they may suffer me to go and pray. And Iuzanes persuaded the soldiers to let him pray. And
the blessed Thomas went to pray, and kneeled down, and rose up and stretched forth his hands
unto heaven, and spake thus:
[Here P and the rest give - rightly - the prayer of cc. 144-8. U and its companions give the
following: He turned to his prayer; and it was this: My Lord and my God, and hope and
redeemer and leader and guide in all countries, be thou with all them that serve thee, and guide
me this day as I come unto thee. Let not any take my soul which I have committed unto thee: let
not the publicans see me, and let not the exactors accuse me falsely (play the sycophant with
me). Let not the serpent see me, and let not the children of the dragon hiss at me. Behold, Lord, I
have accomplished thy work and perfected thy commandment. I have become a bondman;
ron
(Ron)
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