Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/470

This page has been validated.
354
APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

Satan the prince of death answered and said, It is that same Jesus. Now when Hades heard this, he said to him, I conjure thee by my powers and thine, not to bring him to me. For when I heard the command of his word, I was greatly terrified with dread and trembled, and all my agents were thrown into confusion with me. Neither could we hold Lazarus, but shaking himself off, like an eagle with all agility and speed, he leaped up and left us, and the very earth which held the dead body of Lazarus straightway gave him back alive. So now I know that the man who could do this is God, mighty in dominion, powerful in his humanity, and Saviour of the human race; and if thou shalt bring him to me, he will release and conduct to the life of his divinity for ever, all who are here shut up in the severity of prison, and bound in the firm bonds of their sins.

CHAPTER V. (XXI.)

And while Satan the prince, and Hades were talking thus together, there was suddenly a sound as of thunder and a crying of spirits: Lift up your gates, ye princes, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in.[1] When Hades heard this, he said to Satan the prince,

  1. Ps. xxiv. 7.