An Idol falls. Christ's I. INFANCY. swaddling cloth heals a boy. 10 Then they took it, and with the greatest respect laid it up among their treasures. CHAP. IV. 1 Herod intends to put Christ to death. 3 An angel warns Joseph to take the child and its mother into Egypt. 6 13 Consternation on their arrival. The idols fall down. 15 Mary washes Christ's swaddling clothes, and hangs them to dry on a post. 16 A son of the chief priest puts one on his head, and being possessed of devils, they leave him. NOW OW Herod, perceiving that the wise men did delay, and not return to him, called together the priest and wise men and said, Tell me in what place the Christ should be born? 2 And when they replied, in Bethlehem, a city of Judæa, he began to contrive in his own mind the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 But an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in his sleep, and said, Arise, take the child and his mother, and go into Egypt as soon as the cock crows. So he arose, and went. 4 And as he was considering with himself about his journey, the morning came upon him. 5 In the length of the journey the girts of the saddle broke. 6 And now he drew near to a great city, in which there was an idol, to which the other idols and gods of Egypt brought their offerings and vows. 7 And there was by this idol a priest ministering to it, who, as often as Satan spoke out of that idol, related the things he said to the inhabitants of Egypt, and those countries. 8 This priest had a son three years old, who was possessed with a great multitude of devils, who uttered many strange things, and when the devils seized him, walked about naked with his clothes torn, throwing stones at those whom he saw. 9 Near to that idol was the inn of the city, into which when Joseph and St. Mary were come, and had turned into that inn, all the inhabitants of the city were astonished. 10 And all the magistrates and priests of the idols assembled before that idol, and made inquiry there, saying, What means all this consternation, and dread, which has fallen upon all our country? 11 The idol answered them, The unknown God is come hither, who is truly God; nor is there any one besides him, who is worthy of divine worship; for he is truly the Son of God. 12 At the fame of him this country trembled, and at his coming it is under the present commotion and consternation; and we ourselves are affrighted by the greatness of his power. 13 And at the same instant this idol fell down, and at his fall all the inhabitants of Egypt, besides others, ran together. 14 ¶ But the son of the priest, when his usual disorder came upon him, going into the inn, found there Joseph and St. Mary, whom all the rest had left behind and forsook. 15 And when the Lady St, Mary had washed the swaddling clothes of the Lord Christ, and hanged them out to dry upon a post, the boy possessed with the devil took down one of them, and put it upon his head. 16 And presently the devils began to come out of his mouth, Flight into Egypt. L. INFANCY. and fly away in the shape of crows and serpents. 17 From that time the boy was healed by the power of the Lord Christ, and he began to sing praises, and give thanks to the Lord who had healed him. 18 When his father saw him restored to his former state of health, he said, My son, what has happened to thee, and by what means wert thou cured? 19 The son answered, When the devils seized me, I went into the inn, and there found a very handsome woman with a boy, whose swaddling clothes she had just before washed, and hanged out upon a post. 20 One of these I took, and put it upon my head, and immediately the devils left me, and fled away. 21 At this the father exceedingly rejoiced, and said, My son, perhaps this boy is the son of the living God, who made the heavens and the earth. 22 For as soon as he came amongst us, the idol was broken, and all the gods fell down, and were destroyed by a greater power. 23 Then was fulfilled the pro-1 phecy which saith, Out of Egypt I have called my son. CHAP V. 1 Joseph and Mary leave Egypt. 3 Go to the haunts of robbers, 4 Who hearing a mighty noise as of a great army flee away. N OW Joseph and Mary, when they heard that the idol was fallen down and destroyed, were seized with fear and trembling, and said, When we were in the land of Israel, Herod, intending to kill Jesus, slew for that purpose all the infants at Bethlehem, and that neighbourhood. Mary cures a woman. the Egyptians if they come to hear that this idol is broken and fallen down, will burn us with fire. 3 They went therefore hence to the secret places of robbers, who robbed travellers as they pass by, of their carriages and their clothes, and carried them away bound. 4 These thieves upon their coming heard a great noise, such as the noise of a king with a great army and many horse, and the trumpets sounding at his departure from his own city; at which they were so affrighted as to leave all their booty behind them, and fly away in haste. 5 Upon this the prisoners arose, and loosed each other's bonds, and taking each man his bags, they went away, and saw Joseph and Mary coming towards them, and inquired, Where is that king, the noise of whose approach the robbers heard, and left us, so that we are now come off safe? 6 Joseph answered, He will come after us. CHAP. VI. Mary looks on a woman in whom Satan had taken up his abode, and she be comes dispossessed. 5 Christ kissed by a bride made dumb by sorcerers, cures her, 11 miraculously cures a gentlewo man in whom Satan had taken up his abode. 16 A leprous girl cured by the water in which he was washed, and becomes the servant of Mary and Jo seph. 20 The leprous son of a prince's wife cured in like manner. 37 His mo ther offers large gifts to Mary, and dis misses her. THEN they went into another Tcity where there was a wo man possessed with a devil, and in whom Satan, that cursed rebel, had taken up his abode. 2 One night, when she went to fetch water, she could neither 2 And there is no doubt but endure her clothes on, nor to be Christ cures a dumb bride. L. INFANCY. in any house; but as often as they tied her with chains or cords, she brake them, and went out into desert places, and sometimes standing where roads crossed, and in churchyards, would throw stones at men. 3 When St. Mary saw this woman, she pitied her; whereupon Satan presently left her, and fled away in the form of a young man, saying, Wo to me, because of thee, Mary, and thy son. 4 So the woman was delivered from her torment; but considering herself naked, she blushed, and avoided seeing any man, and having put on her clothes, went home, and gave an account of her case to her father and relations, who, as they were the best of the city, entertained St. Mary and Joseph with the greatest respect. 5 The next morning having received a sufficient supply of provisions for the road, they went from them, and about the evening of the day arrived at another town, where a marriage was then about to be solemnized; but by the arts of Satan and the practices of some sorcerers, the bride was become so dumb, that she could not so much as open her mouth. 6 But when this dumb bride saw the Lady St. Mary entering into the town, and carrying the Lord Christ in her arms, she stretched out her hands to the Lord Christ, and took him in her arms, and closely hugging him, very often kissed him, continually moving him and pressing him to her body. 7 Straightway the string of her tongue was loosed, and her ears were opened, and she began to sing praises unto God, who had restored her. the possessed womun. 8 So there was great joy among the inhabitants of the town that night, who thought that God and his angels were come down among them. 9 In this place they abode three days, meeting with the greatest respect and most splendid entertainment. 10 And being then furnished by the people with provisions for the road, they departed and went to another city, in which they were inclined to lodge, because it was a famous place. 11 There was in this city a gentlewoman, who, as she went down one day to the river to bathe, behold cursed Satan leaped upon her in the form of a ser pent, 12 And folded himself about her belly, and every night lay upon her. 13 This woman seeing the Lady St. Mary, and the Lord Christ the infant in her bosom, asked the Lady St. Mary, that she would give her the child to kiss, and carry in her arms. 14 When she had consented, and as soon as the woman had moved the child, Satan left her, and fled away, nor did the woman ever afterwards see him. 15 Hereupon all the neighbours praised the Supreme God, and the woman rewarded them with ample beneficence. 16 On the morrow the same woman brought perfumed water to wash the Lord Jesus; and when she had washed him, she preserved the water. 17 And there was a girl there, whose body was white with a leprosy, who being sprinkled with this water, and washed, was instantly cleansed from her leprosy. two ieprous persons, and I. INFANCY. a newly married man 18 The people therefore said | my husband! Have I disclosed it Without doubt Joseph and Mary, to you? and that boy are Gods, for they do not look like mortals. 19 And when they were making ready to go away, the girl, who had been troubled with the leprosy, came and desired they would permit her to go along with them; so they consented, and the girl went with them till they came to a city, in which was the palace of a great king, and whose house was not far from the inn. 20 Here they staid, and when the girl went one day to the prince's wife, and found her in a sorrowful and mournful condition, she asked her the reason of her tears. 21 She replied, Wonder not at my groans, for I am under a great misfortune, of which I dare not tell any one. 22 But, says the girl, if yon will entrust me with your private grievance, perhaps I may find you a remedy for it. 23 Thou, therefore, says the prince's wife, shalt keep the secret, and not discover it to any one alive! 24 I have been married to this prince, who rules as king over large dominions, and lived long with him, before he had any child by me. 25 At length I conceived by him, but alas! I brought forth a leprous son; which, when he saw, he would not own to be his, but said to me, 26 Either do thou kill him, or send him to some nurse in such a place, that he may be never heard of; and now take care of yourself; I will never see you more. 27 So here I pine, lamenting my wretched and miserable circumstances. Alas, my son! alas, 28 The girl replied, I have found a remedy for your disease, which I promise you, for 1 also was leprous, but God hath cleansed me, even he who is called Jesus, the son of the Lady Mary. 29 The woman inquiring where that God was, whom she spake of, the girl answered, He lodges with you here in the same house. 30 But how can this be? says she; where is he? Behold, replied the girl, Joseph and Mary; and the infant who is with them is called Jesus and it is he who delivered me from my disease and torment. : 31 But by what means, says she, were you cleansed from your leprosy? Will you not tell me that? 32 Why not? says the girl; I took the water with which his body had been washed, and poured it upon me, and my leprosy vanished. 33 The prince's wife then arose and entertained them, providing a great feast for Joseph among a large company of men. 34 And the next day took perfumed water to wash the Lord Jesus, and afterwards poured the same water up on her son, whom she had brought with her, and her son was instantly cleansed from his leprosy. 35 Then she sang thanks and praises unto God, and said, Blessed is the mother that bare thee, O Jesus ! 36 Dost thou thus cure men of the same nature with thyself with the water with which thy body is washed? 37 She then offered very large A bewitched young man I. INFANCY. gifts to the Lady Mary, and sent | her away with all imaginable respect. CHAP. VII. 1 A man who could not enjoy his wife, freed from his disorder. 5 A young man who had been bewitched, and turned into a mule, miraculously cured by Christ being put on his back. 28 and is married to the girl who had been cured of leprosy. TH HEY came afterwards to another city, and had a mind to lodge there. 2 Accordingly they went to a man's house, who was newly married, but by the influence of sorcerers could not enjoy his wife: 3 But they lodging at his house that night, the man was freed of his disorder: 4 And when they were preparing early in the morning to go, forward on their journey, the new married person hindered them, and provided a noble entertainment for them? 5 But going forward on the morrow, they came to another city, and saw three women going from a certain grave with great weeping. S When St. Mary saw them, she spake to the girl who was their companion, saying, Go and inquire of them, what is the matter with them, and what misfortune has befallen them? 7 When the girl asked them, they made her no answer, but asked her again, Who are ye, and where are ye going? For the day is far spent, and night is at hand. 8 We are travellers, saith the girl, and are seeking for an inn to lodge at. 9 They replied, Go along with us, and lodge with us 10 They then followed them, and were introduced into a new house, well furnished with all sorts of furnitura restored to his shape. 11 It was now winter-time, and the girl went into the parlour where these women were, and found them weeping and lamenting, as before. 12 By them stood a mule, covered over with silk, and an ebony collar hanging down from his neck, whom they kissed, and were feeding. 13 But when the girl said, How handsome, ladies, that mule is! they replied with tears, and said, This mule, which you see, was our brother, born of this same mother as we: 14 For when our father died, and left us a very large estate, and we had only this brother, and we endeavoured to procure him a suitable match, and thought he should be married as other men, some giddy and jealous woman bewitched him without our knowledge. 15 And we, one night, a little before day, while the doors of the house were all fast shut, saw this our brother was changed into a mule, such as you now see him to be: 16 And we, in the melancholy condition in which you see us, having no father to comfort us, have applied to all the wise men, magicians, and diviners in the world, but they have been of no service to us. 17 As often therefore as we find ourselves oppressed with grief, we rise and go with this our mother to our father's tomb, where, when we have cried sufficiently we return home. 18 When the girl had heard this, she said, Take courage, and cease your fears, for you have a remedy for your afflictions near at hand, even among you and in the midst of your house, 19 For I was also leprous; but |