Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/242

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APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

concerning the sons of men, must in all respects be fulfilled. But as to Enoch and Elijah, that they continue alive to this day, retaining the same bodies with which they were born, and as to my father Joseph to whom continuance in his body is not allotted as to them; verily, even if a man lives many myriads of years in the world, he is nevertheless compelled at some time to exchange life for death. And I tell you, my brethren, that these same men (Enoch and Elijah), must return into the world at the end of time, and depart this life, namely in the day of commotion, terror, anguish, and affliction.[1] For Antichrist will slay four bodies, and will shed their blood like water, for the reproach to which they will expose him, and the ignominy wherewith, when they have detected his impiety, while they live they will brand him.

CHAPTER XXXII.

And we said, our Lord, our God and Saviour, who are those four that thou saidst Antichrist would put out of the way because of their rebuke? The Saviour answered. They are Enoch, Elijah, Shila, and Tabitha.[2] When we heard this word from our Saviour, we rejoiced and were glad, and offered all

  1. It was an old notion that the two witnesses to be slain by Antichrist were Enoch and Elijah (Rev. xi. 3-12).
  2. For Tabitha see Acts ix. 36. Shila I am unable to identify.