Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/419

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THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS, (II.)
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thy father that, after 5500 years are accomplished from the creation of the world, then shall descend upon earth, the only begotten Son of God, being made man, and He shall anoint him with such oil, and he shall rise again, and with water and with the Holy Spirit He shall wash both him and his descendants, and then shall he be healed of all sickness: but now this cannot be.[1]

When the patriarchs and the prophets heard this they rejoiced greatly.

CHAPTER IV. (XX.)

Now while they were all in so great joy, Satan, the inheritor of darkness, came and said to Hades, All-devouring and insatiate one, hear my words. From the race of the Jews, there is one called Jesus, naming himself the Son of God, but being a man, the Jews through our joint exertions have crucified him. And now that he is dead, be ready that we may bind him safely here. For I know that he is a man, and I also heard him saying My soul is very sorrowful, unto death.[2] He wrought me many evils also in the world above while he conversed with mortals. For

  1. This legend of Seth seems to have been borrowed from a Jewish source, and adapted to Christian uses. The reader will find something more about it in the preliminary essay.
  2. Mark xiv. 34.