Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/495

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LATIN GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
379

dead already four days, he is not a man in humanity, but is God in Majesty. I beseech, thee not to bring him to me. To whom Satan said, Prepare thyself, notwithstanding; fear not: since he now hangeth upon the cross, I cannot do otherwise. Then Hades thus exclaimed to Satan, If, therefore, thou canst not do otherwise, behold thy ruin approacheth. I, indeed, shall remain cast down and without honour; but thou wilt be under my dominion tormented.

CHAPTER IV. (XX.)

Now the saints of God heard the contention between Satan and Hades; but although they were as yet without recollection of one another, nevertheless, they had knowledge. But our holy father Adam thus thoroughly answered Satan, Leader of death, why dost thou fear and tremble? Behold the Lord cometh, who will now destroy all thy devices, and thou shalt be taken by him and bound for ever.

Then all the saints, hearing the voice of our father Adam, with what constancy he thoroughly answered Satan, were confirmed in their joy; and all of them running to father Adam, were crowded together about him. Then our father Adam, regarding narrowly all that multitude, wondered if they had all been descended from him in the world. And em-