Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/471

Rh Depart from me and go forth out of my abode; if thou art a powerful warrior, fight against the King of Glory. But what hast thou to do with him? And Hades cast forth Satan out of his abode. And Hades said to his impious agents, Shut the cruel brazen gates, and place iron bars against them, and strongly resist, lest we be led captive who hold captivity.

Now when all the multitude of saints heard this, they said with a voice of rebuke to Hades, Open thy gates that the King of Glory may come in. And David cried, saying, When I was alive on earth, did I not foretell to you, Let the mercies of the Lord be confessed unto him, and his wonderful works to the children of men, because He hath broken the brazen gates and crushed the iron bars: He hath taken them from the way of their iniquity.

And after this, Isaiah likewise said, When I was alive on earth, did I not foretell to you, The dead shall arise, and they shall arise who are in the tombs, and they shall exult who are in the earth, for the dew which is from the Lord is health to them. And again, I said, O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory?

Now all the saints who heard these things from Isaiah said to Hades, Open thy gates; conquered now, thou wilt be feeble and powerless. And there was