Page:Suppressed Gospels and Epistles.djvu/17



N the history of the twelve tribes of Israel we read there was a certain person called Joachim, who being very rich, made double offerings to the Lord God, having made this resolution: My substance shall be for the benefit of the whole people, that I may find mercy from the Lord God for the forgiveness of my sins.

But at a certain great feast of the Lord, when the children of Israel offered their gifts, and Joachim also offered his, Reuben the high-priest opposed him, saying, it is not lawful for thee to offer thy gifts, seeing thou hast not begot any issue in Israel.

At this, Joachim being concerned very much, went away to consult the registries of the twelve tribes, to see whether he was the only person who had begot no issue.

But upon inquiry he found that all the righteous had raised up seed in Israel;

Then he called to mind the patriarch Abraham, How that God in the end of his life had given him his son Isaac; upon which he was exceedingly distressed, and would not be seen by his wife:

But retired into the wilderness, and fixed his tent there, and fasted forty days and forty nights, saying to himself,

I will not go down either to eat or drink, till the Lord my God shall look down upon me, but prayer shall be my meat and drink.

N the mean time his wife Anna was distressed and perplexed on a double account, and said, I will mourn both for my widowhood and my barrenness.

Then drew near a great feast of the Lord, and Judith her maid, said, How long will you thus afflict your soul? The feast of the Lord is now come, when it is unlawful for any one to mourn.

Take therefore this hood which was given by one who makes such things, for it is not fit that I, who am a servant should wear it, but it well suits a person of your greater character.

But Anna replied, Depart from me, I am not used to such things; besides, the Lord hath greatly humbled me.

I fear some ill-designing person hath given thee this, and thou art come to reproach me with my sin.

Then Judith her maid answered, what evil shall I wish you, when you will not hearken to me?

I cannot wish you a greater curse than you are under, in that God hath shut up your womb, that you should not be a mother in Israel.

At this Anna was exceedingly troubled, and having on her wedding garment, went about three o'clock in the afternoon to walk in her garden.

And she saw a laurel-tree