Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/157

 of the vision, woe to the new temptation prepared for me, woe to the new craft of him who devises cunnings against me! Has the voice from heaven, which came to me by the way, yielded to me this, predicted to me this, what should here take place? Will it deliver me up to such a great multitude of citizens, for the sake of Lycomedes? The man lies here lifeless, and I know not that I shall leave this house alive. What dost thou intend, Lord? Why hast thou deprived us of thy good promise? Let not, I beseech thee, Lord, let not him rejoice, who rejoices over the sorrow of others. Let him not dance, who always laughs at us! But let thy holy name and thy compassion come quickly! Waken the bodies of the two, who have fallen to my injury."

22. While John was thus crying, the city of Ephesus ran to the house of Lycomedes, supposing that he were dead. And when John saw the great multitude, he prayed to the Lord: "Now the time of refreshing and confidence is with thee, O Christ, now for us weary ones the time of help from Thee, physician, who heals for nothing. Keep my entrance here free from derision! I beseech thee, Jesus, help such a great multitude to come to Thee, the Lord of the universe. Behold the affliction, behold how they die! Of those also who came here on that account, make holy instruments for thy service, after they have seen thy gift! For thou hast said thyself, O Christ, ask and it shall be given you. We therefore beseech thee, O King, not for