Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/164

 proconsul also hastened thither, and sat among the people. A captain, Andronicus, at that time one of the most prominent Ephesians, said, "John has promised impossible and incredible things. But," said he, "if he can (really do) of what I hear he boasts, let him come to the theatre naked, without having anything in his hand; let him also pronounce that magic name which I heard him call upon!"

32. Upon hearing this and moved by these words, John had the old women brought to the theatre. When they were brought there, all resting on couches, some being asleep, and after the whole city had gathered together, amidst the greatest silence John opened his mouth and spoke thus:

33. "Men of Ephesus, know ye first why I tarry in your city, or what is my confidence over against you, which is so strong that it even became known to this assembly, to all of you. I have not been sent with a human message, and I went not into a distant land with a hopeless task. I am no merchant who buys or exchanges goods, but Jesus Christ, whom I preach, will according to His mercy and goodness through me convert you entirely and deliver you from your aberration, who are domineered by unbelief and are sold into ignominious lusts. By His power I will also confound your captain in his unbelief by raising up those who are before us, whose external condition and diseases are visible to you all. And this I cannot now (attain), when they perish, and healed, they shall be raised.