Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/233



19. And he left them, went to the cross, and exclaimed: "Hail, cross!"

(p. 25) For thou also canst rejoice indeed. I well know that thou shalt rest henceforth, since thou art tired long since, and standest awaiting me. < I have come to thee whom I claim as mine own; I have come to thee who longest for me. I know thy mystery, that, for whose sake thou hast been stablished. For thou art placed in the world to strengthen the wavering. And thou reachest up to heaven, to proclaim the upper Logos. Thou art spread out to the right and to the left to put to flight the fearful, hostile power and to bring together the dispersed. Thou art fastened in the earth to connect that which is in the earth and under the earth with that which is in heaven. O cross, salvation-instrument of the Most High! O cross, sign of Christ's victory over his enemies! O cross, planted on earth, and bearing fruit in heaven! O name of the cross, which beareth the universe!