Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/235

 dogs. 

21.  And having beheld the executioners standing afar off, and that they had done to the blessed one nothing of that which those who were hanged generally experience, they thought that they would again hear something from him; for assuredly, as he was hanging, he moved his head smiling. And Stratocles inquired of him, "Why art thou smiling, Andrew, servant of God? Thy laughter makes us mourn and weep, because we are deprived of thee." And the blessed Andrew answered him, "Shall I not laugh at all, my son Stratocles, at the empty stratagem of Aegeates, through which he thinks to take vengeance upon us? We have nothing to do (p. 27) with him and his plans. He cannot hear; for if he could, he would be aware, that a man who belongs to Jesus, because he is known of him, is henceforth armed against every vengeance."

And having thus spoken, he discoursed to them all in common—for even heathen ran together enraged at the unjust judgment of Aegeates—"Ye men, standing by me, and women, and children, and elders, born and free, and as many as will hear; I beseech you, give up this life, ye who have for my sake assembled here; and hasten to take a hold of my soul, which leads to heavenly things, and once for all despise all temporary things, confirming the hearts of those who believe in Christ!"