Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/322

 nor drinks, think not, that he neither eats nor drinks for righteousness' sake. He rather does it because he has nothing. For what should he do who has not even the daily bread? And he has only one garment because he is poor. And as concerns this that he receives nothing from anyone he does it because he is aware that none has been made well by him."

97. When Charis said this, Mygdonia was dumb like a stone. She prayed, however, for daylight, that she might go to the apostle of the Messiah. He left her and sadly partook of his meal, for he was anxious to have intercourse with her. When he had left, she bent her knees and prayed thus: "Lord God, merciful Father, and Redeemer Christ, give me strength that I overcome the boldness of Charis, and grant unto me to keep the holiness which is well-pleasing to thee, that by it I may also find eternal life." Having thus prayed, she betook herself to her bed, being clothed.

98. Having eaten, Charis came near her. And she cried, "Henceforth thou hast no place beside me, for my Lord Jesus who is with me and rests in me is better than thou." And laughingly he said, "Well dost thou mock with these words at that sorcerer, and nicely dost thou laugh at him who says, You have no life with God unless you sanctify yourselves!" Having said this, he tried to go into her. But she would not suffer it, but cried out with a piercing voice, "I call upon thee, Lord Jesus, forsake me not! I have taken refuse in thee! As I