Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/124

 Priest, and saw that he frowned as he looked on them. When he had given the blessing to the people, he assembled the whole body of the priesthood in the courts of the temple, and all saw that his soul was moved. He fixed his eye on the two sons of Hanoch, whom he commanded to stand forth. They came. He inquired if they had hearkened to the heresy of the Nazarenes. One replied in the name of both,

“The faith of the Nazarenes have we embraced.”

“And stand ye here as priests of Jehovah, ye who are traitors to the faith?”

“From our birth were we sanctified to the priesthood, and we serve not Jehovah the less willingly because we have received his greatest Prophet.”

“Ye shall carry forth your heresy into the wilderness, even as the scape-goat beareth thither the sins of the people.”

“Christ worshiped in the temple; why should not we, his followers, serve? While we stand alive before the altar, we will offer sacrifice, knowing who hath appointed us.”

“Ye are bold in your blasphemy.”