ange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet: and the quantity of colour in light is in the same proportion as the seven musical notes, or intervals of sound in an octave. From experiments it is found that those rays of light are of the largest quantity that paint the brightest colours; and of all these, the red rays have the least refrangibility. Light is in itself wonderful ; but its use to the world is beyond all expression: It discovers to man and beast innumerable objects of pleasure, as well as the means of life. Without it, motion would be dangerous, and rest insipid. True are the words of the Hebrew philosopher, Light is sweet, and a pleasing thing it is for the eyes to behold

the sun."

The sufferings of Thecla-Account of St. Paul's person. [Translated from the Greek.]

THE PREFACE.

[Meth. Mag. Eng.]

THE following fragment is unquestionably of very great antiquity; but it has been without foundation ascribed to St. Paul. The facts were never questioned either by the friends or enemies of christianity for many centuries: though they were often celebrated, and are frequently mentioned by writers of the first rank in the christian church.

Her history is confirmed by Gregory Nazianzen, and Gregory of Nysæ, Ambrose, Chrysostom, Isidorus, and others. Cyprian of Antioch, who flourished in the third century, prays for the suffering martyrs thus: "Stand by us, O Lord, as thou didst by the Apostles in bonds, by THECLA in the fire, by Paul in persecutions, by Peter in the waves.

Tertullian, one of the most ancient writers in the church, informs us, De Baptismo, c. 17. that it was compiled by a presbyter of Asia; a man extremely attached to St. Paul, who rashly ventured to publish it, under the Apostle's name, towards the close of the first century; and that being charged with it by the Evangelist John, he confessed the fact, alleging that he had done it out of fervent love to the Apostle. This account is confirmed by Jerome, who quotes Tertullian.

It is supposed to have happened about the year of our Lord 67, during the last time that St. Paul visited Asia, and not long

+ Sir Isaac Newton's Optics, Book I. Part II, Prob. IIL

before he suffered martyrdom which according to Eusebius, was near the close of Nero's reign: Jerome fixes it in the thirtyseventh year after the passion of our Lord.

The Greek copy, which is taken from a manuscript in the Bodleian Library, and published by Grabe, is in many places defective, and in others much corrupted. Its defects are partly supplied from an ancient Latin version in the Bodleian Library, and from the Greek Commentary of Basilius Seleuciensis.

When Paul was going up to Iconium, as he fled from Antioch, he was accompanied by Hermogenes and Demas, men full of hypocrisy. But Paul intent only on the goodness of God suspected no evil of them, but loved them exceedingly, making the words of Christ and his gospel pleasant unto them, and discoursing to them of the knowledge of Christ as it was revealed to him.

But a certain man named Onesiphorus hearing that Paul was coming to Iconium went forth to meet him, with his wife Lectra, and their children, Simmia and Zeno, that they might receive him into their house; for Titus had informed them of the person of Paul, for as yet they had not known him in the flesh. Walking therefore in the king's highway which leads towards Lystra, they waited, expecting to receive him. Not long after they saw Paul coming towards them, a man smali of stature-bald-his legs distorted-his eye-brows knit togeth er-his nose aqueline-but manifestly full of the grace of God; for his countenance was sometimes like that of a man, and sometimes like that of an angel. And Paul seeing One-ipho rus was glad.

And Onesiphorus said unto him. Hail thou servant of the Blessed. Paul replied, grace be with thee and with thy house. Demas and Hermogenes filled with envy and dissimulation cried out, And are we not the servants of the Blessed? Why hast thou not saluted us? To whom Onesiphorus answered, I do not see in you the fruits of righteousness: but if ye are indeed such, come and abide also at my house. So Paul went with him, and there was great joy in the house of Onesiphorus; and hav ing fallen upon their knees and prayed, and broken bread, Paul preached to them the word of God, concerning temperance, and the resurrection, to this effect:

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are they that keep the flesh unspotted, for they shall become the temples of God.

Blessed are they that renounce this present world, for they shall please God. Blessed are they that have wives as though they had them not, for they shall become like the angels of God.

1

Blessed are they that tremble at the words of God, for they shal be comforted.

Blessed are they that receive the wisdom of Jesus Christ, for they shall be called the sons of God. Blessed are they that keep the knowledge of Jesus Christ, for they shall dwell in light. Blessed are they that for the love of Christ have forsaken the form of this world, for they shall judge angels, and shall sit at the right hand of Christ, and shall see the day of judgment without bitterness.

Whilst Paul was discoursing thus in the house of Onesiphorus, Thecla, daughter of Theoclia, a virgin who was espoused to Thamyris, a prince of the city, standing at the window of her house continued night and day to hear the word spoken by Paul concerning the love of God, and faith in Christ; nor would she be removed: but being filled with exceeding joy, became subject to the faith. And seeing many women and young persons entering in to hear Paul, she was exceedingly desirous of being counted worthy to stand in his presence, and to hear the word of Christ; for as yet she had never seen the person of Paul.

And as she continued thus to hear him, Theoclia her mother sent for Thamyris, and informed him, that Thecla had not risen from her place for three days, neither to eat, nor to drink ;* but in fixed attention on the words of Paul, had wholly given herself to that stranger; teaching seducing and wicked opinions; adding, This is the man that hath stirred up the whole city of Iconium, and that hath perverted Thecla. But go thou and speak to her for she is espoused to thee.

Thamyris fearing the distraction of her mind, spake to her with tenderness: "Why, Thecla, dost thou sit dejected thus, with thine eyes fixed on the ground? What new passion hath seized thee, and turned thee to this stranger? Turn to thy Thamyris and be ashamed." But she answering nothing, her mother and attendants wept bitterly. But Thecla continued unmoved, turned from them, to the word spoken by Paul.

Thamyris filled with despair, left the house, and going into the street watched those that went in and came out from Paul. And seeing two men sharply contending, he said, "Sirs, inform me who is this your companion, that seduces the minds of men, forbidding them to marry? I offer you great rewards if ye will declare, for I am chief in this city." Demas and Hermogenes replied, "We do not well know who this man is; but he deprives men of their wives, and virgins of their husbands, declaring that there will be no resurrection except they continue pure, and free from the pollutions of the flesh."

After her ordmary sumptuous manner.

Then Thamyris invited them to come and refresh themselves at his house. And having honourably entertained and rewarded them, he said, "Tell me, I pray you, Sirs, what is the doctrine of Paul, that I may know for I am in great anguish for Thecla, on account of her love for this stranger ?" Demas and Hermogenes, with one voice, cried out, "Deliver him to the governor as one that persuadeth the people to receive the doctrine of the Christians; and let him be put to death by the decree of the Emperor; and thou shalt have thy wife, and we will instruct her that the resurrection which he teacheth hath already taken place, and that we then have truly risen, when we are come to the knowledge of God."

Thamyris hearing these things was filled with rage; and rising early in the morning, went with officers and a guard, accompanied by a great multitude, to the house of Onesiphorus, and demanded Paul; saying, "Thou hast corrupted the city of Iconium and Thecla: come therefore to the governor."And all the people cried out, " Away with this sorcerer, for he hath corrupted our women.

And Thamyris standing before the judgment seat, cried with a loud voice to the governor, "We know not whence this man is-but he suffereth not our women to marry; let him therefore declare before thee for what cause he teacheth these things." And the governor rising called to Paul and said, "Who art thou? And what is thy doctrine? Grievous things are laid to thy charge?

And Paul lifting up his voice, said, "If I am questioned with respect to my doctrine, O Governor, God, that seeketh nothing but the salvation of men-the Almighty hath sent me to turn them from corruption and uncleanness, from sinful pleasures, and from death eternal. And for this cause, God hath sent his Son Jesus Christ, and I teach that men should place all their confidence in him. He alone hath had compassion on the of fending world, that they might not fall into condemnation, but might have faith, and the fear of God, and sobriety of life, and the love of the truth. If, therefore, I teach these things only that have been revealed to me of God, in what do I offend?" The governor, hearing these things, commanded Paul to be bound, and to be cast into prison, till he should have opportu nity of hearing him more fully.

But Thecla, finding that Paul was cast into prison, arose by night, and pulling off her ear-rings gave them to the porter, and delivering her silver mirror looking-glass to the keeper of the prison, she was admitted to see Paul; and placing herself at his feet, she heard the wonderful things of God. And per ceiving that Paul regarded not what he suffered, but that he

had confidence in the help of God, she was exceedingly confirmed in the faith.

When the morning arose great enquiry was made after Thecla by her household, and by Thamyris; for they feared that evil had befallen her. And examining the porter, they found that she was gone to the prison. And stirring up the people they departed thence, and made it known to the governor : who commanded that Paul should be again brought to the judgment-seat. But Thecla still continued in the prison, and prostrated herself on the place where Paul had sat and instructed her. At length the governor commanded that she also should be called to the judgment-seat. Thecla hearing this went forth with great joy. But the people cried out more vehemently against Paul," He is a sorcerer, let him be put to death :" notwithstanding this the governor willingly heard Paul.

And having taken counsel he commanded Thecla to be brought near, and said unto her, "Wherefore art thou not according to the laws of Iconium, given in marriage to Thamyris." But Thecla, fastening her eyes steadfastly on Paul, answered nothing. Then her mother vehemently cried out, she should be burnt, that others might fear.

And the governor being exceedingly moved, commanded Paul to be scourged, and to be cast out of the city; but he condemned Thecla to be burnt.

:

At the time appointed, the governor went forth with the whole multitude to the theatre, to attend at this cruel spectacle. Then as a lamb in the desert looks round for her shepherd, so did Thecla for Paul. And after she had looked upon the multitude, she saw the Lord Jesus standing near, in the likeness of Paul and she said within herself, "Paul is come to see me, as though I should not suffer patiently." And fastening her eyes upon him she saw him ascending up into heaven: then she understood what she had seen was the Lord. After her robes were taken off, she was brought forth and the governor was struck with the force of her beauty and the patience and strength of her mind. The wood being placed in order, the people compelled her to ascend the pile. And she, stretching forth her hands in earnest prayer, ascended. And the people having, put fire to it, the flame spread on every side, but it had not power to hurt her'; for God had compassion upon her. And suddenly there was a great noise in the heavens, and a dark cloud overspread the amphitheatre, and the rain and hail poured down with great violence. So the fire was extinguished and Thecla delivered.

Paul had fled in the mean time with Onesiphorus and his family to a tomb which lay in the way between Iconium and