Apocryphal New Testament — Historical English Collection

Apocryphal New Testament — Hone/Wake/Jones — Section 65

44 And concerning the moun- tains, and the virgins, and the stones that did rise out of the deep, and were not cut, but put into the building just as they came forth ; and why the ten stones were first laid in the foundation; then the twenty-five; then thirty-five ; then forty ? 45 Also concerning these stones that were put into the building, and again taken out, and carried back into their place ? Fulfil, I pray, the de- sire of my soul as to all these things and manifest all unto me. 46 And he said unto me ; If thou shalt not be dull, thou shalt know all, and shalt see all the other things that are about to happen in this tower ; and shalt understand diligently all these similitudes. 47 And after a few days we came into the same place where we had sat before ; and he said unto me. Let us go unto the tower ; for the Lord of it will come and examine it. 48 So we came thither, and found none but those virgins there. And he asked them whether the Lord of that tower was come thither? And they replied, that he would be there presently to examine the build- ing. 49 TF After a very little while I saw a great multitude of men coming, and in the middle of militant SIMILITUDE IX. and iriumphant. them a man so tall, tliat he sur- passed the tower in ^ height. 50 About him were those six, who before commanded in the building, and all the rest of those who had built that tower, and many others of great dignity : and the virgins that kept the tower ran to meet him, and kissed him, and began to walk near unto him. 51 But he examined the build- ing with so much care that he handled every stone ; and struck every one wuth a rod which he held in his hand : 52 Of which some being so struck turned black as soot ; others were rough ; some looked as if they had cracks in them ; others seemed maimed : some neither black nor white ; some looked sharp, and agreed not •with the other stones, and others were full of spots.