Apocryphal New Testament — Historical English Collection

Apocryphal New Testament — Hone/Wake/Jones — Section 62

16 It added also to the grace of those virgins, that they stood in pairs, clothed with linen gar- ments, and decently girded, their right arms being at liberty, as if they were about to lift up some "^ burthen ; for so they were adorned, and were exceeding cheerful and ready. 17 When I saw this, I won- dered with myself to see such great and noble things. And again I admired upon the account of those virgins, that they were so handsome and delicate; and stood with such firmness and constancy, as if they w^ould carry the whole heaven. 18 And as I was thinking thus within myself, the shepherd said unto me : What thinkest thou within thyself, and art dis- * quieted, and fillest thyself with care? 19 Do not seem to consider, as if thou w^rt wise, what thou doest not understand, but pray unto the Lord, that thou mayest have ability to understand it : what is to come thou canst not understand, but thou seest that which is before thee. 20 Be not therefore disquieted at those things which thou canst not see ; but get the understand- ing of those which thou seest. 21 Forbear to be curious ; and ^ Origen, Horn. ill. in. Ezecli. 248 Fascem aliquem. Lat. militant and SIMILITUDE IX. triumphant. I will shew thee all things that I ought to declare unto thee ; but first consider what yet remains. 22 ^ And when he had said this unto me I looked up, and behold I saw six tall and vene- rable men coming; their coun- tenances were all alike ; and they called a certain multitude of men; and they who came at their call were also tall and stout. 23 And those six commanded them to build a certain tower over that gate. And immediately there began to be a great noise of those men running here and there about the gate, who were come together to build the tower. 24 But those virgins which stood about the gate perceived that the building of the tower was to be hastened by them. And they stretched out their hands, as if they were to receive somewhat from them to do.