Apocryphal New Testament — Historical English Collection

Apocryphal New Testament — Hone/Wake/Jones — Section 73

man can enter into the kingdom of God, except these clothe him with their garment. 122 For it will avail thee nothing to take up the name of the Son of God, unless thou shalt also receive their garment from them. For these virgins are the powers of the Son of God. So shall a man in vain bear his name, unless he shall be also en- dued with his powers. 123 And he said unto me, sawest thou those stones that were cast away? They bore in- deed the name, but put not on their garment. I said, Sir, what is their garment ? ^ Their very names, said he, are their garment. 124 Therefore whosoever bear- eth the name of the Son of God, ought to bear their names also ; for the Son of God also himself beareth their names. 125 As for those stones, con- tinued he, which being delivered by their hands, thou sawest re- main in the building, they were clothed with their power ; for which cause thou seest the whole tower of the same ^ colour with the rock, and made as it were of one stone. 126 So also those who have believed in God by his Son, have put on his spirit. Behold there shall be one spirit, and one body, and one colour of their garments ; and all they shall attain this, who shall bear the names of these virgins. 127 And I said. Sir, why then were those stones cast away which were rejected, seeing they also were carried through the gate, and delivered by the hands of these virgins into the building of this tower ? 128 Seeing, said he, thou takest care to inquire diligently into all things, hear also concerning those stones which were rejected. All these received the name of the Son of God, and with that the power of these virgins. 129 Having therefore received these spirits, they were perfect- ed, and brought into the number of the servants of God ; and they began to be one body, and to have one garment, for they were ^ endued with the same righteousness, which they alike exercised.