Didascalia Apostolorum

Historical source scan page 67

DIDASCALIA. 39 abominations. And now behold, I bend the knees of my heart before Thee, and seek Thy kindness. I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned. Because I know my sins, I supplicate before Thee, forgive me, Lord, and destroy me not in my follies. Be not angry with me for ever, nor keep my evil f. 26 a deeds, nor hold me guilty nor cast me down to the lower parts of the earth. For Thou, O Lord, art the God of those who repent, therefore even in me, Lord, shew Thy goodness, for though I am unworthy, save me according to Thy mercies. Therefore I will praise Thee at all times, and all the days of my life ; for all the powers of Heaven praise Thee, and sing to Thee for ever and ever. And the Lord heard the voice of Manasseh, and had mercy upon him. There came upon him a flame of fire, and all the irons with which he was chained were melted and loosened ; and the Lord delivered Manasseh from his afflictions, and restored him to Jerusalem to his kingdom; and Manasseh knew the Lord, and said that He was God alone, with all his heart and with all his soul all the days of his life. He was counted righteous, and slept with his fathers, and Amon his son reigned after him. Ye have heard, dear children. Like as Manasseh worshipped evil idols bitterly, and killed the righteous, and when he repented, the Lord forgave him, although there is no sin worse than the worship of idols, yet a place Ap. Con. for repentance was given. But to him who saith, Good things shall happen to me though I walk in the perverse will of my heart, thus saith the Lord, I will stretch out My hand upon him, and he shall be for a history and a proverb, because Amon son of Manasseh having taken counsel with the counsel of law-breaking said, My father from his childhood was very wicked, and good in his old age ; I also will act now according to the lusts of my soul, and at the last I will repent towards the Lord. He did that which is evil before the Lord. He reigned two years only. Therefore the Lord God destroyed him from the good land. Therefore take heed, np'xxjv. ye who have no faith, lest any of you should confirm in his heart the f. 26 b calculation of Amon son of Manasseh and perish quickly and swiftly. Therefore, O Bishop, keep with strength as thou canst those who have not sinned, that they may remain without sinning, and those who repent of sins heal and receive. For if thou receive not him who repents, because thou art merciless, thou sinnest against the Lord God, because thou dost not obey our Lord and God in acting as He acted ; for even He to that woman who had sinned, her whom the elders placed before him and left it to judgment at His hands, and went away ; He then who searcheth the hearts, asked her and said to her, " Have the Elders condemned thee, my Jjhn vUL daughter? She saith to him, No, Lord. And our Saviour said, Go, and