Chapter
1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7

Book of 1 Infancy of Jesus Christ - Chapter 7

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:1

THEY came afterwards to another city, and had a mind to lodge there.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:2

Accordingly they went to a man's house, who was newly married but by the influence of sorcerers could not enjoy his wife.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:3

But they lodging at his house that night, the man was freed of his disorder.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:4

And when they were preparing early in the morning to go forward on their journey, the new-married person hindered them, and provided a noble entertainment for them.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:5

But going forward on the morrow, they came to another city, and saw three women going from a certain grave with great weeping.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:6

When St. Mary saw them, she spake to the girl who was their companion, saying, Go and inquire of them, what is the matter with them, and what misfortune has befallen them?

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:7

When the girl asked them, they made her no answer, but asked her again, Who are ye? and where are you going? For the day is far spent, and night is at hand.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:8

We are travellers, saith the girl, and we are seeking for an inn to lodge at.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:9

They replied, Go along with us, and lodge with us.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:10

They then followed them, and were introduced into a new house, well furnished with all sorts of furniture.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:11

Now it was winter-time, and the girl went into the parlour where these women were, and found them weeping and lamenting as before.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:12

By them stood a mule, covered over with silk, and an ebony collar hanging down from his neck, whom they kissed and were feeding.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:13

But when the girl said, How handsome, ladies, that mule is! they replied with tears, and said, This mule, which you see, was our brother, born of this same mother as we;

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:14

For when our father died, and left us a very large estate, and we had only this brother, and we endeavoured to procure him a suitable match, and thought he should be married as other men, some giddy and jealous women bewitched him without our knowledge.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:15

And we one night, a little before day, while the doors of the house were all shut fast, saw this our brother was changed into a mule, such as you now see him to be:

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:16

And we in the melancholy condition in which you see us, having no father to comfort us, have applied to all the wise men, magicians, and diviners in the world, but they have been of no service to us.

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As often therefore as we find ourselves oppressed with grief, we rise and go with this our mother to our father's tomb, where, when we have cried sufficiently, we return home.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:18

When the girl had heard this she said, Take courage, and cease your fears, for you have a remedy for your afflictions near at hand even amoung you and in the midst of your house.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:19

For I was also leprous; but when I saw this woman, and this little infant with her, whose name is Jesus, I sprinkled my body with the water with which his mother had washed him and I was presently made well.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:20

And I am certain that he is also capable of relieving you under your distress. Wherefore arise, go to my mistress Mary, and when you have brought her into your own parlour, disclose to her the secret, at the same time earnestly beseeching her to compassionate your case.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:21

As soon as the women had heard the girl's discourse, they hastened away to the Lady St. Mary, introduced themselves to her, and sitting down before her, they wept.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:22

And said, O our Lady St. Mary, pity your handmaids, for we have no head of our family, no one elder than us; no father or brother to go in or out before us.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:23

But this mule, which you see, was our brother, which some women by witchcraft have brought into this condition which you see: we therefore entreat you to compassionate us.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:24

Hereupon St. Mary was grieved at their case, and taking the Lord Jesus, put him upon the back of the mule.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:25

And said to her son, O Jesus Christ, restore (or heal) according to thy extraordinary power this mule, and grant him to have again the shape of a man and a rational creature, as he had formerly.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:26

This was scarce said by the Lady St. Mary, but the mule immediately passed into a human form, and became a young man without any deformity.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:27

Then he and his mother and the sisters worshipped the Lady St. Mary, and lifting the child upon their heads, they kissed him, and said, Blessed is thy mother, O Jesus, O Saviour of the world! Blessed are the eyes which are so happy to see thee.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:28

Then both the sisters told their mother, saying, Of a truth, our brother is restored to his former shape by the help of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the kindness of that girl who told us of Mary and her son.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:29

And inasmuch as our brother is unmarried, it is fit that we marry him to this girl their servant.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:30

When they had consulted Mary in this matter, and she had given her consent, they made a splendid wedding for this girl.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:31

And so their sorrow being turned into gladness, and their mourning into mirth, they began to rejoice, and to make merry, and sing, being dressed in their richest attire, with bracelets.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:32

Afterwards they glorified and praised God, saying, O Jesus, son of David, who changest sorrow into gladness, and mourning into mirth!

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:33

After this Joseph and Mary tarried there ten days, then went away, having received great respect from these people.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:34

Who, when they took their leave of them, and returned home, cried,

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 7:35

But especially the girl.

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