Bad Advertisement?
Are you a Christian?
Online Store:Visit Our Store
| “Angels Unawares.”
PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP 
Chapter
XXXVIII.—“Angels Unawares.”
When Peter had said this, the crowds dispersed;
and when we also were intending to go to our lodging, the master of the
house said to us:856
| 856 [This chapter
is peculiar to the Recognitions; the detailed description of the
exorcism is a curious piece of literature.—R.] | “It
is base and wicked that such and so great men should stay in a
hostelry, when I have almost my whole house empty, and very many beds
spread, and all necessary things provided.” But when Peter
refused, the wife of the householder prostrated herself before him with
her children, and besought him, saying, “I entreat you, stay with
us.” But not even so did Peter consent, until the daughter
of those people who asked him, who had been for a long time vexed with
an unclean spirit, and bound with chains, who had been shut up in a
closet, having had the demon expelled from her, and the door of the
closet opened, came with her chains and fell down at Peter’s
feet, saying: “It is right, my lord, that you keep my
deliverance-feast here to-day, and not sadden me or my
parents.” But when Peter asked what was the meaning of her
chains and of her words, her parents, gladdened beyond hope by the
recovery of their daughter, were, as it were, thunderstruck with
astonishment, and could not speak; but the servants who were in
attendance said: “This girl has been possessed of a demon
from her seventh year, and used to cut, and bite, and even to tear in
pieces, all who attempted to approach her, and this she has never
ceased to do for twenty years till the present time. Nor could
any one cure her, or even approach her, for she rendered many helpless,
and even destroyed some; for she was stronger than any man, being
doubtless strengthened by the power of the demon. But now, as you
see, the demon has fled from your presence, and the doors which were
shut with the greatest strength have been opened, and she herself
stands before you in her sound mind, asking of you to make the day of
her recovery gladsome both to herself and her parents, and to remain
with them.” When one of the servants had made this
statement, and the chains of their own accord were loosened from her
hands and feet, Peter, being sure that it was by his means that
soundness was restored to the girl, consented to remain with
them. And he ordered those also who had remained in the lodging,
with his wife, to come over; and every one of us having got a separate
bed-chamber, we remained; and having taken food in the usual manner,
and given praises to God, we went to sleep in our several
apartments.
————————————
E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
