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INFANCY GOSPELS

do not adore him, as they have done, we are in danger of such destruction as fell upon Pharaoh who was drowned with all his army.'

Then all the people of the city believed in the Lord through Jesus Christ.

Here begins the second part—the Infancy proper of our Lord. The source is the Gospel of Thomas: sometimes a better text of that work than we have elsewhere is represented, but there is also a good deal of late amplification.

XXV. The angel bade Joseph return to Judaea.

XXVI. When Jesus was in Galilee at the beginning of his fourth year he was playing by the Jordan, and made seven pools. A boy spoilt them, and was struck dead. The parents complained. Joseph asked Mary to admonish Jesus. She begged him not to do such things, and he, not willing to grieve her, 'smote the back side of the dead boy with his foot and bade him rise: which he did, and Jesus went on with his pools'.

XXVII. He took clay from the pools and made twelve sparrows, on the sabbath. A Jew saw it and spoke to Joseph, who spoke to Jesus. Jesus clapped his hands and bade the sparrows fly away. All marvelled, and some went and told the chief priests and Pharisees.

XXVIII. The son of Annas the priest broke up the pools with a stick, and Jesus with a word withered him up.

XXIX. Joseph was afraid and took Jesus home. On the way a boy ran against Jesus and got on his shoulder, meaning to hurt him. Jesus said: 'Mayest thou not return whole from the way thou goest.' He fell dead. Complaints of the parents, as in Thomas. Joseph to Jesus: 'Why doest thou such things? Many are now complaining against thee and hate us on thy account, and we suffer injuries through thee.' Jesus: 'No son is wise whom his father hath not taught according to the knowledge of this age, and the curse of his father hurteth no man save them that do ill.' All reviled Jesus to Joseph and he was much afraid. 'Then Jesus took the dead boy by the ear and held him up by it in the sight of all, and they saw Jesus speaking to him as a father to his son. And his spirit returned unto him and he lived again, and all marvelled.'

In Thomas Joseph takes Jesus by the ear. Our compiler found this offensive and changed it. He also changed the speech of Jesus to Joseph and made it wholly pointless as far as I can see.

XXX. Master Zachyas spoke reproachfully to Joseph: 'You and Mary think more of your son than of the traditions of the elders.' Joseph: But who can teach him? if you can do so, we are very willing. Jesus overhearing said: What you say is well for ordinary people: I have no earthly father. When I am lifted up from the earth I will make all mention of your descent to