Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 16 by John Dryden
page 109 of 503 (21%)
behalf; and, with his eyes lifted up to heaven, his countenance more than
ordinarily inflamed, and with abundance of tears, besought him to take
pity on those obstinate idolaters. "O Lord," said he, "all hearts are in
thy hands; thou canst bend, as it pleases thee, the most stubborn, and
soften the most obdurate; do that honour, on this day, to the blood and
the name of thy beloved Son." Scarcely had he ended his prayer, when he
was assured it was answered: turning himself to his audience, with the
air of one inspired, "Well," said he, "since you will not believe me on
my word, behold that which will make me be believed. What testimony do
you desire from me, of those truths which I have declared to you?" At the
same instant he recalled to his remembrance, that a man had been there
buried the day before. Then resuming his discourse in the same tone that
he began it, "Open," said he, "the sepulchre which you closed yesterday,
and bring out the body; but observe carefully, whether he who was buried
be truly dead."

The most incredulous ran hastily to take up the corpse; far from finding
any the least sign of life, they perceived it began to putrify with a
noisome scent. They took off the linen in which he was wrapped, and laid
the dead man at the feet of the father, who was come to the place of
burial. The barbarians gazed with astonishment on the dead body, and
impatiently expected the event. The saint fell upon his knees, and, after
a short prayer, addressing himself to the dead, "I command thee," said
he, "in the holy name of the living God, to arise, for the confirmation
of that religion which I preach." At these words, the dead arose of
himself, and appeared not only living, but vigorous, and in perfect
health. All who were present cried out, with a loud voice, "That the God
of the Christians was omnipotent; and that the law which the great Father
preached was true." In consequence of which, they threw themselves at his
feet, desired baptism, and received it on the place.
DigitalOcean Referral Badge