refusing Thamyris, that all
women may learn from her to avoid
such practices.

9 Then the governor was exceedingly
concerned, and ordered Paul to be
whipt out of the city, and Thecla
to be burnt.

10 So the governor arose, and went
immediately into the theatre; and
all the people went forth to see
the dismal sight.

11 But Thecla, just as a lamb in
the wilderness looks every way to
see his shepherd, looked around
for Paul;

12 And as she was looking upon
the multitude, she saw the Lord
Jesus in the likeness of Paul, and
said to herself, Paul is come to see
me in my distressed circumstances.
And she fixed her eyes upon him;
but he instantly ascended up to
heaven, while she looked on him.

13 Then the young men and women
brought wood and straw for the
burning of Thecla; who being brought
naked to the stake, extorted tears
from the governor, with surprise
beholding the greatness of her beauty.

14 And when they had placed
the wood in order, the people
commanded her to go upon it; which
she did, first making the sign of
the cross.

15 Then the people set fire to
the pile; though the flame was
exceeding large, it did not touch
her; for God took compassion on
her, and caused a great eruption
from the earth beneath, and a
cloud from above to pour down
great quantities of rain and hail;

16 Insomuch that by the rupture
of the earth, very many were
in great danger, and some were
killed, the fire was extinguished,
and Thecla preserved.

CHAPTER VI.

1 Paul with Onesiphorus in a cave.
7 Thecla discovers Paul;
12 proffers to follow him:
13 he exhorts her not for fear of fornication.

IN the mean time Paul, together
with Onesiphorus, his wife and
children, was keeping a fast in a
certain cave, which was in the
road from Iconium to Daphne.

2 And when they had fasted for
several days, the children said to
Paul, Father, we are hungry, and
have not wherewithal to buy bread;
for Onesiphorus had left all his
substance to follow Paul with his
family.

3 Then Paul, taking off his coat,
said to the boy, Go, child, and buy
bread, and bring it hither.

4 But while the boy was buying
the bread, he saw his neighbour
Thecla, and was surprised, and
said to her, Thecla, where are you
going?

5 She replied, I am in pursuit
of Paul, having been delivered
from the flames.

6 The boy then said, I will bring
you to him, for he is under great
concern on your account, and has
been