in prayer and fasting these
six days.

7 When Thecla came to the cave,
she found Paul upon his knees
praying and saying, O holy Father,
O Lord Jesus Christ, grant that
the fire may not touch Thecla;
but be her helper, for she is
thy servant.

8 Thecla then standing behind
him, cried out in the following
words: O sovereign Lord Creator
of heaven and earth, the Father of
thy beloved and holy Son, I praise
thee that thou hast preserved me
from the fire, to see Paul again.

9 Paul then arose, and when he
saw her, said, O God, who searchest
the heart, Father of my Lord Jesus
Christ, I praise thee that thou hast
answered my prayer.

10 And there prevailed among them
in the cave an entire affection to
each other; Paul, Onesiphorus,
and all that were with them being
filled with joy.

11 They had five loaves, some
herbs and water, and they solaced
each other in reflections upon the
holy works of Christ.

12 Then said Thecla to Paul,
If you be pleased with it, I will
follow you whithersoever you go.

13 He replied to her, Persons
are now much given to fornication,
and you being handsome, I am
afraid lest you should meet with
greater temptation than the former,
and should Not withstand, but be
overcome by it.

14 Thecla replied, Grant me
only the seal of Christ, and no
temptation shall affect me.

15 Paul answered, Thecla, wait
with patience, and you shall
receive the gift of Christ.

CHAPTER VII.

1 Paul and Thecla go to Antioch.
2 Alexander, a magistrate, falls in love with Thecla:
4 kisses her by force:
5 she resists him:
6 is carried before the governor, and condemned
to be thrown to wild beasts.

THEN Paul sent back Onesiphorus
and his family to their own home,
and taking Thecla along with him,
went for Antioch;

2 And as soon as they came in.
to the city, a certain Syrian,
named Alexander, a magistrate in
the city, who had done many
considerable services for the city
during his magistracy, saw Thecla,
and fell in love with her, and
endeavoured by many rich presents
to engage Paul in his interest.

3 But Paul told him, I know not
the woman of whom you speak, nor
does she belong to me.

4 But he being a person of great
power in, Antioch, seized her in
the street and kissed her: which
Thecla would not bear, but looking
about for Paul, cried out in a
distressed loud tone, Force me not,
who am a stranger; force me not,
who am a se