f God, and he, that cannot suffer,
was acquainted with sufferings. On the third day he rose again from
the dead, and redeemed us from our first penalty, and restored to us
our first glory. When he ascended into the heavens, from whence he had
descended, he raised us up together with him; and thence, we believe
that he shall come again, to raise up his own handiwork; and he will
recompense every man according to his works. Moreover Ioasaph
instructed his father concerning the kingdom of heaven that awaiteth
them that are worthy thereof, and the joy unspeakable. Thereto he
added the torment in store for the wicked, the unquenchable fire, the
outer darkness, the undying worm and whatsoever other punishment the
servants of sin have laid up in store for themselves.

All these things set he forth in many words, which bore witness that
the grace of the Spirit was dwelling richly within him. Then he
described the uncharted sea of the love of God towards mankind, and how
he is ready to accept the repentance of them that turn to him; and how
there is no sin too great for his tender mercy, if we will but repent.
And when he had confirmed these truths by many an example, and
testimony of Scripture, he made an end of speaking.

XXXV.

King Abenner was pricked to the heart by this inspired wisdom and with
loud voice and fervent heart confessed Christ his Saviour, and
forthwith forsook all superstitious error. He venerated the sign of
the life-giving Cross in the sight of all and, in the hearing of all,
proclaimed our Lord Jesus Christ to be God. By telling in full the
tale of his former ungodliness, and of his own cruelty and
blood-thirstiness toward the Christians, he proved himself a great
power for religion. So here was proved in fact, the saying of Paul;
that where sin abounded, there did grace much more abound.

While then the learned Ioasaph was speaking of God, and of piety
towards him, to the dukes and satraps and all the people there
assembled, and was as it were with a tongue of fire piping unto them a
goodly ode, the grace of the Holy Spirit descended upon them, and moved
them to give glory to God, so that all the multitude cried aloud with
one voice, "Great is the God of the Christians, and there is none other
God but our Lord Jesus Christ, who, together with the Father and Holy
Ghost, is glorified."

Waxen full of heavenly zeal, King Abenner made a sturdy assault on the
idols, wrought of silver and gold,