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The Taking of Mary And Joseph
1. AND as the
disciples were gathered together in the upper room when they returned from
the Mount, they all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,
and their number was about one hundred and twenty.
2. And in that day James stood up and said; Men and brethren, it is known unto
you how the Lord, before he left us, chose Peter to preside over us and watch
over us in his Name; and how it must needs be that one of those who have been
with us and a witness to his resurrection be chosen and appointed to take his
place.
3. And they chose two called Barsabas and Matthias, and they prayed and said,
Thou lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew which of these two thou
hast chosen to take part in this Apostleship from which thou dost raise thy
servant Peter to preside over us.
4. And they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and the
Twelve received him, and he was numbered among the Apostles.
5. Then John and James separated Peter from their number by laying on of hands,
that he might preside over them in the Name of the Lord, saying, Brother be
thou as a hewn stone, sixsquared. Even thou, Petros, which art Petra, bearing
witness to the Truth on every side.
6. And to the Apostles were given staves to guide their steps in the ways of
truth, and crowns of glory withal; and to the Prophets burning lamps to shew
light on the path and censers with fire; and to the Evangelists the book of
the holy law to recall the people to the first principles; and to the Pastors
were given the cup and platter to feed and nourish the flock.
7. But to none was given aught that was not given to all, for all were one
priesthood under the Christ as their Master Great High Priest in the Temple
of God; and to the Deacons were given baskets that they might carry therein
the things needful for the holy worship. And the number was about one hundred
and twenty, Peter presiding over them.
8. AND when the third day had fully come they were all with one accord in the
one place, and as they prayed there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
mighty wind, and the room in which they were assembled was shaken, and it filled
the place.
9. And there appeared cloven tongues of flame like fire, and sat upon the head
of each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
speak with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. And Peter stood up and
preached the Law of Christ unto the multitude of all nations and tongues who
were gathered together by the report of what had been seen and heard, each
man hearing in his own tongue wherein he was born.
10. And of them that listened there were gathered unto the Church that day,
three thousand souls, and they received the Holy Law, repented of their sins,
and were baptized and continued stedfastly in the Apostles' fellowship and
worship, and the Oblation and prayers.
11. And they who believed gave up their possessions, and had all things in
common and abode together in one place, shewing the love and the goodness of
God to their brothers and sisters and to all creatures, and working with their
hands for the common weal.
12. And from these there were called twelve to be Prophets with the Apostles,
and twelve to be Evangelists and twelve to be Pastors, and their Helps were
added unto them, and Deacons of the Church Universal, and they numbered one
hundred and twenty. And thus was the Tabernacle of David set up, with living
men filled with goodness, even as the Master had shewn unto them.
13. And to the Church in Jerusalem was given James the Lord's brother for its
president and Angel, and under him four and twenty priests in a fourfold ministry,
and helpers and deacons also. And after six days many came together, and there
were added six thousand men and women who received the holy Law of Love, and
they received the word with gladness.
14. AND as they gathered together on the Lord's Day after the Sabbath was past,
and were offering the holy Oblation, they missed Mary and Joseph, the parents
of Jesus. And they made search but found them not.
15. And some of them said, Surely the Lord hath taken them away, as he did
Magdalene. And they were filled with awe, and sung praises to God.
16. And the Spirit of God came upon the Apostles and the Prophets with them
and, remembering what the Lord had taught them, with one voice they confessed
and praised God, saying.
17. We believe in One God: the Infinite, the Secret Fount, the Eternal Parent:
Of Whom are all things invisible and visible. The ALL in all, through all around
all. The holy Twain, in whom all things consist; Who hath been, Who is, Who
shall be.
18. We believe in one Lord our Lady, the perfect holy Christ: God of God, Light
of light begotten. Our Lord, the Father, Spouse and Son. Our Lady, the Mother,
Bride and Daughter. Three Modes in one Essence undivided: One Biune Trinity.
That God may be manifest as the Father, Spouse and Son of every soul: and that
every soul may be perfected as the Mother, Bride and Daughter of God
19. And this by ascent of the soul into the spirit and the descent of the spirit
into the soul. Who cometh from heaven, and is incarnate of the Virgin ever
blessed, in Jesu-Maria and every Christ of God: and is born and teacheth the
way of life and suffereth under the world rulers, and is crucified, and is
buried and descendeth into Hell. Who riseth again and ascendeth into glory;
from thence giving light and life to all.
20. We believe in the Sevenfold Spirit of God, the Life-Giver: Who proceedeth
from the holy Twain. Who cometh upon Jesu-Maria and all that are faithful to
the light within: Who dwelleth in the Church, the Israel elect of God. Who
cometh ever into the world and lighteth every soul that seeks. Who giveth the
Law which judgeth the living and the dead, Who speaketh by the Prophets of
every age and clime.
21. We believe in One Holy Universal and Apostolic Church: the Witness to all
truth, the Receiver and Giver of the same. Begotten of the Spirit and Fire
of God: Nourished by the waters, seeds and fruits of earth. Who by the Spirit
of Life, her twelve Books and Sacraments, her holy words and works: knitteth
together the elect in one mystical communion and atoneth humanity with God.
Making us partakers of the Divine Life and Substance: betokening the same in
holy Symbols.
22. And we look for the coming of the Universal Christ: and the Kingdom of
Heaven wherein dwelleth righteousness. And the holy City whose gates are Twelve:
wherein are the Temple and Altar of God. Whence proceed three Orders in fourfold
ministry: to teach all truth and offer the daily sacrifice of praise.
23. As in the inner so in the outer: as in the great so in the small. As above,
so below: as in heaven so in earth. We believe in the Purification of the soul:
through many births and experiences. The Resurrection from the dead: and the
Life everlasting of the just. The Ages of Ages: and Rest in God for ever.—Amun.
24. And as the smoke of the incense arose, there was heard the sound as of
many bells, and a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
25. Glory, honour, praise and worship be to God; the Father,, Spouse, and Son:
One with the Mother, Bride and Maid: From Whom proceedeth the Eternal Spirit:
By whom are all created things. From the Ages of Ages. Now: and to the Ages
of Ages—Amun—Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
26. And if any man take from, or add, to the words of this Gospel, or hide,
as under a bushel, the light thereof, which is given by the Spirit through
us, the twelve witnesses chosen of God, for the enlightenment of the world
unto salvation: Let him be Anathema Maranatha, until the coming of Christ Jesu-Maria,
our Saviour, with all the Holy Saints.
27. For them that believe, these things are true. For them that believe not,
they are as an idle tale. But to those with perceiving minds and hearts, regarding
the spirit rather than the letter which killeth, they are spiritual verities.
28. For the things that are written are true, not because they are written,
but rather they are written because they are true, and these are written that
ye may believe with your hearts, and proclaim with your mouths to the salvation
of many. Amen.
Here endeth the Holy Gospel of the Perfect Life of Jesu-Maria, the Christ, the Son of David after the Flesh, the Son of God after the Spirit. Glory be to God by Whose power and help it has been written.
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