In the mean time Magdalen had rejoined the holy women, and given them the account of her seeing the Lord in the garden, and of the words of the angels afterwards, whereupon they immediately related what had been seen by themselves, and Magdalen wended her way quickly to Jerusalem, while the women returned to that side of the garden where they expected to find the two Apostles.  Just before they reached it, Jesus appeared to them.  He was clothed in a long white robe, which concealed even his hands, and said to them, ‘All hail.’  They started with astonishment, and cast themselves at his feet; he spoke a few words, held forth his hand as if to point out something to them, and disappeared.  The holy women went instantly to the Cenaculum, and told the disciples who were assembled there that they had seen the Lord; the disciples were incredulous, and would not give credence either to their account or to that of Magdalen.  They treated both the one and the other as the effects of their excited imaginations; but when Peter and John entered the room and related what they likewise had seen, they knew not what to answer, and were filled with astonishment.

Peter and John soon left the Cenaculum, as the wonderful events which had taken place rendered them extremely silent and thoughtful, and before long they met James the Less and Thaddeus, who had wished to accompany them to the sepulchre.  Both James and Thaddeus were greatly overcome, for the Lord had appeared to them a short time before they met Peter and John.  I also saw Jesus pass quite close to Peter and John.  I think the former recognised him, for the started suddenly, but I do not think the latter saw him.

CHAPTER LXV.

The Relation which was given by the Sentinels who were placed around the Sepulchre.

Cassius hastened to the house of Pilate about an hour after the Resurrection, in order to give him an account of the stupendous events which had taken place.  He was not yet risen, but Cassius was allowed to enter his bedroom.  He related all that had happened, and expressed his feelings in the most forcible language.  He described how the rock had been rent, and how an angel had descended from Heaven and pushed aside the stone; he also spoke of the empty winding-sheet, and added that most certainly Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and that he was truly risen.  Pilate listened to this account; he trembled and quivered with terror, but concealed his agitation to the best of his power, and answered Cassius in these words:  ’Thou art exceedingly superstitious; it was very foolish to go to the Galilean’s tomb; his gods took advantage of thy weakness, and displayed all these ridiculous visions to alarm thee.  I recommend thee to keep silence, and not recount such silly tales to the priests, for thou wouldst get the worst of it from them.’  He pretended to believe that the body of Jesus had been carried away by his disciples, and that the sentinels, who had been bribed, and had fallen asleep, or perhaps been deceived by witchcraft, had fabricated these accounts in order to justify their conduct.  When Pilate had said all he could on the subject, Cassius left him, and he went to offer sacrifice to his gods.