The Elene of Cynewulf/Chapter 16
16. The Conversion of Judas.
Then after a little space Judas received the bath of baptism, and, cleansed [of his sins], was true to1035 Christ, dear to the Lord of life. His faith was steadfast in his heart when the Spirit of comfort had taken up his dwelling in the breast of the man, and had urged him unto repentance. He chose the better course, the gladness of glory, and forsook the1040 worse, the way of the idolater, and cast aside his heresy, the law of unrighteousness. God, the eternal King, Creator, and Wielder of power, was gracious unto him.
Then he was baptized who many times had scorned the light; . . .[1] his heart was inspired1045 unto the better life; he was turned unto glory. Verily fate decreed that he should become thus filled with faith, thus dear unto God and beloved of Christ in the kingdom of the world. This was made manifest1050 when Elene bade bring unto the holy city Eusebius, the bishop of Rome, exceeding wise amid the councils of men, to aid in her deliberation, and to ordain Judas into the priesthood at Jerusalem1055 as bishop for the people in the cities, prudently chosen through the grace of the Spirit for the temple of God. And in later times upon a new occasion she wisely named him Cyriacus. Henceforth1060 the name of the man was changed for the better throughout the cities—‘The law of the Lord’.
- ↑ A manuscript lacuna.