"Would you suppose that a sorcerer would be disposed to apply the sacred words of the Lord?" asked John, earnestly.
"By no means," he answered, reverently.
"If Rabbi Amos will allow me, I will show you the very words in King David's prophecies of Messias."
All looked with interest on John, as he took from his mantle a roll of the Psalms. He opened it and read as follows:
"'Why do the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against his Anointed? I will declare the decree. The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son.'"
Upon hearing this read, Gamaliel was thoughtful.
"It is extraordinary," answered he. "I will search the Scriptures when I reach Jerusalem, to see if these things be so."
"But," said Saul, with some vehemence, "listen while I read some prophecies also." And he unrolled the book of the Prophets and read these words:
"'Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.'
"Now, you will confess, Rabbi Amos," he added, with a look of triumph, "that this word refers to our expected Messias?"