The suppressed Gospels and Epistles of the original New Testament of Jesus the Christ, Complete

In Short

This volume gathers gospels, epistles, and apocalyptic visions venerated by early Christian communities during the first four centuries but omitted from the final biblical canon. Beginning with colorful accounts of Mary’s upbringing and Jesus’s miraculous childhood, it progresses through apostolic letters and dramatic narratives of martyrdom, ending with allegorical visions of repentance. Editor William Wake presents these ancient texts to defend individual conscience and private judgment. The collection endures because it offers an unfiltered look into the theological diversity, moral urgency, and imaginative storytelling that animated primitive Christianity before ecclesiastical councils fixed the official boundaries of the New Testament.

The Story

The volume opens with a polemical preface asserting the right of every reader to examine the full breadth of early Christian literature rather than accepting the selections enforced by historical councils. The narrative sequence begins by filling in the gaps of canonical tradition, tracing the life of Mary from her miraculous childhood in the temple through her betrothal to the elderly widower Joseph. It follows the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, detailing how infancy miracles rout idols, drive away highway bandits, and heal various afflictions through simple objects like swaddling clothes or bathwater. Young Jesus appears as a commanding, uncanny figure whose spoken word commands wild beasts, tames deadly serpents, and restores health to those around him.

Transitioning to the Passion and its aftermath, the texts present testimony from eyewitnesses before Pontius Pilate and offer a vivid narrative of the Harrowing of Hell. Christ descends into the underworld, breaks its iron bars, confounds the prince of darkness, and liberates Adam alongside the ancient saints. The collection then turns outward to the expanding mission of the church. In correspondence between Paul and the philosopher Seneca, as well as the harrowing adventures of Paul and his devoted follower Thecla, the texts trace the encounter between early Christian radicalism and the Roman world.

The second half of the book shifts from narrative to pastoral guidance and mystical allegory. Letters from early church leaders—including Clement of Rome, Barnabas, Ignatius, and Polycarp—address real-world congregational crises. They urge unity, condemn internal strife, and warn against doctrines that deny the physical reality of Christ’s human suffering. The collection reaches its climax in the extended apocalyptic visions of Hermas. Guided by an angel in the guise of a shepherd, Hermas receives moral commands and symbolic visions. Through parables of pruned trees, dynamic building projects, and a great central tower representing the church, the text offers a urgent message: the window for human repentance is rapidly closing, and believers must align their lives with truth and charity before the final judgment arrives.

How It Unfolds

A sacred childhood begins Mary grows up inside the Jerusalem temple fed by angels, until the high priest gathers widowers to find her a guardian by a divine sign. Joseph’s rod produces a dove, marking him as her chosen protector.

Wonders on the road During the flight into Egypt, miraculous occurrences frighten away bands of robbers and break pagan idols. The child Jesus heals the sick, subdues a venomous serpent, and commands immediate obedience from his peers.

Light in the underworld Following the crucifixion, Christ descends into the depths of hell, shattering its iron fetters. The ancient prophets celebrate as he binds the prince of darkness and leads the righteous saints into glory.

Counsel to the churches Early leaders write to scattered congregations to quiet internal rebellions and encourage moral purity. They urge believers to reject worldly wealth, embrace hospitality, and stand firm against false teachings that deny Christ's true humanity.

Visions of the shepherd Hermas encounters an angelic guide who delivers moral commandments against lying, lust, and double-mindedness. Through elaborate allegories of a rising tower and sprouted willow branches, he learns that time is running out for sinners to repent and join the ultimate community of God.

The People

• Mary seeks a life dedicated entirely to God. Selected from childhood to dwell in the temple, she relies on divine provision and remains a steady, protected figure who brings blessing and healing wherever she travels.
• Joseph wants only to live a quiet life minding his building trade. Stunned and hesitant when chosen as Mary's guardian due to his advanced age, he obeys divine warnings and protects the young family from peril.
• Jesus acts with absolute, sovereign authority from his infancy. He commands natural forces, drives out demonic powers, vanquishes the underworld, and demands total commitment from his followers.
• Paul seeks to spread the message of Christ across the Gentile world. Facing constant hostility and flight, he instructs his companions with patient devotion while inspiring intense loyalty from converts like Thecla.
• Clement wants to restore order to a divided Christian community in Corinth. Concerned by reckless sedition, he urges believers to abandon jealousy and return to humility and obedience.
• Hermas struggles with his own moral failings and the sins of his household. Guided by an angelic shepherd, he undergoes deep repentance and works to warn the broader church of approaching judgment.

In Its Own Voice

"And she placed her upon the third step of the altar, and the Lord gave unto her grace, and she danced with her feet, and all the house of Israel loved her."

A descriptive account celebrating Mary's early acceptance into the sanctuary as a young child.

"And now, thou filthy and stinking prince of hell, open thy gates, that the King of Glory may enter in; for he is the Lord of heaven and earth."

King David speaks to the powers of darkness as Christ approaches the gates of the underworld to free the captive souls.

"For the Lord hath sworn by his Son, that whoso denieth his Son and HIM, being afraid of his life, he will also deny him in the world that is to come."

The vision revealed to Hermas warns early believers against renouncing their faith during times of severe persecution.

What It's Really About

Beneath its varied narrative surfaces, the collection argues for an open, uncurated engagement with the origin stories of faith. It confronts the core question of authority: who decides which voices are holy and which are forbidden? On a theological level, the texts wrestle with the boundary between the earthly and the divine. They explore how the divine physically enters the world—whether through the everyday domestic miracles of an extraordinary childhood, the stark physical reality of Christ's suffering, or the urgent moral choices demanded of everyday believers living in an uncaring empire.

Why Read It Today

This compilation appeals to readers fascinated by early religious history, forgotten literature, and the complex process of how official canons are formed. Reading it feels like stepping into a sprawling ancient archive where high theology sits right alongside vivid folklore and deeply personal moral angst. The tone shifts dynamically from the fairy-tale wonder of the infancy gospels to the austere, pleading rhetoric of early pastoral letters.

The text does present distinct challenges. The prose reflects eighteenth-century translation choices, complete with archaic phrasing and formal structures. Modern readers may find the repetitive moralizing of Hermas demanding, while the abrupt narrative leaps in the apocryphal gospels require a willingness to engage with unfamiliar, non-canonical storytelling logic. Yet what remains with the reader is a striking sense of vitality. The collection showcases a time when the Christian story was still being told in many distinct voices, offering a rich glimpse into the imaginative and spiritual life of the early church.