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| Postponement of Discussion with Simon Magus.
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Chapter XX.—Postponement
of Discussion with Simon Magus.
Early next morning Zacchæus542
| 542 [Identified in
the Homilies with the publican of Jericho. Fifteen others
are named in Homily II. 1; some of them are introduced in
Recognitions, ii. 1.—R.] | came in to us, and after salutation, said
to Peter: “Simon puts off the discussion till the eleventh
day of the present month, which is seven days hence, for he says that
then he will have more leisure for the contest. But to me it
seems that his putting off is also advantageous to us, so that more may
come together, who may be either hearers or judges of our
disputation. However, if it seem proper to you, let us occupy the
interval in discussing among ourselves the things which, we suppose,
may come into the controversy; so that each of us, knowing what things
are to be proposed, and what answers are to be given, may consider with
himself if they are all right, or if an adversary shall be able to find
anything to object, or to set aside the things which we bring against
him. But if the things which are to be spoken by us are
manifestly impregnable on every side, we shall have confidence in
entering upon the examination. And indeed, this is my opinion,
that first of all it ought to be inquired what is the origin of all
things, or what is the immediate543
| 543 Here we follow a
marginal reading. | thing which
may be called the cause of all things which are: then, with
respect to all things that exist, whether they have been made, and by
whom, through whom, and for whom; whether they have received their
subsistence from one, or from two, or from many; and whether they have
been taken and fashioned from none previously subsisting, or
from some: then, whether there is any virtue in the highest
things, or in the lower; whether there is anything which is better than
all, or anything that is inferior to all; whether there are any
motions, or none; whether those things which are seen were always, and
shall be always; whether they have come into existence without a
creator, and shall pass away without a destroyer. If, I say, the
discussion begin with these things, I think that the things which shall
be inquired into, being discussed with diligent examination, will be
easily ascertained. And when these are ascertained, the knowledge
of those that follow will be easily found. I have stated my
opinion; be pleased to intimate what you think of the matter.544
| 544 [This chapter
has no direct parallel in the Homilies. While there is a
general resemblance in the remainder of book i. to Homily II., much of
the matter is peculiar, or at least introduced in a connection
different from that of the Homilies.—R.] | ”
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