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| Simon Magus: Hopelessness of His Case.
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Chapter XVI.—Simon Magus: Hopelessness of His
Case.
But Peter, hearing these things, said with
tears:611
| 611 [In Homily II.
37–53 the discourse of Peter is quite different and far less
worthy. In Homily III. 1–28 a similar discourse is given,
just before the discussion with Simon, abounding in statements that
suggest erroneous views of Scripture, and indicate a Gnostic
origin.—R.] | “Greatly do I wonder at the
infinite patience of God, and, on the other hand, at the audacity of
human rashness in some. For what further reason can be found to
persuade Simon that God judges the unrighteous, since he persuades
himself that he employs the obedience of souls for the service of his
crimes? But, in truth, he is deluded by demons. Yet,
although he is sure by these very things that souls are immortal, and
are judged for the deeds which they have done, and although he thinks
that he really sees those things which we believe by faith; though, as
I said, he is deluded by demons, yet he thinks that he sees the very
substance of the soul. How shall such a man, I say, be brought to
confess either that he acts wickedly while he occupies such an evil
position, or that he is to be judged for those things which he hath
done, who, knowing the judgment of God, despises it, and shows himself
an enemy to God, and dares commit such horrid things? Wherefore
it is certain, my brethren, that some oppose the truth and religion of
God, not because it appears to them that reason can by no means stand
with faith, but because they are either involved in excess of
wickedness, or prevented by their own evils, or elated by the swelling
of their heart, so that they do not even believe those things which
they think that they see with their own eyes.”
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