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| The Old Workman.
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Book
VIII.
Chapter I.—The Old
Workman.
Now the next morning Peter
took my brothers and me with him, and we went down to the harbour to
bathe in the sea, and thereafter we retired to a certain secret place
for prayer. But a certain poor old man, a workman, as he appeared
by his dress, began to observe us eagerly, without our seeing him, that
he might see what we were doing in secret.806
| 806 [From this
point there are considerable variations in the two narratives.
The old man becomes, in the Recognitions, a prominent
participant in the discussions, arguing with Peter, and with Niceta,
Aquila, and Clement. At the close of these discussions he is
recognised first by the sons (ix. 35), and then by his wife, as
Faustinianus (ix. 37). In the Homilies Peter tells of an
interview with the old man (xiv. 2–8), and the recognition takes
place immediately upon his appearance (xiv. 9). Some discussion
with him follows (Homily XV.); but soon the main controversy is with
Simon Magus (Homilies XVI.–XIX.), in the presence of the father,
who is convinced by Peter. Book x. contains much matter
introduced in Homilies IV.–VII. The correspondences will be
indicated in the footnotes.—R.] | And when he saw us praying, he
waited till we came out, and then saluted us, and said: “If
you do not take it amiss, and regard me as an inquisitive and
importunate person, I should wish to converse with you; for I take pity
on you, and would not have you err under the appearance of truth, and
be afraid of things that have no existence; or if you think that there
is any truth in them, then declare it to me. If, therefore, you
take it patiently, I can in a few words instruct you in what is right;
but if it be unpleasant to you, I shall go on, and do my
business.” To him Peter answered: “Speak what
you think good, and we will gladly hear, whether it be true or false;
for you are to be welcomed, because, like a father anxious on behalf of
his children, you wish to put us in possession of what you regard as
good.”
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