While Peter was about to explain fully to us this mystic word, Zacchæus came, saying:  “Now indeed, O Peter, is the time for you to go out and engage in the discussion; for a great crowd awaits you, packed together in the court; and in the midst of them stands Simon, like a war-chieftain attended by his spearmen.”  And Peter, hearing this, ordered me to withdraw for prayer, as not yet having received baptism for salvation, and then said to those who were already perfected:  “Let us rise and pray that God, by His unfailing mercies, may help me striving for the salvation of the men whom He has made.”  And having thus said, and having prayed, he went out into the uncovered portion of the court, which was a large space; and there were many come together for the purpose of seeing him, his pre-eminence having made them more eagerly hasten to hear.⁹⁷²

972 [For a general comparison of the discussions with Simon, see Recognitions, ii. 19.  Comp. Homily XVI. 1.—R.]

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