Simon Magus Challenges Peter.
523.
When Zacchæus had heard these things, he told me in return of the doings of Simon;
and in the meantime Simon himself— how he heard of my arrival I do not know—
sent a message to me, saying, 'Let us dispute tomorrow in the hearing of the people.'
524.
To which I answered, 'Be it so, as it pleases you.'
525.
And this promise of mine was known over the whole city, so that even you, who arrived on that very day, learned that I was to hold a discussion with Simon on the following day, and having found out my abode, according to the directions which you had received from Barnabas, came to me.
526.
But I so rejoiced at your coming, that my mind, moved I know not how, hastened to expound all things quickly to you, yet especially that which is the main point in our faith, concerning the true Prophet, which alone, I doubt not, is a sufficient foundation for the whole of our doctrine.
527.
Then, in the next place, I unfolded to you the more secret meaning of the written law, through its several heads, which there was occasion to unfold;
neither did I conceal from you the good things of the traditions.
528.
But what remains, beginning from tomorrow, you shall hear from day to day in connection with the questions which will be raised in the discussion with Simon, until by God's favour we reach that city of Rome to which we believe that our journey is to be directed.
529.
I then declared that I owed him all thanks for what he had told me,
and promised that I would most readily do all that he commanded.
530.
Then, having taken food, he ordered me to rest, and he also betook himself to rest.
The Book of Recognitions CHAPTER NINETEEN
Divisions 531-560
Book 2
RECOGNITIONS 2
Power of Habit.
531.
When the day dawned which had been fixed for the discussion with Simon,
Peter, rising at the first cock-crowing, aroused us also:
for we were sleeping in the same apartment, thirteen of us in all;
532.
of whom, next to Peter, Zacchæus was first,
then Sophonius, Joseph and Michæas, Eliesdrus, Phineas, Lazarus, and Elisæus: after these I (Clement) and Nicodemus; then Niceta and Aquila, who had formerly been disciples of Simon,
and were converted to the faith of Christ under the teaching of Zacchæus.
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533.
Of the women there was no one present.
534.
As the evening light was still lasting, we all sat down;
and Peter, seeing that we were awake, and that we were giving attention to him, having saluted us,
immediately began to speak, as follows:—
535.
I confess, brethren, that I wonder at the power of human nature,
which I see to be fit and suited to every call upon it.
536.
This, however, it occurs to me to say of what I have found by experience,
that when the middle of the night is passed, I awake of my own accord,
and sleep does not come to me again.
537.
This happens to me for this reason, that I have formed the habit of recalling to memory the words of my Lord, which I heard from Himself;
538.
and for the longing I have towards them, I constrain my mind and my thoughts to be roused, that, awaking to them, and recalling and arranging them one by one, I may retain them in my memory.
539.
From this, therefore, while I desire to cherish the sayings of the Lord with all delight in my heart,
the habit of waking has come upon me, even if there be nothing that I wish to think of.
540.
Thus, in some unaccountable way, when any custom is established, the old custom is changed, provided indeed you do not force it above measure, but as far as the measure of nature admits.
541.
For it is not possible to be altogether without sleep;
otherwise night would not have been made for rest.
Curtailment of Sleep.
542.
Then I, when I heard this, said:
You have very well said, O Peter; for one custom is superseded by another.
543.
For when I was at sea, I was at first distressed, and all my system was disordered,
so that I felt as if I had been beaten, and could not bear the tossing and tumult of the sea;
544.
but after a few days, when I had got accustomed to it, I began to bear it tolerably,
so that I was glad to take food immediately in the morning along with the sailors,
whereas before it was not my custom to eat anything before the seventh hour.
545.
Now, therefore, simply from the custom which I then acquired,
hunger reminds me about that time at which I used to eat with the sailors;
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which, however, I hope to get rid of, when once another custom shall have been formed.
546.
I believe, therefore, that you also have acquired the habit of wakefulness, as you state;
and you have wished at a fitting time to explain this to us, that we also may not grudge to throw off and dispense with some portion of our sleep, that we may be able to take in the precepts of the living doctrine.
547.
For when the food is digested, and the mind is under the influence of the silence of night,
those things which are seasonably taught abide in it.
Need of Caution.
548.
Then Peter, being pleased to hear that I understood the purport of his preface, that he had delivered it for our advantage; and commending me, doubtless for the purpose of encouraging,
and stimulating me, began to deliver the following discourse:
549.
It seems to me to be seasonable and necessary to have some discussion relating to those things that are near at hand; that is, concerning Simon.
550.
For I should wish to know of what character and of what conduct he is.
551.
Wherefore, if any one of you has any knowledge of him, let him not fail to inform me;
for it is of consequence to know these things beforehand.
552.
For if we have it in charge, that when we enter into a city we should first learn who in it is worthy, that we may eat with him, Matthew 10:11
how much more is it proper for us to ascertain who or what sort of man he is to whom the words of immortality are to be committed!
553.
For we ought to be careful, yea, extremely careful, that we cast not our pearls before swine.
Matthew 7:6
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