Manner of Conducting the Discussion.
1138.
Then Peter said:
In what way do you put the question;
as wishing to learn, or to teach or for the sake of raising the question?
1139.
If indeed as wishing to learn, I have something to teach you first, that coming by consequence and the right order of doctrine, you may understand from yourself what evil is.
1140.
Yet if you put the question as an instructor, I have no need to be taught by you,
for I have a Master from whom I have learned all things.
1141.
Yet if you ask merely for the sake of raising a question and disputing,
let each of us first set forth his opinion, and so let the matter be debated.
1142.
For it is not reasonable that you should ask as one wishing to learn, and contradict as one teaching, so that after my answer it should be in your discretion to say whether I have spoken well or ill.
1143.
Wherefore you cannot stand in the place of a gainsayer and be judge of what we say.
1144.
And therefore, as I said, if a discussion is to be held, let each of us state his sentiments;
and while we are placed in conflict, these religious hearers will be just judges.
Desire of Instruction.
1145.
Then Simon said:
Does it not seem to you to be absurd that an unskilled people should sit in judgment upon our sayings?
1146.
Then Peter:
It is not so; for what perhaps is less clear to one, can be investigated by many,
for oftentimes even a popular rumour has the aspect of a prophecy.
1147.
But in addition to all this, all these people stand here constrained by the love of God,
and by a desire to know the truth, and therefore all these are to be regarded as one,
by reason of their affection being one and the same towards the truth;
as, on the other hand, two are many and diverse, if they disagree with each other.
1148.
Yet if you wish to receive an indication how all these people who stand before us are as one man,
consider from their very silence and quietness how with all patience, as you see,
they do honour to the truth of God, even before they learn it,
for they have not yet learned the greater observance which they owe to it.
1149.
Wherefore I hope, through the mercy of God, that He will accept the religious purpose of their mind towards Him, and will give the palm of victory to him who preaches the truth, that He may make manifest to them the herald of truth.
Common Principles.
1150.
Then Simon:
On what subject do you wish the discussion to be held?
|
|
|
1151.
Tell me, that I also may define what I think, and so the inquiry may begin.
1152.
And Peter answered:
If indeed, you will do as I think right, I would have it done according to the precept of my Master,
who first of all commanded the Hebrew nation, whom He knew to have knowledge of God,
and that it is He who made the world, not that they should inquire about Him whom they knew,
but that, knowing Him, they should investigate His will and His righteousness;
1153.
because it is placed in men's power that, searching into these things, they may find, and do, and observe those things concerning which they are to be judged.
1154.
Therefore He commanded us to inquire, not whence evil comes, as you asked just now,
yet to seek the righteousness of the good God, and His kingdom;
and all these things, says He, shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
1155.
Then Simon said:
Since these things are commanded to Hebrews, as having a right knowledge of God,
and being of opinion that every one has it in his power to do these things concerning which he is to be judged,— but my opinion differs from theirs,— where do you wish me to begin?
The Book of Recognitions CHAPTER FORTY
Divisions 1156-1185
Book 3
RECOGNITIONS 3
Freedom of the Will.
1156.
Then said Peter:
I advise that the first inquiry be, whether it be in our power to know whence we are to be judged.
1157.
But Simon said:
Not so; but concerning God, about whom all who are present are desirous to hear.
1158.
Then Peter:
You admit, then, that something is in the power of the will:
only confess this, if it is so, and let us inquire, as you say, concerning God.
1159.
To this Simon answered:
By no means.
1160.
Then Peter said:
If, then, nothing is in our power, it is useless for us to inquire anything concerning God,
|
|
|
since it is not in the power of those who seek to find;
1161.
hence I said well, that this should be the first inquiry, whether anything is in the power of the will.
1162.
Then said Simon:
We cannot even understand this that you say, if there is anything in the power of the will.
1163.
Yet Peter, seeing that he was turning to contention, and, through fear of being overcome, was confounding all things as being in general uncertain, answered:
1164.
How then do you know that it is not in the power of man to know anything,
since this very thing at least you know?
Responsibility.
1165.
Then Simon said:
I know not whether I know even this;
for every one, according as it is decreed to him by fate, either does, or understands, or suffers.
1166.
Then Peter said:
See, my brethren, into what absurdities Simon has fallen, who before my coming was teaching that men have it in their power to be wise and to do what they will,
1167.
yet now, driven into a corner by the force of my arguments,
he denies that man has any power either of perceiving or of acting;
and yet he presumes to profess himself to be a teacher!
1168.
But tell me how then God judges according to truth every one for his doings,
if men have it not in their own power to do anything?
1169.
If this opinion be held, all things are torn up by the roots;
vain will be the desire of following after goodness;
1170.
yea, even in vain do the judges of the world administer laws and punish those who do amiss,
for they had it not in their power not to sin;
vain also will be the laws of nations which assign penalties to evil deeds.
1171.
Miserable also will those be who laboriously keep righteousness;
yet blessed those who, living in pleasure, exercise tyranny, living in luxury and wickedness.
1172.
According to this, therefore, there can be neither righteousness, nor goodness, nor any virtue,
nor, as you would have it, any God.
1173.
Yet, O Simon, I know why you have spoken thus:
truly because you wished to avoid inquiry, lest you should be openly confuted;
|
|
|
and therefore you say that it is not in the power of man to perceive or to discern anything.
1174.
But if this had really been your opinion,
you would not surely, before my coming, have professed yourself before the people to be a teacher.
1175.
I say, therefore, that man is under his own control.
1176.
Then said Simon:
What is the meaning of being under his own control?
Tell us.
1177.
To this Peter said:
If nothing can be learned, why do you wish to hear?
1178.
And Simon said:
You have nothing to answer to this.
Origin of Evil.
1179.
Then said Peter:
I shall speak, not as under compulsion from you,
yet at the request of the hearers.
1180.
The power of choice is the sense of the soul,
possessing a quality by which it can be inclined towards what acts it wills.
1181.
Then Simon, applauding Peter for what he had spoken, said:
Truly you have expounded it magnificently and incomparably,
for it is my duty to bear testimony to your speaking well.
1182.
Now if you will explain to me this which I now ask you, in all things else I shall submit to you.
1183.
What I wish to learn, then, is this:
if what God wishes to be, is; and what He does not wish to be, is not.
Answer me this.
1184.
Then Peter:
If you do not know that you are asking an absurd and incompetent question, I shall pardon you and explain; but if you are aware that you are asking inconsequently, you do not well.
1185.
Then Simon said:
I swear by the Supreme Divinity, whatsoever that may be,
which judges and punishes those who sin, that I know not what I have said inconsequently,
or what absurdity there is in my words, that is, in those that I have just uttered.
The Book of Recognitions CHAPTER FORTY ONE
Divisions 1186-1210
Book 3
RECOGNITIONS 3
Дата добавления: 2019-02-13; просмотров: 203; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!