Peter Resolves to Follow Simon.
1499.
And when they were shocked by the things which they heard that Simon had done by his magical acts, Peter said:
Be not, my brethren, distressed by those things that have been done, but give heed to the future:
for what is passed is ended;
but the things which threaten are dangerous to those who shall fall in with them.
1500.
For offenses shall never be wanting in this world,
so long as the enemy is permitted to act according to his will;
in order that the prudent and those who understood his wiles
may be conquerors in the contests which he raises against them;
yet that those who neglect to learn the things that pertain to the salvation of their souls,
may be taken by him with merited deceptions.
1501.
Since, therefore, as you have heard, Simon has gone forth to preoccupy the ears of the Gentiles who are called to salvation, it is necessary that I also follow upon his track, so that whatever disputations he raises may be corrected by us.
1502.
But inasmuch as it is right that greater anxiety should be felt concerning you who are already received within the walls of life,
1503.
— for if that which has been actually acquired perish, a positive loss is sustained;
while with respect to that which has not yet been acquired, if it can be got, there is so much gain;
yet if not, the only loss is that there is no gain;—
1504.
in order, therefore, that you may be more and more confirmed in the truth,
and the nations who are called to salvation may in no way be prevented by the wickedness of Simon,
I have thought good to ordain Zacchæus as pastor over you,
1505.
and to remain with you myself for three months;
and so to go to the Gentiles, lest through our delaying longer,
and the crimes of Simon stalking in every direction, they should become incurable.
The Book of Recognitions CHAPTER FIFTY TWO
Divisions 1506-1530
Book 3
RECOGNITIONS 3
Zacchæus Made Bishop of Cæsarea; Presbyters and Deacons Ordained.
1506.
At this announcement all the people wept, hearing that he was going to leave them;
and Peter, sympathizing with them, himself also shed tears;
and looking up to heaven, he said:
1507.
To You, O God, who hast made heaven and earth, and all things that are in them,
|
|
|
we pour out the prayer of supplication,
that You would comfort those who have recourse to You in their tribulation.
1508.
For by reason of the affection that they have towards You,
they do love me who have declared to them Your truth.
1509.
Wherefore guard them with the right hand of Your compassion;
for neither Zacchæus nor any other man can be a sufficient guardian to them.
1510.
When he had said this, and more to the same effect, he laid his hands upon Zacchæus,
and prayed that he might blamelessly discharge the duty of his bishopric.
1511.
Then he ordained twelve presbyters and four deacons, and said:
I have ordained you this Zacchæus as a bishop,
knowing that he has the fear of God, and is expert in the Scriptures.
1512.
You ought therefore to honour him as holding the place of Christ,
obeying him for your salvation,
and knowing that whatever honour and whatever injury is done to him,
redounds to Christ, and from Christ to God.
1513.
Hear him therefore with all attention, and receive from him the doctrine of the faith;
and from the presbyters the monitions of life; and from the deacons the order of discipline.
1514.
Have a religious care of widows;
vigorously assist orphans;
take pity on the poor;
1515.
teach the young modesty;
and in a word, sustain one another as circumstances shall demand;
1516.
worship God, who created heaven and earth;
believe in Christ;
love one another;
1517.
be compassionate to all;
and fulfill charity not only in word, yet in act and deed.
Invitation to Baptism.
1518.
When he had given them these and such like precepts, he made proclamation to the people, saying:
Since I have resolved to stay three months with you, if any one desires it, let him be baptized;
that, stripped of his former evils, he may for the future, in consequence of his own conduct,
become heir of heavenly blessings, as a reward for his good actions.
1519.
Whosoever will, then, let him come to Zacchæus and give his name to him,
and let him hear from him the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.
|
|
|
1520.
Let him attend to frequent fastings, and approve himself in all things,
that at the end of these three months he may be baptized on the day of the festival.
1521.
But every one of you shall be baptized in ever flowing waters,
the name of the Trine Beatitude being invoked over him;
he being first anointed with oil sanctified by prayer,
so that at length, being consecrated by these things, he may attain a perception of holy things.
Twelve Sent Before Him.
1522.
And when he had spoken at length on the subject of baptism,
he dismissed the crowd, and betook himself to his usual place of abode;
and there, while the twelve stood around him (Zacchæus and Sophonias, Joseph and Michæus,
Eleazar and Phineas, Lazarus and Eliseus, I, Clement, and Nicodemus, Niceta and Aquila),
he addressed us to the following effect:
1523.
Let us, my brethren, consider what is right;
for it is our duty to bring some help to the nations, which are called to salvation.
1524.
You have yourselves heard that Simon has set out, wishing to anticipate our journey.
1525.
Him we should have followed step by step,
that wheresoever he tries to subvert any, we might immediately confute him.
1526.
But since it appears to me to be unjust to forsake those who have been already converted to God,
and to bestow our care upon those who are still afar off,
I think it right that I should remain three months with those in this city who have been turned to the faith, and should strengthen them; and yet that we should not neglect those who are still far off,
lest if they be long infected with the power of pernicious doctrine, it be more difficult to recover them.
1527.
Therefore I wish (only, however, if you also think it right), that for Zacchæus,
whom we have now ordained bishop, Benjamin the son of Saba be substituted;
1528.
and for Clement (whom I have resolved to have always by me, because, coming from the Gentiles,
he has a great desire to hear the word of God) there be substituted Ananias the son of Safra;
1529.
|
|
|
and for Niceta and Aquila, who have been but lately converted to the faith of Christ,
Rubelus the brother of Zacchæus, and Zacharias the builder.
1530.
I wish, therefore, to complete the number of twelve by substituting these four for the other four,
that Simon may feel that I in them am always with him.
The Book of Recognitions CHAPTER FIFTY THREE
Divisions 1531-1555
Book 3
RECOGNITIONS 3
Дата добавления: 2019-02-13; просмотров: 219; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!