Reception in the House of Maro.
1588.
And when we had come to the house of Maro, in which preparation had been made for Peter,
he turned to the crowd, and told them that he would address them the day after tomorrow.
1589.
Therefore the brethren who had been sent before assigned lodgings to all who had come with us.
1590.
Then, when Peter had entered into the house of Maro, and was asked to partake of food,
he answered that he would by no means do so,
until he had ascertained whether all those that had accompanied him were provided with lodgings.
1591.
Then he learned from the brethren who had been sent before,
that the citizens had received them not only hospitably,
yet with all kindness, by reason of their love towards Peter;
1592.
so much so, that several were disappointed because there were no guests for them;
for that all had made such preparations, that even if many more had come, there would still have been a deficiency of guests for the hosts, not of hosts for the guests.
Simon's Flight.
1593.
Thereupon Peter was greatly delighted, and praised the brethren,
and blessed them, and requested them to remain with him.
1594.
Then, when he had bathed in the sea, and had taken food, he went to sleep in the evening;
and rising, as usual, at cock-crow, while the evening light was still burning, he found us all awake.
1595.
Now there were in all sixteen of us, Peter and I, Clement,
Niceta and Aquila, and those twelve who had preceded us.
1596.
Saluting us, then, as was his wont, Peter said:
Since we are not taken up with others today, let us be taken up with ourselves.
1597.
I shall tell you what took place at Cæsarea after your departure,
and you shall tell us of the doings of Simon here.
1598.
And while the conversation was going on on these subjects, at daybreak some of the members of the family came in and told Peter that Simon, when he heard of Peter's arrival, departed in the night, on the way to Syria.
1599.
They also stated that the crowds thought that the day which he had said was to intervene was a very long time for their affection, and that they were standing in impatience before the gate,
conversing among themselves about those things which they wished to hear,
and that they hoped that they should by all means see him before the time appointed;
1600.
and that as the day became lighter the multitudes were increasing, and that they were trusting confidently, whatever they might be presuming upon, that they should hear a discourse from him.
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1601.
Now then, said they, instruct us to tell them what seems good to you;
for it is absurd that so great a multitude should have come together,
and should depart with sadness, through no answer being returned to them.
1602.
For they will not consider that it is they that have not waited for the appointed day but rather they will think that you are slighting them.
The Harvest Plenteous.
1603.
Then Peter, filled with admiration, said:
You see, brethren, how every word of the Lord spoken prophetically is fulfilled.
1604.
For I remember that He said,
'The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
ask therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send out labourers into His harvest.'
Matthew 9:37-38
1605.
Behold, therefore, the things which are foretold in a mystery are fulfilled.
1606.
Yet whereas He said also,
'Many shall come from the east and the west, from the north and the south,
and shall recline in the bosom of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob;'
this also is, as you see, in like manner fulfilled.
1607.
Wherefore I entreat you, my fellow-servants and helpers, that you would learn diligently the order of preaching, and the ways of absolutions, that you may be able to save the souls of men,
which by the secret power of God acknowledge whom they ought to love, even before they are taught.
1608.
For you see that these men, like good servants, long for him whom they expect to announce to them the coming of their Lord, that they may be able to fulfil His will when they have learned it.
1609.
The desire, therefore, of hearing the word of God, and inquiring into His will, they have from God;
and this is the beginning of the gift of God, which is given to the Gentiles,
that by this they may be able to receive the doctrine of truth.
Moses and Christ.
1610.
For so also it was given to the people of the Hebrews from the beginning,
that they should love Moses, and believe his word; whence also it is written:
'The people believed God, and Moses His servant.' Exodus 14:31
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1611.
What, therefore, was of peculiar gift from God toward the nation of the Hebrews,
we see now to be given also to those who are called from among the Gentiles to the faith.
1612.
But the method of works is put into the power and will of every one, and this is their own;
yet to have an affection towards a teacher of truth, this is a gift of the heavenly Father.
1613.
Yet salvation is in this,
that you do His will of whom you have conceived a love and affection through the gift of God;
lest that saying of His be addressed to you which He spoke,
'Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not what I say?' Luke 6:46
1614.
It is therefore the peculiar gift bestowed by God upon the Hebrews, that they believe Moses;
and the peculiar gift bestowed upon the Gentiles is that they love Jesus.
1615.
For this also the Master intimated, when He said,
'I will confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because You have concealed these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes.'
1616.
By which it is certainly declared, that the people of the Hebrews,
who were instructed out of the law, did not know Him;
1617.
yet the people of the Gentiles have acknowledged Jesus, and venerate Him;
on which account also they shall be saved, not only acknowledging Him, yet also doing His will.
1618.
But he who is of the Gentiles, and who has it of God to believe Moses,
ought also to have it of his own purpose to love Jesus also.
1619.
And again, the Hebrew, who has it of God to believe Moses,
ought to have it also of his own purpose to believe in Jesus;
so that each of them, having in himself something of the divine gift,
and something of his own exertion, may be perfect by both.
1620.
For concerning such an one our Lord spoke, as of a rich man,
'Who brings forth from his treasures things new and old.' Matthew 13:52
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The Book of Recognitions CHAPTER FIFTY SIX
Divisions 1621-1650
Book 4
RECOGNITIONS 4
A Congregation.
1621.
Yet enough has been said of these things for time presses,
and the religious devotion of the people invites us to address them.
1622.
And when he had thus spoken, he asked where there was a suitable place for discussion.
1623.
And Maro said:
I have a very spacious hall which can hold more than 500 men, and there is also a garden within the house; or if it please you to be in some public place, all would prefer it,
for there is nobody who does not desire at least to see your face.
1624.
Then Peter said:
Show me the hall, or the garden.
1625.
And when he had seen the hall, he went in to see the garden also;
and suddenly the whole multitude, as if some one had called them, rushed into the house, and thence broke through into the garden, where Peter was already standing, selecting a fit place for discussion.
The Sick Healed.
1626.
But when he saw that the crowds had, like the waters of a great river, poured over the narrow passage, he mounted upon a pillar which happened to stand near the wall of the garden, and first saluted the people in a religious manner.
1627.
But some of those who were present, and who had been for a long time distressed by demons, threw themselves on the ground, while the unclean spirits entreated that they might be allowed but for one day to remain in the bodies that they had taken possession of.
1628.
But Peter rebuked them, and commanded them to depart;
and they went out without delay.
1629.
After these, others who had been afflicted with long-standing sicknesses asked Peter that they might receive healing; and he promised that he would entreat the Lord for them as soon as his discourse of instruction was completed.
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1630.
But as soon as he promised, they were freed from their sicknesses; and he ordered them to sit down apart, with those who had been freed from the demons, as after the fatigue of labour.
1631.
Meantime, while this was going on, a vast multitude assembled, attracted not only by the desire of hearing Peter, but also by the report of the cures which had been accomplished.
1632.
But Peter, beckoning with his hand to the people to be still,
and settling the crowds in tranquillity, began to address them as follows:
Providence Vindicated.
1633.
It seems to me necessary, at the outset of a discourse concerning the true worship of God, first of all to instruct those who have not as yet acquired any knowledge of the subject, that throughout the divine providence must be maintained to be without blame, by which the world is ruled and governed.
1634
Moreover, the reason of the present undertaking, and the occasion offered by those whom the power of God has healed, suggest this subject for a beginning, viz. to show that for good reason very many persons are possessed of demons, that so the justice of God may appear.
1635.
For ignorance will be found to be the mother of almost all evils.
But now let us come to the reason.
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