Faustinianus is Himself Again.
3571.
Whilst he made these and similar statements, the people began to curse him, and to weep and lament because they had sinned against Peter, believing him to be a magician or wicked man.
3572.
Yet the same day, at evening, Faustinianus had his own face restored to him,
and the appearance of Simon Magus left him.
3573.
Now Simon, hearing that his face on Faustinianus had contributed to the glory of Peter, came in haste to anticipate Peter, and intending to cause by his art that his likeness should be taken from Faustinianus, when Christ had already accomplished this according to the word of His apostle.
3574.
Yet Niceta and Aquila, seeing their father's face restored after the necessary proclamation,
gave thanks to God, and would not suffer him to address the people any more.
Peter's Entry into Antioch.
3575.
Yet Simon began, though secretly, to go among his friends and acquaintances,
and to malign Peter more than before.
3576.
Then all spat in his face, and drove him from the city, saying:
You will be chargeable with your own death, if you think of coming hither again, speaking against Peter.
3577.
These things being known at Laodicea, Peter ordered the people to meet on the following day;
and having ordained one of those who followed him as bishop over them, and others as presbyters,
and having baptized multitudes, and restored to health all who were troubled with sicknesses or demons, he stayed there three days longer;
and all things being properly arranged, he bade them farewell, and set out from Laodicea, being much longed for by the people of Antioch.
3578.
And the whole city began to hear, through Niceta and Aquila, that Peter was coming.
3579.
Then all the people of the city of Antioch, hearing of Peter's arrival, went to meet him, and almost all the old men and the nobles came with ashes sprinkled on their heads, in this way testifying their repentance, because they had listened to the magician Simon, in opposition to his preaching.
Peter's Thanksgiving.
3580.
Stating these and such like things, they bring to him those distressed with sicknesses, and tormented with demons, paralytics also, and those suffering diverse perils; and there was an infinite number of sick people collected.
3581.
And when Peter saw that they not only repented of the evil thoughts they had entertained of him through means of Simon, yet also that they showed so entire faith in God, that they believed that all who suffered from every sort of ailment could be healed by him, he spread out his hands towards heaven, pouring out prayers with tears, and gave thanks to God, saying:
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3582.
I bless you, O Father, worthy of all praise, who hast deigned to fulfil every word and promise of Your Son, that every creature may know that You alone are God in heaven and in earth.
Miracles.
3583.
With such sayings, he went up on a height, and ordered all the multitude of sick people to be ranged before him, and addressed them all in these words:
3584.
As you see me to be a man like to yourselves, do not suppose that you can recover your health from me, yet through Him who, coming down from heaven, has shown to those who believe in Him a perfect medicine for body and soul.
3585.
Hence let all this people be witnesses to your declaration, that with your whole heart you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they may know that themselves also may be saved by Him.
3586.
And when all the multitude of the sick with one voice cried out that
'He is the true God whom Peter preaches',
suddenly an overpowering light of the grace of God appeared in the midst of the people;
3587.
and the paralytics being cured, began to run to Peter's feet, the blind to shout on the recovery of their sight, the lame to give thanks on regaining the power of walking, the sick to rejoice in restored health;
some even who were barely alive,
being already without consciousness or the power of speech, were raised up;
and all the lunatics, and those possessed of demons, were set free.
Success.
3588.
So great grace of His power did the Holy Spirit show on that day,
that all, from the least to the greatest, with one voice confessed the Lord;
3589.
and not to delay you with many words, within 7 days more than 10,000 men,
believing in God, were baptized and consecrated by sanctification,
3590.
so that Theophilus, who was more exalted than all the men of power in that city,
with all eagerness of desire consecrated the great palace of his house under the name of a church,
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and a chair was placed in it for the Apostle Peter by all the people;
3591.
and the whole multitude assembling daily to hear the word,
believed in the healthful doctrine which was avouched by the efficacy of cures.
Happy Ending.
3592.
Then I, Clement, with my brothers and our mother, spoke to our father,
asking him whether any remnants of unbelief remained in him, and he said:
3593.
Come, and you shall see, in the presence of Peter, what an increase of faith has grown in me.
3594.
Then Faustinianus approached, and fell down at Peter's feet, saying:
3595.
The seeds of your word, which the field of my mind has received, are now sprung up, and have so advanced to fruitful maturity, that nothing is wanting but that you separate me from the chaff by that spiritual reaping-hook of yours, and place me in the garner of the Lord, making me partaker of the divine table.
3596.
Then Peter, with all alacrity grasping his hand, presented him to me Clement, and my brothers, saying:
3597.
As God has restored your sons to you, their father, so also your sons restore their father to God.
3598.
And he proclaimed a fast to all the people, and on the next Lord's day he baptized him;
3599.
and in the midst of the people, taking occasion from his conversion, he related all his fortunes,
so that the whole city received him as an angel and paid him no less honor than they did to the apostle.
3600.
And these things being known, Peter ordered the people to meet on the following day;
and having ordained one of his followers as bishop, and others as presbyters,
he baptized also a great number of people,
and restored to health all who had been distressed with sicknesses.
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