Simon Undertakes to Prove that the Creator of the World is Not Blameless.

Homily XIX.

Chapter I.—Simon Undertakes to Prove that the Creator of the World is Not Blameless.

The next day Peter came forth earlier than usual; and seeing Simon with many others waiting for him, he saluted the multitude, and began to discourse.  But no sooner did he begin than Simon interrupted him, and said:  “Pass by these long introductions of yours, and answer directly the questions I put to you.  Since I perceive that you¹⁴⁰² (as I know from what I heard at the beginning, that you have no other purpose, than by every contrivance to show that the Creator himself is alone the blameless God),—since, as I said, I perceive that you have such a decided desire to maintain this, that you venture to declare to be false some portions of the Scriptures that clearly speak against him, for this reason I have determined to-day to prove that it is impossible that he, being the Creator of all, should be blameless.  But thus proof I can now begin, if you reply to the questions which I put to you.