Chapter VIII.--Nicetas Like to Be Deceived by Simon Magus.
"We were brought up along with one Simon, a magician; and in consequence of our friendly intercourse with him, we were in danger of being led astray. Now there is a report in regard to some man, that, when he appears, the mass of those who have been pious are to live free from death and pain in his kingdom. This matter, however, mother, will be explained more fully at the proper time. But when we were going to be led astray by Simon, a friend of our lord Peter, by name Zacchæus, came to us and warned us not to be led astray by the magician; and when Peter came, he brought us to him that he might give us full information, and convince us in regard to those matters that related to piety. Wherefore we beseech you, mother, to partake of those blessings which have been vouchsafed to us, that we may unite around the same table! [1168] This, then, is the reason, mother, why you thought we were dead. On that disastrous night we had been taken up in the sea by pirates, but you supposed that we had perished."
[1168] Lit., "that we may be able to partake of common salt and table."
Chapter IX.--The Mother Begs Baptism for Herself and Her Hostess.
When Faustinus had said this, our mother fell down at Peter's feet, begging and entreating him to send for her and her hostess, and baptize them immediately, in order that, says she, not a single day may pass after the recovery of my children, without my taking food with them. When we united with our mother in making the same request, Peter said: "What can you imagine? Am I alone heartless, so as not to wish that you should take your meals with your mother, baptizing her this very day? But yet it is incumbent on her to fast one day before she be baptized. And it is only one day, because, in her simplicity, she said something in her own behalf, which I looked on as a sufficient indication of her faith; otherwise, her purification must have lasted many days."
Chapter X.--Mattidia Values Baptism Aright.
And I said: "Tell us what it was that she said which made her faith manifest." And Peter, said: "Her request that her hostess and benefactress should be baptized along with her. For she would not have besought this to be granted to her whom she loves, had she not herself first felt that baptism was a great gift. And for this reason I condemn many that, after being baptized, and asserting that they have faith, they yet do nothing worthy of faith; nor do they urge those whom they love--I mean their wives, or sons, or friends--to be baptized. [1169] For if they had believed that God grants eternal life with good works on the acceptance of baptism, [1170] they without delay would urge those whom they loved to be baptized. But some one of you will say, They do love them, and care for them.' That is nonsense. For do they not, most assuredly, when they see them sick, or led away along the road that ends in death, or enduring any other trial, lament over them and pity them? So, if they believed that eternal fire awaits those who worship not God, they would not cease admonishing them, or being in deep distress for them as unbelievers, if they saw them disobedient, being fully assured that punishment awaits them. But now I shall send for the hostess, and question her as to whether she deliberately accepts the law which is proclaimed through us; [1171] and so, according to her state of mind, shall we do what ought to be done.
[1169] Lit., "to this."
[1170] epi to baptismati; lit., "on the condition of baptism."
[1171] Lit., "the law which is by means of us." But the Epitomes, and a various reading in Cotelerius, give "our law."
Chapter XI.--Mattidia Has Unintentionally Fasted One Day.
"But since your mother has real confidence in the efficacy of baptism, [1172] let her fast at least one day before her baptism." But she swore: "During the two past days, while I related to the woman [1173] all the events connected with the recognition, I could not, in consequence of my excessive joy, partake of food: only yesterday I took a little water." Peter's wife bore testimony to her statement with an oath, saying: "In truth she did not taste anything." And Aquila, who must rather be called Faustinianus [1174] in future, said: "There is nothing, therefore, to prevent her being baptized." And Peter, smiling, replied: "But that is not a baptismal fast which has not taken place on account of the baptism itself." And Faustinus answered: "Perhaps God, not wishing to separate our mother a single day after our recognition from our table, has arranged beforehand the fast. For as she was chaste in the times of her ignorance, doing what the true religion inculcated, [1175] so even now perhaps God has arranged that she should fast one day before for the sake of the true baptism, that, from the first day of her recognising us, she might take her meals along with us."
[1172] Lit., "since your mother is faithfully disposed in regard to baptism."
[1173] The second Epitome makes her the wife of Peter: a various reading mentions also her hostess.
[1174] Dressel strangely prefers the reading "Faustinus."
[1175] Lit., "doing what was becoming to the truth."