312Homily XVI.

Chapter I.—Simon Wishes to Discuss with Peter the Unity of God.

At break of day Peter went out, and reaching the place where he was wont to discourse, he saw a great multitude assembled.  At the very time when he was going to discourse, one of his deacons entered, and said:  “Simon has come from Antioch,^12471247    [Homilies XVI.–XIX., giving the details of a second discussion with Simon at Laodicea, are peculiar to this narrative.  Much of the matter finds a parallel in the longer account of the previous discussion at Cæsarea in Recognitions, ii. iii. (comp. Homily III.), but all the circumstances are different.  Uhlhorn formerly regarded this portion of the Homilies as the nucleus of the entire literature.  He has modified his view.  An analysis of the discussion cannot be attempted; but in the footnote to Recognitions, ii. 19, a general comparison is given of the three accounts of discussions with Simon Magus.—R.] starting as soon as it was evening, having learned that you promised to speak on the unity^12481248    The word properly signifies the “sole government or monarchy of God.”  It means that God alone is ruler. of God; and he is ready, along with Athenodorus the Epicurean, to come to hear your speech, in order that he may publicly oppose all the arguments ever adduced by you for the unity of God.”  Just as the deacon said this, lo! Simon himself entered, accompanied by Athenodorus and some other friends.  And before Peter spoke at all, he took the first word, and said:—