Chapter XIV.—Simon Magus, Professes to Be God.

“At those sayings of his Simon grew pale; but after a little, recollecting himself, he thus answered:  ‘Do not think that I am a man of your race.  I am neither magician, nor lover 101of Luna, nor son of Antonius.  For before my mother Rachel and he came together, she, still a virgin, conceived me, while it was in my power to be either small or great, and to appear as a man among men.⁶¹⁰⁶¹⁰    [This parody of the miraculous conception is not found in the Homilies.—R.]  Therefore I have chosen you first as my friends, for the purpose of trying you, that I may place you first in my heavenly and unspeakable places when I shall have proved you.  Therefore I have pretended to be a man, that I might more clearly ascertain if you cherish entire affection towards me.’  But when I heard that, judging him indeed to be a wretch, yet wondering at his impudence; and blushing for him, and at the same time fearing lest he should attempt some evil against us, I beckoned to Niceta to feign for a little along with me, and said to him:  ‘Be not angry with us, corruptible men, O thou incorruptible God, but rather accept our affection, and our mind willing to know who God is; for we did not till now know who thou art, nor did we perceive that thou art he whom we were seeking.’”