{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/008/0081056.htm","path":"chr/ecf/008/0081056.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/008/0081056.htm","text":"Chapter IV.\u2014The Prejudices of Faustus Rather on the Side of Simon Than on that of Peter.\nOur father answered: \u201cDo not compel me to agree with you without any exercise of my judgment in order that I may seem to be a p. 313 truth-loving judge; but if you wish me to tell you the truth, my prepossessions are rather the side of your opinions.\u201d And Simon said: \u201cHow is this the case, when you do not know what my opinions are?\u201d And our father said: \u201cIt is easy to know this, and I will tell you how. You promised that you would convict Peter of error in maintaining the unity of God; but if one undertakes to convict of error him who maintains the unity of God. it is perfectly plain that he, as being in the right, 1253 does not hold the same opinion. For if he holds the same opinion as the man who is thoroughly in error, then he himself is in error; but if he gives his proofs holding opposite opinions, then he is in the right. Not well 1254 then do you assert that he who maintains the unity of God is wrong, unless you believe that there are many gods. Now I maintain that there are many gods. Holding, therefore, the same opinion as you before the discussion, I am prepossessed rather in your favour. For this reason you ought to have no anxiety in regard to me, but Peter ought, for I still hold opinions contrary to his. And so after your discussion I hope that, as a truth-loving judge, who has stripped himself of his prepossessions, I shall agree to that doctrine which gains the victor.\u201d When my father said this, a murmur of applause burst insensibly from the multitudes because my father had thus spoken.\nThe words translated \u201cerror,\u201d \u03c8\u03b5\u1fe6\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1, and \u201cto be in the right,\u201d \u1f00\u03bb\u03b7\u03b8\u03b5\u03cd\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd, are, properly rendered, \u201cfalsehood,\u201d and \u201cto speak the truth.\u201d\n313:1254\nThe mss. read: \u201cnot otherwise.\u201d The reading of the text is found in an Epitome.","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol VIII: Pseudo-Clementine Literature.: Chapter IV","type":"page"}