Scholia in Acta

From the holy Athanasius, from the second discourse to the Novatians. If it had remained, he says, it would have remained for you, and when sold it was under your authority. But since, he says, you undertook to test the Holy Spirit, and agreed to this, you will experience what you wished. Indeed, others will be disciplined and will fear to test, having taken the experience through you. From the holy Athanasius, from the treatise to the Novatians. It must be understood here also that this was the beginning of the proclamation, and these men dared greatly, having attempted to test the Holy Spirit; and great benefit has come to the other brothers from the punishment of these men, for they were taught and learned that one must not dare against the Spirit nor attempt to test it. Just as a person being baptized by a human priest is illuminated by the grace of the Holy Spirit, so also the one confessing in repentance receives forgiveness through the priest by the grace of Christ. Chapter 8, verse 24. Pray for me to the Lord. From Athanasius, from the third discourse to those called Cathari.

Therefore, in response to his underlying bitterness, and this audacity and undertaking of his against the gift of God, Peter was justly moved, and being moved, he said to him: "May your money go with you to destruction. Even if it should not be so, yet because of this audacity of yours, because you thought to acquire the gift of God through money, you have no part, nor lot, in this matter. For your heart is not straight before God." And having spoken so much against him rightly and justly, considering none of these things incurable by the medicine of repentance, but judging these to be therapeutic, he added: "Repent, therefore, from your wickedness, and beseech the Lord, if indeed the intent of your heart will be forgiven you. For this is great for you. And do not now hasten to the gift so impurely and sordidly through money. But for now, having ceased from your bitterness and this evil intent, repent, if indeed the intent of your heart will be forgiven you," not as if doubting, but because passions are hard to heal, not incurable, however, but hard to heal. For if it were incurable, the saying "Repent from this wickedness of yours, and beseech the Lord" would be superfluous. But because repentance is effective through these things, and because great repentance and care are needed for those weighed down in wickedness, he added, presenting this: "If indeed the intent of your heart will be forgiven you. For I see you as being in a gall of bitterness and a bond of injustice.

And so great was the power of the exhortation to repentance of this great apostle, even toward so great a magician, and toward one so full of bile and bitterness, and filled with so many evils, that he already gave himself over to care, and when he said these things, he called Scripture to witness: "Pray for me to the Lord; for I have no share in boldness, that none of the things you have spoken may come upon me." Neither did the divine Apostle forbid him this, nor did he deny it. For how could he, who had both suggested and spoken? And so greatly was this very magician, great as he was, benefited by the hope of repentance, that he, already so transformed from his wickedness and bitterness, said: "I myself am not able to pray for myself; but do you pray for me to the Lord." From the same author, from the second discourse to the Novatians, who call themselves Cathari. Chapter 16, verse 3. And taking him, he circumcised him. So that Timothy might not be hindered from attending the synagogues because he was uncircumcised, he arranged this to be present, but he did not also make it a doctrine.