To the question
of one, who had studied his part, whether heathen were baptized, it
was answered by one, who also had his role assigned him, that
the ancients had always washed their new-born children.
The whole affair was a comedy staged by Julian.
Then Maximus mounted the pulpit, and, in a Neo-platonic discourse,
expounded all religious images, symbols, and customs. He also showed
that the heathen only worshipped one God, whose many attributes
found expression in various personifications. Then he ostensibly
defended Christ's Deity, the Virgin birth, and miracles. "We are,"
he said, "all of divine origin, since God has created us, and we are
His children. There is nothing remarkable in Christ being born
without a father, since the philosopher Plato was also born of
a virgin without a father." In the middle of his discourse he
exclaimed: "Miracles! Why should we not believe in miracles, since
we believe in Almighty God? His omnipotence signifies that He can
suspend the laws of nature which he has established. He who believes
not in miracles is therefore an ass." The discourse was listened
to by heathen and Christians. The latter thought that they had never
heard anything which so clearly explained mysterious dogmas, and the
heathen found that they were one with the Christians.
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