Chapter XXXIX

Chapter XXXIX.—Immortality of the Soul.

Then said Simon:  “The one point on which I should wish to be satisfied is, whether the soul is immortal; for I cannot take up the burden of righteousness unless I know first concerning the immortality of the soul; for indeed if it is not immortal, the profession of your preaching cannot stand.”  Then said Peter:  “Let us first inquire whether God is just; for if this were ascertained, the perfect order of religion would straight-way be established.”  Then Simon:  “With all your boasting of your knowledge of the order of discussion, you seem to me now to have answered contrary to order; for when I ask you to show whether the soul is immortal, you say that we must first inquire whether God is just.”  Then said Peter:  “That is perfectly right and regular.”  Simon:  “I should wish to learn how.”