Chapter VI.
To be a fish: but to find another fish, one good and another bad: but the good should not fear Peter's hook and net.
15. Therefore, you are a fish, o man. Listen, because you are a fish: The kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, which gathered fish of every kind. But when it was full, they drew it to shore, and sitting down, they chose the good ones into their vessels, but the bad ones they threw away. So it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come out and separate the wicked from the midst of the just, and they will cast them into the furnace of fire (Matt. XIII, 47). So there are both good and bad fish, the good ones are kept for a price, the bad ones are immediately burned. The good fish are not entangled in nets, but are lifted up; nor does the hook kill and destroy them, but it bathes them in the blood of a precious wound, in whose mouth the good price is found, by which the apostolic tribute and the census of Christ are able to be paid. For so it is written, as the Lord says: 'Kings of the earth, from whom do they receive a grain of tribute or census?' From their own children, or from strangers? And answering, Peter said, from strangers. The Lord said: Go to the sea, and cast in a hook, and that fish which shall first come up, take: and when thou hast opened its mouth, thou shalt find a stater: take that, and give it to them for me and thee (Matt. XVII, 24).
16. Therefore, o good fish, do not fear Peter's hook: it does not kill, but consecrates. Do not despise yourself as though you were worthless, because you see a weak body: you have in your mouth that which you may offer for both Peter and Christ. Do not fear Peter's nets, to whom Jesus says: Cast into the deep, and let down your nets. For he sends them not to the left side, but to the right, as Christ commanded. Do not fear his bosom, for it is said to him: From this you shall be a life-giving man. Therefore, he sent out nets and caught Stephen, who was the first to ascend from the Gospel, having on his lips the staff of righteousness. With a steadfast confession, he cried out, saying: Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. For this fish, the Lord Jesus stood; for he knew that there was the price of his redemption in its mouth. Finally, he fulfilled a glorious martyrdom and Peter's judgement, as well as teaching and the grace of Christ, as a wealthy proclaimer.