Section 96
The text on this page is estimated to be only 28.00% accurate
64 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. been kindled by the wicked one, humbling and casting dowi through them, "every height that elevated itself against th< knowledge of God." Wherefore, neither the conspiracy of Simon nor that of any other one then existing, was able to effect anything against those apostolic times. For the declaration of the trutl prevailed and overpowered all, and the divine word itself, no\^ shining from heaven upon men, and flourishing upon earth, anc dwelling with his apostles, prevailed and overpowered every op position. Immediately the aforesaid impostor being smitten as tc his mental eye, by a divine and supernatural brilliancy, as when on a former occasion in Judea, he was convicted of his wicked ness by the apostle Peter, he undertook a great journey from the east across the sea, and fled to the west, thinking that this was the only way for him to live according to his mind. Entering the city of Rome, by the co-operation of that malignant spirit which had fixed its seat there, his attempts were soon so far successful, as to be honoured as a god, with the erection of a statue by the inhabitants of that city. This, howrever, did not continue long ; for immediately under the reign of Claudius, by the benign and gracious providence of God, Peter, that powerful and great apos tle, who by his courage took the lead of all the rest, was conducted J;o Rome against this pest of mankind. He, like a noble com mander of God, fortified with divine armour, bore the precious merchandize of the revealed light/ from the east to those in the west, announcing the light itself, and salutary doctrine of the soul the proclamation of the kingdom of God A CHAPTER XV. The Gospel according to Mark. THE divine word having thus been established among the Ro mans, the power of Simon was soon extinguished and destroyed together with the man. So greatly, however, did the splendour of piety enlighten the minds of Peter's hearers, that it was not sufficient to hear but once, nor to receive the unwritten doctrine