Section 98
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66 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, CHAPTER XVII. The account given by Philo respecting the Ascetics oj Egypt. THE same author, in the reign of Claudius, is also said to haver had familiar conversation with Peter at Rome, whilst he was proclaiming the gospel to the inhabitants of that city. Nor is this at all improbable ; since the work of which we now speak, and which was subsequently composed by him at a late period, evidently comprehends the regulations that are still observed in our churches, even to the present time ; but at the same time that he describes with the greatest accuracy, the lives of our ascetics, he evidently shows that he not only knew, but approved, whilst he extolled and revered the apostolic men ol his day, who were sprung probably from the Hebrews ; and hence, still continuing to observe their most ancient customs, rather after the Jewish manner. In the book that he wrote, " On a Contemplative Life, or those who lead a Life of Prayer," he avers indeed, that he would add nothing contrary to the truth, or of his own invention, in the history that he was about to write, where he says, that these persons are called TherapeutaB, and the women Therapeutrides. Subjoining the reasons of such an appellation, he refers its origin either to the fact, that like physicians, by removing the evil affections, they healed and cured the minds of those that joined them, or to their pure and sincere mode of serving and worshipping the Deity. Whether Philo himself attached this name to them of his own accord,, giving an epithet well suited to the manners of the people, or whether the founders really called themselves so from the beginning, as the name of Christians was not yet spread to every place, are points that need not be so ac curately determined. He bears witness, however, that they re nounced their property, saying, that " as soon as they commenced a philosophical life, they divested themselves of their property, giving it up to their relatives ; then laying aside all the cares of life, they abandon the city and take up their abode in solitary fields and gardens, well knowing that the intercourse with per