56. But the evil demons were not contented before the Heretics
Power of the Cross.
False Chris ts after onr Lord.
The earth is not tilled without it; diggers, handicraftsmen afol. also, do not perform their task unless by tools bearing this ^'^^' shape ; and the figure of man differs from that of the unreasoning brutes only in this, that he is upright, and has power to stretch out his hands; and has in his face extended from his forehead what is called his nose, through which the animal draws his breath, and which displays nothing else than the figure of the cross ; and it is thus spoken by the Prophet, TJie breath before our face is C/^rw^ T.am. 4, the Lord.
And your symbols in what are called banners'", and trophies, with which your processions are universally made, display the power of this form ; and by these you shew the signs of your rule and authority, even if you do so without knowing what you do.
And you consecrate the images of your Emperors, on their demise, by this form and by inscriptions you term them gods.
And when we have urged you as far as our power admits by reason, and this conspicuous figure, we know that henceforth we are blameless, even if you believe not ; for our part is now done and perfected.
56. But the evil demons were not contented before the Heretics manifestation of Christ with mentioning those who were said„"ard by to have been born the sons of Jupiter, but, when He appeared, devils, and lived amiOng men, and when they learnt that He was foretold by the Prophets, and knew that He was believed in, and looked for, by every nation, they again (as I have already said') introduced others, Simon, and Menander, J§.
16. from Samaria; who, by the performance of magic wonders, deceived, and still deceive, many.
And, as I have already said, Simon was with you in royal Rome in the time of Claudius Caesar; and so greatly astonished the sacred Senate, and people of Rome, as to be accounted a god, and to be honoured with a statue like others whom you respect as gods.
Hence, I entreat, that the sacred Senate, and your people, may be made cognizant, with yourselves, of this defence of mine: that, if any one be entangled with his >• <' Banners."
The text merely conin fact the Latin vexillorum, written tains the word Wcoixeu, which however in Greek letters.
Tertullian, and is corrected in the Claromontane copy Minucius Felix, use the sa:ne word ; the /3t|t\Awjuei/ ; and the word is, as the former in his Apology, chap. 16. and the Benedictine concludes, pi^lWwv, being latter p. 2b'6. Benedictine note in loc.
Persecution stirred up hy demons.
Marcion, Just, doctrines, lie may learn the truth, and be able to escape the :'^i:i^Ii deception : and do you, if you please, destroy his statue.
Their ^^ ' ^or are the devils able to persuade men that there end was ^ould be 110 conflagration for the punishment of the wicked, credit as they were also unable to bring it about that Christ, when
ChrisYie came, should be unknown.
This only were they able tianity.
. to accomplish, that those who lived unreasonably, and were brought up in evil customs to follow their passions, and who sought for vain glory, should kill and hate us; whom we not only hate not, but, as has been said already, we pity them, and wish to persuade them to repent.
For we do not fear death, since it is confessed that we must assuredly die; and there is nothing new, but the same things certainly continue in the same course; of which, if in truth satiety' overtake those wlio taste them but for a year, they should embrace our doctrines, that they may ever be free from suffering and want.
But, if they believe that there is nothing after death, but declare that those who die pass into insensibility; they do us service by delivering us from the sufferings and necessities of this life; though they prove themselves to be wicked, and haters of their kind, and seekers after vain glory: for they do not put us to death that they may give us freedom, but they slay us that they may deprive us of life and enjoyment.
Marcion ^^' Marcion also, who was, as I have said, from Pontus, was put forward by the evil demons; and he even now teaches men to deny God the Creator of all things in heaven and earth, and Him Who was foretold by the Prophets to be Christ, His Son; and niaintains another God besides the Creator of all things; and another Son likewise.
And many believe this man as the only one who knows the truth, and deride us; while they have no proof of what they assert, but are carried away irrationally, and like lambs by a wolf; and become a prey of godless doctrines, and of devils.
For they who are termed devils, endeavour only to lead men aw'ay from God the Creator, and Christ His first-born
; and those who cannot lift themselves from the earth, they fixed, and still fix down to things earthly, and to the work of their * Satiety.
The text reads d fxr) Thirlby observe, it should evidently be Kdpos, but, as the Benedictine and read el fxkv.