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1. Archelaus said to Manes: Give us a statement now of the doctrines you promulgate.—Thereupon the man, whose mouth was like an open sepulchre,21572157    Ps. v. 9. began at once with a word of blasphemy against the Maker of all things, saying: The God of the Old Testament is the inventor of evil, who speaks thus of Himself: “I am a consuming fire.”21582158    Deut. iv. 24.—But the sagacious Archelaus completely undid this blasphemy. For he said: If the God of the Old Testament, according to your allegation, calls Himself a fire, whose son is He who says, “I am come to send fire upon the earth?”21592159    Luke xii. 49. If you find fault with one who says, “The Lord killeth and maketh alive,”21602160    1 Sam. ii. 6. why do you honour Peter, who raised Tabitha to life,21612161    Acts ix. 40. but also put Sapphira to death?21622162    Acts v. 10. And if again, you find fault with the one because He has prepared a fire,21632163    Deut. xxxii. 22. why do you not find fault with the other, who says, “Depart from me into everlasting fire?”21642164    Matt. xxv. 41. If you find fault with Him who says, “I, God, make peace, and create evil,”21652165    Isa. xlv. 7. explain to us how Jesus says, “I came not to send peace, but a sword.”21662166    Matt. x. 34. Various of the mss. add, ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, upon the earth. Since both persons speak in the same terms, one or other of these two things must follow: namely, either they are both good21672167    The text gives καλοί. Routh seems to prefer κακοί, evil. because they use the same language; or, if Jesus passes without censure though He speaks in such terms, you must tell us why you reprehend Him who employs a similar mode of address in the Old Testament.


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