331Chapter II.—The Existence of the Devil Affirmed.

“Do you maintain that there is any prince of evil or not?^14031403    [Compare with this discussion respecting the origin of the evil one, Recognitions, ix. 55, 56; x. 3, etc.  In Recognitions, iii. 15–23, the existence of evil is discussed.—R.]  For if you say that there is not, I can prove to you from many statements, and those too of your teacher, that there is; but if you honestly allow that the evil one exists, then I shall speak in accordance with this belief.”  And Peter said:  “It is impossible for me to deny the assertion of my Teacher.  Wherefore I allow that the evil one exists, because my Teacher, who spoke the truth in all things, has frequently asserted that he exists.  For instance, then, he acknowledges that he conversed with Him, and tempted Him for forty days.^14041404    Mark i. 13.  And I know that He has said somewhere else, ‘If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself:  how then is his kingdom to stand?’^14051405    Matt. xii. 26.  And He pointed out that He saw the evil one like lightning falling down from heaven.^14061406    Luke x. 18.  And elsewhere He said, ‘He who sowed the bad seed is the devil.’^14071407    Matt. xiii. 39.  And again, ‘Give no pretext to the evil one.’^14081408    This passage is not found in the New Testament.  It resembles Eph. iv. 27.  Moreover, in giving advice, He said, ‘Let your yea be yea, and your nay nay; for what is more than these is of the evil one.’^14091409    Matt. v. 37; Jas. v. 12.  Also, in the prayer which He delivered to us, we have it said, ‘Deliver us from the evil one.’^14101410    Matt. vi. 13.  And in another place, He promised that He would say to those who are impious, ‘Go ye into outer darkness, which the Father prepared for the devil and his angels.’^14111411    Matt. xxv. 41.  And not to prolong this statement further, I know that my Teacher often said that there is an evil one.  Wherefore I also agree in thinking that he exists.  If, then, in future you have anything to say in accordance with this belief, say it, as you promised.”