{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/008/0081127.htm","path":"chr/ecf/008/0081127.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/008/0081127.htm","text":"Chapter VIII.\u2014Peter Undertakes to Discuss the Devil\u2019s Origin.\nAnd Peter said: \u201cSince you compel us, after we have made accurate investigations into the contrivances of God, to venture to state them, and that, too, to men who are not able to comprehend thoroughly the contrivances of their fellow-men, for the sake at least of those who are present, I, instead of remaining silent\u2014a course which would be most pious\u2014shall discuss the subjects of which you wish me to speak. I agree with you in believing that there is a prince of evil, of whose origin the Scripture has ventured to say nothing either true or false. But let us follow out the inquiry in many ways, as to how he has come into existence, if it is the fact that he has come into existence; and of the p. 333 opinions which present themselves, let us select that which is most reverential, since in the case of probable opinions, that one is assumed with confidence which is based on the principle that we ought to attribute to God that which is more reverential; and all the more so, if, when all other suppositions are removed, there still remains one which is adequate and involves less danger. 1423 But I promise you, before I proceed with the investigation, that every method in the investigation can show that God alone is blameless.\nThis sentence is regarded as corrupt by Wieseler. We have retained the reading of the Paris ms., \u1f41, and understand \u03bb\u03b1\u03bc\u03b2\u03ac\u03bd\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 after it. \u0394\u1f72 would naturally be inserted after \u03c4\u03b1\u03cd\u03c4\u1fc3, but it is not necessary. \u039a\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c3\u1ff6\u03bd is translated in the Latin purgatis, which may mean the same as in our translation if we take it in the sense of \u201cwashed away;\u201d but \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03b9\u03c1\u03b5\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c3\u1ff6\u03bd would be a better reading. The translation of Cotelerius gives, \u201cSince this is reasonably assumed with firmness,\u2014namely, that it is right to give to God,\u201d etc.","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol VIII: Pseudo-Clementine Literature.: Chapter VIII","type":"page"}