sider them as gods for two
reasons: first, that they may be glorified by this title (for they are
puffed up with arrogance, and delight to be honoured as gods) next,
that they may drag their poor dupes into the unquenchable fire prepared
for themselves. Hence they teach men all iniquity and filthiness,
seeing that they have once subjected themselves to their deceit. So
when men had arrived at this pinnacle of evil, they, being darkened,
set up every man an idol of his own vice and his own lust, and call it
a god. They were abominable in their error, more abominable in the
absurdity of the objects that they chose to worship, until the Lord
came, and of his tender mercy redeemed us that trust in him from this
wicked and deadly error, and taught men the true knowledge of God. For
there is no salvation except in him, and there is none other God,
neither in heaven, nor in earth, except him only, the Maker of all, who
moveth all things by the word of his power: for he saith, 'By the word
of the Lord were the heavens made stedfast, and all the power of them
by the breath of his mouth,' and, 'All things were made by him, and
without him was not anything made that was made.'"

When Theudas had heard these sayings, and seen that the word was full
of divine wisdom, like one thunder-struck, he was smitten dumb. Now
late in time, and with difficulty, came he to understand his own
misery, for the word of salvation had touched the darkened vision of
his heart, and there fell upon him deep remorse for his past sins. He
renounced the error of his idols, and ran towards the light of
godliness, and from henceforth departed from his miserable life, and
made himself as bitter an enemy of vile affections and sorceries as he
before had pledged himself their devoted friend, For at this season he
stood up in the midst of the assembly, and cried with a loud voice,
saying, "Verily, O king, the Spirit of God dwelleth in thy son.
Verily, we are defeated, and have no further apology, and have no
strength to face the words that he hath uttered. Mighty therefore, in
sooth, is the God of the Christians: mighty is their faith: mighty are
their mysteries."

Then he turned him round toward the king's son and said, "Tell me now,
thou man, whose soul is enlightened, will Christ accept me, if I
forsake my evil deeds and turn to him?" "Yea," said that preacher of
truth; "Yea, he receiveth thee and all that turn to him. And he not
only receiveth the