Page:Ante-Nicene Christian Library Vol 6.djvu/71

Rh extending for three zodiacal signs; and they assume the figure of a square those which have an interval extending for two signs. But as the underlying parts sympathize with the head, and the head with the underlying parts, so also things terrestrial with superlunar objects. But there is of these a certain difference and want of sympathy, so that they do not involve one and the same point of juncture.

Employing these [as analogies], Euphrates the Peratic, and Acembes the Carystian, and the rest of the crowd of these [speculators], imposing names different from the doctrine of the truth, speak of a sedition of Æons, and of a revolt of good powers over to evil [ones], and of the concord of good with wicked [Æons], calling them Toparchai and Proastioi, and very many other names. But the entire of this heresy, as attempted by them, I shall explain and refute when we come to treat of the subject of these [Æons]. But now, lest any one suppose the opinions propounded by the Chaldæans respecting astrological doctrine to be trustworthy and secure, we shall not hesitate to furnish a brief refutation respecting these, establishing that the futile art is calculated both to deceive and blind the soul indulging in vain expectations, rather than to profit it. And we urge our case with these, not according to any experience of the art, but from knowledge based on practical principles. Those who have cultivated the art, becoming disciples of the Chaldgeans, and communicating mysteries as if strange and astonishing to men, having changed the names [merely], have from this source