Page:Ante-Nicene Christian Library Vol 6.djvu/72

66 concocted their heresy. But since, estimating the astrological art as a powerful one, and availing themselves of the testimonies adduced by its patrons, they wish to gain reliance for their own attempted conclusions, we shall at present, as it has seemed expedient, prove the astrological art to be untenable, as our intention next is to invalidate also the Peratic system, as a branch growing out of an unstable root.

The originating principle, and, as it were, foundation, of the entire art, is fixing the horoscope. For from this are derived the rest of the cardinal points, as well as the declinations and ascensions, the triangles and squares, and the configurations of the stars in accordance with these; and from all these the predictions are taken. Whence, if the horoscope be removed, it necessarily follows that neither any celestial object is recognisable in the meridian, or at the horizon, or in the point of the heavens opposite the meridian; but if these be not comprehended, the entire system of the Chaldæans vanishes along with [them]. But that the sign of the horoscope is indiscoverable by them, we may show by a variety of arguments. For in order that this [horoscope] may be found, it is first requisite that the [time of] birth of the person falling under inspection should be firmly fixed; and secondly, that the horoscope which is to signify this should