send others to the condemnation of the unquenchable fire along with similar disobedient
and impenitent men from all the nations. ‘For they shall come,’ He said, ‘from the west and
from the east, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of
heaven; but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness.’646 And I
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have mentioned these things, taking nothing whatever into consideration, except the
speaking of the truth, and refusing to be coerced by any one, even though I should be
forthwith torn in pieces by you. For I gave no thought to any of my people, that is, the
Samaritans, when I had a communication in writing with Cæsar,647 but stated that they
were wrong in trusting to the magician Simon of their own nation, who, they say, is God
above all power, and authority, and might.”
646 Matt. viii. 11 f.
647 The Apology, i. chap. xxvi.; ii. chap. xv.
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Chapter CXX.—Christians were promised to Isaac, Jacob, and Judah.