There came, then, although Celsus may not wish to admit it, after the
numerous prophets who were the reformers of that well-known Israel, the
Christ, the Reformer of the whole world, who did not need to employ
against men whips, and chains, and tortures, as was the case under the
former economy. For when the sower went forth to sow, the doctrine
sufficed to sow the word everywhere. But if there is a time coming which
will necessarily circumscribe the duration of the world, by reason of
its having had a beginning, and if there is to be an end to the world,
and after the end a just judgment of all things, it will be incumbent on
him who treats the declarations of the Gospels philosophically, to
establish these doctrines by arguments of all kinds, not only derived
directly from the sacred Scriptures, but also by inferences deducible
from them; while the more numerous and simpler class of believers, and
those who are unable to comprehend the many varied aspects of the divine
wisdom, must entrust themselves to God, and to the Saviour of our race,
and be contented with His “ipse dixit,”[505] instead of this or any
other demonstration whatever.
Footnote 505:
αὐτὸς ἔφα.