See,  then,  how  irrational  is  the  procedure  of
Celsus,  who,  in  his  discourse  against  the  Chris-
tians, represents  as  such  those  who  will  not  even
listen  to  the  name  of  Jesus,  or  omit  even  that
He  was  a  wise  man,  or  a  person  of  virtuous  *
character !  What,  then,  could  evince  greater
folly  or  madness,  not  only  on  the  part  of  those
who  wish  to  derive  their  name  from  the  serpent
as  the  author  of  good,'  but  also  on  the  part  of
Celsus,  who  thinks  that  the  accusations  with
which  the  Ophites  *  are  charged,  are  chargeable
also  against  the  Christians  !  Long  ago,  indeed,
that  Greek  philosopher  who  preferred  a  state  of
poverty,5  and  who  exhibited  the  pattern  of  a
happy  life,  showing  that  he  was  not  excluded
fi-orai  happiness  although  he  was  possessed  of
notfing,^  termed  himself  a  Cynic ;  while  these  |
impious  wretches,  as  not  being  human  beings,
whose  enemy  the  serpent  is,  but  as  being  ser-
pents, pride  themselves  upon  being  called  Ophites
from  the  serpent,  which  is  an  animal  most  hos-
tile to  and  greatly  dreaded  by  man,  and  boast
of  one  Euphrates'  as  the  introducer  of  these
unhallowed  opinions.
CHAP.   XXIX.
