87. And¹⁶¹ again also, when they believed in these Gods, who had (virtually) confessed by their divinations, that they could effect nothing beyond what had been fated;—for Fate is the cause of all (in this acceptation);— they understood not, nor did they consider, that, as (this) Fate took hold both of themselves and of the Gods, vain must be (every) trust put in these, as they could neither help, nor injure mankind in any thing. And, Only so? —If it were right to honour Fate, as the cause of every thing; still this, as being a necessity impervious to change, could have no power even over itself! But, He has put forth the knowledge of Himself,—in order that (men) might know Him to be Lord of this (fate), and also of every (other) thing;—at one time, by the supply of every sort of good thing; at another, by chastising the error of a plurality of Gods in thunderings and in

lightnings. And it has accordingly been made matter of history, that the Temple of Delphos,—of that Pythian (Apollo) who was (so much) preached¹⁶² of formerly,—underwent upon one occasion (an entire) conflagration; but these, remaining in their error, raised it up a second time; and God the second time destroyed it! They renewed it also a third time; and He again, expelled entirely from its place, not the Temple, but the Demon that resided within its chamber, by his Divine manifestation ! so that now, this is no more a house of divination ; nor does he, who formerly led the Greeks astray, (any more) practise there.