Against the goodness of the Creator, the elements, wearied by the crimes of the ungodly, are overcome; hence it comes that either the fruit of the earth is corrupted, or the temperance of the air is violated, or the heat of the sun is kindled beyond measure, or an immense force of rains or of frosts is poured out. In... and the face of death runs through in diverse forms; for eager creation would be moved to vengeance against the ungodly; yet the goodness of God restrains it, and reins it back from indignation at the ungodly, and by His mercy... to obey rather than to be inflamed at the sins and crimes of men.
For the patience of God waits, while men are in this body, for their conversion; but if to the very end of life they persist in ungodliness, then the departing soul, which is immortal, pays immortal penalties for the perseverance of its ungodliness. But we, says the holy Peter himself — whose disputation we have taken up from the history of the blessed Clement his disciple, and have joined to our own words as an aid — we, he says, have been sent for this, that we may expose to you the hidden things of the ancient serpent, and, undoing enmities, may reconcile you to God... and it may please that... but perhaps... to care for nothing, and to God... to the knowledge... we can arrive, how...
...He conducts human affairs... to be of God... for unless by a power... never would higher things minister to lower things; and by this it is taught that God has toward men not only care, but even a certain great affection, to whose ministry He has entrusted such splendid elements. But you will say: What harm is done to God, if these too are worshipped by us, if any of you renders honour...? ...or another... God is not... in these things which you could easily have perceived, you were unwilling to bend your mind to examine; it is certain that you have been hindered in the knowledge of God, not by the fault of impossibility, but of sloth.
For if you had been willing, from these very useless idols you would surely have received the way of understanding... to do harm... with daemons seducing, so that as if wondrous... they might accomplish useful things... it is a matter of statues walking, of bronze dogs and stones... fire being made through the air, being changed through various forms, and the rest, which we have learned that Simon that Magician or others did; for Jannes and Mambres also worked magic against Moses... it is granted... to the devil for a time to do certain things to seduce the unfaithful, so that... in faith... the mind of the faithful, and it may be perfected in the love and fear of God, and not be overcome by evil.
And the pythons (soothsaying spirits) speak of future and hidden things, and by... worshipping sometimes... they tell future and hidden things; they do these things indeed, not by Divinity, but by malice or curiosity; therefore, as has been said, in order to seduce, in order to deceive; they are wandering and insincere spirits, flitting about and prying. For truly those are holy servants, and truly those are ministers of God, who work signs of salvation, and give life to the dead, and put daemons to flight: whence they are truly known to belong to God, by whose light they enlighten the blind, by whose power they heal the sick, by whose mercy they raise the dead — who in the name of Christ, after His likeness, both do and have done many things by the power of faith.
Therefore let us follow the charity of these men, let us pursue their innocence, that we may keep their forbearance and gentleness, and, aided by the everlasting God, may ever render honour and eternal praises to His eternal and blessed Son; adoring and confessing the Father Himself and the Son in the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory and majesty unto the ages. Amen. Thanks be to God, always.