world, are utterly routed and
discomfited, even before the sign is completed. When we first fell
upon this youth, we vexed him sore; but when he called on Christ for
help, and armed him with the sign of the Cross, he routed us in angry
wise, and stablished himself in safety. So incontinent we found a
weapon, wherewith our chief did once confront the first-made man and
prevailed against him. And verily we should have made this young man's
hope vain; but again Christ was called on for help, and he consumed us
in the fire of his wrath from above, and put us to flight. We have
determined to approach the prince no more." Thus, then, did the evil
spirits plainly make known unto Theudas all that was come to pass.

But the king, perplexed on every side, again summoned Theudas, and
said, "Most wisest of men, all that seemed good to thee have we
fulfilled, but have found no help therein. But now, if thou hast any
device left, we will make trial thereof. Peradventure I shall find
some escape from this evil."

Then did Theudas ask for a meeting with his son; and on the morrow the
king took him and went forth to visit the prince. The king sat down
and provoked debate, upbraiding and chiding him for his disobedience
and stubbornness of mind. When Ioasaph again maintained his ease, and
loudly declared that he valued nothing so much as the love of Christ,
Theudas came forward and said, "Wherefore, Ioasaph, dost thou despise
our immortal gods, that thou hast departed from their worship, and,
thus incensing thy father the king, art become hateful to all the
people? Dost thou not owe thy life to the gods? And did they not
present thee to the king in answer to his prayer, thus redeeming him
from the bondage of childlessness?" While this Theudas, waxen old in
wickedness, was putting forth these many vain arguments and useless
propositions, and weaving words about the preaching of the Gospel,
desiring to turn it into mockery, and magnify idolatry, Ioasaph, the
son of the heavenly king, and citizen of that city which the Lord hath
builded and not man, waited a while and then said unto him,

"Give ear, thou abyss of error, blacker than the darkness that may be
felt, thou seed of Babylon, child of the building of the tower of
Chalane, whereby the world was confounded, foolish and pitiable dotard,
whose sins out-weigh the iniquity of the five cities that were
destroyed by fire and brimstone. Why wouldest thou mock at the
preachin