For thy judgments are great, that cannot be expressed: therefore souls uninstructed erred. For when ungodliness was present, it condemneth itself by its own testimony, and is ever fearful through troubled conscience. For all of them were bound with one chain of darkness; for the sound of the wind, and the sweet melody of birds upon the thick branches, and the sound of water running with strength, and the rattling of stones rolling down, and the unseen running of animals, and the roaring of fierce wild beasts, and the echo rebounding from the hollow of the mountains, did melt them for fear.

For when lawless men supposed that they held the holy nation in their power, they themselves were cast down into the pit of darkness and the fetters of a long night, shut up under their roofs, banished from eternal providence. Those who were shut up in the shadow of a thick night, were like unto that which should afterward receive them; but they were more grievous to themselves than the darkness.

And whereas they imagined to lie hid in their secret sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being sore troubled with fearful apparitions.

Neither did the dark places which they inhabited protect them from fear, for thundering sounds echoed around them, and dismal phantoms appeared before their dejected faces.

For neither might the force of fire, how great soever, give them light, neither could the bright flames of the stars enlighten that dismal night.

But only there appeared unto them a fire kindled of itself, full of indignation; and they trembled at such an unknown sight, and imagined the things that appeared unto them to be worse than they were.

Then was the illusion of magic arts and charms brought to nought, and their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgraceful evidence.

For they that promised to drive away terrors and troubles from a sick soul, these were sickened with ridiculous fear.

For though no terrible thing did affright them, yet being scared with the passing of beasts, and the hissing of serpents, they perished for fear, and refused even the air, which could by no means be avoided.

For fear is nothing else but a Betraying of the succours which reason offereth.

And the expectation of inward help becoming weaker, therefore was the unknown torment of suffering accounted the greater.

For those that slept that intolerable night, coming from the infernal pits of the grave,

Were at one time haunted with apparitions; and at another time their strength failed them, their hearts being smitten through with sudden fear that was not expected.

Then wherever any fell down, he was kept as a prisoner in a prison without iron shackles.

For whether he were a husbandman, or a shepherd, or a labourer in the works of the wilderness, he was suddenly overtaken, and fell into an unavoidable captivity.

Whereas the whole world shined with clear light, and was occupied in labours without hindrance.