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Reply to Faustus the Manichaean

2.

Besides, you have in your Book of Daniel the account of the three youths, which you will find it difficult to reconcile with the opinion that to abstain from meats is the doctrine of devils. For we are told that they abstained not only from what the law forbade, but even from what it allowed; ¹ and you are wont to praise them, and count them as martyrs; though they too followed the doctrine of devils, if this is to be taken as the apostle's opinion. And Daniel himself declares that he fasted for three weeks, not eating flesh or drinking wine, while he prayed for his people. ² How is it that he boasts of this doctrine of devils, and glories in the falsehood of a lying spirit?

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Contra Faustum Manichaeum libri triginta tres

2.

Est vero et aliud de tribus pueris apud vos in Danihele, quo vehementer perinde confundemini, si istud constiterit a cibis abstinere daemoniorum esse religionem. Illi enim non tantum ab interdictis lege, sed etiam a concessis abstinuisse leguntur: quos mirari soletis et in martyribus numerare, cum sint et ipsi doctrinam assecuti daemoniorum, si hoc esse apostoli testimonium constat. Ad haec et Danihel ipse tribus hebdomadis dierum ieiunasse se perhibet et carnem non edisse nec bibisse vinum, dum exoraret pro populo suo. Quid ergo ? Et hic in doctrina se daemoniorum magnificat et de seductorii spiritus commento gloriam captat?