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| Chapter XXVIII
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Chapter
XXVIII.
It is probable, however, that to such remarks as
the above, the answer returned would be, that he was pious who kept the
laws of his own country, and not at all chargeable with impiety
for the non-observance of those of other lands; and that, again,
he who was deemed guilty of impiety among certain nations was not
really so, when he worshipped his own gods, agreeably to his
country’s laws, although he made war against, and even feasted
on,4173
those who were regarded as divinities among
those nations which possessed laws of an opposite kind. Now,
observe here whether these statements do not exhibit the greatest
confusion of mind regarding the nature of what is just, and holy, and
religious; since there is no accurate definition laid down of these
things, nor are they described as having a peculiar character of their
own, and stamping as religious those who act according to their
injunctions. If, then, religion, and piety, and righteousness
belong to those things which are so only by comparison, so that the
same act may be both pious and impious, according to different
relations and different laws, see whether it will not follow that
temperance4174
also is a thing of
comparison, and courage as well, and prudence, and the other virtues,
than which nothing could be more absurd! What we have said,
however, is sufficient for the more general and simple class of answers
to the allegations of Celsus. But as we think it likely that some
of those who are accustomed to deeper investigation will fall in with
this treatise, let us venture to lay down some considerations of a
profounder kind, conveying a mystical and secret view respecting the
original distribution of the various quarters of the earth among
different superintending spirits; and let us prove to the best of our
ability, that our doctrine is free from the absurd consequences
enumerated above.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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