Chapter V.64    Compare The Apology, cc. ii. xliv. xlvi.—The Inconsistent Life of Any False Christian No More Condemns True Disciples of Christ, Than a Passing Cloud Obscures a Summer Sky.

As to your saying of us that we are a most shameful set, and utterly steeped in luxury, avarice, and depravity, we will not deny that this is true of some. It is, however, a sufficient testimonial for our name, that this cannot be said of all, not even of the greater part of us. It must happen even in the healthiest and purest body, that a mole should grow, or a wart arise on it, or freckles disfigure it. Not even the sky itself is clear with so perfect65    Colata, “filtered” [or “strained”—Shaks.] a serenity as not to be flecked with some filmy cloud.66    Ut non alicujus nubiculæ flocculo resignetur. This picturesque language defies translation. A slight spot on the face, because it is obvious in so conspicuous a part, only serves to show purity of the entire complexion. The goodness of the larger portion is well attested by the slender flaw.  But although you prove that some of our people are evil, you do not hereby prove that they are Christians.  Search and see whether there is any sect to which (a partial shortcoming) is imputed as a general stain.67    Malitiæ. You are accustomed in conversation yourselves to say, in disparagement of us, “Why is so-and-so deceitful, when the Christians are so self-denying? why merciless, when they are so merciful?” You thus bear your testimony to the fact that this is not the character of Christians, when you ask, in the way of a retort,68    Dum retorquetis. how men who are reputed to be Christians can be of such and such a disposition. There is a good deal of difference between an imputation and a name,69    Inter crimen et nomen. between an opinion and the truth. For names were appointed for the express purpose of setting their proper limits between mere designation and actual condition.70    Inter dici et esse. How many indeed are said to be philosophers, who for all that do not fulfil the law of philosophy? All bear the name in respect of their profession; but they hold the designation without the excellence of the profession, and they disgrace the real thing under the shallow pretence of its name. Men are not straightway of such and such a character, because they are said to be so; but when they are not, it is vain to say so of them: they only deceive people who attach reality to a name, when it is its consistency with fact which decides the condition implied in the name.71    Status nominis. And yet persons of this doubtful stamp do not assemble with us, neither do they belong to our communion: by their delinquency they become yours once more72    Denuo. since we should be unwilling to mix even with them whom your violence and cruelty compelled to recant. Yet we should, of course, be more ready to have included amongst us those who have unwillingly forsaken our discipline than wilful apostates. However, you have no right to call them Christians, to whom the Christians themselves deny that name, and who have not learned to deny themselves.

5. Quod ergo dicitis: pessimi et probrosissimi avaritia, luxuria, improbitate; non negabimus quosdam; sufficit et hoc ad testimonium nominis nostri: si non omnes, si non plures. Necesse est in corpore, [et] quantum velis integro aut puro, ut naevus aliquis effruticet, aut verrucula exsurgat, aut lentigo sordescat. Coelum ipsum nulla serenitas tam colata purgat, ut non alicujus nubeculae flocculo resignetur. Modica macula in fronte, in parte quadam exemplari 0565B visa, quo universitas munda est: major boni portio modico malo ad testimonium sui utitur. Cum tamen aliquos de nostris malos probatis, jam hoc ipso Christianos non probatis; quaerite, secta cui malitiae deputatur? Ipsi in colloquio, si quando adversus nos, cur ille, inquitis, fraudator, si abstinentes Christiani? cur immitis, si misericordes? Adeo testimonium redditis, non esse tales Christianos, dum cur tales sint qui dicuntur Christiani, retorquetis. Multum distantiae inter crimen et nomen, inter opinionem et veritatem. Nam et nomina sic sunt instituta, ut fines suos habeant inter dici et esse. Quot denique philosophi dicuntur, nec tamen legem philosophiae adimplent? Omnes nomen de professionibus gestant; seducant nomen professionis praestantia, qui superficie vocabuli infamant veritatem. Non statim sunt, qui 0565C dicuntur; sed quia non sunt, frustra dicuntur, et fallunt eos, qui rem nomini addicunt cum de re status nominis competat. Et tamen ejusmodi neque congregant neque participant nobiscum, facti per delicta denuo vestri; quando ne illis quidem misceamur, quos vestra vis atque saevitia ad negandum subegit. Utique enim facilius inter nos inviti desertores disciplinae, quam voluntarii continerentur. Caeterum sine caussa vocatis Christianos, quos ipsi negant Christiani, qui se negare non norunt .