Chapter XX.—Concerning Idolatry in Words.

But, however, since the conduct according to the divine rule is imperilled, not merely by deeds, but likewise by words, (for, just as it is written, “Behold the man and his deeds;”160    Neither Oehler nor any editor seems to have discovered the passage here referred to. so, “Out of thy own mouth shalt thou be justified”161    Matt. xii. 37.), we ought to remember that, even in words, also the inroad of idolatry must be foreguarded against, either from the defect of custom or of timidity. The law prohibits the gods of the nations from being named,162    Ex. xxiii. 13. [St. Luke, nevertheless, names Castor and Pollux, Acts xxviii. 2., on our author’s principle.] not of course that we are not to pronounce their names, the speaking of which common intercourse extorts from us: for this must very frequently be said, “You find him in the temple of Æsculapius;” and, “I live in Isis Street;” and, “He has been made priest of Jupiter;” and much else after this manner, since even on men names of this kind are bestowed. I do not honour Saturnus if I call a man so, by his own name. I honour him no more than I do Marcus, if I call a man Marcus. But it says, “Make not mention of the name of other gods, neither be it heard from thy mouth.”163    Ex. xxiii. 13. The precept it gives is this, that we do not call them gods. For in the first part of the law, too, “Thou shalt not,” saith He, “use the name of the Lord thy God in a vain thing,”164    Ex. xx. 7. that is, in an idol.165    Because Scripture calls idols “vanities” and “vain things.” See 2 Kings xvii. 15, Ps. xxiv. 4, Isa. lix. 4, Deut. xxxii. 21, etc. Whoever, therefore, honours an idol with the name of God, has fallen into idolatry.  But if I speak of them as gods, something must be added to make it appear that I do not call them gods. For even the Scripture names “gods,” but adds “their,” viz. “of the nations:” just as David does when he had named “gods,” where he says, “But the gods of the nations are demons.”166    Ps. xcvi. 5. The LXX. in whose version ed. Tisch. it is Ps. xcv. read δαιμόνια, like Tertullian. Our version has “idols.” But this has been laid by me rather as a foundation for ensuing observations.  However, it is a defect of custom to say, “By Hercules, So help me the god of faith;”167    Mehercule. Medius Fidius. I have given the rendering of the latter, which seems preferred by Paley (Ov. Fast. vi. 213, note), who considers it = me dius (i.e., Deus) fidius juvet.  Smith (Lat. Dict. s.v.) agrees with him, and explains it, me deus fidius servet. White and Riddle (s.v.) take the me (which appears to be short) as a “demonstrative” particle or prefix, and explain, “By the God of truth!” “As true as heaven,” “Most certainly.” while to the custom is added the ignorance of some, who are ignorant that it is an oath by Hercules. Further, what will an oath be, in the name of gods whom you have forsworn, but a collusion of faith with idolatry? For who does not honour them in whose name he swears?

CAPUT XX.

Sed enim, cum conversatio divinae disciplinae non factis tantum, verum etiam verbis periclitetur (nam, sicut scriptum est: Ecce homo et facta ejus , ita (Matth., XII, 37): Ex ore tuo justificaberis); meminisse debemus etiam in verbis quoque idololatriae incursum praecavendum, aut de consuetudinis vitio, aut timiditatis. Deos nationum nominari lex prohibet (Exod., XXIII, 15), non utique ne 0691B nomina eorum pronuntiemus, quae nobis ut dicamus conversatio extorquet; nam id plerumque dicendum est: in templo Aesculapii illum haqes, et, vico Isidis habito, et, sacerdos Jovis factus est, et multa alia in hunc modum, quando et hominibus hoc genus nomina inducuntur. Neque enim Saturnum honoro, si ita vocavero eum suo nomine , tam non honoro quam Marcum, si vocavero Marcum. Sed ait: Nomen aliorum deorum ne commemoremini , neque audiatur de ore tuo. Hoc praecepit, ne deos vocemus illos. Nam et in prima parte legis (Exod., XX, 7): Non sumes, inquit, nomen Domini Dei tui in vano, id est, idolo. Cecidit igitur in idololatriam, qui idolum nomine Dei honoraverit. Quod si deos dicendum erit, adjiciendum 0691C est aliquid, quo appareat, quia non ego illos deos dico. Nam et Scriptura deos nominat; sed adjicit suos, vel nationum. Sicut David cum deos nominasset, ubi ait (Ps. CXV. 4): Dei autem nationum daemonia. Sed hoc mihi ad sequentia magis praestructum 0692A est: caeterum consuetudinis vitium est me Hercule dicere, me Dius fidius , accedente ignorantia quorumdam, qui ignorant jusjurandum esse per Herculem. Porro quid erat dejeratio per eos quos ejerasti, quam praevaricatio fidei cum idololatria? Quis enim per quos dejerat, non honorat?