|
But does any urgent and most pressing cause compel the demons to
mediate between the gods and men, that they may offer the prayers of
men, and bring back the answers from the gods? and if so, what,
pray, is that cause, what is that so great necessity? Because, say
they, no god has intercourse with man. Most admirable holiness of
God, which has no intercourse with a supplicating man, and yet has
intercourse with an arrogant demon! which has no intercourse with a
penitent man, and yet has intercourse with a deceiving demon! which
has no intercourse with a man fleeing for refuge to the divine nature,
and yet has intercourse with a demon reigning divinity! which has no
intercourse with a man seeking pardon, and yet has intercourse with a
demon persuading to wickedness! which has no intercourse with a man
expelling the poets by means of philosophical writings from a
well-regulated state, and yet has intercourse with a demon requesting
from the princes and priests of a state the theatrical performance of
the mockeries of the poets! which has no intercourse with the man who
prohibits the ascribing of crime to the gods, and yet has intercourse
with a demon who takes delight in the fictitious representation of their
crimes! which has no intercourse with a man punishing the crimes of the
magicians by just laws, and yet has intercourse with a demon teaching
and practising magical arts! which has no intercourse with a man
shunning the imitation of a demon, and yet has intercourse with a demon
lying in wait for the deception of a man!
|
|