|
But it may be replied, Who is this God, or what proof is there that
He alone is worthy to receive sacrifice from the Romans? One must be
very blind to be still asking who this God is. He is the God whose
prophets predicted the things we see accomplished. He is the God from
whom Abraham received the assurance, "In thy seed shall all nations
be blessed." That this was fulfilled in Christ, who according to
the flesh sprang from that seed, is recognized, whether they will or
no, even by those who have continued to be the enemies of this name.
He is the God whose divine Spirit spake by the men whose predictions
I cited in the preceding books, and which are fulfilled in the Church
which has extended over all the world. This is the God whom Varro,
the most learned of the Romans, supposed to be Jupiter, though he
knows not what he says; yet I think it right to note the circumstance
that a man of such learning was unable to suppose that this God had no
existence or was contemptible, but believed Him to be the same as the
supreme God. In fine, He is the God whom Porphyry, the most
learned of the philosophers, though the bitterest enemy of the
Christians, confesses to be a great God, even according to the
oracles of those whom he esteems gods.
|
|