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BEfore then you can force us to sacrifice to the gods, it must appeare they can preserve the lives of the Emperours, and the rest of men: when you can shew us they have this power wee are willing to be declared criminalls, if we addresse not our prayers to them for the welfare of our Princes:
If the gods you serve; who are no other then the mi∣serable spirits of evill Angels and Devills, worke a∣ny good: if they that destroy themselves preserve o∣thers: if the condemned deliver those that exclaime against them: and lastly if the dead, as you know in your consciences your gods are, protect the living.
Why defend they not rather their statues, ima∣ges, and temples, who in my opinion owe their con∣servation to the souldiers that guard them? But tell me if the matter, wherof these statues are formed, be not taken out of the mines of the Emperours inheri∣tance? and if all these temples depend not absolute∣ly on his will? There are many gods have had expe∣rience of Caesa••s anger; and this is an advantage to us that the Prince being favourable to them, hath used his liberality and accorded some priviledges to them.
Now how is it possible that they that are subjects to the Emperour, to whom all the world is subject, should have the welfare of their Emperour in their power? there is more likely-hood they have their welfare from Caesar, then Caesar from them.
What? offend we the majesty of the Prince, be∣cause we cast him not under the things appertaining to him? because we turne not into derision the pray∣ers which should be raysed up to Heaven for his pre∣servation? and believe not that it is in the hands of the leaden statues of your gods? Truely you appeare very pious to your Prince, being you seeke his wel∣fare where it is not, and demand it of them who can do nothing, forgetting him that hath the power,
to give it; and seeing you persecute men who can de∣mand it, and knowing how to aske it, know also how to obtaine it.