Constet igitur prius, si isti, quibus sacrificatur, salutem imperatoribus vel cuilibet homini inpertire possunt, et ita nos crimini maiestatis addicite, si angeli aut daemones substantia pessimi spiritus beneficium aliquod operantur, si perditi conservant, si damnati liberant, si denique, quod in conscientia vestra est, mortui vivos tuentur.
First, then, let it be established whether those beings, to whom sacrifice is offered, can give safety to the Emperor or to anybody at all; and then impeach us on the charge of treason, if it appears that angels or demons, in their natures the worst of spirits, do any good service; if the lost can save; if the damned can give freedom; if, in a word (and this is in your secret hearts), if the dead can protect the living.
final_alignments\Tertullian_Apology.json