{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/003/0030078.htm","path":"chr/ecf/003/0030078.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/003/0030078.htm","text":"Chapter XX.\u2014Concerning Idolatry in Words.\nBut, 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, \u201cBehold the man and his deeds;\u201d 322 so, \u201cOut of thy own mouth shalt thou be justified\u201d 323 ), 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, 324 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, \u201cYou find him in the temple of \u00c6sculapius;\u201d and, \u201cI live in Isis Street;\u201d and, \u201cHe has been made priest of Jupiter;\u201d 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, \u201cMake not mention of the name of other gods, neither be it heard from thy mouth.\u201d 325 The precept it gives is p. 74 this, that we do not call them gods. For in the first part of the law, too, \u201cThou shalt not,\u201d saith He, \u201cuse the name of the Lord thy God in a vain thing,\u201d 326 that is, in an idol. 327 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 \u201cgods,\u201d but adds \u201ctheir,\u201d viz. \u201cof the nations:\u201d just as David does when he had named \u201cgods,\u201d where he says, \u201cBut the gods of the nations are demons.\u201d 328 But this has been laid by me rather as a foundation for ensuing observations. However, it is a defect of custom to say, \u201cBy Hercules, So help me the god of faith;\u201d 329 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?\nNeither Oehler nor any editor seems to have discovered the passage here referred to.\n73:323 73:324\nEx. xxiii. 13. [St. Luke, nevertheless, names Castor and Pollux, Acts xxviii. 2., on our author\u2019s principle.]\n73:325 74:326 74:327\nBecause Scripture calls idols \u201cvanities\u201d and \u201cvain things.\u201d See 2 Kings 17:15, Ps. 24:4, Isa. 59:4, Deut. 32:21, etc.\n74:328\nPs. xcvi. 5. The LXX. in whose version ed. Tisch. it is Ps. xcv. read \u03b4\u03b1\u03b9\u03bc\u03cc\u03bd\u03b9\u03b1, like Tertullian. Our version has \u201cidols.\u201d\n74:329\nMehercule. 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 \u201cdemonstrative\u201d particle or prefix, and explain, \u201cBy the God of truth!\u201d \u201cAs true as heaven,\u201d \u201cMost certainly.\u201d","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol III: Tertullian: Part I: Concern...","type":"page"}