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Reply to Faustus the Manichaean

1.

Faustus said: You ask why we worship the sun, if we are a sect or separate religion, and not Pagans, or merely a schism of the Gentiles. It may therefore be as well to inquire into the matter, that we may see whether the name of Gentiles is more applicable to you or to us. Perhaps, in giving you in a friendly way this simple account of my faith, I shall appear to be making an apology for it, as if I were ashamed, which God forbid, of doing homage to the divine luminaries. You may take it as you please; but I shall not regret what I have done if I succeed in conveying to some at least this much knowledge, that our religion has nothing in common with that of the Gentiles.

Edition Hide
Contra Faustum Manichaeum libri triginta tres

1.

Faustus dixit: Cur solem colitis, nisi quia estis pagani et gentium schisma, non secta?p. 535,24 Igitur non ab re fuerit et hoc ipsum quaerere, quo manifestius videre possimus, utrum _ (uter C)_nostrum hoc nomine debeat appellari. Et quidem si tibi fidem meam nunc simpliciter, ut in amicis, referam, videar fortasse excusationis causa id fingere aut divinorum, quod absit, luminum erubescere culturam. Sed tu quidem, utcumque volueris, accipe; me tamen dixisse non paenitebit vel propter aliquos, qui hactenus scire habebunt religionem nostram nihil cum gentibus habere commune.