On the Christian Religion

Who can ignore how great the study of wisdom and sacred rites was among the Romans for Numa Pompilius, Valerius Soranus, Marcus Varro, and many others? Finally, who does not know how great and how true a doctrine existed among the early bishops and presbyters of the Christians? O happy centuries, you who have preserved this divine union of wisdom and religion whole, especially among the Hebrews and Christians. O centuries at last too unhappy, when a miserable divorce between Pallas and Themis occurred—alas, the sacrilege! It has thus been given to the dogs to be torn apart. For doctrine, in large part, has been transferred to the profane, whence it has mostly become an instrument of iniquity and licentiousness, and it must be called malice rather than science. Yet the most precious pearls of religion are often handled by the ignorant, and are trampled by them like filth. For often the sluggish concern of the ignorant and idle seems to be called superstition rather than religion. Thus, neither do they sincerely understand the truth, which as a divine light shines only for the eyes of the pious, nor—insofar as it is in them—do they rightly worship God or govern sacred matters, being utterly ignorant of divine and human things. How long shall we endure this hard and miserable lot of the iron age? O men, citizens of the celestial fatherland and inhabitants of the earth, let us free philosophy, the sacred gift of God, from impiety, if we can—and we can if we wish—and let us redeem holy religion with all our strength from execrable ignorance. I urge everyone, therefore, and I pray: philosophers, that they may either fully embrace or at least approach religion; priests, that they may diligently apply themselves to the studies of legitimate wisdom. How much I have achieved in this matter, or may yet achieve, I do not know; yet I have attempted it, and I shall not cease to attempt it, relying not indeed on my own meager talent, but on the strength of God’s mercy. To you, magnanimous Laurentius, the great Cosmus... Petrus