464 THE OCTAVIUS OF together; with this consciousnessof wickedness they are covenanted to mutual silence.1Such sacred ritesas these are more foulthan any sacrileges.And of theirbanqueting it iswell known allmen speak of iteverywhere; even the speech of our Cirtensian2 testifiesto it. On a solemn day they assemble at the feast,with alltheirchildren,sisters, mothers,peopleof every sex and of every age. There, after much feasting,when the fellowshiphas grown warm, and the fervour of incestuouslusthas grown hot with drunken ness,a dog that has been tiedto the chandelierisprovoked, by throwing a smallpieceof offalbeyond thelengthof a line by which he isbound, to rush and spring; and thus the con sciouslightbeing overturnedand extinguishedin the shame lessdarkness,the connectionsof abominablelustinvolvethem in the uncertaintyof fate. Although not allin fact,yet in consciousnessallare alikeincestuous,sinceby the desireof allof them everythingissought forwhich can happen in the actof each individual. CHAPTER X. Argument. — Wliateverthe Christiansworship,theystrivein everyway toconceal:theyhave no altars,no temples,no acknowledgedimages. Their God, likethatof theJews, issaidtobe one,whom, althoughtheyare neitherable to seenor toshow,theythinkneverthelesstobe mischievous, restless,and unseasonablyinquisitive. " I pubposely passover many things,for thosethatI have mentioned are alreadytoo many; and that allthese,or the greaterpart of them, are true,the obscurityof theirvile religiondeclares.For why do they endeavour with such pains to concealand to cloakwhatever they worship,since honourable things always rejoicein publicity,while crimes 1 Thiscalumnyseemsto haveoriginatedfrom thesacramentofthe Eucharist. * Scil.FrontoofCirta,spokenofagaininch.xxxi.