MINUCIUS FELIX. 461 the deitieswhich are theirinhabitants,who are present and constantlydwellingin them, than opulentby the ensignsand giftsof worship. Thence thereforethe prophets,filledwith the god, and mingled with him, collectfuturitybeforehand, give cautionfordangers,medicine for diseases,hope for the afflicted,help to the wretched,solacetocalamities,alleviation to labours. Even in our reposewe see,we hear,we acknow ledge the gods, whom in the day-time we impiouslydeny, refuse,and abjure. CHAPTER VIIL ARGuMENT. — The impious temerityof Theodorus,Diagoras, and Protagorasisnotatalltobeacquiescedin,who wished eitheraltogethertogetridof thereligionof thegods,or at leasttoweaken it; butinfinitelylesstobe endured is that shdking and light-shunningpeople of theChristians,who rejectthegods,and who,fearingtodieafterdeath,do not in themeantimefear todie. " Therefore, sincethe consentof allnationsconcerningthe existenceof the immortal gods remains established,although their nature or theiroriginremains uncertain,I sufferno body swellingwith such boldness,and with I know not what irreligiouswisdom, who would striveto undermine or •weaken thisreligion,so ancient,so useful,so wholesome, even although he may be Theodorus of Cyrene, or one who is before him, Diagoras the Melian,1 to whom antiquity appliedthesurname of Atheist,— both of whom, by asseverat ing thattherewere no gods,took away allthe fearby which humanity is ruled,and allvenerationabsolutely; yet never willtheyprevailin thisdisciplineof impiety,under the name and authorityof theirpretendedphilosophy.When the men of Athens both expelledProtagorasof Abdera, and in public assembly burnthiswritings,becausehe disputeddeliberately2 1 Accordingtothecodex," theMilesian." 2 Some havecorrectedthisword,reading" withoutconsideration,"