Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume IV/Commodianus/The Instructions of Commodianus/Chapter 23

XXII.&#8212;The Dulness of the Age.

Alas, I grieve, citizens, that ye are thus blinded by the world.&#160; One runs to the lot; another gazes on the birds; another, having shed the blood of bleating animals, calls forth the manes, and credulously desires to hear vain responses.&#160; When so many leaders and kings have taken counsel concerning life, what benefit has it been to them to have known even its portents?&#160; Learn, I beg you, citizens, what is good; beware of idol-fanes.&#160; Seek, indeed, all of you, in the law of the Omnipotent.&#160; Thus it has pleased the Lord of lords Himself in the heavens, that demons should wander in the world for our discipline.&#160; And yet, on the other hand, He has sent out His mandates, that they who forsake their altars shall become inhabitants of heaven.&#160; Whence I am not careful to argue this in a small treatise.&#160; The law teaches; it calls on you in your midst.&#160; Consider for yourselves.&#160; Ye have entered upon two roads; decide upon the right one.