s. In Cyprian's time it was much
controverted between him and Demetrius an idolater, who should be the cause
of those present calamities. Demetrius laid all the fault on Christians,
(and so they did ever in the primitive church, as appears by the first book
of [6593]Arnobius), [6594]"that there were not such ordinary showers in
winter, the ripening heat in summer, so seasonable springs, fruitful
autumns, no marble mines in the mountains, less gold and silver than of
old; that husbandmen, seamen, soldiers, all were scanted, justice,
friendship, skill in arts, all was decayed," and that through Christians'
default, and all their other miseries from them, _quod dii nostri a vobis
non colantur_, because they did not worship their gods. But Cyprian retorts
all upon him again, as appears by his tract against him. 'Tis true the
world is miserably tormented and shaken with wars, dearth, famine, fire,
inundations, plagues, and many feral diseases rage amongst us, _sed non ut
tu quereris ista accidunt quod dii vestri a nobis non colantur, sed quod a
vobis non colatur Deus, a quibus nec quaeritur, nec timetur_, not as thou
complainest, that we do not worship your Gods, but because you are
idolaters, and do not serve the true God, neither seek him, nor fear him as
you ought. Our papists object as much to us, and account us heretics, we
them; the Turks esteem of both as infidels, and we them as a company of
pagans, Jews against all; when indeed there is a general fault in us all,
and something in the very best, which may justly deserve God's wrath, and
pull these miseries upon our heads. I will say nothing here of those vain
cares, torments, needless works, penance, pilgrimages, pseudomartyrdom, &c.
We heap upon ourselves unnecessary troubles, observations; we punish our
bodies, as in Turkey (saith [6595]Busbequius _leg. Turcic. ep. 3._) "one
did, that was much affected with music, and to hear boys sing, but very
superstitious; an old sibyl coming to his house, or a holy woman," (as that
place yields many) "took him down for it, and told him, that in that other
world he should suffer for it; thereupon he flung his rich and costly
instruments which he had bedecked with jewels, all at once into the fire.
He was served in silver plate, and had goodly household stuff: a little
after, another religious man reprehended him in like sort, and from
thenceforth he was served in earthen vessels, last of all a decree came
forth, because Turks migh