On Idolatry 17

But what will believing slaves or freedmen do, and likewise officials in attendance on masters, patrons, or governors when they sacrifice? Well, if anyone hands wine to one who is sacrificing, nay, if he helps with any word necessary to the sacrifice, he will be counted a minister of idolatry. Mindful of this rule, we can also render service to magistrates and powers, after the example of the patriarchs and the other forefathers, who attended idolatrous kings up to the limit of idolatry. Hence a debate arose recently whether a servant of God may take up the administration of any rank or power, if he can keep himself untouched by every form of idolatry, whether by some favor or even by astuteness; just as Joseph and Daniel, clean of idolatry, administered both rank and power in the ornament and purple of the prefecture of all Egypt and of Babylonia. Let us grant, then, that someone might succeed in holding some office in the mere name of the office, without sacrificing or lending his authority to sacrifices; without contracting for victims, without assigning the care of temples, without managing their revenues, without giving shows at his own or at public expense or presiding over them; without proclaiming or decreeing any solemnity, without even taking an oath; and further, as to what belongs to power, without judging anyone in a matter of life or of honor (you may allow him cases about money), without condemning or forejudging, without binding anyone, imprisoning or torturing anyone; if it is credible that this can be done.