Speratus on Christians and Government

Came across this passage today as I was writing a lecture on Gender and Religion.  In The Acts of the Martyrs of Scilli, Saturninus is interrogating some men and women Christians around the end of the second century (180CE).

Saturninus: If you begin to speak evil of our sacred rites, I will give you no hearing; but wear rather by the genius of our Lord the Emperor.

Speratus: I do not recognize the empire of this world; but rather I serve that God, whom no man has see nor can see.  I have not stolen, but if I buy anything I pay the tax, because I recognize my Lord, the King of Kings and Emperor of all peoples.

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Will.

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