2657. Nor does it do any harm, nor hinder, that they have called him the "Man of God," and a "holy one," and have revered him, since they did not know any differently, even though they can learn it from his life. It has done no more harm than if someone gives alms to a beggar who is a thief, not knowing that he is a thief - there is still compassion or a like motive as if he had given the alms to an upright person. And their naming him thus was also granted on account of the portrayal of the Lord by him, as well as his descendent kings.
2657. Nor is there any harm or hindrance to their having called him the man of God, and holy, and to their having venerated him, since they have known nothing different: although from his life they may know it. There is no more harm than there is in one giving alms to a pauper who is a thief not knowing him to be a thief - he still has mercy, and a like end [in view] as if he had given alms to an upright [person]: and their having so styled him was also granted on account of the representation of the Lord by him, as [likewise] by the kings who were his descendants.
2657. Nec quicquam nocet aut obstat, quod vocaverint eum "Virum Dei," et "sanctum," eumque venerati sunt, cum non aliud sciverint, tametsi a vita ejus scire id possint; non magis nocuit, quam si quis pauperi, qui latro est, dat eleemosynam, cum nescit quod latro, usque misericordia est, et similis finis, ac si dedisset eleemosynam probo; quodque eum ita appellaverint, etiam ob repraesentationem Domini per eum, sicut per ejus posteros reges, concessum.