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.