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Book, Chapter
1001 2, 12 | confirms the other. For the one is explained by the 1002 2, 12 | the one is explained by the other; because "flesh" may 1003 2, 12 | despise his own body; and "the domestics of thy seed" may 1004 2, 12 | are spiritually born of the same seed as ourselves, 1005 2, 12 | seed as ourselves, namely, the Word. When now the meaning 1006 2, 12 | namely, the Word. When now the meaning of the two translators 1007 2, 12 | When now the meaning of the two translators is compared, 1008 2, 12 | a more likely sense of the words suggests itself, viz., 1009 2, 12 | suggests itself, viz., that the command is not to despise 1010 2, 12 | because when one brings the expression "domestics of 1011 2, 12 | think, that expression of the apostle, when he says, " 1012 2, 12 | believe too. And he calls the Jews his "flesh," on account 1013 2, 12 | his "flesh," on account of the relationship of blood. Again, 1014 2, 12 | Again, that passage from the same prophet Isaiah: "If 1015 2, 12 | Now which of these is the literal translation cannot 1016 2, 12 | ascertained without reference to the text in the original tongue. 1017 2, 12 | reference to the text in the original tongue. And yet 1018 2, 12 | as babes, upon milk, in the cradles of temporal things ( 1019 2, 12 | being purified by holding to the truth; for these reasons 1020 2, 12 | shall not understand;" but the other, "If ye will not believe, 1021 2, 12 | often a translator, to whom the meaning is not well known, 1022 2, 12 | deceived by an ambiguity in the original language, and puts 1023 2, 12 | language, and puts upon the passage a construction that 1024 2, 12 | that is wholly alien to the sense of the writer. As 1025 2, 12 | wholly alien to the sense of the writer. As for example, 1026 2, 12 | sharp to shed blood;" for the word "oxus" among the Greeks 1027 2, 12 | for the word "oxus" among the Greeks means both sharp 1028 2, 12 | and swift. And so he saw the true meaning who translated: " 1029 2, 12 | are swift to shed blood." The other, taking the wrong 1030 2, 12 | blood." The other, taking the wrong sense of an ambiguous 1031 2, 12 | wide difference between the two things. For we must 1032 2, 12 | texts of this sort. For the same reason it is, that 1033 2, 12 | reason it is, that because the Greek word "moschos" means 1034 2, 12 | trees, and have translated the word "calves;" and this 1035 2, 12 | in any other way. And yet the meaning is very clear; for 1036 2, 12 | for it is made evident by the words that follow. For " 1037 2, 12 | words that follow. For "the plantings of an adulterer 1038 2, 12 | form of expression than the "calves;" because these 1039 2, 12 | because these walk upon the ground with their feet, 1040 2, 12 | feet, and are not fixed in the earth by roots. In this 1041 2, 12 | In this passage, indeed, the rest of the context also 1042 2, 12 | passage, indeed, the rest of the context also justifies this 1043 2, 13 | do not clearly see what the actual thought is which 1044 2, 13 | actual thought is which the several translators endeavour 1045 2, 13 | unless we examine it in the language which they translate; 1046 2, 13 | they translate; and since the translator, if he be not 1047 2, 13 | man, often departs from the meaning of his author, we 1048 2, 13 | those languages from which the Scriptures are translated 1049 2, 13 | or we must get hold of the translations of those who 1050 2, 13 | who keep rather close to the letter of the original, 1051 2, 13 | rather close to the letter of the original, not because these 1052 2, 13 | may use them to correct the freedom or the error of 1053 2, 13 | to correct the freedom or the error of others, who in 1054 2, 13 | translations have chosen to follow the sense quite as much as the 1055 2, 13 | the sense quite as much as the words. For not only single 1056 2, 13 | be translated at all into the Latin idiom by any one who 1057 2, 13 | one who wished to hold by the usage of the ancients who 1058 2, 13 | to hold by the usage of the ancients who spoke Latin. 1059 2, 13 | sometimes do not interfere with the understanding of the passage, 1060 2, 13 | with the understanding of the passage, yet they are offensive 1061 2, 13 | delight in things when even the signs of those things are 1062 2, 13 | solecism is nothing else than the putting of words together 1063 2, 13 | who only wishes to know the facts. And in the same way, 1064 2, 13 | to know the facts. And in the same way, what is a barbarism 1065 2, 13 | what is a barbarism but the pronouncing of a word in 1066 2, 13 | pronounced it? For whether the word ignoscere (to pardon) 1067 2, 13 | should be pronounced with the third syllable long or short, 1068 2, 13 | matter of much concern to the man who is beseeching God, 1069 2, 13 | way at all that he can get the words out, to pardon his 1070 2, 13 | purity of speech, except the preserving of the custom 1071 2, 13 | except the preserving of the custom of language established 1072 2, 13 | language established by the authority of former speakers? ~ 1073 2, 13 | to seem learned, not in the knowledge of things which 1074 2, 13 | be puffed up, seeing that the knowledge of things even 1075 2, 13 | it were not held down by the yoke of our Master. For 1076 2, 13 | understanding it to have the following passage thus expressed: " 1077 2, 13 | inhabitant in ipsis?" (And what the land is that they dwell 1078 2, 13 | think that this is simply the idiom of another language 1079 2, 13 | cannot now take away from the lips of the people who sing 1080 2, 13 | take away from the lips of the people who sing it: "Super 1081 2, 13 | takes away nothing from the meaning. Yet a more learned 1082 2, 13 | Nor does anything stand in the way of the correction being 1083 2, 13 | anything stand in the way of the correction being made, except 1084 2, 13 | correction being made, except the usage of the singers. Mistakes 1085 2, 13 | made, except the usage of the singers. Mistakes of this 1086 2, 13 | understanding. But take, on the other hand, the saying of 1087 2, 13 | take, on the other hand, the saying of the apostle: " 1088 2, 13 | other hand, the saying of the apostle: "Quod stultum est 1089 2, 13 | est hominibus" (Because the foolishness of God is wiser 1090 2, 13 | God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger 1091 2, 13 | should retain in this passage the Greek idiom, and say,"Quod 1092 2, 13 | indeed by an effort attain to the true meaning, but still 1093 2, 13 | form of speech faulty in the Latin tongue, but it is 1094 2, 13 | is ambiguous too, as if the meaning might be, that the 1095 2, 13 | the meaning might be, that the folly of men or the weakness 1096 2, 13 | that the folly of men or the weakness of men is wiser 1097 2, 13 | of God. But indeed even the expression "sapientius est 1098 2, 13 | whether "hominibus" is put as the plural of the dative or 1099 2, 13 | is put as the plural of the dative or as the plural 1100 2, 13 | plural of the dative or as the plural of the ablative, 1101 2, 13 | dative or as the plural of the ablative, does not appear, 1102 2, 13 | unless by reference to the meaning. It would be better 1103 2, 14 | chap. 14. How the meaning of unknown words 1104 2, 14 | signs, of which, as far as the words are concerned, there 1105 2, 14 | word or an idiom, of which the reader is ignorant, brings 1106 2, 14 | have leisure we must learn the tongues ourselves, or we 1107 2, 14 | passage that shows, either by the preceding or succeeding 1108 2, 14 | succeeding context, or by both, the force and significance of 1109 2, 14 | force and significance of the phrase we are ignorant of, 1110 2, 14 | ignorant of, we can easily by the help of our memory turn 1111 2, 14 | memory turn our attention to the matter and learn all about 1112 2, 14 | it. So great, however, is the force of custom, even in 1113 2, 14 | nurtured and brought up on the study of Holy Scripture, 1114 2, 14 | authors. In this matter, too, the great number of the translators 1115 2, 14 | too, the great number of the translators proves a very 1116 2, 14 | who are anxious to know the Scriptures ought in the 1117 2, 14 | the Scriptures ought in the first place to use their 1118 2, 14 | place to use their skill in the correction of the texts, 1119 2, 14 | skill in the correction of the texts, so that the uncorrected 1120 2, 14 | correction of the texts, so that the uncorrected ones should 1121 2, 14 | ones should give way to the corrected, at least when 1122 2, 14 | when they are copies of the same translation. ~ 1123 2, 15 | a preference is given to the Septuagint and the Itala~ 1124 2, 15 | given to the Septuagint and the Itala~ 1125 2, 15 | translations themselves the Italian (Itala) is to be 1126 2, 15 | Itala) is to be preferred to the others, for it keeps closer 1127 2, 15 | for it keeps closer to the words without prejudice 1128 2, 15 | expression. And to correct the Latin we must use the Greek 1129 2, 15 | correct the Latin we must use the Greek versions, among which 1130 2, 15 | Greek versions, among which the authority of the Septuagint 1131 2, 15 | among which the authority of the Septuagint is preeminent 1132 2, 15 | is preeminent as far as the Old Testament is concerned; 1133 2, 15 | is reported through all the more learned churches that 1134 2, 15 | more learned churches that the seventy translators enjoyed 1135 2, 15 | translators enjoyed so much of the presence and power of the 1136 2, 15 | the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their work 1137 2, 15 | they were separated during the work of translation, each 1138 2, 15 | yet nothing was found in the manuscript of any one of 1139 2, 15 | them that was not found in the same words and in the same 1140 2, 15 | in the same words and in the same order of words in all 1141 2, 15 | same order of words in all the rest, who dares put anything 1142 2, 15 | conferred together with the result that a unanimous 1143 2, 15 | agreement sprang out of the common labour and judgment 1144 2, 15 | experience, to aspire to correct the unanimous opinion of many 1145 2, 15 | if anything is found in the original Hebrew in a different 1146 2, 15 | think we must give way to the dispensation of Providence 1147 2, 15 | about, that books which the Jewish race were unwilling, 1148 2, 15 | other nations, were, with the assistance of the power 1149 2, 15 | with the assistance of the power of King Ptolemy, made 1150 2, 15 | known so long beforehand to the nations which in the future 1151 2, 15 | to the nations which in the future were to believe in 1152 2, 15 | future were to believe in the Lord. And thus it is possible 1153 2, 15 | translated in such a way as the Holy Spirit, who worked 1154 2, 15 | thought most suitable for the Gentiles. But nevertheless, 1155 2, 15 | have kept most closely to the words, is often not without 1156 2, 15 | without value as a help to the clearing up of the meaning. 1157 2, 15 | help to the clearing up of the meaning. The Latin texts, 1158 2, 15 | clearing up of the meaning. The Latin texts, therefore, 1159 2, 15 | Latin texts, therefore, of the Old Testament are, as I 1160 2, 15 | corrected if necessary by the authority of the Greeks, 1161 2, 15 | necessary by the authority of the Greeks, and especially by 1162 2, 15 | as with one voice. As to the books of the New Testament, 1163 2, 15 | voice. As to the books of the New Testament, again, if 1164 2, 15 | any perplexity arises from the diversities of the Latin 1165 2, 15 | from the diversities of the Latin texts, we must of 1166 2, 15 | must of course yield to the Greek, especially those 1167 2, 15 | those that are found in the churches of greater learning 1168 2, 16 | chap. 16. The knowledge both of language 1169 2, 16 | and things is helpful for the understanding of figurative 1170 2, 16 | In the case of figurative signs, 1171 2, 16 | them should chance to bring the reader to a standstill, 1172 2, 16 | is to be traced partly by the knowledge of languages, 1173 2, 16 | of languages, partly by the knowledge of things. The 1174 2, 16 | the knowledge of things. The pool of Siloam, for example, 1175 2, 16 | Siloam, for example, where the man whose eyes our Lord 1176 2, 16 | secret sense; but yet if the evangelist had not interpreted 1177 2, 16 | we cannot doubt that, in the same way, many Hebrew names 1178 2, 16 | not been interpreted by the writers of those books, 1179 2, 16 | value and service in solving the enigmas of Scripture. And 1180 2, 16 | Abraham, what Moses, and also the names of places, what Jerusalem 1181 2, 16 | as when we do not know the nature of the animals, or 1182 2, 16 | do not know the nature of the animals, or minerals, or 1183 2, 16 | Scripture by way of comparison. The fact so well known about 1184 2, 16 | fact so well known about the serpent, for example, that 1185 2, 16 | much light it throws upon the meaning of our Lord's command, 1186 2, 16 | that is to say, that for the sake of our head, which 1187 2, 16 | willingly offer our body to the persecutors, lest the Christian 1188 2, 16 | to the persecutors, lest the Christian faith should, 1189 2, 16 | destroyed in us, if to save the body we deny our God! Or 1190 2, 16 | deny our God! Or again, the statement that the serpent 1191 2, 16 | again, the statement that the serpent gets rid of its 1192 2, 16 | appropriately it fits in with the direction to imitate the 1193 2, 16 | the direction to imitate the wisdom of the serpent, and 1194 2, 16 | to imitate the wisdom of the serpent, and to put off 1195 2, 16 | serpent, and to put off the old man, as the apostle 1196 2, 16 | put off the old man, as the apostle says, that we may 1197 2, 16 | says, that we may put on the new; and to put it off, 1198 2, 16 | narrow place, according to the saying of our Lord, "Enter 1199 2, 16 | our Lord, "Enter ye in at the strait gate!" As, then, 1200 2, 16 | As, then, knowledge of the nature of the serpent throws 1201 2, 16 | knowledge of the nature of the serpent throws light upon 1202 2, 16 | a very great drawback to the reader. And so in regard 1203 2, 16 | and plants: knowledge of the carbuncle, for instance, 1204 2, 16 | instance, which shines in the dark, throws light upon 1205 2, 16 | throws light upon many of the dark places in books too, 1206 2, 16 | metaphorically; and ignorance of the beryl or the adamant often 1207 2, 16 | ignorance of the beryl or the adamant often shuts the 1208 2, 16 | the adamant often shuts the doors of knowledge. And 1209 2, 16 | doors of knowledge. And the only reason why we find 1210 2, 16 | perpetual peace is indicated by the olive branch which the dove 1211 2, 16 | by the olive branch which the dove brought with it when 1212 2, 16 | with it when it returned to the ark, is that we know both 1213 2, 16 | is that we know both that the smooth touch of olive oil 1214 2, 16 | of another kind, and that the tree itself is an evergreen. 1215 2, 16 | ignorance of hyssop, not knowing the virtue it has in cleansing 1216 2, 16 | virtue it has in cleansing the lungs, nor the power it 1217 2, 16 | cleansing the lungs, nor the power it is said to have 1218 2, 16 | ascertain what is meant by the fact that Moses and Elijah, 1219 2, 16 | knowledge of and reflection upon the number, the difficulty of 1220 2, 16 | reflection upon the number, the difficulty of explaining 1221 2, 16 | difficulty of explaining the figure involved in this 1222 2, 16 | cannot be got over. For the number contains ten four 1223 2, 16 | ten four times, indicating the knowledge of all things, 1224 2, 16 | interwoven with time. For both the diurnal and the annual revolutions 1225 2, 16 | For both the diurnal and the annual revolutions are accomplished 1226 2, 16 | periods numbering four each; the diurnal in the hours of 1227 2, 16 | four each; the diurnal in the hours of the morning, the 1228 2, 16 | diurnal in the hours of the morning, the noontime, the 1229 2, 16 | the hours of the morning, the noontime, the evening, and 1230 2, 16 | the morning, the noontime, the evening, and the night; 1231 2, 16 | noontime, the evening, and the night; the annual in the 1232 2, 16 | evening, and the night; the annual in the spring, summer, 1233 2, 16 | the night; the annual in the spring, summer, autumn, 1234 2, 16 | from all joy in time, for the sake of that eternity in 1235 2, 16 | wish to live; although by the passage of time we are taught 1236 2, 16 | seeking eternity. Further, the number ten signifies the 1237 2, 16 | the number ten signifies the knowledge of the Creator 1238 2, 16 | signifies the knowledge of the Creator and the creature, 1239 2, 16 | knowledge of the Creator and the creature, for there is a 1240 2, 16 | for there is a trinity in the Creator; and the number 1241 2, 16 | trinity in the Creator; and the number seven indicates the 1242 2, 16 | the number seven indicates the creature, because of the 1243 2, 16 | the creature, because of the life and the body. For the 1244 2, 16 | because of the life and the body. For the life consists 1245 2, 16 | the life and the body. For the life consists of three parts, 1246 2, 16 | God is to be loved with the whole heart, the whole soul, 1247 2, 16 | loved with the whole heart, the whole soul, and the whole 1248 2, 16 | heart, the whole soul, and the whole mind; and it is very 1249 2, 16 | it is very clear that in the body there are four elements 1250 2, 16 | this we are admonished by the law personified in Moses, 1251 2, 16 | Himself, who, as if receiving the witness both of the law 1252 2, 16 | receiving the witness both of the law and the prophets, appeared 1253 2, 16 | witness both of the law and the prophets, appeared on the 1254 2, 16 | the prophets, appeared on the mount between the other 1255 2, 16 | appeared on the mount between the other two, while His three 1256 2, 16 | Next, we have to inquire in the same way, how out of the 1257 2, 16 | the same way, how out of the number forty springs the 1258 2, 16 | the number forty springs the number fifty, which in our 1259 2, 16 | attached to it on account of the Pentecost, and how this 1260 2, 16 | taken thrice on account of the three divisions of time, 1261 2, 16 | divisions of time, before the law, under the law, and 1262 2, 16 | time, before the law, under the law, and under grace, or 1263 2, 16 | or perhaps on account of the name of the Father, Son, 1264 2, 16 | on account of the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 1265 2, 16 | Son, and Holy Spirit, and the Trinity itself being added 1266 2, 16 | above, has reference to the mystery of the most Holy 1267 2, 16 | reference to the mystery of the most Holy Church, and reaches 1268 2, 16 | Holy Church, and reaches to the number of the one hundred 1269 2, 16 | reaches to the number of the one hundred and fifty-three 1270 2, 16 | fishes which were taken after the resurrection of our Lord, 1271 2, 16 | resurrection of our Lord, when the nets were cast out on the 1272 2, 16 | the nets were cast out on the right-hand side of the boat. 1273 2, 16 | on the right-hand side of the boat. And in the same way, 1274 2, 16 | side of the boat. And in the same way, many other numbers 1275 2, 16 | combinations of numbers are used in the sacred writings, to convey 1276 2, 16 | numbers often shuts out the reader from this instruction. ~ 1277 2, 16 | explained some metaphors from the difference between the psalters 1278 2, 16 | from the difference between the psalters and the harp. And 1279 2, 16 | between the psalters and the harp. And it is a question 1280 2, 16 | musical law that compels the psalters of ten chords to 1281 2, 16 | if there be no such law, the number itself is not on 1282 2, 16 | not on that very account the more to be considered as 1283 2, 16 | either with reference to the ten commandments of the 1284 2, 16 | the ten commandments of the law (and if again any question 1285 2, 16 | we can only refer it to the Creator and the creature), 1286 2, 16 | refer it to the Creator and the creature), or with reference 1287 2, 16 | creature), or with reference to the number ten itself as interpreted 1288 2, 16 | as interpreted above. And the number of years the temple 1289 2, 16 | And the number of years the temple was in building, 1290 2, 16 | building, which is mentioned in the gospel viz., forty-six has 1291 2, 16 | sound, and when referred to the structure of our Lord's 1292 2, 16 | body, in relation to which the temple was mentioned, compels 1293 2, 16 | And in several places in the Holy Scriptures we find 1294 2, 17 | chap. 17. Origin of the legend of the nine Muses~ 1295 2, 17 | Origin of the legend of the nine Muses~ 1296 2, 17 | For we must not listen to the falsities of heathen superstition, 1297 2, 17 | superstition, which represent the nine Muses as daughters 1298 2, 17 | state (I don't recollect the name) ordered from each 1299 2, 17 | artists a set of statues of the Muses, to be placed as an 1300 2, 17 | placed as an offering in the temple of Apollo, intending 1301 2, 17 | intending that whichever of the artists produced the most 1302 2, 17 | of the artists produced the most beautiful statues, 1303 2, 17 | beauty, that all nine pleased the state, and that all were 1304 2, 17 | bought to be dedicated in the temple of Apollo; and he 1305 2, 17 | says that afterwards Hesiod the poet gave names to them 1306 2, 17 | Jupiter, therefore, that begat the nine Muses, but three artists 1307 2, 17 | created three each. And the state had originally given 1308 2, 17 | state had originally given the order for three, not because 1309 2, 17 | themselves in that number to the eyes of any of the citizens, 1310 2, 17 | number to the eyes of any of the citizens, but because it 1311 2, 17 | that all sound, which is the material of song, is by 1312 2, 17 | it is either produced by the voice, as in the case of 1313 2, 17 | produced by the voice, as in the case of those who sing with 1314 2, 17 | case of those who sing with the mouth without an instrument; 1315 2, 17 | instrument; or by blowing, as in the case of trumpets and flutes; 1316 2, 17 | flutes; or by striking, as in the case of harps and drums, 1317 2, 18 | But whether the fact is as Varro has related, 1318 2, 18 | give up music because of the superstition of the heathen, 1319 2, 18 | because of the superstition of the heathen, if we can derive 1320 2, 18 | from it that is of use for the understanding of Holy Scripture; 1321 2, 18 | and prefer to worship in the form of stones things that 1322 2, 18 | ought to have their place in the heart, ought we on that 1323 2, 18 | recognizes and acknowledges the truth, even in their religious 1324 2, 18 | literature, let him reject the figments of superstition, 1325 2, 18 | became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible 1326 2, 18 | and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an 1327 2, 19 | which are in vogue among the heathen. One is the knowledge 1328 2, 19 | among the heathen. One is the knowledge of things instituted 1329 2, 19 | things instituted by men, the other of things which they 1330 2, 19 | either as transacted in the past or as instituted by 1331 2, 19 | or as instituted by God. The former kind, that which 1332 2, 20 | chap. 20. The superstitious nature of 1333 2, 20 | All the arrangements made by men 1334 2, 20 | arrangements made by men to the making and worshipping of 1335 2, 20 | pertaining as they do either to the worship of what is created 1336 2, 20 | example, as are employed in the magical arts, and which 1337 2, 20 | magical arts, and which the poets are accustomed not 1338 2, 20 | bolder reach of deception, the books of the haruspices 1339 2, 20 | deception, the books of the haruspices and augurs. In 1340 2, 20 | amulets and cures which the medical art condemns, whether 1341 2, 20 | articles, not with reference to the condition of the body, but 1342 2, 20 | reference to the condition of the body, but to certain signs 1343 2, 20 | these remedies they call by the less offensive name of physica, 1344 2, 20 | to be taking advantage of the forces of nature. Examples 1345 2, 20 | nature. Examples of these are the earrings on the top of each 1346 2, 20 | these are the earrings on the top of each ear, or the 1347 2, 20 | the top of each ear, or the rings of ostrich bone on 1348 2, 20 | rings of ostrich bone on the fingers, or telling you 1349 2, 20 | we may add thousands of the most frivolous practices, 1350 2, 20 | observed if any part of the body should jump, or if, 1351 2, 20 | should come between them. And the kicking of a stone, as if 1352 2, 20 | But it is delightful that the boys are sometimes avenged 1353 2, 20 | are sometimes avenged by the dogs; for frequently men 1354 2, 20 | a superstitious remedy, the dog sometimes makes his 1355 2, 20 | this class, too, belong the following rules: To tread 1356 2, 20 | following rules: To tread upon the threshold when you go out 1357 2, 20 | when you go out in front of the house; to go back to bed 1358 2, 20 | to be more frightened at the prospect of coming misfortune 1359 2, 20 | a man who told him that the mice had eaten his boots, 1360 2, 20 | been very strange indeed if the boots had eaten the mice." ~ 1361 2, 20 | indeed if the boots had eaten the mice." ~ 1362 2, 21 | may seek with pains for the true position of the stars 1363 2, 21 | for the true position of the stars at the time of our 1364 2, 21 | position of the stars at the time of our birth, and may 1365 2, 21 | predict our actions, or the consequences of our actions, 1366 2, 21 | money that he may come away the slave either of Mars or 1367 2, 21 | rather, perhaps, of all the stars to which those who 1368 2, 21 | to posterity, have given the names either of beasts on 1369 2, 21 | recent and nearer our own, the Romans made an attempt to 1370 2, 21 | made an attempt to dedicate the star which we call Lucifer 1371 2, 21 | which we call Lucifer to the name and honour of Caesar. 1372 2, 21 | perhaps, have been done, and the name handed down to distant 1373 2, 21 | held in honour of any of the dead of former times, the 1374 2, 21 | the dead of former times, the usual proceeding in such 1375 2, 21 | example, we have changed the names of the months Quintilis 1376 2, 21 | have changed the names of the months Quintilis and Sextilis 1377 2, 21 | naming them in honour of the men Julius Caesar and Augustus 1378 2, 21 | cares can easily see that the stars spoken of above formerly 1379 2, 21 | above formerly wandered in the heavens without the names 1380 2, 21 | wandered in the heavens without the names they now bear. But 1381 2, 21 | names they now bear. But as the men were dead whose memory 1382 2, 21 | putting their names upon the stars they were raising 1383 2, 21 | stars they were raising the dead men themselves to heaven. 1384 2, 21 | fixed movement, by which the seasons are distinguished 1385 2, 21 | born, it is easy to observe the point at which this movement 1386 2, 21 | movement has arrived, by use of the rules discovered and laid 1387 2, 21 | much that they could weigh the world, how did they not 1388 2, 21 | not more easily find out the Lord thereof?" ~ 1389 2, 22 | Chap. 22. The folly of observing the stars 1390 2, 22 | The folly of observing the stars in order to predict 1391 2, 22 | stars in order to predict the events of a life~ 1392 2, 22 | But to desire to predict the characters, the acts, and 1393 2, 22 | predict the characters, the acts, and the fate of those 1394 2, 22 | characters, the acts, and the fate of those who are born 1395 2, 22 | superstition is refuted beyond the reach of doubt. For the 1396 2, 22 | the reach of doubt. For the observation is of the position 1397 2, 22 | For the observation is of the position of the stars, which 1398 2, 22 | observation is of the position of the stars, which they call constellations, 1399 2, 22 | call constellations, at the time when the person was 1400 2, 22 | constellations, at the time when the person was born about whom 1401 2, 22 | Now it may happen that, in the case of twins, one follows 1402 2, 22 | case of twins, one follows the other out of the womb so 1403 2, 22 | follows the other out of the womb so closely that there 1404 2, 22 | apprehended and marked in the position of the constellations. 1405 2, 22 | marked in the position of the constellations. Whence it 1406 2, 22 | in many cases born under the same stars, while they do 1407 2, 22 | has a most fortunate life, the other a most unfortunate. 1408 2, 22 | hold with his hand upon the heel of his brother, who 1409 2, 22 | preceded him. Now, assuredly, the day and hour of the birth 1410 2, 22 | assuredly, the day and hour of the birth of these two could 1411 2, 22 | that would not give both the same constellation. But 1412 2, 22 | difference there was between the characters, the actions, 1413 2, 22 | between the characters, the actions, the labours, and 1414 2, 22 | characters, the actions, the labours, and the fortunes 1415 2, 22 | actions, the labours, and the fortunes of these two, the 1416 2, 22 | the fortunes of these two, the Scriptures bear witness, 1417 2, 22 | widely spread as to be in the mouth of all nations. ~ 1418 2, 22 | Nor is it to the point to say that the very 1419 2, 22 | to the point to say that the very smallest and briefest 1420 2, 22 | moment of time that separates the birth of twins, produces 1421 2, 22 | effects in nature, and in the extremely rapid motion of 1422 2, 22 | extremely rapid motion of the heavenly bodies. For, although 1423 2, 22 | grant that it does produce the greatest effects, yet the 1424 2, 22 | the greatest effects, yet the astrologer cannot discover 1425 2, 22 | cannot discover this in the constellations, and it is 1426 2, 22 | that he professes to read the fates. If, then, he does 1427 2, 22 | then, he does not discover the difference when he examines 1428 2, 22 | difference when he examines the constellations, which must, 1429 2, 22 | which must, of course, be the same whether he is consulted 1430 2, 22 | there is a difference in the heavens, which he rashly 1431 2, 22 | arbitrarily fixed upon by the presumption of men, are 1432 2, 22 | men, are to be referred to the same class as if they were 1433 2, 23 | mocked and deceived, as the just reward of their evil 1434 2, 23 | deluded and imposed on by the false angels, to whom the 1435 2, 23 | the false angels, to whom the lowest part of the world 1436 2, 23 | whom the lowest part of the world has been put in subjection 1437 2, 23 | been put in subjection by the law of God's providence, 1438 2, 23 | arrangement of things. And the result of these delusions 1439 2, 23 | divination, many things in the past and future are made 1440 2, 23 | they are foretold; and in the case of those who practice 1441 2, 23 | error. And to our advantage, the Word of God is not silent 1442 2, 23 | species of fornication of the soul; and it does not warn 1443 2, 23 | soul; and it does not warn the soul against following such 1444 2, 23 | following such practices on the ground that those who profess 1445 2, 23 | not unto them." For though the ghost of the dead Samuel 1446 2, 23 | For though the ghost of the dead Samuel foretold the 1447 2, 23 | the dead Samuel foretold the truth to King Saul, that 1448 2, 23 | his ghost was brought up the less detestable; and though 1449 2, 23 | less detestable; and though the ventriloquist woman in the 1450 2, 23 | the ventriloquist woman in the Acts of the Apostles bore 1451 2, 23 | ventriloquist woman in the Acts of the Apostles bore true testimony 1452 2, 23 | Apostles bore true testimony to the apostles of the Lord, the 1453 2, 23 | testimony to the apostles of the Lord, the Apostle Paul did 1454 2, 23 | the apostles of the Lord, the Apostle Paul did not spare 1455 2, 23 | Apostle Paul did not spare the evil spirit on that account, 1456 2, 23 | cast it out, and so made the woman clean. ~ 1457 2, 23 | repudiated and avoided by the Christian as the covenants 1458 2, 23 | avoided by the Christian as the covenants of a false and 1459 2, 23 | treacherous friendship. Not as if the idol were anything," says 1460 2, 23 | idol were anything," says the apostle; "but because the 1461 2, 23 | the apostle; "but because the things which they sacrifice 1462 2, 23 | fellowship with devils." Now what the apostle has said about idols 1463 2, 23 | has said about idols and the sacrifices offered in their 1464 2, 23 | signs which lead either to the worship of idols, or to 1465 2, 23 | not appointed by God as the public means of promoting 1466 2, 23 | neighbour, but they waste the hearts of wretched men in 1467 2, 23 | knowledge, we must fear and shun the fellowship of demons, who, 1468 2, 23 | fellowship of demons, who, with the Devil their prince, strive 1469 2, 23 | strive only to shut and bar the door against our return. 1470 2, 23 | our return. As, then, from the stars which God created 1471 2, 23 | come into existence under the government of God's providence, 1472 2, 23 | be something unusual in the occurrence, as when a mule 1473 2, 24 | chap. 24. The intercourse and agreement 1474 2, 24 | as has been arranged with the devils by that previous 1475 2, 24 | previous understanding in the mind which is, as it were, 1476 2, 24 | mind which is, as it were, the common language, but they 1477 2, 24 | provide for each person the same sort of omens as they 1478 2, 24 | to take an illustration, the same figure of the letter 1479 2, 24 | illustration, the same figure of the letter X, which is made 1480 2, 24 | letter X, which is made in the shape of a cross, means 1481 2, 24 | cross, means one thing among the Greeks and another among 1482 2, 24 | Greeks and another among the Latins, not by nature, but 1483 2, 24 | writing to a Latin. And the same sound, beta, which 1484 2, 24 | same sound, beta, which is the name of a letter among the 1485 2, 24 | the name of a letter among the Greeks, is the name of a 1486 2, 24 | letter among the Greeks, is the name of a vegetable among 1487 2, 24 | name of a vegetable among the Latins; and when I say, 1488 2, 24 | as all these signs affect the mind according to the arrangements 1489 2, 24 | affect the mind according to the arrangements of the community 1490 2, 24 | according to the arrangements of the community in which each 1491 2, 24 | already significant, but on the contrary they are now significant 1492 2, 24 | have agreed upon them; in the same way also, those signs 1493 2, 24 | also, those signs by which the ruinous intercourse with 1494 2, 24 | appears quite plainly in the rites of the augurs; for 1495 2, 24 | plainly in the rites of the augurs; for they, both before 1496 2, 24 | both before they observe the omens and after they have 1497 2, 24 | observations, take pains not to see the flight or hear the cries 1498 2, 24 | to see the flight or hear the cries of birds, because 1499 2, 24 | significance apart from the previous arrangement in 1500 2, 24 | previous arrangement in the mind of the observer. ~