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| Chapter XIII.—The Resurrection Proved by Examples.
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Chapter XIII.—The Resurrection Proved by Examples.
Then, as to your denying that the dead are
raised—for you say,543
| 543
[This is the famous challenge which affords Gibbon (cap. xv.) a most
pleasing opportunity for his cavils. But our author was not asserting
that the dead was raised in his day, but only that they should be at the
las day.] | “Show me even one who has been raised from
the dead, that seeing I may believe,”—first, what great
thing is it if you believe when you have seen the thing done? Then,
again, you believe that Hercules, who burned himself, lives; and that
Æsculapius, who was
struck with lightning, was raised;
and do you disbelieve the things that are told you by God? But,
suppose I should show you a dead man raised and alive, even this you
would disbelieve. God indeed exhibits to you many proofs that you may
believe Him. For consider, if you please, the dying of seasons, and days,
and nights, how these also die and rise again. And what? Is there not a
resurrection going on of seeds and fruits, and this, too, for the use of
men? A seed of wheat, for example, or of the other grains, when it is cast
into the earth, first dies and rots away, then is raised, and becomes
a stalk of corn. And the nature of trees and fruit-trees,—is it
not that according to the appointment of God they produce their fruits
in their seasons out of what has been unseen and invisible? Moreover,
sometimes also a sparrow or some of the other birds, when in drinking it
has swallowed a seed of apple or fig, or something else, has come to some
rocky hillock or tomb, and has left the seed in its droppings, and the
seed, which was once swallowed, and has passed though so great a heat,
now striking root, a tree has grown up. And all these things does the
wisdom of God effect, in order to manifest even by these things, that God
is able to effect the general resurrection of all men. And if you would
witness a more wonderful sight, which may prove a resurrection not only
of earthly but of heavenly bodies, consider the resurrection of the moon,
which occurs monthly; how it wanes, dies, and rises again. Hear further,
O man, of the work of resurrection going on in yourself, even though
you are unaware of it. For perhaps you have sometimes fallen sick, and
lost flesh, and strength, and beauty; but when you received again from
God mercy and healing, you picked up again in flesh and appearance, and
recovered also your strength. And as you do not know where your flesh
went away and disappeared to, so neither do you know whence it grew,
Or whence it came again. But you will say, “From meats and drinks
changed into blood.” Quite so; but this, too, is the work of God,
who thus operates, and not of any other.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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