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| Chapter XL
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Chapter XL.
But observe whether the principles of our faith,
harmonizing with the general ideas implanted in our minds at birth, do
not produce a change upon those who listen candidly to its statements;
for although a perverted view of things, with the aid of much
instruction to the same effect, has been able to implant in the minds
of the multitude the belief that images are gods, and that things made
of gold, and silver, and ivory, and stone are deserving of worship, yet
common sense3561
forbids the
supposition that God is at all a piece of corruptible matter, or is
honoured when made to assume by men a form embodied in dead matter,
fashioned according to some image or symbol of His appearance.
And therefore we say at once of images that they are not gods, and of
such creations (of art) that they are not to be compared with the
Creator, but are small in contrast with the God who is over all, and
who created, and upholds, and governs the universe. And the
rational soul recognising, as it were, its relationship (to the
divine), at once rejects what it for a time supposed to be gods, and
resumes its natural love3562
for its Creator;
and because of its affection towards Him, receives Him also who first
presented these truths to all nations through the disciples whom He had
appointed, and whom He sent forth, furnished with divine power and
authority, to proclaim the doctrine regarding God and His
kingdom.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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