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| Chapter XCIX
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Chapter
XCIX.
In addition to all that he has already said,
Celsus subjoins the following: “All things, accordingly,
were not made for man, any more than they were made for lions, or
eagles, or dolphins, but that this world, as being God’s work,
might be perfect and entire in all respects. For this reason all
things have been adjusted, not with reference to each other, but with
regard to their bearing upon the whole.4067
| 4067 ἀλλ᾽
εἰ μὴ πᾶν
ἔργον. “Gelenius does not
recognise these words, and Guietus regards them as
superfluous.” They are omitted in the translation. | And God takes care of the whole, and
(His) providence will never forsake it; and it does not become worse;
nor does God after a time bring it back to himself; nor is He angry on
account of men any more than on account of apes or flies; nor does He
threaten these beings, each one of which has received its appointed lot
in its proper place.” Let us then briefly reply to these
statements. I think, indeed, that I have shown in the preceding
pages that all things were created for man, and every rational being,
and that it was chiefly for the sake of the rational creature that the
creation took place. Celsus, indeed, may say that this was done
not more for man than for lions, or the other creatures which he
mentions; but we maintain that the Creator did not form these things
for lions, or eagles, or dolphins, but all for the sake of the rational
creature, and “in order that this world, as being God’s
work, might be perfect and complete in all things.” For to
this sentiment we must yield our assent as being well said. And
God takes care, not, as Celsus supposes, merely of the whole,
but beyond the whole, in a special degree of every rational
being. Nor will Providence ever abandon the whole; for although
it should become more wicked, owing to the sin of the rational being,
which is a portion of the whole, He makes arrangements to purify it,
and after a time to bring back the whole to Himself. Moreover, He
is not angry with apes or flies; but on human beings, as those who have
transgressed the laws of nature, He sends judgments and chastisements,
and threatens them by the mouth of the prophets, and by the Saviour who
came to visit the whole human race, that those who hear the
threatenings may be converted by them, while those who neglect these
calls to conversion may deservedly suffer those punishments which it
becomes God, in conformity with that will of His which acts for the
advantage of the whole, to inflict upon those who need such painful
discipline and correction. But as our fourth book has now
attained sufficient dimensions, we shall here terminate our
discourse. And may God grant, through His Son, who is God the
Word, and Wisdom, and Truth, and Righteousness, and everything else
which the sacred Scriptures when speaking of God call Him, that we may
make a good beginning of the fifth book, to the benefit of our readers,
and may bring it to a successful conclusion, with the aid of His word
abiding in our soul.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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