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| Chapter LXVII
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Chapter
LXVII.
And to regard these myths in a figurative sense,
and consider Minerva as representing prudence, let any one show what
were the actual facts of her history, upon which this allegory is
based. For, supposing honour was given to Minerva as having been
a woman of ancient times, by those who instituted mysteries and
ceremonies for their followers, and who wished her name to be
celebrated as that of a goddess, much more are we forbidden to pay
divine honours to Minerva, if we are not permitted to worship so
glorious an object as the sun, although we may celebrate its
glory. Celsus, indeed, says that “we seem to do the greater
honour to the great God when we sing hymns in honour of the sun and
Minerva;” but we know it to be the opposite of that. For we
sing hymns to the Most High alone, and His Only-begotten, who is the
Word and God; and we praise God and His Only-begotten, as do also the
sun, the moon, the stars, and all the host of heaven.4962
| 4962 [“Origen
pointed out that hymns were addressed only to God and to His
Only-begotten Word, who is also God.…The hymnody of the primitive
Church protected and proclaimed the truths which she taught and
cherished.”—Liddon’s Bampton
Lectures, On the Divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
pp. 385, 386. S.] | For these all form a divine chorus,
and unite with the just among men in celebrating the praises of the
Most High God and His Only-begotten. We have already said that we
must not swear by a human king, or by what is called “the fortune
of the king.” It is therefore unnecessary for us again to
refute these statements: “If you are commanded to swear by
a human king, there is nothing wrong in that. For to him has been
given whatever there is upon earth; and whatever you receive in this
life, you receive from him.” We deny, however, that all
things which are on the earth have been given to the king, or that
whatever we receive in this life we receive from him. For
whatever we receive rightly and honourably we receive from God, and by
His providence, as ripe fruits, and “corn which strengtheneth
man’s heart, and the pleasant vine, and wine which rejoiceth the
heart of man.”4963
And moreover,
the fruit of the olive-tree, to make his face to shine, we have from
the providence of God.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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