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| Opinions of the Heretics Borrowed from Aratus.
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Chapter XLVII.—Opinions
of the Heretics Borrowed from Aratus.
Aratus says that there are in the sky revolving,
that is, gyrating stars, because from east to west, and west to east,
they journey perpetually, (and) in an orbicular figure. And he
says that there revolves towards292
“The Bears” themselves, like
some stream of a river, an enormous and prodigious monster, (the)
Serpent; and that this is what the devil says in the book of Job to the
Deity, when (Satan) uses these words: “I have traversed
earth under heaven, and have gone around (it),”293
| 293 This
refers to Job i. 7, but is at once recognised as not a
correct quotation. | that is, that I have been turned around,
and thereby have been able to survey the worlds. For they suppose
that towards the North Pole is situated the Dragon, the Serpent, from
the highest pole looking upon all (the objects), and gazing on all the
works of creation, in order that nothing of the things that are being
made may escape his notice. For though all the stars in the
firmament set, the pole of this (luminary) alone never sets, but,
careering high above the horizon, surveys and beholds all things, and
none of the works of creation, he says, can escape his
notice.
“Where chiefly
Settings mingle and risings one with
other.”294
| 294
Arat., Phænom., v. 61. |
(Here Aratus) says that the head of this (constellation) is
placed. For towards the west and east of the two hemispheres is situated
the head of the Dragon, in order, he says, that nothing may escape his
notice throughout the same quarter, either of objects in the west or
those in the east, but that the Beast may know all things at the same
time. And near the head itself of the Dragon is the appearance of
a man, conspicuous by means of the stars, which Aratus styles a wearied
image, and like one oppressed with labour, and he is denominated
“Engonasis.” Aratus295
| 295
Arat., Phænom., v. 63 et seq. | then affirms that he does not know what
this toil is, and what this prodigy is that revolves in heaven.
The heretics, however, wishing by means of this account of the stars to
establish their own doctrines, (and) with more than ordinary
earnestness devoting their attention to these (astronomic systems),
assert that Engonasis is Adam, according to the commandment of God as
Moses declared, guarding the head of the Dragon, and the Dragon
(guarding) his heel. For so Aratus expresses
himself:—
“The right-foot’s track of the Dragon
fierce possessing.”296
| 296
Arat., Phænom., v. 70. | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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