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| Practical Refutation of Genesis.
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Chapter V.—Practical Refutation of Genesis.
“While we were thus talking, a great
multitude gathered round us. And then I looked to the multitude,
and said: ‘I and my tribe have had handed down to us from
our ancestors the worship of God, and we have a commandment to give no
heed to Genesis, I mean to the science of astrology;1200
| 1200 [On the error of
astrology compare the full discussion in Recognitions, ix. 12,
x. 7–12.—R.] | and therefore I gave no attention to
it. For this reason I have no skill in astrology, but I shall
state that in which I have skill. Since I am unable to refute
Genesis by an appeal to the science which relates to Genesis, I wish to
prove in another way that the affairs of this world are managed by a
providence, and that each one will receive reward or punishment
according to his actions. Whether he shall do so now or
hereafter, is a matter of no consequence to me; all I affirm is, that
each one without doubt will reap the fruit of his deeds. The
proof that there is no Genesis is this. If any one of you present
has been deprived of eyes, or has his hand maimed, or his foot lame, or
some other part of the body wrong, and if it is utterly incurable, and
entirely beyond the range of the medical profession,—a case,
indeed, which not even the astrologers profess to cure, for no such
cure has taken place within the lapse of a vast period,—yet I
praying to God will cure it,1201
| 1201 We have adopted
the reading given in the two Epitomes. | although1202
it could never have been set right by
Genesis.1203
| 1203 [This method
of proof, by appeal to the supernatural power of the Apostle, is
peculiar to the Homilies. In the Recognitions, ix.
30, an argument is made by Clement, who appeals to the power of the
true Prophet.—R.] | Since this
is so, do not they sin who blaspheme the God that fashioned all
things?’ And the old man answered: ‘Is it then
blasphemy to say that all things are subject to Genesis?’
And I replied: ‘Most certainly it is. For if all the
sins of men, and all their acts of impiety and licentiousness, owe
their origin to the stars, and if the stars have been appointed by God
to do this work, so as to be the efficient causes of all evils, then
the sins of all are traced up to Him who placed Genesis1204
| 1204 That is, the power of
origination. | in the stars.’
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