St. Augustine, Of the citie of God vvith the learned comments of Io. Lod. Viues. Englished by I.H.

That all that the Naturalists referre to the worlds parts, should be referred to God. CHAP. 29.

FOr this their naturall theologie referreth all these things to the world, which

(would they auoide scruple of sacriledge) they should of right referre to the true God the worlds maker and creator of all soules and bodies. Obserue but this, we worship God, not heauen, nor earth (of which (a) two parts of the world con∣•…•…h:) nor a soule or soules diffused through all the parts thereof. but a God that made heauen and earth and all therein, he made all creatures that liue, brutish, & sencelesse, sensitiue, and reasonable: (b) And now to runne through the operati∣ons of this true and high GOD, briefly, which they reducing to absurd and ob∣scene * 1.1 mysteries, induced many deuills by. We worship that God that hath giuen motion, existence, and limits to each created nature, that knowes, conteines and disposeth of all causes, that gaue power to the seedes, and reason to such as hee vouchsafed: that hath bestowed the vse of speech vpon vs, that hath giuen know∣ledge of future things to such spirits as he pleaseth: and prophecieth by whom he please; that for mans due correction, ordereth and endeth all warres & world∣ly tribulations: that created the violent and vehement fire of this world, for the temperature of this great & huge masse: that framed and guideth all the waters: that set vp the sunne as the worlds clearest light, and gaue it congruent act and motion: (c) that taketh not all power from the spirits infernall: that afforded nou∣rishment moist or dry vnto euery creature according to the temperature: that founded the earth and maketh it fertill: that giueth the fruites thereof to men and beasts: that knowes and orders all causes, principall and secondary: that gi∣ueth the moone her motion: and hath set downe waies in heauen and earth to di∣rect our change of place: that hath grac'd the wit he created, with arts and sci∣ences, as ornaments to nature: that instituted copulation for propagation sake: that gaue men the vse of the earthly fire to meet by and vse in their conuentions. T•…•…se •…•…re the things that learned Varro either from others doctrine or his owne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 striueth to ascribe vnto the selected Gods by a sort of (I wotte nere 〈◊〉〈◊〉) •…•…aiurall interpretations.

L. VIVES.

WH•…•… (a) two parts] Gen. 1. 1. In the beginning God created heauen, and earth. Which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make the whole world, including in heauen all things celestiall, in earth all things mortall (b) And now] An Epilogue of all the gods powers which he hath disputed of. (c) That taketh] Read. Iob. 40. & 41. of the deuills power from God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The workes of the •…•…ue God.