NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

The Germination of the Earth.the rose was without thorns; since then the thorn has been added to its beauty, to make usfeel that sorrow is very near to pleasure, and to remind us of our sin, which condemned theearth to produce thorns 1552 and caltrops. But, they say, the earth has received the commandto produce trees “yielding fruit whose seed was in itself,” and we see many trees which haveneither fruit, nor seed. What shall we reply? First, that only the more important trees arementioned; and then, that a careful examination will show us that every tree has seed, orsome property which takes the place of it. The black poplar, the willow, the elm, the whitepoplar, all the trees of this family, do not produce any apparent fruit; however, an attentiveobserver finds seed in each of them. This grain which is at the base of the leaf, and whichthose who busy themselves with inventing words call mischos, has the property of seed.And there are trees which reproduce by their branches, throwing out roots from them.Perhaps we ought even to consider as seeds the saplings which spring from the roots of atree: for cultivators tear them out to multiply the species. But, we have already said, it ischiefly a question of the trees which contribute most to our life; which offer their variousfruits to man and provide him with plentiful nourishment. Such is the vine, which produceswine to make glad the heart of man; such is the olive tree, whose fruit brightens his facewith oil. How many things in nature are combined in the same plant! In a vine, roots, greenand flexible branches, which spread themselves far over the earth, buds, tendrils, bunchesof sour grapes and ripe grapes. The sight of a vine, when observed by an intelligent eye,serves to remind you of your nature. Without doubt you remember the parable where theLord calls Himself a vine and His Father the husbandman, and every one of us who aregrafted by faith into the Church the branches. He invites us to produce fruits in abundance,for fear lest our sterility should condemn us to the fire. 1553 He constantly compares oursouls to vines. “My well beloved,” says He, “hath a vineyard in a very fruitfull hill,” 1554 andelsewhere, I have “planted a vineyard and hedged it round about.” 1555 Evidently He callshuman souls His vine, those souls whom He has surrounded with the authority of His preceptsand a guard of angels. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fearhim.” 1556 And further: He has planted for us, so to say, props, in establishing in His Churchapostles, prophets, teachers; 1557 and raising our thoughts by the example of the blessed inolden times, He has not allowed them to drag on the earth and be crushed under foot. He791552 cf. Milton, P.L., B. iv., “Flowers of all hue and without thorn the rose,” and August. De Genesi contraManichæos. i. 13.1553 cf. S. John xv. 1-6.1554 Isa. v. 1.1555 Matt. xxi. 33.1556 Ps. xxxiv. 7.1557 cf. 1 Cor. xii. 28.303