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

The creation of luminous bodies.Homily VI.The creation of luminous bodies.1. At the shows in the circus the spectator must join in the efforts of the athletes. Thisthe laws of the show indicate, for they prescribe that all should have the head uncoveredwhen present at the stadium. The object of this, in my opinion, is that each one there shouldnot only be a spectator of the athletes, but be, in a certain measure, a true athlete himself. 1565Thus, to investigate the great and prodigious show of creation, to understand supreme andineffable wisdom, you must bring personal light for the contemplation of the wonders whichI spread before your eyes, and help me, according to your power, in this struggle, where youare not so much judges as fellow combatants, 1566 for fear lest the truth might escape you,and lest my error might turn to your common prejudice. Why these words? It is becausewe propose to study the world as a whole, and to consider the universe, not by the light ofworldly wisdom, but by that with which God wills to enlighten His servant, when He speaksto him in person and without enigmas. It is because it is absolutely necessary that all loversof great and grand shows should bring a mind well prepared to study them. If sometimes,on a bright night, 1567 whilst gazing with watchful eyes on the inexpressible beauty of thestars, you have thought of the Creator of all things; if you have asked yourself who it is thathas dotted heaven with such flowers, and why visible things are even more useful thanbeautiful; if sometimes, in the day, you have studied the marvels of light, if you have raisedyourself by visible things to the invisible Being, then you are a well prepared auditor, andyou can take your place in this august and blessed amphitheatre. Come in the same waythat any one not knowing a town is taken by the hand and led through it; thus I am goingto lead you, like strangers, through the mysterious marvels of this great city of the universe.1568 Our first country was in this great city, whence the murderous dæmon whose821565 In the Theatrum spectators might be covered. cf. Mart. xiv. 29: “In Pompeiano tectus spectabo theatro;Nam ventus populo vela negare solet.” cf. Dion Cassius lix. 7. These passages may, however, indicate exceptionalcases.1566 cf. Greg., In Ez.: Propter bonos auditores malis doctoribus sermo datur: et propter malos auditores bonisdoctoribus sermo subtrahitur.1567 “By night an atheist half believes in God.” Young, N.T. v. 177. cf. also Cic., De nat. Deor. ii. 38: Quisenim hunc hominem dixerit, qui tam certos cœli motus, tam ratos astrorum ordines, tamque omnia ister se connexaet apta viderit, neget in his ullam inesse rationem, eaque casu fieri dicat, quæ quanto consilio gerantur, nulloconsilio assequi possumus.1568 cf. Cic., De Nat. Deor. ii. 62. Est enim mundus quasi communis deorum atque hominum domus, aut urbsutrorumque. Soli etiam ratione utentes, jure ac lege vivunt. Bp. Lightfoot quotes in illustration of Phil. iii. 20,Philo, De Conf. i. 416, M. πατρίδα μὲν τὸν οὐράνιον χῶρον ἐν ᾧ πολιτεύονται ξένον δὲ τὸν περίγειον ἐν ᾧ308