the contrary we see the beams of the sun directed towards the earth; and the waters to be
above the heavens, yet not falling away;1438 and the sun running below them, yet not
quenched by the waters, nor dispelling their moisture. Besides these things we said that this
whole universe consists of four elements, these being adverse to and at strife with one an-
other; yet one does not consume the other, although they are mutually destructive. Whence
it is evident that some invisible power bridles them, and the will of God becomes their bond.
4. To-day, I wish to dwell a little more on this subject. Arouse yourselves, however, and
give earnest heed unto us! And that the wonder may appear more clearly, I will draw the
lesson concerning these things from our own bodies. This body of ours, so short, and small,
consists of four elements; viz. of what is warm, that is, of blood; of what is dry, that is, of
yellow bile; of what is moist, that is, of phlegm; of what is cold, that is, of black bile. And let
no one think this subject foreign to that which we have in hand. “For He that is spiritual
judgeth all things; yet He Himself is judged of no man.”1439 Thus also Paul touched upon
principles of agriculture, whilst discoursing to us of the Resurrection; and said, “Thou fool;
that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die.”1440 But if that blessed man brought
forward questions of agriculture, neither should any one blame us if we handle matters
pertaining to medical science. For our discourse is now respecting the Creation of God; and
this ground-work of ideas will be necessary for our purpose. As, therefore, I said before, this
body of ours consists of four elements; and if either revolts against the whole, death is the
result of this revolt. As for instance, by a superabundance “of bile” fever is produced; and
should this proceed beyond a certain measure, it effects a rapid dissolution. Again, when
there is an excess of the cold element, paralyses, agues, apoplexies, and an infinite number
of other maladies are generated. And every form of disease is the effect of an excess of these
elements; when either of them overpassing its own bounds, acts the part of a tyrant against
the rest, and mars the symmetry of the whole. Interrogate then him who says, that all things
are spontaneous and self-produced. If this little and diminutive body, having the advantage
of medicines, and of medical skill, and of a soul within which regulates it, and of much
moral wisdom, as well as innumerable other helps, be not always able to continue in a state
of order, but often perishes, and is destroyed, when some disturbance takes place within it;
how could a world like this, containing substances of such vast bulk and compounded of
those same elements, remain during so long a time without any disturbance, unless it enjoyed
the advantage of a manifold providence? Neither would it be reasonable to suppose that
this body, which has the benefit of superintendence both without and within, should scarcely
be sufficient for its own preservation; and that a world such as this is, enjoying no such su-
1438 οὐ διολισθαίνοντα.
1439 1 Cor. ii. 15.
1440 1 Cor. xv. 38.
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Homily X