precipitated1518 the first man headlong and by means of the hope of greater knowledge,
deprived him of that he already possessed. Therefore also, a certain wise man exhorts, saying,
“Seek not out the things that are too hard for thee; neither search the things that are too
deep for thee. But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence; for the greater
part of His works are done in secret.”1519 And again; “More things are shewed unto thee
than men understand.” But this he speaks for the purpose of consoling the man who is sad
and vexed, because he does not know all things; for even those things he observes, which
thou art permitted to know, greatly surpass thine understanding; for thou couldest not have
found them by thyself, but thou hast been taught them of God. Wherefore be content with
the wealth given thee, and do not seek more; but for what thou hast received give thanks;
and do not be angry on account of those things which thou hast not received. And, for what
thou knowest, give glory, and do not stumble at those things of which thou art ignorant.
For God hath made both alike profitably; and hath revealed some things, but hidden others,
providing for thy safety.
8. One mode, then, of knowing God, is that by the creation, which I have spoken of,
and which might occupy many days. For in order that we might go over the formation of
man only with exactness, (and I speak of exactness such as is possible to us, not of real ex-
actness; since many as are the reasons we have already given for the works of creation, many
more of these there are, ineffable, which God who made them knoweth, for of course we
do not know them all); in order then, I say, that we might take an exact survey of the whole
modelling of man; and that we might discover the skill there is in every member; and examine
the distribution and situation of the sinews, the veins, and the arteries, and the moulding
of every other part; not even a whole year would suffice for such a disquisition.
9. For this reason, here dismissing this subject; and having given to the laborious and
studious an opportunity, by what has been said, of going over likewise the other parts of
Creation; we shall now direct our discourse to another point which is itself also demonstrative
of God’s providence. What then is this second point? It is, that when God formed man, he
implanted within him from the beginning a natural law. And what then was this natural
law? He gave utterance to conscience within us; and made the knowledge of good things,
and of those which are the contrary, to be self-taught. For we have no need to learn that
fornication is an evil thing, and that chastity is a good thing, but we know this from the first.
1518 ἐξετραχήλισεν (a word used of a horse who throws the rider over his head), lit. brake the neck of, but
the word is generally used of overthrowing by treachery. St. Chrysostom also uses it of elevating with pride,
which may be intended here. As Hom. XIII. in Heb. v. fin.
1519 Ecclus. iii. 21, 22, 23.
611
Homily XII