310 NOVATIAN THE ROMAN PRESBYTER hold of me, and Thy righthand shallholdme."1 For we recognisethe plan of the divine Scriptureaccordingto the proportionof itsarrangement. For the prophet then was stillspeaking about God in parablesaccordingto the period of the faith,not as God was, but as the peoplewere ableto receiveHim. And thus,thatsuch thingsas theseshouldbe saidabout God, must be imputed not to God, but ratherto the people. Thus the peopleare permittedto erecta taber nacle,and yet God isnot containedwithinthe enclosureof a tabernacle.Thus a temple is reared,and yet God isnot at allbounded within the restraintsof a temple. It isnot thereforeGod who is limited,but the perceptionof the peopleislimited; nor isGod straitened,but the understand ing of the reason of the people is held to be straitened. Finally,in the Gospel the Lord said," The hour shallcome when neitherin thismountain nor in Jerusalem shallye worshipthe Father and gave the reasons,saying," God is a Spirit; and those thereforewho worship,must worshipin spiritand in truth."3 Thus the divineagenciesare there [sc.in the Old Testament] exhibitedby means of members; itisnottheappearanceof God northe bodilylineamentsthat are described.For when the eyes are spoken of,itisimplied thatHe seesallthings; and when the ear,itissetforththat He hearsallthings; and when the finger,a certainenergyof His willisopened up ; and when the nostrils,His recognition of prayersisshown forthasof odours; and when the hand,it isproved thatHe isthe authorof every creature; and when the arm, it is announced that no nature can withstandthe power of His arm ; and when the feet,itisunfoldedthatHe fillsallthings,and thatthereisnotany placewhere God isnot. For neithermembers nor the officesof members are needful to Him to whose solejudgment, even unexpressed,allthings serveand are present. For why shouldHe requireeyeswho isHimself the light? or why should He ask forfeetwho is everywhere? or•why should He wish to go when thereis nowhere where He can go beyond Himself? or why should He seek forhands whose willis,even when silent,thearchi- 1Ps.cxxxix.8,9,10. 2Johniv.21. 8 Johniv.24.