74. Nor ought it to appear at all
improbable, that at the
command of God the bones were fitted again to their joints, since we
have numberless instances in which nature has obeyed the commands of
heaven; as the earth was bidden to bring forth the green herb, Gen. i. 11. and did bring it forth; as the rock at the
touch of the rod gave forth water for the thirsting people; Num. xx. 11. and the hard stone poured forth streams by
the mercy of God for those parched with heat. What else did the
rod changed into a serpent Ex. iv. 3. signify, than that
at the will of God living things can be produced from those that are
without life? Do you think it more incredible that bones should
come together when bidden, than that streams should be turned back or
the sea flee? For thus does the prophet testify: “The
sea saw it and fled, Jordan was driven back.” Ps. cxiv.
[cxiii.] 3. Nor can there be any doubt about this
fact, which was proved by the rescue of one and the destruction of the
other of two peoples, that the waves of the sea stood restrained, and
at the same time surrounded one people, and poured back upon the other
for their death, that they might overwhelm the one, but preserve the
other. Ex. xiv. 22 ff. And what do
we find in the Gospel itself? Did not the Lord Himself prove
there that the sea grew calm at a word, the clouds were driven away,
the blasts of the winds yielded, and that on the quieted shores the
dumb elements obeyed God?