§43.
Three similes to illustrate the Word’s relation to the
Universe
.
And for so great a matter to be understood by an
example, let what we are describing be compared to a great chorus. As
then the chorus is composed of different people, children, women again,
and old men, and those who are still young, and, when one, namely the
conductor, gives the sign, each utters sound according to his nature
and power, the man as a man, the child as a child, the old man as an
old man, and the young man as a young man, while all make up a single
harmony; 2. or as our soul at one time moves our several senses
according to the proper function of each, so that when some one object
is present all alike are put in motion, and the eye sees, the ear
hears, the hand touches, the smell takes in odour, and the palate
tastes,—and often the other parts of the body act too, as for
instance if the feet walk; 3. or, to make our meaning plain by yet a
third example, it is as though a very great city were built, and
administered under the presence of the ruler and king who has built it;
for when he is present and gives orders, and has his eye upon
everything, all obey; some busy themselves with agriculture, others
hasten for water to the aqueducts, another goes forth to procure
provisions,—one goes to senate, another enters the assembly, the
judge goes to the bench, and the magistrate to his court. The workman
likewise settles to his craft, the sailor goes down to the sea, the
carpenter to his workshop, the physician to his treatment, the
architect to his building; and while one is going to the country,
another is returning from the country, and while some walk about the
town others are going out of the town and returning to it again: but
all this is going on and is organised by the presence of the one Ruler,
and by his management: 4. in like manner then we must conceive of the
whole of Creation, even though the example be inadequate, yet with an
enlarged idea. For with the single impulse of a nod as it were of the
Word of God, all things simultaneously fall into order, and each
discharge their proper functions, and a single order is made up by them
all together.