MINUCIUS FELIX. 475 Wherefore the rather,they who deny that thisfurnitureof the whole world was perfectedby the divine reason,and assertthat it was heaped together by certainfragments1 casuallyadhering to each other,seem to me not to have eithermind or sense,or,in fact,even sightitself.For what can possiblybe so manifest,so confessed,and so evident, when you liftyour eyes up to heaven, and look into the thingswhich are below and around,than that there issome Deity of most excellentintelligence,by whom allnature is inspired,is moved, is nourished,is governed? Behold the heaven itself,how broadlyit is expanded,how rapidlyit is whirled around,eitheras itisdistinguishedin the night by itsstars,or as itislightenedin the day by the sun,and you willknow at once how the marvellousand divinebalanceof the Supreme Governor isengaged therein.Look alsoon the year,how it ismade by the circuitof the sun ; and lookon the month, how the moon drivesit around in her increase, her decline,and decay. What shallI say of the recurring changes of darkness and light;how there is thus provided for us an alternaterestorationof labourand rest? Truly a more prolixdiscourseconcerning the starsmust be leftto astronomers,whether as to how they govern the course of navigation,or bring on 3 the seasonof ploughingor of reap ing,each of which thingsnot only needed a Supreme Artist and a perfectintelligence,nor only to create,to construct, and to arrange; but,moreover,they cannot be felt,perceived and understoodwithout the highestintelligenceand reason. What I when the orderof the seasonsand of the harvestsis distinguishedby stedfastvariety,does itnot attestitsAuthor and Parent? As well the springwith itsflowers,and the summer withitsharvests,and thegratefulmaturityofautumn, and the wintry olive-gathering,3are needful; and thisorder would easilybe disturbedunlessit were establishedby the highest intelligence.Now, how great is the providence needed,lestthereshould be nothing but winterto blastwith 1Scil." atoms." 2Accordingtosome," pointout" or" indicate." * OlivesripeninthemonthofDecember.