第 11 节
作者:花旗      更新:2021-02-17 23:34      字数:3716
  Therefore they have built an altar like to the sun in shape; and
  the priests praise God in the sun and in the stars; as it were His
  altars; and in the heavens; His temple as it were; and they pray
  to good angels; who are; so to speak; the intercessors living in
  the stars; their strong abodes。  For God long since set signs of
  their beauty in heaven; and of His glory in the sun。  They say
  there is but one heaven; and that the planets move and rise of
  themselves when they approach the sun or are in conjunction
  with it。
  They assert two principles of the physics of things below;
  namely; that the sun is the father; and the earth the mother;
  the air is an impure part of the heavens; all fire is derived from
  the sun。  The sea is the sweat of earth; or the fluid of earth
  combusted; and fused within its bowels; but is the bond of
  union between air and earth; as the blood is of the spirit and
  flesh of animals。  The world is a great animal; and we live
  within it as worms live within us。  Therefore we do not belong
  to the system of stars; sun; and earth; but to God only; for in
  respect to them which seek only to amplify themselves; we are
  born and live by chance; but in respect to God; whose instru…
  ments we are; we are formed by prescience and design; and for
  a high end。  Therefore we are bound to no father but God; and
  receive all things from Him。  They hold as beyond question the
  immortality of souls; and that these associate with good angels
  after death; or with bad angels; according as they have likened
  themselves in this life to either。  For all things seek their like。
  They differ little from us as to places of reward and punish…
  ment。  They are in doubt whether there are other worlds be…
  yond ours; and account it madness to say there is nothing。
  Nonentity is incompatible with the infinite entity of God。  They
  lay down two principles of metaphysics; entity which is the
  highest God; and nothingness which is the defect of entity。
  Evil and sin come of the propensity to nothingness; the sin
  having its cause not efficient; but in deficiency。  Deficiency is;
  they say; of power; wisdom; or will。  Sin they place in the last
  of these three; because he who knows and has the power to do
  good is bound also to have the will; for will arises out of them。
  They worship God in trinity; saying God is the Supreme
  Power; whence proceeds the highest Wisdom; which is the same
  with God; and from these comes Love; which is both power
  and wisdom; but they do not distinguish persons by name; as
  in our Christian law; which has not been revealed to them。
  This religion; when its abuses have been removed; will be the
  future mistress of the world; as great theologians teach and
  hope。  Therefore Spain found the New World (though its
  first discoverer; Columbus; greatest of heroes; was a Genoese);
  that all nations should be gathered under one law。  We know
  not what we do; but God knows; whose instruments we are。
  They sought new regions for lust of gold and riches; but God
  works to a higher end。  The sun strives to burn up the earth;
  not to produce plants and men; but God guides the battle to
  great issues。  His the praise; to Him the glory!
  G。M。  Oh; if you knew what our astrologers say of the com…
  ing age; and of our age; that has in it more history within 100
  years than all the world had in 4;000 years before! of the won…
  derful inventions of printing and guns; and the use of the mag…
  net; and how it all comes of Mercury; Mars; the Moon; and the
  Scorpion!
  Capt。  Ah; well!  God gives all in His good time。  They
  astrologize too much。
  '1' A pace was 1…9/25 yard; 1;000 paces making a mile
  End