Apologetics -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600; Celsus (Platonic philosopher), active 180; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
And therefore perhaps is it said, “Unto every one that hath
shall be given, and be added.”[340] By which it is established, that to
those who possess in this life a kind of outline of truth and knowledge,
shall be added the beauty of a perfect image in the future.
5. Some such desire, I apprehend, was indicated by him who said, “I am
in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with
Christ, which is far better;”[341] knowing that when he should have
returned to Christ he would then know more clearly the reasons of all
things which are done on earth, either respecting man, or the soul of
man, or the mind; or regarding any other subject, such as, for instance,
what is the Spirit that operates, what also is the vital spirit, or what
is the grace of the Holy Spirit that is given to believers. Then also
will he understand what Israel appears to be, or what is meant by the
diversity of nations; what the twelve tribes of Israel mean, and what
the individual people of each tribe. Then, too, will he understand the
reason of the priests and Levites, and of the different priestly orders,
the type of which was in Moses, and also what is the true meaning of the
jubilees, and of the weeks of years with God. He will see also the
reasons for the festival days, and holy days, and for all the sacrifices
and purifications. He will perceive also the reason of the purgation
from leprosy, and what the different kinds of leprosy are, and the
reason of the purgation of those who lose their seed. He will come to
know, moreover, what are the good influences,[342] and their greatness,
and their qualities; and those too which are of a contrary kind, and
what the affection of the former, and what the strife-causing emulation
of the latter is towards men. He will behold also the nature of the
soul, and the diversity of animals (whether of those which live in the
water, or of birds, or of wild beasts), and why each of the genera is
subdivided into so many species; and what intention of the Creator, or
what purpose of His wisdom, is concealed in each individual thing. He
will become acquainted, too, with the reason why certain properties are
found associated with certain roots or herbs, and why, on the other
hand, evil effects are averted by other herbs and roots. He will know,
moreover, the nature of the apostate angels, and the reason why they
have power to flatter in some things those who do not despise them with
the whole power of faith, and why they exist for the purpose of
deceiving and leading men astray. He will learn, too, the judgment of
Divine Providence on each individual thing; and that, of those events
which happen to men, none occur by accident or chance, but in accordance
with a plan so carefully considered, and so stupendous, that it does not
overlook even the number of the hairs of the heads, not merely of the
saints, but perhaps of all human beings, and the plan of which
providential government extends even to caring for the sale of two
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