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Chapter XLVI.—Sun and Moon Ministers Both of Good and Evil.

“But we shall discourse at greater length on these subjects at another time.  Now, meantime, we remark that though he is that good servant for regulating the changes of the seasons, yet, when chastisement is inflicted upon men according to the will of God, he glows more fiercely, and burns up the world with more vehement fires.  In like manner also the course of the moon, and that changing which seems to the unskilful to be disorderly, is adapted to the growth of crops, and cattle, and all living creatures; for by her waxings and wanings, by a certain wonderful contrivance of providence, everything that is born is nourished and grows; concerning which we could speak more at length and unfold the matter in detail, but that the method of the question proposed recalls us.  Yet, by the very same appliances by which they are produced, all things are nourished and increased; but when, from any just cause, the regulation of the app. 178 pointed order is changed, corruption and distemper arise, so that chastisement may come upon men by the will of God, as we have said above.