17 (384). To Origen
SAI~T BASIL
and cartilage? Is it hairless or covered with hair? Has it an uncloven hoof, or feet divided into toes? How long does it live? What is its manner of reproduction? How long is the period of gestation? And how is it that all ants are not merely crawling insects, nor all winged, but some belong to those which travel on the ground and others fly through the air?
To begin with, therefore, let him who boasts of the knowledge of things actually existing explain the nature of the ant. Then let him investigate in the same manner the nature of the power which surpasses every intellect. But, if you have not yet, by your investigation, understood the nature of the smallest ant, how can you boast that the incomprehensible power of God is clear to your mind?
17. To Origen1 Listening to you delights us, but reading your expositions gives us even more pleasure. And great is our gratitude to the good God, who did not permit the truth to be brought to naught because of its betrayal by would-be erudites, but, on the contrary, supplied through you a defense for the word of true religion. Certainly, those men, like hemlock or leopard's bane, or any other deadly herb, after flourishing for a short time, will quickly wither away. But on you, for your defense of His name, will the Lord bestow His reward fresh and ever new. May the Lord, therefore, grant you all prosperity in your home and may He also hand on the blessing to your children's children. It was indeed with joy that I I A Christian apologist. evidently a layman. about whom there is no further information than that contained in this letter. which was written during the reign of Julian.