world towards which the Greeks steer their course, that is, for which they are being disciplined. And, wafted by the waves of life, they follow onwards, [having in prospect] some such revolving world or discipline or wisdom which conducts those back that follow in pursuit of such a world. For the term Helice seems to signify a certain circling and revolution towards the same points. There is likewise a certain other "Small Bear" [Cynosuris], as it were some image of the second creation—that formed according to God. For few, he says, there are that journey by the narrow path.[1] But they assert that Cynosuris is narrow, towards which Aratus[2] says that the Sidonians navigate. But Aratus has spoken partly of the Sidonians, [but means] the Phœnicians, on account of the existence of the admirable wisdom of the Phœnicians. The Greeks, however, assert that they are Phœnicians, who have migrated from [the shores of] the Red Sea into this country where they even at present dwell, for this is the opinion of Herodotus.[3] Now Cynosura, he says, is this [lesser] Bear, the second creation; the one of limited dimensions, the narrow way, and not Helice. For he does not lead them back, but guides forward by a straight path, those that follow him being [the tail] of Canis. For Canis is the Logos,[4] partly guarding and preserving the flock, that is plotted against by the wolves; and partly like a dog, hunting the beasts from the creation, and destroying them; and partly producing all things, and being what they express by the name "Cyon" [Canis], that is, generator. Hence it is said, Aratus has spoken of the rising of Canis, expressing himself thus; "When, however, Canis has risen no longer do the crops miss." This is what he says: Plants that have been put into the earth up to the period of Canis' rising,
- ↑ Reference is here made to Matt. vii. 14.
- ↑ Arat. Phænom. v. 44.
- ↑ Herod. Hist. i. 1.
- ↑ Or, "for creation is the Logos" (see Arat. Phænom. v. 332 et seq.).
Greek, he supposes, would write, as is stated lower down, that the Greeks were a Phœnician colony. The Jewish heresies were impregnated by these silly doctrines about the stars (see Epiphan. Adv. Hæres. lib i. De Pharisæis).
