140
ery to give threats and promises from Heaven, whether or not they shall avail to the persons to whom they are first given. Every end is wrought by means; and these are some of the most important means by which the minds of men are disposed to good and evil. The warning to Adam did not sane him from his first offence, as was known to God from the beginning: but we may well believe that, having found how transgression and punishment are connected, Adam was saved from such future sin by this first warning: and we know that in every age men have looked back with awe upon this proof that God must be obeyed.
Not only, said Havilah, was the first sinner himself a warning, but the Divine command was made sure through all generations. But how did he who inquired of Aza suppose that the sin and the punishment were caused?
The punishment he declared to be threatened and inflicted by God, and the transgression to be caused by the Evil One.
If so, said Eber, from whom had the Evil One his power, and by whose permission did he use it? Was God weak that he could not control, or blind that he could not foresee?
Such was my answer, said Aza; and when he
