Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/189

mock Him that is invisible. And all such conduct has reference not to man,^[1] but to God, who knows all secrets.

seek to mock Him that is invisible, who, however, cannot be mocked by any one. And every such act has respect not to man, but to God. For God says to Samuel, "They have not mocked thee, but me."^[2] And Moses declares, "For their murmuring is not against us, but against the Lord God."^[3] No one of those has, [in fact,] remained unpunished, who rose up against their superiors. For Dathan and Abiram did not speak against the law, but against Moses,^[4] and were cast down alive into Hades. Korah also,^[5] and the two hundred and fifty who conspired with him against Aaron, were destroyed by fire. Absalom, again,^[6] who had slain his brother, became suspended on a tree, and had his evil-designing heart thrust through with darts. In like manner was Abeddadan^[7] beheaded for the same reason. Uzziah,^[8] when he presumed to oppose the priests and the priesthood, was smitten with leprosy. Saul also was dishonoured,^[9] because he did not wait for Samuel the high priest. It behoves you, therefore, also to reverence your superiors.

1. Literally, "to flesh."
2. 1 Sam. viii. 7.
3. Ex. xvi. 8.
4. Num. xvi. 1.
5. Num. xvi. 31.
6. 2 Sam. xviii. 14.
7. Sheba is referred to under this name: see 2 Sam. xx. 22.
8. 2 Chron. xxvi. 20.
9. 1 Sam. xiii. 11.