19. Hence too is solved that question, how is it that the Martyrs, by the very benefits which are given to them that pray, indicate that they take an interest in the affairs of men, if the dead know not what the quick are doing. For not only by effects of benefits, but in the very beholding of men, it is certain,53    Inquilinatum that the Confessor Felix (whose denizenship among you thou piously lovest) appeared when the barbarians were attacking Nola, as we have heard not by uncertain rumors, but by sure witnesses. But such things are of God exhibited, far otherwise than as the usual order hath itself, unto each kind of creatures apportioned. For it does not follow because water was, when it pleased the Lord, in a moment changed into wine, that we are not to regard the worth and efficacy of water in the proper order of the elements, as distinct from the rarity, or rather singularity, of that divine work: nor because Lazarus rose again, therefore that every dead man rises when he will; or that a lifeless man is raised up by a living, in the same way as a sleeping man by one who is awake. Other be the limits of human things, other the signs of divine virtues: other they be that are naturally, other that be miraculously done: albeit both unto nature God is present that it may be, and unto miracles nature is not lacking. We are not to think then, that to be interested in the affairs of the living is in the power of any departed who please, only because to some men’s healing or help the Martyrs be present: but rather we are to understand that it must needs be by a Divine power that the Martyrs are interested in affairs of the living, from the very fact that for the departed to be by their proper nature interested in affairs of the living is impossible.

CAPUT XVI.

19. Martyres adesse nonnullis adjuvandis. Quomodo martyres adsint periclitantibus, negat se posse definire. Hinc et illa solvitur quaestio, quomodo martyres ipsis beneficiis quae dantur orantibus, indicant se interesse rebus humanis, si nesciunt mortui quid agant vivi. Non enim solis beneficiorum effectibus, verum etiam ipsis hominum aspectibus confessorem apparuisse Felicem, cujus inquilinatum pie diligis , cum a Barbaris Nola oppugnaretur, audivimus, non incertis rumoribus, sed testibus certis. Verum ista divinitus exhibentur, longe aliter quam sese habet usitatus ordo singulis creaturarum generibus attributus. Non enim quia in vinum aqua, cum voluit Dominus, repente conversa est (Joan. II, 9), ideo non debemus, quid aqua valeat in elementorum ordine proprio, ab istius divini operis raritate vel potius singularitate discernere: nec quoniam Lazarus resurrexit (Id. XI, 44), ideo mortuus omnis quando vult surgit, aut eo modo exanimis a vivente, quomodo a vigilante dormiens excitatur. Alii sunt humanarum limites rerum, alia divinarum signa virtutum; alia sunt 0607 quae naturaliter, alia quae mirabiliter fiunt: quamvis et naturae Deus adsit ut sit, et miraculis natura non desit. Non igitur ideo putandum est vivorum rebus quoslibet interesse posse defunctos, quoniam quibusdam sanandis vel adjuvandis martyres adsunt: sed ideo potius intelligendum est quod per divinam potentiam martyres vivorum rebus intersunt, quoniam defuncti per naturam propriam vivorum rebus interesse non possunt.