is mutable, inasmuch as it is outside the substance of God, and exists from things that do not exist. Therefore, *every man is a liar*, and *all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God*. But the devil, who was in the midst of the cherubim, and had become a seal of likeness, fell from heaven like lightning. And *we* will judge *angels*, those, of course, who did not keep their own principality. And here: if he does not believe against his own children, and simply speaking, created things are of such a nature that they are changed. But the divine nature alone is immutable.
*Beside the papyrus, and the reed, and the sedge.* Perhaps by the reed and the papyrus, Scripture adumbrates the vileness and the poverty of the devil.
*His inward parts are shields of bronze.* B Athanasius. Formerly, the enemy was very much occupied in devising frauds against men, and with his phantasms he deceived many, and his frauds could with difficulty be detected; so that the Spirit said concerning him: *Who will uncover the face of his garment?* and the rest. For he did not appear as what he actually was, but he assumed for himself, though fictitiously, whatever form he wished to use for fraud. Wherefore many were deceived by him; but when the Savior arrived, then all his imposture was exposed. For his deeds, which formerly lay hidden, are known through the grace of Christ; and those things by which he had formerly deceived men, are now trampled underfoot by men. For faith is stronger than every diabolic assault and the fury of the demons. C
ADMONITION TO THE SUBSEQUENT FRAGMENTS ON THE CANTICLE
Photius mentions the expositions of Athanasius on the Song of Songs in these words: He edited, he says, commentaries on Ecclesiastes, and on the Song of Songs, just as he did on the Psalter and on many other things. These fragments, moreover, come from the expositions on the Canticles published by Johannes Meursius in the year 1617.
*In the flocks of thy companions as one wandering.* D He addresses her thus: Know thyself first, that thou mayest be able to know me also. If thou canst not know [thyself]: if thou hast not known, nor dost thou understand thyself, go forth by the heels and footprints and feed thy kids; and instead of virtues, thou shalt nourish sins. *In the tabernacles of the shepherds*, in the concupiscences of the opposing powers, which feed thee.
*I called him, and he did not answer me. I will rise and go about the city.* Athanasius. I will read the Law, I will read the prophets; I will investigate the Gospels. But she, pricked by divine love, says this: *Upon my bed in the nights.* He calls the bed the more perfect participation in the good, and night…