Chapter XX.—Neither the World Nor Any of Its Parts Can Be God.

“But the world, not being incomparable and unsurpassable, and altogether in all respects without defect, cannot be God.  But if the whole world cannot be God, in respect of its having been made, how much more should not its parts be reasonably called God; I mean the parts that are by you called gods, being made of gold and silver, brass and stone, or of any other material whatsoever; and they constructed by mortal hand.  However, let us further see how the terrible serpent through man’s mouth poisons those who are seduced by his solicitations.