I was recently reminded of an unusual article¹ which appeared many years ago in a leading science journal. The article had the fascinating sub-title, "Prius Dementat," a Latin phrase meaning "They First Make Mad." This was essentially a shortened form of an old proverb: "Whom the gods seek to destroy, they first make mad."

"Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" (Romans 9:20).

"But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6).

"And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed" (Genesis 2:8).

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:20-21).