298 NOVATIAN THE ROMAN PRESBYTER CHAPTER L Argument. — Novation,withtheviewoftreatingoftheTrinity, setsforthfrom the Rule of faiththatwe shouldfirstof allbelievein God the Father and Lord Omnipotent,tlie absoluteFounder of allthings.The works of creationare beautifullydescribed.Man sfree-willisasserted; GooVi mercy in inflictingpenaltyon man isshown ; thecondition afterdeathof thesoulsof therighteousand unrighteousis determined. ^~]HE Rule of truth requiresthat we should first of all things believeon God the Father and Lord Omnipotent; that is,the absolutelyper- 1 feetFounder of allthings,who has suspended the heavens in loftysublimity,has establishedthe earth with its lower mass, has diffused the seas with their fluent moisture,and has distributedallthese things,both adorned and supplied with their appropriatearid fitting instruments. For in the solidvaultof heaven He has both awakened the light-bringingSunrisings; He has filledup the white globeof the moon in itsmonthly 1 waxings asa solacefor the night; He, moreover,kindlesthe starryrays with the variedsplendoursof glisteninglight; and He has willedallthesethingsin theirlegitimatetracksto circlethe entirecompass of the world, so as to cause days, months, years,signs,and seasons,and benefitsof otherkinds forthe human race. On the earth,moreover,He has liftedup the loftiestmountains to a peak,He has thrown down valleys into the depths,He has smoothly levelledthe plains,He has ordained the animal herds usefullyfor the various servicesof men. He has alsoestablishedthe oak treesof the woods for the future benefitof human uses. He has developed the harvestsinto food. He has unlocked the mouths of the springs,and has poured them intothe flowing 1 " Mensuniis,"orotherwise" menstruis."