What shall we do, then, brethren? Shall we
become slothful in well-doing, and cease from
the practice of love ? God forbid that any such
course should be followed by us ! But rather
let us hasten with all energy and readiness of
mind to perform every good work. For the
Creator and Lord of all Himself rejoices in His
works. For by His infinitely great power He
established the heavens, and by His incompre-
hensible wisdom He adorned them. He also
divided the earth from the water which sur-
rounds it, and fixed it upon the immoveable
foundation of His own will. The animals also
which are upon it He commanded by His own
word'^ into existence. So likewise, when He had
formed the sea, and the living creatures which
are in it, He enclosed them [within their proper
bounds] by His own power. Above all,''' with
His holy and undefiled hands He formed man,
the most excellent [of His creatures], and truly
great through the understanding given him —
the express likeness of His own image. For