Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume VIII/Pseudo-Clementine Literature/The Clementine Homilies/Homily III/Chapter 33

Chapter XXXIII.&#8212;Works of Creation.

&#8220;He alone turned into the four contrary elements the one, first, simple substance.&#160; Thus combining them, He made of them myriads of compounds, that, being turned into opposite natures, and mingled, they might effect the pleasure of life from the combination of contraries.&#160; In like manner, He alone, having created races of angels and spirits by the Fiat of His will, peopled the heavens; as also He decked the visible firmament with stars, to which also He assigned their paths and arranged their courses.&#160; He compacted the earth for the production of fruits.&#160; He set bounds to the sea, marking out a dwelling-place on the dry land. &#160; He stores up the things in Hades, designating it as the place of souls; and He filled all places with air, that all living creatures might be able to breathe safely in order that they might live.