On the Sole Government of God

FIRST: then, Æschylus, in describing the arrangement of his work, also expressed himself in this way about the only God: “Keep the holy God far from humans, and never think that He, like yourself, is clothed in flesh; for the great God is unknown to a creature like you. He takes on different appearances; sometimes He seems like an unquenchable consuming fire, then like water, and at other times, He shrouds Himself in dark folds. Even the beasts of the earth reflect His sacred image; while the wind, clouds, rain, the roll of thunder, and the flash of lightning reveal to people their great and sovereign Lord. Before Him, the sea and rocks, every fountain, and all the waters bow in reverence; and as they gaze upon His awe-inspiring face, mountains and the earth, with the deepest ocean depths and the highest hill peaks, tremble: for He is the Lord Omnipotent; and this is the glory of God Most High.”

But he was not the only man who had knowledge of God; Sophocles also describes the nature of the only Creator of all things, the One God, in this way: "There is one God, truly there is only one, who made the heavens and the broad earth beneath, the glancing waves of ocean, and the winds; but many of us mortals err in heart, and set up, for comfort in our troubles, images of the gods in stone and brass, or figures carved in gold or ivory; and, providing for these, our handiworks, both sacrifice and grand ritual, we think that in doing so we are performing a pious act."

AND PHILEMON ALSO: who published many explanations of ancient customs, shares in the knowledge of the truth; and he writes:—“Tell me what thoughts of God we should have? One, who sees all things, yet is Himself unseen.”

EVEN ORPHEUS: who introduces three hundred and sixty gods, will bear testimony in my favor from the tract called *Diathecæ*, in which he appears to repent of his error by writing the following: "I’ll speak to those who may lawfully hear; All others, you profane, now close the doors! And, O Musaeus, listen to me, Who are the offspring of the light-bringing moon. The words I tell you now are truly indeed, And if you have seen my former thoughts, Let them not rob you of the blessed life; But instead, turn the depths of your own heart To that place where light and knowledge dwell.

Take the divine word to guide your steps; And walk well in the straight certain path, Look to the one and universal King, One, self-begotten, and the only One From whom all things, and we ourselves, have sprung. All things are open to His piercing gaze, While He Himself is still invisible; Present in all His works, though still unseen, He gives to mortals evil out of good, Sending both chilling wars and tearful griefs; And other than the Great King there is none.

The clouds forever settle around His throne; And mortal eyes in mere mortal faces Are weak to see Jove, reigning over all. He sits established in the brazen heavens Upon His throne; and underneath His feet He treads the earth, and stretches His right hand To all the ends of the ocean, and around Tremble the mountain ranges, and the streams, The depths, too, of the blue and hoary sea."

He speaks as if he had been an eyewitness to God's greatness. And Pythagoras agrees with him when he writes:—“If someone boldly claims, Behold, I am God! Beyond the One—Eternal—Infinite, Let him demonstrate his power from the throne he has taken and create another world, like the one we live in, declaring, This is mine. And not only that, but let him dwell there forever in this new domain. If he can accomplish this, then truly he is proclaimed a god.”