Chapter 9

1He again persuades them to compose their divisions. THUS has the humility and godly fear of these great and excellent men, recorded in the Scriptures, through obedience, made not only us, but also the generations before us better; even as many as have received his holy oracles with fear and truth.
2Having therefore so many, and such great and glorious examples, let us return to that peace which was the mark that from the beginning was set before us;
3Let us look up to the Father and Creator of the whole world; and let us hold fast to his glorious and exceeding gifts and benefits of peace.
4Let us consider and behold with the eyes of our understanding his long-suffering will; and think how gentle and patient he is towards his whole creation.
5The heavens moving by his appointment, are subject to him in peace.
6Day and night accomplish the courses that he has allotted unto them, not disturbing one another.
7The sun and moon, and all the several companies and constellations of the stars, run the courses that he has appointed to them in concord, without departing in the least from them.
8The fruitful earth yields its food plentifully in due season both to man and beast, and to all animals that are upon it, according to his will; not disputing, nor altering any thing of what was ordered by him.
9So also the unfathomable and unsearchable floods of the deep, are kept in by his command;
10And the conflux of the vast sea, being brought together by his order into its several collections, passes not the bounds that he has set to it;
11But as he appointed it, so it remains. For he said, Hitherto shalt thou come, and thy floods shall be broken within thee.
12The ocean, unpassable to mankind, and the worlds that are beyond it, are governed by the same commands of their great master.
13Spring and summer, autumn and winter, give place peaceably to each other.
14The several quarters of the winds fulfil their work in their seasons, without offending one another.
15The ever-flowing fountains, made both for pleasure and health, never fail to reach out their breasts to support the life of men.
16Even the smallest creatures live together in peace and concord with each other.
17All these has the Great Creator and Lord of all, commanded to observe peace and concord; being good to all.
18But especially to us who flee to his mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and majesty for ever and ever. Amen.