Ambrose of Milan, on Wis 11:20

“Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.”

“Therefore, because fire overflows and boils, water also overflowed on the earth, lest the heat of the rising sun and the burning stars should scorch it, and an unusual vapor should harm the tender beginnings of things. How many springs, rivers, and lakes water the lands; is it not because some internal fire sends up vapor within them? For from where would trees sprout, or grain and crops break forth or be ripened, unless an inner fire also gave them life? This fire is often struck out from stones, and frequently leaps out even from wood itself when it is being cut. Therefore, just as the creation of fire is necessary so that things may remain ordered and arranged, and the kindness of heaven may temper the harshness of the waters; so also the abundance of waters is not superfluous, lest one should consume the other, because unless there is a suitable measure of each, just as fire dries up water, so also water extinguishes fire. And so He has weighed and measured all things; for even the drops of rain are numbered for Him, as we read in the book of Job (Job 28:25). Knowing that there would easily be either a lack of things or the dissolution of the universe if one should prevail over the other, He has so balanced the losses of both; that fire should not consume too much, nor water overflow: but there should be a moderate reduction of each, which would remove the excess and preserve what is necessary.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.

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