Homilies on the Gospel of John; Homilies on the First Epistle of John; Soliloquies (NPNF I/VII)

5. Accordingly, brethren, of these mountains was John also, who said, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This mountain had received peace; he was contemplating the divinity of the Word. Of what sort was this mountain ? How lofty ? He had risen above all peaks of the earth, he had risen above all plains of the sky, he had risen above all heights of the stars, he had risen above all choirs and legions of the angels. For unless he rose above all those things '^ which were created, he would not arrive at Him by whom all things were made. You cannot imagine what he rose above, unless you see at what he arrived. Dost thou inquire concerning heaven and earth ? They were made. Dost thou inquire concerning the things that are in heaven and earth ? Surely much more were they made. Dost thou inquire concerning spiritual beings, concerning angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, powers, principalities ? These also were made. For when the Psalm enumerated all these things, it finished thus: " He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created." 5 If "He spoke and they were made," it was by the Word that they were made; but if it was by the Word they were - made, the heart of John could not reach to that which he says, " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," unless he had risen above all things that were made by the Word. What a mountain this ! How holy ! How high among those mountains that received peace for the people of God, that the hills might receive righteousness !