{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/101/1010213.htm","path":"chr/ecf/101/1010213.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/101/1010213.htm","text":"Chapter XII.\u2014What God Did Before the Creation of the World.\n14. Behold, I answer to him who asks, \u201cWhat was God doing before He made heaven and earth?\u201d I answer not, as a certain person is reported to have done facetiously (avoiding the pressure of the question), \u201cHe was preparing hell,\u201d saith he, \u201cfor those who pry into mysteries.\u201d It is one thing to perceive, another to laugh,\u2014these things I answer not. For more willingly would I have answered, \u201cI know not what I know not,\u201d than that I should make him a laughing-stock who asketh deep things, and gain praise as one who answereth false things. But I say that Thou, our God, art the Creator of every creature; and if by the term \u201cheaven and earth\u201d every creature is understood, I boldly say, \u201cThat before God made heaven and earth, He made not anything. For if He did, what did He make unless the creature?\u201d And would that I knew whatever I desire to know to my advantage, as I know that no creature was made before any creature was made.","title":"Nicene and Post Nicene-Fathers, Vol. I: The Confessions: ...","type":"page"}