Tertullian

“ The earth itself He did not endow with its varied fruitfulness all at once; but at first He bestowed upon it being, and then He filled it, that it might not be made in vain. [6] For thus says Isaiah: “He created it not in vain; He formed it to be inhabited.” ”

“ Therefore after it was made, and while awaiting its perfect state, [8] it was “without form, and void:” “void” indeed, from the very fact that it was without form (as being not yet perfect to the sight, and at the same time unfurnished as yet with its other qualities) ; [9] and “without form,” because it was still covered with waters, as if with the rampart of its fecundating moisture, [10] by which is produced our flesh, in a form allied with its own. ”