Chapter

XXVII. Argument.—He Skilfully Replies to a Passage Which the Heretics Employed in Defence of Their Own Opinion.

But since they frequently urge upon us the passage

where it is said, “I and the Father are one,” in this

also we shall overcome them with equal facility. For if, as the

heretics think, Christ were the Father, He ought to have said, “I

and the Father are one.” But when He says I, and

afterwards introduces the Father by saying, “I and the

Father,” He severs and distinguishes the peculiarity of His, that

is, the Son’s person, from the paternal authority, not only in

respect of the sound of the name, but moreover in respect of the order

of the distribution of power, since He might have said, “I the

Father,” if He had had it in mind that He Himself was the

Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume V/Novatian/A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity/Part 27