But He put no question to the serpent; for He knew that he had been the prime mover in the guiltydeed; but He pronounced the curse upon him in the first instance, that it might fall upon man with a mitigated rebuke. For Goddetested him who had led man astray, but by degrees, and little by little, He showed compassion to him who had been beguiled.
the person of Christ, represent the Son as conversing with the Father—that is, representChrist (as speaking) to God. Observe also the Spirit speaking of the Father and the Son, in the character of7887
7887 Ex.
a third Person: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on my right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.”7888
Has it, then, been permitted to angels, which are inferior to God, after they have been changed into human bodily form,6983
6983 See below in chap. vi. and in the Anti-Marcion, iii. 9.
nevertheless to remain angels? and will you deprive God, their superior, of this faculty, as if Christ could not continue to be God, after His real assumption of the nature of man? Or else, did those angels appear as phantoms of flesh? You will not, however, have the courage to say this; for if it be so held in your belief, that the Creator’s angels are in the same condition as Christ, then Christ will belong to the same God as those angels do, who are like Christ in their condition. If you had not purposely rejected in some instances, and corrupted in others, the Scriptures which are opposed to your opinion, you would have been confuted in this matter by the Gospel of John, when it declares that the Spirit descended in the body6984
It follows then of course, that the things which are watched over and governed should be acquainted with their ruler; which things are not irrational or vain, but they have understanding derived from the providence of God. And, for this reason certain of the Gentiles, who were less addicted to [sensual] allurements and voluptuousness, and were not led away to such a degree of superstition with regard to idols, being moved, though but slightly, by His providence, were nevertheless convinced that they should call the Maker of this universe the Father, who exercises a providence over all things, and arranges the affairs of our world.
and again: “In His hand are the ends of the earth, and the heights of the mountains are His. For the sea is His, and He did Himself make it; and His hands founded the dry land. Come ye, let us worship and fall down before Him, and weep in the presence of the Lord who made us; for He is the Lord our God.”3418
And Esaias confesses that words were uttered by God, who made heaven and earth, and governs them. He says: “Hear, O heavens; and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken.”3810
