350 NOVATIAN THE ROMAN PRESBYTER CHAPTER XXI.1 Argument. — Tliatthesame divinemajestyisagain confirmedin Christby otherScriptures. And indeed I could setforththe treatmentof thissubject by allthe heavenlyScriptures,and setin motion,so to speak, a perfectforest[of argument] concerningthatmanifestation of the divinityof Christ,except that I have not so much undertaken to speak againstthisspecialform of heresy,as to expound the ruleof truthconcerningthepersonof Christ. Although, however,I must hastento other matters,I do not thinkthatI must passover thispoint,thatin the Gospel the Lord declared,by way of signifyingHis majesty,saying, " Destroy thistemple,and in three days I willbuild itup again;"2 or when, in another passage,and on another subject,He declares," I have power to lay down my life, and again to take it up ; for thiscommandment I have re ceived of my Father."8 Now who is it who says that He can lay down His life,or can Himself recoverHis lifeagain, becauseHe has receiveditof His Father? Or who says that He can againresuscitateand rebuildthe destroyedtemple of His body,except because He is the Word who isfrom the Father,who is with the Father," by whom allthings were made, and withoutwhom nothing was made;"4 the imitator of His Father'sworks and powers," the image of the invisible God;"5 u who came down from heaven ;"6who testifiedwhat things He had seen and heard; who u came not to do His own will,but ratherto do the willof the Father,"7 by whom He had been sentfor thisvery purpose,thatbeing made the "messenger of greatcounsel,"8He might unfold to us the laws of the heavenlymysteries; and who as the Word made fleshdwelt among us, of us thisChrist is proved to be not man only,because He was the son of man, but also God, 1AccordingtoPamelius,ch.xvi. * Johnii.19. * Johnx.18. *Johni.3. 5 Col.i.15. 4 Johniii.81,32. 7Johniv.88. 8 Isa.ix.6.