46. When they say, “The Son can do
nothing of Himself,” they indeed except nothing, so that one
blasphemer has even said: “He cannot make even a
gnat,” As a matter of
fact, gnats and insects generally are far from being the least
wonderful of God’s works. In them as much as, if not more
than, in anything we may recognize His eternal power and wisdom and
Godhead. Cf. Prov. vi.
6–8.
mocking with so headstrong
profanity and with insolence so overweening the majesty of Supreme
Power; yet perhaps they may think the mystery of Thine Incarnate Life a
needful exception. But say, Lord Jesu, what earth the Father made
without Thee. For without Thee He made no heaven, seeing that it
is written: “By the Word of the Lord were the heavens
established.”