66. I have no fears of a certain objection
they are likely to put forward, namely, that in the words cited we have
“a man”—for some have, “Who cometh after
me.” But here, too, let them observe what precedes.
“The Word,” it is said, “was made
flesh.” S. John i. 14. Having
said that the Word was made flesh, the Evangelist added no
mention of man. We understand “man” there in
the mention of “flesh,” and “flesh” by the
mention of “man.” After the statement made, then,
that “the Word was made flesh,” there was no need
here to particularly mention “man,” whom he already
intended by using the name “flesh.”