9. But another passage is also seized by
those who are fighting against God to the perversion of their
hearers: I mean the words “The Son can do nothing of
Himself.”
John v. 19. To me this
saying too seems distinctly declaratory of the Son’s being of the
same nature as the Father. For if every rational creature is able
to do anything of himself, and the inclination which each has to the
worse and to the better is in his own power, but the Son can do nothing
of Himself, then the Son is not a creature. And if He is not a
creature, then He is of one essence and substance with the
Father. Again; no creature can do what he likes. But the
Son does what He wills in heaven and in earth. Therefore the Son
is not a creature. Again; all creatures are either constituted of
contraries or receptive of contraries. But the Son is very
righteousness, and immaterial. Therefore the Son is not a
creature, and if He is not a creature, He is of one essence and
substance with the Father.