8. Then further
it is to be observed that no creature can be such as its Creator. And
therefore, as the divine substance or essence admits of no comparison,
so neither does the Divinity. Moreover, every creature is of nothing.
If therefore a spark which is so unsubstantial but yet is fire, begets
of itself a creature which is of nothing, and maintains in it the
essential nature of that from which it springs, (i.e. the fire of the
parent spark), why could not the substance of that eternal Light which
ever has been because it has in itself nothing which is not
substantial, produce from itself substantial brightness? Rightly,
therefore, is the Son called “only,” “unique.”
For He who hath been so born is “only” and
“unique.” That which is unique can admit of no comparison.
Nor can He who made all things be like in substance to the things which
He has made. This then is Christ Jesus, the only Son of God, who is
also our Lord. “Only” may be referred both to Son and to
Lord. For Jesus Christ is “only” both as truly Son and as
one Lord. For all other sons, though they are called sons, are so
called by the grace of adoption, not by verity of nature; and if there
be others who are called lords, they are called so from an authority
bestowed not inherent. But Christ alone is the only Son and the only
Lord, as the Apostle saith, “One Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are
all things.”32763276 Therefore,
after the Creed has in due order set forth the ineffable mystery of the
nativity of the Son from the Father, it now descends to the
dispensation which He vouchsafed to enter upon for man’s
salvation. And of Him whom just now it called the “only Son of
God” and “our Lord,” it now says.