§ 1.
Wherefore Abraham also, by the Word knowing the Father, Who made Heaven and Earth, confessed Him to be God. And being taught by vision1, that the Son of God would be a man among men, by Whose Advent his seed should become as the stars of Heaven, he desired to see that day, that he also himself might take Christ in his arms: and beholding it by the Spirit of Prophecy, he rejoiced. For which cause Simeon likewise, being of his seed, fulfilled anew the joy of the Patriarch,2 and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of the people of Israel.3 And the Angels too told news of great joy to the Shepherds watching by night. Yea, and Mary saith,4 My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour: the joy of Abraham, on the one hand, descending on those who were of his seed, watching and beholding Christ, and believing Him: and joy on the other hand mutually returning from the children back towards Abraham, even as he had desired to see the day of Christ’s Advent. Well therefore did our Lord give testimony to him saying,5 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it, and was glad.
§ 2.
Since not for Abraham’s sake only did He say this,6 but in order to shew that all, who from the beginning knew the Lord, and foretold Christ’s Advent, had their revelation from the Son Himself—the Same Who in the last times was made visible and passible, and spake with mankind, that of the stones He might raise up children to Abraham, and fulfil the promise which God had promised him, to make his seed as the stars of Heaven: as saith John the Baptist,7 For God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And this Jesus did, withdrawing us from the worship of stones, and carrying us away from our own hard and unfruitful thoughts, and establishing in us a faith like Abraham’s.
As Paul also testifies, saying, that we are sons of Abraham according to the likeness of his faith,8 and the promise of his inheritance.
§ 3.
It is one therefore and the same God, who called Abraham, and gave him the Promise. And this is the Maker,9 the same who through Christ prepares lights in the world,—those who believe from among the Gentiles. Now you,10 saith He, are the light of the world: i.e., as the stars of Heaven.11
Him therefore we rightly declare to be known by no man, save the Son, and to whomsoever the Son shall reveal Him. But the Son makes revelation to all, to whom it pleases the Father to be known; and neither without the Father’s good pleasure, nor without the ministry of the Son will any one know God. And therefore the Lord said to the disciples,12 I am the way, the truth, and the life. And, No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye have known Him, and seen Him. Whereby it is manifest, that He is known by His Son, i.e., by the Word.
§ 4.
Wherefore the Jews are gone out from God, not receiving the Word of God,13 but imagining that they may know the Father by Himself without the Word, i.e., without the Son: not knowing that God, Who in human form spake unto Abraham, and again unto Moses, how He saith,14 I have surely seen the vexation of My people in Egypt, and I am come down to deliver them. For in these things the Son Who is the Word of God, was making His arrangements from the beginning; the Father having no need of Angels, to make the world, and to form man, for whose sake indeed the world was made: neither again needing any ministry for the shaping out the things which were made, for the settlement of those matters which regarded man, but having an abundant and unspeakable provision for that service. For there ministers to Him in all that is His, His Progeny and the Image thereof, i.e., the Son and the Holy Ghost, His Word and His Wisdom: Whom all the Angels serve, and are their subjects.
Vain therefore are such as introduce another unknown Father, because of this which is said, No man knoweth the Father, but the Son.