58. Cf. Mt 5.8. 59. See Tractate 1.11, note 27.
TRACTATE 3 89 about this, as far as the Lord reveals, we are not silent before you, my beloved people.
18. But know you this, that all the things which were seen physically were not that substance of God. For we see them with the eyes of the flesh. How is the substance of God seen?
Ask the gospel. "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God."- '^ There have been men^^ who, deceived by the conceit in their heart, have said, "The Father is invisible, but the Son is visible." How is he visible? If on account of the flesh, because he took flesh, [that] is obvious. For of those who saw the flesh of Christ, some believed, some crucified; and they who believed wavered when he was crucified. And if they had not touched his flesh after the Resurrection, their faith would not have been restored to them. So if the Son is visible because of the flesh, we concede this and it is the Catholic faith; but if [he is visible] before the flesh, as they say, that is, before he became incarnate, they are much out of their minds and much in error. For those corporeally visible phenomena in which an image might be shown came into being through creation; the substance itself was assuredly not exhibited and manifested.
(2) And, beloved people, direct your attention to this easy proof. The wisdom of God cannot be seen by the eyes. Brothers, if Christ is the wisdom of God, and the power of God,^" if Christ is the Word of God, [and if] the word of man is not seen by the eye's, can the Word of God be so seen? ig. Therefore, drive carnal thought from your hearts that you may truly be under grace, that you may belong to the New Testament. Thus eternal life is promised in the New Testament. Read the Old Testament, and see that the very things which are commanded for us were, indeed, commanded for a people still carnal. For to worship one God is also commanded for us. "You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain"^' is also commanded for us; for this is the Second Commandment. "Keep the day of the sabbath"^^ is commanded
58. Cf. Mt 5.8. 60. Cf. 1 Cor 1.24. 62. Cf. Ex 20.8.
59. See Tractate 1.11, note 27. 61. Cf. Ex 20.7.