language employed to describe the creation, especially when it is compared with the first chapter of the Gospel according to S. John.
In both of these passages we have God the Creator, God creating by His Word, in Genesis implicitly and in S. John explicitly; and in Genesis also the Spirit of God hovering or brooding upon the face of the waters. So again, in the history of the baptism of our Lord in the river Jordan, we are irresistibly drawn to similar reflections. It would perhaps be indefensible to say that this scene proves the doctrine of the Trinity; but it is impossible to deny that it is very impressively suggested and represented by the incidents here recorded. The Son, incarnate to do the will of the Father, stands in the water; the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove hovers over the Son; whilst the voice of the Eternal Father issues from the clouds.
It is not too much to say that the doctrine is at least suggested by the appearance of the three angels to Abraham, when we notice the manner of speech adopted by the mysterious visitants, and the fact that Abraham addresses them either individually or collectively as Jehovah[1]. As regards the testimony of the New Testament, we
- ↑ Gen. xviii, 1, 13, 17, 20, 26, 27, 30, 33
