14) that 'the Word was made flesh,' &c.; a statement which Valentinus was willing to admit.

But, as we have seen, the heresiarch and his followers denied that 'the Word' is also 'the Son' of God.

As if in order to bar the door against this pretence, St.John announces (ver.
18) that 'the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him': thus establishing the identity of the Word and the Only begotten Son.

What else could the Valentinians do with so plain a statement, but seek to deprave it?
Accordingly, the very first time St.
John i.

18 is quoted by any of the ancients, it is accompanied by the statement that the Valentinians in order to prove that the 'only begotten' is 'the Beginning,' and is 'God,' appeal to the words,--'the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father[513],' &c.