“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Had his being. This word (With) putteth out the distinction of persons to us. This word (Word) is the first in order in the sentence, and is that which the learned call (Subjectum:) and this word (God) is the latter in order, and the same which the learned call (Predicatum.) The Son of God is of one, and the selfsame eternity or everlastingness, and of one and the selfsame essence or nature, with the Father. From his beginning, as the Evangelist saith, 1 John 1:1 , as though he said, that the world began not then to have his being, when God began to make all that was made: for the word was even then when all things that were made, began to be made, and therefore he was before the beginning of all things. This word, That, pointeth out unto us a peculiar and choice thing above all other, and putteth a difference between this Word, which is the Son of God, and the Laws of God, which otherwise also are called the word of God.