To Florus 1.140

Both the prophet and the apostle therefore introduced the potter as an example to serve only as a comparison, not to indicate that human beings are as worthless in God's sight as clay is in potters' kiln and wheel. Having completed the explanation just given, we point out that according to the recent translation another meaning shines out in the same passage: “Drop dew, heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the righteous one. Let the earth open and bring forth the Savior, and let righteousness arise together with him. I, the Lord, created him. Woe to one who contradicts his maker, a potsherd among the earth's earthenware! Does the clay say to its potter, ‘What are you doing?’ and ‘Your work has no hands’?” (Isaiah 45:8–9).

Although historically these words describe King Cyrus, prophetically they describe the Savior's incarnation. Since he was to be born of the Virgin, the stubbornness of Jews and all unbelievers is challenged, so that they may not be enemies of trustworthy signs. For after saying, “Let the earth open and bring forth the Savior, and let righteousness arise together with him”, he said: “I, the Lord, created him.”