God forbid; for just as the Son, announced in the image of this star, cannot be called inferior to the Holy Spirit, so the Holy Spirit, even if He had properly been compared to the morning star, could not appear less than the Son. CHAPTER XVII. Where they reproach the catholics because they are said to ask pardon for sins from the Holy Spirit. If they should object to you, saying that the catholics blaspheme with sacrilegious mouth, because after the Father and the Son they are known to ask pardon for sins from the Holy Spirit. Response. That the Holy Spirit, the judge, is able to convict the whole world of sin, of justice, and of judgment, the Lord taught in the Gospel, saying:
But when the Holy Spirit shall come, He shall convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment (John 16:8). And Isaiah: The Lord, he says, shall wash away the filth of the sons and daughters of Sion by the spirit of judgment (Isa. 4:4). And in Solomon: The Spirit of the Lord shall stand against them, and as a whirlwind of wind it shall scatter them (Wis. 5:24). Likewise Isaiah: Behold, I in my spirit execute judgment, saith the Lord (Isa. 26:9). Why then do you yourself refuse that each one should ask pardon of his sins from his judge, that he may become cleaner and more purged from sins, since by asking he will be able to escape?
If perchance by some deed, or by an incautious utterance of speech, one had incurred the guilt of a fault, plainly and fittingly pardon was sought from the Holy Spirit, that He might grant remission and indulgence for sins, He who intercedes for us to the Father with unutterable groanings. But as for your calling us sacrilegious, because according to the confession of the Trinity we have asserted the Holy Spirit to be God and Lord, see whether you yourself are not rather worthy to be called by this name, while you refuse to confess the Holy Spirit, whom the Lord through the apostles willed to be made known to all nations, undivided with the Father and the Son: Go, He says, baptize all nations, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
For if the Holy Spirit is not made equal to the Father and the Son in the substance of the Godhead, why in the sacrament of holy baptism is nothing accomplished without Him? CHAPTER XVIII. Where they say that the Holy Spirit does not know the Father as the only-begotten Son does. If they should say to you: In this the Holy Spirit is less, because the Son alone says of Himself that He knows the Father, and is found to have made no mention of the Holy Spirit. Response. Just as in Christ dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead, so in the Holy Spirit are made manifest the heights of the deity. For since the Apostle affirms these things abundantly and to the full, why does your perfidy interrupt the truth of the majesty?
For no one, he says, knoweth the things of a man, but the spirit of a man that is in him; so also the things that are in God no one knoweth, but the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:11). Behold, now it is not the Son alone who knows what the Holy Spirit also knows: not because there are two persons, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, does this introduce any diversity in knowing the things that are God's, but it has faithfully intimated to believers the communion of unity. In another place also the same apostle continues, saying: It is the Spirit that searcheth even the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10). And again: But we have not received the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is from God (ibid. 12). And in the Gospel the Son says of Himself to the Jews:
But you know him not, but I know him, for I am from him (John 8:55). If the Holy Spirit is from God, even as the Son is from God, how shall He be less, who knows that which the Son knows in the Father? We have taught, furthermore, that the Holy Spirit proceeds ineffably from God the Father, even as the Son, because the conjoined Trinity possesses in itself an inseparable unity. CHAPTER XIX. Where they say that they did not baptize in the name of the Holy Spirit, as in the name of the Son. If they should say to you: Therefore the Holy Spirit is less, because the disciples did not baptize in His name, but in the name of the Son. Response.
For there is no diversity in the Trinity, in which there is not only the undivided love of power and will, but also the equality of deity and majesty: for what is awaited from the Father is found in the Son, and what is found in the Son is bestowed also upon the Holy Spirit. But if you should wish with curious mind to inquire into the distributions of the Holy Spirit, you shall hear the Apostle proclaiming: But to each one of us is given the illumination of the Spirit unto profit:
for to some indeed through the Spirit is given the spirit of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith in the same Spirit, to another the gifts of graces in the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discerning of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these worketh one and the same Spirit, distributing to every one his own as He willeth (1 Cor. 12:7-11). But that one is baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit, as in the name of the Father and the Son, both the Lord in the Gospel is witness, and Paul pronounces the like. The Lord indeed, when He says: Baptize the nations, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
But the Apostle, when he intimates and confirms that all of us are baptized in the Spirit: For we all, he says, are baptized in one Spirit, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, and we have all been made to drink of one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). And again: In whom believing you are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of adoption (Eph. 1:13). And again: That He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit unto the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts (Eph. 3:16). And again:
I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink (1 Cor. 10:1). Therefore, in these testimonies, this only is lacking to the divinity of the Holy Spirit, which is wanting to your perfidy. ON THE UNITY OF THE FATHER AND THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. In these testimonies the unity of the Trinity is shown, in that what the Father is called, or even what He works, this the Son and the Holy Spirit are also named, or work the same things. CHAPTER ONE. On the common name of the Godhead. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in the Apostle:
One God the Father, of whom are all things (1 Cor. 8:6). And again: There is no God but one (ibid. 4). Of the Son in psalm 99: Know ye that the Lord, He is God; He made us, and not we ourselves. Of the Holy Spirit in the Apostle: The Spirit is God (2 Cor. 3:17). And in the Gospel: Because God Himself is a Spirit (John 4:24). CHAPTER II. Where the whole Trinity is called Lord. The Father is called Lord, the Son Lord, the Holy Spirit Lord. Of the Father in Leviticus: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt (Lev. 19:36). Of the Son in psalm 95: Say among the nations, the Lord hath reigned from the wood. Of the Holy Spirit in the Apostle:
There are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord (1 Cor. 12:5). Likewise there: Now the Lord is a Spirit. CHAPTER III. On the common omnipotence of the Trinity. Almighty the Father, almighty the Son, almighty the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17). Of the Father in Solomon: Thy almighty word, leaping down from the royal throne, came (Wis. 18:15). Of the Son, as above: For there is one most high creator almighty, a king mighty and exceedingly to be feared (Sir. 1:8). Of the Holy Spirit, as above: For in wisdom is the spirit of understanding, holy, unique (Wis. 7:22), and below, all-powerful (ibid. 27). CHAPTER IV. On the common power of the Trinity. Powerful the Father, powerful the Son, powerful the Holy Spirit.
Of the Father to the Corinthians: And God is able to make all grace abound in you (2 Cor. 9:8). Likewise there: That your faith might not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5). Of the Son, as above: You being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 5:4). Likewise in the second epistle: Do you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me? who toward you is not weak, but is mighty (2 Cor. 13:3). Of the Holy Spirit, as above: For I dare not speak any of those things which Christ worketh not by me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, in word and deeds, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit (Rom. 15:18). And again:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13). CHAPTER V. On the common name of fatherhood. The Father is Father, the Son Father, the Holy Spirit Father. Of the Father the Apostle says: One God the Father, of whom are all things (1 Cor. 8:6). And again: The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for ever, knoweth (2 Cor. 11:31). Of the Son in the canticle of Deuteronomy: Is not He thy Father, who possessed thee, and made thee, and established thee (Deut. 32:6)? And Isaiah: A child is born to us, a son is given to us (Isa. 9:6). And below: God the mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of peace. Of the Holy Spirit to the Hebrews:
We have had indeed correctors of the fathers of our flesh, and we reverenced them: how much more shall we be subject to the Father of spirits, and obey Him, that we may live? They indeed for a few days, according to their own will, as it seemed good to them, gave us discipline: but the Spirit gives it for our receiving the profit of His sanctification (Heb. 12:9). CHAPTER VI. Where the whole Trinity is called holy. Holy the Father, holy the Son, holy the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Esdras: For God the truth is holy. And in Leviticus: Be ye holy, for I also am holy, the Lord your God (Lev. 11:44). Of the Son in the Gospel: I know thee, who thou art, the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24). Likewise there:
That which shall be born of thee holy shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Of the Holy Spirit in Solomon: For the holy spirit of discipline shall flee deceit, and shall withdraw itself from thoughts that are without understanding (Wis. 1:5). CHAPTER VII. On the common princely rule of the Trinity. Prince the Father, prince the Son, prince the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Judges: Gedeon said to them: I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you, but the Lord is prince over you (Judg. 8:23). And in Numbers: There shall be no labour in Jacob, nor shall toil be seen in Israel, for the Lord his God is with him, and the glory of an illustrious prince is with him (Num. 23:21). Of the Son in the Epistle, Peter the apostle:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, not as constrained, but willingly from the heart, that when the prince of pastors shall appear, you may receive an unfading crown (1 Pet. 5:2-3). Of the Holy Spirit, in psalm 50: Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a princely spirit (Ps. 50:14). CHAPTER VIII. That the whole Trinity is called by the name of king. King the Father, king the Son, king the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Isaiah: The Lord is the great king, and rich in his works (Isa. 33:22). And in the psalm: But God our king before the ages hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth (Ps. 73:12). Of the Son in the Apocalypse: And the army of heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine white linen (Apoc. 19:14).
And below: And He hath on His garment and on His thigh a name written: King of kings, and Lord of lords (ibid. 16). Of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah: I saw the Lord, the King of Sabaoth, with my eyes (Isa. 6:5). And I heard a voice saying to me: Whom shall I send, and who shall go to this people? And I said: Behold, here am I, send me. And He said to me: Go, and say to this people: With hearing you shall hear and shall not understand, and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive (Isa. 6:8-9). That you may observe that it was the Holy Spirit, hear Paul rebuking the Jews in the Acts: Well, he says, did the Holy Spirit speak to your fathers: With hearing you shall hear and shall not understand, and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive (Acts 28:26). CHAPTER IX.
Where the whole Trinity is called by the name of Judge. Judge the Father, judge the Son, judge the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in psalm 49: And the heavens shall declare his justice, for God is judge (Ps. 49:6). And in the seventh: God is a just judge, strong and patient (Ps. 7:12). Of the Son in the Canonical epistles: For behold, the judge standeth before the door (James 5:9). Of the Holy Spirit: And now shall be revealed the man of sin, the son of perdition, whom the Lord shall slay with the spirit of his mouth (2 Thess. 2:3,8). And in Isaiah: Behold, I in my spirit execute judgment, saith the Lord God. CHAPTER X. On the common perfection. Perfect the Father, perfect the Son, perfect the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in the Gospel:
Be ye therefore perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48). Of the Son to the Hebrews: For from those things which He suffered He learned to become obedient, who also, being made perfect, became to all who obey Him the cause of salvation (Heb. 5:8-9). Of the Holy Spirit, as above: But you are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22). And below: And to the spirits of the just made perfect (ibid. 23). CHAPTER XI. On the common truth. True the Father, true the Son, true the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Solomon: Our God is sweet and true: and to know thee is the consummation of justice (Wis. 15:1,3). Of the Son in John:
That we may be in his true Son Jesus Christ: this is the true God, and life eternal (1 John 5:20). Of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel: When that Paraclete shall come, the Spirit of truth, He shall teach you all truth (John 16:13). CHAPTER XII. On the comparison of the just. Just the Father, just the Son, just the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Exodus: And Pharao called Moses and Aaron, and said to them: I have now sinned, for God is just, but I and my people are wicked (Exod. 9:27). Of the Son in Sophonias: The Lord is just in the midst of thee, He will do no iniquity (Zeph. 3:5). And in the epistle of John: As He hath taught you, abide in Him (1 John 2:27). And below:
But if you know that He is just, know ye that every one who doeth justice is born of Him (1 John 2:29). Of the Holy Spirit in the Apostle: Great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit (1 Tim. 3:16). CHAPTER XIII. On the common fortitude. Strong the Father, strong the Son, strong the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Isaiah: God the strong and mighty, of great name, O Lord (Isa. 28:2). Of the Son in psalm 117: My strength and my praise is the Lord (Ps. 117:14). Of the Holy Spirit in Solomon: In the fear of God is the spirit of fortitude, and in his ways are peace and life eternal (Prov. 14:26). CHAPTER XIV. On the common judgment.
The Father judges, the Son judges, the Holy Spirit judges. Of the Father in psalm 42: Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause (Ps. 42:1). Of the Son in psalm 9: He hath prepared his throne in judgment, and He shall judge the world in equity (Ps. 9:8-9). Of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah: And the Lord shall wash away the filth of the sons and daughters of Sion, and shall purge the blood from the midst of them by the spirit of judgment (Isa. 4:4). CHAPTER XV. On the common work of the Trinity. The Father works, the Son works, the Holy Spirit works. Of the Father to the Philippians: It is God who worketh in you both to will (Phil. 2:13). Of the Son in the Gospel: I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day (John 9:4).
Of the Holy Spirit in the Apostle: But one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one his own as He willeth (1 Cor. 12:11). CHAPTER XVI. That the whole Trinity obtains the name of the Most High. Most High the Father, most high the Son, most high the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Daniel: The signs and wonders which the most high God hath wrought with me (Dan. 3:99 [4:2]). And in psalm 77: God the most high is their redeemer (Ps. 77:35). Of the Son in psalm 112: The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens (Ps. 112:4). Of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah: Thus saith the Most High, who dwelleth on high for eternity, the Holy One among the saints, the Lord most high is his name, resting among the saints (Isa. 57:15).
CHAPTER XVII. That the whole Trinity is called fire. Fire the Father, fire the Son, fire the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Deuteronomy: Take heed lest you make for yourselves any likeness of all those things concerning which the Lord thy God hath commanded thee, for the Lord thy God is a consuming fire (Deut. 4:23). Of the Son in psalm 118: Thy word is exceedingly refined as by fire, and thy servant hath loved it (Ps. 118:140). Of the Holy Spirit in the Acts: And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4). CHAPTER XVIII. That the whole Trinity is called light. Light the Father, light the Son, light the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in the Epistle of John:
God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Of the Son in the Gospel: I am the light of this world: he that followeth me walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12). Of the Holy Spirit in Ezekiel: Behold, the spirit of the Lord, rising up, came from the north, and round about it a refulgent light (Ezek. 1:4). CHAPTER XIX. On the common goodness of the Trinity. Good the Father, good the Son, good the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in psalm 72: How good is the God of Israel to those who are right of heart (Ps. 72:1). Of the Son: I am the good shepherd (John 10:11). And: Good Master, what good shall I do that I may have life eternal (Matt. 19:16)? Of the Holy Spirit in Esdras: Thou gavest them thy good spirit (Neh. 9:20).
And in Solomon: Thy good Spirit is in all things (Wis. 12:1). CHAPTER XX. On the common greatness of the Trinity. Great the Father, great the Son, great the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Exodus: Now I know that the Lord is great (Exod. 18:11). And in psalm 85: Thou art God alone, the great one (Ps. 85:10). Of the Son to Titus: Looking for the blessed hope, and the coming of the glory of the great God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ (Tit. 2:13). Of the Holy Spirit in the books of Kings, the Lord said to Elijah: Go forth, and stand upon the mount before me, and behold, the Lord passeth by, and a great and strong spirit, overthrowing and crushing the rock before the Lord (1 Kings 19:11). CHAPTER XXI. On the common virtue of the Trinity.
The power of the Father, the power of the Son, the power of the Holy Spirit. Of the Father to the Romans: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (Rom. 1:16). Of the Son to the Corinthians: Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me (2 Cor. 12:9). And of the Holy Spirit to the Thessalonians: Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election, for our Gospel was not unto you in word only, but also in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:4-5). CHAPTER XXII. Where the whole Trinity is called a fountain. Fountain the Father, fountain the Son, fountain the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Jeremiah: Thus saith the Lord God of Israel.
My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and have hewed out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jer. 2:13). Of the Son in Solomon: The fountain of wisdom is the word of God on high (Sir. 1:5). Of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah: Behold, the name of the Lord cometh after a long time; burning in the wrath of his indignation he devoured the nations, and the spirit, as a fountain of water, drawing through the valley (Isa. 30:27-28). CHAPTER XXIII. Where the whole Trinity is called a river. River the Father, river the Son, river the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in Solomon: The blessing of God is as a river overflowing (Sir. 39:27). And in psalm 64: The river of God is filled with water (Ps. 64:10). Of the Son in Isaiah: Thus saith the Lord:
I will turn upon them as a river of peace, and as an overflowing torrent the glory of the Gentiles (Isa. 66:12). Likewise there: And He shall appear in Sion as a flowing river, and bright in a thirsty land (Isa. 59:20). Of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel: On the great feast day Jesus stood and cried, saying: Whoever believeth in me, as the Scripture saith, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this He said of the Spirit, which they should receive who believed in Him (John 7:37-39). CHAPTER XXIV. Where the Holy Spirit is called the Word, as the Son is. The Son is the Word of God the Father; the Holy Spirit is the Word of God. Of the Son in the Gospel: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
And in the Apocalypse: And He was clothed with a garment sprinkled with blood, and His name is called the Word of God (Apoc. 19:13). Of the Holy Spirit to the Ephesians: In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may extinguish all the glowing darts of the most wicked one, and the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:16-17). CHAPTER XXV. That the whole Trinity is called charity. Charity the Father, charity the Son, charity the Holy Spirit. Of the Father in the Epistle of John: Little children, God is charity, and he that abideth in charity abideth in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16). Of the Son to the Corinthians: For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for you;
for the charity of Christ constraineth us (2 Cor. 5:13-14). Of the Holy Spirit to the Romans: I beseech you therefore, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the charity of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:30). And to the Galatians: You are called unto liberty (Gal. 5:13). And below: but by the charity of the spirit serve one another. And to the Corinthians he says: Will you that I come to you with a rod, or in the charity of the spirit (1 Cor. 4:21)? CHAPTER XXVI. That the whole Trinity bestows eternal life. The Father gives eternal life, this the Son gives, this the Holy Spirit gives. Of the Father in the Epistle of John: He that believeth not God maketh Him a liar, because he believeth not the testimony which He hath testified of His Son:
and this is the testimony, that God hath given us eternal life (1 John 5:10-11). Of the Son in the Gospel: My sheep hear my voice, and follow me, and I give them eternal life (John 10:27-28). And in the Epistle of John: He that hath the Son hath eternal life (1 John 5:12). Of the Holy Spirit to the Galatians: He that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption: but he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting (Gal. 6:8). CHAPTER XXVII. That the whole Trinity bestows peace. The Father gives peace, the Son gives peace, the Holy Spirit gives peace. Likewise there: Our God, give us peace. And the Apostle: And may the God of peace give you peace (2 Thess. 3:16). And again:
'Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, that you may abound and glorify the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ' (Rom. 15:13). Concerning the Son, in Numbers: 'Thus says the Lord, who made Israel: Behold, I give them a covenant of peace, and it shall be with him, and with his seed after him' (Num. 25:13). Concerning the Holy Spirit, the Apostle says: 'For the prudence of the flesh is death, but the prudence of the Spirit is life and peace' (Rom. 8:6). CHAPTER 28. On their common consolation. The Father consoles, the Son consoles, the Holy Spirit consoles. Concerning the Father, to the Corinthians: 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all consolation, who consoles us' (2 Cor. 1:3).
Concerning the Son, in the same place: 'For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also through Christ does our consolation abound' (ibid., 5). Concerning the Holy Spirit, in the Gospel: 'When the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from my Father, he shall teach you all truth, and shall announce to you the things to come' (John 15:26; 16:13). CHAPTER 29. On the common help of the Trinity. The Father helps, the Son helps, the Holy Spirit helps. Concerning the Father, in the forty-fifth Psalm (verse 6): 'God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her with his countenance.' Concerning the Son, in the Gospel: 'When Jesus had come into the parts of Tyre and Sidon, behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and cried, saying:
'Help me, Lord' (Matt. 15:25). Concerning the Holy Spirit, in the Apostle: 'For we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself helps our infirmity' (Rom. 8:26). CHAPTER 30. On the common glory of the Trinity. The Father is the God of glory, so is the Son, so is the Holy Spirit. Concerning the Father, in Acts: 'The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia' (Acts 7:2). Concerning the Son, in the Apostle: 'For if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory' (1 Cor. 2:8). Concerning the Holy Spirit, to the Corinthians: 'Do you not know that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God?' (1 Cor. 6:19). And below: 'Glorify and bear God in your body' (ibid., 20).