35. And in
the Holy Ghost. What has been delivered above somewhat at large
concerning Christ relates to the mystery of His Incarnation and of His
Passion, and, by thus intervening, as belonging to His Person, has
somewhat delayed the mention of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, if the
divine nature alone be taken into account, as in the beginning of the
Creed we say “I believe in God the Father Almighty,” and
afterwards, “In Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord,” so in
like manner we add, “And in the Holy Ghost.” But all of
these particulars which are spoken of above concerning Christ relate,
as we have said, to the dispensation of the flesh (to His Incarnation).
By the mention of the Holy Spirit, the mystery of the Trinity is
completed. For as one Father is mentioned, and there is no other
Father, and one only-begotten Son is mentioned, and there is no other
only-begotten Son, so also there is one Holy Ghost, and there cannot be
another Holy Ghost. In order, therefore, that the Persons may be
distinguished, the terms expressing relationship (the properties) are
varied, whereby the first is understood to be the Father, of Whom are
all things, Who Himself also hath no Father, the second the Son, as
born of the Father, and the third the Holy Ghost, as proceeding from
both,34033403 and sanctifying all things. But that in
the Trinity one and the same Godhead may be set forth, since, prefixing
the preposition “in” we say that we believe
“in God the Father,” so also we say,
“in Christ His Son,” so also “in the
Holy Ghost.” But our meaning will be made more plain in what
follows. For the Creed proceeds,—