to say, “Thou wilt make me hear of joy and gladness, and my bones shall rejoice;”1879 the
bones, that is, which are humbled, not those that are lifted up.
23. It is enough, then, that I have shown that there are some three things which are ex-
hibited separately, whose operation is yet inseparable. If thou hast discovered this in thine
own self; if thou hast discovered it in man; if thou hast discovered it in a being1880 that
walketh on the earth, and beareth about a frail “body, which weigheth down the soul;” believe
that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit may be exhibited separately, by certain visible symbols,
by certain forms borrowed from the creatures, and still their operation be inseparable. This
is enough. I do not say that “memory” is the Father,—the “understanding” the Son,—and
“will” the Spirit; I do not say this; let men understand it how they will. I do not venture to
say this. Let us reserve the greater truths for those who are capable of them: but, infirm as
I am myself, I convey to the infirm only what is according to our powers. I do not say that
these things are in any sort to be equalled with the Holy Trinity, to be squared after an
analogy; that is, a kind of exact rule of comparison. This I do not say. But what do I say?
See. I have discovered in thee three things, which are exhibited separately, whose operation
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is inseparable; and of these three, every single name is produced by the three together; yet
does not this name belong to the three, but to some one of the three. Believe then in the
Trinity, what thou canst not see, if in thyself thou hast heard, and seen, and retained it. For
what is in thine own self thou canst know: but what is in Him who made thee, whatever it
be, how canst thou know? And if thou shalt be ever able, thou art not able yet. And even
when thou shalt be able, wilt thou be able so to know God, as He knoweth Himself? Let then
this suffice you, beloved: I have said all I could; I have made good my promise as ye required.
As to the rest which must be added, that your understanding may make advancement, this
seek from the Lord.
1879 Ps. l. 10, Sept. (li. 8, English version).
1880 Personâ.
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Of the words of St. Matthew’s Gospel, Chap. iii. 13, 'Then Jesus cometh…