X. What must we say of the Father, Whom by common
consent all who have been preoccupied with natural conceptions share,
although He hath endured the
beginnings of dishonour, having been first divided by ancient
innovation into the Good and the Creator. And of the Son and of
the Holy Ghost, see how simply and concisely we shall discourse.
If any one could say of Either that He was mutable or subject to
change; or that either in time, or place, or power, or energy He could
be measured; or that He was not naturally good, or not Self-moved, or
not a free agent, or a Minister, or a Hymnsinger; or that He feared, or
was a recipient of freedom, or was not counted with God; let him prove
this and we will acquiesce, and will be glorified by the Majesty of our
Fellow Servants, though we lose our God. But if all that the
Father has belongs likewise to the Son, except Causality; and all that
is the Son’s belongs also to the Spirit, except His Sonship, and
whatsoever is spoken of Him as to Incarnation for me a man, and for my
salvation, that, taking of mine, He may impart His own by this new
commingling; then cease your babbling, though so late, O ye sophists of
vain talk that falls at once to the ground; for why will ye die O House
of Israel? Ezek. xviii. 31.—if I may
mourn for you in the words of Scripture.