II. Now the subject of the Holy Spirit
presents a special difficulty, not only because when these men have
become weary in their disputations concerning the Son, they struggle
with greater heat against the Spirit (for it seems to be absolutely
necessary for them to have some object on which to give expression to
their impiety, or life would appear to them no longer worth living),
but further because we ourselves also, being worn out by the multitude
of their questions, are in something of the same condition with men who
have lost their appetite; who having taken a dislike to some particular
kind of food, shrink from all food; so we in like manner have an
aversion from all discussions. Yet may the Spirit grant it to us,
and then the discourse will proceed, and God will be glorified.
Well then, we will leave to others E.g. S. Basil and S.
Gregory of Nyssa. who have
worked upon this subject for us as well as for themselves, as we have
worked upon it for them, the task of examining carefully and
distinguishing in how many senses the word Spirit or the word Holy is
used and understood in Holy Scripture, with the evidence suitable to
such an enquiry; and of shewing how besides these the combination of
the two words—I mean, Holy Spirit—is used in a peculiar
sense; but we will apply ourselves to the remainder of the
subject.