VI. They who reduce the Holy Spirit to the
rank of a creature are blasphemers and wicked servants, and worst of
the wicked. For it is the part of wicked servants to despise
Lordship, and to rebel against dominion, and to make That which is free
their fellow-servant. But they who deem Him God are inspired by
God S. Gregory here
commends the practice of reserve in respect of the Deity of the Holy
Ghost. To believe it is necessary to salvation, he would
say; but in view of the prevailing ignorance it is well to be careful
before whom we give Him the Name of God. But he demands that his
hearers should give to the Holy Ghost all the Attributes of Godhead,
and should bear with those who, like himself, gave Him also the Name,
as he prays that they all may have grace to do
(Bénoît). and are illustrious in their mind; and they
who go further and call Him so, if to well disposed hearers are
exalted; if to the low, are not reserved enough, for they commit pearls
to clay, and the noise of thunder to weak ears, and the sun to feeble
eyes, and solid food to those who are still using milk; Heb. v. 12. whereas they ought to lead them little by
little up to what lies beyond them, and to bring them up to the higher
truth; adding light to light, and supplying truth upon truth.
Therefore we will leave the more mature discourse, for which the time
has not yet come, and will speak with them as follows.