Chapter XIII.
To those who object that Catholics, when they ascribe
Godhead to the Holy Spirit, introduce three Gods, it is answered, that
by the same argument they themselves bring in two Gods, unless they
deny Godhead to the Son; after which the orthodox doctrine is set
forth.
92.
But
what do you
fear? Is it that which you have been accustomed to carp at? lest
you should make three Gods. God forbid; for where the Godhead is
understood as one, one God is spoken of. For neither when we call
the Son God do we say there are two Gods. For if, when you
confess the Godhead of the Spirit, you think that three Gods are spoken
of, then, too, when you speak of the Godhead of the Son because you are
not able to deny it, you bring in two Gods. For it is necessary
according to your opinion, if you think that God is the name of one
person, not of one nature, that you either say that there are two Gods,
or deny that the Son is God.
93. But let us free you from the charge of
ignorance, though we do not excuse you from fault. For according
to our opinion, because there is one God, one Godhead and oneness of
power is understood. For as we say that there is one God,
confessing the Father, and not denying the Son under the true Name of
the Godhead; so, too, we exclude not the Holy Spirit from the Unity of
the Godhead, and do not assert but deny that there are three Gods,
because it is not unity but a division of power which makes
plurality. For how can the Unity of the Godhead admit of
plurality, seeing that plurality is of numbers, but the Divine Nature
does not admit numbers?