-05 Chapter 5. Of the Subsistence of God.

1-05 Chapter 5. Of the Subsistence of God.

1. The subsistence46 of God is that one Essence, as it exists with its Personal properties.
2. The same essence is common to three subsistences; and as touching the Deity, every subsistence is of itself.47
3. Moreover, nothing is attributed to the Essence, which may not be attributed to every subsistence in regard to the Essence of it.
4. But those things that are attributed properly to every subsistence, in regard to its [own] subsistence, cannot be attributed to the Essence.48
5. The subsistences are distinguished from the Essence, as the manners of subsisting growing together49 with the same Essence, are distinguished from the same, absolutely considered.
6. They are distinguished among themselves as Relatives, by certain relative properties; so as one cannot be another; yet they are together in nature; nor can they be said to be former or latter, except in the order of beginning,50 and in the manner of subsisting.
7. But seeing those relative properties are, as it were, individuating51 in an Essence that lives spiritually and most perfectly, therefore those subsistences are rightly called persons.
8. Now these properties are not inherent qualities, but relative affections, to which agrees all that perfection which is found in the like affections of the Creature; but no imperfection in the Creature agrees to them.
9. Hence it is that a relative property in God makes or infers a person, which in the Creatures does not have the same reason.
10. Those subsistences are either breathing, as Father and Son breathe; or they are breathed, as the Holy Spirit is breathed.
11. To breathe, or send forth, is a relation — not such that by itself it can make a person — but it is common to two persons.
12. The relative property of the Father is to beget. Psalms 2:7, You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. John 3:16, the only begotten Son. Hebrews 1:6, The first begotten. Hence the Father is the first in Order.
13. The relative property of the Son is to be begotten; that is, to so proceed from the Father, that he is partaker of the same Essence, and perfectly resembles his nature; and hence he is the second in order. Hebrews 1:3, The brightness of his glory, and the Character [or image] of his Person.
14. The property of the Holy Spirit is to be breathed, or sent forth, and he proceeds from the Father, and the Son. John 15:26, Whom I will send to you from the Father, that Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father. Romans 8:9, The Spirit of Christ. Galatians 4:6, The Spirit of the Son.
15. The difference between being begotten, which agrees to the Son, and proceeding, which is proper to the Holy Spirit, cannot be explained by us in proper words — except that the Son proceeds from the Father alone, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, making one relative together, or making together one relation.
16. Yet, in part, it may be shadowed in a similitude; namely the Father is as it were, Deus intelligens, God understanding. The Son, the express image of the Father, is as it were Deus intellectus, God understood. The Holy Spirit, flowing and breathed from the Father by the Son, is as it were Deus dilectus, God beloved.
The Son is produced, as it were, by an act of understanding or speaking, from the understanding or fruitful memory of the Father; the Holy Spirit is produced by an act of loving or breathing from the fruitful will of the Father and the Son. Hence the Son is called the Word, Wisdom, Image, which are not affirmed of the Holy Spirit. But because in the Creatures there is found the generation of a son, but there is nothing found which so immediately proceeds from two equally perfect (as the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son), the procession52 of the Son is therefore properly designed, noted, or set down in Scripture; but there is neither a special manner of proceeding, nor a special name absolutely proper, given to the Third Person. For it is truly said of the Father and the Son, that they are spirits, and holy; and the Son also proceeds from the Father by spiritual generation.
17. The proper name of God, with his proper titles, is given in Scripture, not only to the Father, but also to the Son. Jeremiah 23:6, Jehovah our righteousness. John 1:1, The Word was God. Romans 9:5, God blessed forever. 1 Timothy 3:16, God manifest in the flesh. Revelation 17:14, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. It is also given to the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:3-4, that you should lie to the Holy Spirit, you have lied to God. Acts 28:25 with Isaiah 6:9, Jehovah said, the Holy Spirit spoke . 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16, the Temple of the Spirit; the Temple of God.
18. Divine attributes are affirmed not only of the Father, but also of the Son. Isaiah 9:6, The most mighty God, Father of eternity. John 2:25, He knew what was in man, and John 3:13, The son of man is in Heaven; and John 8:58, Before Abraham was, I am. In the same way, also of the Holy Spirit: Psalms 139:7, Where shall I fly from your Spirit? 1 Corinthians 2:10, The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. Hebrews 9:14, the eternal Spirit.
19. The proper operations of God are attributed not only to the Father, but also to the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ELECTION is attributed to the Son: Matthew 24:31, His elect. And the eternal COUNSEL of God is attributed to the Holy Spirit: Isaiah 40:13, Who has weighed the Spirit of the Lord as the man of his counsel. CREATION is attributed to the son: John 1:3. All things were made by him, and without him, nothing was made that was made. Also it is attributed to the Holy Spirit: Psalms 33:6, By the Word of the Lord the Heavens were made, and all their strength by the breath of his mouth. Upholding and GOVERNING created things is attributed to the Son: Hebrews 1:3, Who upholds all things by his mighty Word. Also they are attributed to the Holy Spirit: Genesis 1:2, The Spirit moved upon the face of the waters; Zechariah 4:6, By my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts. Proper power to do MIRACLES is given to the Son: Acts 4:10, Through the name of Jesus Christ, he stands before you whole, etc.; Acts 9:34, Jesus Christ heals you. It’s also given to the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:4, They began to speak with tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Communicating spiritual life, and all grace in vocation, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification, is everywhere give to the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as well as to the Father; the ordaining, sending, and blessing of Ecclesiastical Ministry is given to the Son: Ephesians 4:8; Ephesians 4:11, He gave gifts, ...he gave some Apostles, etc. And to the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:11, One and the same Spirit works all these; Acts 20:28, The Holy Spirit has made you overseers. The very RESURRECTION of the flesh is ascribed to the Son, as the author. John 6:54, I will raise him up. Also to the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:11, He shall raise up your bodies by his Spirit dwelling in you.
20. Divine HONOUR also, and WORSHIP, is given not only to the Father, but also to the Son: Hebrews 1:6, Let all the Angels of God worship him. And to the Holy Spirit, when his Name together with the Father and the Son, is appointed to be called upon over the Baptised: Matthew 28:19, In the name of the Father, and the Son, and Holy Spirit. In the same manner, the Son and Spirit are called upon in that solemn form of salutation: 2 Corinthians 13:13, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of the Father, and the communication of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. And whatever pertains to worship is referred to Christ as well as to the Holy Spirit, in that the true worshippers of God, as they are such, are called Temples not only of God the Father, but also of Christ: Revelation 21:22, The Lord God Almighty is her Temple, and the Lamb. 1 Corinthians 3:16, Do you not know that you are the Temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you? And 1 Corinthians 6:19, Do you not know that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you?
21. Finally, that AUTHORITY and MAJESTY which is proper to God, is given to the Son and the Spirit: 1 Corinthians 2:8, The Lord of glory; 1 Peter 4:14, that Spirit of glory. All holy prophecy is attributed to Christ and the Holy Spirit: 1 Peter 3:19, Christ by his Spirit went and preached to the spirits that are in prison; 2 Peter 1:21, Holy men spoke being moved by the Holy Spirit; Acts 28:25, The Holy Spirit spoke by Isaiah the Prophet.
22. Now, in all these the Holy Spirit is propounded to us as a person subsisting, as manifestly appears by this: that life, understanding, will, and power are given to him everywhere, together with all those acts which are proper to a person.
23. Also the Spirit’s distinction from the Father and the Son is clearly taught when he is called another, or he is sent, as coming from the Father and the Son, John 14:1-31.
24. Hence, God as the object of our Faith, is in every way sufficient to impart salvation to us. For all love, grace, and the communication of those things which pertain to living well, flow from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 13:14.53