Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

3. But of course this is not the real cause of our separation. It was when they found
that they would recommend themselves to Euzoius 2920 if they were alienated from me, that
they devised these pretences. The object was to find some ground of recommendation with
the authorities for their attack upon me. Now they are beginning to run down even the
Nicene Creed, and nickname me Homoousiast, because in that creed the Only begotten Son
is said to be homoousios with God the Father. Not that one essence is divided into two
kindred parts; God forbid! This was not the meaning of that holy and God-beloved synod;
their meaning was that what the Father is in essence, such is the Son. And thus they themselves
have explained it to us, in the phrase Light of Light. Now it is the Nicene Creed,
brought by themselves from the west, which they presented to the Synod at Tyana, by which
they were received. 2921 But they have an ingenious theory as to changes of this kind; they
use the words of the creed as physicians use a remedy for the particular moment, and substitute
now one and now another to suit particular diseases. The unsoundness of such a
sophism it is rather for you to consider than for me to prove. For “the Lord will give you
understanding” 2922 to know what is the right doctrine, and what the crooked and perverse.
If indeed we are to subscribe one creed to-day and another tomorrow, and shift with the
seasons, then is the declaration false of him who said, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” 2923
But if it is true, then “Let no man deceive you with [these] vain words.” They falsely accuse
me of introducing novelties about the Holy Spirit. Ask what the novelty is. I confess what
I have received, that the Paraclete is ranked with Father and Son, and not numbered with
created beings. We have made profession of our faith in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and
we are baptized in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Wherefore we never separate
the Spirit from conjunction 2924 with the Father and the Son. For our mind, enlightened by
the Spirit, looks at the Son, and in Him, as in an image, beholds the Father. And I do not
invent names of myself, but call the Holy Ghost Paraclete; nor do I consent to destroy His
due glory. These are truly my doctrines. If any one wishes to accuse me for them, let him
accuse me; let my persecutor persecute me. Let him who believes in the slanders against
me be ready for the judgment. “The Lord is at hand.” “I am careful for nothing.” 2925
4. If any one in Syria is writing, this is nothing to me. For it is said “By thy words thou
shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” 2926 Let my own words judge
2920 cf. note on p. 265.
2921 i.e. after their return from Rome, and another Synod in Sicily, in 367.
2922 2 Tim. ii. 7.
2923 Eph. iv. 5.
2924 συνάφεια. cf. note on p. 16.
2925 Phil. iv. 5 and 6.
2926 Matt. xii. 37.
To the ascetics under him.
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