NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

Against those who say that the Holy Ghost is not to be numbered with, but numbered under,the Father and the Son. Wherein moreover there is a summary notice of the faith concerningright sub-numeration.the subdivisions are of the same essence as that from which they have been divided. Thevery obviousness of the absurdity makes it difficult for us to find arguments to confute theirunreasonableness; so that really their folly looks like an advantage to them; just as soft andyielding bodies offer no resistance, and therefore cannot be struck a stout blow. It is impossibleto bring a vigorous confutation to bear on a palpable absurdity. The only courseopen to us is to pass by their abominable impiety in silence. Yet our love for the brethrenand the importunity of our opponents makes silence impossible.42. What is it that they maintain? Look at the terms of their imposture. “We assertthat connumeration is appropriate to subjects of equal dignity, and sub-numeration to thosewhich vary in the direction of inferiority.” “Why,” I rejoined, “do you say this? I fail tounderstand your extraordinary wisdom. Do you mean that gold is numbered with gold,and that lead is unworthy of the connumeration, but, because of the cheapness of the material,is subnumerated to gold? And do you attribute so much importance to number as thatit can either exalt the value of what is cheap, or destroy the dignity of what is valuable?Therefore, again, you will number gold under precious stones, and such precious stones asare smaller and without lustre under those which are larger and brighter in colour. Butwhat will not be said by men who spend their time in nothing else but either ‘to tell or tohear some new thing’? 1080 Let these supporters of impiety be classed for the future withStoics and Epicureans. What sub-numeration is even possible of things less valuable in relationto things very valuable? How is a brass obol to be numbered under a golden stater?“Because,” they reply, “we do not speak of possessing two coins, but one and one.” Butwhich of these is subnumerated to the other? Each is similarly mentioned. If then younumber each by itself, you cause an equality of value by numbering them in the same waybut, if you join them, you make their value one by numbering them one with the other. Butif the sub-numeration belongs to the one which is numbered second, then it is in the powerof the counter to begin by counting the brass coin. Let us, however, pass over the confutationof their ignorance, and turn our argument to the main topic.43. Do you maintain that the Son is numbered under the Father, and the Spirit underthe Son, or do you confine your sub-numeration to the Spirit alone? If, on the other hand,you apply this sub-numeration also to the Son, you revive what is the same impious doctrine,the unlikeness of the substance, the lowliness of rank, the coming into being in later time,and once for all, by this one term, you will plainly again set circling all the blasphemiesagainst the Only-begotten. To controvert these blasphemies would be a longer task thanmy present purpose admits of; and I am the less bound to undertake it because the impietyhas been refuted elsewhere to the best of my ability. 1081 If on the other hand they suppose271080 Acts xvii. 21.1081 i.e. in the second book of his work against Eunomius.197