Athanasian Creed (Harley) n. 74

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74. It is said that there is one substance or essence when yet there is specific difference, because the attribute in the specific case belongs more to one than to another. Consider whether this is not so when you speak of the Father as Creator, the Son as Redeemer, the Holy Spirit as Enlightener. Does not the thought then attribute to one something which it does not attribute to another except in a general way? Then, let it be considered whether their being one, or one substance means that the work of creation proceeds from the Father to the Son, and from the Son to the Holy Spirit, and so on in succession. Indeed, can there be formed the idea of the work of creation proceeding reciprocally from the Holy Spirit to the Son and from the Son to the Father? This is contrary to the notion conveyed by the expression "to proceed". Yet as there is one substance for the three, there will also be the idea of reciprocal proceeding which is not possible, otherwise there are three substances, etc.


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