Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/231

Rh father is seated on high, with the son at his right hand, and that by them is sent forth the holy ghost, to enlighten, instruct, justify and sanctify mankind. But instantly a voice was heard from heaven, saying, We cannot endure an idea formed on such a conception; who doth not know that Jehovah God is omnipresent? And whosoever knoweth and acknowledged this truth, may also acknowledge that it is he who enlighteneth, instructeth, sanctifieth, and justifieth, and not a mediating God distinct from him; much less is it a third God proceeding from two others, as a person from a person; wherefore let the former idea, which is vain and frivolous, be removed, and let this, which is just and right, be received, and then you will see clearly. But immediately a voice was heard from the Roman catholics, who stood near the altar, saying, What then is the holy ghost, mentioned in the writings of the Evangelists, and Paul, by whom so many learned men amongst the clergy, and particularly of our own church, profess themselves to be guided? What person in Christendom at this day denieth the holy ghost, and his operations? Upon this, one who sat on the second row of seats, turned towards the altar, and said, Ye insist that the holy ghost is a distinct person of himself, and a distinct God of himself; but what is a person coming forth, and proceeding from a person, except the operation which cometh forth, and proceedeth? One person cannot come forth and proceed from another, but operation can; or what is a God, coming forth, and proceeding from a God, but the divine which cometh forth, and proceedeth? One God cannot come forth and proceed from another, and by another, but what is divine may come forth, and proceed from one God. On hearing these words they that sat on the seats unanimously agreed in this conclusion, that the holy ghost is not a distinct person of