A Declaration of Faith

Part I.—Acknowledged Writings.

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A Declaration of Faith. The title as it stands has this addition: “which he had by revelation from the blessed John the evangelist, by the mediation of the Virgin Mary, Parent of God.” Gallandi, Veterum Patrum Biblioth., Venice, 1766, p. 385. [Elucidation, p. 8, infra.]

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There is one God, the Father of the living Word, who is His subsistent Wisdom and Power and Eternal Image:[1] perfect Begetter of the perfect Begotten, Father of the only-begotten Son. There is one Lord, Only of the Only,[2] God of God, Image and Likeness of Deity, Efficient Word,[3] Wisdom comprehensive[4] of the constitution of all things, and Power formative[5] of the whole creation, true Son of true Father, Invisible of Invisible, and Incorruptible of Incorruptible, and Immortal of Immortal and Eternal of Eternal.[6] And there is One Holy Spirit, having His subsistence[7] from God, and being made manifest[8] by the Son, to wit to men:[9] Image[10] of the Son, Perfect Image of the Perfect;[11] Life, the Cause of the living; Holy Fount; Sanctity, the Supplier, or Leader,[12] of Sanctification; in whom is manifested God the Father, who is above all and in all, and God the Son, who is through all. There is a perfect Trinity, in glory and eternity and sovereignty, neither divided nor estranged.[13] Wherefore there is nothing either created or in servitude[14] in the Trinity;[15] nor anything superinduced,[16] as if at some former period it was non-existent, and at some later period it was introduced. And thus neither was the Son ever wanting to the Father, nor the Spirit to the Son;[17] but without variation and without change, the same Trinity abideth ever.[18]