3

But when you contemplate these things, see that you do not think

yourself able to understand the incomprehensible. For you have still in

these six stages to consider what most strongly leads our mind's eye into

the stupor of wonder. For there [in the Trinity] is the greatest

communicability with individuality of the persons, the greatest

consubstantiality with plurality of the hypostases, the greatest

configurability with distinct personality, the greatest co-equality with

order, the greatest co-eternity with emanation, the greatest mutual

intimacy with mission. Who in the face of such great marvels would not

start in wonder? But we understand with greatest certitude that all these

exist in the most Blessed Trinity if we raise our eyes to the goodness that

excels all goodness. For if there is the greatest communication and true

diffusion, there is also true origin and true distinction. And because the

whole and not the part is communicated, therefore it is itself given as a

whole and not as a part. Therefore the one emanating and the one producing

are distinguished by their properties, and yet arc essentially one. Since,

then, they are distinguished by their properties, therefore they have

personal properties and a plurality of hypostases and an emanation of

origin and an order which is not of posteriority but of origin, and a

mission not of local change but of free spiration, because of the authority

of the producer which every sender has in respect to that which is sent.

Because they are substantially one, therefore it must be true that there is

unity in essence and in form, In dignity and in eternity, in existence and

inimitability While therefore you consider these things one by one in

themselves, you have a reason for contemplating the truth ; when you

compare them with one another, you have the wherewithal to hover in highest

wonder; and therefore, that your mind may ascend in wonder to wonderful

contemplation these things should be considered all together.