From the Book on the Faith by S. Fulgentius, Bishop, to Peter

 

 

THE Faith which the holy Patriarchs and Prophets received before the Incarnation of the Divine Son of God, which the holy Apostles also heard from the same Lord clothed in flesh, the Faith which the holy Apostles were instructed by their Divine teacher, the Holy Spirit, not only to preach verbally, but also to leave in writing for the saving instruction of those who should come after them; this Faith proclaims one God in Trinity, that is, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

BUT there would not be a true Trinity if one and the same Person were called Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost. For if, just as the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one Substance, they were likewise one Person, then in no wise could it be called a true Trinity. Then again it could be called a Trinity, but could not be said to be one God, if, in the same way that the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are each distinct as to their difference of Person, so they were also unlike as regards diversity of nature.

NONE is in any way without the others: for none came before the others in eternity, nor was greater in majesty, nor mightier in power. As concerning the Unity of the Divine Nature, the Father is neither greater nor before the Son; neither is it possible for the eternity and immensity of the Son to be either greater or before the eternity and immensity of the Holy Ghost, or to precede or to exceed it.