III. That the Holy Ghost is equal with the Father and the Son the following arguments do most conclusively prove.

1. There is communicated to him the essence of the Father and the Son; because he proceeded from both, and is the Spirit of both. But the essence of God includes everything that is in him; and inasmuch as this is indivisible it must necessarily be communicated to him entire, and the same as it is in the Father and the Son; for just as the spirit which is in man, is of the essence of man, so the Spirit which is in God is of the essence of God. Hence we readily perceive what we are to understand by the procession of the Holy Ghost; it is the communication of the divine essence, by which the third person of the Godhead received from the Father and the Son, as of him whose Spirit he is, the same and entire essence which they possess and retain; just as the generation of the Son is the communication of the divine essence, by which the second person of the Godhead received, as the Son from the Father, the same, and entire essence which the Father has and retains.

That the Holy Ghost proceeded from the Son also is established by these considerations. First, because he is also called the Spirit of the Son. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his.” “God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Rom. 8:9. Gal. 4:6.) He is called the Spirit of the Son, not because he is given to him of the Father; but because he proceeds from the essence of the Father and Son alike, inasmuch as the Son is equal and consubstantial with the Father. Secondly, because the Son gives him in connection with the Father. “Whom I will send unto you from the Father.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” (John 15:16; 20:22.) Thirdly, because the Holy Ghost receives the wisdom of the Son which he reveals unto us. “He shall receive of mine and shew it unto you. 7 (John 16 : 14.) Inasmuch now as the Holy Ghost is very God, consubstantial with the Father and the Son, as we shall presently show, he cannot receive anything except of him of whose substance he is. Hence he proceeded also from the substance of the Son.

2. That the Holy Ghost is equal with the Father and the Son is proven from the fact that all the attributes of the divine essence are attributed to him. Thus eternity is ascribed to him; because he existed at the creation of all things, and because God never has been without his Spirit. “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Gen. 1:2.) So of immensity; because he dwells in all the children of God. “The Spirit of God dwelleth in you.” (1 Cor. 8:16.) So of omnipotence; because he created and preserves all things in connection with the Father and the Son. “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” “All these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (Ps. 83:6. 1 Cor. 12:11.) So of omniscience: “The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Cor. 2:10.) So the Scriptures ascribe to the Holy Ghost immense goodness and holiness, and the production of the same in creatures. “Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” “But ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (Ps. 143:10. 1 Cor. 6:11.) The same may be said of the attribute of immutability : “This Scripture must needs have been fulfilled which the Holy Ghost spake.” (Acts 1:16.) So the Holy Ghost is said to possess the attribute of truth, yea, to be the fountain of truth. “When the Comforter is come, even the Spirit of truth. “The Spirit is Truth.” (John 15:26. 1 John 5:6.) Unspeakable goodness is attributed to the Holy Ghost: “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us.” “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities.” (Rom. 5:5; 8:26.)

The same is true of displeasure against sin. “They rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit.” “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed.” “How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord.” “The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” (Is. 63:10. Ep. 4:30. Acts 5:9. Matt. 12:31.)

3. The same divine works which are attributed to the Father and the Son are also ascribed to the Holy Ghost: such as the creation, the preservation and government of the whole world. “By his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens.” “The Spirit of God hath made me.” (Job 26:13; 33:4.) So miracles are ascribed to the Holy Ghost: “I cast out devils by the Spirit of God.” “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (Matt. 12:28. 1 Cor. 12:4.) The same is true of those works which belong to the salvation of the Church: such as the calling and sending of prophets; “The Lord God and his Spirit hath sent me.” “Separate me Barnabas and Saul.” “Take heed to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.” (Is. 48:6. Acts 13:2; 20:28.) The Holy Ghost confers upon the ministry the gifts which they need for a proper discharge of their duties: “The Holy Ghost shall teach you what ye ought to say.” “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (Luke 12:12. 1 Cor. 12:7.) The Holy Ghost inspired the Prophets and Apostles: “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Pet. 1:21.) The institution of the sacraments is referred to the Holy Ghost: “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” “The Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as yet,” &c. (Matt. 28:19. Heb. 9:8.) The prediction, or the revealing of things to come, is ascribed to the Holy Ghost: “He will shew you things to come.” “Agabus signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth,” &c. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith,” &c. (John 16:13. Acts 11:28. 1 Tim. 4:1.) The Holy Ghost gathers the Church: “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit:” “By one Spirit are all baptized into one body.” (Eph. 2:22. 1 Cor. 12:13.) The Holy Ghost illuminates the mind: “He shall teach you all things.” “He will guide you into all truth.”

“God gave unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” (John 14:26; 16:13. Eph. 1:17.) The Holy Ghost is the author of regeneration and sanctification : “Except a man be born of the water and the Spirit. “We are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (John 3:5. 2 Cor. 3:18.) The Holy Ghost governs and controls the lives and actions of the godly; “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” “They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.” (Rom. 8:14. Acts 16:6.) It is the Holy Ghost that comforts in times of temptation: “But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom,” &c. “The churches were edified; and walking in the comfort of the Holy Ghost were multiplied.” “I will pour upon the house of David the Spirit of grace and supplication.” (John 14:26. Acts 9:31. Zech. 12:10.) The Holy Ghost strengthens and preserves the godly even to the end against the power of temptation: “The Spirit of might shall rest upon him.” “He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” “In whom ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” (Is. 11:2. John 14:16. Eph. 1:13.) The Holy Ghost pardons sin, and adopts us in the family of God: “Ye have received the Spirit of adoption.” “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” “Ye are sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (Rom. 8:15. 2 Cor. 3:17. 1 Cor. 6:11.) The Holy Ghost bestows life, and eternal salvation : “It is the Spirit that quickeneth.” “If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (John 6:63. Rom. 8:11.) The Holy Ghost also passes judgment upon sin: “When he is come he will reprove the world of sin.” “The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” (John 16:8. Matt. 12:31.)

4. The Scriptures ascribe the same and equal honor to the Holy Ghost, which they do to the Father and the Son. But divine honor and worship can be attributed to no one but to God alone. Hence the Holy Ghost must be equal with the other persons of the God-head. “There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7.) From this it is plainly evident that the Holy Ghost is the same true God with the Father and the Son, as is also proven by the following declaration, “Go, teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;” (Matt. 28:19,) from which we are taught that we are baptized in the name, faith, worship and religion of the Holy Ghost equally with the Father and the Son; and that the Holy Ghost is also the author of baptism and the ministry. So we are also to believe in the Holy Ghost and to put our trust in him: “Let not your heart be troubled:” “I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you forever.” (John 14:16.) The sin against the Holy Ghost is not forgiven: therefore sin is committed against him. We are his temples: “Ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.” (1 Cor. 3:16.) The Apostles in their epistles to the different churches wished them grace and peace from the Holy Ghost: “The communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all.” (2 Cor. 13 : 14.)

Obj. He who receives from another is not equal with him who gives. The Holy Ghost receives from the Father and the Son. Therefore he is not equal with them. Ans. The major proposition is true only in case one receives from another a part, and not the whole, or in case he receives successively which is not true as applied to the Holy Ghost. And as to the second proposition of the above syllogism, that the Holy Ghost received of the Father and the Son his ordination and mission to us, that he might instruct us immediately, it rather establishes his equality inasmuch as teaching in this form is a divine work.
Obj. 2. He that is sent is not equal to him who sends. The Holy Ghost is sent of the Father and the Son. Therefore he is not equal with them. Ans. The first proposition is false, if understood generally; because he that is sent may be equal with him that sends. Christ was sent of the Father, and is nevertheless equal with the Father. It is therefore correctly said by Cyril, “That to be sent, and to yield obedience, do not take away equality”