1. The Jew. There is but One God.
2. The Ebionite. Then Christ is but a Man divinely endowed—the only man so divinely endowed.
3. St John. No! He is the Word. By Him all things were made; the Word was God and was made flesh.
4. The Sabellian. Then perhaps,—God being One and being made flesh,—the Word, and the Holy Ghost, are but manifestations of God.
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5. The Catholick Church. No! They are Persons. A Father and a Son are different persons.
6. The Arian. Then, if the Father is a real father, and the Son a real son, perhaps the Father was before the Son, and the Son was made.
7. The Catholick Church. This will not do; because the Sonship would not be real sonship unless the Godhead were equal. The Godhead of the Son must be the same Godhead as that of the Father.
8. Macedonius. But at any rate the Holy Ghost may be a creature, or a manifestation of God the Father.
9. The Catholick Church. That will not do either; for His Personal Being and Godhead are implied by some verses; and in various passages He is ranked with the Father and the Son.