, the Latin Church was obliged to render it by some other word, and thus introduced that most unhappy and improper term
persona
. Would you know my own inward judgment on this question, it is this: first, that this pregnant idea, the root and form of all ideas, is not within the sphere of conceptual logic, — that is, of the understanding, — and is therefore of necessity inexpressible; for no idea can be adequately represented in words: — secondly, that I agree with Bull and Waterland against Bishop Taylor, that there was need of a public and solemn decision on this point: — but, lastly, that I am more than doubtful respecting the fitness or expediency of the term
, and hold that the decision ought to have been negative. For at first all parties agreed in the positive point, namely, that Christ was the Son of God, and that the Son of God was truly God, "or very God of very God." All that was necessary to be added was, that the only begotten Son of God was not created nor begotten in time. More than this might be possible, and subject of insight; but it was not determinable by words, and was therefore to be left among the rewards of the Spirit to the pure in heart in inward vision and silent contemplation.
Ib.
s. xl. p. 495.
All that is necessary to give a full and satisfactory import to this excellent paragraph, and to secure it from all inconvenient consequences, is to understand the distinction between the objective and general revelation, by which the whole Church is walled around and kept together (
principium totalitatis et cohæsionis