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Paulinus wrote these things not remembering the teaching of the Gospel but conceding that some were inspired in this way by themselves, and that others were led to this position by the readings of the aforementioned men.  Then in the end, as if supplying some grand conclusion, he added the words of Origen to his own letter, as if Origin had more powers of persuasion than the evangelists and apostles do.  These are the words he added:  “It is time to resume [the issues] concerning the Father and Son and Holy Spirit, and to go through a couple things which were once neglected.  Now, concerning the Father, he exists inseparably and indivisibly from the Son, but not as one bringing him forth, as some are minded to think.  For if the Son is an extension of the Father and his offspring, in the same way living things produce offspring, it is necessary for the one bringing forth (i.e. the Father) and the one having been brought forth (i.e. the Son) to have a body.

Translated by PSAM

Last updated: 12-6-2010