As for the third argument raised above, namely common opinion, it can prevail here in neither case. Nowhere in the whole of Holy Scripture are we commanded always to adhere and assent to it. Rather, God the Lord commands Moses in Exodus 23: “You shall not follow the multitude to do evil,” and so forth. Likewise Paul, the great teacher of the Gentiles, admonishes us to test everything and retain what is good. The familiar saying is also well known: “A multitude of people in error affords no defence to error.”

I may also appeal to the Emperor Justinian’s injunction in the first law, at the paragraph beginning Sed neque ex multitudine, of the Code’s title on elucidating the old law: “Do not judge what is better and more equitable by the multitude of authors, since the opinion of one, perhaps even an inferior one, may in some respect surpass many and greater authorities,” and so forth. Opinions, therefore, must be weighed, not counted. From all this I conclude once and for all that the great spirit which hovered upon the water in creation, and still hovers there, is created and is not God the Holy Spirit. I add this confession: I believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, from whom, in whom, and through whom are all things. To this triune God be praise, honour, and glory, and power and might, from eternity to eternity. Amen! End of the First Part.