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Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching
St Irenaeus of Lyons, tr. Robinson, 1920
Chapter 7
And for this reason the baptism of our regeneration proceeds through these three points: God the Father bestowing on us regeneration through His Son by the Holy Spirit. For as many as carry (in them) the Spirit of God1 are led to the Word, that is to the Son; and the Son brings them to the Father; and the Father causes them to possess incorruption.2 Without the Spirit it is not possible to behold the Word of God, nor without the Son can any draw near to the Father: for the knowledge of the Father is the Son,3 and the knowledge of the Son of God is through the Holy Spirit; and, according to the good pleasure of the Father, the Son ministers and dispenses4 the Spirit to whomsoever the Father wills and as He wills.
Notes
- IV, xxv. 2: “assuescens hominem portare ejus Spiritum;” xxxiv. 6: “qui portant Spiritum ejus.”
- IV, xxxiv. 5: “Spiritu quidem praeparante hominem in Filium Dei, Filio autem adducente ad Patrem, Patre autem incorruptelam donante;” V, xxxvi. 2: “per Spiritum quidem ad Filium, per Filium autem ascendere ad Patrem.”
- IV, xi. 5: “Agnitio enim Patris Filius.”
- Lit. “ministerially dispenses.” Cf. V, xviii. 1: “Verbum . . . praestat Spiritum omnibus quemadmodum vult Pater.”