from him, set apart and distinct? How, then, can any sound analogy be founded on such a claim, or any religion be validly constructed upon it? One moment you say “united,” the next you say “separate.” As for the comparison you offered with the sun, we have already demonstrated the worthlessness of that proof and that the analogy you cling to is no analogy at all.

Moreover, we have found you saying, in explanation of the Trinity, that what led you to it is the statement you relate Matthew the disciple to have recorded in the Gospel from the Messiah—peace be upon him—when he said to his disciples: “Go forth into the lands and baptize the people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” You pondered these words with your intellects and concluded that once the origination of the universe was established, you knew it must have an originator. You therefore imagined Him as an existent being, then imagined Him living, then rational—for every thing is either living or non-living, and every living being is either rational or non-rational.

From this you inferred that He is a living, rational entity, and so you affirmed for Him life and speech distinct from Him in person while identical to Him in essence.

We say to you regarding this: If the living being possesses life and speech, then tell us—do you hold that He is powerful and mighty, or helpless and abased? If you reply, “Rather, He is powerful and mighty,” we say: then affirm for Him power and might just as you have affirmed for Him life and wisdom.