Skip to main content
Orthodox Knowledge
A
The Commonitorium (Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies)Appendix I. Note on Section 41, Page 143

Main text

The Commonitorium (Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies) · Saint Vincent of Lérins

Note on Section 41, Page 143.

Comm 34.1.1

There is so close an agreement, both in substance and often in the form of expression, between the preceding sections (36–42) and the so-called Athanasian Creed, that it led Antelmi (Nova de Symb. Athanas. Disquisitio,) to ascribe that document to Vincentius as its author, and to suppose that in it we have the fulfilment of the promise here referred to. If, however, the Creed was the work of Vincentius, it cannot well be the work promised at the close of § 41, for Vincentius’s words point to a fuller and more explicit treatment of the subjects referred to, whereas in the Athanasian Creed, though the subjects are the same, the treatment of them is very much briefer and more concise.

Comm 34.1.2

Whoever was the author however, if it was not Vincentius, he must at least, as the subjoined extracts seem to prove, have been familiar with the Commonitory, as also with St. Augustine’s writings, of which, as well as of the Commonitory, the Creed bears evident traces. I subjoin the following instances of agreement between the Commonitory and the Creed: Antelmi gives several others.

Comm 34.1.3

Commonitory:

Comm 34.1.4

Athanasian Creed:

Comm 34.1.5

Unum Christum Jesum, non duos, eumdemque Deum pariter atque Hominem confitetur. § 36.

Comm 34.1.6

Est ergo Fides recta, ut credamus et confiteamur, quia Dominus noster Jesus Christus, Dei Filius, Deus pariter et Homo est. v. 28.

Comm 34.1.7

Alia est Persona Patris, alia Filii, alia Spiritus Sancti. § 37.

Comm 34.1.8

Alia est Persona Patris, alia Filii, alia Spiritus Sancti. v. 5.

Comm 34.1.9

Unus idemque Christus, Deus et Homo, Idem Patri et æqualis et minor, Idem ex Patre ante sæcula genitus, Idem in sæculo ex Matre generatus, perfectus Deus, perfectus Homo. § 37.

Comm 34.1.10

Deus ex substantia Patris, ante sæcula genitus, Homo ex substantia Matris, in sæculo natus; perfectus Deus perfectus Homo. vv. 29, 30.

Comm 34.1.11

Unus, non corruptibili nescio qua Divinitatis et Humanitatis confusione, sed integra et singulari quadam unitate Personæ. § 37.

Comm 34.1.12

Unus omnino, non conversione sustantiæ, sed unitate Personæ. v. 34.

Comm 34.1.13

Sicut Verbum in carne caro, ita Homo in Deo Deus est. § 40.

Comm 34.1.14

Unus, non conversione Divinitatis in carne, sed Adsumptione Humanitatis in Deo. v. 33.

Comm 34.1.15