Chapter 2 — Order of topics concerning faith

Faith is a certain foretaste of that knowledge which is to make us happy in the life to come. The Apostle says, in Hebrews 11:1, that faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, as though implying that faith is already, in some preliminary way, making in us the things that are to be hoped for (which is future beatitude). Our Lord has taught us that this beatific knowledge has to do with two truths: namely, the divinity of the Trinity and the humanity of Christ. That is why, addressing the Father, he says: This is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).

All the knowledge imparted by faith revolves around these two points, the divinity of the Trinity and the humanity of Christ. This should cause us no surprise, for the humanity of Christ is the way by which we come to the divinity. Therefore, while we are still wayfarers, we ought to know the way leading to our goal. In the heavenly fatherland adequate thanks would not be rendered to God if men had no knowledge of the way by which they are saved. This is the meaning of our Lord’s words to his disciples: Where I am going you know, and the way you know (John 14:4).

Now three truths must be known about the divinity: first, the unity of the divine essence; second, the Trinity of persons; third, the effects wrought by the divinity.

The divine nature