Chapter 66 — That relative properties are the divine essence itself

The relative properties must be the divine essence itself. For the relative properties are precisely the subsistent persons. But a person subsisting in the Godhead cannot be something other than the divine essence; and the divine essence is God himself, as was shown above. Therefore, the relative properties are in reality identical with the divine essence.

Moreover, whatever is in a being besides its essence is in it accidentally. But there cannot be any accidents in God, as was pointed out above. Accordingly, the relative properties are not really distinct from the divine essence.