Chapter V.
He confirms that the Trinity is present at the priest's prayers and gathers from the higher powers, and from the physical forms through which the Holy Spirit is said to descend into Christ and the disciples.
Now, let us consider. The priest comes (De Consec., dist. 4, cap. The priest comes), says a prayer at the font, invokes the name of the Father, the presence of the Son and the Holy Spirit: he uses celestial words. What celestial words? They are Christ's, that we may baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. If, therefore, the presence of the Trinity was present at the speech of men and the invocation of the Holy, how much more is it present there, where eternal speech operates? Do you want to know why the Spirit descended? Did you hear that He descended like a dove (Matt. III, 16)? Why like a dove? So that the unbelievers would be called to faith. In the beginning, there had to be a sign, but in later times there must be perfection.
Take another example: After the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles were in one place, and they were praying on the day of Pentecost; and suddenly there was a loud noise, as if a strong wind were blowing, and tongues appeared, like fire (Acts II, 2, 3). What does this mean, if not the descent of the Holy Spirit, who wanted to show himself even physically to the unbelievers, that is, physically by a sign, spiritually by a sacrament? Therefore, clear evidence of his coming is given, but to us the prerogative of faith is already bestowed; for in the beginning signs were given to unbelievers, but now in the fullness of the Church truth must be gathered not by a sign, but by faith.