"In the use of this phrase concerning our Lord we mean to assert that he was ‘ the very and eternal God.' It is a more proper expression than ‘ the divinity of Christ,' since this latter does not necessarily imply anything more of our Lord's nature than that it was godlike, or of heavenly origin whereas the term ‘ Deity' contains in it the notion of essential Godhead. The other expression, however, has prevailed, on account of the word ‘ Deity' having come to be so commonly used as the concrete instead of the abstract sense, to denote a divine Being." — Eden, Churchman's Dictionary, s.v. (See CHRISTOLOGY, TRINITY).