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book_n church_n holy_a read_v 3,400 5 6.3225 4 true
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A61548 A discourse in vindication of the doctrine of the Trinity with an answer to the late Socinian objections against it from Scripture, antiquity and reason, and a preface concerning the different explications of the Trinity, and the tendency of the present Socinian controversie / by the Right Reverend Father in God Edward, Lord Bishop of Worcester. Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. 1697 (1697) Wing S5585; ESTC R14244 164,643 376

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be_v no_o improbable_a opinion_n of_o erasmus_n and_o vossius_fw-la two_o learned_a critic_n indeed_o that_o the_o most_o ancient_a creed_n go_v no_o further_a than_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n viz._n to_o believe_v in_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o other_o article_n be_v add_v as_o heresy_n give_v occasion_n s._n jerom_n say_v 61._o that_o in_o the_o traditional_a creed_n which_o they_o receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n the_o main_a article_n be_v the_o confession_n of_o the_o trinity_n to_o which_o he_o join_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o resurrection_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o then_o add_v that_o herein_o be_v contain_v omne_fw-la christiani_n dogmatis_fw-la sacramentum_fw-la the_o whole_a faith_n into_o which_o christian_n be_v baptize_v and_o he_o say_v it_o be_v the_o custom_n among_o they_o to_o instruct_v those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v baptise_a for_o forty_o day_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n so_o that_o there_o be_v then_o no_o question_n but_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n have_v a_o particular_a respect_n to_o ●t_a and_o therefore_o so_o much_o weight_n be_v lay_v upon_o the_o use_n of_o it_o as_o well_o by_o the_o ante-nicene_n father_n as_o other_o for_o tertullian_n say_v 13._o that_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n be_v prescribe_v by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o as_o a_o law_n to_o his_o church_n 20._o s._n cyprian_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n ox._n that_o he_o command_v it_o to_o be_v use_v s._n augustin_n call_v they_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n without_o which_o there_o be_v no_o baptism_n 25._o the_o reason_n give_v by_o s._n ambrose_n be_v 3_o because_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v in_o this_o form_n but_o how_o if_o any_o one_o person_n be_v leave_v out_o he_o think_v that_o if_o the_o rest_n be_v not_o deny_v the_o baptism_n be_v good_a but_o otherwise_o vacuum_fw-la est_fw-la omne_fw-la mysterium_fw-la the_o whole_a baptism_n be_v void_a so_o that_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v that_o which_o be_v require_v in_o order_n to_o true_a baptism_n more_o than_o the_o bare_a form_n of_o word_n if_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v the_o former_a s._n ambrose_n seem_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o baptism_n be_v good_a although_o every_o person_n be_v not_o name_v and_o therein_o he_o be_v follow_v by_o beda_n hugo_n de_fw-fr sancto_fw-la victore_fw-la 13._o peter_n lombard_n and_o other_o 10._o and_o s_o basil_n in_o the_o greek_a church_n assert_v that_o baptism_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v sufficient_a because_o he_o be_v hereby_o own_a to_o be_v of_o equal_a dignity_n with_o the_o father_n and_o son_n but_o it_o be_v still_o suppose_v that_o the_o whole_a and_o undivided_a trinity_n be_v not_o deny_v and_o he_o elsewhere_o say_v that_o baptise_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v a_o most_o solemn_a profession_n of_o the_o trinity_n in_o unity_n because_o they_o be_v all_o join_v together_o in_o this_o public_a act_n of_o devotion_n but_o other_o think_v that_o the_o baptism_n be_v not_o good_a unless_o every_o person_n be_v name_v which_o opinion_n general_o obtain_v both_o in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n and_o the_o late_a editor_n of_o s._n ambrose_n observe_v that_o in_o other_o place_n he_o make_v the_o whole_a form_n of_o word_n necessary_a as_o well_o as_o the_o faith_n in_o the_o holy_a trinity_n the_o baptism_n of_o the_o eunomian_o be_v reject_v because_o they_o alter_v the_o form_n and_o the_o faith_n too_o fin_n say_v that_o the_o father_n be_v uncreate_v the_o son_n create_v by_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n create_v by_o the_o son_n the_o baptism_n of_o the_o samosatenian_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a 19_o s._n augustin_n think_v it_o be_v because_o they_o have_v not_o the_o right_a form_n but_o the_o true_a reason_n be_v they_o reject_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o so_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n i._o do_v in_o express_a word_n refuse_v their_o baptism_n who_o refuse_v to_o own_o that_o doctrine_n 8._o that_o council_n be_v hold_v a._n d._n 314._o and_o therefore_o bellarmin_n 3._o and_o other_o after_o he_o be_v very_o much_o mistake_v when_o they_o interpret_v this_o canon_n of_o the_o arian_n concern_v who_o baptism_n there_o can_v be_v no_o dispute_n till_o many_o year_n after_o but_o this_o canon_n be_v de_fw-fr afris_fw-fr among_o who_o the_o custom_n of_o baptise_v prevail_v but_o this_o council_n propound_v a_o expedient_a as_o most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n viz._n that_o if_o any_o relinquish_v their_o heresy_n and_o come_v back_o to_o the_o church_n they_o shall_v ask_v they_o the_o creed_n and_o if_o they_o find_v that_o they_o be_v baptize_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n they_o shall_v have_v only_a imposition_n of_o hand_n but_o if_o they_o do_v not_o confess_v the_o trinity_n their_o baptism_n be_v declare_v void_a now_o this_o i_o look_v on_o as_o a_o impregnable_a testimony_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ante-nicene_n father_n viz._n that_o they_o do_v not_o allow_v that_o baptism_n which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n or_o which_o they_o understand_v to_o be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n how_o then_o can_v our_o unitarian_n pretend_v that_o the_o ante-nicene_n father_n do_v not_o allege_v the_o form_n of_o baptism_n to_o prove_v the_o trinity_n for_o the_o word_n be_v if_o they_o do_v n●t_o answer_v to_o this_o trinity_n let_v they_o be_v baptize_v say_v this_o plenary_a council_n as_o s._n augustin_n often_o call_v it_o what_o trinity_n do_v they_o mean_v of_o mere_a name_n or_o cipher_n or_o of_o one_o god_n and_o two_o creature_n join_v in_o the_o same_o form_n of_o word_n as_o our_o unitarian_n understand_v it_o but_o they_o affirm_v that_o the_o ancient_n of_o 400_o year_n do_v not_o insist_v on_o this_o text_n of_o s._n matthew_n to_o prove_v the_o divinity_n 18._o or_o personality_n of_o the_o son_n or_o spirit_n therefore_o to_o give_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v prove_v that_o the_o ante-nicene_n father_n do_v understand_v these_o word_n so_o as_o not_o to_o be_v take_v either_o for_o mere_a name_n or_o for_o creature_n join_v with_o god_n but_o that_o they_o do_v maintain_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n from_o the_o general_a sense_n in_o which_o these_o word_n be_v take_v among_o they_o and_o this_o i_o shall_v do_v from_o these_o argument_n 1._o that_o those_o who_o take_v they_o in_o another_o sense_n be_v oppose_v and_o condemn_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n 2._o that_o the_o christian_a church_n do_v own_o this_o sense_n in_o public_a act_n of_o divine_a worship_n as_o well_o as_o private_a 3._o that_o it_o be_v own_v and_o defend_v by_o those_o who_o appear_v for_o the_o christian_a faith_n against_o infidel_n and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v any_o better_a mean_n than_o these_o to_o prove_v such_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o this_o 1._o the_o sense_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n may_v be_v know_v by_o its_o behaviour_n towards_o those_o who_o take_v these_o word_n only_o for_o different_a name_n or_o appearance_n of_o one_o person_n and_o of_o this_o we_o have_v full_a evidence_n as_o to_o praxea_n noëtus_fw-la and_o sabellius_n all_o long_a before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a praxea_n be_v the_o first_o at_o least_o in_o the_o western_a church_n who_o make_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n to_o be_v only_o several_a name_n of_o the_o same_o person_n and_o he_o be_v with_o great_a warmth_n and_o vigour_n oppose_v by_o tertullian_n who_o charge_v he_o with_o introduce_v a_o new_a opinion_n into_o the_o church_n as_o will_v present_o appear_v and_o his_o testimony_n be_v the_o more_o considerable_a because_o our_o unitarian_n confess_v 17._o that_o he_o live_v 120_o year_n before_o the_o nicene_n council_n and_o that_o he_o particular_o insist_o upon_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n against_o praxeas_n 26._o but_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v not_o his_o whole_a design_n in_o that_o book_n to_o prove_v three_o distinct_a person_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o yet_o but_o one_o god_n do_v he_o not_o say_v express_o that_o christ_n command_v that_o his_o disciple_n shall_v baptize_v into_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n not_o into_o one_o of_o they_o ad_fw-la singula_fw-la nomina_fw-la in_o personas_fw-la singulas_fw-la tingimur_fw-la in_o baptism_n we_o be_v dip_v once_o at_o every_o name_n to_o show_v that_o we_o be_v baptize_v into_o three_o person_n it_o be_v certain_a then_o that_o tertullian_n can_v not_o mistake_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n
question_n his_o fidelity_n in_o report_v however_o he_o may_v be_v unhappy_a in_o his_o explication_n 3._o tertullian_n himself_o say_v schlichtingius_n in_o other_o place_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v not_o mention_v the_o holy_a ghost_n 12._o and_o therefore_o this_o seem_v add_v by_o he_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o paraclete_n but_o this_o can_v be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o any_o one_o that_o consider_v that_o tertullian_n ground_n his_o doctrine_n not_o on_o any_o new_a revelation_n by_o the_o paraclete_n but_o on_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n receive_v in_o the_o church_n long_o before_o and_o upon_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n prescribe_v by_o our_o saviour_n will_v they_o say_v the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v there_o add_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o montanus_n his_o paraclete_n and_o in_o another_o of_o his_o book_n he_o own_v the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n to_o make_v up_o the_o trinity_n in_o unity_n 4._o wherein_o petavius_n himself_o confess_v that_o he_o assert_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o catholic_n manner_n although_o he_o otherwise_o speak_v hardly_o enough_o of_o he_o the_o next_o i_o shall_v mention_v be_v novatian_n who_o schlichtingius_n allow_v 30._o to_o have_v be_v before_o the_o nicene-council_n 27._o and_o our_o modern_a unitarian_n call_v he_o a_o great_a man_n whoever_o he_o be_v and_o very_o ancient_a and_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n i_o observe_v in_o he_o 1._o that_o he_o oppose_v sabellianism_n for_o before_o his_o time_n praxeas_n and_o noetus_n be_v little_o talk_v of_o especial_o in_o the_o western_a church_n but_o sabellius_n his_o name_n and_o doctrine_n be_v very_o well_o know_v by_o the_o opposition_n to_o he_o by_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n and_o rome_n 31._o he_o stick_v not_o at_o the_o call_n it_o heresy_n several_a time_n and_o dispute_v against_o it_o and_o answer_v the_o objection_n about_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n 2._o that_o he_o own_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n require_v our_o believe_v in_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n 29._o and_o assert_n the_o divine_a eternity_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o must_v hold_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n to_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n contain_v in_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n for_o he_o say_v sociari_fw-la the_o authority_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n admonish_v we_o to_o believe_v not_o only_o in_o the_o father_n and_o son_n but_o in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n therefore_o the_o holy_a ghost_n must_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o object_n of_o faith_n join_v in_o the_o scripture_n with_o the_o other_o two_o which_o be_v no_o where_o more_o express_a than_o in_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n which_o as_o s._n cyprian_n say_v be_v to_o be_v administer_v in_o the_o full_a confession_n of_o the_o trinity_n in_o the_o place_n already_o mention_v and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o s._n cyprian_n reject_v the_o baptism_n of_o those_o who_o deny_v the_o trinity_n at_o 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be_v this_o doctrine_n of_o noetus_n the_o very_a same_o with_o that_o of_o praxea_n at_o rome_n theodoret_n say_v 3._o this_o his_o opinion_n be_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n the_o father_n who_o be_v himself_o impassable_a but_o as_o he_o take_v our_o nature_n so_o he_o be_v passable_a and_o call_v the_o son_n epiphanius_n more_o full_o 2._o that_o the_o same_o person_n be_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n wherein_o he_o say_v he_o plain_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n which_o attribute_v distinct_a personality_n to_o they_o and_o yet_o assert_v but_o one_o godhead_n the_o father_n have_v a_o hypostasis_fw-la of_o his_o own_o and_o so_o have_v the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v but_o one_o divinity_n one_o power_n and_o one_o dominion_n for_o these_o distinct_a person_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o same_o individual_a essence_n and_o power_n but_o epiphanius_n be_v no_o ante-nicene_n father_n however_o in_o matter_n of_o antiquity_n where_o there_o be_v no_o incongruity_n in_o the_o thing_n we_o may_v make_v use_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o i_o think_v no_o one_o will_v question_v that_o noetus_n be_v condemn_v which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o produce_v he_o to_o prove_v but_o although_o noetus_n be_v condemn_v 470._o yet_o this_o doctrine_n do_v spread_v in_o the_o eastern_a part_n for_o origen_n mention_n those_o who_o confound_v the_o notion_n of_o father_n and_o son_n and_o make_v they_o but_o one_o hypostasis_fw-la and_o distinguish_v only_o by_o thought_n and_o denomination_n this_o doctrine_n be_v oppose_v not_o only_o by_o origen_n but_o he_o have_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n concur_v with_o he_o as_o appear_v in_o the_o case_n of_o beryllus_n bishop_n of_o bostra_n who_o fall_v into_o this_o opinion_n and_o be_v reclaim_v by_o origen_n and_o eusebius_n give_v this_o
world_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o deal_n with_o they_o but_o by_o show_v the_o falseness_n &_o weakness_n of_o the_o ground_n they_o go_v upon_o and_o that_o they_o have_v no_o advantage_n of_o we_o as_o to_o scripture_n antiquity_n or_o reason_n which_o be_v the_o design_n of_o this_o undertake_n worcester_z sept._n 30._o 1696._o e._n w._n the_o content_n chap._n i._n the_o occasion_n and_o design_n of_o the_o discourse_n pag._n 1._o chap._n ii_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n not_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o force_n or_o interest_n p._n 10._o chap._n iii_o the_o socinian_n plea_n for_o the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o doctrine_n examine_v p._n 15._o chap._n iu._n of_o the_o considerable_a man_n they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v of_o their_o opinion_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n p._n 29._o chap._n v._n of_o their_o charge_n of_o contradiction_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n p._n 54._o chap._n vi_o no_o contradiction_n for_o three_o person_n to_o be_v in_o one_o common_a nature_n p._n 68_o chap._n vii_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n clear_v from_o contradiction_n p._n 101._o chap._n viii_o the_o socinian_n sense_n of_o scripture_n examine_v p._n 121._o chap._n ix_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n prove_v from_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n as_o it_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o first_o age_n p._n 177._o chap._n x._o the_o objection_n against_o the_o trinity_n in_o point_n of_o reason_n answer_v p._n 230._o errata_fw-la pag._n 113._o l._n 12._o for_o our_o r._n one_o p._n 122._o l._n 12._o r._n heb._n 1.5_o for_o unto_o which_o p._n 124._o l._n 7._o add_v n._n 11._o p._n 126._o l._n 29._o for_o damascenus_n r._n damascius_n p._n 129._o l._n 21._o for_o appoint_v r._n appropriate_v p._n 181._o l._n 22._o after_o they_o put_v in_o not_o p._n 192._o l._n 19_o for_o we_o r._n be_v p._n 211._o l._n 1._o deal_n that_o p._n 217._o l._n 6._o for_o hypostasis_fw-la r._n hypothesis_n p._n 234._o l._n 6._o for_o intermission_n r._n intromission_n p._n 283._o l._n 21._o r._n as_o well_o as_o a_o discourse_n in_o vindication_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n with_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o late_a socinian_n objection_n chap._n i._n the_o occasion_n and_o design_n of_o this_o discourse_n it_o be_v now_o above_o twenty_o year_n since_o i_o first_o publish_v a_o discourse_n about_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n late_o reprint_v in_o answer_n to_o some_o socinian_n objection_n at_o that_o time_n but_o i_o know_v not_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o socinian_n controversy_n seem_v to_o be_v lay_v asleep_o among_o we_o for_o many_o year_n after_o and_o so_o it_o have_v continue_v to_o this_o day_n if_o some_o man_n busy_a and_o indiscreet_a zeal_n for_o their_o own_o particular_a opinion_n or_o rather_o heresy_n have_v not_o be_v more_o prevalent_a over_o they_o than_o their_o care_n and_o concernment_n for_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o christianity_n among_o we_o for_o it_o be_v that_o which_o real_o suffer_v by_o these_o unhappy_a and_o very_a unseasonable_a dispute_n about_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o can_v never_o have_v be_v start_v and_o carry_v on_o with_o more_o fatal_a consequence_n to_o all_o reveal_v religion_n than_o in_o a_o age_n too_o much_o incline_v to_o scepticism_n and_o infidelity_n for_o all_o who_o be_v but_o wellwisher_n to_o that_o do_v greedy_o catch_v at_o any_o thing_n which_o tend_v to_o unsettle_v man_n mind_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o expose_v they_o to_o the_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o infidel_n and_o this_o be_v all_o the_o advantage_n which_o they_o have_v above_o other_o in_o their_o write_n for_o upon_o my_o careful_a perusal_n of_o they_o which_o be_v occasion_v by_o re●rinting_v that_o discourse_n i_o find_v nothing_o extraordinary_a as_o to_o depth_n of_o judgement_n or_o closeness_n of_o reason_v or_o strength_n of_o argument_n or_o skill_n in_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n but_o the_o old_a stuff_n set_v out_o with_o a_o new_a dress_n and_o too_o much_o suit_v to_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o viz._n brisk_a and_o airy_a but_o withal_o too_o light_a and_o superficial_a but_o although_o such_o a_o sort_n of_o raillery_n be_v very_o much_o unbecoming_a the_o weight_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o subject_n yet_o that_o be_v not_o the_o worst_a part_n of_o the_o character_n of_o they_o for_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v write_v 4._o not_o with_o a_o design_n to_o convince_v other_o or_o to_o justify_v themselves_o but_o to_o ridicule_n the_o great_a mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n call_v they_o jargon_n cant_n nonsense_n impossibility_n contradiction_n samaritanism_n and_o what_o not_o any_o thing_n but_o mahometism_n and_o deism_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o know_v that_o we_o have_v not_o frame_v these_o doctrine_n ourselves_o but_o have_v receive_v they_o by_o as_o universal_a a_o tradition_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o that_o whereby_o we_o receive_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o as_o found_v upon_o their_o authority_n so_o that_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v see_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o doctrine_n and_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n must_v stand_v and_o fall_v together_o for_o from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o writing_n and_o publish_v of_o they_o all_o person_n who_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n prescribe_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v understand_v to_o ●e_v receive_v member_n upon_o profession_n of_o ●●e_z faith_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n the_o hymn_n and_o doxology_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o those_o who_o open_o oppose_v that_o doctrine_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o it_o which_o to_o i_o seem_v plain_a and_o demonstrative_a argument_n that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o will_v appear_v in_o the_o progress_n of_o this_o discourse_n the_o chief_a design_n whereof_o be_v to_o vindicate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o it_o have_v be_v general_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v express_v in_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n from_o those_o horrible_a imputation_n of_o nonsense_n contradiction_n and_o impossibility_n with_o which_o it_o be_v charge_v by_o our_o unitarian_n as_o they_o call_v themselves_o and_o that_o in_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o sermon_n late_o reprint_v about_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o i_o first_o preach_v and_o publish_v some_o year_n since_o upon_o the_o break_n out_o of_o this_o controversy_n among_o we_o by_o the_o note_n on_o athanasius_n his_o creed_n and_o other_o mischievous_a pamphlet_n one_o upon_o another_o i_o be_v in_o hope_n to_o have_v give_v some_o check_n to_o their_o insolent_a way_n of_o write_v about_o matter_n so_o much_o above_o our_o reach_n by_o show_v how_o reasonable_a it_o be_v for_o we_o to_o submit_v to_o divine_a revelation_n in_o such_o thing_n since_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v ourselves_o so_o much_o to_o seek_v as_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o substance_n which_o be_v continual_o before_o our_o eye_n and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v such_o difficulty_n about_o a_o mystery_n which_o depend_v upon_o revelation_n we_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o wonder_v at_o it_o but_o our_o business_n be_v chief_o to_o be_v satisfy_v whether_o this_o doctrine_n be_v any_o part_n of_o that_o revelation_n as_o to_o which_o i_o propose_v several_a thing_n which_o i_o think_v very_o reasonable_a to_o the_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n about_o these_o matter_n after_o a_o considerable_a time_n they_o think_v fit_a to_o publish_v something_o which_o be_v to_o pass_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o it_o but_o in_o it_o they_o whole_o pass_v over_o that_o part_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o run_v into_o their_o common_a place_n about_o mystery_n of_o faith_n in_o which_o they_o be_v sure_a to_o have_v as_o many_o friend_n as_o our_o faith_n have_v enemy_n and_o yet_o they_o manage_v it_o in_o so_o trifle_v a_o manner_n that_o i_o do_v not_o then_o think_v it_o deserve_v a_o answer_n but_o a_o worthy_a and_o judicious_a friend_n be_v willing_a to_o take_v that_o task_n upon_o himself_o which_o he_o have_v very_o well_o discharge_v so_o that_o i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o meddle_v with_o all_o those_o particular_n which_o be_v full_o answer_v already_o but_o the_o general_a charge_n as_o to_o the_o christian_a church_n about_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o upon_o this_o occasion_n but_o before_o i_o come_v to_o that_o since_o they_o so_o confident_o charge_v the_o christian_a church_n for_o
so_o many_o age_n with_o embracing_z error_n and_o nonsense_n and_o contradiction_n for_o mystery_n of_o faith_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v suppose_v it_o possible_a for_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v so_o early_o so_o general_o and_o so_o miserable_o deceive_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o moment_n by_o what_o light_n they_o have_v discover_v this_o great_a error_n have_v they_o any_o new_a book_n of_o scripture_n to_o judge_v by_o true_o they_o have_v need_v for_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o weary_a of_o the_o old_a one_o because_o they_o find_v they_o will_v not_o serve_v their_o turn_n 30._o therefore_o they_o muster_v up_o the_o old_a objection_n against_o they_o and_o give_v no_o answer_n to_o they_o they_o find_v fault_n with_o copy_n and_o say_v they_o be_v corrupt_v and_o falsify_v to_o speak_v the_o language_n of_o the_o church_n they_o let_v fall_v suspicious_a word_n as_o to_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n as_o though_o it_o be_v insert_v from_o the_o church_n practice_n they_o charge_v we_o with_o follow_v corrupt_a copy_n and_o make_v false_a translation_n without_o any_o manner_n of_o ground_n for_o it_o and_o do_v not_o all_o this_o discover_v no_o good_a will_n to_o the_o scripture_n at_o least_o as_o they_o be_v receive_v among_o we_o and_o i_o despair_v of_o meeting_n with_o better_a copy_n or_o see_v a_o more_o faithful_a translation_n than_o we_o be_v so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o scripture_n for_o these_o exception_n be_v such_o as_o a_o malefactor_n will_v make_v to_o a_o jury_n he_o be_v afraid_a to_o be_v condemn_v by_o but_o what_o then_o be_v the_o peculiar_a light_n which_o these_o happy_a man_n have_v find_v in_o a_o corner_n the_o want_n whereof_o have_v make_v the_o christian_a church_n to_o fall_v into_o such_o monstrous_a error_n and_o contradiction_n nothing_o they_o pretend_v but_o the_o mere_a light_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n which_o they_o call_v after_o a_o more_o refine_a way_n of_o speak_v clear_a idea_n and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o thing_n but_o lest_o i_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o misrepresent_v they_o i_o will_v produce_v some_o of_o their_o own_o expression_n in_o one_o place_n they_o say_v we_o deny_v the_o article_n of_o the_o new_a christianity_n or_o the_o athanasian_n religion_n not_o because_o they_o be_v mystery_n or_o because_o we_o do_v not_o comprehend_v they_o we_o deny_v they_o because_o we_o do_v comprehend_v they_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n that_o they_o be_v not_o mystery_n but_o contradiction_n impossibility_n and_o pure_a nonsense_n we_o have_v our_o reason_n in_o vain_a and_o all_o science_n and_o certainty_n will_v be_v destroy_v if_o we_o can_v not_o distinguish_v between_o mystery_n and_o contradiction_n and_o soon_o after_o 4._o we_o be_v not_o to_o give_v the_o venerable_a name_n of_o mystery_n to_o doctrine_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o nature_n and_o reason_n light_n or_o which_o destroy_v or_o contradict_v our_o natural_a idea_n these_o thing_n i_o have_v particular_a reason_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o here_o because_o they_o be_v publish_v as_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o forego_n sermon_n about_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o this_o show_v the_o general_a ground_n they_o go_v upon_o and_o therefore_o more_o fit_a to_o be_v consider_v here_o to_o which_o i_o shall_v add_v one_o passage_n more_o wherein_o they_o insinuate_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n have_v be_v support_v only_o by_o interest_n and_o force_n their_o word_n be_v after_o they_o have_v call_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n a_o monstrous_a paradox_n and_o contradiction_n this_o be_v that_o 4._o say_v they_o which_o because_o all_o other_o argument_n fail_v they_o in_o their_o disputation_n with_o the_o photinian_o and_o arian_n they_o at_o last_o effectual_o prove_v by_o the_o imperial_a edict_n by_o confiscation_n and_o banishment_n by_o seize_v and_o burn_v all_o book_n write_v against_o it_o or_o they_o by_o capital_a punishment_n and_o when_o the_o papacy_n of_o which_o this_o be_v the_o chief_a article_n prevail_v by_o fire_n and_o faggot_n this_o be_v a_o new_a discovery_n indeed_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o it_o be_v general_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v the_o chief_a article_n of_o popery_n although_o it_o be_v embrace_v and_o defend_v long_o before_o popery_n be_v know_v and_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v so_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o popery_n leave_v in_o the_o world_n but_o if_o every_o thing_n which_o displease_v some_o man_n must_v pass_v for_o popery_n i_o be_o afraid_a christianity_n itself_o will_v not_o escape_v at_o last_o for_o there_o be_v some_o who_o be_v build_v apace_o on_o such_o foundation_n as_o these_o and_o be_v endeavour_v what_o they_o can_v to_o remove_v out_o of_o their_o way_n all_o reveal_v religion_n by_o the_o help_n of_o those_o two_o powerful_a machine_n viz._n priest-craft_n and_o mystery_n but_o because_o i_o intend_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a discourse_n concern_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o it_o have_v be_v general_o receive_v among_o we_o i_o shall_v proceed_v in_o these_o four_o inquiry_n 1._o whether_o it_o be_v account_v a_o monstrous_a paradox_n and_o contradiction_n where_o person_n be_v not_o sway_v by_o force_n and_o interest_n 2._o whether_o there_o be_v any_o ground_n of_o common_a reason_n on_o which_o it_o can_v be_v just_o charge_v with_o nonsense_n impossibility_n and_o contradiction_n 3._o whether_o their_o doctrine_n about_o the_o trinity_n or_o we_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n 4._o whether_o our_o doctrine_n be_v admit_v it_o do_v overthrow_v all_o certainty_n of_o reason_n and_o make_v way_n for_o believe_v the_o great_a absurdity_n under_o the_o pretence_n of_o be_v mystery_n of_o faith_n chap._n ii_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n not_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o force_n or_o interest_n as_o to_o the_o first_o it_o will_v lead_v i_o into_o a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o to_o this_o doctrine_n long_o before_o popery_n be_v hatch_v and_o at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o main_a force_n of_o imperial_a edict_n be_v against_o christianity_n itself_o at_o which_o time_n this_o doctrine_n be_v own_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o disow_v and_o dispute_v against_o by_o some_o particular_a party_n and_o sect_n and_o the_o question_n than_o will_v be_v whether_o these_o have_v engross_v sense_n and_o reason_n and_o knowledge_n among_o themselves_o and_o all_o the_o body_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n with_o their_o head_n and_o governor_n be_v bereave_v of_o common_a sense_n and_o give_v up_o to_o believe_v nonsense_n and_o contradiction_n for_o mystery_n of_o faith_n but_o in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_v this_o matter_n i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o sense_n and_o reason_n be_v no_o late_a invention_n only_o to_o be_v find_v among_o our_o unitarian_n but_o that_o all_o mankind_n have_v such_o a_o competent_a share_n of_o they_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o they_o and_o what_o not_o if_o they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o it_o that_o no_o man_n have_v so_o little_a sense_n as_o to_o be_v fond_a of_o nonsense_n when_o sense_n will_v do_v they_o equal_a service_n that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o bias_n of_o interest_n to_o sway_v they_o man_n will_v general_o judge_v according_a to_o the_o evidence_n of_o reason_n that_o if_o they_o be_v very_o much_o concern_v for_o a_o doctrine_n oppose_v by_o other_o and_o against_o their_o interest_n they_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o other_o mean_n than_o by_o force_n and_o fear_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n to_o believe_v a_o doctrine_n to_o be_v true_a on_o the_o 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to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v they_o but_o to_o show_v what_o use_n we_o be_v to_o make_v of_o they_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n do_v meet_v with_o opposition_n very_o early_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n especial_o among_o the_o jewish_a christian_n i_o mean_v those_o who_o strict_o adhere_v to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v declare_v the_o freedom_n of_o christian_n from_o the_o obligation_n of_o it_o these_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v by_o and_o by_o soon_o after_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n gather_v into_o a_o body_n by_o themselves_o distinct_a from_o that_o which_o consist_v of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o be_v therefore_o call_v the_o catholic_n christian_n church_n and_o this_o separate_a body_n whether_o call_v ebionites_n nazarene_o or_o minean_n do_v not_o only_o differ_v from_o the_o catholic_n christian_n church_n as_o to_o the_o necessity_n of_o 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the_o ancient_a writer_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o do_v mention_n they_o as_o heretic_n and_o whole_o divide_v from_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o irenaeus_n tertullian_n epiphanius_n theodoret_n s._n augustin_n and_o other_o eusebius_n say_v of_o they_o 27._o that_o although_o the_o devil_n can_v not_o make_v they_o renounce_v christianity_n yet_o find_v their_o weakness_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o make_v they_o his_o own_o he_o will_v never_o have_v say_v this_o of_o any_o who_o he_o look_v on_o as_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o wherein_o be_v it_o that_o eusebius_n blame_v they_o he_o tell_v it_o in_o the_o very_a next_o word_n that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o mean_a opinion_n they_o entertain_v of_o christ_n for_o they_o look_v on_o he_o as_o a_o mere_a man_n but_o very_o just_a and_o although_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o they_o some_o own_n the_o miraculous_a conception_n and_o other_o not_o yet_o say_v he_o they_o at_o last_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o impiety_n which_o be_v that_o they_o will_v not_o own_o christ_n to_o have_v have_v any_o pre-existence_n before_o his_o birth_n nor_o that_o he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d god_n the_o word_n it_o be_v true_a he_o find_v fault_n with_o they_o afterward_o for_o keep_v to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o the_o first_o impiety_n he_o charge_v they_o with_o be_v the_o other_o that_o which_o i_o infer_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o eusebius_n himself_o to_o who_o they_o profess_v to_o show_v great_a respect_n than_o to_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n 37._o for_o his_o exactness_n and_o diligence_n in_o church-history_n do_v affirm_v the_o doctrine_n which_o overthrow_v the_o pre-existence_n and_o divinity_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v a_o impiety_n 20._o and_o therefore_o when_o he_o affirm_v the_o first_o fifteen_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o be_v of_o the_o circumcision_n viz._n to_o the_o siege_n of_o it_o by_o hadrian_n 5._o do_v hold_v the_o genuine_a 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nestorius_n be_v agree_v and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o deny_v the_o word_n to_o be_v con●substantial_a with_o god_n but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o son_n of_o god_n till_o christ_n be_v bear_v in_o who_o he_o dwell_v 128._o by_o which_o we_o see_v how_o little_a reason_n our_o unitarian_n have_v to_o boast_v of_o photinus_n as_o their_o predecessor_n as_o to_o the_o boast_n of_o the_o first_o unitarian_n at_o rome_n that_o they_o be_v the_o general_a doctrine_n before_o the_o time_n of_o victor_n it_o be_v so_o full_o confute_v by_o the_o ancient_a writer_n in_o eusebius_n 28._o who_o mention_n it_o from_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o first_o christian_n writer_n name_v by_o he_o that_o it_o do_v not_o deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o especial_o since_o he_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o hear_v of_o among_o they_o at_o rome_n till_o it_o be_v first_o broach_v there_o by_o theodotus_n as_o not_o only_o he_o but_o tertullian_n affirm_v as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v thus_o i_o have_v clear_o prove_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v embrace_v only_o on_o the_o account_n of_o force_n and_o fear_n that_o i_o have_v show_v there_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n a_o free_a and_o general_a consent_n in_o it_o even_o when_o they_o be_v under_o persecution_n and_o after_o the_o arian_n controversy_n break_v out_o yet_o those_o who_o deny_v the_o pre-existence_n and_o co-eternity_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v universal_o condemn_v even_o the_o arian_n party_n concur_v in_o the_o synod_n mention_v by_o hilary_n but_o our_o unitarian_n be_v such_o great_a pretender_n to_o reason_n that_o this_o argument_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n signify_v little_a or_o nothing_o to_o they_o therefore_o they_o will_v conclude_v still_o that_o they_o have_v the_o better_a of_o we_o in_o point_n of_o reason_n because_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o have_v clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n that_o what_o we_o call_v mystery_n of_o faith_n be_v contradiction_n impossibility_n and_o pure_a nonsense_n and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o reject_v they_o because_o they_o do_v not_o comprehend_v they_o but_o because_o they_o do_v comprehend_v they_o to_o be_v so_o this_o be_v a_o very_a bold_a charge_n and_o not_o very_o become_v the_o modesty_n and_o decency_n of_o such_o who_o know_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o oppose_v the_o religion_n public_o establish_v and_o in_o such_o thing_n which_o we_o look_v on_o as_o some_o of_o the_o principal_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n chap._n v._o of_o their_o charge_n of_o contradiction_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o take_v any_o advantage_n from_o thence_o but_o immediate_o proceed_v to_o the_o next_o thing_n i_o undertake_v in_o this_o discourse_n viz._n to_o consider_v what_o ground_n they_o have_v for_o such_o a_o charge_n as_o this_o of_o contradiction_n and_o impossibility_n in_o my_o sermon_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o these_o expression_n as_o be_v before_o intimate_v i_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o consider_v the_o infinite_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v so_o far_o above_o our_o reach_n god_n may_v just_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v those_o thing_n concern_v himself_o which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v and_o i_o instance_a in_o some_o essential_a attribute_n of_o god_n as_o his_o eternity_n omniscience_n spirituality_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v such_o divine_a perfection_n which_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n to_o believe_v but_o no_o faculty_n sufficient_a to_o comprehend_v there_o can_v be_v no_o ground_n from_o reason_n to_o reject_v such_o a_o doctrine_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v because_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o may_v be_v incomprehensible_a by_o we_o and_o what_o answer_n do_v they_o give_v to_o this_o they_o do_v not_o deny_v it_o in_o general_a that_o god_n may_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v thing_n above_o our_o comprehension_n 8._o but_o he_o never_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v contradiction_n and_o that_o they_o charge_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n with_o and_o for_o this_o they_o only_o refer_v i_o to_o their_o book_n where_o they_o say_v it_o be_v make_v out_o but_o i_o must_v say_v that_o i_o have_v read_v and_o consider_v those_o tract_n and_o be_o very_o far_o from_o be_v convince_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o contradiction_n in_o this_o doctrine_n as_o it_o be_v general_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o as_o it_o be_v explain_v in_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n and_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o charge_n from_o these_o thing_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o a_o contradiction_n in_o number_n and_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v no_o contradiction_n to_o assert_v three_o person_n in_o one_o common_a nature_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v no_o contradiction_n to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o distinct_a person_n in_o the_o trinity_n and_o not_o three_o go_n if_o i_o can_v make_v out_o these_o thing_n i_o hope_v i_o may_v abate_v something_o of_o that_o strange_a and_o unreasonable_a confidence_n wherewith_o these_o man_n charge_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n with_o contradiction_n 1._o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o they_o and_o i_o shall_v draw_v up_o the_o charge_n in_o their_o own_o word_n in_o one_o of_o their_o late_a book_n they_o have_v these_o word_n 7._o they_o they_o say_v be_v a_o accountable_a and_o reasonable_a faith_n but_o that_o of_o the_o trinitarian_n be_v absurd_a and_o contrary_a both_o to_o reason_n and_o to_o itself_o and_o therefore_o not_o only_o false_a but_o impossible_a but_o wherein_o lie_v this_o impossibility_n that_o they_o soon_o tell_v we_o because_o we_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v three_o person_n who_o be_v several_o and_o each_o of_o they_o true_a god_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v but_o one_o true_a god_n now_o say_v they_o this_o be_v a_o error_n in_o count_v or_o number_v which_o when_o stand_v in_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o brutal_a and_o inexcusable_a and_o not_o to_o discern_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v a_o man._n what_o must_v these_o man_n think_v the_o christian_a church_n have_v be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o this_o while_n what_o be_v there_o no_o man_n among_o they_o but_o the_o unitarian_n 7._o none_o that_o have_v common_a sense_n and_o can_v tell_v the_o difference_n between_o one_o and_o three_o but_o this_o be_v too_o choice_a a_o notion_n to_o be_v deliver_v but_o once_o we_o have_v it_o over_o and_o over_o from_o they_o in_o another_o place_n they_o say_v we_o can_v be_v mistake_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o one_o and_o three_o we_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o one_o be_v not_o three_o and_o three_o be_v not_o one._n this_o it_o be_v to_o be_v man_n but_o the_o whole_a 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of_o sense_n and_o reason_n think_v that_o the_o point_n in_o controversy_n ever_o be_v whether_o in_o number_n one_o can_v be_v three_o or_o three_o one_o if_o they_o think_v so_o i_o wonder_v they_o do_v not_o think_v of_o another_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o beg_v all_o trinitarian_n for_o fool_n because_o they_o can_v count_v one_o two_o and_o three_o and_o a_o vnitarian_n jury_n will_v certain_o cast_v they_o one_o will_v think_v such_o writer_n have_v never_o go_v beyond_o shop-book_n for_o they_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o all_o depend_v upon_o count_v but_o these_o terrible_a charge_n be_v some_o of_o the_o most_o common_a and_o trite_a objection_n of_o infidel_n 39_o st._n augustin_n mention_n it_o as_o such_o when_o he_o say_v the_o infidel_n sometime_o ask_v we_o what_o do_v you_o call_v the_o father_n we_o answer_v god_n what_o the_o son_n
sabellius_n call_v person_n but_o by_o this_o foundation_n he_o do_v not_o mean_v any_o distinct_a essence_n but_o the_o incommunicable_a property_n belong_v to_o they_o as_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n it_o be_v plain_a from_o hence_o that_o the_o necessity_n of_o assert_v three_o hypostasis_n come_v from_o thence_o that_o otherwise_o they_o can_v not_o so_o well_o distinguish_v themselves_o from_o the_o sabellian_o who_o doctrine_n they_o utter_o disow_v as_o well_o as_o arianism_n and_o judaism_n and_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o athanasius_n gregory_n nazianzen_n and_o s._n basil_n 27._o that_o they_o look_v on_o one_o as_o bad_a as_o the_o other_o and_o they_o common_o join_v judaism_n and_o sabellianism_n together_o but_o yet_o there_o arise_v difficulty_n whether_o they_o be_v to_o hold_v one_o hypostasis_fw-la or_o three_o the_o former_a insist_v on_o the_o general_o receive_v sense_n of_o hypostasis_fw-la for_o substance_n or_o essence_n and_o therefore_o 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the_o same_o substance_n with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o to_o be_v a_o creature_n but_o to_o bear_v the_o same_o proper_a and_o inseparable_a essence_n with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n then_o the_o other_o side_n be_v ask_v when_o they_o assert_v but_o one_o hypostasis_fw-la whether_o they_o hold_v with_o sabellius_n or_o not_o and_o that_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n have_v no_o essence_n or_o subsistence_n which_o they_o utter_o deny_v but_o say_v that_o their_o meaning_n be_v that_o hypostasis_fw-la be_v the_o same_o with_o substance_n and_o by_o one_o hypostasis_fw-la they_o intend_v no_o more_o but_o that_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v of_o the_o same_o individual_a substance_n for_o the_o word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o they_o hold_v but_o one_o godhead_n and_o one_o divine_a nature_n and_o upon_o these_o term_n they_o agree_v from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o three_o hypostasis_n 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proper_a to_o signify_v their_o meaning_n which_o be_v that_o there_o be_v three_o which_o have_v distinct_a subsistence_n and_o incommunicable_a property_n and_o one_o and_o the_o same_o divine_a essence_n and_o since_o the_o notion_n of_o it_o be_v so_o well_o understand_v to_o signify_v such_o a_o peculiar_a sense_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o any_o shall_v scruple_n the_o use_n of_o it_o as_o to_o it_o be_v not_o be_v use_v in_o scripture_n socinus_n himself_o despise_v it_o and_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n for_o when_o franciscus_n davides_n object_v that_o the_o term_n of_o essence_n and_o person_n be_v not_o in_o scripture_n socinus_n tell_v he_o 778._o that_o they_o expose_v their_o cause_n who_o go_v upon_o such_o ground_n and_o that_o if_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o be_v in_o scripture_n it_o be_v no_o matter_n whether_o the_o term_n be_v or_o not_o h●ving_v thus_o clear_v the_o notion_n of_o three_o person_n i_o return_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n about_o these_o matter_n and_o our_o unitarian_n tell_v we_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o interpret_v scripture_n otherwise_o how_o do_v that_o appear_v they_o give_v we_o very_o little_a encouragement_n to_o follow_v their_o interpretation_n which_o be_v so_o new_a so_o force_v so_o different_a from_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o which_o i_o may_v say_v reflect_v so_o high_o on_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n i._n e._n by_o make_v use_n of_o such_o expression_n which_o if_o they_o do_v not_o mean_v what_o to_o honest_a and_o sincere_a mind_n they_o appear_v to_o do_v must_v be_v intend_v according_a to_o they_o to_o set_v up_o christ_n a_o mere_a man_n to_o be_v a_o god_n and_o if_o such_o a_o thought_n as_o this_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o think_v man_n it_o will_v tempt_v he_o to_o suspect_v much_o more_o as_o to_o those_o write_n then_o there_o be_v the_o least_o colour_n or_o reason_n for_o therefore_o these_o bold_a inconsiderate_a writer_n ought_v to_o reflect_v on_o the_o consequence_n of_o such_o sort_n of_o argument_n and_o if_o they_o have_v any_o regard_n to_o christianity_n not_o to_o trifle_v with_o scripture_n as_o they_o do_v but_o say_v they_o the_o question_n only_o be_v whether_o we_o ought_v to_o interpret_v scripture_n when_o it_o speak_v of_o god_n 13._o according_a to_o reason_n or_o not_o that_o be_v like_a fool_n or_o like_o wise_a man_n like_o wise_a man_n no_o doubt_n if_o they_o can_v hit_v upon_o it_o but_o they_o go_v about_o it_o as_o untoward_o as_o ever_o man_n do_v for_o be_v this_o to_o interpret_v scripture_n like_o wise_a man_n to_o take_v up_o some_o novel_a interpretation_n against_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v this_o to_o act_v like_o wise_a man_n to_o raise_v objection_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n they_o can_v answer_v and_o to_o cry_v out_o of_o false_a copy_n and_o translation_n without_o reason_n and_o to_o render_v all_o place_n suspicious_a which_o make_v against_o they_o be_v this_o to_o interpret_v scripture_n like_o wise_a man_n to_o make_v our_o saviour_n affect_v to_o be_v think_v a_o god_n when_o he_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a man_n and_o by_o their_o own_o confession_n have_v not_o his_o divine_a authority_n and_o power_n confer_v upon_o he_o and_o to_o make_v his_o apostle_n set_v up_o the_o worship_n of_o a_o creature_n when_o their_o design_n be_v to_o take_v away_o the_o worship_n of_o all_o such_o who_o by_o nature_n be_v not_o god_n 14._o be_v this_o like_a wise_a man_n to_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o these_o be_v only_o such_o god_n who_o they_o have_v set_v up_o and_o god_n have_v not_o appoint_v as_o though_o there_o be_v no_o real_a idolatry_n but_o in_o give_v divine_a worship_n without_o god_n command_n chap._n viii_o the_o socinian_n sense_n of_o scripture_n examine_v but_o they_o must_v not_o think_v to_o escape_v so_o easy_o for_o such_o a_o groundless_a and_o presumptuous_a say_n that_o they_o interpret_v the_o scripture_n not_o like_a fool_n but_o like_o wise_a man_n because_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v real_o the_o main_a point_n between_o we_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v more_o careful_o examine_v the_o wise_a sense_n they_o give_v of_o the_o chief_a place_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n 1._o be_v this_o to_o interpret_v scripture_n like_o wise_a man_n to_o make_v the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n in_o one_o chapter_n and_o that_o but_o a_o short_a one_o to_o bring_v no_o less_o than_o four_o place_n out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o according_a to_o their_o sense_n not_o one_o of_o they_o prove_v that_o which_o he_o aim_v at_o viz._n that_o christ_n be_v superior_a to_o angel_n heb._n 1.5_o as_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o sense_n they_o give_v of_o
so_o gross_o as_o to_o take_v three_o person_n to_o be_v only_o three_o several_a name_n he_o grant_v to_o praxea_n that_o father_n 2._o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v one_o but_o how_o per_fw-la unitatem_fw-la substantiae_fw-la because_o there_o be_v but_o one_o divine_a essence_n but_o yet_o he_o say_v there_o be_v three_o not_o with_o respect_n to_o essential_a attribute_n for_o so_o they_o be_v unius_fw-la substantiae_fw-la &_o unius_fw-la status_fw-la &_o unius_fw-la potestatis_fw-la quia_fw-la unus_fw-la deus_fw-la and_o therefore_o the_o difference_n can_v be_v only_o as_o to_o personal_a property_n and_o distinct_a capacity_n which_o he_o call_v gradus_fw-la forma_fw-la species_n not_o mere_o as_o to_o internal_a relation_n but_o as_o to_o external_a dispensation_n which_o he_o call_v their_o oeconomy_n for_o his_o great_a business_n be_v to_o prove_v against_o praxea_n that_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n have_v those_o thing_n attribute_v to_o they_o in_o scripture_n which_o can_v not_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o father_n for_o praxea_n assert_v ult_n that_o the_o father_n suffer_v and_o thence_o his_o follower_n be_v call_v patripassian_n and_o monarchici_fw-la i._n e._n unitarian_n the_o main_a ground_n which_o praxea_n go_v upon_o 3._o be_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n so_o often_o mention_v in_o scripture_n from_o hence_o tertullian_n say_v that_o he_o take_v advantage_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o common_a sort_n of_o christian_n and_o represent_v to_o they_o that_o whereas_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n make_v but_o one_o god_n those_o who_o hold_v the_o trinity_n according_a to_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n must_v make_v more_o god_n than_o one_o tertullian_n answer_v that_o they_o hold_v a_o monarchy_n i._n e._n unicum_fw-la imperium_fw-la one_o supreme_a godhead_n and_o a_o supreme_a power_n may_v be_v lodge_v in_o distinct_a person_n and_o administer_v in_o several_a manner_n that_o nothing_o overthrow_v the_o divine_a 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of_o what_o tertullian_n say_v upon_o this_o matter_n and_o what_o say_v our_o unitarian_n to_o it_o they_o can_v deny_v that_o he_o be_v a_o ante-nicene_n father_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o he_o do_v understand_v the_o form_n of_o baptism_n so_o as_o to_o imply_v a_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o a_o unity_n of_o essence_n to_o which_o they_o give_v no_o answer_n but_o i_o find_v three_o thing_n object_v against_o tertullian_n by_o their_o friend_n 1._o that_o tertullian_n bring_v this_o doctrine_n into_o the_o church_n from_o montanus_n who_o disciple_n he_o then_o be_v so_o schlichtingius_n in_o his_o preface_n against_o meisner_n 14.17_o grant_n that_o he_o be_v very_o near_o the_o apostolical_a time_n and_o by_o his_o wit_n and_o learning_n promote_v this_o new_a doctrine_n about_o the_o trinity_n especial_o in_o his_o book_n against_o praxeas_n 2._o but_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o he_o bring_v in_o any_o new_a doctrine_n yes_o say_v schlichtingius_n he_o confess_v that_o he_o be_v more_o instruct_v by_o the_o paraclete_n but_o if_o he_o have_v deal_v ingenuous_o he_o will_v have_v own_v that_o in_o that_o very_a place_n etc._n he_o confess_v he_o be_v always_o of_o that_o opinion_n although_o more_o full_o instruct_v by_o the_o paraclete_n this_o only_a show_n that_o montanus_n himself_o innovate_v nothing_o in_o this_o matter_n but_o endeavour_v to_o improve_v it_o and_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o tertullian_n may_v borrow_v his_o similitude_n and_o illustration_n from_o he_o hesternum_fw-la which_o have_v add_v no_o strength_n to_o it_o but_o as_o to_o the_o main_a of_o the_o doctrine_n he_o say_v it_o come_v from_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n before_o praxea_n or_o any_o heretic_n his_o predecessor_n which_o show_v that_o those_o who_o reject_v this_o doctrine_n be_v always_o esteem_v heretic_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o this_o be_v a_o very_a early_a testimony_n of_o the_o antiquity_n and_o general_a reception_n of_o it_o because_o as_o one_o be_v receive_v the_o other_o be_v reject_v so_o that_o the_o assertor_n of_o it_o be_v account_v heretic_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v much_o better_o know_v by_o such_o public_a act_n than_o by_o mere_a particular_a testimony_n of_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o those_o time_n for_o when_o they_o deliver_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o such_o public_a act_n all_o person_n be_v judge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o they_o at_o the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v deliver_v and_o the_o near_o they_o come_v to_o the_o apostolical_a time_n the_o great_a be_v the_o strength_n of_o their_o evidence_n this_o i_o ground_n on_o tertullian_n appeal_n to_o the_o ancient_a rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v universal_o know_v and_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o such_o person_n be_v look_v on_o as_o heretic_n who_o differ_v from_o it_o which_o be_v so_o very_a near_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n shall_v be_v mistake_v as_o to_o what_o they_o receive_v as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v deliver_v and_o explain_v at_o baptism_n and_o therefore_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n must_v be_v understand_v by_o all_o who_o be_v admit_v to_o it_o so_o that_o the_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n can_v be_v suppose_v better_o acquaint_v with_o any_o thing_n than_o the_o doctrine_n they_o be_v baptize_v into_o here_o than_o we_o have_v a_o concurrence_n of_o several_a public_a act_n of_o the_o church_n 1._o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n 2._o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n relate_v to_o that_o form_n and_o explain_v at_o baptism_n 3._o the_o church_n reject_v those_o as_o heretic_n who_o differ_v from_o it_o which_o tertullian_n apply_v to_o those_o who_o reject_v the_o trinity_n and_o praxea_n his_o doctrine_n be_v then_o condemn_v not_o by_o a_o particular_a sentence_n but_o by_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n for_o optatus_n milevitanus_fw-la reckon_v he_o among_o the_o condemn_a heretic_n 1._o and_o join_v he_o with_o marcian_n and_o valentinus_n as_o well_o as_o sabellius_n who_o follow_v he_o in_o the_o same_o heresy_n how_o be_v this_o possible_a if_o praxeas_n deliver_v the_o true_a doctrine_n and_o tertullian_n bring_v in_o a_o new_a opinion_n as_o schlichtingius_n fancy_n tertullian_n be_v at_o that_o time_n a_o declare_a montanist_n and_o if_o he_o have_v introduce_v a_o new_a doctrine_n about_o the_o trinity_n can_v we_o imagine_v those_o will_v have_v be_v silent_a about_o it_o who_o be_v sharp_a enough_o upon_o tertullian_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o paraclete_n some_o of_o the_o follower_n of_o montanus_n afterward_o fall_v into_o the_o same_o opinion_n with_o praxea_n as_o theodoret_n tell_v we_o 2._o and_o tertullian_n say_v as_o much_o of_o those_o cataphrygian_o who_o follow_v aeschines_n 5._o but_o these_o montanist_n be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n and_o rigaltius_n observe_v that_o tertullian_n follow_v montanus_n chief_o in_o what_o relate_v to_o discipline_n praxean_n and_o that_o himself_o be_v not_o so_o corrupt_v in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n as_o some_o of_o his_o follower_n be_v 2._o it_o be_v object_v 27._o that_o tertullian_n doctrine_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n for_o he_o deny_v the_o eternal_a generation_n of_o the_o son_n and_o only_o assert_v a_o emission_n of_o he_o before_o the_o creation_n but_o my_o business_n be_v not_o to_o justify_v all_o tertullian_n expression_n or_o similitude_n for_o man_n of_o wit_n and_o fancy_n love_n to_o go_v out_o of_o the_o road_n and_o sometime_o involve_v thing_n more_o by_o attempt_n to_o explain_v they_o but_o i_o keep_v only_o to_o that_o which_o he_o say_v be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o call_v in_o
account_n of_o it_o 33._o that_o there_o be_v a_o concurrence_n of_o other_o with_o he_o in_o it_o and_o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o innovation_n in_o the_o faith_n for_o his_o opinion_n be_v that_o our_o saviour_n have_v no_o proper_a subsistence_n of_o his_o own_o before_o the_o incarnation_n and_o that_o the_o deity_n of_o the_o father_n alone_o be_v in_o he_o he_o do_v not_o mean_a that_o the_o son_n have_v no_o separate_a divinity_n from_o the_o father_n but_o that_o the_o deity_n of_o the_o father_n only_o appear_v in_o the_o son_n so_o that_o he_o be_v not_o real_o god_n but_o only_o one_o in_o who_o the_o deity_n of_o the_o father_n be_v make_v manifest_a which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o old_a heresy_n in_o the_o church_n and_o the_o most_o early_o condemn_v and_o oppose_v by_o it_o but_o those_o heresy_n which_o before_o have_v difference_v person_n from_o the_o church_n be_v now_o spread_v by_o some_o at_o first_o within_o the_o communion_n of_o it_o as_o it_o be_v not_o only_o in_o the_o case_n of_o noetus_n and_o beryllus_n but_o of_o sabellius_n himself_o who_o make_v the_o great_a noise_n about_o this_o doctrine_n and_o his_o disciple_n epiphanius_n tell_v we_o 62._o spread_v very_o much_o both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a part_n in_o mesopotamia_n and_o at_o rome_n their_o doctrine_n he_o say_v be_v that_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v but_o one_o hypostasis_fw-la with_o three_o different_a denomination_n they_o compare_v god_n to_o the_o sun_n the_o father_n to_o the_o substance_n the_o son_n to_o the_o light_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o the_o heat_n which_o come_v from_o it_o and_o these_o two_o latter_a be_v only_o distinct_a operation_n of_o the_o same_o substance_n epiphanius_n think_v that_o sabellius_n therein_o differ_v from_o noetus_n because_o he_o deny_v that_o the_o father_n suffer_v but_o s._n augustin_n can_v find_v no_o difference_n between_o they_o 36._o all_o that_o can_v be_v conceive_v be_v that_o a_o different_a denomination_n do_v arise_v from_o the_o different_a appearance_n and_o operation_n which_o our_o unitarian_n call_v three_o relative_n person_n and_o one_o subsist_v person_n 1●_n sabellius_n do_v spread_v his_o heresy_n most_o in_o his_o own_o country_n which_o be_v in_o pentapolis_n of_o the_o cyrenaic_a province_n be_v bear_v in_o ptolemais_n one_o of_o the_o five_o city_n there_o of_o this_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n give_v a_o account_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o xystus_n then_o bishop_n of_o rome_n 6.26_o wherein_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o blasphemous_a heresy_n late_o broach_v there_o against_o the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n letter_n on_o both_o side_n be_v bring_v to_o he_o on_o which_o occasion_n he_o write_v several_a epistle_n among_o which_o there_o be_v one_o to_o ammonius_n bishop_n of_o bernice_n another_o of_o the_o city_n of_o pentapolis_n in_o this_o he_o dispute_v with_o great_a warmth_n against_o this_o doctrine_n of_o sabellius_n insomuch_o that_o he_o be_v afterward_o accuse_v to_o dionysius_n of_o rome_n that_o he_o have_v go_v too_o far_o the_o other_o way_n and_o lessen_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o son_n by_o his_o similitude_n of_o which_o he_o clear_v himself_o as_o appear_v by_o what_o remain_v of_o his_o defence_n in_o athanasius_n but_o as_o to_o his_o zeal_n against_o sabellianism_n it_o be_v never_o question_v dionysius_n of_o rome_n declare_v his_o sense_n at_o large_a in_o this_o matter_n against_o both_o extreme_n viz._n of_o those_o who_o assert_v three_o separate_a and_o independent_a principle_n and_o of_o those_o who_o confound_v the_o divine_a person_n 275._o and_o he_o charge_v the_o doctrine_n of_o sabellius_n too_o with_o blasphemy_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o set_v up_o three_o different_a principle_n and_o so_o make_v three_o go_n but_o he_o declare_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o be_v that_o there_o be_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o indivisible_a union_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o godhead_n it_o seem_v dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n be_v accuse_v for_o divide_v and_o separate_v the_o person_n to_o which_o he_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v do_v it_o because_o they_o be_v indivisible_a from_o each_o other_o 561._o and_o the_o name_n of_o each_o person_n do_v imply_v the_o inseparable_a relation_n to_o the_o other_o as_o the_o father_n to_o the_o son_n and_o the_o son_n to_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o both_o and_o this_o judgement_n of_o these_o two_o great_a man_n in_o the_o church_n concern_v sabellianism_n be_v universal_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o this_o happen_v long_o before_o the_o nicene_n council_n 2._o another_o argument_n of_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v from_o the_o hymn_n and_o doxology_n public_o receive_v which_o be_v in_o the_o most_o solemn_a act_n of_o religious_a worship_n make_v to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n appear_v hereby_o that_o divine_a worship_n can_v be_v give_v to_o mere_a name_n and_o a_o equality_n of_o worship_n do_v imply_v a_o equality_n of_o dignity_n in_o the_o object_n of_o worship_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o same_o act_n of_o adoration_n be_v perform_v to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o christian_a church_n do_v esteem_v they_o to_o have_v the_o same_o divine_a nature_n although_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o there_o can_v not_o be_v distinct_a act_n of_o divine_a worship_n perform_v to_o they_o s._n basil_n mention_n this_o doxology_n of_o africanus_n 29._o that_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o five_o book_n of_o his_o chronicon_fw-la we_o render_v thanks_o to_o he_o who_o give_v our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v a_o saviour_n to_o who_o with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n and_o majesty_n for_o ever_o and_o another_o of_o dionysius_n alexandrinus_n in_o his_o 2d_o epistle_n to_o dionysius_n of_o rome_n to_o god_n the_o father_n and_o his_o son_n our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n and_o power_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o amen_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o considerable_a because_o he_o say_v he_o do_v herein_o follow_v the_o ancient_a custom_n and_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n and_o he_o join_v with_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d praise_v god_n in_o the_o same_o voice_n with_o those_o who_o have_v go_v before_o we_o which_o show_v how_o early_o these_o doxology_n to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n have_v be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o to_o let_v we_o the_o better_a understand_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o they_o s._n basil_n have_v preserve_v some_o passage_n of_o dionysius_n alexandrinus_n which_o do_v explain_v it_o viz._n that_o either_o the_o sabellian_o must_v allow_v three_o distinct_a hypostasis_n or_o they_o must_v whole_o take_v away_o the_o trinity_n by_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o by_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n he_o do_v understand_v three_o distinct_a hypostasis_n but_o not_o divide_v for_o that_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sabellians_n argument_n that_o if_o there_o be_v three_o they_o must_v be_v divide_v no_o say_v dionysius_n they_o be_v three_o whether_o the_o sabellian_o will_v or_o not_o or_o else_o there_o be_v no_o trinity_n which_o he_o look_v on_o as_o a_o great_a absurdity_n to_o take_v away_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o divine_a trinity_n of_o what_o of_o mere_a name_n or_o energy_n that_o be_v no_o trinity_n for_o there_o be_v but_o one_o subsist_v person_n of_o separate_a and_o divide_a substance_n that_o the_o sabellian_o thought_n must_v follow_v but_o both_o the_o dionysius_n deny_v it_o and_o in_o another_o passage_n there_o mention_v dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n assert_n the_o trinity_n in_o unity_n 〈◊〉_d but_o before_o dionysius_n he_o quote_v a_o passage_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n concern_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n which_o attribute_n life_n distinct_o to_o they_o now_o life_n can_v belong_v to_o a_o name_n or_o energy_n and_o therefore_o must_v imply_v a_o person_n but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o material_a to_o our_o purpose_n be_v the_o public_a doxology_n in_o the_o church_n of_o neo-caesarea_n bring_v in_o by_o gregory_n thaumaturgus_n s._n basil_n give_v a_o very_a high_a character_n of_o he_o as_o of_o a_o person_n of_o extraordinary_a piety_n and_o exactness_n of_o life_n and_o a_o great_a promoter_n of_o christianity_n in_o those_o part_n and_o by_o he_o the_o form_n of_o doxology_n be_v introduce_v into_o that_o church_n be_v chief_o form_v by_o he_o there_o be_v but_o seventeen_o christian_n when_o he_o be_v first_o make_v bishop_n there_o which_o be_v