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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	according_a	create_v	great_a	74	3	2.1091	3	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52606	A brief history of the Unitarians, called also Socinians in four letters, written to a friend.	Nye, Stephen, 1648?-1719.; Biddle, John, 1615-1662.; Firmin, Thomas, 1632-1697.	1687 (1687)	Wing N1505; ESTC R37735	58,564	186

occasion both to his Friends and Enemies to think him an Arian He saith that Phil. 2. 6. was the principal Argument of the Fathers against the Arians but that to say true it proves nothing against them He notes on Eph. 5. 5. that the word God being used absolutely doth in the Apostolick Writings always signifie the Father In his Scholia on the third Tome of St. Jerom's Epistles he denies that the Arians were Hereticks he adds farther that they were superior to our Men in Learning and Eloquence 'T is believed Erasmus did not make himself a party to that which he esteemed the ignorant and dull side of the Question In his Epistle to Bilibaldus he speaks as openly as the times would permit a wise Man to speak I saith Erasmus could be of the Arian Perswasion if the Church approved it 2. H. Grotius is Socinian all over This great Man in his younger Years attacked the Socinians in a principal Article of their Doctrine But being answered by J. Crellius he not only never replied but thank'd Crellius for his Answer and afterwards publishing some Annotations on the Bible he interpreted the whole according to the mind of the Socinians There is nothing in all his Annotations which they do not approve and applaud His Annotations are a compleat System of Socinianism not excepting his Notes on John 1. 1 c. which are written so artificially and interwove with so many different Quotations that he has cover'd himself and his sense of that Portion of Scripture from such as do not read him carefully 3. D. Petavius the most Learned of the Jesuits has granted that generally the Fathers who lived before the Nicene Council and whose Writings are preserved agreed in their Doctrine concerning God with the Nazarens or Socinians and concerning the Son our Lord Christ and the Holy Spirit with the Arians For 't is to be noted that the Arians and Socinians agree in their Doctrine concerning God that he is only one Person the God and Father of our Lord Christ but they differ concerning the Son and Holy Spirit The Son according to the Arians was generated or created some time before the World and in process of time for great and necessary causes became incarnate in our Nature The Holy Ghost they say is the Creature of the Son and subservient to him in the Work of Creation But the Socinians deny that the Son our Lord Christ had any Existence before he was born of Blessed Mary being conceived in her by the holy Spirit of God They say the Spirit is the Power and Inspiration of God saving that Mr. Bidle and those that follow him take the holy Spirit to be a Person chief of the Heavenly Spirits prime Minister of God and Christ and therefore called the Spirit by way of excellence and the Holy Spirit to discriminate him from Satan Prince and Chief of the wicked and Apostate Spirits This difference notwithstanding because they agree in the principal Article that there is but one God or but one who is God both parties Socinians and Arians are called Vnitarians and esteem of one another as Christians and true Believers as may be seen on the part of the Arians in their Historian Chr. Sandius Hist Eccl. l. 1. c. de Paul. Semosat and for the Socinians in the Disputation of Alba. But to return to Petavius He often affirms that the Doctrine of the Trinity and of the Divinity of the Son and Spirit cannot be proved by Scripture only and that those who have attempted it have always been baffled He adds there is no way to Unity in the Church about these matters but by contenting our selves to speak concerning them as the Fathers who lived nearest to the Apostles time did speak 4. S. Episcopius so much esteemed by our English Divines seems to have been an Arian He saith the Father is so first as to be first in order i. e. time in Dignity and in Power He saith that to make three equal Persons in God or in the Godhead is to make three Gods. He denies that the Lord Christ is the Son of God by substantial Generation that is by Generation from the Father's Substance or Essence Speaking of the Creeds that express the Catholick Doctrine of the Trinity and the Divinity of the Son and Spirit he saith that Bishops in general Councils being led by Fury Faction and Madness did not so much compose as huddle up Creeds for the Church See for these things Episc Inst Theol. l. 4 c. 32 33 34. 5. C. Sandius a Gentleman of prodigious Industry and Reading and no less ingenious then learned in all his Books refuses in Words to be called either Arian or Socinian but has written an Ecclesiastical History in Quarto with Addenda to it Coloniae 1678 on purpose to prove that all Antiquity was Arian and that the Vnitarian Doctrine has been reduced so low by the Persecutions of Rome and the puissant Arms of Charles the Great and other Kings of France for which Services they have been requited by the Roman Pontiff with the Titles of Most Christian Kings and Eldest Sons of the Church He has also under the borrowed Name of Cingallus written a small Treatise with this Title Scriptura Trinitatis Revelatrix here under pretence of asserting the Trinity he has as much as he could defeated all the strengths of the Catholick Cause and shews that there is no considerable Text objected to the Arians or Socinians but is given up as an incompetent and insignificant proof by some or other of the principal Critics and Authors who were themselves Trinitarians so that among them they have given away the Victory to their Adversaries But Sir I perceive I have drawn out this account of the Socinians to already a sufficient length for a Letter I will therefore conclude with a Passage out of Dr. Burnet's second Book of the History of the Reformation abridged George van Parr a Dutch Man refused to abjure so he was burnt in the year 1549 by virtue of a Law or Writ since abolished by Act of Parliament for affirming that only the Father is God and denying the Divinity of the Son our Lord Christ He had led a very exemplary Life for Fasting Devotion and a good Conversation and suffered with extraordinary Composedness of Mind These things cast a great Blemish on the Reformers It was said they only condemned Cruelty when acted on themselves but were ready to practise it when they had Power The Papists made great use of this in the next Queen Mary's Reign and what Arch-Bishop Cranmer and Bishop Ridly Authors of Van Parrs Punishment suffered in her time was thought a just Retaliation on them by that wise Providence which disposes all things justly to all Men. Thus far Dr. Burnet SIR I am most sincerely Yours A Second Letter TO A FRIEND Concerning the UNITARIANS Called also SOCINIANS Containing the Texts objected to them out of the Old Testament and their Answers Acts 24.

was in being before all other Creatures but the meaning is he is the first-born from the dead of all God's Creatures He is the first that was raised from the dead and thus as it were born again into the World so as never to die again but forthwith injoy eternal Life Thus in this very Context is the first-born explained ver 18. He is the Head of the Body the Church who is the Beginning the first-born from the dead 2. These Words For by him were all things created c. are not spoken of Christ but of God. The sense of the whole Context is this the Lord Christ is the most perfect Image of the invisible God the first-born from the dead of every Creature for O Colossians by him even by the invisible God were all things created they were not as some of your Philosophers have taught you from all Eternity nor as others say arose from the accidental Concourse of Atoms but all of them whether things in Heaven or things in Earth whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers are Creatures and were by God created who is before them all and by him they all consist But he is the Head of the Body the Church who is the Beginning and first-born from the dead even the Lord Christ 3. They observe farther that the most learned and critical Interpreters of the Trinitarians do not think that Creation is in this Context ascribed to Christ They interpret this Context thus The most Beloved so first-born is used by the Hebrews and Hellenists Exod. 4. 22. Psal 89. 27. Jer. 31. 9. of every Creature or the Chief and Head of every Creature So Camero Piscator Deodat Dally Vorstius Davenant Grotius For by him were all things modelled whether they be things in Heaven or things in Earth modelled not created So of the Ancients even Athanasius and St. Cyril and Fulgentius So also Alfonsus Salmero Arias Montanus Grotius and many more The Lord Christ is said to model or order all things on Earth because of the great change he introduced abolishing Judaism and Paganism the only Religions then in the World and introducing Christianity in their stead He new ordered or modelled the Thrones Dominions Principalities Powers and other Angelick Orders in Heaven in that he became their Head and King whereas they were before immediately under God and giveth to them from time to time such Orders and Directions as to him seem good 1 Pet. 3. 22. Rev. 1. 1. Rev. 5. 6. Whereas 't is added at ver 17. He is before all things They understand it thus he is in Worth and Excellence as well as Dignity and Power before all other Persons and things And by him all things consist i. e. By his wise Providence and Government they consist or fall into no Disorder and Confusion 4. St. Chrysostom goes away by himself He understands indeed ver 16. of Christ but he renders it not for by him were all things created but thus the most beloved of every Creature for for him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth c. So that the sense here is the same with what is said Heb. 1. 2. Whom he God hath appointed Heir of all things i. e. All things were originally made with respect to Christ that they might be subjected one day to him and he be made Heir or Lord under God his Father of them 17. Col. 2. 3. In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Answ 1. The Socinians grant that in Christ are inestimable Treasures of Wisdom given to him by God. But 2. It has been observed by others that this particular Verse and it s Context should have been thus translated to the Acknowledgment of the Mystery of God even the Father and of Christ in which i. e. in which Mystery are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg 18. Col. 2. 9. In him dwelleth the Fulness of the Godhead bodily and ye are compleat in him or ye are filled by him Answ 1. 'T is also said Eph. 3. 9. That ye ye Ephesians might be filled with all the Fulness of God. And this very Text of the Colossians saith that the Fulness of God or of the Godhead is so in Christ that we are filled by him with the same Therefore the Fulness of God or of the Godhead here is the Fulness of the Knowledg of God or of the Godhead this dwelt in Christ and with this he hath filled or compleated us Christians This Knowledg is said to dwell in Christ bodily or as others translate substantially in Opposition to that imperfect umbratile and unsincere Knowledg of God that was to be found in the Philosophy and Philosophers of the Greeks who in Paul's time were in great Esteem among the Colossians and other Greek Nations and Colonies This Interpretation is confirmed by ver 8. and allowed by the most learned and Orthodox Interpreters 19. 1 Thess 3. 11 12. God himself and our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct in the Greek prosper our way unto you Answ Paul wisheth that the Lord Christ may prosper his way meaning by his general Intercession with God for all his Ministers and other Labourers in the Gospel as also by his Angels who are Christ's Agents sent forth to minister to i. e. to protect and help those that shall be Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. 1 Pet. 3. 22. Rev. 1. 1. Rev. 5. 6. But it is added at ver 12. of this third to the Colossians And the Lord make you to encrease and abound in Love. Answ If these Words are to be understood of Christ It must be said that the Lord Christ causeth us to abound in Love and all other Graces partly by his Gospel partly by his Intercession with him who is the Giver of every good and perfect Gift Heb. 7. 25. See also what has been said on Acts 9. 14 21. 20. 2 Thess 2. 16 17. Our Lord Jesus comfort your Hearts and establish you in every good Word and Work. Answ See on 1 Thess 3. 11 12. 21. 1 Tim. 3. 16. Without Controversy great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifest in the Flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels believed on in the World received up into Glory Answ It appears by the Syriac Latin Ethiopic Armenian Arabic and most ancient Greek Bibles as also by the first Council of Nice and a great many Citations out of the Fathers both Greek and Latin that the Word God was not originally in this Text but added to it For they read it thus Without Controversy great is the Mystery of Godliness which was manifest by Flesh that is by Man by the Ministry of Men even Jesus and his Apostles justified by the Spirit i. e. proved by Miracles done by the Spirit or Power of God seen of Angels i. e. discovered to Angels who greatly desired to understand this Secret and the Particulars and Causes of it Eph. 3. 10

11. 1 Pet. 1. 12. believed on in the World received with Glory that is entertained in most places with the greatest Respect and Honour Gal. 4. 15. Note that the Gospel is here called a Mystery because it was so long concealed and so late discovered and the Mystery of Godliness from its Effect namely because it disposeth Mens Minds to true Piety and Godliness Note also that it was Macedonius the 2d Patriarch of Constantinople that corrupted this Text by substitution of the word God instead of the word which and for this and other matters he was deposed in an Episcopal Council and banished by the Emperour Anastatius about the Year 512. But 2. Admitting the word God were truly read in the vulgar Copies of the Greek yet if you will make sense you must thus translate and interpret great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifested by Flesh i. e. God's Nature and Will was manifested by Flesh that is by Man by Jesus Christ and his Apostles to us Gentiles was justiby the Spirit i. e. the same Will and Nature of God was verified by Miracles done by the Spirit or Power of God was seen of Angels was known to the Angels who were very desirous to understand this new Revelation believed on in the World received with Glory or gloriously 22. 1 Tim. 6. 14 15 16. Vntil the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ which in his time he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate whom no Man hath seen nor can see Answ The last Words shew that not the Lord Christ but God is designed in this whole Description 23. 2 Tim. 3. 16. All Scripture is given by Inspiration from God. 2 Pet. 1. 21. Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Answ The Holy Ghost or Spirit being only the Inspiration and Power of God it is truly said that the Scriptures which proceeded from that Inspiration did proceed from God and that those who were acted by that Inspiration were acted by God. 24. Titus 2. 13. Looking for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Answ 1. Nothing hinders but that we may believe that not only the Lord Christ but God himself will appear at the last Judgment So that Christ is said to judg the World because he shall pronounce the Decree and Sentence of God and order the Angels to execute it So several of the Fathers understood this Text. 2. But the Truth is the Words in the Greek are thus Looking for the appearing of the Glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Where the Glory of the great God is the Pomp Power and Angels that God even the Father will cause to accompany the Lord Christ on that Day Matth. 16. 27. The Son shall appear in the Glory of his Father with his the Fathers Angels 25. Heb. 1. 2. By whom also he made the Worlds Answ Grotius renders the Greek thus For whom he made the Worlds The Author saith Grotius writing to the Hebrews refers to a Maxim received among them that the World was made for the Messias This Translation suits well with what went before whom he hath appointed Heir of all things for what can be more agreeable than that the World should be made for him who is appointed Heir or Lord of it Others render the Words thus By whom he made the Ages understanding hereby the Gospel-Ages or Times 26. Heb. 1. 3. Vpholding all things by the Word of his Power or governing all things by his Powerful Word Answ This is to be understood of God's Word or Power not of Christ's otherways than it was communicated to him by God and did abide on him For the whole Context runs thus Who Christ being the Brightness of his God's Glory and the express Image of his God's Person and upholding in the Greek Governing all things by his God's powerful Word So the sense is Christ upholds the Government and Order of the Church both in Heaven and Earth he governs the Angels and Spirits of Heaven and the Church militant on Earth by the Word i. e. the Power of God given to him without measure See also on John 1. 1 c. 27. Heb. 1. 5. Thou art my Son. Answ See on Psal 2. 7. in the second Letter 28. Heb. 1. 6. Again when he bringeth the first-begotten into the World he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him Answ See on Psal 97. 7. in the second Letter But as to the word First-begotten or First-born it doth not belong to Christ only in all the senses of it Christ is Almighty God's first-begotten or First-born from the dead as was said on Col. 1. 16. but in other respects others also are so called Israel is Gods First-born Exod. 4. 22. and David Psal 89. 26 27. for this Expression in the Hebrew signifies ordinarily no more than the most beloved or much beloved as is apparent from the Texts last cited and from Jer. 31. 9. Heb. 11. 17. 29. Heb. 1. 8. Vnto the Son he saith Thy Throne O God is for ever Answ In the Greek 't is unto the Son he saith God is thy Throne i. e. thy Seat Resting-Place and Establishment for ever So Grotius 30. Heb. 1. 10. And thou Lord in the Beginning hast laid the Foundation of the Earth Answ See on Psal 102. 25. from whence these Words are taken 31. Heb. 2. 14. For as much as the Children are partakers of Flesh and Blood he also himself took part of the same Answ The Socinians do not deny that the Soul of Christ took part in Flesh and Blood that is was incarnate as his Children that is his People were also Partakers in Flesh and Blood. 32. Heb. 2. 16. He took not on him the Nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham Answ In the Greek and in the Margin of our Bibles 't is He taketh not hold of Angels i. e. he saved not from Ruin and from utter and final falling into Perdition the Apostate Angels but of the Seed of Abraham he taketh hold i. e. he saveth the Seed of Abraham The Author here mentioneth only the Seed of Abraham because this Epistle was written only to the Hebrews Unless perhaps by the Seed of Abraham he meaneth Abraham's spiritual Seed all the faithful all true Believers 33. Heb. 3. 3 6. He who hath builded the House hath more Honour than the House Christ as a Son over his own House whose House are we Answ The House here is not Mens Bodies but the Church of Christ which under God he is truly said to build partly by himself partly by his Ministers 34. Heb. 4. 15 16. We have not an High-Priest which cannot be touched with the Feeling of our Infirmities but was in all points tempted as we are Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace Answ We are encouraged here to pray with Assurance and Faith to God by this Argument or Consideration