sensible_a being_n and_o bid_v fair_a for_o a_o deity_n especial_o if_o he_o be_v as_o they_o suppose_v animate_v by_o a_o spirit_n endue_v with_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n and_o if_o a_o man_n who_o have_v be_v breed_v in_o a_o dark_a cave_n shall_v all_o on_o the_o sudden_a be_v bring_v out_o at_o noonday_n to_o behold_v this_o visible_a world_n after_o he_o have_v view_v and_o consider_v it_o awhile_o he_o will_v in_o all_o probability_n pitch_v upon_o the_o sun_n as_o the_o most_o likely_a of_o all_o the_o thing_n he_o have_v see_v to_o be_v a_o deity_n for_o if_o such_o a_o man_n have_v any_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o be_v to_o choose_v one_o upon_o sight_n he_o will_v without_o dispute_n fix_v upon_o the_o sun_n and_o fall_v down_o before_o he_o and_o worship_n he_o and_o macrobius_n manage_v this_o as_o his_o main_a plea_n for_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o heathen_a that_o under_o all_o the_o several_a name_n of_o their_o god_n they_o worship_v the_o sun_n and_o this_o diversity_n of_o name_n be_v but_o a_o more_o distinct_a conception_n and_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o many_o blessing_n and_o advantage_n which_o mankind_n receive_v from_o he_o and_o a_o more_o particular_a and_o express_a adoration_n of_o the_o several_a power_n and_o perfection_n which_o be_v in_o he_o and_o this_o be_v the_o very_o best_a defence_n and_o all_o the_o tolerable_a sense_n which_o the_o wise_a among_o the_o heathen_a can_v make_v of_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o deity_n and_o yet_o whilst_o they_o general_o own_v one_o supreme_a be_v that_o be_v the_o principle_n and_o original_a of_o all_o thing_n they_o worship_v several_a subordinate_a deity_n as_o real_o distinct_a from_o one_o another_o some_o of_o these_o they_o fancy_v to_o be_v superior_a to_o the_o rest_n and_o to_o have_v their_o residence_n in_o heaven_n by_o which_o marsilius_n ficinus_fw-la suppose_n plato_n to_o mean_v no_o more_o but_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o angel_n these_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dij_fw-la superi_fw-la and_o dij_fw-la caelestes_fw-la superior_a and_o heavenly_a god_n the_o scripture_n term_v they_o the_o host_n of_o heaven_n mean_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n which_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v animate_v or_o at_o least_o to_o be_v inhabit_v by_o angel_n or_o glorious_a spirit_n who_o they_o call_v go_n other_o of_o their_o deity_n be_v account_v much_o inferior_a to_o these_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o soul_n of_o their_o decease_a hero_n who_o for_o their_o great_a and_o worthy_a deed_n when_o they_o live_v upon_o earth_n be_v suppose_v after_o death_n to_o be_v translate_v into_o the_o number_n of_o their_o go_n and_o these_o be_v call_v semidei_fw-la and_o deastri_fw-la that_o be_v half_a god_n and_o a_o sort_n of_o god_n and_o as_o the_o other_o be_v celestial_a so_o these_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o kind_n of_o terrestrial_a spirit_n that_o be_v precedent_n and_o procurator_n of_o human_a affair_n here_o below_o that_o be_v a_o middle_a sort_n of_o divine_a power_n that_o be_v mediator_n and_o agent_n between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o do_v carry_v the_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n of_o man_n to_o god_n and_o bring_v down_o the_o command_v and_o blessing_n of_o god_n to_o men._n but_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o this_o crowd_n and_o confusion_n of_o deity_n and_o the_o various_a superstition_n about_o they_o the_o wise_a heathen_a as_o thales_n pythagoras_n socrates_n plato_n aristotle_n tully_n plutarch_n and_o other_o preserve_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o one_o supreme_a god_n who_o they_o define_v a_o infinite_a spirit_n pure_a from_o all_o matter_n and_o free_a from_o all_o imperfection_n and_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o their_o worship_n be_v as_o they_o pretend_v in_o excuse_n of_o it_o but_o a_o more_o particular_a own_n of_o the_o various_a representation_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o excellency_n which_o manifest_v themselves_o in_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o several_a communication_n of_o blessing_n and_o favour_n by_o they_o impart_v to_o man_n 10._o nay_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o that_o even_o when_o idolatry_n have_v very_o much_o obscure_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o sovereign_a deity_n yet_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n do_v still_o in_o their_o common_a form_n of_o speech_n appropriate_v the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o a_o more_o especial_a and_o peculiar_a manner_n to_o one_o say_v if_o god_n grant_v if_o god_n please_v and_o the_o like_a so_o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n or_o the_o notion_n of_o one_o supreme_a god_n creator_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o primitive_a and_o general_a belief_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o polytheism_n and_o idolatry_n be_v a_o corruption_n and_o degeneracy_n from_o the_o original_a notion_n which_o mankind_n have_v concern_v god_n as_o the_o scripture-history_n do_v declare_v and_o testify_v and_o this_o account_n which_o i_o have_v give_v of_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n excuse_v it_o for_o whatever_o may_v be_v say_v by_o way_n of_o extenuation_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o more_o devout_a among_o they_o the_o generality_n be_v gross_o guilty_a both_o of_o believe_v more_o god_n and_o of_o worship_v false_a go_n and_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o very_a great_a crime_n since_o the_o scripture_n every_o where_o declare_v god_n to_o be_v particular_o jealous_a in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o he_o will_v not_o give_v his_o glory_n to_o another_o nor_o his_o praise_n to_o grave_a image_n nay_o we_o may_v not_o so_o much_o as_o make_v use_n of_o sensible_a image_n to_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o god_n lest_o devout_a ignorance_n see_v the_o worship_n which_o wise_a man_n pay_v towards_o a_o idol_n shall_v be_v draw_v to_o terminate_v their_o worship_n there_o as_o be_v the_o very_a deity_n itself_o which_o be_v certain_o the_o case_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o sure_o those_o christian_n be_v in_o no_o less_o danger_n of_o idolatry_n who_o pay_v a_o veneration_n to_o image_n by_o kneel_v down_o and_o pray_v before_o they_o and_o in_o this_o they_o be_v much_o more_o inexcusable_a because_o they_o offend_v against_o a_o much_o clear_a light_n and_o yet_o when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o justify_v this_o practice_n be_v able_a to_o bring_v no_o other_o nor_o better_a plea_n for_o themselves_o than_o the_o heathen_a do_v for_o their_o worship_v of_o image_n and_o for_o pray_v to_o their_o inferior_a deity_n who_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o mediator_n between_o the_o god_n in_o heaven_n and_o man_n upon_o earth_n there_o be_v but_o one_o objection_n that_o i_o know_v of_o against_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o mankind_n concern_v the_o unity_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v a_o ancient_a doctrine_n of_o some_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a nation_n that_o there_o be_v two_o first_o cause_n or_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n the_o one_o the_o cause_n of_o all_o good_a and_o the_o other_o of_o all_o the_o evil_a that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n the_o reason_n whereof_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v that_o they_o can_v not_o apprehend_v how_o thing_n of_o so_o contrary_a a_o nature_n as_o good_a and_o evil_a can_v proceed_v from_o one_o and_o the_o same_o cause_n and_o these_o two_o principle_n in_o several_a nation_n be_v call_v by_o several_a name_n plutarch_n say_v that_o among_o the_o greek_n the_o good_a principle_n be_v call_v god_n and_o the_o evil_a principle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o devil_n in_o conformity_n to_o which_o ancient_a tradition_n the_o manichee_n a_o sect_n which_o call_v themselves_o christian_n do_v advance_v two_o principle_n the_o one_o infinite_o good_a which_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v the_o original_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o good_a which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n the_o other_o infinite_o evil_a to_o which_o they_o ascribe_v all_o the_o evil_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o all_o this_o be_v very_o plain_o a_o corruption_n of_o a_o much_o more_o ancient_a tradition_n concern_v that_o old_a serpent_n the_o devil_n the_o head_n of_o the_o fall_v angel_n who_o by_o tempt_v our_o first_o parent_n to_o transgress_v a_o positive_a and_o express_a law_n of_o god_n bring_v sin_n first_o into_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o evil_n consequent_a upon_o it_o of_o which_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o a_o most_o express_a and_o particular_a account_n and_o as_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o be_v infinite_o evil_a into_o which_o this_o tradition_n be_v corrupt_v after_o idolatry_n have_v prevail_v in_o the_o world_n beside_o that_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n it_o will_v likewise_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o assert_v two_o opposite_a principle_n of_o infinite_a that_o be_v
reasonable_o presume_v that_o they_o who_o talk_v of_o they_o do_v themselves_o never_o thorough_o understand_v and_o least_o of_o all_o be_v it_o necessary_a to_o believe_v they_o the_o modesty_n of_o christian_n be_v content_v in_o divine_a mystery_n to_o know_v what_o god_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o reveal_v concern_v they_o and_o have_v no_o curiosity_n to_o be_v wise_a above_o that_o which_o be_v write_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o believe_v what_o god_n say_v concern_v these_o matter_n and_o if_o any_o man_n will_v venture_v to_o say_v more_o every_o other_o man_n sure_o be_v at_o his_o liberty_n to_o believe_v as_o he_o see_v reason_n ii_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v in_o the_o next_o place_n be_v consider_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n even_o as_o it_o be_v assert_v in_o scripture_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o we_o to_o be_v still_o a_o great_a mystery_n and_o so_o imperfect_o reveal_v as_o to_o be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n incomprehensible_a by_o human_a reason_n and_o therefore_o though_o some_o learned_a and_o judicious_a man_n may_v have_v very_o commendable_o attempt_v a_o more_o particular_a explication_n of_o this_o great_a mystery_n by_o the_o strength_n of_o reason_n yet_o i_o dare_v not_o pretend_v to_o that_o know_v both_o the_o difficulty_n and_o danger_n of_o such_o a_o attempt_n and_o my_o own_o insufficiency_n for_o it_o all_o that_o i_o ever_o design_v upon_o this_o argument_n be_v to_o make_v out_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o thing_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o h._n scripture_n without_o descend_v to_o a_o more_o particular_a explication_n of_o it_o than_o the_o scripture_n have_v give_v we_o lest_o by_o endeavour_v to_o lay_v the_o difficulty_n which_o be_v already_o start_v about_o it_o new_a one_o shall_v be_v raise_v and_o such_o as_o may_v perhaps_o be_v much_o hard_a to_o be_v remove_v than_o those_o which_o we_o have_v now_o to_o grapple_v withal_o and_o this_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v in_o some_o measure_n do_v in_o one_o of_o the_o former_a discourse_n ii_o nor_o indeed_o do_v i_o see_v that_o it_o be_v any_o way_n necessary_a to_o do_v more_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o god_n have_v declare_v what_o he_o think_v fit_a in_o this_o matter_n and_o that_o we_o do_v firm_o believe_v what_o he_o say_v concern_v it_o to_o be_v true_a though_o we_o do_v not_o perfect_o comprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o all_o that_o he_o have_v say_v about_o it_o for_o in_o this_o and_o the_o like_a case_n i_o take_v a_o implicit_a faith_n to_o be_v very_o commendable_a that_o be_v to_o believe_v whatever_o we_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v god_n have_v reveal_v though_o we_o do_v not_o full_o understand_v his_o meaning_n in_o such_o a_o revelation_n and_o thus_o every_o man_n who_o believe_v the_o h._n scripture_n to_o be_v a_o true_o divine_a revelation_n do_v implicit_o believe_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o several_a obscure_a expression_n in_o those_o book_n though_o he_o do_v not_o particular_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o all_o the_o prediction_n and_o expression_n contain_v in_o they_o in_o like_a manner_n there_o be_v certain_o a_o great_a many_o very_a good_a christian_n who_o do_v not_o believe_v and_o comprehend_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n nice_o enough_o to_o approve_v themselves_o to_o a_o scholastical_a and_o magisterial_a judge_n of_o controversy_n who_o yet_o if_o they_o do_v hearty_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o live_v up_o to_o the_o plain_a precept_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v i_o doubt_v not_o be_v very_o well_o approve_v by_o the_o great_a and_o just_a and_o by_o the_o infallible_o infallible_a judge_n of_o the_o world_n iii_o let_v it_o be_v further_o consider_v that_o though_o neither_o the_o word_n trinity_n nor_o perhaps_o person_n in_o the_o sense_n in_o which_o it_o be_v use_v by_o divine_n when_o they_o treat_v of_o this_o mystery_n be_v any_o where_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o scripture_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o three_o be_v there_o speak_v of_o by_o the_o name_n of_o father_n son_n and_o h._n ghost_n in_o who_o name_n every_o christian_n be_v baptize_v and_o to_o each_o of_o who_o the_o high_a title_n and_o property_n of_o god_n be_v in_o scripture_n attribute_v and_o these_o three_o be_v speak_v of_o with_o as_o much_o distinction_n from_o one_o another_o as_o we_o use_v to_o speak_v of_o three_o several_a person_n so_o that_o though_o the_o word_n trinity_n be_v not_o find_v in_o scripture_n yet_o these_o three_o be_v there_o express_o and_o frequent_o mention_v and_o trinity_n be_v nothing_o but_o three_o of_o any_o thing_n and_o so_o likewise_o though_o the_o word_n person_n be_v not_o there_o express_o apply_v to_o father_n son_n and_o h._n ghost_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o find_v a_o more_o convenient_a word_n whereby_o to_o express_v the_o distinction_n of_o these_o three_o for_o which_o reason_n i_o can_v never_o yet_o see_v any_o just_a cause_n to_o quarrel_v at_o this_o term_n for_o since_o the_o h._n spirit_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n have_v think_v fit_a in_o speak_v of_o these_o three_o to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o one_o another_o as_o we_o use_v in_o common_a speech_n to_o distinguish_v three_o several_a person_n i_o can_v see_v any_o reason_n why_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o this_o mystery_n which_o pure_o depend_v upon_o divine_a revelation_n we_o shall_v not_o speak_v of_o it_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o scripture_n do_v and_o though_o the_o word_n person_n be_v now_o become_v a_o term_n of_o art_n i_o see_v no_o cause_n why_o we_o shall_v decline_v it_o so_o long_o as_o we_o mean_v by_o it_o neither_o more_o nor_o less_o than_o what_o the_o scripture_n say_v in_o other_o word_n iv._o it_o deserve_v further_a to_o be_v consider_v that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o very_a ancient_a tradition_n concern_v three_o real_a difference_n or_o distinction_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o these_o as_o i_o say_v before_o very_o near_o resemble_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n whence_o this_o tradition_n have_v its_o original_n be_v not_o easy_a upon_o good_a and_o certain_a ground_n to_o say_v but_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o jew_n ancient_o have_v this_o notion_n and_o that_o they_o do_v distinguish_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o h._n spirit_n of_o god_n from_o he_o who_o be_v absolute_o call_v god_n and_o who_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o philo_n judaeus_n and_o moses_n nachmanides_n 5._o and_o other_o cite_v by_o the_o learned_a grotius_n in_o his_o incomparable_a book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o among_o the_o heathen_a plato_n who_o probable_o enough_o may_v have_v this_o notion_n from_o the_o jew_n do_v make_v three_o distinction_n in_o the_o deity_n by_o the_o name_n of_o essential_a goodness_n and_o mind_n and_o spirit_n so_o that_o whatever_o objection_n this_o matter_n may_v be_v liable_a to_o it_o be_v not_o so_o peculiar_a a_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o many_o have_v imagine_v though_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o it_o with_o much_o more_o clearness_n and_o certainty_n and_o consequent_o neither_o the_o jew_n nor_o plato_n have_v any_o reason_n to_o object_v it_o to_o we_o christian_n especial_o since_o they_o pretend_v no_o other_o ground_n for_o it_o but_o either_o their_o own_o reason_n or_o a_o ancient_a tradition_n from_o their_o father_n whereas_o we_o christian_n do_v appeal_v to_o express_v divine_a revelation_n for_o what_o we_o believe_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o do_v believe_v it_o single_o upon_o that_o account_n v._o it_o be_v beside_o very_o considerable_a that_o the_o scripture_n do_v deliver_v this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n without_o any_o manner_n of_o doubt_n or_o question_n concern_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o do_v most_o steadfast_o and_o constant_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o in_o those_o very_a text_n in_o which_o these_o three_o difference_n be_v mention_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v express_o assert_v and_o where_o st._n john_n make_v mention_n of_o the_o father_n the_o word_n and_o the_o spirit_n the_o unity_n of_o these_o three_o be_v likewise_o affirm_v there_o be_v three_o that_o bear_v record_n in_o heaven_n the_o father_n the_o word_n and_o the_o spirit_n and_o these_o three_o be_v one._n vi_o it_o be_v yet_o further_o considerable_a that_o from_o this_o mystery_n as_o deliver_v in_o scripture_n a_o plurality_n of_o god_n can_v be_v infer_v without_o make_v the_o scripture_n gross_o to_o contradict_v itself_o which_o i_o charitable_o suppose_v the_o socinian_o will_v be_v as_o loath_a
to_o admit_v as_o we_o ourselves_o be_v and_o if_o either_o council_n or_o father_n or_o schoolman_n have_v so_o explain_v this_o mystery_n as_o to_o give_v any_o just_a ground_n or_o so_o much_o as_o a_o plausible_a colour_n for_o such_o a_o inference_n let_v the_o blame_v fall_v where_o it_o be_v due_a and_o let_v it_o not_o be_v charge_v on_o the_o h._n scripture_n but_o rather_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v in_o another_o case_n let_v god_n be_v true_a and_o every_o man_n a_o liar_n viithly_fw-mi and_o last_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n to_o believe_v some_o thing_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a by_o our_o reason_n provide_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n and_o reason_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v concern_v god_n who_o be_v in_o his_o nature_n incomprehensible_a and_o we_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o he_o have_v reveal_v they_o and_o therefore_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o offend_v 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