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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
doctrine_n christian_a church_n tradition_n 2,130 5 9.0624 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A52613 A letter of resolution concerning the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation Nye, Stephen, 1648?-1719. 1691 (1691) Wing N1507B; ESTC R217844 25,852 20

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begin_v to_o corrupt_v the_o true_a doctrine_n concern_v the_o person_n of_o our_o saviour_n make_v he_o to_o be_v much_o great_a than_o he_o be_v from_o about_o the_o year_n 150_o some_o of_o they_o be_v get_v into_o the_o opinion_n that_o be_v afterward_o call_v arianism_n or_o the_o arian_n trinity_n but_o this_o i_o affirm_v and_o all_o the_o critic_n among_o the_o trinitarian_n do_v own_o it_o that_o those_o father_n speak_v not_o of_o the_o trinity_n and_o of_o the_o point_n and_o question_n thereon_o depend_v as_o the_o church_n now_o do_v they_o so_o hold_v a_o kind_n of_o trinity_n as_o not_o to_o destroy_v the_o unity_n of_o god_n or_o that_o only_o the_o father_n be_v true_o and_o proper_o god._n but_o this_o be_v a_o digression_n i_o proceed_v to_o our_o five_o reason_n against_o these_o doctrine_n they_o have_v be_v partly_o the_o direct_a and_o necessary_a cause_n partly_o the_o unhappy_a occasion_n of_o divers_a scandalous_a and_o hurtful_a error_n and_o heresy_n 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council_n of_o nice_a anno_fw-la 325_o to_o determine_v for_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n so_o great_a a_o point_n as_o this_o that_o there_o be_v more_o than_o one_o divine_a and_o eternal_a person_n they_o send_v the_o new_a creed_n and_o act_n of_o that_o council_n to_o the_o church_n and_o bishop_n who_o have_v not_o be_v present_a at_o it_o to_o be_v by_o they_o subscribe_v hereupon_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n assemble_v themselves_o in_o about_o 30_o provincial_a council_n reject_v the_o word_n consubstantial_a or_o of_o the_o same_o substance_n with_o the_o father_n in_o which_o the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o trinitarianism_n and_o the_o stress_n of_o the_o nicene_n creed_n do_v lie_v they_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n admit_v of_o this_o word_n so_o faith_n marcus_n ephesin_n the_o most_o learned_a of_o the_o greek_n council_n florent_fw-la sess_n 5._o the_o bishop_n of_o germany_n and_o of_o belgium_n now_o the_o low-countries_n and_o of_o gaul_n now_o france_n and_o of_o the_o three_o province_n of_o great_a britain_n will_v not_o receive_v the_o creed_n of_o nice_a give_v this_o reason_n that_o the_o word_n consubstantial_a be_v unscriptural_a so_o say_v st._n hilary_n that_o great_a adversary_n of_o the_o arian_n and_o other_o unitarian_n towards_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o book_n the_o synod_n the_o bishop_n of_o africa_n seem_v not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o have_v take_v into_o their_o archive_v or_o registry_n the_o act_n canon_n or_o creed_n of_o nice_a for_o in_o the_o year_n 418_o in_o a_o contest_v between_o they_o and_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n they_o send_v to_o constantinople_n and_o alexandria_n for_o copy_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n council_n carthag_n 6._o anno_fw-la 418._o the_o nicene_n council_n be_v thus_o refuse_v and_o despise_v by_o all_o the_o considerable_a nation_n profess_v christianity_n the_o nicene_n faction_n of_o bishop_n begin_v to_o consult_v of_o a_o way_n how_o to_o settle_v their_o belove_a doctrine_n by_o political_a art_n and_o at_o length_n they_o resolve_v upon_o this_o expedient_a anno_fw-la 347_o have_v get_v on_o their_o side_n the_o emperor_n constans_n and_o find_v that_o the_o bishop_n and_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v thorough_o in_o their_o interest_n they_o assemble_v in_o council_n at_o sardica_n and_o there_o make_v those_o famous_a canon_n on_o which_o all_o learned_a man_n know_v the_o authority_n and_o supremacy_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v whole_o ground_v and_o which_o those_o bishop_n have_v ever_o since_o exercise_v they_o design_v by_o these_o canon_n to_o secure_v the_o bishop_n and_o other_o ecclesiastic_n of_o the_o nicene_n party_n now_o call_v trinitarian_n in_o their_o bishopric_n and_o other_o church-dignity_n and_o to_o eject_v from_o time_n to_o time_n all_o unitarian_n but_o these_o politician_n be_v quite_o out_o in_o hope_v for_o such_o a_o effect_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o govern_v the_o catholic_n church_n by_o those_o canon_n that_o they_o serve_v to_o no_o other_o purpose_n but_o the_o enslave_v the_o maker_n of_o they_o and_o their_o successor_n to_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n but_o for_o a_o full_a account_n sir_n of_o this_o sardican_a council_n or_o rather_o conventicle_n i_o refer_v you_o to_o the_o act_n of_o athanasius_n late_o publish_v in_o which_o the_o history_n of_o these_o betrayer_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v full_o relate_v 2._o in_o the_o year_n 431_o it_o be_v conclude_v and_o determine_v by_o the_o trinitarian_n faction_n assemble_v in_o council_n at_o ephesus_n that_o god_n the_o son_n be_v true_o and_o proper_o incarnate_a in_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n and_o be_v bear_v of_o she_o so_o that_o mary_n be_v not_o only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mother_n of_o christ_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mother_n of_o god_n this_o blasphemon_n and_o contradictory_n conclusion_n be_v once_o make_v immediate_o they_o fall_v to_o worship_v and_o pray_v to_o she_o if_o god_n the_o son_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v and_o invovate_v shall_v we_o turn_v our_o back_n on_o the_o mother_n of_o god_n shall_v not_o she_o be_v able_a to_o help_v we_o at_o least_o by_o way_n of_o intercession_n to_o who_o the_o angel_n say_v thou_o be_v high_o honour_v of_o god_n and_o who_o be_v as_o it_o be_v wife_n to_o god_n the_o father_n and_o in_o very_a deed_n mother_n to_o god_n the_o son_n father_n simon_n in_o the_o 3d_o chapter_n of_o the_o critical_a history_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o east_n say_v it_o be_v chief_o since_o the_o birth_n of_o nestorianism_n that_o be_v since_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n that_o so_o much_o respect_n have_v be_v show_v to_o the_o virgin_n mary_n he_o mean_v she_o be_v not_o so_o much_o worship_v and_o invocate_v till_o that_o council_n have_v determine_v against_o nestorius_n that_o she_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mother_n of_o god._n but_o father_n simon_n will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o show_v that_o holy_a mary_n be_v at_o all_o worship_v or_o pray_v unto_o till_o the_o ephesin_n council_n have_v decree_v that_o she_o be_v to_o be_v deem_v the_o mother_n of_o god._n i_o do_v challenge_v he_o or_o any_o for_o he_o to_o produce_v any_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n for_o the_o worship_n and_o invocation_n of_o mary_n that_o be_v so_o ancient_a as_o the_o ephesin_n council_n this_o father_n shall_v therefore_o have_v deal_v as_o ingenuous_o and_o free_o in_o this_o case_n as_o be_v his_o manner_n in_o most_o other_o or_o shall_v have_v say_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o this_o matter_n but_o have_v choose_v some_o other_o instance_n to_o confirm_v what_o he_o have_v to_o say_v he_o shall_v have_v own_v what_o he_o know_v to_o be_v the_o truth_n that_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o incarnation_n produce_v this_o impious_a and_o senseless_a conclusion_n that_o
mary_n be_v the_o mother_n of_o god_n so_o that_o conclusion_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o idololatrical_a worship_n and_o invocation_n of_o she_o by_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n even_o by_o all_o catholic_n so_o call_v and_o by_o the_o whole_a eastern_a church_n 3._o after_o mary_n be_v worship_v and_o pray_v to_o it_o soon_o become_v the_o custom_n to_o pray_v also_o to_o the_o apostle_n and_o martyr_n and_o afterward_o to_o other_o saint_n and_o repute_v saint_n for_o if_o marry_o who_o confess_o be_v but_o a_o woman_n and_o a_o saint_n though_o she_o be_v mother_n of_o god_n can_v help_v we_o by_o her_o intercession_n why_o may_v not_o other_o who_o be_v perhaps_o as_o great_a saint_n as_o she_o 4._o the_o practice_n of_o worship_v holy_a mary_n and_o other_o saint_n have_v be_v but_o a_o little_a while_n receive_v in_o the_o church_n but_o it_o occasion_v the_o worship_n of_o their_o image_n and_o picture_n for_o if_o the_o saint_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v then_o so_o too_o be_v their_o image_n and_o picture_n with_o a_o relative_a worship_n that_o be_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o who_o they_o represent_v and_o so_o that_o the_o worship_n ultimate_o terminate_v not_o in_o the_o image_n but_o in_o the_o saint_n even_o as_o the_o royal_a chair_n or_o throne_n be_v worship_v for_o the_o king_n sake_n though_o he_o be_v absent_a 5._o the_o question_n about_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n be_v long_o contest_v in_o the_o church_n those_o that_o stand_v for_o that_o worship_n think_v it_o a_o very_a heinous_a disrespect_n to_o our_o saviour_n that_o no_o honour_n shall_v be_v show_v to_o his_o picture_n or_o image_n no_o more_o than_o if_o it_o be_v the_o image_n or_o picture_n of_o a_o heathen_a god_n and_o this_o be_v a_o very_a common_a argument_n and_o allegation_n against_o the_o opposer_n of_o image-worship_n in_o answer_n to_o this_o the_o father_n of_o the_o seven_o general_n council_n anno_fw-la 754_o say_v there_o be_v but_o one_o image_n or_o representation_n of_o the_o lord_n christ_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o bread_n give_v to_o we_o in_o the_o sacrament_n this_o council_n consist_v of_o 380_o father_n but_o the_o contrary_a party_n at_o length_n prevail_v and_o it_o be_v conclude_v both_o for_o the_o have_v and_o worship_v of_o image_n and_o by_o way_n of_o support_n thereto_o that_o the_o sacrament_n be_v not_o the_o sign_n image_n or_o representation_n of_o christ_n but_o true_a and_o very_a christ_n the_o bread_n and_o wine_n after_o the_o word_n of_o the_o consecration_n though_o they_o agree_v not_o which_o be_v the_o word_n of_o consecration_n be_v turn_v into_o the_o the_o real_a body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v true_a the_o greek_n use_v not_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d transubstantiation_n till_o within_o this_o 300_o year_n but_o they_o use_v equivalent_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o such_o like_a if_o any_o wonder_n that_o such_o absurd_a and_o contradictory_n doctrine_n as_o the_o transubstantiation_n and_o the_o real_a presence_n meet_v with_o so_o little_a opposition_n in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n such_o a_o one_o may_v make_v these_o two_o reflection_n first_o that_o those_o church_n be_v lead_v as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o hand_n to_o those_o doctrine_n by_o certain_a consequence_n from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n thus_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n of_o divine_a person_n one_o of_o these_o be_v incarnate_a in_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o virgin_n she_o be_v thereupon_o the_o mother_n of_o god_n if_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v undoubted_o to_o be_v worship_v then_o so_o too_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o god_n if_o holy_a mary_n then_o other_o who_o be_v as_o much_o saint_n as_o she_o if_o christ_n and_o the_o saint_n then_o for_o their_o sake_n their_o image_n also_o which_o be_v sign_n of_o they_o but_o christ_n have_v appoint_v the_o sacramental_a element_n as_o the_o only_a sign_n of_o his_o body_n this_o be_v a_o difficulty_n indeed_o therefore_o to_o defend_v image-worship_n we_o will_v say_v the_o sacrament_n be_v not_o the_o sign_n but_o the_o very_a body_n of_o christ_n god-man_n second_o it_o may_v be_v far_o consider_v that_o these_o church_n have_v already_o swallow_v so_o many_o palpable_a contradiction_n to_o reason_n scripture_n and_o first_o antiquity_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n they_o now_o stick_v at_o nothing_o it_o become_v now_o the_o note_n and_o mark_v of_o a_o heretic_n to_o talk_v of_o absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n in_o any_o doctrine_n whatsoever_o and_o the_o character_n of_o a_o catholic_n or_o orthodox_n person_n if_o one_o have_v not_o regard_v at_o all_o to_o such_o thing_n but_o only_o to_o help_v forward_o the_o humour_n and_o current_n of_o superstition_n that_o be_v to_o believe_v incredible_a tale_n about_o the_o saint_n and_o monstrous_a opinion_n concern_v god_n and_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o church_n 6._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o a_o a_o complete_a rule_n not_o sufficient_a to_o direct_v our_o faith_n and_o practice_n without_o the_o aid_n and_o help_v of_o the_o church_n tradition_n all_o know_v be_v one_o of_o the_o error_n of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n and_o which_o they_o can_v never_o yet_o be_v persuade_v to_o give_v up_o ask_v they_o what_o ground_n they_o have_v for_o such_o a_o opinion_n they_o answer_v as_o one_o man_n it_o be_v notorious_a and_o undeniable_a that_o the_o principal_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n can_v be_v prove_v by_o only_a scripture_n they_o profess_v open_o and_o ingenuous_o that_o the_o unitarian_n have_v certain_o beat_v all_o their_o opposer_n at_o those_o two_o weapon_n mere_a scripture_n and_o reason_n 7._o another_o birth_n of_o the_o trinitarian_n doctrine_n be_v the_o papal_a indulgence_n with_o all_o that_o merchandise_n of_o soul_n that_o have_v follow_v upon_o they_o first_o and_o by_o way_n of_o foundation_n it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o lord_n christ_n be_v god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n and_o that_o he_o be_v god_n incarnate_a in_o our_o nature_n his_o righteousness_n and_o suffering_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o infinite_a value_n next_o it_o be_v hold_v that_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v god-man_n and_o of_o the_o saint_n be_v the_o treasure_n which_o he_o have_v give_v to_o the_o church_n which_o treasure_n be_v to_o be_v dispense_v by_o his_o vicar_n even_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n the_o dispensation_n of_o this_o treasure_n to_o particular_a person_n by_o the_o pope_n himself_o or_o those_o who_o be_v by_o he_o authorize_v be_v call_v indulgence_n and_o have_v be_v buy_v at_o mighty_a rate_n by_o those_o who_o think_v they_o have_v need_n of_o they_o either_o for_o themselves_o or_o their_o dead_a friend_n 8._o the_o last_o of_o their_o paradox_n which_o i_o shall_v now_o mention_v and_o which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o trinitarian_n and_o be_v by_o their_o own_o confession_n a_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o the_o incarnation_n be_v their_o doctrine_n of_o the_o satisfaction_n the_o holy_a scripture_n say_v almighty_a god_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o goodness_n do_v pardon_v our_o sin_n on_o the_o condition_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n on_o our_o part_n the_o scripture_n be_v so_o express_v in_o ascribe_v our_o pardon_n and_o deliverance_n from_o hell_n and_o damnation_n to_o the_o mercy_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n forgive_a we_o that_o trinitarian_n dare_v not_o direct_o deny_v it_o so_o to_o be_v but_o then_o because_o they_o pretend_v that_o god_n be_v incarnate_a and_o suffer_v in_o our_o stead_n they_o be_v force_v to_o this_o conclusion_n that_o god_n have_v free_o pardon_v and_o yet_o be_v infinite_o overpay_v for_o all_o our_o transgression_n and_o sin_n that_o of_o his_o mere_a grace_n the_o abundance_n and_o riches_n of_o his_o grace_n he_o will_v pardon_v and_o 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who_o they_o be_v derive_v or_o by_o who_o they_o be_v invent_v he_o that_o be_v general_o and_o indeed_o deserve_o confess_v to_o have_v write_v the_o most_o learned_o on_o this_o subject_a be_v d._n cudworth_n in_o the_o intellectual_a system_n the_o sum_n of_o what_o he_o say_v up_o and_o down_o in_o that_o large_a book_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v this_o the_o christian_a trinity_n be_v the_o very_a same_o with_o the_o trinity_n of_o the_o platonic_a philosopher_n yet_o we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v that_o the_o platonist_n be_v the_o first_o author_n or_o deviser_n of_o the_o trinity_n plato_n learn_v it_o of_o parmenides_n parmenides_n of_o the_o pythagorean_n pythagoras_n from_o orpheus_n and_o the_o book_n of_o egyptian_a hermes_n and_o other_o hermaic_a book_n which_o book_n contain_v the_o arcane_a theology_n of_o the_o egyptian_n the_o magisk_n or_o chalday_n oracle_n and_o the_o mithraick_n mystery_n both_o of_o they_o derive_v from_o zoroaster_n a_o most_o 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testament_n i_o be_o ready_a to_o dispute_v this_o point_n at_o large_a with_o any_o of_o our_o opposer_n whenever_o they_o shall_v think_v fit_a again_o to_o insist_v on_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o take_v notice_n that_o indeed_o the_o pharisee_n have_v devise_v of_o their_o own_o head_n divers_a doctrine_n and_o rite_n to_o give_v they_o the_o great_a authority_n they_o call_v they_o tradition_n and_o pretend_v they_o be_v a_o cabala_n or_o oral_a law_n deliver_v original_o by_o moses_n but_o the_o sound_a part_n of_o the_o jew_n themselves_o even_o all_o the_o karait_n disow_v any_o such_o tradition_n or_o law_n and_o our_o saviour_n who_o authority_n i_o hope_v may_v be_v equivalent_a to_o eusebius_n or_o theodoret_n call_v these_o tradition_n and_o this_o pretend_v law_n not_o a_o theology_n of_o divine_a original_a but_o doctrine_n and_o commandment_n of_o man_n matth._n 15.6_o 9_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o mention_n or_o least_o intimation_n of_o such_o a_o cabala_n or_o law_n in_o any_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o it_o seem_v incredible_a that_o among_o so_o many_o of_o the_o holy_a writer_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o where_o find_v so_o much_o as_o any_o allusion_n to_o their_o cabala_n if_o indeed_o they_o have_v acknowledge_v or_o know_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n why_o do_v not_o esdras_n when_o he_o collect_v into_o one_o the_o scatter_a and_o disperse_a canon_n of_o scripture_n without_o omit_v the_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n and_o other_o or_o his_o book_n of_o love_n why_o do_v he_o not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n commit_v to_o write_v and_o publish_v the_o divine_a cabala_n of_o so_o much_o more_o authority_n and_o concernment_n than_o divers_a piece_n by_o he_o publish_v and_o add_v to_o the_o law_n furthermore_o admit_v the_o pretend_v aforesaid_a consent_n of_o some_o philosopher_n and_o nation_n and_o also_o a_o tradition_n cabala_n or_o oral_a law_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o trinity_n be_v no_o 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this_o be_v all_o mere_a flourish_n and_o rhodomontade_fw-la for_o first_o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o hermes_n zoroaster_n and_o hystaspes_n as_o also_o the_o sybillin_n and_o chalday_n or_o magic_a oracle_n they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o forgery_n partly_o of_o the_o jew_n a_o little_a before_o the_o nativity_n of_o our_o saviour_n partly_o of_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o second_o and_o three_o century_n and_o this_o be_v so_o general_o agree_v and_o so_o clear_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o critic_n that_o i_o be_v extreme_o surprise_v to_o see_v such_o authority_n allege_v in_o a_o book_n write_v by_o dr._n cudworth_n a_o man_n if_o any_o other_o of_o true_a and_o real_a learning_n but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o in_o the_o defect_n of_o genuine_a and_o solid_a proof_n the_o most_o learned_a must_v have_v recourse_n to_o such_o as_o their_o cause_n will_v afford_v next_o as_o to_o the_o nation_n and_o philosopher_n by_o he_o mention_v the_o
author_n that_o know_v those_o nation_n and_o writer_n better_a than_o at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n we_o now_o can_v particular_o the_o most_o learned_a plutarch_n and_o laertius_n these_o author_n say_v that_o those_o philosopher_n and_o nation_n do_v not_o hold_v a_o trinity_n but_o a_o duality_n of_o principle_n or_o god_n that_o be_v a_o good_a and_o a_o bad_a god._n and_o by_o what_o they_o say_v of_o those_o god_n or_o principle_n they_o seem_v to_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o what_o we_o be_v teach_v in_o holy_a scripture_n concern_v god_n and_o that_o malign_v but_o subordinate_a spirit_n call_v the_o devil_n and_o satan_n but_o you_o will_v say_v the_o platonist_n hold_v a_o trinity_n of_o divine_a person_n yes_o some_o of_o they_o do_v i_o say_v some_o of_o they_o for_o the_o more_o learned_a platonist_n such_o as_o jamblichus_n proclus_n and_o plato_n himself_o do_v not_o think_v their_o imagine_v trinity_n to_o be_v the_o supreme_a god_n but_o that_o over_o their_o 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trinity_n among_o several_a philosopher_n and_o nation_n more_o ancient_a than_o the_o platonist_n yet_o he_o have_v somewhere_o unsay_v all_o again_o and_o confess_v that_o the_o platonic_a trinity_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o affectation_n or_o blunder_n of_o those_o philosopher_n and_o as_o i_o just_a now_o say_v either_o their_o mistake_n or_o their_o exchange_n of_o the_o property_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o so_o many_o divine_a person_n his_o own_o word_n at_o p._n 206_o of_o the_o intel._n system_n be_v these_o we_o have_v propose_v the_o three_o principal_a property_n or_o attribute_n of_o the_o deity_n the_o first_o whereof_o be_v infinite_a goodness_n with_o fecundity_n the_o second_o infinite_a wisdom_n or_o knowledge_n the_o three_o infinite_a active_a and_o perceptive_a power_n from_o which_o three_o divine_a attribute_n and_o property_n the_o pythagorian_n and_o platonist_n seem_v to_o have_v frame_v their_o trinity_n so_o at_o legnth_n this_o learned_a person_n have_v give_v it_o up_o to_o we_o after_o so_o great_a endeavour_n to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a that_o the_o trinity_n be_v of_o mere_a paganick_n and_o heathen_a original_a the_o device_n or_o the_o mistake_n of_o the_o platonist_n our_o last_o exception_n or_o reason_n be_v this_o as_o the_o trinity_n when_o first_o bring_v into_o the_o church_n by_o the_o platonist_n do_v by_o its_o natural_a absurdity_n and_o impossibility_n give_v a_o check_n and_o stop_v to_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o ever_o since_o it_o have_v serve_v to_o propagate_v deism_n and_o atheism_n and_o to_o hinder_v the_o conversion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o mahometan_n and_o the_o heathen_a nation_n not_o yet_o turn_v to_o christianity_n you_o can_v sir_n expect_v in_o a_o single_a letter_n a_o large_a and_o ample_a proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n of_o i_o but_o however_o i_o will_v say_v hereupon_o enough_o to_o convince_v you_o or_o any_o other_o unprejudiced_a person_n that_o i_o be_o able_a to_o make_v such_o a_o proof_n of_o it_o whenever_o it_o shall_v be_v deny_v by_o our_o opposer_n as_o will_v very_o much_o surprise_v the_o idolater_n of_o these_o doctrine_n for_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o assertion_n i_o will_v now_o content_v myself_o with_o the_o plain_a acknowledgement_n of_o lactantius_n instit_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 29._o this_o learned_a and_o eloquent_a father_n dispute_v concern_v these_o very_a doctrine_n say_v fortasse_fw-la quaerathìc_fw-la aliquis_fw-la etc._n etc._n here_o some_o one_o may_v perhaps_o ask_v how_o though_o christian_n profess_v to_o worship_v but_o one_o god_n yet_o we_o seem_v to_o believe_v and_o hold_v two_o god_n god_n the_o father_n and_o god_n the_o son_n this_o doctrine_n have_v be_v a_o great_a stumbling-block_n to_o many_o who_o confess_v that_o in_o other_o point_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n we_o speak_v what_o be_v probable_a and_o fit_a to_o be_v embrace_v but_o in_o this_o they_o think_v we_o sumble_v that_o we_o 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judgement_n enough_o to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o corrupt_a and_o the_o sincere_a part_n of_o religion_n but_o they_o consider_v the_o whole_a of_o religion_n together_o and_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v all_o of_o it_o false_a or_o all_o true_a from_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o man_n proceed_v all_o the_o deist_n and_o most_o if_o not_o all_o atheist_n the_o atheist_n reject_v all_o religion_n whatsoever_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o some_o unaccountable_a and_o absurd_a thing_n which_o vulgar_o pass_v for_o the_o principal_a article_n of_o religion_n the_o deist_n far_o more_o judicious_a reject_v hereupon_o only_a all_o positive_a or_o reveal_v religion_n and_o take_v up_o with_o natural_a religion_n i._n e._n with_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n who_o power_n and_o wisdom_n he_o plain_o see_v in_o the_o structure_n and_o contrivance_n of_o the_o world_n and_o with_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o our_o congenit_fw-la and_o natural_a notion_n concern_v moral_a and_o immoral_a or_o 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restore_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v extirpate_v among_o the_o eastern_a christian_n by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n they_o will_v have_v it_o that_o mahomet_n mean_v not_o his_o religion_n shall_v be_v esteem_v a_o new_a religion_n but_o only_o the_o restitution_n of_o the_o true_a intent_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n they_o affirm_v moreover_o that_o the_o mahometan_a learned_a man_n call_v themselves_o the_o true_a disciple_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o christ_n intimate_v thereby_o that_o christian_n be_v apostate_n from_o the_o most_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o messiah_n such_o as_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v worship_v without_o image_n or_o picture_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n but_o whatsoever_o the_o design_n of_o mahomet_n be_v it_o be_v certain_a mahometism_n have_v prevail_v over_o great_a number_n and_o more_o nation_n than_o at_o this_o day_n profess_v christianity_n nay_o it_o have_v wear_v christianity_n out_o of_o great_a part_n of_o europe_n most_o of_o asia_n and_o all_o roman_a africa_n not_o by_o force_n and_o the_o sword_n for_o the_o mahometan_n grant_v liberty_n of_o religion_n to_o all_o the_o conquer_a province_n of_o christian_n but_o by_o that_o one_o truth_n in_o the_o koran_n the_o unity_n of_o god._n the_o naturalness_n of_o their_o belief_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n and_o the_o unreconcilable_a inconsistence_n of_o the_o trinity_n with_o that_o belief_n make_v it_o impossible_a ever_o to_o reconcile_v the_o mahometan_n whether_o turk_n moor_n or_o persian_n to_o christianity_n this_o be_v that_o by_o which_o both_o they_o and_o the_o jew_n be_v perpetual_o and_o without_o hope_n of_o regain_n they_o alienate_v from_o we_o that_o they_o suppose_v the_o trinity_n to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o modern_a christianity_n be_v no_o better_a nor_o other_o than_o a_o sort_n of_o paganism_n and_o heathenism_n the_o nation_n also_o who_o be_v yet_o pagan_n reject_v christianity_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o corrupt_a doctrine_n against_o which_o we_o be_v argue_v of_o this_o there_o have_v be_v a_o calamitous_a instance_n in_o the_o tartar_n this_o warlike_a people_n who_o have_v make_v themselves_o so_o terrible_a by_o their_o cavalry_n to_o the_o great_a kingdom_n of_o poland_n and_o muscovy_n and_o even_o to_o germany_n itself_o be_v lose_v to_o christianity_n by_o occasion_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o year_n 1246_o pope_n innocent_a iv_o send_v a_o ambassage_n to_o bati_fw-la cham_fw-mi of_o tartary_n invite_v he_o to_o the_o christian_a religion_n bati_fw-la receive_v the_o ambassage_n civil_o but_o when_o he_o hear_v from_o the_o religious_a send_v to_o instruct_v he_o what_o be_v the_o chief_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o trinity_n the_o incarnation_n the_o transubstantiation_n etc._n etc._n he_o thank_v the_o pope_n for_o his_o kindness_n and_o promise_v to_o make_v no_o incursion_n into_o the_o christian_a country_n for_o five_o year_n next_o ensue_a but_o withal_o declare_v himself_o not_o satisfy_v with_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o represent_v to_o he_o immediate_o after_o the_o saracen_n send_v a_o like_a ambassage_n to_o bati_fw-la recommend_v to_o he_o say_v the_o historian_n mahometis_n sectam_fw-la tanquàm_fw-la plausibiliorem_fw-la i._n e._n the_o more_o plausible_a sect_n of_o mahomet_n and_o these_o prevail_v bati_fw-la and_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o tartar_n submit_v to_o mahometism_n in_o which_o they_o continue_v to_o this_o day_n and_o be_v both_o the_o shield_n and_o sword_n of_o that_o way_n of_o acknowledge_v and_o worship_v god._n l._n surius_n comment_fw-fr rerum_fw-la in_o orb_n gest_n these_o sir_n be_v the_o damage_n sustain_v by_o christianity_n by_o occasion_n of_o these_o doctrine_n i_o believe_v by_o that_o time_n you_o have_v well_o consider_v they_o you_o will_v conclude_v these_o doctrine_n will_v never_o repair_v half_o the_o waste_v they_o have_v already_o make_v in_o our_o holy_a religion_n and_o that_o they_o be_v honest_a man_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o and_o desirous_a to_o inquire_v very_o strict_o into_o the_o ground_n of_o such_o paradoxical_a persuasion_n as_o have_v already_o give_v such_o deep_a wound_n to_o our_o common_a cause_n of_o christianity_n i_o will_v conclude_v sir_n for_o this_o time_n with_o only_o tell_v you_o that_o the_o reason_n i_o have_v give_v may_v all_o of_o they_o have_v be_v much_o amplify_v and_o illustrate_v and_o some_o of_o they_o great_o exaggerated_a but_o that_o be_v a_o design_n hardly_o practicable_a in_o a_o letter_n the_o brevity_n of_o a_o letter_n even_o constrain_v i_o to_o lay_v before_o you_o what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v in_o few_o word_n and_o in_o a_o plain_a and_o sincere_a discourse_n without_o the_o art_n or_o pomp_n of_o rhetoric_n nor_o be_o i_o offend_v at_o it_o for_o our_o cause_n need_v not_o those_o help_n till_o our_o opposer_n can_v extinguish_v reason_n and_o common_a sense_n in_o man_n while_o there_o be_v any_o leave_v who_o be_v not_o whole_o priestridden_a who_o have_v not_o abandon_v the_o conduct_n and_o guidance_n of_o reason_n and_o natural_a knowledge_n for_o that_o of_o a_o confessor_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o divine_a light_n for_o a_o ignis_fw-la fatu●●s_fw-la or_o will-a-wisp_n so_o long_o i_o think_v we_o need_v not_o be_v very_o solicitous_a whether_o our_o discourse_n or_o write_n concern_v these_o doctrine_n be_v altogether_o so_o labour_v and_o artificial_a as_o our_o opposer_n must_v take_v care_n that_o they_o be_v sir_n i_o be_o your_o most_o oblige_a and_o assure_a finis_fw-la