subsist_v otherwise_o than_o in_o three_o if_o we_o will_v venture_v to_o follow_v our_o own_o reason_n we_o must_v conclude_v there_o be_v a_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o the_o godhead_n or_o else_o he_o be_v not_o absolute_o perfect_a but_o if_o we_o find_v the_o plain_a expression_n of_o the_o scripture_n agree_v to_o this_o conception_n in_o all_o the_o branch_n of_o it_o as_o friend_n and_o foe_n confess_v they_o do_v we_o can_v then_o without_o unreasonableness_n unbelief_n and_o immodesty_n continue_v our_o doubtfulness_n any_o long_o now_o this_o coincidence_n of_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n with_o the_o scripture_n in_o all_o point_n give_v we_o the_o complete_a evidence_n of_o this_o doctrine_n 5._o the_o mystery_n of_o this_o doctrine_n i_o have_v satisfy_v in_o the_o book_n by_o divide_v the_o question_n of_o the_o trinity_n into_o its_o two_o part_n and_o show_v what_o belong_v to_o the_o natural_a inquiry_n and_o what_o belong_v to_o the_o christian_a mystery_n and_o therefore_o need_v say_v no_o more_o here_o than_o that_o no_o one_o can_n more_o acknowledge_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o this_o point_n than_o be_v here_o teach_v which_o as_o such_o be_v whole_o and_o sole_o of_o scripture_n revelation_n but_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o other_o part_n belong_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o so_o be_v of_o natural_a divinity_n and_o be_v a_o branch_n of_o the_o theory_n of_o a_o spirit_n if_o it_o may_v then_o appear_v by_o nature_n that_o the_o subsistence_n of_o a_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o more_o real_o its_o very_a self_n than_o it_o be_v the_o very_a subsistence_n which_o the_o same_o thing_n have_v in_o the_o divine_a conception_n than_o it_o will_v also_o appear_v that_o the_o divine_a conception_n in_o this_o particular_a be_v of_o absolute_o perfect_a truth_n and_o the_o divine_a mind_n thus_o conceive_v be_v a_o be_v of_o absolute_a perfection_n this_o be_v evident_a it_o will_v follow_v from_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o spiritual_a nature_n that_o the_o supreme_a spirit_n himself_o subsist_v in_o three_o equal_o perfect_a and_o real_o distinct_a hypostasy_n and_o be_v one_o god_n therefore_o and_o three_o person_n and_o whether_o all_o this_o be_v so_o or_o not_o be_v of_o natural_a disquisition_n 6._o and_o by_o this_o we_o may_v see_v why_o the_o ancient_n argue_v the_o trinity_n only_o from_o scripture_n authority_n and_o make_v use_v but_o spare_o of_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n because_o their_o controversy_n be_v whether_o it_o be_v of_o faith_n or_o no_o not_o whether_o it_o be_v of_o natural_a light_n or_o of_o reason_n they_o therefore_o as_o minister_n of_o religion_n teach_v this_o to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n doctrine_n which_o they_o can_v not_o otherwise_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v but_o only_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n but_o for_o all_o that_o since_o there_o certain_o be_v a_o natural_a enquiry_n about_o it_o that_o may_v be_v consider_v by_o a_o natural_a divine_a for_o if_o it_o be_v discover_v by_o natural_a theory_n no_o one_o can_v doubt_v but_o it_o be_v require_v in_o scripture_n and_o yet_o if_o it_o be_v not_o of_o natural_a that_o do_v not_o hinder_v but_o it_o may_v be_v of_o supernatural_a revelation_n as_o many_o other_o thing_n be_v which_o be_v unknown_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n 7._o lest_o the_o reader_n shall_v surmise_v from_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v be_v say_v that_o he_o shall_v here_o meet_v with_o some_o new_a doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n to_o prevent_v any_o such_o prejudice_n at_o his_o entrance_n into_o this_o discourse_n i_o must_v advertise_v he_o that_o he_o will_v meet_v with_o no_o conclusion_n touch_v the_o trinity_n but_o the_o very_a article_n of_o the_o three_o creed_n and_o the_o proposition_n from_o whence_o those_o conclusion_n be_v immediate_o deduce_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o christian_n and_o the_o antitrinitarian_n themselves_o and_o the_o more_o remote_a principle_n which_o yield_v the_o evidence_n to_o those_o proposition_n be_v notorious_a dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o natural_a sense_n so_o that_o here_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v new_a except_o the_o order_n in_o which_o the_o thing_n be_v say_v and_o so_o new_a the_o doctrine_n of_o every_o book_n be_v which_o be_v neither_o transcript_n nor_o translation_n which_o indeed_o this_o pretend_v not_o to_o be_v and_o this_o i_o hope_n be_v enough_o to_o obviate_v the_o suspicion_n of_o novelty_n which_o i_o much_o dislike_n in_o important_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o have_v brief_o point_v out_o the_o use_n of_o it_o likewise_o that_o faith_n and_o charity_n may_v go_v together_o in_o do_v this_o i_o be_v unwilling_a to_o beg_v my_o principle_n and_o thereby_o be_v force_v to_o begin_v at_o some_o distance_n from_o the_o main_a point_n by_o which_o i_o presume_v i_o shall_v gain_v several_a advantage_n and_o the_o notion_n i_o have_v of_o several_a thing_n become_v familiar_a to_o the_o reader_n before_o he_o come_v to_o the_o pinch_n of_o the_o question_n for_o be_v to_o contemplate_v the_o supreme_a nature_n i_o think_v it_o needful_a to_o begin_v the_o low_a after_o i_o have_v tell_v the_o reader_n that_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o argument_n and_o method_n will_v require_v some_o intentness_n of_o thought_n in_o the_o perusal_n that_o he_o may_v serve_v himself_o of_o it_o and_o assure_v he_o i_o know_v of_o no_o objection_n but_o what_o i_o have_v anticipate_v or_o remove_v and_o therefore_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v read_v with_o the_o same_o candour_n wherewith_o it_o be_v offer_v i_o shall_v trouble_v he_o no_o further_o but_o commmend_v he_o to_o god_n and_o the_o word_n of_o his_o grace_n which_o be_v able_a to_o build_v we_o up_o in_o truth_n and_o holiness_n and_o so_o give_v we_o a_o inheritance_n among_o all_o they_o which_o be_v sanctify_v amen_n the_o errata_fw-la page_n 1._o line_n 3._o read_v remain_v p._n 2._o l._n 3._o r._n being_n r._n substance_n p._n 2._o l._n 4._o r._n originate_a l._n 6._o r._n originate_a l._n 19_o r._n valid_a l._n 33._o for_o tradition_n r._n trinity_n l._n ult_n r._n condition_n p._n 3._o l._n 15._o r._n restive_o p._n 8._o l._n 9_o r._n operate_v p._n 9_o l._n 34._o r._n do_v p._n 10_o l._n 12._o r._n in_o infinitum_fw-la l._n 38._o r._n extension_n p._n 11._o l._n 9_o for_o pore_n r._n part_n p._n 13._o l._n 35._o for_o be_v the_o thought_n r._n be_v in_o the_o thought_n p._n 14._o l._n 6._o r._n depreciate_n p._n 15._o l_o 16._o r._n and_z p._n 16._o l._n ult_n r._n only_a one_o r._n real_a p._n 18._o l._n 43._o for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 19_o l._n ult_n r._n eternal_a too_o p._n 21._o margin_n for_o one_o r._n our_o p._n 22._o l._n 3._o r._n subsistence_n p._n 25._o l._n 12._o r._n be_v so_o conceive_v p._n 25._o l._n 17._o r._n subsistence_n p._n 26._o r._n fecundity_n for_o mood_n r._n mode_n for_o soul_n r._n soul_n for_o effect_v r_o effect_n for_o factor_n r._n fautor_n p._n 32._o r._n face_v p._n 33._o l._n 14._o r._n itself_o p._n 34._o for_o expedient_o r._n expedite_o p._n 38._o l._n 43._o for_o turn_v r._n term_v p._n 40._o l._n 8._o for_o cr_n r._n nor_o l._n 39_o for_o nature_n be_v one_o in_o as_o such_o r._n nature_n in_o one_o be_v as_o such_o l._n 42._o for_o same_o the_o r._n the_o same_o p._n 57_o l._n 20._o deâ—e_v as_o p._n 57_o l._n ult_n for_o since_o this_o r._n since_o to_o this_o p._n 59_o for_o intrude_v r._n obtrude_v p._n 59_o for_o epicurian_n r._n epicurean_o literal_a slip_n be_v not_o here_o collect_v a_o account_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n argue_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o supreme_a spirit_n chap._n i._n the_o question_n state_v and_o discuss_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n on_o the_o endeavour_n of_o his_o church_n the_o old-heresy_n which_o deny_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n be_v long_o ago_o extinct_a and_o there_o remain_v only_o some_o few_o of_o such_o as_o deny_v the_o trinity_n together_o with_o other_o of_o a_o late_a rise_n which_o be_v yet_o to_o be_v reduce_v but_o these_o all_o seem_a to_o confess_v there_o be_v but_o one_o true_a god_n and_o so_o far_o full_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o catholic_n doctrine_n the_o question_n about_o which_o these_o be_v to_o be_v deal_v with_o be_v in_o short_a whether_o the_o true_a god_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o who_o godhead_n they_o consent_v with_o we_o do_v real_o subsist_v in_o three_o distinct_a personal_a subsistence_n hypostasis_n or_o only_o in_o one_o or_o whether_o there_o be_v one_o god_n there_o be_v also_o but_o one_o divine_a person_n or_o else_o
intention_n but_o rather_o with_o a_o charitable_a design_n to_o aid_v they_o in_o their_o strait_n for_o since_o they_o have_v so_o weak_a a_o faith_n that_o they_o can_v believe_v god_n word_n without_o relief_n from_o the_o evidence_n of_o reason_n i_o hope_v i_o have_v sufficient_o show_v they_o that_o they_o may_v be_v most_o strict_o catholic_n christians_o and_o yet_o most_o rigorous_o rational_a men._n for_o if_o they_o will_v reason_v wary_o enough_o i_o see_v not_o how_o they_o can_v use_v reason_n too_o much_o about_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o it_o will_v ever_o be_v find_v most_o reasonable_a that_o christian_a man_n shall_v employ_v all_o the_o reason_n that_o god_n have_v give_v they_o not_o to_o spy_v out_o incongruity_n in_o the_o language_n which_o he_o use_v with_o his_o church_n but_o rather_o to_o maintain_v the_o verity_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v with_o perspicuity_n and_o great_a veracity_n of_o expression_n assert_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o i_o shall_v present_o show_v he_o have_v do_v on_o the_o subject_a in_o hand_n indeed_o the_o papist_n of_o late_a by_o a_o sly_a artifice_n will_v have_v have_v we_o account_v the_o trinity_n a_o senseless_a doctrine_n that_o it_o may_v make_v a_o fit_a prologue_n as_o they_o use_v it_o to_o introduce_v the_o monster_n of_o their_o transubstantiation_n but_o we_o find_v it_o be_v no_o way_n accommodate_v to_o any_o such_o purpose_n for_o what_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n teach_v of_o the_o trinity_n be_v exact_o agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o supreme_a spirit_n but_o transubstantiation_n teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o corporeal_a nature_n for_o first_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o a_o thing_n that_o have_v not_o at_o all_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o body_n as_o they_o describe_v it_o and_o then_o teach_v we_o that_o the_o bread_n and_o wine_n be_v turn_v into_o that_o body_n it_o may_v indeed_o well_o enough_o beseem_v person_n that_o have_v worldly_a design_n of_o their_o own_o to_o be_v serve_v upon_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o resolve_v faith_n and_o all_o the_o point_n of_o it_o into_o a_o obscurity_n of_o assent_n that_o other_o man_n may_v take_v their_o creed_n from_o their_o mouth_n and_o believe_v as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o for_o their_o own_o turn_n but_o for_o such_o as_o intend_v no_o other_o end_n in_o their_o faith_n than_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o own_o and_o other_o soul_n i_o see_v not_o but_o reason_n if_o use_v with_o soberness_n be_v of_o great_a advantage_n and_o comfortable_a use_n to_o they_o in_o their_o religion_n for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o like_v not_o the_o catholic_n doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n ever_o the_o worse_a but_o rather_o much_o the_o better_a because_o i_o find_v that_o all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n which_o i_o can_v understand_v be_v in_o that_o mystery_n on_o the_o church_n side_n chap._n viii_o the_o scripture_n evidence_n nature_n teach_v first_o what_o a_o thing_n be_v or_o be_v not_o in_o itself_o and_o have_v implant_v in_o we_o self-love_n and_o other_o concern_v thereby_o prompt_v we_o to_o consider_v the_o thing_n comparative_o with_o reference_n to_o our_o own_o interest_n so_o that_o the_o natural_a account_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v best_a deliver_v in_o the_o most_o simple_a and_o bare_a term_n but_o prophetical_a institution_n pass_v through_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o holy_a man_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v deliver_v in_o term_n that_o express_v both_o the_o thing_n themselves_o and_o their_o devout_a regard_n to_o they_o conjunct_o and_o therefore_o such_o a_o institution_n be_v at_o once_o adapt_v to_o instil_v knowledge_n and_o religion_n into_o the_o hearer_n mind_n for_o religion_n be_v not_o naked_a speculation_n but_o that_o belief_n of_o thing_n whereby_o we_o form_n the_o counsel_n of_o our_o life_n and_o affection_n of_o our_o heart_n st._n paul_n assure_v we_o that_o this_o be_v eminent_o the_o character_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n which_o he_o therefore_o style_v the_o doctrine_n and_o again_o the_o truth_n which_o be_v according_a to_o godliness_n and_o refer_v to_o this_o notion_n on_o so_o many_o several_a occasion_n that_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o one_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o christian_a religion_n therefore_o the_o expression_n wherein_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v teach_v will_n according_o be_v such_o as_o in_o the_o common_a use_n of_o word_n do_v bespeak_v reverence_n or_o holy_a fear_n and_o love_n the_o gospel_n preach_v christ_n to_o be_v the_o lord_n of_o all_o to_o who_o divine_a honour_n be_v due_a on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o person_n now_o since_o the_o subsistence_n of_o thing_n in_o conception_n as_o among_o man_n be_v but_o weak_a as_o be_v only_o notional_a and_o in_o common_a use_n through_o pravity_n be_v extreme_o subject_a to_o vanity_n have_v christ_n be_v call_v the_o divine_a conceptus_fw-la the_o infinite_a distance_n betwixt_o god_n conception_n and_o we_o be_v not_o obvious_a enough_o in_o common_a use_n this_o style_n have_v not_o be_v so_o well_o accommodate_v to_o procure_v reverence_n as_o be_v call_v he_o the_o son_n the_o only_o beget_v son_n of_o god_n but_o the_o religious_a concern_v be_v set_v aside_o for_o the_o bare_a truth_n of_o the_o thing_n nature_n more_o expedite_o teach_v it_o by_o assure_v we_o that_o god_n be_v a_o perfect_a mind_n and_o therefore_o he_o perfect_o conceive_v or_o have_v a_o perfect_a conception_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a nature_n for_o this_o be_v certain_a at_o the_o first_o sight_n from_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o mental_a nature_n but_o if_o we_o say_v god_n be_v a_o perfect_a mind_n therefore_o he_o beget_v his_o own_o nature_n many_o thing_n must_v be_v clear_v before_o the_o necessity_n of_o this_o consequence_n will_v be_v perceive_v whereby_o we_o see_v nature_n teach_v best_a in_o one_o set_v of_o expression_n and_o prophet_n in_o another_o which_o by_o the_o way_n may_v take_v off_o offence_n if_o i_o have_v give_v any_o by_o use_v some_o term_n in_o explication_n of_o the_o trinity_n that_o be_v not_o scriptural_a whilst_o the_o argument_n lead_v i_o not_o to_o consider_v the_o importance_n of_o it_o in_o religion_n but_o precise_o the_o natural_a evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n 2._o but_o when_o i_o consider_v that_o almost_o all_o word_n be_v inadequate_a to_o the_o signification_n of_o any_o word_n in_o other_o language_n i_o easy_o believe_v that_o this_o observation_n may_v be_v needful_a only_o for_o our_o vulgar_a tongue_n for_o so_o large_a be_v the_o signification_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gigno_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o if_o we_o use_v any_o term_n significant_a of_o breed_n it_o be_v include_v within_o the_o comprehensiveness_n of_o these_o word_n which_o be_v the_o scripture_n expression_n most_o common_o use_v on_o this_o occasion_n for_o these_o word_n apply_v to_o corporeal_a production_n import_v the_o joint_a interest_n of_o both_o sex_n and_o the_o entire_a efficiency_n of_o either_o several_o as_o likewise_o breed_v by_o spiration_n by_o fusion_n by_o solar_n influence_n by_o the_o earth_n as_o in_o beast_n infect_v fish_n plant_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o they_o be_v not_o limit_v to_o any_o particular_a form_n of_o causation_n in_o breed_n but_o signify_v with_o the_o great_a latitude_n and_o be_v therefore_o to_o be_v render_v into_o the_o modern_a language_n by_o such_o word_n as_o be_v in_o use_n upon_o particular_a occasion_n whether_o then_o we_o say_v conceive_v or_o beget_v we_o be_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o original_a significancy_n for_o whether_o we_o say_v well_o the_o earth_n breed_v or_o beget_v grass_n we_o say_v well_o terra_fw-la gignit_fw-la herbas_fw-la so_o homo_fw-la &_o herba_fw-la nascitur_fw-la be_v well_o say_v though_o it_o be_v neither_o well_o english_v man_n and_o grass_n be_v bear_v nor_o man_n and_o grass_n do_v grow_v 3._o it_o be_v manifest_a both_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n signify_v not_o only_o coporeal_a generation_n or_o conception_n but_o likewise_o mental_a and_o this_o with_o such_o indifference_n that_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v think_v less_o proper_a or_o more_o metaphorical_a when_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o these_o than_o to_o the_o other_o for_o proud_a thought_n humble_a thought_n love_n joy_n fear_v and_o grief_n etc._n etc._n be_v all_o proper_o beget_v in_o our_o mind_n by_o be_v conceive_v in_o our_o mind_n these_o indeed_o have_v only_o a_o notional_a subsistence_n but_o yet_o their_o nature_n such_o as_o it_o be_v be_v beget_v by_o the_o mind_n conceptive_a power_n wherefore_o if_o a_o substantial_a nature_n be_v conceive_v in_o a_o mind_n by_o a_o conception_n wherein_o
three_o real_o distinct_a ii_o if_o the_o case_n real_o be_v that_o god_n do_v indeed_o subsist_v in_o three_o person_n than_o he_o can_v no_o more_o subsist_v in_o one_o only_o than_o he_o can_v cease_v to_o subsist_v at_o all_o for_o then_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v such_o that_o it_o comport_v not_o with_o it_o to_o subsist_v in_o few_o than_o three_o real_a subsistence_n but_o if_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o real_o do_v subsist_v in_o one_o only_a than_o the_o nature_n be_v such_o as_o admit_v no_o more_o this_o therefore_o be_v a_o natural_a question_n and_o touch_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n iii_o but_o which_o of_o these_o two_o be_v real_o the_o case_n can_v be_v conclude_v from_o our_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o single_a subsistence_n of_o every_o and_o all_o other_o thing_n for_o they_o bring_v all_o dependent_a substence_n and_o â—od_a self_n originte_fw-fr the_o trine-subsistence_n which_o be_v repugnant_a and_o contradictious_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o dependent_a being_n may_v be_v the_o only_a way_n of_o subsistence_n compatible_a to_o a_o self_n original_n be_v now_o all_o the_o argument_n of_o the_o opposer_n of_o the_o trinity_n do_v plain_o rest_v upon_o a_o suppose_a parity_n or_o identity_n of_o reason_n in_o this_o case_n for_o they_o turn_v off_o their_o eye_n from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o very_a thing_n itself_o which_o they_o be_v reason_v about_o and_o look_v round_o the_o world_n to_o pick_v up_o reason_n as_o they_o can_v spy_v they_o lie_v scatter_v up_o and_o down_o elsewhere_o imagine_v those_o reason_n which_o they_o be_v certain_a suit_v exact_o with_o the_o subsistence_n of_o all_o other_o thing_n can_v not_o but_o be_v fit_a measure_n of_o their_o judgement_n about_o the_o subsistence_n of_o the_o deity_n in_o this_o inquiry_n now_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v being_n manifest_o fallacious_a they_o be_v plain_o unreasonable_a in_o charge_v the_o church_n faith_n 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do_v not_o show_v that_o one_o of_o the_o three_o divine_a person_n if_o three_z there_o be_v be_v become_v man_n in_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n christ_n therefore_o the_o christian_a tradition_n as_o such_o be_v a_o mystery_n and_o be_v whole_o of_o scripture_n revelation_n which_o according_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o speech_n even_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o adversary_n do_v deliver_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n the_o proceed_n therefore_o which_o christian_n have_v ever_o use_v in_o its_o defence_n have_v be_v exact_o conform_v to_o the_o quality_n of_o this_o question_n for_o they_o never_o pretend_v to_o build_v their_o belief_n of_o this_o mystery_n upon_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n or_o any_o other_o but_o on_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o divine_a word_n vi_o as_o the_o christian_a faith_n of_o this_o mystery_n be_v not_o build_v upon_o natural_a reason_n so_o it_o also_o appear_v that_o it_o can_v be_v impugn_a from_o any_o reason_n unless_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v deducible_a from_o the_o peculiar_a condition_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o deity_n itself_o now_o all_o these_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v be_v so_o far_o from_o oppose_v the_o christian_a mystery_n that_o they_o argue_v that_o the_o godhead_n according_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o bless_a nature_n do_v subsist_v in_o three_o natural_a person_n so_o far_o therefore_o as_o reason_n have_v any_o vote_n it_o give_v it_o for_o the_o church_n faith_n vii_o this_o will_v not_o have_v be_v needful_a to_o we_o christian_n but_o that_o the_o importunity_n of_o the_o antitrinitarians_a without_o reason_n suffrage_n will_v not_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o fullness_n of_o scripture_n evidence_n nor_o yield_v our_o saviour_n his_o due_a honour_n for_o though_o by_o christ_n appointment_n they_o be_v devote_v to_o the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n yet_o after_o this_o vow_n they_o will_v make_v inquiry_n as_o if_o they_o be_v still_o in_o a_o state_n of_o deliberation_n and_o be_v to_o consult_v ex_fw-la integro_fw-la whether_o they_o shall_v stand_v to_o their_o vow_n or_o not_o it_o be_v certain_o much_o better_a joyful_o to_o bear_v than_o resistive_o to_o cast_v off_o a_o yoke_n of_o christ_n impose_v i_o confess_v i_o know_v no_o better_a service_n can_v be_v do_v to_o these_o man_n than_o to_o bring_v they_o back_o into_o the_o bond_n of_o their_o violate_a covenant_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o undertake_v such_o a_o office_n because_o i_o foresee_v that_o i_o can_v on_o this_o subject_a speak_v to_o they_o for_o the_o just_a honour_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n and_o master_n but_o they_o will_v take_v it_o for_o a_o obloquy_n cast_v upon_o they_o for_o if_o i_o say_v and_o mean_a as_o i_o say_v that_o all_o man_n be_v to_o honour_v the_o son_n 5._o john_n 5._o even_o as_o they_o honour_v the_o father_n they_o present_o feel_v i_o be_o rub_v on_o their_o sore_a place_n and_o i_o know_v the_o opinion_n of_o a_o party_n be_v a_o sore_a which_o brook_v well_o enough_o to_o be_v claw_v but_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o be_v rub_v viii_o to_o spare_v they_o therefore_o and_o comply_v somewhat_o with_o my_o own_o genius_n which_o little_o like_v to_o deal_v with_o the_o extreme_a touchiness_n of_o a_o darling_n doctrine_n i_o shall_v apply_v myself_o to_o this_o work_n direct_o as_o a_o service_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n from_o who_o i_o hope_v for_o better_a acceptance_n leave_v they_o to_o their_o belove_a liberty_n of_o take_v what_o they_o like_v for_o their_o own_o use_n be_v nevertheless_o persuade_v that_o if_o whilst_o they_o refuse_v to_o captivate_v their_o understanding_n to_o the_o obebedience_n of_o the_o faith_n they_o have_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n enslave_v they_o to_o the_o tenant_n of_o arius_n socinus_n and_o such_o other_o confident_a but_o unwary_a reâ—sâ—â—ers_n they_o will_v find_v whilst_o i_o labour_v to_o serve_v the_o interess_n of_o the_o heavenly_a kingdom_n i_o have_v do_v and_o that_o not_o unaware_o what_o may_v be_v useful_a and_o even_o satisfactory_a to_o the_o more_o moderate_a among_o they_o ix_o that_o i_o may_v make_v then_o this_o discourse_n the_o more_o serviceable_a i_o shall_v first_o show_v that_o the_o reason_n of_o â—â—e_v divine_a nature_n itself_o do_v sufficient_o 〈◊〉_d the_o be_v of_o one_o gâ—d_n and_o three_o person_n second_o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v tâ—ach_v the_o very_a same_o doctrine_n with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n three_o because_o we_o believe_v from_o the_o gospel_n institution_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v one_o of_o the_o three_o person_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n how_o congruous_a that_o revelation_n be_v to_o what_o we_o infer_v from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n last_o since_o christ_n do_v enter_v our_o belief_n of_o the_o trinity_n into_o the_o stipulation_n make_v in_o our_o covenant_n of_o life_n and_o peace_n with_o god_n i_o shall_v explain_v that_o its_o faederal_n use_v and_o if_o upon_o the_o whole_a we_o find_v that_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o its_o self_n and_o in_o its_o accord_n with_o the_o scripture_n and_o in_o what_o befall_v it_o by_o christ_n incarnation_n and_o in_o its_o baptismal_a use_n do_v all_o concur_v to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n i_o hope_v it_o will_v no_o long_o remain_v among_o we_o in_o the_o state_n of_o a_o question_n but_o all_o sober_a man_n will_v agree_v in_o the_o faith_n and_o worship_n of_o one_o god_n in_o trinity_n and_o trinity_n in_o unity_n x._o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o by_o my_o have_v venture_v to_o blame_v other_o man_n reason_v i_o have_v impose_v a_o law_n upon_o myself_o which_o i_o shall_v think_v in_o the_o rational_a inquiry_n we_o sufficient_o comply_v with_o if_o we_o transgress_v not_o
a_o account_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n argue_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o supreme_a spirit_n coincident_a with_o the_o scripture_n doctrine_n in_o all_o the_o article_n of_o the_o catholic_n creed_n together_o with_o its_o 1_o mystical_a uses_n 2_o foederal_n use_v 3_o practical_a uses_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o william_n burrough_n rector_n of_o chine_n in_o buck_n london_n print_v for_o richard_n baldwin_n at_o the_o oxford_n arm_n in_o warwick-lane_n near_o the_o oxford-arms-inn_n 1694._o the_o preface_n it_o pass_v at_o this_o day_n without_o any_o hesitancy_n among_o the_o socinian_o that_o the_o trinity_n be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o it_o be_v likely_a it_o do_v so_o at_o the_o very_a first_o and_o so_o past_o they_o too_o hasty_o and_o before_o they_o have_v sufficient_o examine_v the_o difference_n of_o thing_n for_o upâ—n_v a_o more_o distinct_a observance_n of_o the_o scale_n of_o being_n i_o suppose_v it_o may_v appear_v that_o though_o a_o trinity_n of_o real_a hypostasy_n either_o in_o a_o single_a corporeal_a substance_n or_o even_o in_o any_o nature_n not_o absolute_o perfect_a be_v contradictory_n to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n yet_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o all_o our_o natural_a notice_n from_o internal_a sense_n that_o a_o spirit_n beside_o its_o first_o subsistence_n have_v also_o two_o other_o answerable_a to_o the_o utmost_a ability_n of_o its_o own_o ingeny_n and_o therefore_o in_o reason_n we_o must_v grant_v that_o in_o the_o spirit_n who_o ability_n be_v all-sufficiency_n these_o its_o two_o other_o subsistency_n be_v real_o equal_a in_o perfection_n with_o its_o first_o and_o consequent_o according_a to_o our_o humane_a conception_n of_o a_o spirit_n and_o its_o perfection_n the_o denial_n of_o the_o trinity_n include_v in_o it_o the_o denial_n of_o the_o spirituality_n or_o of_o the_o absolute_a perfection_n of_o the_o deity_n both_o of_o which_o appear_v to_o be_v 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solemn_a recognition_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n which_o in_o nature_n be_v the_o proper_a formal_a character_n of_o the_o three_o person_n in_o that_o holy_a one_o and_o without_o this_o recognition_n first_o make_v no_o one_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o service_n of_o that_o sovereign_a lord_n if_o these_o thing_n may_v appear_v as_o i_o here_o suppose_v it_o will_v also_o appear_v that_o we_o be_v to_o confess_v a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n both_o as_o man_n and_o as_o christian_n and_o consequent_o they_o be_v extreme_o injurious_a who_o reproach_n the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n which_o the_o christian_a church_n do_v worship_n as_o contradiction_n and_o absurd_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o if_o that_o most_o bless_a of_o all_o being_n be_v not_o to_o be_v endure_v either_o in_o man_n heart_n or_o in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o the_o church_n conform_a to_o our_o lord_n institution_n confess_v god_n to_o be_v what_o he_o can_v not_o be_v unless_o he_o be_v the_o most_o absolute_o bless_v 1._o the_o natural_a evidence_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o creation_n be_v ground_v upon_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n i_o have_v show_v that_o god_n be_v know_v to_o be_v so_o by_o the_o same_o evidence_n by_o which_o we_o have_v the_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o his_o existence_n i_o confess_v this_o will_v have_v deserve_v a_o large_a account_n than_o i_o have_v bestow_v upon_o it_o but_o all_o christian_n confess_v god_n to_o be_v a_o spirit_n and_o my_o circumstance_n not_o allow_v a_o large_a account_n of_o the_o spiritual_a nature_n i_o hope_v by_o this_o contract_a one_o the_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v perceive_v from_o a_o joint_a evidence_n in_o nature_n and_o scripture_n that_o the_o supreme_a spirit_n be_v one_o god_n infinite_o one_o and_o three_o person_n infinite_o three_o no_o whit_n the_o less_o one_o god_n for_o be_v three_o person_n no_o whit_n the_o less_o three_o person_n for_o be_v only_o one_o god_n now_o in_o this_o doctrine_n not_o only_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n be_v exact_o deliver_v and_o the_o pretension_n of_o the_o most_o rigorous_a trinitarian_n satisfy_v but_o even_o what_o the_o several_a opposite_a party_n be_v concern_v for_o be_v as_o full_o secure_v to_o they_o as_o in_o their_o own_o divide_a way_n the_o scripture_n plain_o teach_v there_o be_v one_o god_n and_o yet_o as_o express_o attribute_n title_n and_o prerogative_n divine_a to_o more_o person_n than_o one_o hereupon_o some_o to_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o deity_n entire_a and_o other_o to_o assert_v the_o person_n real_o distinct_a by_o misapprehension_n of_o the_o one_o have_v be_v necessitate_v to_o deny_v or_o evacuate_v the_o other_o now_o these_o denial_n and_o elusion_n be_v not_o their_o choice_n â—ut_v of_o affection_n to_o they_o but_o unwelcome_a consequent_n which_o they_o will_v have_v avoid_v have_v they_o see_v how_o without_o 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than_o one_o and_o so_o they_o invent_v these_o divers_a conceit_n to_o salve_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o divine_a unity_n for_o i_o understand_v not_o that_o any_o christian_a professor_n can_v be_v delight_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o more_o god_n than_o one_o whether_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o or_o of_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o which_o hard_a say_n the_o present_a doctrine_n deliver_v they_o and_o yet_o entire_o secure_v the_o truth_n for_o which_o they_o contend_v in_o their_o several_a hypothesy_n show_v how_o the_o one_o god_n be_v no_o less_o one_o god_n for_o be_v three_o person_n and_o the_o three_o person_n no_o less_o three_o person_n for_o be_v but_o one_o god_n it_o may_v seem_v indeed_o the_o arian_n do_v first_o resolve_v upon_o the_o different_a natural_a excellency_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n and_o thereby_o be_v force_v to_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o one_o god_n in_o three_o person_n but_o that_o they_o assert_v both_o these_o to_o be_v of_o a_o 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