Selected quad for the lemma: hand_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
hand_n	body_n	see_v	soul_n	4,672	5	5.0400	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64013	Two letters concerning the Holy Trinity reconciling together in some measure the semi-Arian and the Trinitarian systems, concerning Christ's divinity, and inquiring, whether the term persons, speaking of God, shou'd be impos'd in acts of church-communion : to be offered to the consideration of the learned, in order to their giving their opinion and reasons concerning the things herein mentioned.		1680 (1680)	Wing T3456; ESTC R38384	16,482	18

TWO LETTERS Concerning the HOLY TRINITY Reconciling together in some measure the Semi-Arian and the Trinitarian Systems concerning Christ's Divinity and Inquiring Whether the Term Persons speaking of God shou'd be Impos'd in Acts of Church-Communion To be offered to the Consideration of the Learned in order to their giving their Opinion and Reasons concerning the things herein mentioned The First LETTER being a Preparatory of the Matter more fully treated of in the Second *** I Consume my Spirits daily in studying more and more the Doctrine of the Trinity and cannot cease that Study for fear I should be wanting to my Duty on the one Hand or the other But after all I can find no Rest but in the seeming Generality of the Expressions of Scripture I believe there may be more implied in those Expressions or they may import otherwise then all Men are aware of But then the Scripture being so Mysterious and Obscure about this Point doth it not seem to be to the intent to try the best Industry and Search of every one in particular and our Moderation in so intricate and difficult a Matter and so to lead and oblige us to bear with one another in different Sentiments herein uniting in the Scripture-Generality no Man being to judge for another The Ancients so far as I can perceive seem very much Divided and Uncertain in their Judgment about this Obscure Subject By the Expressions of the Primitive Doctors that began to Platonize among Christians it seems that they inclined most to Semi-Arianism as I also in some measure do mollifying the Arian System as I think is the true Import of it rationally understood I seek only Counsel and Instruction and desire to be truly Humble and Moderate as I ought to be and pray God I may actually discharge my whole Duty I believe that the Godhead is as intimately United with Christ as possible and that not only the Divine Power continually assists him so that he disposes of it as a Man disposes of his Arms or Hands which is merely by Desiring or Willing but also that the Divine Wisdom constantly illuminates and conducts his Soul as our Soul doth our Body insomuch that he is thereby enabled to represent God at the Head of the Universe And I do not see what more than this can be understood by the Union of the Divine with Christ's Human Nature Wherefore by this Consideration the Semi-Arian and Trinitarian Systems seem herein to be nearly reconciled together By the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit I understand the Divine and Sanctifying Inspiration and the Miraculous or Wonder-working Divine Power communicated in some measure to some Men according to the good Pleasure of God together with the concurring Ministry of some Angel as seems to be inferr'd from several Places of Scripture particularly Luk. 1 35. 1 Tim. 5 21. Hebr. 1 7 compared with Acts 2 3 4. Hebr. 1 14 compared with John 16 13. Acts 8 26 29 39. I believe then that there is in God the Divine Mind the Divine Wisdom and the Divine Power Mr. Calvin asserted that it was sufficient to acknowledge these Divine Properties and that it was not necessary to insist on the term Persons Instit Cap. 6. Sect. 25. p. 179. Genev. 1550. St. Austin owns it to be very improper De Trin. L. 5 C. 9. St. Jerom declared he cou'd not use it Epist ad Papam Damas. I am of the same Opinion I have prepared a Second Letter humbly to represent my Reasons for it If I mistake in my Sentiment I hope I am but of those Weak in the Faith who may be received and whom God will receive I conclude most humbly beseeching you to compassionate me and to grant me your Prayers being c. The Second Letter *** THIS Controversy seems exceeding intricate and difficult after the maturest and carefullest Consideration of it But then seeing the Scripture expresses it self so obscurely and in so general terms concerning that Subject it seems that as was intimated in the former Letter it is to the intent to try our Moderation as well as every ones best Industry in particular and that we should not be too Decisive and Imposing and should not condemn but should bear with one another herein and should unite and agree in the seeming Generality of the Expressions of Scripture considering that sincere Persons may mistake about so obscure a Point and considering that a hearty Love of God and of Christ cannot but be acceptable to them that the main things are secured when the Expressions of Scripture are adhered to in this Matter that it will in all probability suffice to have a fuller Knowledge of it after this Life that in the mean time we are not to judge for one another and that after all there is not probably so much Difference as has been imagined between the contending Parties There would have been no Disunion if Christians had seriously made those reflections and had contented themselves with this scriptural and general Profession that the Word is God that the Holy Spirit or Inspiration and Power of God is God that these three the Father the Word and the Spirit are one and that there is but one God There may undoubtedly as I said be more implied in these Expressions or they may import otherwise than some Men or all Men are aware of Howbeit the Scripture being thus general seems to require indispensibly no more than this general Acknowledgement And therefore Protestants particularly owning that they are not to judge for one another can justly require no more for Terms of Union And then all Christians that are sincere cannot but be safe for sincerely believing the Scripture as Mr. Chillingworth somewhere observes they believe implicitely even those very Truths and Senses which perhaps they are somewhat short in For my part God is Witness I consider this Subject to the best of my Power and act and proceed sincerely herein howsoever I may sometimes differ from former Sentiments and be sometimes perplexed in my Thoughts But after the fullest consideration it seems to me it is not impossible that the Arian or Socinian Systems be true and yet not impossible but that that System also be true which by the Word and Holy Spirit understands God himself or the Acts and Properties of the Father tho' indeed it seems very improper to say God the Wisdom and God the Power Incontestably there is in God as was said a Divine Mind a Divine Wisdom and a Divine Will or Power Nevertheless even tho' by the Word in the beginning of St. John's Gospel should be understood the Divine Reason or Wisdom produced forth or shewn in the Old and New Creation there said therefore by a Figure to be Incarnate that is most intimately to dwell with and assist the Human Spirit of that Man who is the chiefest of God's Messengers it hinders not but that at the same time by the Word may be meant the Soul of the Messiah which for the