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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
knowledge_n degree_n infinite_a matter_n 2,387 5 10.0479 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59905 A vindication of the doctrine of the holy and ever blessed Trinity and the Incarnation of the Son of God occasioned by the Brief notes on the Creed of St. Athanasius and the Brief history of the Unitarians or Socinians and containing an answer to both / by William Sherlock. Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1691 (1691) Wing S3377; ESTC R25751 172,284 293

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perfect_a or_o which_o have_v all_o possible_a perfection_n which_o have_v no_o other_o end_n of_o its_o perfection_n but_o perfection_n itself_o that_o be_v a_o finite_a imperfect_a be_v that_o want_v any_o perfection_n that_o be_v a_o infinite_a be_v not_o which_o have_v no_o end_n of_o its_o perfection_n but_o which_o actual_o have_v all_o perfection_n and_o can_v be_v no_o more_o perfect_a than_o it_o be_v for_o there_o be_v a_o measure_n of_o the_o most_o absolute_a and_o in_o this_o sense_n infinite_a perfection_n before_o which_o no_o be_v be_v absolute_o perfect_a and_o beyond_o which_o there_o be_v no_o new_a degree_n of_o perfection_n for_o if_o we_o do_v not_o grant_v this_o there_o can_v be_v no_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a as_o for_o instance_n infinite_a wisdom_n knowledge_n goodness_n justice_n power_n have_v fix_v and_o set_v bound_n to_o their_o perfection_n beyond_o which_o they_o can_v go_v infinite_a knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n know_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v knowable_a and_o that_o be_v wise_a infinite_a goodness_n can_v do_v all_o thing_n which_o be_v good_a infinite_a justice_n be_v perfect_a justice_n which_o observe_v the_o exact_a proportion_n of_o right_n and_o wrong_n infinite_a power_n can_v do_v all_o thing_n which_o can_v be_v do_v to_o know_v what_o be_v not_o to_o be_v know_v to_o do_v what_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v to_o be_v good_a or_o just_a beyond_o the_o perfect_a measure_n of_o goodness_n and_o justice_n be_v a_o contradiction_n for_o it_o be_v neither_o wisdom_n nor_o power_n nor_o goodness_n nor_o justice_n the_o nature_n of_o wisdom_n power_n justice_n and_o goodness_n be_v fix_v and_o determine_v and_o the_o utmost_a bound_n of_o they_o be_v absolute_a perfection_n the_o divine_a nature_n be_v the_o original_a rule_n and_o standard_n and_o utmost_a bound_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o absolute_o perfect_a these_o perfection_n indeed_o may_v be_v call_v infinite_a in_o the_o negative_a sense_n with_o respect_n to_o we_o that_o we_o know_v not_o what_o the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o they_o be_v we_o know_v not_o how_o far_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o power_n and_o goodness_n reach_v but_o then_o we_o certain_o know_v that_o they_o have_v their_o bound_n and_o that_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v the_o utmost_a bound_n of_o they_o for_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o absolute_a perfection_n but_o the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o now_o this_o give_v we_o a_o positive_a notion_n and_o idea_n of_o god_n though_o we_o can_v comprehend_v his_o absolute_a perfection_n we_o as_o certain_o know_v what_o god_n be_v as_o we_o know_v what_o wisdom_n knowledge_n power_n goodness_n justice_n signify_v but_o how_o wise_a how_o good_a how_o powerful_a god_n be_v we_o know_v not_o because_o we_o do_v not_o know_v the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o these_o perfection_n i_o must_v now_o add_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o absolute_a perfection_n but_o those_o of_o a_o mind_n such_o as_o i_o have_v so_o often_o mention_v wisdom_n power_n goodness_n as_o for_o matter_n it_o be_v so_o imperfect_a a_o be_v itself_o that_o it_o can_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o absolute_a perfection_n nothing_n which_o belong_v to_o matter_n be_v a_o perfection_n consider_v in_o itself_o extension_n be_v no_o perfection_n no_o more_o than_o the_o dimension_n of_o a_o body_n be_v to_o be_v long_o or_o broad_a or_o deep_a to_o be_v little_a or_o great_a which_o may_v be_v perfection_n or_o imperfection_n as_o it_o happen_v with_o relation_n to_o the_o just_a measure_n and_o proportion_n of_o different_a body_n for_o either_o greatness_n or_o littleness_n may_v make_v different_a thing_n monstrous_a and_o therefore_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v either_o beauty_n or_o perfection_n themselves_o for_o what_o be_v in_o itself_o a_o perfection_n be_v always_o so_o extension_n be_v of_o no_o use_n but_o where_o there_o be_v a_o multitude_n or_o diversity_n of_o part_n and_o such_o a_o compound_n be_v can_v never_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a because_o it_o be_v make_v of_o part_n which_o be_v not_o absolute_o perfect_a as_o no_o part_n can_v be_v and_o ten_o thousand_o imperfect_a part_n can_v never_o make_v up_o a_o absolute_a perfect_a be_v and_o if_o what_o be_v infinite_o perfect_a can_v have_v no_o part_n it_o need_v no_o extension_n and_o can_v have_v none_o for_o what_o be_v extend_v have_v assignable_a part_n whether_o they_o can_v be_v divide_v or_o not_o omnipresence_n be_v a_o great_a and_o unquestionable_a perfection_n but_o to_o be_v omnipresent_v by_o infinite_a extension_n if_o such_o a_o thing_n can_v be_v will_v be_v no_o perfection_n at_o all_o for_o this_o will_v be_v to_o be_v present_a only_o by_o part_n as_o a_o body_n may_v be_v which_o be_v infinite_o extend_v and_o a_o body_n be_v a_o capable_a of_o infinite_a extension_n as_o any_o man_n can_v conceive_v a_o spirit_n to_o be_v and_o yet_o if_o a_o spirit_n be_v omnipresent_v only_o by_o infinite_a extension_n the_o whole_a substance_n of_o that_o spirit_n be_v not_o present_v every_o where_o but_o part_n of_o it_o in_o one_o place_n and_o part_n in_o another_o as_o many_o mile_n distant_a from_o each_o other_o as_o the_o place_n be_v where_o such_o part_n of_o the_o omnipresent_v spirit_n be_v this_o all_o man_n will_v confess_v to_o be_v absurd_a and_o yet_o if_o the_o whole_a mind_n and_o spirit_n be_v present_v every_o where_o it_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v not_o present_v every_o where_o by_o way_n of_o extension_n for_o the_o whole_a extension_n of_o a_o infinite_o extend_v spirit_n be_v not_o present_v every_o where_o and_o if_o omnipresence_n itself_o can_v be_v owe_v to_o infinite_a extension_n no_o man_n can_v tell_v i_o why_o a_o infinite_a mind_n shall_v be_v extend_v at_o all_o for_o extension_n itself_o be_v no_o perfection_n much_o less_o do_v any_o other_o virtue_n and_o quality_n of_o body_n deserve_v the_o name_n of_o absolute_a perfection_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v seek_v for_o absolute_a perfection_n only_o in_o a_o mind_n perfect_a wisdom_n knowledge_n power_n goodness_n justice_n make_v a_o absolute_a perfect_a mind_n there_o be_v no_o other_o absolute_a perfection_n but_o these_o and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o absolute_o perfect_a be_v but_o a_o infinite_a mind_n but_o beside_o this_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o all_o these_o absolute_a perfection_n by_o a_o mutual_a consciousness_n may_v be_v entire_a and_o equal_a in_o three_o distinct_a infinite_a mind_n there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n that_o three_o infinite_a mind_n shall_v be_v absolute_o perfect_a in_o wisdom_n goodness_n justice_n and_o power_n for_o these_o be_v perfection_n which_o may_v be_v in_o more_o than_o one_o as_o three_o man_n may_v all_o know_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o be_v equal_o just_a and_o good_a but_o three_o such_o mind_n can_v be_v absolute_o perfect_a without_o be_v mutual_o conscious_a to_o each_o other_o as_o they_o be_v to_o themselves_o for_o if_o they_o do_v not_o perfect_o know_v each_o other_o as_o they_o know_v themselves_o their_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n be_v not_o absolute_o perfect_a for_o they_o do_v not_o know_v all_o thing_n if_o they_o do_v not_o perfect_o know_v one_o another_o and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o each_o other_o without_o a_o mutual_a consciousness_n this_o show_v not_o only_o the_o possibility_n of_o this_o notion_n that_o three_o distinct_a infinite_a mind_n shall_v be_v mutual_o conscious_a to_o each_o other_o but_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o if_o there_o be_v three_o such_o infinite_o perfect_a mind_n for_o they_o can_v be_v infinite_o perfect_a without_o be_v conscious_a to_o one_o another_o thus_o to_o proceed_v this_o notion_n plain_o reconcile_v the_o perfect_a equality_n of_o all_o three_o person_n with_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o subordination_n of_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n that_o all_o three_o person_n be_v perfect_o equal_a in_o knowledge_n wisdom_n goodness_n justice_n power_n be_v evident_a from_o their_o mutual_a consciousness_n whereby_o they_o all_o know_v love_n and_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o be_v a_o perfect_a equality_n but_o this_o do_v not_o destroy_v the_o natural_a subordination_n of_o the_o son_n to_o the_o father_n of_o a_o derivative_a to_o a_o original_a light_n as_o christ_n be_v call_v in_o the_o nicene_n creed_n god_n of_o god_n light_a of_o light_n for_o though_o god_n have_v communicate_v his_o own_o nature_n to_o he_o and_o receive_v he_o into_o his_o bosom_n to_o a_o intimate_a consciousness_n with_o himself_o which_o make_v he_o the_o perfect_a image_n of_o his_o father_n yet_o he_o receive_v all_o this_o from_o his_o father_n by_o eternal_a generation_n he_o be_v a_o son_n still_o though_o equal_a to_o his_o father_n in_o all_o divine_a perfection_n and_o therefore_o subordinate_a to_o he_o as_o a_o son_n and_o the_o
imagine_v how_o any_o substance_n shall_v be_v without_o a_o beginning_n how_o it_o shall_v be_v present_a in_o all_o place_n without_o part_n and_o without_o extension_n how_o substance_n essence_n existence_n and_o all_o divine_a attribute_n and_o power_n which_o be_v distinct_a thing_n in_o create_a spirit_n shall_v be_v all_o the_o same_o one_o simple_a act_n in_o god_n and_o yet_o reason_n tell_v we_o we_o must_v allow_v of_o no_o composition_n no_o quality_n or_o accident_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o a_o compound_v be_v must_v have_v part_n and_o must_v be_v make_v for_o that_o which_o have_v part_n must_v have_v some_o maker_n to_o join_v the_o part_n together_o and_o to_o endow_v it_o with_o such_o quality_n and_o power_n but_o now_o if_o we_o consider_v god_n as_o wisdom_n and_o truth_n which_o be_v his_o true_a nature_n and_o essence_n without_o confound_v our_o mind_n with_o some_o material_a conception_n of_o his_o substance_n these_o thing_n be_v plain_a and_o easy_a for_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o truth_n be_v eternal_a have_v no_o beginning_n no_o maker_n for_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o original_n and_o essential_a truth_n and_o wisdom_n what_o be_v not_o always_o truth_n and_o wisdom_n can_v never_o begin_v to_o be_v so_o and_o if_o truth_n be_v the_o only_a real_a thing_n and_o necessary_o eternal_a there_o be_v a_o eternal_a mind_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o eternal_a truth_n for_o he_o who_o can_v imagine_v truth_n and_o wisdom_n to_o be_v eternal_a without_o a_o eternal_a mind_n ought_v not_o to_o pretend_v to_o either_o unless_o he_o can_v tell_v we_o how_o truth_n can_v subsist_v without_o a_o mind_n thus_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o truth_n and_o wisdom_n have_v no_o part_n no_o extension_n no_o more_o than_o thought_n have_v truth_n and_o wisdom_n be_v confine_v to_o no_o place_n fill_v no_o space_n but_o be_v everywhere_o the_o same_o without_o extension_n and_o part_n and_o therefore_o have_v a_o necessary_a and_o essential_a omnipresence_n there_o be_v a_o faint_a resemblance_n of_o this_o in_o finite_a and_o create_v spirit_n even_o humane_a wisdom_n and_o reason_n thought_n and_o passion_n have_v no_o extension_n nor_o part_n which_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o a_o create_a spirit_n have_v no_o extension_n nor_o part_n neither_o for_o nothing_o which_o have_v extension_n and_o part_n can_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o that_o which_o have_v none_o all_o the_o quality_n of_o body_n be_v extend_v as_o body_n be_v for_o the_o property_n and_o quality_n of_o all_o thing_n must_v conform_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_a in_o which_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o faculty_n power_n and_o operation_n which_o have_v no_o extension_n or_o part_n as_o the_o will_n the_o understanding_n the_o memory_n the_o thought_n and_o passion_n have_v none_o must_v be_v seat_v in_o a_o subject_a which_o have_v no_o part_n nor_o extension_n neither_o thus_o thought_n be_v confine_v to_o no_o place_n but_o in_o a_o minute_n surround_v the_o earth_n and_o ascend_v above_o the_o heaven_n and_o visit_v all_o the_o empty_a capacity_n of_o infinite_a space_n which_o be_v a_o imperfect_a imitation_n of_o the_o omnipresence_n of_o a_o infinite_a mind_n thus_o what_o can_v be_v a_o more_o pure_a and_o simple_a act_n than_o wisdom_n and_o truth_n now_o though_o we_o conceive_v the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o perfection_n under_o different_a notion_n and_o character_n such_o as_o wisdom_n love_n justice_n goodness_n power_n they_o be_v indeed_o nothing_o else_o but_o infinite_a truth_n and_o wisdom_n which_o receive_v several_a character_n and_o denomination_n from_o its_o different_a effect_n as_o the_o same_o sea_n or_o river_n do_v different_a name_n from_o the_o country_n by_o which_o it_o pass_v for_o what_o be_v intellectual_a love_n but_o the_o perfect_a idea_n of_o truth_n or_o the_o true_a knowledge_n and_o estimation_n of_o thing_n what_o be_v justice_n and_o goodness_n but_o a_o equal_a distribution_n of_o thing_n or_o a_o true_a and_o wise_a proportion_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n what_o be_v perfect_a power_n but_o perfect_a truth_n and_o wisdom_n which_o can_v do_v whatever_o it_o know_v this_o last_o will_v not_o be_v so_o easy_o understand_v because_o in_o man_n we_o find_v knowledge_n and_o power_n to_o be_v very_o different_a thing_n that_o man_n may_v know_v a_o great_a deal_n which_o they_o can_v do_v and_o yet_o if_o we_o consider_v this_o matter_n over_o again_o we_o shall_v find_v it_o a_o mistake_n for_o even_o among_o man_n it_o be_v only_a knowledge_n that_o be_v power_n humane_a power_n and_o humane_a knowledge_n as_o that_o signify_v a_o knowledge_n how_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n be_v commensurate_a whatever_o humane_a skill_n extend_v to_o humane_a power_n can_v effect_v nay_o every_o man_n can_v do_v what_o he_o know_v how_o to_o do_v if_o he_o have_v proper_a instrument_n and_o material_n to_o do_v it_o with_o but_o what_o no_o humane_a power_n can_v do_v no_o humane_a knowledge_n know_v how_o to_o do_v we_o know_v not_o what_o the_o substance_n or_o essence_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v nor_o can_v we_o make_v any_o substance_n we_o can_v create_v any_o thing_n of_o nothing_o nor_o do_v we_o know_v how_o it_o be_v to_o be_v do_v which_o show_v that_o knowledge_n and_o power_n in_o creature_n be_v equal_a and_o that_o prove_v a_o very_a near_o relation_n between_o they_o especial_o when_o we_o add_v that_o knowledge_n be_v not_o only_o the_o director_n of_o power_n but_o be_v that_o very_a power_n which_o we_o call_v force_n for_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o thought_n which_o move_v our_o body_n and_o all_o the_o member_n of_o they_o which_o be_v the_o immediate_a instrument_n of_o all_o humane_a force_n and_o power_n except_v mechanical_a motion_n which_o do_v not_o depend_v upon_o our_o will_n such_o as_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o heart_n the_o circulation_n of_o the_o blood_n the_o concoction_n of_o our_o meat_n and_o the_o like_a all_o voluntary_a motion_n be_v not_o only_o direct_v but_o cause_v by_o thought_n and_o so_o indeed_o it_o must_v be_v or_o there_o can_v be_v no_o motion_n in_o the_o world_n for_o matter_n can_v move_v itself_o and_o therefore_o some_o mind_n must_v be_v the_o first_o mover_n which_o make_v it_o very_o plain_a that_o infinite_a truth_n and_o wisdom_n be_v infinite_a and_o almighty_a power_n so_o that_o if_o we_o set_v aside_o all_o material_a image_n of_o essence_n and_o substance_n and_o contemplate_v god_n as_o eternal_a truth_n and_o wisdom_n the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n be_v very_o plain_a and_o easy_a as_o far_o as_o we_o be_v concern_v to_o know_v he_o in_o this_o state_n the_o same_o cause_n have_v confound_v and_o perplex_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n and_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o vain_a and_o arrogant_a pretender_n to_o reason_n profane_o to_o deride_v and_o ridicule_n that_o most_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a mystery_n they_o puzzle_v and_o confound_v themselves_o with_o some_o gross_a and_o corporeal_a idea_n of_o essence_n and_o substance_n and_o how_o three_o divine_a person_n can_v subsist_v distinct_a in_o the_o same_o numerical_a substance_n but_o will_v they_o but_o consider_v the_o three_o divine_a person_n as_o three_o infinite_a mind_n distinguish_v from_o each_o other_o by_o a_o self-consciousness_n of_o their_o own_o and_o essential_o unite_v by_o a_o mutual_a consciousness_n to_o each_o other_o which_o be_v the_o only_a way_n of_o distinguish_v and_o unite_n mind_n and_o spirit_n and_o then_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n be_v a_o very_a plain_a and_o intelligible_a notion_n now_o certain_o this_o be_v much_o the_o most_o reasonable_a way_n for_o what_o the_o essence_n and_o substance_n of_o a_o spirit_n be_v when_o we_o distinguish_v it_o from_o understanding_n and_o will_n which_o we_o call_v the_o power_n and_o faculty_n of_o a_o spirit_n for_o my_o part_n i_o know_v not_o no_o more_o than_o i_o do_v what_o the_o naked_a essence_n and_o substance_n of_o matter_n be_v strip_v of_o all_o its_o quality_n and_o accident_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o the_o naked_a essence_n of_o thing_n be_v not_o the_o object_n of_o our_o knowledge_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o dispute_v about_o they_o to_o say_v peremptory_o what_o be_v or_o what_o be_v not_o in_o matter_n which_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o and_o therefore_o as_o we_o frame_v the_o notion_n of_o body_n from_o their_o external_a and_o sensible_a quality_n so_o we_o must_v frame_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o spirit_n from_o its_o intellectual_a power_n of_o will_n and_o understanding_n etc._n etc._n and_o when_o we_o dispute_v about_o the_o distinction_n or_o union_n of_o spirit_n we_o must_v not_o dispute_v how_o their_o substance_n which_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o can_v be_v distinguish_v or_o unite_v but_o how_o two_o mind_n consider_v as_o intellectual_a
and_o whoever_o reject_v they_o whatever_o name_n he_o go_v by_o can_v be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o socinian_n in_o disguise_n but_o however_o there_o be_v no_o text_n allege_v by_o learned_a trinitarian_n but_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o some_o or_o other_o of_o his_o learned_a trinitarian_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v as_o broad_a as_o long_o but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o modern_a expositor_n which_o we_o rely_v on_o but_o their_o reason_n and_o if_o a_o learned_a trinitarian_n shall_v reject_v any_o text_n without_o reason_n or_o learning_n it_o signify_v no_o more_o to_o we_o than_o the_o exposition_n of_o a_o learned_a socinian_n when_o we_o seek_v for_o authority_n we_o go_v high_o to_o the_o primitive_a father_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o there_o we_o find_v it_o they_o not_o only_o deliver_v to_o we_o the_o traditionary_a doctrine_n of_o a_o trinity_n which_o have_v always_o be_v teach_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o the_o traditionary_a exposition_n of_o those_o scripture_n too_o whereon_o this_o doctrine_n be_v found_v and_o they_o be_v so_o near_o the_o head_n and_o fountain_n of_o tradition_n the_o apostolic_a age_n their_o authority_n be_v venerable_a and_o a_o modest_a and_o prudent_a man_n will_v not_o reject_v any_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o relate_v to_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o be_v unanimous_o deliver_v by_o the_o ancient_a father_n if_o the_o word_n in_o any_o tolerable_a construction_n will_v bear_v the_o sense_n for_o though_o a_o text_n shall_v fair_o bear_v two_o different_a interpretation_n that_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a which_o have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n teach_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o i_o challenge_v this_o author_n to_o name_v any_o text_n which_o be_v allege_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o trinity_n by_o learned_a trinitarian_n which_o have_v not_o be_v use_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n by_o many_o or_o most_o or_o all_o the_o ancient_a father_n who_o have_v allege_v those_o text_n but_o his_o conclusion_n from_o hence_o that_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o compel_v we_o to_o acknowledge_v a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n because_o the_o unitarian_n and_o some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a trinitarian_n expound_v these_o text_n to_o another_o sense_n be_v very_o pleasant_a and_o show_v what_o a_o great_a master_n of_o reason_n he_o be_v for_o his_o argument_n be_v this_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o compel_v we_o to_o believe_v any_o thing_n while_o there_o be_v other_o man_n who_o expound_v the_o scripture_n to_o a_o contrary_a sense_n and_o thus_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o scripture_n compel_v we_o to_o believe_v nothing_o for_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o name_v any_o text_n which_o concern_v any_o article_n of_o faith_n how_o plain_a and_o express_v soever_o it_o be_v but_o what_o have_v be_v expound_v to_o a_o contrary_a sense_n by_o one_o heretic_n or_o other_o i_o will_v ask_v this_o author_n whether_o the_o scripture_n compel_v he_o to_o believe_v but_o one_o god_n in_o his_o sense_n of_o it_o that_o be_v but_o one_o who_o be_v god_n if_o it_o do_v not_o why_o do_v he_o believe_v it_o and_o insist_v so_o peremptory_o on_o it_o in_o defiance_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n and_o yet_o how_o can_v the_o scripture_n compel_v he_o to_o this_o when_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o the_o catholic_n doctor_n in_o all_o age_n have_v expound_v scripture_n to_o a_o contrary_a sense_n that_o there_o be_v three_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v this_o one_o god_n at_o this_o rate_n when_o man_n differ_v in_o their_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n the_o scripture_n do_v not_o compel_v we_o to_o believe_v either_o and_o thus_o notwithstanding_o the_o scripture_n we_o may_v believe_v nothing_o if_o the_o scripture_n have_v a_o determine_a sense_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v that_o sense_n and_o must_v answer_v it_o to_o god_n and_o to_o our_o saviour_n if_o we_o do_v not_o whoever_o expound_v it_o otherwise_o and_o therefore_o when_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o creed_n that_o we_o be_v compel_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v under_o a_o necessity_n by_o the_o christian_a verity_n to_o acknowledge_v each_o person_n by_o himself_o to_o be_v god_n and_o lord_n the_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o man_n be_v under_o any_o force_n to_o believe_v or_o acknowledge_v it_o or_o to_o expound_v scripture_n to_o this_o sense_n but_o that_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n do_v make_v this_o acknowledgement_n necessary_a if_o we_o will_v believe_v as_o the_o scripture_n teach_v and_o this_o may_v be_v true_a whatever_o the_o unitarian_n or_o any_o learned_a trinitarian_n teach_v he_o add_v that_o the_o contest_v between_o the_o unitarian_n and_o trinitarian_n be_v not_o a_o clash_n of_o reason_n with_o scripture_n but_o whether_o we_o ought_v to_o interpret_v holy_a scripture_n when_o it_o speak_v of_o god_n according_a to_o reason_n or_o not_o that_o be_v like_o fool_n or_o like_o wise_a man_n now_o this_o be_v all_o shame_n and_o fallacy_n for_o to_o expound_v scripture_n by_o reason_n may_v signify_v two_o very_a differeent_fw-mi thing_n 1._o to_o use_v our_o own_o reason_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n 2._o to_o expound_v scripture_n in_o conformity_n to_o the_o principle_n and_o maxim_n of_o natural_a reason_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n he_o expound_v scripture_n according_a to_o reason_n who_o consider_v the_o use_n and_o propriety_n of_o word_n the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o place_n what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v and_o how_o one_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v consistent_a with_o another_o just_a in_o the_o same_o way_n as_o we_o find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o humane_a write_n and_o he_o who_o do_v not_o thus_o expound_v scripture_n by_o reason_n expound_v it_o like_o a_o fool_n that_o be_v if_o he_o put_v such_o a_o sense_n upon_o it_o as_o the_o word_n will_v not_o bear_v or_o the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o text_n will_v not_o admit_v and_o as_o no_o man_n will_v think_v of_o who_o be_v not_o prepossess_v and_o prejudice_v against_o what_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o plain_a and_o obvious_a sense_n of_o the_o text_n and_o whether_o they_o or_o we_o in_o this_o sense_n expound_v scripture_n according_a or_o contrary_a to_o reason_n like_o fool_n or_o like_o wise_a man_n shall_v be_v examine_v present_o as_o for_o the_o other_o sense_n of_o expound_v scripture_n according_a to_o reason_n that_o be_v in_o conformity_n to_o the_o principle_n and_o maxim_n of_o natural_a reason_n we_o allow_v this_o too_o so_o far_o that_o we_o must_v not_o expound_v scripture_n to_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o contradict_v the_o plain_a and_o express_v maxim_n of_o natural_a reason_n for_o though_o god_n reveal_v such_o thing_n to_o we_o as_o natural_a reason_n can_v not_o discover_v and_o can_v comprehend_v yet_o revelation_n can_v contradict_v plain_a reason_n for_o truth_n can_v never_o contradict_v itself_o what_o be_v true_a in_o revelation_n can_v never_o be_v false_a in_o reason_n and_o what_o be_v true_a by_o natural_a reason_n can_v never_o be_v false_a in_o revelation_n but_o then_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o contradiction_n it_o must_v be_v evident_a and_o express_a and_o not_o make_v out_o of_o uncertain_a consequence_n which_o many_o time_n be_v not_o owe_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n but_o to_o the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o own_o knowledge_n as_o to_o keep_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o present_a dispute_n natural_a reason_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v and_o can_v be_v but_o one_o supreme_a god_n the_o sovereign_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n and_o shall_v any_o man_n pretend_v to_o prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v three_o god_n this_o will_v be_v a_o express_a contradiction_n to_o the_o natural_a belief_n of_o one_o god_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v reject_v this_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o contrary_a to_o reason_n but_o to_o prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o that_o there_o be_v three_o who_o be_v this_o one_o god_n this_o be_v no_o contradiction_n to_o reason_n which_o teach_v but_o one_o god_n for_o scripture_n teach_v the_o same_o and_o all_o trinitarian_n acknowledge_v the_o same_o and_o must_v do_v so_o if_o they_o believe_v the_o athanasian_n creed_n and_o therefore_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o trinity_n do_v not_o contradict_v the_o natural_a belief_n of_o one_o god_n yes_o you_o will_v say_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v three_o person_n each_o of_o which_o be_v god_n and_o yet_o but_o one_o god_n be_v a_o contradiction_n but_o what_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n do_v it_o contradict_v reason_n tell_v we_o that_o three_o god_n can_v be_v one_o god_n but_o do_v