true_a and_o proper_a personality_n of_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n be_v very_o absurd_a and_o guilty_a of_o heinous_a nonsense_n in_o say_v that_o the_o son_n be_v eternal_o generate_v and_o the_o spirit_n eternal_o proceed_v these_o be_v nice_a speculation_n which_o the_o arian_n controversy_n engage_v they_o in_o but_o the_o nicene_n father_n content_v themselves_o to_o affirm_v no_o more_o concern_v the_o eternal_a generation_n than_o that_o the_o son_n be_v beget_v of_o his_o father_n before_o all_o world_n god_n of_o god_n light_a of_o light_n very_o god_n of_o very_o god_n and_o this_o notion_n of_o a_o eternal_a generation_n our_o author_n have_v no_o objection_n against_o and_o we_o do_v not_o think_v ourselves_o bind_v to_o answer_v for_o all_o the_o subtlety_n either_o of_o the_o father_n or_o school_n nor_o to_o determine_v every_o curious_a question_n which_o perverse_a and_o heretical_a wit_n can_v start_v concern_v the_o divine_a generation_n and_o procession_n which_o be_v above_o the_o comprehension_n of_o angelical_a mind_n and_o which_o we_o know_v no_o more_o of_o but_o that_o the_o son_n be_v beget_v and_o the_o spirit_n proceed_v and_o yet_o this_o reason_v be_v very_o absurd_a when_o apply_v to_o a_o eternal_a and_o immutable_a nature_n thing_n which_o have_v a_o beginning_n which_o be_v make_v which_o be_v successive_o and_o gradual_o perfect_v by_o art_n be_v incomplete_a and_o unfinished_a while_o they_o be_v make_v and_o if_o they_o be_v always_o make_v or_o always_o incomplete_a but_o a_o generation_n or_o procession_n without_o a_o beginning_n and_o without_o succession_n must_v always_o be_v perfect_a and_o always_o the_o same_o if_o it_o be_v at_o all_o here_o be_v no_o new_a production_n no_o make_v any_o thing_n no_o transient_a action_n in_o which_o sense_n the_o catholic_n father_n deny_v the_o divine_a generation_n to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o action_n but_o only_o a_o essential_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d habitude_n relation_n between_o father_n and_o son_n who_o both_o perfect_o and_o eternal_o subsist_v and_o co-exist_a with_o each_o other_o but_o so_o that_o the_o son_n be_v of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o father_n and_o son_n thus_o they_o be_v without_o any_o beginning_n and_o thus_o they_o always_o be_v and_o this_o be_v all_o they_o mean_v by_o a_o eternal_a generation_n and_o procession_n and_o this_o the_o immutability_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n force_v they_o to_o own_o for_o though_o external_a act_n and_o relation_n make_v no_o change_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n yet_o what_o be_v ad_fw-la intrà _fw-la do_v and_o therefore_o can_v we_o conceive_v any_o distinguishable_a moment_n in_o eternal_a duration_n when_o god_n be_v no_o father_n when_o he_o beget_v a_o son_n and_o when_o he_o cease_v to_o beget_v this_o will_v make_v a_o internal_a change_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o which_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o perfect_a immutability_n but_o the_o son_n always_o be_v and_o be_v of_o the_o father_n and_o this_o be_v his_o eternal_a generation_n and_o the_o holy_a spirit_n always_o be_v and_o be_v of_o father_n and_o son_n and_o this_o be_v his_o eternal_a procession_n and_o thus_o the_o divine_a essence_n always_o be_v and_o be_v the_o same_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n and_o this_o be_v the_o perfect_a immutability_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o his_o philosophy_n be_v very_o absurd_a when_o he_o argue_v from_o a_o eternal_a generation_n and_o procession_n that_o therefore_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n must_v be_v incomplete_a and_o unfinished_a for_o this_o will_v not_o be_v grant_v he_o even_o in_o create_a nature_n much_o less_o in_o the_o divinity_n they_o be_v no_o mean_a philosopher_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o world_n may_v very_o proper_o be_v say_v to_o be_v perpetual_o create_v that_o what_o we_o call_v preservation_n or_o uphold_v all_o thing_n in_o be_v be_v the_o very_a same_o act_n and_o power_n which_o at_o first_o give_v be_v to_o they_o and_o such_o a_o permanent_a act_n be_v creation_n still_o though_o no_o new_a production_n of_o any_o thing_n but_o these_o man_n will_v scorn_v any_o one_o who_o shall_v hence_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o complete_a or_o finish_v substance_n no_o real_o subsist_v substantial_a world_n much_o more_o absurd_a be_v it_o to_o conclude_v this_o of_o a_o eternal_a generation_n which_o produce_v nothing_o new_a nothing_o that_o ever_o begin_v to_o be_v and_o be_v the_o same_o that_o ever_o it_o be_v without_o any_o succession_n and_o he_o defend_v the_o nominalist_n just_a as_o wise_o and_o philosophical_o as_o he_o oppose_v the_o realist_n as_o if_o his_o only_a design_n be_v to_o expose_v both_o he_o say_v this_o eternal_a generation_n prove_v the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n 41._o to_o be_v only_o immanent_a act_n in_o god_n reflex_n wisdom_n or_o the_o wisdom_n that_o result_v from_o original_a mind_n eternal_a contemplation_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n and_o the_o everlasting_a spiration_n of_o love_n that_o must_v proceed_v from_o the_o original_a and_o reflex_n wisdom_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o here_o we_o have_v just_o such_o a_o trinity_n in_o the_o godhead_n as_o there_o be_v in_o every_o particular_a man_n his_o mind_n and_o the_o immanent_a act_n of_o wisdom_n or_o reason_n and_o love_n which_o all_o learned_a man_n know_v to_o be_v one_o kind_n of_o sabellianism_n that_o the_o son_n be_v the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o peculiar_a character_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v love_n be_v the_o language_n both_o of_o scripture_n and_o father_n but_o not_o as_o immanent_a act_n but_o the_o live_a subsist_v wisdom_n of_o the_o father_n and_o live_v subsist_v love_n eternal_a and_o infinite_a person_n coeternal_a and_o coequal_a with_o the_o father_n but_o it_o be_v a_o new_a language_n unknown_a to_o scripture_n and_o father_n to_o call_v a_o immanent_a act_n of_o wisdom_n a_o son_n and_o the_o mind_n produce_v such_o a_o act_n its_o generate_a or_o beget_v a_o son_n and_o to_o call_v such_o a_o immanent_a act_n in_o god_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o god_n by_o which_o rule_n every_o thought_n or_o act_n of_o reason_n in_o any_o man_n be_v man_n and_o the_o son_n of_o that_o man_n who_o thought_n and_o act_n it_o be_v and_o it_o as_o new_a philosophy_n to_o talk_v of_o immanent_a act_n in_o god_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o immanent_a act_n but_o where_o there_o be_v power_n and_o faculty_n which_o be_v the_o imperfection_n of_o the_o creature-state_n not_o incident_a to_o the_o perfect_a simplicity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o beside_o this_o what_o do_v he_o mean_v by_o the_o eternal_a generation_n and_o spiration_n of_o a_o immanent_a act_n a_o immanent_a act_n according_a to_o all_o the_o account_n i_o ever_o meet_v with_o of_o it_o and_o as_o every_o man_n may_v feel_v in_o himself_o be_v not_o a_o abide_n as_o he_o call_v it_o but_o a_o transient_a act_n it_o have_v no_o permanent_a stable_n nature_n no_o subsistence_n of_o its_o own_o but_o vanish_v and_o die_v assoon_o as_o generate_v to_o speak_v in_o his_o language_n which_o be_v a_o necessary_a reason_n to_o remove_v all_o such_o immanent_a act_n from_o god_n in_o who_o there_o be_v nothing_o vanish_v nothing_o successive_a but_o if_o man_n will_v attribute_v immanent_a act_n to_o god_n reflex_n wisdom_n as_o oppose_v to_o a_o live_n subsist_v personal_a wisdom_n they_o must_v speak_v of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o know_a nature_n of_o such_o act_n and_o then_o a_o eternal_a generation_n of_o such_o a_o immanent_a act_n which_o vanish_v assoon_o as_o generate_v can_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o a_o eternal_a successive_a repetition_n which_o be_v a_o contradiction_n of_o the_o act_n of_o reflex_n wisdom_n that_o as_o one_o vanish_v another_o succeed_v that_o though_o god_n have_v always_o this_o reflex_n wisdom_n yet_o he_o have_v not_o always_o the_o same_o act_n of_o reflex_n wisdom_n but_o produce_v it_o anew_o every_o moment_n which_o he_o call_v a_o eternal_a generation_n just_a as_o it_o be_v with_o man_n who_o may_v have_v the_o same_o thought_n for_o kind_a some_o time_n together_o but_o yet_o every_o moment_n it_o be_v new_o produce_v to_o talk_v of_o such_o a_o eternal_a son_n as_o this_o and_o such_o a_o eternal_a generation_n be_v heresy_n in_o philosophy_n and_o in_o common_a sense_n as_o well_o as_o in_o christianity_n and_o it_o will_v be_v loss_n of_o time_n to_o expose_v it_o i_o must_v no_o more_o omit_v than_o he_o another_o surprise_v argument_n whereby_o he_o prove_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n do_v believe_v that_o the_o second_o person_n be_v the_o reflex_n wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o three_o divine_a love_n 42._o because_o for_o this_o reason_n as_o he_o tell_v we_o this_o
but_o not_o as_o god_n that_o he_o receive_v his_o person_n but_o not_o his_o essence_n or_o divine_a nature_n of_o the_o father_n he_o observe_v that_o we_o can_v conceive_v the_o person_n without_o the_o essence_n unless_o by_o person_n in_o the_o divinity_n we_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o the_o mere_a mode_n of_o subsistence_n which_o be_v plain_a sabellianism_n so_o that_o this_o writer_n have_v do_v dr._n sherlock_n a_o great_a kindness_n than_o he_o be_v aware_a of_o and_o as_o it_o will_v quick_o appear_v have_v lose_v his_o own_o cause_n by_o it_o if_o dr._n bull_n have_v true_o represent_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o father_n as_o all_o learned_a and_o unprejudiced_a man_n must_v own_v he_o have_v for_o here_o be_v such_o a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o a_o real_a substantial_a subsist_v trinity_n as_o no_o late_a authority_n whatever_o they_o be_v can_v stand_v against_o what_o i_o have_v now_o quote_v be_v only_o what_o first_o come_v to_o hand_n but_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o whole_a book_n but_o what_o by_o immediate_a and_o necessary_a consequence_n prove_v the_o real_a dictinction_n of_o proper_a subsist_v person_n in_o the_o trinity_n that_o each_o person_n be_v by_o himself_o in_o his_o own_o proper_a person_n as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o two_o infinite_a mind_n substance_n life_n wisdom_n power_n and_o whatever_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o notion_n and_o idea_n of_o god_n instead_o of_o particular_a quotation_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o appeal_v to_o the_o title_n of_o the_o several_a section_n of_o that_o learned_a work_n which_o i_o believe_v no_o man_n can_v make_v common_a sense_n of_o without_o acknowledge_v a_o trinity_n of_o proper_a substantial_a subsist_v person_n the_o first_o section_n concern_v the_o preexistence_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o he_o who_o afterward_o be_v call_v jesus_n christ_n do_v subsist_v before_o his_o incarnation_n or_o nativity_n according_a to_o the_o flesh_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n in_o another_o and_o more_o excellent_a nature_n than_o that_o of_o man_n that_o he_o appear_v to_o the_o holy_a man_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o a_o kind_n of_o anticipation_n of_o his-incarnation_n that_o he_o always_o preside_v over_o and_o take_v care_n of_o his_o church_n which_o he_o be_v to_o redeem_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n that_o he_o be_v present_a with_o god_n his_o father_n before_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o by_o he_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o christian_n and_o this_o he_o prove_v to_o be_v the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o all_o the_o catholic_n father_n for_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n and_o so_o it_o continue_v to_o after-age_n now_o let_v any_o man_n consider_v what_o a_o pretty_a kind_n of_o dispute_v this_o be_v about_o the_o preexistence_n of_o the_o son_n if_o he_o have_v no_o proper_a permanent_a existence_n of_o his_o own_o but_o consider_v as_o a_o divine_a person_n be_v only_o another_o name_n for_o the_o father_n or_o a_o immanent_a act_n like_o the_o transient_a thought_n or_o transient_a act_n of_o reason_n in_o man._n for_o if_o the_o son_n be_v not_o a_o distinct_a person_n from_o the_o father_n and_o as_o proper_a a_o subsist_v person_n as_o the_o father_n himself_o be_v the_o question_n will_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o but_o this_o whether_o god_n the_o father_n have_v a_o be_v before_o jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v of_o the_o virgin_n or_o before_o the_o world_n be_v make_v or_o whether_o he_o have_v any_o immanent_a act_n of_o wisdom_n or_o reason_n before_o he_o make_v the_o world_n or_o whether_o he_o take_v the_o name_n of_o son_n upon_o himself_o before_o he_o make_v the_o world_n or_o make_v any_o creature_n to_o know_v he_o or_o his_o name_n the_o christian_a father_n be_v wise_a man_n than_o to_o talk_v at_o this_o impertinent_a rate_n and_o therefore_o they_o do_v believe_v that_o god_n have_v a_o son_n in_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n a_o subsist_v live_a omnipotent_a son_n by_o who_o he_o make_v the_o world_n who_o appear_v in_o his_o own_o proper_a person_n to_o several_a of_o the_o patriarch_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n be_v incarnate_a of_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n the_o very_a question_n itself_o necessary_o suppose_v this_o to_o make_v sense_n of_o it_o much_o more_o impossible_a be_v it_o to_o understand_v what_o the_o father_n say_v upon_o this_o argument_n upon_o the_o sabellian_n or_o socinian_n hypothesis_n the_o second_o section_n concern_v the_o consubstantiality_n of_o the_o son_n with_o the_o father_n that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v not_o of_o a_o create_a or_o mutable_a essence_n but_o perfect_o of_o the_o same_o divine_a unchangeable_a nature_n with_o his_o father_n and_o therefore_o be_v true_a god_n of_o true_a god_n now_o what_o sense_n can_v be_v make_v of_o this_o if_o the_o son_n be_v not_o as_o true_o and_o proper_o substance_n in_o his_o own_o person_n as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n as_o the_o father_n be_v in_o his_o own_o person_n for_o how_o can_v the_o son_n be_v consubstantial_a or_o of_o the_o same_o substance_n with_o the_o father_n if_o he_o be_v no_o substance_n at_o all_o especial_o since_o this_o learned_a man_n have_v prove_v that_o the_o catholic_n father_n reject_v the_o homoousion_n in_o the_o sabellian_n sense_n for_o one_o singular_a substance_n of_o father_n and_o son_n and_o that_o they_o assert_v as_o common_a sense_n will_v teach_v we_o that_o nothing_o be_v consubstantial_a to_o itself_o but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o thing_n be_v consubstantial_a to_o another_o the_o three_o section_n concern_v the_o coeternal_a existence_n of_o the_o son_n with_o the_o father_n now_o for_o father_n and_o son_n to_o coexi_v necessary_o suppose_v that_o they_o both_o exist_v and_o actual_o subsist_v by_o themselves_o for_o two_o can_v exist_v and_o subsist_v together_o unless_o each_o of_o they_o actual_o subsist_v for_o as_o the_o father_n observe_v nothing_o can_v proper_o be_v say_v to_o coexi_v with_o itself_o for_o it_o can_v admit_v of_o no_o question_n whether_o any_o one_o have_v be_v as_o long_o as_o he_o have_v be_v and_o therefore_o since_o the_o co-eternity_n of_o the_o son_n have_v be_v a_o very_a serious_a dispute_n between_o the_o catholic_n and_o the_o arian_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o both_o of_o they_o own_a father_n and_o son_n to_o be_v two_o distinct_a person_n which_o do_v distinct_o exist_v and_o subsist_v the_o four_o section_n teach_v the_o subordination_n of_o the_o son_n to_o the_o father_n that_o though_o the_o son_n be_v coequal_a with_o the_o father_n as_o have_v the_o same_o divine_a nature_n with_o the_o father_n without_o any_o change_n or_o diminution_n yet_o he_o be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o father_n as_o receive_v the_o divine_a nature_n from_o he_o that_o the_o father_n be_v god_n of_o himself_o the_o son_n god_n of_o god_n now_o if_o the_o son_n receive_v the_o divine_a nature_n by_o a_o eternal_a communication_n from_o the_o father_n he_o must_v have_v it_o in_o himself_o in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o be_v a_o live_n subsist_v son_n true_a god_n of_o god_n and_o if_o he_o be_v a_o true_a proper_a person_n and_o subordinate_a to_o the_o father_n he_o must_v be_v a_o distinct_a person_n for_o no_o person_n can_v be_v subordinate_a to_o himself_o these_o question_n dr._n bull_n have_v discourse_v at_o large_a with_o great_a variety_n of_o learning_n and_o acuracy_n of_o judgement_n and_o it_o be_v a_o mystery_n to_o i_o how_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o admire_v dr._n bull_n shall_v quarrel_v with_o dr._n sherlock_n or_o that_o those_o who_o pay_v any_o reverence_n to_o the_o catholic_n father_n shall_v quarrel_v with_o either_o of_o they_o this_o socinian_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o be_v glad_a to_o draw_v dr._n bull_n into_o the_o number_n of_o tritheist_n but_o by_o that_o mean_v he_o have_v draw_v in_o all_o the_o catholic_n father_n too_o and_o have_v now_o draw_v together_o so_o many_o tritheist_n as_o he_o will_v never_o know_v how_o to_o get_v rid_v of_o again_o or_o to_o speak_v more_o proper_o he_o have_v unanswerable_o confute_v the_o charge_n of_o tritheism_n and_o discover_v the_o trick_n and_o mystery_n of_o it_o by_o charge_v the_o catholic_n faith_n itself_o and_o all_o the_o catholic_n father_n the_o most_o zealous_a patron_n and_o advocate_n of_o it_o with_o tritheism_n sect_n ii_o this_o author_n account_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o realist_n and_o nominalist_n concern_v the_o holy_a trinity_n the_o very_a name_n of_o socinianism_n be_v just_o abhor_v by_o all_o christian_n who_o place_n all_o their_o hope_n of_o salvation_n in_o the_o incarnation_n sacrifice_n and_o
the_o holy_a ghost_n without_o any_o division_n or_o partition_n of_o substance_n and_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o lateran_n council_n that_o this_o one_o supreme_a thing_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d veraciter_fw-la true_o and_o real_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n three_o unite_v person_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d tres_fw-la simul_fw-la personae_fw-la and_o each_o of_o they_o distinct_a from_o the_o other_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ac_fw-la singulatim_fw-la quaelibet_fw-la earum_fw-la and_o therefore_o there_o be_v only_o a_o trinity_n not_o a_o quaternity_n in_o god_n as_o abbot_n joachim_n have_v object_v and_o that_o each_o of_o these_o divine_a person_n be_v this_o divine_a substance_n essence_n and_o nature_n all_o this_o athanasius_n himself_o will_v have_v subscribe_v who_o yet_o with_o the_o other_o catholic_n father_n reject_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o singular_a and_o solitary_a divinity_n they_o add_v that_o this_o one_o supreme_a nature_n substance_n essence_n which_o be_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n neither_o beget_v nor_o be_v beget_v nor_o proceed_v nor_o do_v ever_o any_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n assert_v that_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o essence_n as_o common_a to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v that_o the_o whole_a trinity_n do_v either_o beget_v or_o be_v beget_v or_o do_v proceed_v this_o belong_v to_o person_n not_o to_o nature_n formal_o consider_v as_o they_o express_o teach_v that_o the_o father_n beget_v the_o son_n be_v beget_v and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n proceed_v so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o distinction_n of_o person_n and_o unity_n of_o nature_n that_o the_o father_n be_v alius_fw-la another_o the_o son_n another_o the_o holy_a ghost_n another_o but_o not_o aliud_fw-la another_o thing_n but_o what_o the_o father_n be_v and_o what_o the_o son_n be_v and_o what_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v all_o perfect_o the_o same_o that_o according_a to_o the_o catholic_n faith_n we_o may_v acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v consubstantial_a for_o the_o father_n from_o eternity_n beget_v the_o son_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d give_v his_o own_o substance_n to_o he_o as_o he_o himself_o witness_v the_o father_n who_o give_v they_o i_o be_v great_a than_o all_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o father_n give_v part_n of_o his_o substance_n to_o his_o son_n and_o retain_v another_o part_n himself_o for_o the_o hypostasis_fw-la or_o substance_n of_o the_o father_n be_v indivisible_a as_o be_v perfect_o simple_a nor_o can_v we_o say_v that_o when_o the_o father_n beget_v the_o son_n he_o so_o communicate_v his_o own_o substance_n to_o he_o as_o not_o to_o have_v it_o himself_o for_o than_o he_o must_v cease_v to_o be_v a_o hypostasis_fw-la substance_n and_o a_o substantial_a person_n himself_o so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o son_n when_o beget_v receive_v the_o father_n substance_n without_o any_o diminution_n of_o the_o father_n and_o thus_o father_n and_o son_n have_v the_o same_o substance_n and_o father_n and_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o and_o the_o same_o supreme_a nature_n and_o substance_n which_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o unity_n of_o sameness_n and_o identity_n this_o be_v true_a catholic_n doctrine_n and_o the_o very_a language_n of_o the_o nicene_n father_n and_o if_o joachim_n reject_v this_o essential_a unity_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o assert_v a_o mere_a collective_a unity_n as_o many_o christian_n be_v one_o church_n as_o the_o council_n affirm_v he_o do_v he_o be_v very_o just_o condemn_v and_o the_o nicene_n father_n themselves_o will_v have_v condemn_v he_o the_o only_a thing_n which_o look_v like_o a_o innovation_n in_o this_o decree_n be_v that_o whereas_o the_o catholic_n father_n allow_v of_o those_o expression_n a_o beget_v nature_n beget_v substance_n beget_v wisdom_n beget_v god_n and_o that_o substance_n beget_v substance_n and_o wisdom_n beget_v wisdom_n etc._n etc._n this_o council_n deny_v that_o this_o one_o supreme_a divine_a essence_n nature_n or_o substance_n which_o be_v the_o bless_a trinity_n do_v either_o beget_v or_o be_v beget_v or_o proceed_v which_o some_o schoolman_n think_v absolute_o condemn_v those_o expression_n that_o substance_n beget_v substance_n and_o wisdom_n wisdom_n that_o the_o son_n be_v deus_fw-la genitus_fw-la and_o natura_fw-la genita_fw-la beget_v god_n and_o beget_v nature_n and_o beget_v wisdom_n which_o be_v to_o condemn_v all_o the_o catholic_n father_n who_o use_v these_o expression_n without_o any_o scruple_n nay_o who_o think_v that_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o divine_a generation_n can_v not_o be_v secure_v without_o they_o but_o i_o confess_v i_o be_o of_o petavius_n his_o mind_n though_o i_o find_v the_o learned_a doctor_n bull_n dissent_v from_o he_o that_o this_o council_n never_o intend_v absolute_o to_o condemn_v all_o such_o expression_n when_o personal_o use_v for_o though_o the_o divine_a nature_n in_o a_o general_a notion_n as_o common_a to_o all_o three_o person_n neither_o beget_v nor_o be_v beget_v yet_o the_o father_n beget_v the_o son_n by_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a generation_n and_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a son_n and_o therefore_o that_o learned_a jesuit_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o lateran_n council_n consider_v the_o divine_a nature_n absolute_o and_o in_o itself_o 12._o and_o as_o abstract_v from_o the_o three_o person_n not_o as_o subsist_v distinct_o in_o each_o person_n for_o so_o it_o be_v very_a catholic_n to_o say_v that_o the_o divine_a nature_n in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n beget_v the_o divine_a nature_n in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o son_n for_o we_o can_v understand_v what_o a_o person_n be_v without_o its_o essence_n and_o nature_n and_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o say_v that_o the_o son_n receive_v his_o person_n from_o the_o father_n without_o receive_v that_o without_o which_o he_o can_v be_v a_o person_n and_o the_o reason_n he_o give_v why_o they_o rather_o choose_v to_o say_v that_o the_o father_n beget_v the_o son_n than_o that_o essence_n beget_v essence_n be_v to_o avoid_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o that_o expression_n which_o may_v signify_v the_o production_n of_o another_o essence_n as_o well_o as_o the_o generation_n of_o another_o person_n whereas_o this_o divine_a generation_n be_v the_o communication_n of_o the_o same_o eternal_a essence_n which_o be_v in_o the_o father_n to_o the_o son_n ibid._n which_o give_v existence_n to_o a_o second_o person_n not_o to_o a_o second_o nature_n this_o be_v indeed_o very_o subtle_a but_o there_o be_v some_o sense_n in_o it_o and_o while_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o son_n by_o a_o eternal_a generation_n receive_v a_o true_a divine_a nature_n from_o the_o father_n and_o be_v in_o his_o own_o person_n true_a god_n but_o yet_o not_o the_o father_n this_o be_v the_o old_a catholic_n faith_n how_o new_a soever_o the_o expression_n may_v be_v thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o his_o general_a council_n and_o i_o hope_v every_o one_o see_v how_o well_o he_o understand_v council_n or_o how_o honest_o he_o deal_v with_o they_o what_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o england_n need_v no_o answer_n after_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v and_o the_o story_n of_o valentinus_n gentilis_fw-la be_v much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n for_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o realist_n that_o he_o be_v a_o downright_a arian_n but_o that_o he_o may_v not_o think_v himself_o and_o his_o nominalist_n so_o secure_a of_o all_o the_o divinity-chair_n in_o europe_n i_o will_v refer_v he_o to_o the_o learned_a spanhemius_fw-la to_o learn_v how_o it_o late_o fare_v with_o some_o of_o they_o in_o the_o unite_a province_n who_o be_v censure_v and_o condemn_v by_o various_a synod_n and_o by_o the_o public_a judgement_n and_o authority_n of_o several_a university_n the_o first_o proposition_n condemn_v be_v concern_v the_o name_n of_o son_n etc._n and_o his_o eternal_a generation_n of_o the_o father_n that_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v proper_o of_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a generation_n as_o if_o the_o father_n who_o beget_v be_v a_o true_a and_o proper_a father_n and_o the_o son_n who_o be_v beget_v a_o true_a and_o proper_a son_n but_o that_o these_o term_n in_o scripture_n only_o signify_v 1._o that_o the_o second_o person_n have_v the_o same_o nature_n and_o essence_n with_o the_o first_o person_n and_o do_v coexi_v with_o he_o from_o eternity_n deny_v the_o manner_n of_o his_o have_v the_o same_o nature_n by_o a_o ineffable_a generation_n and_o the_o personal_a subsistence_n of_o the_o father_n who_o beget_v and_o the_o son_n who_o be_v beget_v and_o consequent_o that_o true_a relation_n between_o father_n and_o son_n which_o the_o scripture_n constant_o teach_v which_o give_v just_a suspicion_n either_o of_o sabellianism_n or_o tritheism_n 2._o
the_o trinity_n upon_o your_o finger_n and_o if_o you_o can_v but_o tell_v to_o three_o you_o will_v infallible_o find_v three_o god_n the_o father_n be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n there_o say_v they_o be_v one_o god_n the_o son_n be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n there_o be_v two_o god_n the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n there_o be_v three_o god_n quod_fw-la erat_fw-la demonstrandum_fw-la but_o do_v they_o think_v that_o all_o the_o catholic_n father_n know_v not_o how_o to_o find_v three_o in_o the_o trinity_n till_o they_o teach_v they_o to_o tell_v three_o upon_o their_o finger_n and_o if_o they_o find_v three_o but_o yet_o can_v not_o find_v three_o god_n in_o the_o trinity_n they_o may_v in_o modesty_n have_v think_v that_o something_o more_o than_o arithmetic_n or_o tell_v their_o finger_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v good_a this_o charge_n and_o because_o they_o either_o be_v or_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o this_o i_o will_v tell_v they_o what_o it_o be_v in_o that_o dispute_n whether_o there_o be_v only_o one_o god_n or_o more_o god_n than_o one_o by_o one_o god_n in_o the_o first_o place_n all_o man_n understand_v one_o divinity_n one_o infinite_a omnipotent_a essence_n and_o nature_n for_o all_o the_o argument_n relate_v to_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n direct_o prove_v no_o more_o than_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n that_o god_n be_v but_o one_o person_n as_o well_o as_o one_o divinity_n as_o most_o man_n do_v and_o as_o all_o man_n may_v reasonable_o conclude_v before_o the_o revelation_n of_o a_o trinity_n of_o divine_a person_n in_o the_o essential_a unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n be_v not_o owe_v to_o any_o direct_a and_o positive_a proof_n but_o to_o a_o common_a presumption_n for_o since_o we_o have_v no_o example_n in_o create_a nature_n of_o more_o than_o one_o proper_a person_n in_o one_o individual_a inseparable_a nature_n most_o man_n hence_o conclude_v natural_o enough_o that_o one_o divinity_n be_v but_o one_o divine_a person_n also_o but_o god_n who_o understand_v his_o own_o nature_n best_o have_v reveal_v to_o we_o in_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v three_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n who_o equal_o and_o perfect_o communicate_v in_o this_o one_o infinite_a and_o undivided_a essence_n and_o therefore_o that_o there_o be_v three_o divine_a person_n and_o one_o god_n and_o this_o have_v occasion_v a_o confusion_n of_o term_n on_o which_o our_o socinian_n adversary_n have_v ground_v all_o their_o noisy_a triumph_n for_o now_o one_o god_n and_o one_o person_n signify_v very_o different_o in_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o trinity_n from_o what_o they_o do_v in_o common_a acceptation_n and_o must_v of_o necessity_n do_v so_o one_o god_n in_o natural_a religion_n before_o the_o revelation_n of_o this_o sacred_a mystery_n signify_v one_o divinity_n one_o infinite_a nature_n and_o essence_n without_o any_o notion_n of_o more_o than_o one_o subsistence_n and_o one_o personality_n and_o then_o consequent_o one_o person_n who_o be_v this_o one_o god_n must_v signify_v one_o who_o have_v this_o whole_a divinity_n perfect_o in_o himself_o and_o exclusive_o to_o all_o other_o person_n but_o in_o the_o christian_a mystery_n one_o god_n signify_v also_o one_o perfect_a undivided_a divinity_n but_o communicable_a whole_a and_o perfect_a and_o indivisible_o to_o more_o than_o one_o and_o actual_o subsist_v in_o three_o distinct_a person_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o consequent_o person_n also_o in_o this_o mystery_n signify_v one_o who_o have_v the_o whole_a divine_a nature_n perfect_o in_o himself_o and_o therefore_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n but_o have_v not_o the_o whole_a divinity_n incommunicable_o in_o himself_o exclusive_o to_o all_o other_o person_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o the_o one_o god_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o one_o perfect_a incommunicable_a divinity_n peculiar_a to_o himself_o and_o communicate_v to_o no_o other_o person_n nor_o subsist_v in_o any_o other_o and_o now_o let_v any_o man_n judge_n of_o the_o mean_a sophistry_n of_o our_o adversary_n who_o from_o their_o notion_n of_o one_o person_n and_o one_o god_n which_o the_o catholic_n church_n with_o great_a reason_n reject_v charge_v the_o catholic_n faith_n of_o a_o real_a subsist_v trinity_n with_o tritheism_n for_o they_o do_v not_o dispute_v ad_fw-la idem_fw-la but_o impose_v upon_o man_n with_o a_o equivocal_a use_n of_o word_n three_o such_o divine_a person_n indeed_o as_o they_o own_o that_o be_v each_o of_o which_o have_v a_o whole_a perfect_a divinity_n in_o himself_o which_o no_o other_o person_n communicate_v or_o can_v communicate_v in_o must_v be_v in_o a_o proper_a notion_n three_o god_n or_o three_o perfect_a self-originated_n separate_a divinity_n but_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v and_o yet_o in_o the_o last_o result_v this_o be_v all_o the_o proof_n they_o offer_v at_o that_o three_o person_n who_o have_v but_o one_o common_a divinity_n though_o distinct_o and_o perfect_o subsist_v in_o each_o of_o they_o be_v therefore_o three_o god_n for_o neither_o of_o these_o person_n be_v so_o god_n as_o to_o exclude_v the_o other_o from_o the_o same_o divinity_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o three_o divinity_n not_o three_o self-originated_n divine_a essence_n and_o therefore_o not_o three_o god_n according_a to_o the_o natural_a notion_n of_o tritheism_n god_n and_o god_n and_o god_n who_o have_v the_o same_o one_o divinity_n subsist_v in_o they_o all_o be_v not_o three_o god_n but_o one_o god_n because_o one_o divinity_n here_o it_o be_v they_o shall_v attack_v we_o and_o if_o they_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o say_v to_o this_o point_n we_o be_v ready_a to_o join_v issue_n with_o they_o five_o his_o last_o argument_n which_o he_o place_v great_a confidence_n in_o be_v very_o easy_o answer_v it_o be_v this_o that_o all_o the_o reason_n use_v by_o philosopher_n or_o divine_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n do_v as_o certain_o and_o as_o clear_o prove_v that_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o infinite_a and_o all-perfect_a spirit_n all_o this_o still_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o same_o equivocation_n and_o fallacy_n which_o i_o have_v already_o sufficient_o answer_v one_o infinite_a and_o all-perfect_a spirit_n may_v either_o signify_v one_o person_n who_o be_v infinite_a mind_n or_o spirit_n in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o here_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o join_v issue_n with_o he_o that_o all_o the_o argument_n which_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n do_v not_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o divine_a person_n but_o one_o who_o be_v this_o one_o god_n or_o it_o may_v signify_v one_o divinity_n which_o be_v essential_o one_o infinite_a all-perfect_a spirit_n but_o personal_o three_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o agree_v with_o he_o for_o we_o assert_v one_o undivided_a essence_n essential_o one_o in_o three_o that_o be_v we_o believe_v there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n who_o be_v one_o in_o nature_n and_o three_o in_o person_n and_o this_o seem_v a_o pretty_a surprise_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o argument_n for_o one_o god_n confute_v a_o trinity_n of_o real_a subsist_v person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o same_o godhead_n it_o be_v certain_a before_o he_o can_v do_v this_o he_o must_v make_v three_o god_n of_o these_o three_o divine_a person_n for_o if_o they_o be_v but_o one_o god_n the_o argument_n for_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n can_v never_o confute_v a_o trinity_n of_o person_n and_o here_o i_o may_v reasonable_o leave_v this_o argument_n till_o he_o have_v answer_v what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v in_o this_o cause_n but_o let_v we_o hear_v his_o argument_n against_o polytheism_n and_o see_v how_o he_o apply_v they_o first_o that_o create_a nature_n have_v nothing_o needless_a or_o in_o vain_a much_o less_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o the_o uncreated_a divine_a nature_n have_v aught_o that_o be_v superfluous_a or_o redundant_fw-la but_o now_o be_v it_o not_o a_o superfluity_n say_v they_o to_o suppose_v more_o god_n when_o because_o one_o be_v sufficient_a more_o god_n be_v needless_a and_o whole_o in_o vain_a i_o do_v not_o remember_v that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o this_o argument_n in_o these_o term_n in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a apologist_n for_o christianity_n i_o think_v it_o be_v a_o very_a bad_a argument_n against_o the_o be_v of_o any_o thing_n but_o much_o more_o so_o when_o apply_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n that_o nature_n do_v nothing_o in_o vain_a have_v be_v allow_v for_o a_o maxim_n among_o all_o philosopher_n who_o have_v acknowledge_v a_o god_n or_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v by_o a_o wise_a cause_n the_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o which_o be_v that_o nothing_o be_v make_v in_o vain_a and_o this_o be_v the_o only_a proof_n and_o the_o only_a reason_n of_o that_o maxim_n but_o that_o create_v