man_n shall_v believe_v as_o he_o please_v and_o no_o man_n concern_v himself_o to_o confute_v heresy_n or_o to_o divide_v the_o church_n with_o dispute_n which_o be_v the_o true_a latitude_n our_o author_n seem_v to_o aim_v at_o and_o then_o he_o may_v believe_v as_o he_o please_v too_o but_o pray_v why_o shall_v we_o not_o write_v against_o the_o socinian_o especial_o when_o they_o be_v the_o aggressor_n and_o without_o any_o provocation_n publish_v and_o disperse_v the_o most_o impudent_a and_o scandalous_a libel_n against_o the_o christian_a faith_n he_o will_v give_v we_o some_o very_a wise_a reason_n for_o this_o by_o and_o by_o when_o he_o come_v to_o be_v plain_a and_o succinct_a in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o must_v take_v such_o as_o we_o can_v meet_v with_o he_o be_v afraid_a peâ—â—le_n shall_v lose_v all_o reverence_n for_o the_o litany_n shall_v we_o go_v on_o to_o vindicate_v the_o doctrine_n 3._o of_o the_o trinity_n in_o unity_n i_o shall_v not_o easy_o have_v 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lose_v and_o straggle_a sheep_n heresy_n and_o vice_n die_v by_o be_v neglect_v just_a as_o weed_n do_v for_o we_o know_v the_o parable_n that_o the_o devil_n sow_v his_o tare_n while_o man_n sleep_v but_o this_o be_v no_o new_a charge_n the_o good_a bishop_n of_o alexandria_n meet_v with_o the_o same_o censure_n for_o his_o zeal_n against_o arius_n for_o it_o seem_v that_o heresy_n will_v have_v die_v too_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v oppose_v i_o doubt_v this_o author_n judge_n of_o other_o man_n zeal_n for_o heresy_n by_o his_o own_o zeal_n for_o the_o truth_n which_o want_v a_o little_a rub_n and_o chafe_v to_o bring_v it_o to_o life_n but_o heresy_n be_v all_o flame_n and_o spirit_n will_v blow_v and_o kindle_v itself_o if_o it_o be_v not_o quench_v but_o yet_o if_o what_o he_o say_v be_v true_a that_o by_o our_o unskilful_a way_n of_o confute_v heresy_n we_o run_v into_o those_o very_a absurdity_n which_o our_o adversary_n will_v reduce_v we_o to_o this_o i_o confess_v be_v a_o 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not_o defend_v this_o faith_n against_o heretic_n because_o it_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o two_o general_a council_n which_o be_v own_v by_o our_o church_n do_v athanasius_n think_v this_o a_o good_a argument_n against_o write_v and_o dispute_v against_o the_o arian_n after_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a have_v condemn_v arius_n and_o his_o doctrine_n do_v st._n basil_n gregory_n nazianzen_n nyssen_n st._n chrysostom_n st._n jerom_n st._n austin_n think_v this_o a_o good_a argument_n who_o write_v so_o large_o against_o these_o heresy_n which_o former_a council_n have_v condemn_v but_o this_o author_n think_v the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o let_v the_o matter_n stand_v upon_o this_o bottom_n of_o authority_n that_o be_v let_v heretic_n ridicule_n our_o faith_n as_o much_o as_o they_o please_v we_o must_v make_v they_o no_o other_o answer_n but_o that_o this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o nicene_n and_o constantinopolitan_a council_n and_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o can_v he_o intend_v this_o for_o any_o more_o than_o a_o jest_n when_o he_o know_v how_o socinian_n despise_v the_o determination_n of_o council_n and_o particular_o with_o what_o scorn_n they_o treat_v the_o nicene_n father_n be_v this_o a_o age_n to_o resolve_v our_o faith_n into_o church_n authority_n or_o will_v he_o himself_o believe_v such_o absurd_a doctrine_n as_o they_o represent_v the_o trinity_n in_o unity_n to_o be_v mere_o upon_o church_n authority_n for_o my_o part_n i_o declare_v i_o will_v not_o i_o great_o value_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o ancient_a council_n as_o credible_a witness_n of_o the_o traditionary_a sense_n of_o the_o church_n before_o those_o controversy_n be_v start_v but_o be_v not_o these_o doctrine_n teach_v in_o scripture_n be_v they_o manifest_o repugnant_a to_o the_o plain_a and_o evident_a principle_n of_o reason_n all_o the_o council_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v never_o reconcile_v i_o to_o they_o no_o more_o than_o they_o shall_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantion_n and_o therefore_o methinks_v he_o may_v have_v at_o least_o allow_v we_o to_o have_v challenge_v the_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o general_a council_n on_o our_o side_n and_o to_o have_v vindicate_v our_o faith_n from_o all_o pretend_a absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n to_o reason_n but_o will_v any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n who_o have_v not_o intend_v to_o expose_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n have_v tell_v the_o world_n at_o this_o time_n of_o day_n that_o we_o have_v no_o other_o safe_a and_o sure_a bottom_n for_o our_o faith_n but_o only_o the_o authority_n of_o general_n council_n nay_o that_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a itself_o on_o who_o authority_n we_o must_v rest_v have_v little_a else_o themselves_o for_o their_o determination_n but_o only_a authority_n that_o it_o be_v authority_n chief_o carry_v the_o point_n
the_o dean_n of_o st._n paul_n apology_n for_o write_v against_o socinian_o etc._n etc._n imprimatur_fw-la geo._n royse_n r._n r_o mo_z in_o christo_fw-la patri_fw-la ac_fw-la dom._n dom._n johan_n archiep._n cant._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la dome_v jan._n 17._o 1692_o 3._o a_o apology_n for_o write_v against_o socinian_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n and_o incarnation_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o late_a earnest_n and_o compassionate_a suit_n for_o forbearance_n to_o the_o learned_a writer_n of_o some_o controversy_n at_o present_a by_o william_n sherlock_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o st._n paul_n master_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o their_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o will._n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n over-against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleet_n street_n 1693._o a_o apology_n for_o write_v against_o socinian_o etc._n etc._n after_o a_o long_a silence_n and_o patient_a expectation_n what_o the_o learned_a writer_n of_o some_o controversy_n at_o present_a as_o a_o late_a author_n call_v they_o will_v bring_v forth_o i_o intend_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n and_o the_o incarnate_a jesus_n who_o blessing_n i_o most_o earnest_o implore_v to_o resume_v the_o defence_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n which_o i_o shall_v publish_v in_o some_o few_o short_a treatise_n as_o i_o can_v find_v leisure_n for_o it_o that_o i_o may_v not_o discourage_v my_o reader_n by_o too_o voluminous_a a_o work_n but_o before_o i_o venture_v to_o dispute_v these_o matter_n any_o far_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v some_o apology_n for_o dispute_v which_o be_v think_v very_o unchristian_a and_o uncharitable_a and_o of_o dangerous_a consequence_n especial_o when_o we_o undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o the_o fundamental_o of_o our_o faith_n against_o the_o rude_a and_o insolent_a assault_n of_o heretic_n sometime_o since_o a_o melancholy_a stander-by_n will_v be_v a_o stander-by_n no_o long_o but_o 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know_v his_o mind_n that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o reformation_n not_o to_o dispute_v though_o it_o be_v for_o the_o most_o important_a truth_n sure_o our_o reformer_n be_v not_o so_o much_o against_o dispute_v but_o if_o these_o dissension_n be_v so_o great_a a_o blemish_n to_o the_o reformation_n who_o fault_n be_v it_o they_o who_o dissent_v from_o the_o truth_n or_o they_o who_o defend_v it_o this_o be_v a_o very_a plain_a case_n for_o no_o body_n will_v oppose_v the_o truth_n if_o no_o body_n teach_v it_o the_o urge_v too_o strict_a a_o union_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n beget_v dissension_n that_o be_v to_o require_v a_o open_a and_o undisguised_a profession_n of_o our_o baptismal_a faith_n in_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n as_o the_o term_n of_o christian_a communion_n be_v the_o criminal_a cause_n of_o our_o dissension_n well_o what_o shall_v we_o do_v then_o renounce_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o peace_n this_o he_o dare_v not_o say_v for_o that_o will_v pull_v off_o his_o disguise_n but_o christianity_n must_v be_v leave_v in_o that_o latitude_n and_o simplicity_n wherein_o it_o be_v deliver_v 2._o by_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o apostle_n this_o have_v be_v a_o good_a proposal_n will_v he_o have_v tell_v we_o what_o this_o latitude_n and_o simplicity_n be_v for_o i_o be_o for_o no_o other_o faith_n than_o what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v but_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o latitude_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v such_o a_o broad_a faith_n must_v we_o not_o believe_v the_o whole_a breadth_n of_o it_o or_o have_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n leave_v it_o at_o liberty_n to_o believe_v what_o we_o like_v and_o to_o let_v the_o rest_n alone_o to_o believe_v that_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v one_o supreme_a eternal_a god_n or_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o either_o alone_a be_v the_o true_a god_n the_o son_n a_o mere_a man_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n nothing_o but_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o eternal_a word_n be_v make_v flesh_n or_o that_o christ_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o man_n who_o have_v no_o be_v before_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n he_o can_v mean_v nothing_o else_o by_o this_o latitude_n of_o faith_n but_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v leave_v these_o matter_n so_o ambiguous_a and_o undetermined_a that_o we_o may_v believe_v what_o we_o please_v and_o then_o indeed_o those_o do_v very_o ill_a who_o dispute_v these_o matter_n but_o this_o be_v such_o a_o breadth_n as_o have_v no_o depth_n for_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o this_o can_v have_v no_o foundation_n can_v we_o certain_o learn_v from_o scripture_n whether_o christ_n be_v a_o god_n incarnate_a or_o a_o mere_a man_n if_o we_o can_v why_o shall_v we_o believe_v either_o if_o we_o can_v than_o one_o be_v true_a and_o the_o other_o false_a and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o latitude_n in_o faith_n unless_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v leave_v it_o indifferent_a whether_o we_o believe_v what_o be_v true_a or_o what_o be_v false_a what_o they_o have_v teach_v we_o or_o what_o we_o like_v better_a ourselves_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n he_o leave_v we_o to_o guess_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o faith_n he_o be_v very_o angry_a with_o the_o school-doctor_n as_o worse_a enemy_n to_o christianity_n than_o either_o heathen_a philosopher_n or_o persecute_v 2._o emperor_n pray_v what_o hurt_n have_v they_o do_v i_o suppose_v he_o mean_v the_o corruption_n of_o christianity_n with_o those_o barbarous_a term_n of_o person_n nature_n essence_n subsistence_n consubstantiality_n etc._n etc._n which_o will_v not_o suffer_v heretic_n to_o lie_v conceal_v under_o scripture-phrase_n but_o why_o must_v the_o schoolman_n bear_v all_o the_o blame_n of_o this_o why_o do_v he_o not_o accuse_v the_o ancient_a father_n and_o council_n from_o who_o the_o schoolman_n learn_v these_o term_n why_o do_v he_o let_v st._n austin_n escape_v from_o who_o the_o master_n of_o the_o sentence_n borrow_v most_o of_o his_o distinction_n and_o subtlety_n but_o suppose_v these_o unlucky_a wit_n have_v use_v some_o new_a term_n have_v they_o teach_v any_o new_a faith_n about_o the_o trinity_n in_o unity_n which_o the_o catholic_n church_n do_v not_o teach_v and_o if_o they_o have_v only_o guard_v the_o christian_a faith_n with_o a_o hedge_n of_o thorn_n which_o disguise_v heretic_n can_v break_v through_o be_v this_o to_o wound_n christianity_n in_o its_o very_a vital_n no_o no_o they_o will_v only_o prick_v the_o finger_n of_o heretic_n and_o secure_a christianity_n from_o be_v wound_v and_o this_o be_v one_o great_a cause_n why_o some_o man_n be_v so_o angry_a with_o the_o school-doctor_n though_o the_o more_o general_a cause_o be_v because_o they_o have_v not_o industry_n enough_o to_o read_v or_o understand_v they_o he_o
and_o thus_o for_o fear_n we_o shall_v have_v believe_v too_o much_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o council_n which_o be_v the_o only_a bottom_n he_o will_v allow_v our_o faith_n he_o give_v they_o a_o secret_a stab_n himself_o and_o make_v their_o authority_n ridiculous_a that_o the_o several_a bishop_n declare_v what_o faith_n have_v be_v teach_v and_o receive_v in_o their_o church_n be_v true_a that_o this_o authority_n chief_o carry_v the_o point_n be_v false_a athanasius_n grow_v famous_a in_o the_o council_n for_o his_o learned_a and_o subtle_a disputation_n which_o confound_v the_o arian_n and_o what_o argument_n he_o chief_o rely_v on_o we_o may_v see_v in_o his_o work_n and_o whoever_o do_v but_o look_v into_o the_o father_n who_o write_v against_o the_o arian_n in_o those_o day_n will_v find_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o scripture_n and_o reason_n and_o not_o mere_o or_o chief_o into_o authority_n and_o thus_o he_o come_v to_o be_v plain_a and_o succinct_a and_o 5_o tell_v we_o that_o of_o all_o controversy_n we_o can_v touch_v upon_o at_o present_a this_o of_o the_o trinity_n be_v the_o most_o unreasonable_a the_o most_o dangerous_a and_o so_o the_o most_o unseasonable_a it_o be_v the_o most_o unreasonable_a 1._o because_o it_o be_v on_o all_o hand_n confess_v the_o deity_n be_v infinite_a unsearchable_a incomprehensible_a and_o yet_o every_o one_o who_o pretend_v to_o write_v plain_a than_o another_o on_o this_o controversy_n profess_v to_o make_v all_o comprehensible_a and_o easy_a i_o perceive_v he_o be_v well_o verse_v in_o mr._n hobbs_n divinity_n though_o i_o can_v discover_v no_o mark_n of_o his_o skill_n in_o father_n and_o council_n for_o this_o be_v mr._n hobb_n reason_n why_o we_o shall_v not_o pretend_v to_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o god_n nor_o inquire_v after_o his_o attribute_n because_o he_o have_v but_o one_o attribute_n which_o be_v that_o he_o be_v incomprehensible_a and_o as_o this_o author_n argue_v it_o be_v a_o small_a favour_n to_o request_v of_o person_n of_o learning_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v consistent_a with_o and_o not_o contradict_v themselves_o that_o be_v that_o they_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o god_n who_o they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v incomprehensible_a which_o be_v to_o pretend_v to_o know_v what_o they_o confess_v can_v be_v know_v now_o i_o desire_v to_o know_v whether_o we_o may_v dispute_v about_o the_o be_v and_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o his_o essential_a attribute_n and_o perfection_n and_o vindicate_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n from_o those_o impossibility_n inconsistency_n absurdity_n which_o some_o atheistical_a philosopher_n charge_n on_o it_o notwithstanding_o that_o we_o confess_v god_n to_o be_v incomprehensible_a and_o if_o the_o incomprehensibility_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n do_v not_o signify_v that_o we_o can_v know_v nothing_o of_o god_n and_o must_v inquire_v nothing_o about_o he_o the_o trinity_n of_o divine_a person_n be_v as_o proper_a a_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o modest_a inquiry_n as_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n for_o they_o be_v both_o incomprehensible_a and_o to_o say_v that_o every_o one_o who_o pretend_v to_o write_v plain_a than_o another_o on_o this_o controversy_n profess_v to_o make_v all_o comprehensible_a and_o easy_a may_v with_o equal_a truth_n and_o authority_n be_v charge_v on_o all_o those_o who_o undertake_v to_o vindicate_v the_o notion_n and_o idea_n of_o a_o god_n or_o to_o explain_v any_o of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o perfection_n a_o finite_a mind_n can_v comprehend_v what_o be_v infinite_a but_o yet_o one_o man_n may_v have_v a_o true_a and_o more_o perfect_a notion_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n than_o another_o god_n be_v incomprehensible_a in_o heaven_n as_o well_o as_o on_o earth_n and_o yet_o angel_n and_o glorify_a spirit_n know_v god_n after_o another_o manner_n than_o we_o do_v there_o must_v be_v infinite_a 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conceive_v especial_o a_o eternity_n without_o begin_n and_o without_o succession_n which_o be_v chargeable_a with_o more_o absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n than_o the_o trinity_n itself_o for_o a_o duration_n which_o can_v be_v measure_v and_o a_o eternal_a duration_n which_o can_v be_v measure_v and_o a_o succession_n without_o a_o beginning_n a_o second_o or_o three_o without_o a_o first_o be_v unconceivable_a to_o we_o and_o look_v like_o very_o plain_a and_o irreconcilable_a contradiction_n this_o be_v the_o true_a use_n of_o the_o incomprehensibility_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n not_o to_o stop_v all_o inquiry_n after_o god_n nor_o to_o discourage_v our_o study_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n for_o we_o may_v know_v a_o great_a deal_n and_o may_v every_o day_n increase_v our_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v incomprehensible_a tho'_o we_o can_v know_v it_o all_o but_o to_o check_v the_o presumption_n of_o some_o vain_a pretender_n to_o reason_n who_o will_v not_o own_o a_o god_n nor_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o god_n which_o their_o reason_n can_v comprehend_v which_o must_v not_o only_o make_v they_o heretic_n but_o if_o pursue_v to_o its_o just_a consequence_n must_v make_v they_o atheist_n or_o make_v such_o a_o god_n as_o no_o body_n will_v own_v or_o worship_n but_o themselves_o a_o god_n adequate_a and_o commensurate_a to_o their_o understanding_n which_o must_v be_v a_o little_a finite_a comprehensible_a god_n in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o prove_v how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o dispute_v in_o vindication_n of_o the_o trinity_n he_o observe_v again_o that_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v sufficient_o determine_v by_o due_a authority_n but_o have_v answer_v this_o once_o i_o see_v no_o need_n to_o answer_v it_o again_o to_o back_o this_o he_o add_v that_o the_o present_a issue_n show_v that_o in_o this_o world_n it_o never_o will_v be_v better_o understand_v for_o it_o seem_v as_o he_o say_v the_o master_n of_o the_o sentence_n and_o some_o modern_a writer_n