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and_o indeed_o against_o any_o other_o explication_n whatsoever_o that_o have_v nothing_o in_o it_o hard_o to_o be_v understand_v or_o believe_v for_o how_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o what_o have_v pass_v for_o a_o mystery_n these_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n shall_v now_o at_o last_o be_v comprehend_v as_o plain_o as_o a_o common_a ordinary_a notion_n but_o if_o this_o account_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v too_o easy_a and_o fall_v far_o short_a of_o those_o high_a expression_n of_o distinction_n find_v in_o scripture_n as_o i_o think_v it_o do_v and_o no_o other_o ground_v upon_o any_o notion_n our_o soul_n have_v frame_v of_o unity_n and_o distinction_n can_v be_v true_a or_o consistent_a as_o i_o have_v before_o particular_o prove_v than_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o god_n must_v be_v one_o and_o three_o in_o some_o way_n or_o manner_n not_o conceivable_a by_o humane_a understanding_n and_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v in_o this_o case_n be_v the_o subject_a of_o my_o next_o enquiry_n which_o i_o be_o persuade_v may_v very_o easy_o and_o quick_o be_v resolve_v for_o if_o we_o be_v full_o satisfy_v from_o revelation_n that_o these_o term_n one_o and_o three_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v affirm_v of_o god_n but_o not_o in_o any_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n we_o be_v here_o in_o this_o present_a state_n capable_a of_o conceive_v and_o moreover_o if_o it_o be_v true_a as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v it_o be_v that_o we_o can_v believe_v a_o thing_n no_o far_o than_o we_o understand_v the_o term_n in_o which_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o hence_o that_o all_o we_o can_v possible_o believe_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n be_v three_o in_o some_o way_n or_o manner_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v and_o if_o we_o be_v sure_o we_o can_v comprehend_v what_o this_o distinction_n be_v whereby_o god_n be_v three_o in_o vain_a do_v we_o look_v out_o for_o term_n to_o 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now_o that_o christ_n receive_v the_o honour_n and_o worship_n due_a to_o god_n only_o be_v plain_a from_o abundance_n of_o place_n of_o scripture_n where_o we_o find_v he_o be_v not_o only_o adore_v with_o all_o the_o outward_a expression_n of_o reverence_n and_o devotion_n but_o confess_v and_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v god_n by_o a_o application_n of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n to_o he_o such_o as_o agree_v only_o to_o god_n and_o be_v incommunicable_a to_o any_o other_o as_o may_v be_v prove_v at_o large_a if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v do_v already_o but_o this_o be_v full_o insist_v upon_o by_o other_o i_o shall_v only_o name_v two_o passage_n to_o this_o purpose_n the_o one_o phil._n 4._o 13._o the_o other_o act._n 7._o 59_o which_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o be_v of_o
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they_o choose_v rather_o to_o wrest_v and_o pervert_v the_o plain_a text_n than_o admit_v such_o seem_o inconsistent_a consequence_n here_o therefore_o i_o shall_v examine_v what_o ground_n there_o be_v in_o scripture_n for_o such_o a_o exposition_n and_o what_o we_o be_v oblige_v from_o thence_o to_o believe_v when_o we_o express_v our_o faith_n in_o this_o particular_a manner_n first_o then_o as_o to_o these_o form_n of_o expression_n that_o god_n be_v one_o and_o three_o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o these_o name_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v apply_v to_o god_n in_o scripture_n in_o a_o different_a way_n from_o what_o any_o of_o his_o other_o name_n be_v for_o the_o other_o name_n of_o god_n signify_v only_o partial_a conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n such_o as_o self-existence_n power_n etc._n etc._n and_o be_v all_o contain_v within_o the_o same_o idea_n of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v indifferent_o use_v upon_o any_o occasion_n to_o express_v 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father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n must_v denote_v a_o threefold_a difference_n or_o distinction_n belong_v to_o god_n but_o such_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o unity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o each_o of_o these_o name_n include_v the_o whole_a idea_n we_o have_v of_o god_n and_o something_o more_o so_o far_o as_o they_o express_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n they_o all_o adequate_o and_o exact_o signify_v the_o same_o it_o be_v the_o additional_a signification_n which_o make_v all_o the_o distinction_n betwixt_o they_o what_o particular_a kind_n or_o manner_n of_o distinction_n this_o be_v be_v not_o express_v in_o scripture_n but_o since_o the_o church_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o assign_v a_o name_n for_o it_o that_o of_o person_n seem_v to_o i_o as_o proper_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o whole_a tenor_n and_o design_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n as_o any_o other_o that_o can_v have_v be_v choose_v for_o that_o purpose_n for_o father_n son_n and_o 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that_o the_o same_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o be_v make_v in_o the_o likeness_n of_o man_n be_v affirm_v by_o st._n paul_n phil._n 3._o 7_o 8._o to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n when_o he_o take_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n upon_o he_o but_o beside_o this_o and_o many_o other_o text_n to_o the_o same_o effect_n it_o be_v plain_a from_o what_o before_o have_v be_v prove_v that_o god_n do_v suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v worship_v and_o adore_v in_o and_o by_o the_o man_n christ_n jesus_n the_o least_o that_o can_v be_v infer_v from_o which_o be_v that_o god_n be_v more_o immediate_o and_o peculiar_o present_a in_o christ_n than_o ever_o he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v any_o where_o else_o as_o in_o the_o heaven_n jewish_a temple_n between_o the_o cherubim_n in_o prophet_n and_o holy_a man_n who_o speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n what_o create_v object_n be_v ever_o allow_v to_o intercept_v the_o worship_n 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be_v so_o plain_o reveal_v as_o to_o be_v easy_o understand_v by_o ordinary_a capacity_n upon_o a_o fair_a and_o careful_a examination_n 2._o that_o in_o order_n to_o this_o end_n it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o represent_v god_n in_o a_o sensible_a manner_n though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o take_v care_n to_o assure_v we_o that_o god_n be_v in_o his_o own_o nature_n a_o be_v of_o different_a perfection_n not_o conceivable_a by_o human_a understanding_n and_o be_v thus_o represent_v only_o in_o condescension_n to_o our_o weakness_n for_o the_o help_n and_o assistance_n of_o our_o devotion_n so_o that_o all_o expression_n of_o this_o kind_n where_o god_n be_v the_o subject_a be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o high_a and_o more_o spiritual_a sense_n but_o still_o with_o some_o analogy_n to_o what_o they_o proper_o and_o usual_o signify_v thus_o to_o use_v a_o common_a instance_n when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n look_v down_o and_o behold_v what_o be_v do_v among_o the_o child_n of_o man_n that_o he_o hear_v the_o cry_n of_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o blasphemy_n of_o the_o wicked_a it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o he_o see_v as_o man_n see_v that_o he_o make_v use_v of_o any_o organ_n of_o sense_n but_o it_o be_v thus_o express_v to_o give_v we_o more_o lively_a notion_n and_o impression_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o god_n universal_a knowledge_n to_o assure_v we_o that_o god_n more_o plain_o full_o and_o infallible_o know_v whatever_n be_v do_v in_o all_o the_o earth_n than_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v those_o thing_n which_o fall_v within_o the_o reach_n of_o our_o sense_n this_o be_v premise_v it_o seem_v very_o plain_a to_o i_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v
some_o consideration_n concern_v the_o trinity_n and_o the_o way_n of_o manage_n that_o controversy_n london_n print_v and_o sell_v by_o e._n whitlock_n near_o stationers-hall_n mdcxcvi_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n this_o discourse_n be_v write_v some_o time_n ago_o for_o the_o private_a satisfaction_n of_o the_o author_n who_o think_v that_o a_o proper_a season_n for_o a_o impartial_a enquiry_n into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n when_o several_a person_n of_o different_a opinion_n in_o that_o point_n have_v just_a before_o appear_v in_o the_o controversy_n about_o it_o and_o their_o print_a paper_n be_v canvas_v over_o again_o in_o conversation_n have_v produce_v many_o new_a remark_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a which_o advantage_n together_o with_o what_o he_o have_v former_o read_v have_v as_o he_o judge_v give_v he_o a_o pretty_a full_a comprehension_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o dispute_n he_o take_v the_o follow_a method_n of_o re-examining_a that_o part_n of_o 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and_o that_o his_o reason_v may_v appear_v so_o too_o he_o will_v be_v glad_a that_o they_o who_o take_v up_o these_o paper_n will_v give_v they_o the_o read_n over_o before_o they_o pass_v any_o judgement_n upon_o what_o be_v advance_v in_o they_o for_o the_o discourse_n be_v write_v in_o the_o demonstrative_a way_n where_o the_o main_a conclusion_n be_v establish_v by_o a_o long_a train_n of_o preparatory_a proof_n no_o true_a judgement_n can_v be_v make_v but_o upon_o the_o whole_a together_o may_v it_o please_v god_n to_o make_v these_o endeavour_n of_o the_o author_n successful_a to_o satisfy_v and_o unite_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o their_o belief_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n or_o may_v he_o direct_v some_o able_a person_n to_o find_v out_o more_o effectual_a method_n of_o establish_v the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o settle_v the_o present_a peace_n of_o the_o church_n some_o consideration_n concern_v the_o trinity_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n have_v produce_v so_o many_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n such_o a_o numerous_a variety_n of_o opinion_n and_o sect_n as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n if_o we_o consult_v the_o large_a catalogue_n of_o primitive_a heresy_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o far_o great_a number_n of_o they_o nothing_o else_o but_o so_o many_o several_a modes_n and_o way_n of_o explain_v the_o common_a undivided_a nature_n and_o essence_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o the_o different_a office_n and_o operation_n of_o each_o person_n how_o far_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o these_o point_n the_o many_o absurd_a and_o blasphemous_a exposition_n that_o have_v be_v make_v of_o they_o and_o the_o warm_a and_o indiscreet_a management_n of_o contrary_a party_n have_v contribute_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o scandal_n of_o its_o professor_n have_v be_v a_o common_a observation_n and_o complaint_n in_o all_o christian_a age_n and_o several_a expedient_n have_v be_v propose_v for_o the_o redress_v of_o this_o mischief_n but_o all_o attempt_n of_o this_o kind_n have_v hitherto_o miscarry_v the_o principal_a reason_n of_o which_o i_o humble_o conceive_v to_o be_v this_o that_o those_o who_o have_v labour_v in_o this_o good_a design_n have_v for_o the_o most_o part_n proceed_v upon_o wrong_a measure_n now_o the_o method_n that_o have_v be_v general_o and_o chief_o insist_v upon_o be_v three_o which_o be_v all_o improper_a or_o insufficient_a and_o have_v therefore_o prove_v ineffectual_a as_o will_v plain_o appear_v upon_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o each_o 1._o first_o then_o there_o be_v some_o who_o be_v for_o reverence_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o trinity_n without_o ever_o look_v into_o it_o at_o all_o who_o think_v it_o not_o to_o be_v the_o subject_a either_o of_o dispute_n or_o enquiry_n imagine_v every_o thing_n of_o this_o high_a and_o transcendent_a nature_n be_v propose_v to_o we_o
distinction_n which_o we_o have_v but_o a_o confuse_a perception_n of_o and_o can_v comprehend_v or_o explain_v by_o any_o particular_a idea_n which_o unknown_a inexplicable_a distinction_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o these_o difference_n express_o conceive_v by_o we_o and_o since_o the_o church_n have_v think_v fit_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o unity_n and_o peace_n and_o for_o the_o suppress_v all_o private_a dispute_n and_o interpretation_n to_o appoint_v set_v form_n to_o express_v this_o our_o faith_n in_o i_o think_v the_o athanasian_n creed_n as_o rational_a a_o explication_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o can_v well_o be_v make_v the_o worst_a that_o the_o enemy_n of_o this_o doctrine_n can_v say_v of_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o unnecessary_a multiplication_n of_o term_n and_o too_o nice_a a_o endeavour_n to_o explain_v what_o can_v be_v explain_v but_o not_o that_o it_o be_v false_a or_o absurd_a nothing_o be_v there_o assert_v in_o any_o sense_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n or_o the_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n all_o such_o meaning_n and_o signification_n of_o any_o term_n or_o expression_n in_o that_o creed_n be_v very_o improper_a as_o they_o be_v there_o apply_v and_o utter_o disclaim_v by_o the_o church_n that_o enjoin_v the_o use_n of_o it_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v esteem_v a_o unreasonable_a imposition_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v our_o faith_n of_o something_o which_o can_v be_v conceive_v but_o confuse_o and_o indistinct_o nor_o express_v but_o in_o general_a and_o obscure_a term_n for_o where_o be_v the_o hardship_n of_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v believe_v god_n be_v incomprehensible_a in_o his_o nature_n and_o perfection_n but_o be_v we_o not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o be_v incomprehensible_a be_v we_o not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v there_o be_v joy_n in_o heaven_n which_o it_o have_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v and_o to_o repeat_v a_o former_a instance_n may_v not_o a_o blind_a man_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v what_o a_o friend_n of_o unsuspected_a integrity_n tell_v he_o of_o the_o general_a nature_n of_o colour_n though_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o form_v a_o particular_a idea_n of_o it_o and_o if_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v deny_v what_o difference_n can_v be_v assign_v why_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v under_o as_o great_a a_o obligation_n of_o believe_v the_o trinity_n though_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceive_v it_o distinct_o a_o threefold_a distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n consistent_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n be_v as_o plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n as_o any_o other_o article_n of_o faith_n nor_o be_v those_o general_a abstract_a term_n we_o find_v in_o our_o creed_n to_o be_v condemn_v as_o mere_a useless_a and_o perplex_v nicety_n for_o though_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v we_o understand_v the_o trinity_n full_o and_o distinct_o yet_o they_o be_v proper_a limitation_n to_o exclude_v all_o the_o false_a and_o unworthy_a apprehension_n of_o this_o doctrine_n which_o pretender_n to_o a_o more_o particular_a explication_n may_v introduce_v iii_o and_o now_o what_o dangerous_a consequence_n can_v possible_o attend_v such_o a_o faith_n as_o this_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o trinity_n have_v draw_v up_o a_o heavy_a charge_n against_o this_o doctrine_n and_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o liberty_n in_o their_o discourse_n about_o it_o but_o the_o principal_a objection_n that_o have_v be_v make_v by_o any_o of_o they_o be_v but_o three_o to_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n may_v be_v reduce_v and_o these_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v by_o the_o account_n before_o give_v be_v very_o frivolous_a and_o unjust_a 1._o the_o first_o pernicious_a consequence_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n stand_v charge_v with_o be_v the_o introduction_n of_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n but_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a from_o what_o we_o have_v say_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a to_o believe_v a_o trinity_n in_o any_o such_o sense_n as_o imply_v a_o plurality_n of_o god_n for_o according_a to_o the_o notion_n i_o have_v there_o show_v we_o have_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n it_o be_v undeniable_o certain_a to_o every_o man_n experience_n that_o we_o can_v conceive_v more_o than_o one_o god_n all_o our_o endeavour_n to_o comprehend_v more_o be_v only_a repetition_n of_o the_o same_o idea_n let_v those_o therefore_o take_v care_n to_o answer_v this_o accusation_n who_o under_o pretence_n of_o give_v a_o more_o rational_a account_n of_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v in_o this_o point_n set_v up_o create_v subordinate_a god_n to_o be_v partner_n with_o their_o maker_n in_o the_o glory_n and_o worship_n due_a to_o he_o beside_o we_o do_v explicit_o declare_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o make_v profession_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o a_o trinity_n or_o three_o person_n 2._o in_o the_o next_o place_n therefore_o we_o be_v accuse_v of_o believe_a contradiction_n and_o consequent_o of_o destroy_v all_o the_o certainty_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n which_o fence_n be_v down_o there_o be_v no_o error_n so_o gross_a or_o absurd_a but_o may_v be_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o and_o transubstantiation_n have_v as_o good_a a_o pretence_n to_o be_v a_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o the_o trinity_n but_o i_o need_v not_o make_v any_o particular_a answer_n to_o this_o objection_n have_v prove_v at_o large_a already_o that_o we_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v believe_v a_o trinity_n in_o any_o sense_n that_o contradict_v the_o plain_a and_o evident_a principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n we_o do_v not_o believe_v there_o can_v be_v more_o god_n than_o one_o that_o one_o can_v be_v three_o in_o the_o same_o respect_n it_o be_v one_o or_o that_o one_o god_n can_v be_v three_o person_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n three_o man_n be_v three_o person_n or_o any_o other_o proposition_n that_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o those_o natural_a notion_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o our_o other_o knowledge_n but_o the_o patron_n of_o transubstantiation_n can_v make_v this_o plea_n who_o in_o this_o one_o particular_a deny_v those_o very_a principle_n which_o upon_o all_o other_o occasion_n they_o rely_v upon_o with_o the_o great_a assurance_n do_v they_o only_o affirm_v that_o christ_n be_v present_a in_o that_o sacrament_n in_o some_o way_n or_o manner_n they_o can_v not_o comprehend_v but_o in_o no_o way_n repugnant_a to_o the_o plain_a and_o necessary_a dictate_v of_o well-informed_n sense_n and_o right_a reason_n there_o may_v be_v then_o some_o resemblance_n find_v betwixt_o this_o doctrine_n and_o that_o of_o the_o trinity_n but_o at_o present_a the_o comparison_n be_v palpable_o and_o notorious_o unjust_a 3._o but_o three_o it_o be_v further_o object_v that_o though_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o we_o explain_v it_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v to_o contain_v downright_a contradiction_n yet_o at_o least_o it_o must_v be_v count_v and_o esteem_v as_o a_o mystery_n and_o the_o imposition_n of_o mystery_n for_o article_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o very_o ill_a consequence_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o charge_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o as_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n so_o in_o most_o other_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n there_o be_v something_o that_o we_o plain_o and_o certain_o understand_v and_o something_o that_o we_o can_v possible_o comprehend_v thus_o a_o man_n by_o inward_a reflection_n be_v infallible_o conscious_a of_o his_o own_o thought_n and_o he_o judge_n whatever_o he_o perceive_v within_o himself_o to_o proceed_v from_o one_o common_a principle_n which_o he_o call_v his_o soul_n and_o which_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o its_o operation_n he_o be_v full_o persuade_v be_v something_o of_o a_o different_a kind_n from_o his_o body_n though_o it_o always_o act_n in_o consent_n with_o it_o but_o what_o this_o soul_n be_v or_o in_o what_o manner_n unite_v to_o his_o body_n he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceive_v and_o therefore_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o human_a soul_n take_v all_o together_o may_v as_o just_o be_v style_v a_o mystery_n as_o the_o trinity_n we_o ought_v not_o then_o to_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o word_n mystery_n since_o if_o we_o strict_o examine_v our_o thought_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o almost_o every_o thing_n we_o pretend_v to_o know_v come_v under_o that_o name_n even_o those_o thing_n we_o have_v the_o great_a assurance_n of_o our_o very_a soul_n and_o being_n this_o be_v observe_v we_o may_v consider_v the_o trinity_n either_o with_o respect_n to_o what_o may_v be_v understand_v of_o it_o or_o what_o can_v so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o