christian_n to_o believe_v concern_v this_o point_n iii_o what_o ill_a consequence_n can_v attend_v such_o a_o faith_n first_o then_o i_o be_o to_o inquire_v what_o it_o be_v that_o perplex_v and_o obscure_v our_o faith_n in_o the_o holy_a trinity_n for_o before_o i_o enter_v upon_o a_o distinct_a and_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o point_v out_o some_o of_o the_o principal_a cause_n which_o have_v occasion_v so_o many_o false_a absurd_a and_o ineffectual_a exposition_n of_o it_o and_o they_o be_v these_o four_o the_o prejudice_n and_o bigotry_n of_o man_n indiscreet_o pious_a the_o vanity_n and_o design_n of_o such_o as_o value_v themselves_o upon_o invent_v new_a notion_n or_o laugh_v at_o the_o old_a one_o the_o not_o discern_v or_o consider_v the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o our_o knowledge_n and_o last_o a_o imprudent_a choice_n of_o improper_a way_n of_o expression_n the_o two_o first_o of_o these_o have_v a_o general_a influence_n upon_o all_o religious_a controversy_n but_o be_v more_o especial_o concern_v in_o this_o for_o there_o be_v never_o more_o room_n for_o superstitious_a and_o rigorous_a imposition_n nor_o fair_a advantage_n for_o cavil_v and_o draw_v absurd_a consequence_n than_o where_o a_o mystery_n be_v the_o subject_a of_o debate_n there_o be_v some_o who_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v concern_v and_o cry_v out_o as_o if_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n be_v overturning_a when_o any_o particular_a scheme_n or_o notion_n they_o be_v fond_a of_o be_v call_v in_o question_n on_o the_o other_o side_n i_o have_v no_o small_a reason_n to_o believe_v there_o be_v several_a who_o strike_v at_o christianity_n itself_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o bring_v down_o the_o value_n of_o mystery_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o general_a temper_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o there_o be_v more_o superstition_n and_o infidelity_n in_o the_o world_n than_o true_a religion_n for_o believe_v every_o thing_n and_o believe_v nothing_o a_o sudden_a veneration_n or_o contempt_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o equal_o gratify_v the_o lazy_a inclination_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o love_v a_o easy_a undisturbed_a course_n of_o thought_n and_o be_v very_o difficult_o bring_v to_o endure_v the_o labour_n of_o attention_n and_o enquiry_n nay_o of_o those_o who_o seem_v to_o have_v conquer_v this_o trouble_n there_o be_v few_o who_o lay_v themselves_o out_o in_o a_o free_a and_o impartial_a search_n of_o truth_n but_o be_v whole_o employ_v in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o some_o notion_n they_o have_v beforehand_o take_v up_o and_o be_v resolve_v to_o maintain_v they_o be_v already_o determine_v what_o to_o believe_v and_o only_o seek_v out_o argument_n to_o justify_v or_o recommend_v their_o opinion_n to_o other_o how_o far_o these_o general_a reflection_n be_v applicable_a to_o the_o present_a case_n have_v be_v hint_v already_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o discourse_n where_o it_o be_v very_o discernible_a from_o the_o way_n and_o method_n make_v use_v of_o for_o settle_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n that_o prejudice_n and_o vanity_n a_o false_a zeal_n and_o a_o ill-grounded_a contempt_n have_v have_v a_o large_a share_n in_o the_o management_n of_o this_o controversy_n another_o reason_n why_o our_o endeavour_n of_o expound_v this_o point_n have_v be_v vain_a and_o unsuccessful_a be_v the_o want_n of_o discern_v or_o consider_v the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o our_o knowledge_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o oftentimes_o we_o strive_v to_o soar_v above_o our_o pitch_n and_o imagine_v we_o understand_v some_o thing_n better_o than_o real_o we_o do_v but_o especial_o man_n of_o abstract_a think_v be_v very_o apt_a to_o deceive_v themselves_o with_o false_a idea_n and_o be_v firm_o persuade_v they_o conceive_v thing_n distinct_o which_o they_o have_v but_o a_o confuse_a notion_n of_o as_o for_o instance_n it_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o as_o the_o constant_a faith_n of_o a_o long_a succession_n of_o eminent_a philosopher_n that_o the_o whole_a substance_n nature_n and_o essence_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v whole_o and_o entire_o in_o all_o the_o body_n consider_v together_o and_o whole_o and_o entire_o in_o every_o single_a particle_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v a_o notion_n which_o at_o first_o view_n have_v a_o great_a appearance_n of_o truth_n and_o clearness_n and_o be_v such_o as_o the_o understanding_n ready_o close_v with_o but_o if_o we_o will_v strict_o and_o distinct_o examine_v ourselves_o what_o we_o mean_v by_o those_o term_n i_o believe_v we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o give_v but_o a_o very_a obscure_a account_n of_o our_o opinion_n and_o at_o last_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v we_o understand_v no_o more_o than_o this_o by_o they_o that_o the_o soul_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o all_o the_o operation_n perform_v in_o the_o body_n but_o so_o it_o sometime_o happen_v that_o we_o be_v transport_v too_o far_o in_o our_o inquiry_n after_o hide_a truth_n till_o we_o be_v lose_v in_o speculation_n and_o vain_o think_v to_o fathom_n the_o depth_n of_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n without_o consider_v the_o shortness_n of_o our_o time_n whereas_o we_o ought_v rather_o to_o examine_v and_o find_v out_o the_o bound_n of_o our_o thought_n know_v the_o just_a extent_n and_o compass_n of_o our_o understanding_n and_o then_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o what_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o without_o desire_v to_o know_v more_o than_o we_o can_v or_o pretend_v to_o know_v more_o than_o we_o do_v but_o further_a the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n have_v suffer_v very_o much_o by_o the_o discourse_n make_v about_o it_o upon_o another_o account_n and_o that_o be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o author_n of_o such_o discourse_n have_v imprudent_o make_v choice_n of_o improper_a way_n of_o expression_n either_o perplex_v plain_a revelation_n too_o much_o with_o philosophical_a term_n and_o nicety_n or_o expose_v the_o faith_n to_o contempt_n by_o homely_a indecent_a simile_n and_o disproportionate_a comparison_n now_o to_o keep_v clear_a of_o all_o those_o rock_n i_o have_v discover_v other_o to_o have_v split_v upon_o i_o have_v endeavour_v what_o i_o can_v to_o deliver_v myself_o from_o prejudice_n and_o confusion_n of_o term_n and_o to_o speak_v just_o and_o intelligible_o and_o not_o be_v yet_o prepossess_v in_o favour_n of_o any_o particular_a explication_n the_o better_a to_o preserve_v my_o freedom_n of_o examine_v the_o subject_a in_o hand_n i_o have_v purposely_o forbear_v to_o search_v the_o father_n schoolman_n or_o fratres_n poloni_n or_o read_v over_o any_o late_a treatise_n concern_v this_o controversy_n while_o i_o be_v compose_v the_o present_a essay_n resolve_v to_o consult_v nothing_o but_o scripture_n and_o my_o own_o natural_a sentiment_n and_o draw_v all_o my_o reflection_n from_o thence_o take_v only_o such_o which_o easy_o and_o without_o constraint_n offer_v themselves_o 2._o and_o thus_o have_v clear_v the_o way_n and_o remove_v every_o thing_n which_o i_o think_v may_v obstruct_v or_o misguide_v my_o inquiry_n i_o come_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o consider_v the_o doctrine_n itself_o and_o faithful_o and_o impartial_o to_o examine_v what_o be_v sufficient_a for_o christian_n to_o believe_v concern_v the_o trinity_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o in_o this_o case_n what_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v for_o certain_o he_o believe_v enough_o and_o can_v in_o reason_n be_v tax_v for_o a_o narrow_a defective_a faith_n who_o believe_v as_o much_o as_o be_v require_v of_o he_o for_o the_o better_a proceed_n in_o which_o enquiry_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o this_o as_o a_o evident_a truth_n which_o every_o man_n will_v grant_v i_o that_o nothing_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v but_o 1._o what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o 2._o what_o be_v plain_o reveal_v but_o here_o i_o will_v be_v understand_v as_o to_o the_o last_o part_n of_o the_o assertion_n only_o of_o such_o matter_n which_o be_v know_v to_o we_o no_o other_o way_n than_o by_o revelation_n for_o in_o several_a other_o case_n i_o confess_v we_o may_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v mere_o upon_o humane_a testimony_n nay_o even_o revelation_n itself_o as_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n claim_v our_o assent_n upon_o no_o high_a a_o ground_n but_o further_a i_o shall_v take_v this_o for_o grant_v too_o in_o a_o protestant_a country_n that_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a standard_n of_o all_o necessary_a reveal_v truth_n neither_o in_o the_o present_a instance_n be_v there_o any_o room_n for_o a_o traditionary_a faith_n for_o beside_o that_o all_o the_o father_n and_o ancient_a writer_n ground_n their_o exposition_n of_o the_o trinity_n whole_o upon_o scripture_n i_o can_v conceive_v that_o the_o subject_n be_v capable_a of_o a_o plain_a revelation_n as_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v more_o
full_o in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n we_o be_v therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o consider_v how_o far_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o believe_v a_o trinity_n and_o next_o to_o examine_v what_o the_o scripture_n require_v we_o to_o believe_v in_o this_o matter_n now_o there_o be_v two_o condition_n requisite_a to_o make_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n 1._o that_o we_o know_v the_o term_n of_o what_o we_o be_v to_o assent_v to_o 2._o that_o it_o imply_v no_o contradiction_n to_o our_o former_a knowledge_n such_o knowledge_n i_o mean_v which_o be_v accompany_v with_o certainty_n and_o evidence_n first_o then_o we_o can_v believe_v a_o thing_n no_o further_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 for_o faith_n concern_v only_o the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o proposition_n and_o the_o term_n of_o which_o a_o proposition_n consist_v must_v be_v first_o understand_v before_o we_o can_v pronounce_v any_o thing_n concern_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o it_o which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o agreement_n or_o disagreement_n of_o its_o term_n or_o the_o idea_n express_v by_o they_o if_o i_o have_v no_o knowledge_n at_o all_o of_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o term_n use_v in_o a_o proposition_n i_o can_v exercise_v any_o act_n of_o my_o understanding_n about_o it_o i_o can_v say_v i_o believe_v or_o disbelieve_v any_o thing_n my_o soul_n be_v perfect_o in_o the_o same_o state_n it_o be_v before_o without_o receive_v any_o new_a determination_n if_o i_o have_v but_o a_o general_a confuse_a notion_n of_o the_o term_n i_o can_v give_v only_o a_o general_a confuse_a assent_n to_o the_o proposition_n so_o my_o faith_n will_v always_o bear_v the_o same_o proportion_n to_o my_o knowledge_n of_o the_o subject-matter_n to_o be_v believe_v to_o make_v this_o plain_a by_o a_o instance_n suppose_v i_o be_o require_v to_o believe_v that_o a._n be_v equal_a to_o b._n if_o i_o do_v know_v either_o what_o a._n or_o b._n stand_v for_o or_o have_v no_o notion_n of_o equality_n i_o believe_v nothing_o more_o than_o i_o do_v before_o this_o be_v propose_v to_o i_o i_o be_o not_o capable_a of_o any_o new_a determinate_a act_n of_o faith_n all_o that_o i_o can_v believe_v in_o this_o case_n can_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o something_o have_v some_o respect_n to_o something_o else_o that_o the_o matter_n i_o be_o require_v to_o believe_v be_v affirm_v by_o a_o person_n of_o great_a knowledge_n and_o integrity_n who_o ought_v to_o be_v credit_v in_o what_o he_o say_v and_o therefore_o the_o proposition_n here_o lay_v down_o be_v probable_o true_a in_o that_o sense_n the_o author_n mean_v and_o what_o be_o i_o the_o wise_a for_o all_o this_o what_o addition_n be_v there_o make_v to_o my_o faith_n or_o knowledge_n by_o such_o a_o proposition_n but_o far_o suppose_v i_o know_v that_o a._n and_o b._n stand_v for_o two_o line_n and_o that_o by_o equal_a line_n be_v mean_v line_n of_o the_o same_o length_n such_o knowledge_n can_v produce_v only_o a_o general_a confuse_a belief_n that_o there_o be_v some_o certain_a line_n imaginable_a just_a of_o the_o same_o length_n with_o some_o other_o line_n but_o if_o by_o a._n and_o b._n be_v mean_v two_o right_a line_n which_o be_v the_o side_n of_o a_o give_v triangle_n and_o i_o take_v a_o mathematician_n word_n for_o it_o without_o demonstration_n that_o they_o be_v equal_a or_o of_o the_o same_o length_n this_o be_v a_o particular_a distinct_a act_n of_o faith_n by_o which_o i_o be_o satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o something_o which_o i_o do_v not_o believe_v or_o know_v before_o from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o term_n and_o simple_a idea_n must_v be_v clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v first_o before_o we_o can_v believe_v any_o thing_n particular_a of_o the_o respect_n and_o relation_n they_o bear_v to_o one_o another_o which_o be_v the_o only_a proper_a object_n of_o faith_n another_o condition_n necessary_a to_o render_v a_o thing_n capable_a of_o be_v believe_v be_v that_o it_o imply_v no_o contradiction_n to_o our_o former_a knowledge_n i_o can_v conceive_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o give_v our_o assent_n to_o any_o thing_n that_o contradict_v the_o plain_n dictate_v of_o our_o reason_n and_o those_o evident_a principle_n from_o whence_o we_o derive_v all_o our_o other_o knowledge_n as_o for_o example_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o any_o authority_n of_o revelation_n can_v overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v big_a than_o any_o of_o its_o part_n for_o first_o i_o can_v more_o clear_o and_o distinct_o perceive_v any_o external_a impression_n make_v upon_o my_o soul_n nor_o be_v more_o certain_a that_o such_o impression_n proceed_v from_o god_n than_o i_o can_v perceive_v and_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o idea_n i_o have_v of_o whole_a and_o part_n bear_v this_o relation_n to_o one_o another_o second_o the_o nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o thing_n make_v it_o impossible_a that_o this_o proposition_n shall_v be_v false_a for_o such_o and_o such_o thing_n or_o notion_n be_v suppose_v such_o and_o such_o habitude_n and_o respect_n must_v necessary_o result_v from_o they_o so_o long_o therefore_o as_o i_o have_v the_o same_o idea_n of_o whole_a and_o part_n and_o the_o same_o faculty_n of_o perception_n i_o shall_v always_o perceive_v the_o same_o relation_n betwixt_o they_o and_o if_o my_o idea_n of_o whole_a and_o part_n be_v change_v or_o a_o new_a texture_n and_o frame_n of_o soul_n give_v i_o i_o shall_v indeed_o perceive_v different_a relation_n betwixt_o these_o new_a idea_n but_o this_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n destroy_v the_o truth_n of_o my_o former_a conception_n it_o will_v still_o be_v certain_a according_a to_o the_o idea_n i_o have_v before_o of_o whole_a and_o part_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v big_a than_o any_o of_o its_o part_n which_o idea_n will_v always_o unalterable_o have_v the_o same_o relation_n to_o one_o another_o but_o three_o be_v it_o possible_a this_o proposition_n can_v be_v false_a consider_v only_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n furnish_v we_o with_o other_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o it_o and_o one_a it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o justice_n wisdom_n or_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o require_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o which_o according_a to_o the_o frame_n and_o make_v he_o have_v give_v we_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v for_o however_o some_o man_n have_v advance_v this_o absurd_a paradox_n that_o god_n can_v make_v contradiction_n true_a i_o be_o very_o certain_a that_o upon_o a_o impartial_a trial_n of_o their_o faculty_n they_o will_v find_v it_o be_v perfect_o out_o of_o their_o power_n to_o believe_v explicit_o and_o in_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o the_o term_n that_o a_o part_n can_v be_v big_a than_o the_o whole_a it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o but_o two_o admit_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o be_v deceive_v in_o such_o proposition_n which_o have_v a_o constant_a uniform_a and_o universal_a appearance_n of_o truth_n and_o evidence_n this_o will_v destroy_v all_o manner_n of_o certainty_n and_o knowledge_n and_o leave_v we_o whole_o in_o darkness_n ignorance_n and_o despair_n or_o which_o be_v more_o injurious_a to_o the_o divine_a goodness_n to_o imagine_v under_o a_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o be_v deceive_v for_o it_o be_v not_o only_o impossible_a for_o i_o to_o believe_v that_o such_o a_o proposition_n as_o this_o that_o the_o whole_a be_v big_a than_o any_o of_o its_o part_n be_v false_a but_o i_o can_v deny_v my_o positive_a express_a assent_n to_o it_o as_o true_a the_o light_n and_o evidence_n in_o this_o case_n be_v so_o clear_a and_o strong_a that_o i_o be_o not_o at_o liberty_n so_o much_o as_o to_o suspend_v my_o judgement_n three_o it_o be_v blasphemy_n to_o think_v that_o god_n can_v contradict_v himself_o and_o therefore_o right_a reason_n be_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o revelation_n they_o can_v never_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o one_o another_o now_o to_o apply_v all_o this_o to_o the_o present_a case_n suppose_v i_o be_o require_v to_o believe_v that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n be_v three_o different_a person_n i_o only_o suppose_v it_o here_o because_o i_o have_v not_o yet_o prove_v how_o far_o and_o in_o what_o sense_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v a_o trinity_n if_o this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o proposition_n i_o be_o require_v to_o give_v my_o assent_n to_o it_o be_v plain_a by_o what_o have_v be_v prove_v before_o that_o i_o can_v believe_v it_o no_o far_o than_o the_o term_n of_o which_o it_o be_v make_v up_o be_v know_v and_o understand_v and_o the_o idea_n signify_v by_o they_o consistent_a in_o
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conceive_v a_o trinity_n it_o be_v no_o mystery_n and_o consequent_o no_o oppression_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o so_o far_o as_o it_o can_v be_v comprehend_v it_o do_v not_o bind_v we_o to_o any_o explicit_fw-la act_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v before_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o person_n oblige_v to_o believe_v this_o article_n for_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v by_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v believe_v any_o far_a than_o the_o term_n in_o which_o it_o be_v propose_v be_v understand_v but_o a_o mystery_n can_v be_v bring_v down_o to_o the_o low_a capacity_n and_o be_v deliver_v in_o term_n that_o be_v plain_o and_o distinct_o understand_v for_o than_o it_o will_v be_v no_o long_o a_o mystery_n so_o far_o therefore_o as_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v be_v no_o mystery_n for_o whatever_o term_n i_o be_o bid_v to_o believe_v a_o thing_n in_o i_o can_v comprehend_v 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and_o therefore_o if_o these_o be_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a limit_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n which_o i_o have_v assign_v if_o i_o have_v give_v a_o just_a account_n of_o what_o we_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v concern_v the_o trinity_n how_o much_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v of_o it_o and_o how_o far_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o have_v distinct_a conception_n about_o it_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o search_v for_o new_a notion_n and_o hypothesis_n which_o may_v probable_o puzzle_v or_o deceive_v our_o understanding_n but_o can_v never_o lead_v we_o far_o into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o trinity_n but_o i_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o measure_v the_o ability_n of_o other_o man_n by_o my_o own_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v this_o more_o which_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o can_v true_o affirm_v that_o i_o have_v take_v all_o the_o care_n imaginable_a to_o deliver_v my_o judgement_n impartial_o and_o sincere_o and_o have_v not_o dare_v to_o impose_v any_o thing_n upon_o other_o which_o i_o do_v not_o believe_v myself_o or_o be_v any_o way_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n postscript_n these_o paper_n be_v in_o the_o press_n and_o every_o word_n in_o the_o book_n and_o preface_n as_o they_o stand_v now_o be_v write_v before_o his_o majesty_n injunction_n come_v forth_o the_o author_n be_v glad_a to_o find_v that_o he_o have_v not_o transgress_v they_o the_o authority_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o which_o he_o pay_v such_o a_o submission_n to_o that_o if_o he_o have_v not_o prescribe_v to_o himself_o the_o same_o rule_n in_o write_v that_o be_v now_o see_v enjoin_v by_o his_o superior_n he_o will_v have_v show_v his_o obedience_n to_o they_o by_o suppress_v what_o he_o have_v write_v finis_fw-la act_n 14._o ver_fw-la 15._o
only_o as_o a_o trial_n and_o exercise_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o the_o more_o implicit_a that_o be_v the_o full_a do_v we_o express_v our_o trust_n and_o reliance_n upon_o god_n nay_o far_o there_o be_v those_o who_o do_v not_o scruple_n to_o say_v the_o more_o contradiction_n the_o better_a the_o great_a the_n struggle_v and_o opposition_n of_o reason_n the_o great_a be_v the_o triumph_n and_o merit_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n of_o suppress_v any_o of_o our_o doubt_n or_o dispute_v in_o religion_n this_o way_n for_o beside_o the_o natural_a propension_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o strong_a and_o impatient_a desire_n we_o have_v to_o know_v as_o much_o as_o ever_o we_o can_v of_o what_o immediate_o concern_v we_o it_o be_v general_o and_o very_o just_o look_v upon_o both_o as_o the_o privilege_n and_o duty_n of_o man_n to_o inquire_v and_o examine_v before_o he_o believe_v or_o judge_n and_o never_o give_v up_o his_o assent_n to_o any_o thing_n but_o upon_o good_a and_o rational_a ground_n and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a thing_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o stifle_v and_o restrain_v so_o many_o powerful_a motive_n of_o action_n but_o shall_v they_o be_v far_o prevail_v upon_o to_o go_v direct_o contrary_a to_o their_o reason_n it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o difficult_a to_o conquer_v the_o uneasiness_n of_o the_o reluctance_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v well_o the_o difficulty_n of_o subdue_a the_o understanding_n be_v too_o great_a to_o be_v master_v for_o a_o slight_a reflection_n will_v serve_v to_o convince_v we_o that_o the_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o a_o blind_a resignation_n of_o judgement_n will_v be_v far_o more_o fatal_a to_o christianity_n than_o all_o our_o present_a division_n what_o blasphemy_n and_o contradiction_n may_v and_o have_v be_v impose_v upon_o man_n belief_n under_o the_o venerable_a name_n of_o mystery_n and_o how_o easy_a be_v villainous_a practice_n derive_v from_o a_o absurd_a faith_n this_o be_v matter_n of_o common_a observation_n and_o have_v bring_v a_o just_a scandal_n upon_o a_o large_a party_n of_o christian_n and_o give_v occasion_n to_o man_n of_o light_n undistinguish_a capacity_n to_o deny_v and_o scoff_n at_o the_o save_v truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n because_o they_o be_v accompany_v with_o a_o ridiculous_a mixture_n of_o error_n no_o doubt_n therefore_o we_o may_v and_o ought_v careful_o to_o examine_v the_o faith_n and_o principles_n we_o design_v for_o the_o rule_n of_o our_o life_n and_o endeavour_v to_o understand_v all_o our_o religion_n so_o far_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o justify_v it_o both_o to_o ourselves_o and_o unbeliever_n we_o ought_v indeed_o to_o proceed_v with_o all_o the_o caution_n and_o humility_n imaginable_a and_o take_v a_o just_a estimate_n of_o our_o task_n and_o ability_n but_o to_o deny_v we_o the_o liberty_n either_o of_o use_v or_o obey_v our_o reason_n be_v a_o suspicious_a as_o well_o as_o a_o unjust_a restraint_n 2._o there_o be_v other_o who_o call_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n a_o incomprehensible_a mystery_n and_o yet_o be_v at_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o bring_v it_o down_o to_o a_o level_n with_o humane_a understanding_n and_o be_v all_o very_a earnest_n to_o have_v their_o own_o particular_a explication_n acknowledge_v as_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o number_n and_o disagreement_n of_o the_o expositor_n plain_o discover_v the_o vanity_n of_o such_o pretence_n this_o have_v prove_v so_o unsuccessful_a a_o way_n that_o instead_o of_o unite_n the_o different_a judgement_n of_o christian_n in_o one_o point_n it_o have_v break_v the_o controversy_n into_o a_o thousand_o more_o for_o zeal_n and_o opposition_n raise_v up_o a_o great_a many_o assertor_n of_o the_o common_a belief_n and_o every_o one_o look_v out_o for_o some_o new_a term_n and_o mode_n of_o speech_n which_o shall_v be_v full_a and_o more_o expressive_a than_o those_o in_o question_n the_o difference_n and_o dispute_n be_v by_o consequence_n proportionable_o multiply_v for_o the_o term_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n make_v use_v of_o be_v capable_a of_o several_a sense_n and_o each_o of_o they_o attend_v with_o other_o accessary_a idea_n mistake_v must_v necessary_o arise_v and_o divers_a new_a thought_n be_v suggest_v to_o such_o who_o head_n be_v employ_v upon_o the_o same_o subject_a and_o thus_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o defence_n and_o vindication_n of_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n produce_v more_o heresy_n wherefore_o in_o all_o such_o matter_n as_o these_o which_o be_v too_o big_a to_o be_v grasp_v we_o have_v better_o sit_v down_o content_v with_o what_o we_o have_v firm_a hold_n of_o than_o tire_v ourselves_o with_o vain_a endeavour_n to_o take_v in_o more_o it_o will_v certain_o be_v the_o true_a and_o the_o safe_a way_n strict_o to_o confine_v ourselves_o to_o scripture_n expression_n and_o never_o speak_v of_o supernatural_a thing_n but_o in_o the_o language_n of_o revelation_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a standard_n of_o all_o other_o word_n that_o shall_v be_v use_v on_o these_o occasion_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o shift_v the_o measure_n when_o there_o be_v never_o another_o to_o be_v find_v which_o can_n or_o aught_o to_o reach_v far_o it_o may_v however_o sometime_o be_v necessary_a to_o change_v this_o method_n and_o introduce_v new_a term_n to_o secure_v the_o true_a faith_n against_o the_o false_a interpretation_n of_o such_o as_o pervert_v scripture_n for_o if_o heretic_n will_v make_v use_n of_o new_a expression_n to_o contradict_v the_o receive_a doctrine_n we_o must_v have_v new_a term_n to_o express_v the_o same_o truth_n in_o in_o opposition_n to_o their_o heresy_n and_o in_o this_o case_n the_o church_n may_v very_o reasonable_o require_v her_o member_n to_o show_v their_o steady_a continuance_n in_o the_o ancient_a faith_n by_o the_o use_n of_o such_o term_n as_o plain_o infer_v their_o denial_n of_o any_o late_a erroneous_a invention_n set_v up_o against_o it_o 3._o there_o be_v a_o three_o sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n who_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v no_o mystery_n propose_v to_o we_o as_o a_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o in_o order_n to_o make_v this_o of_o the_o trinity_n appear_v to_o be_v none_o they_o bring_v a_o cloud_n over_o the_o whole_a bible_n and_o with_o strange_a force_a criticism_n and_o allegory_n give_v the_o very_o plain_a text_n such_o a_o unusual_a mysterious_a turn_n as_o neither_o the_o language_n will_v bear_v nor_o be_v any_o way_n consistent_a with_o the_o design_n or_o character_n of_o the_o holy_a writer_n but_o this_o be_v a_o very_a odd_a preposterous_a method_n of_o explain_v scripture_n by_o darken_v a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o to_o illustrate_v the_o rest_n and_o as_o ridiculous_a a_o project_n of_o heal_a division_n as_o pull_v down_o a_o whole_a side_n of_o stand_a wall_n to_o mend_v a_o breach_n and_o after_o all_o the_o socinian_n hypothesis_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o have_v more_o of_o mystery_n and_o contradiction_n to_o natural_a reason_n in_o it_o than_o what_o be_v object_v to_o the_o catholic_n doctrine_n i_o be_o not_o for_o clog_a the_o faith_n nor_o multiply_a mystery_n yet_o we_o ought_v not_o present_o to_o deny_v what_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v but_o sober_o and_o impartial_o consider_v how_o much_o we_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v and_o how_o far_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v what_o we_o do_v not_o the_o method_n therefore_o i_o design_v to_o observe_v in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n shall_v be_v different_a from_o any_o of_o those_o now_o mention_v i_o shall_v not_o go_v about_o to_o press_v man_n to_o a_o blind_a veneration_n or_o presumptuous_a belief_n of_o any_o thing_n without_o examination_n or_o in_o defiance_n to_o reason_n i_o shall_v not_o offer_v to_o impose_v any_o new_a arbitrary_a explication_n of_o my_o own_o upon_o other_o man_n conscience_n but_o confine_v myself_o whole_o to_o the_o usual_a warrant_a form_n of_o expression_n i_o will_v not_o wrest_v and_o strain_v scripture_n to_o help_v out_o a_o private_a notion_n nor_o do_v any_o thing_n to_o betray_v the_o just_a right_n and_o privilege_n of_o our_o common_a reason_n but_o careful_o endeavour_v to_o distinguish_v how_o far_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v a_o mystery_n and_o how_o far_o a_o mystery_n may_v become_v a_o object_n of_o faith_n from_o whence_o i_o hope_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o nothing_o hard_a or_o unreasonable_a be_v require_v of_o we_o by_o our_o church_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o article_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v rank_v all_o my_o reflection_n upon_o this_o subject_a under_o these_o three_o head_n of_o enquiry_n i._o what_o it_o be_v that_o perplex_v and_o obscure_v our_o faith_n in_o the_o trinity_n ii_o what_o be_v sufficient_a for_o
not_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o nice_a abstract_a speculation_n design_v for_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o understanding_n but_o as_o a_o plain_a revelation_n of_o god_n love_n and_o good_a will_n towards_o man_n and_o a_o great_a motive_n and_o incitement_n to_o piety_n than_o any_o we_o have_v before_o this_o doctrine_n be_v deliver_v have_v man_n stand_v confirm_v in_o his_o original_a righteousness_n and_o there_o have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o redemption_n it_o be_v high_o probable_a god_n have_v never_o be_v consider_v by_o man_n in_o his_o state_n of_o probation_n under_o any_o such_o distinction_n as_o be_v now_o reveal_v to_o we_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v think_v those_o different_a title_n and_o relation_n by_o which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o express_v that_o eternal_a distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n to_o we_o shall_v be_v chief_o consider_v by_o we_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o great_a work_n of_o man_n salvation_n thus_o far_o then_o the_o scripture_n 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