the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o socinian_n controversy_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_n father_n concern_v a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n 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 his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n mdcxc_o viii_o the_o preface_n i_o have_v little_a to_o say_v to_o the_o reader_n have_v sufficient_o explain_v the_o design_n of_o this_o treatise_n in_o the_o first_o section_n those_o who_o remember_v how_o this_o controversy_n have_v be_v of_o late_o manage_v may_v possible_o expect_v what_o they_o will_v not_o find_v some_o sharp_a resentment_n of_o the_o ill_a usage_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o and_o as_o sharp_a return_v but_o i_o write_v not_o to_o revenge_v myself_o but_o to_o explain_v and_o vindicate_v the_o true_o ancient_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a faith_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n which_o require_v a_o compose_v and_o sedate_v mind_n both_o in_o the_o writer_n and_o reader_n for_o this_o reason_n i_o have_v thus_o long_o delay_v the_o publication_n of_o this_o treatise_n the_o great_a part_n of_o which_o be_v print_v two_o year_n since_o that_o those_o who_o will_v ever_o grow_v cool_a may_v have_v time_n to_o recover_v their_o temper_n and_o do_v i_o not_o hope_v that_o the_o publication_n of_o it_o at_o this_o time_n will_v tend_v more_o to_o quiet_a man_n mind_n to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o heretic_n and_o to_o secure_v the_o catholic_n faith_n than_o a_o passive_a silence_n it_o shall_v never_o see_v the_o light_n how_o much_o soever_o my_o own_o reputation_n may_v suffer_v by_o it_o but_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o of_o the_o catholic_n father_n be_v not_o at_o so_o low_a a_o ebb_n even_o in_o this_o age_n as_o to_o be_v easy_o despise_v and_o therefore_o their_o explication_n their_o argument_n their_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n of_o heretic_n will_v have_v their_o due_a weight_n and_o i_o have_v not_o go_v one_o step_n further_o i_o appeal_v to_o the_o catholic_n father_n and_o be_o content_v to_o stand_v or_o fall_v by_o their_o sentence_n i_o have_v not_o wilful_o misrepresent_v their_o sense_n in_o any_o thing_n and_o have_v take_v all_o possible_a care_v not_o to_o mistake_v it_o and_o as_o far_o as_o human_a authority_n be_v concern_v here_o i_o must_v leave_v the_o matter_n for_o i_o know_v of_o no_o further_a appeal_n the_o content_n chap._n i._n sect_n i._o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o socinian_n controversy_n and_o how_o to_o reduce_v the_o dispute_n to_o the_o original_a question_n page_n 1._o sect_n ii_o how_o to_o reduce_v this_o dispute_n concern_v the_o trinity_n to_o scripture-term_n 4_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n the_o rule_n and_o standard_n of_o faith_n ibid._n that_o these_o name_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v more_o easy_o understand_v and_o give_v we_o a_o true_a idea_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n than_o any_o artificial_a term_n 5_o etc._n etc._n sect_n iii_o that_o the_o title_n of_o god_n attribute_v in_o scripture_n distinct_o to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n give_v we_o the_o best_a account_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o must_v determine_v the_o signification_n of_o ecclesiastical_a word_n 12_o this_o particular_o explain_v with_o respect_n to_o those_o term_n nature_n essence_n substance_n hypostasis_fw-la existence_n subsistence_n person_n etc._n etc._n 13_o etc._n etc._n sect_n iv._o these_o name_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n prove_v the_o real_a distinction_n of_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n 20_o etc._n etc._n sect_n v._o these_o name_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n prove_v the_o unity_n sameness_n identity_n of_o nature_n and_o godhead_n explain_v at_o large_a 24_o sect_n vi_o concern_v the_o unity_n of_o god_n 33_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o catholic_n church_n believe_v in_o one_o god_n ibid._n tritheism_n a_o old_a sabellian_n and_o arian_n objection_n against_o the_o trinity_n 34_o how_o answer_v by_o the_o catholic_n father_n 37_o etc._n etc._n chap._n ii_o a_o examination_n of_o some_o consideration_n concern_v the_o trinity_n sect_n i._o concern_v the_o way_n of_o manage_v this_o controversy_n 51_o what_o way_n the_o considerer_n dislike_v 52_o etc._n etc._n what_o way_n he_o take_v viz._n consult_v scripture_n and_o natural_a sentiment_n 56_o sect_n ii_o concern_v the_o traditionary_a faith_n of_o the_o church_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n 60_o what_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v from_o whence_o we_o must_v receive_v this_o traditionary_a faith_n ibid._n what_o evidence_n we_o have_v for_o this_o tradition_n from_o the_o ancient_a heresy_n condemn_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n 64_o of_o what_o authority_n the_o traditionary_a faith_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n ought_v to_o be_v in_o expound_v scripture_n 77_o sect_n iii_o what_o be_v sufficient_a to_o be_v believe_v concern_v the_o trinity_n 80_o his_o requisite_n to_o make_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n 81_o sect_n iv._o concern_v his_o state_n of_o the_o question_n that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n be_v three_o different_a person_n 84_o his_o examination_n of_o these_o term_n god_n unity_n identity_n distinction_n number_n and_o person_n and_o 1._o of_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n 86_o sect_n v._o his_o notion_n and_o idea_n of_o unity_n distinction_n person_n his_o sabellian_n notion_n of_o a_o person_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o single_a person_n in_o the_o trinity_n as_o person_n signify_v proper_o a_o particular_a intelligent_a be_v 88_o this_o he_o prove_v from_o his_o notion_n of_o unity_n and_o distinction_n the_o unity_n and_o distinction_n of_o idea_n of_o principle_n and_o of_o position_n 91_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o a_o obscure_a confuse_a knowledge_n and_o a_o general_a confuse_a faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n 101_o sect_n vi_o what_o the_o scripture_n require_v we_o to_o believe_v concern_v the_o trinity_n 103_o his_fw-la sabellian_n notion_n of_o one_o god_n to_o be_v adore_v under_o three_o different_a title_n and_o character_n ibid._n his_o scripture-proof_n of_o this_o examine_v 104_o etc._n etc._n his_o attempt_n to_o reconcile_v this_o with_o god_n be_v one_o and_o three_o 108_o etc._n etc._n and_o with_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o second_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n 113_o his_o account_n of_o the_o union_n of_o god_n and_o man._n 115_o what_o end_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n serve_v not_o as_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o speculation_n but_o as_o a_o artificial_a representation_n of_o god_n love_n to_o man_n 120_o chap._n iii_o a_o account_n of_o the_o sabellian_n heresy_n and_o by_o what_o argument_n the_o catholic_n father_n oppose_v it_o 124_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o sabellianism_n 1_o those_o who_o make_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n to_o be_v only_o three_o name_n appearance_n and_o office_n of_o the_o same_o person_n and_o here_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o the_o son_n be_v a_o person_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n a_o person_n but_o whether_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n from_o the_o father_n 125_o by_o what_o argument_n the_o catholic_n father_n oppose_v this_o heresy_n 127_o 2._o that_o the_o son_n be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o father_n only_o as_o a_o man_n word_n be_v distinguish_v from_o himself_o 133_o and_o by_o what_o argument_n the_o catholic_n father_n oppose_v this_o heresy_n 134_o 3._o some_o make_v god_n a_o compound_n be_v and_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n the_o three_o part_n of_o this_o one_o god_n 143_o by_o what_o argument_n the_o father_n oppose_v it_o ibid._n chap._n iu._n concern_v the_o homoousion_n or_o one_o substance_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n 150_o sect_n i._o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o homoousion_n from_o those_o misrepresentation_n which_o be_v make_v of_o it_o and_o the_o answer_n which_o be_v give_v by_o the_o nicene_n father_n to_o such_o objection_n 152_o sect_n ii_o some_o rule_n for_o expound_v the_o homoousion_n 158_o sect_n iii_o what_o the_o nicene_n father_n mean_v by_o the_o homoousion_n 163_o sect_n iv._o a_o more_o particular_a inquiry_n into_o the_o full_a signification_n of_o the_o homoousion_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o specific_a unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n 170_o sect_n v._o that_o by_o the_o homoousion_n the_o nicene_n father_n do_v not_o mere_o understand_v a_o specific_a but_o a_o natural_a unity_n and_o sameness_n of_o substance_n between_o father_n and_o son_n 180_o damascen_n distinction_n between_o one_o in_o notion_n and_o one_o in_o reality_n ibid._n this_o appear_v from_o their_o notion_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 181_o and_o the_o catholic_n father_n lie_v the_o
and_o institution_n as_o far_o as_o relate_v to_o this_o mystery_n these_o word_n person_n and_o hypostasis_fw-la be_v very_o ancient_o use_v without_o any_o definition_n to_o determine_v their_o signification_n till_o they_o become_v matter_n of_o dispute_n boetius_fw-la have_v give_v we_o a_o definition_n of_o person_n which_o have_v be_v general_o allow_v of_o ever_o since_o that_o a_o person_n be_v a_o individual_a substance_n of_o a_o rational_a nature_n let_v we_o then_o examine_v whether_o this_o definition_n can_v belong_v to_o a_o divine_a person_n to_o one_o who_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n as_o for_o substance_n boetius_fw-la tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o person_n persona_fw-la for_o a_o person_n can_v subsist_v in_o accident_n much_o less_o in_o modes_n which_o be_v less_o than_o accident_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a no_o other_o notion_n of_o person_n can_v belong_v to_o one_o who_o be_v god_n for_o a_o person_n who_o be_v god_n must_v be_v substance_n in_o the_o most_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a sense_n that_o be_v as_o i_o have_v already_o explain_v it_o perfect_a be_v and_o essence_n as_o st._n austin_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o god_n 6._o to_o be_v and_o to_o be_v a_o person_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o that_o when_o we_o say_v the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n we_o mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o father_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o whole_a trinity_n it_o be_v certain_a st._n austin_n never_o dream_v of_o define_v a_o person_n much_o less_o a_o divine_a person_n by_o a_o mode_n for_o to_o make_v a_o person_n who_o be_v god_n and_o therefore_o the_o most_o perfect_a be_v a_o mode_n which_o if_o it_o be_v any_o thing_n be_v next_o to_o nothing_o no_o substance_n but_o a_o mere_a modification_n of_o substance_n be_v both_o new_a divinity_n and_o new_a philosophy_n unknown_a either_o to_o father_n or_o schoolman_n but_o mere_a substance_n can_v make_v a_o person_n unless_o it_o be_v a_o live_n ibid._n understanding_n substance_n the_o substance_n of_o a_o rational_a nature_n and_o this_o must_v be_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o person_n when_o apply_v to_o god_n for_o god_n be_v pure_a infinite_a mind_n and_o intellect_n the_o first_o and_o supreme_a life_n and_o intellect_n in_o who_o to_o live_v to_o understand_v and_o to_o be_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o from_o st._n austin_n and_o if_o a_o divine_a person_n signify_v one_o who_o be_v god_n every_o person_n in_o the_o godhead_n be_v supreme_a absolute_a life_n and_o intellect_n and_o this_o be_v what_o we_o must_v understand_v by_o a_o person_n when_o we_o say_v that_o the_o father_n be_v a_o person_n the_o son_n a_o person_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n a_o person_n for_o no_o other_o notion_n of_o a_o person_n can_v belong_v to_o any_o one_o who_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n there_o be_v another_o term_n of_o great_a consideration_n in_o this_o definition_n which_o still_o remain_v to_o be_v explain_v and_o that_o be_v individual_a that_o a_o person_n be_v a_o individual_a substance_n of_o a_o rational_a nature_n which_o boetius_fw-la oppose_v to_o universal_a substance_n ibid._n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o abstract_a notion_n of_o generical_a or_o specific_a substance_n which_o have_v no_o real_a and_o actual_a subsistence_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o proper_o substance_n id._n but_o only_o the_o idea_n of_o substance_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o person_n neither_o for_o substance_n and_o person_n be_v only_o in_o singular_n and_o individual_n which_o subsist_v by_o themselves_o thus_o human_a nature_n consider_v in_o general_a as_o common_a to_o all_o mankind_n have_v no_o actual_a subsistence_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o a_o human_a person_n but_o it_o subsist_v only_o in_o particular_a man_n and_o that_o make_v every_o particular_a man_n a_o human_a person_n for_o the_o person_n of_o the_o man_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o man_n himself_o and_o so_o st._n austin_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v in_o the_o holy_a trinity_n the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n be_v the_o father_n himself_o and_o the_o person_n of_o the_o son_n be_v the_o son_n himself_o and_o if_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v three_o they_o must_v be_v three_o person_n for_o each_o of_o they_o be_v himself_o and_o not_o the_o other_o and_o three_o self_n be_v three_o person_n i_o and_o thou_o and_o he_o be_v personal_a pronoun_n i_o myself_o thou_o thyself_o he_o himself_o by_o which_o argument_n the_o catholic_n father_n prove_v against_o the_o sabellian_o that_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v three_o person_n by_o these_o personal_a pronoun_n which_o the_o scripture_n apply_v to_o they_o as_o our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o himself_o in_o the_o first_o person_n i_o and_o my_o father_n of_o his_o father_n in_o the_o second_o person_n i_o thank_v thou_o o_o father_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o three_o person_n when_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n shall_v come_v now_o i_o and_o thou_o and_o he_o must_v signify_v three_o distinct_a person_n or_o three_o self_n person_n indeed_o as_o st._n austin_n observe_v be_v not_o a_o relative_n term_n but_o be_v speak_v ad_fw-la se_fw-la of_o the_o thing_n itself_o for_o if_o person_n be_v a_o relative_n then_o as_o we_o say_v the_o father_n be_v the_o father_n of_o his_o son_n so_o we_o must_v say_v the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n be_v the_o person_n of_o the_o son_n which_o be_v absurd_a but_o yet_o person_n must_v be_v praedicat_v plural_o according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o self_n for_o as_o many_o self_n as_o there_o be_v so_o many_o person_n be_v there_o for_o self_n make_v number_n because_o one self_o be_v not_o another_o three_o singular_a intelligent_a self_n singulares_fw-la intelligentes_fw-la as_o melancton_n call_v they_o be_v the_o proper_a notion_n of_o three_o person_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v three_o person_n if_o each_o of_o they_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n for_o god_n be_v certain_o himself_o if_o the_o father_n be_v god_n the_o father_n himself_o be_v god_n if_o the_o son_n be_v god_n the_o son_n himself_o be_v god_n if_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v god_n the_o holy_a ghost_n himself_o be_v god_n this_o be_v the_o plain_a express_a doctrine_n of_o scripture_n and_o what_o every_o man_n may_v understand_v and_o what_o every_o one_o who_o believe_v a_o trinity_n must_v profess_v and_o no_o man_n needs_o believe_v more_o sect_n iv._o these_o name_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n prove_v the_o real_a distinction_n of_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n ii_o these_o name_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n especial_o when_o the_o name_n god_n be_v attribute_v to_o each_o of_o they_o that_o the_o father_n be_v god_n the_o son_n god_n the_o holy_a ghost_n god_n prove_v a_o real_a and_o substantial_a distinction_n between_o they_o for_o these_o be_v opposite_a relation_n which_o can_v meet_v in_o the_o same_o subject_a for_o a_o father_n can_v be_v father_n to_o himself_o but_o to_o his_o son_n nor_o can_v a_o son_n be_v son_n to_o himself_o but_o to_o his_o father_n nor_o can_v the_o holy_a ghost_n proceed_v from_o himself_o nor_o in_o this_o sense_n be_v his_o own_o spirit_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o father_n and_o son_n from_o who_o he_o proceed_v and_o therefore_o the_o father_n be_v not_o the_o son_n nor_o the_o holy_a spirit_n nor_o the_o son_n the_o father_n or_o holy_a spirit_n nor_o the_o holy_a spirit_n either_o father_n or_o son_n and_o yet_o if_o each_o of_o they_o be_v god_n each_o of_o they_o perfect_o be_v or_o be_v perfect_a be_v and_o therefore_o be_v as_o perfect_o distinct_a as_o three_o which_o perfect_o be_v and_o be_v not_o one_o another_o to_o talk_v of_o three_o distinct_a being_n substance_n mind_n or_o spirit_n may_v be_v misrepresent_v by_o perverse_a wit_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o divine_a unity_n though_o the_o catholic_n father_n beside_o hypostasis_fw-la do_v not_o scruple_n to_o use_v the_o same_o or_o other_o equivalent_a expression_n concern_v the_o holy_a trinity_n when_o they_o dispute_v against_o the_o sabellian_o yet_o if_o we_o believe_v a_o trinity_n whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v three_o each_o of_o which_o perfect_o be_v or_o be_v perfect_a be_v and_o no_o one_o be_v the_o other_o for_o if_o we_o deny_v this_o we_o must_v either_o deny_v that_o the_o father_n be_v or_o that_o the_o son_n be_v or_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v and_o to_o deny_v either_o of_o these_o be_v to_o deny_v a_o trinity_n and_o if_o it_o be_v object_v against_o this_o that_o according_a to_o st._n augustine_n notion_n though_o it_o be_v not_o peculiar_o he_o but_o common_a to_o all_o the_o greek_a and_o
whole_a must_v be_v the_o same_o whole_a and_o in_o this_o unity_n of_o nature_n consist_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n i_o grant_v a_o whole_a of_o a_o whole_a be_v very_o unconceivable_a to_o we_o and_o so_o be_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o eternal_a self-originated_n be_v and_o of_o creation_n to_o the_o full_a as_o unconceivable_a as_o the_o eternal_a generation_n of_o a_o whole_a from_o a_o whole_a but_o this_o be_v a_o difficulty_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o eternal_a generation_n not_o of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n if_o god_n beget_v a_o son_n as_o the_o scripture_n assure_v we_o he_o have_v a_o only_o beget_v son_n he_o must_v communicate_v his_o own_o nature_n to_o he_o and_o beside_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n that_o all_o the_o father_n have_v be_v the_o son_n be_v his_o whole_a nature_n and_o divinity_n reason_n assure_v we_o that_o god_n be_v a_o pure_a simple_a be_v without_o composition_n or_o part_n if_o he_o communicate_v his_o nature_n to_o his_o son_n 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will_v not_o be_v think_v socinian_o have_v espouse_v such_o a_o notion_n of_o one_o god_n as_o make_v the_o faith_n of_o a_o trinity_n absolute_o irreconcilable_a with_o the_o faith_n of_o one_o god_n by_o one_o god_n they_o mean_v one_o who_o be_v god_n but_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n own_v three_o each_o of_o who_o be_v by_o himself_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n and_o i_o grant_v it_o be_v as_o absolute_o impossible_a to_o reconcile_v these_o two_o as_o it_o be_v to_o reconcile_v contradiction_n for_o to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o who_o be_v god_n and_o to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o each_o of_o who_o be_v god_n be_v a_o manifest_a contradiction_n and_o yet_o without_o say_v this_o last_o we_o must_v deny_v a_o trinity_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o think_v to_o solve_v this_o with_o word_n without_o sense_n if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o who_o be_v god_n we_o must_v either_o make_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n three_o name_n or_o modes_n or_o manifestation_n of_o the_o same_o one_o numerical_a divine_a person_n which_o be_v the_o ancient_a explode_a anathematise_v heresy_n of_o noetus_n and_o sabellius_n or_o we_o must_v make_v the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n to_o be_v mere_a creature_n if_o we_o allow_v any_o personality_n to_o they_o as_o arius_n macedonius_n paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la and_o such_o like_a heretic_n and_o our_o modern_a socinian_n do_v but_o we_o with_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o catholic_n church_n reject_v this_o notion_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n which_o be_v to_o assert_v the_o unity_n but_o to_o deny_v a_o trinity_n and_o because_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o prevail_v a_o notion_n at_o this_o time_n i_o shall_v shelter_v myself_o as_o well_o as_o i_o can_v under_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o catholic_n father_n and_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n be_v always_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o appear_v from_o all_o the_o ancient_a creed_n but_o then_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v in_o one_o god_n as_o one_o god_n signify_v one_o divine_a separate_a person_n which_o be_v never_o express_v in_o any_o christian_a creed_n but_o in_o one_o god_n the_o father_n who_o have_v a_o only_o beget_v son_n and_o a_o eternal_a spirit_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o same_o godhead_n there_o be_v no_o christian_a creed_n which_o teach_v the_o belief_n of_o one_o god_n who_o be_v not_o a_o father_n and_o if_o the_o one_o god_n be_v a_o father_n he_o must_v have_v a_o son_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o substance_n and_o the_o son_n of_o god_n consubstantial_a with_o god_n the_o father_n must_v be_v god_n the_o son_n this_o be_v what_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o oxon._n that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n with_o his_o oeconomy_n that_o be_v with_o his_o only_a beget_v son_n and_o eternal_a spirit_n the_o catholic_n church_n so_o believe_v in_o one_o god_n as_o to_o acknowledge_v three_o person_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n each_o of_o which_o be_v true_o and_o real_o god_n ibid._n as_o they_o must_v necessary_o do_v if_o they_o believe_v a_o trinity_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n they_o be_v charge_v with_o tritheism_n or_o with_o assert_v three_o god_n because_o they_o own_v a_o trinity_n of_o divine_a substantial_a person_n real_o distinct_a from_o each_o other_o each_o of_o which_o be_v true_o and_o perfect_o god_n so_o that_o this_o be_v no_o new_a charge_n against_o the_o asserter_n of_o a_o real_a and_o substantial_a trinity_n and_o the_o ancient_a christian_n have_v no_o regard_n to_o it_o for_o tritheism_n in_o this_o objection_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o trinity_n or_o of_o three_o divine_a person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n which_o be_v the_o true_a christian_n faith_n as_o to_o show_v this_o brief_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n against_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o real_a substantial_a trinity_n from_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n they_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v judaisme_n and_o heresy_n to_o place_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o a_o person_n to_o teach_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o divine_a person_n as_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n prax._n we_o may_v find_v enough_o to_o this_o purpose_n in_o tertullian_n against_o praxeas_n and_o athanasius_n against_o the_o sabellian_o in_o st._n hilary_n st._n austin_n and_o many_o other_o athanasius_n commend_v the_o jew_n for_o oppose_v the_o polytheism_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o gentile_n paris_n but_o then_o he_o charge_v they_o with_o as_o great_a impiety_n themselves_o in_o deny_v the_o son_n of_o god_n by_o who_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v and_o in_o accuse_v those_o of_o polytheism_n who_o worship_n the_o father_n by_o the_o son_n ibid._n and_o he_o exhort_v his_o reader_n to_o separate_v themselves_o from_o those_o judaizer_n who_o corrupt_a christianity_n with_o judaism_n who_o deny_v god_n of_o god_n and_o teach_v one_o god_n in_o the_o jewish_a notion_n of_o it_o in_o which_o he_o tax_v the_o sabellian_o who_o teach_v that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v like_o the_o word_n and_o wisdom_n of_o a_o man_n ibid._n within_o he_o in_o his_o heart_n and_o soul_n and_o therefore_o that_o god_n and_o his_o word_n be_v but_o one_o person_n st._n hilary_n frequent_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o corruption_n of_o the_o evangelical_n faith_n as_o he_o call_v it_o confitentium_fw-la under_o the_o pious_a profession_n of_o one_o god_n to_o deny_v the_o only_o beget_v god_n to_o deny_v christ_n to_o be_v bear_v god_n or_o to_o be_v true_a god_n but_o only_o a_o powerful_a creature_n thereby_o to_o preserve_v the_o faith_n of_o one_o god_n which_o they_o think_v the_o birth_n of_o god_n do_v overthrow_n in_o which_o he_o distinct_o charge_v the_o sabellian_o and_o arian_n the_o first_o for_o make_v god_n but_o one_o person_n for_o fear_v of_o introduce_v a_o trinity_n of_o god_n with_o a_o trinity_n of_o person_n the_o other_o for_o make_v christ_n a_o mere_a creature_n though_o the_o first_o and_o most_o powerful_a creature_n for_o fear_v of_o make_v a_o second_o god_n shall_v they_o have_v own_v he_o to_o be_v god_n of_o god_n of_o the_o same_o substance_n with_o the_o father_n in_o opposition_n to_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o what_o the_o true_a faith_n be_v 1._o which_o they_o have_v learn_v from_o divine_a revelation_n neither_o to_o preach_v two_o god_n nor_o one_o solitary_a divine_a person_n for_o so_o solus_fw-la must_v signify_v in_o this_o place_n and_o undertake_v to_o prove_v both_o from_o the_o evangelist_n and_o prophet_n that_o when_o we_o profess_v our_o faith_n in_o god_n the_o father_n and_o god_n the_o son_n we_o must_v neither_o own_o god_n the_o father_n and_o god_n the_o son_n to_o be_v one_o person_n as_o the_o
sabellian_o do_v nor_o two_o different_a substance_n as_o the_o arian_n do_v for_o when_o god_n be_v bear_v of_o god_n this_o divine_a nativity_n will_v neither_o admit_v a_o unity_n of_o person_n nor_o a_o diversity_n of_o nature_n for_o father_n and_o son_n he_o who_o beget_v and_o he_o who_o be_v beget_v must_v be_v two_o person_n and_o the_o son_n who_o be_v beget_v of_o the_o substance_n of_o his_o father_n must_v be_v consubstantial_a with_o he_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o multiply_v quotation_n to_o this_o purpose_n both_o out_o of_o these_o and_o numerous_a other_o ancient_a writer_n but_o this_o be_v proof_n enough_o that_o the_o primitive_a father_n will_v not_o be_v fright_v out_o of_o the_o true_a catholic_n faith_n of_o a_o real_a and_o substantial_a trinity_n by_o the_o loud_a clamour_n of_o tritheism_n but_o reject_v such_o a_o notion_n of_o one_o god_n as_o confine_v the_o godhead_n to_o one_o single_n solitary_n person_n as_o judaism_n and_o a_o anti-trinitarian_a heresy_n for_o we_o know_v in_o what_o sense_n the_o jew_n own_v but_o one_o god_n viz._n in_o the_o very_a sense_n that_o the_o socinian_o and_o all_o anti-trinitarians_a do_v that_o be_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o who_o be_v god_n but_o one_o divine_a person_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n these_o ancient_a father_n reject_v it_o but_o beside_o these_o general_a say_n they_o industrious_o confute_v this_o notion_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n which_o confine_v it_o to_o one_o single_a person_n that_o the_o one_o god_n be_v so_o one_o that_o there_o be_v and_o can_v be_v but_o one_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n the_o scripture_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n do_v express_o teach_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n this_o the_o ancient_a heretic_n perpetual_o object_v against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o ever_o bless_a trinity_n and_o st._n hilary_n observe_v ibid._n what_o danger_n there_o be_v in_o answer_v this_o objection_n if_o it_o be_v not_o do_v with_o great_a caution_n for_o it_o may_v be_v equal_o impious_a to_o deny_v or_o to_o affirm_v it_o for_o the_o true_a catholic_n faith_n of_o one_o god_n lie_v between_o two_o such_o contrary_a heresy_n as_o be_v ready_a to_o take_v advantage_n one_o way_n or_o other_o whatever_o answer_v you_o give_v if_o you_o own_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n without_o take_v notice_n that_o this_o one_o god_n have_v a_o only_o beget_v son_n who_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n the_o arian_n take_v advantage_n of_o this_o against_o the_o eternal_a godhead_n of_o the_o son_n if_o you_o say_v that_o the_o father_n be_v god_n and_o the_o son_n god_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n the_o sabellian_o hence_o conclude_v that_o father_n and_o son_n be_v but_o one_o person_n as_o they_o be_v one_o god_n but_o in_o opposition_n to_o both_o these_o heresy_n he_o tell_v we_o ibid._n that_o though_o the_o catholic_n church_n do_v not_o deny_v one_o god_n yet_o they_o teach_v god_n and_o god_n and_o deny_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n both_o in_o the_o arian_n and_o sabellian_n notion_n of_o one_o god_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o profess_v to_o believe_v god_n and_o god_n and_o god_n though_o not_o three_o god_n but_o one_o god_n yet_o in_o that_o very_a sense_n which_o both_o ancient_a and_o modern_a heretic_n call_v tritheism_n there_o be_v no_o dispute_n but_o the_o scripture_n do_v very_o full_o and_o express_o teach_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n hear_v o_o israel_n the_o lord_n our_o god_n be_v one_o lord_n 6._o deut._n 4._o which_o our_o saviour_n himself_o approve_v 12._o mark_v 29._o and_o the_o scribe_n expound_v 32._o well_o master_n thou_o have_v say_v the_o truth_n for_o there_o be_v one_o god_n and_o there_o be_v none_o other_o but_o he_o and_o this_o be_v often_o confirm_v both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n but_o then_o the_o father_n think_v that_o they_o have_v a_o unanswerable_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o by_o one_o god_n be_v not_o mean_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o who_o be_v god_n because_o the_o same_o holy_a scripture_n which_o teach_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n do_v attribute_v the_o name_n and_o dignity_n and_o power_n and_o all_o the_o natural_a perfection_n of_o god_n to_o more_o than_o one._n st._n hilary_n explain_v this_o argument_n at_o large_a trin._n the_o sum_n of_o which_o in_o short_a be_v this_o that_o we_o must_v learn_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n from_o divine_a revelation_n for_o humane_a understanding_n which_o be_v accustom_v to_o corporeal_a and_o bodily_a image_n be_v too_o weak_a of_o themselves_o to_o discern_v and_o contemplate_v divine_a thing_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o ourselves_o or_o in_o create_a nature_n that_o can_v give_v we_o a_o adequate_a notion_n and_o conception_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o unity_n of_o god_n we_o must_v believe_v god_n concern_v himself_o ibid._n and_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o yield_v a_o ready_a assent_n to_o what_o he_o reveal_v to_o we_o for_o we_o must_v either_o deny_v he_o to_o be_v god_n as_o the_o heathen_n do_v if_o we_o reject_v his_o testimony_n or_o if_o we_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v god_n we_o must_v conceive_v no_o otherwise_o of_o he_o than_o as_o he_o himself_o have_v teach_v we_o this_o be_v very_o reasonable_a if_o we_o believe_v upon_o god_n authority_n to_o believe_v all_o that_o god_n reveal_v and_o to_o expound_v the_o revelation_n by_o itself_o not_o to_o put_v such_o a_o sense_n upon_o one_o part_n of_o the_o revelation_n as_o shall_v contradict_v another_o but_o to_o put_v such_o a_o sense_n upon_o the_o word_n as_o make_v the_o whole_a consistent_a with_o itself_o as_o in_o the_o present_a dispute_n concern_v the_o unity_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n assure_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o we_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n except_v the_o valentinian_o and_o such_o kind_n of_o heretic_n all_o christian_n both_o catholic_n and_o heretic_n agree_v in_o this_o profession_n but_o the_o question_n be_v in_o what_o sense_n the_o scripture_n teach_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n whether_o this_o one_o god_n signify_v one_o single_a divine_a person_n or_o one_o god_n with_o his_o only_a beget_v son_n and_o eternal_a spirit_n who_o have_v the_o same_o nature_n and_o divinity_n the_o arian_n and_o socinian_o embrace_v the_o first_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n that_o one_o god_n be_v one_o divine_a person_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n will_v not_o own_o christ_n or_o the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n because_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o three_o divine_a person_n they_o say_v be_v three_o go_n now_o unless_o we_o will_v pretend_v to_o understand_v the_o divine_a nature_n and_o the_o divine_a unity_n better_a than_o god_n himself_o do_v we_o must_v refer_v this_o dispute_n to_o scripture_n and_o if_o we_o have_v the_o same_o authority_n to_o believe_v more_o divine_a person_n than_o one_o that_o we_o have_v to_o believe_v but_o one_o god_n than_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture-notion_n of_o it_o be_v no_o tritheism_n nor_o any_o objection_n against_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o trinity_n for_o there_o may_v be_v but_o one_o only_a god_n and_o yet_o three_o divine_a person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o same_o godhead_n this_o be_v st._n hilary_n argument_n praedicantes_fw-la and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a good_a one_o that_o moses_n himself_o who_o have_v teach_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n initium_fw-la have_v teach_v we_o to_o confess_v god_n and_o god_n that_o we_o have_v the_o same_o authority_n to_o believe_v the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o be_v god_n that_o we_o have_v to_o believe_v one_o god_n and_o therefore_o though_o we_o do_v and_o must_v believe_v one_o god_n we_o must_v not_o so_o believe_v one_o god_n as_o to_o deny_v the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o be_v god_n for_o this_o be_v to_o contradict_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n this_o argument_n he_o prosecute_v at_o large_a throughout_o the_o iv_o the_o and_o five_o the_o book_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o allege_v all_o those_o old_a testament_n proof_n for_o the_o plurality_n of_o divine_a person_n and_o for_o the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n which_o whatever_o opinion_n some_o modern_a wit_n and_o critic_n have_v of_o they_o have_v be_v apply_v to_o that_o purpose_n by_o all_o christian_a writer_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n and_o be_v that_o my_o present_a business_n may_v be_v easy_o vindicate_v from_o the_o cavil_n and_o exception_n of_o heretic_n st._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n the_o father_n of_o who_o be_v all_o thing_n and_o we_o in_o he_o and_o one_o jesus_n christ_n
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himself_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n be_v likewise_o the_o doctrine_n both_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o catholic_n father_n that_o the_o trinity_n be_v one_o god_n that_o father_n and_o son_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vnum_fw-la one_o divinity_n christ_n himself_o teach_v we_o that_o father_n son_n and_o spirit_n be_v also_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o st._n john_n teach_v we_o and_o nothing_o be_v more_o familiar_a both_o with_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n than_o to_o call_v the_o trinity_n one_o god_n and_o in_o consequence_n of_o this_o that_o one_o god_n be_v the_o trinity_n though_o this_o they_o rather_o choose_v to_o express_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o divinity_n in_o three_o person_n and_o whoever_o will_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n must_v have_v respect_n to_o all_o these_o notion_n and_o not_o content_v himself_o with_o any_o one_o of_o 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person_n signify_v a_o intelligent_a be_v but_o he_o have_v secure_v himself_o against_o this_o imputation_n by_o a_o artificial_a addition_n some_o intelligent_a be_v act_v in_o such_o or_o such_o a_o manner_n he_o will_v not_o allow_v person_n to_o signify_v absolute_o a_o intelligent_a be_v but_o a_o intelligent_a be_v with_o respect_n to_o some_o peculiar_a manner_n of_o act_v and_o thus_o one_o single_a person_n in_o the_o proper_a notion_n of_o person_n for_o a_o intelligent_a be_v may_v sustain_v three_o person_n or_o personal_a character_n with_o respect_n to_o extrinsical_a relation_n and_o the_o different_a manner_n of_o act_v the_o whole_a mystery_n and_o sophistry_n of_o this_o be_v that_o god_n who_o be_v one_o single_a person_n be_v upon_o different_a account_n sometime_o call_v the_o father_n sometime_o the_o sâ—n_n and_o sometime_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n have_v a_o personal_a signification_n each_o of_o these_o name_n 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person_n and_o three_o personal_a character_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o incarnation_n be_v this_o that_o the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n become_v true_a and_o perfect_a man_n by_o take_v the_o human_a nature_n into_o a_o personal_a union_n to_o himself_o that_o the_o son_n only_o become_v man_n not_o the_o father_n nor_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o two_o perfect_a distinct_a nature_n the_o divine_a and_o human_a nature_n be_v without_o confusion_n unite_v in_o the_o one_o person_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o this_o one_o person_n be_v the_o eternal_a word_n and_o son_n of_o god_n now_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o single_a person_n in_o the_o godhead_n and_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v but_o three_o name_n or_o personal_a character_n of_o this_o one_o single_a person_n how_o can_v the_o son_n be_v incarnate_a and_o not_o the_o father_n nor_o the_o holy_a ghost_n it_o be_v only_o a_o person_n that_o can_v be_v incarnate_a for_o a_o personal_a character_n can_v be_v incarnate_a without_o the_o person_n and_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o single_a person_n and_o this_o same_o one_o person_n be_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o that_o person_n who_o be_v the_o son_n shall_v be_v incarnate_a but_o the_o person_n who_o be_v the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n must_v be_v incarnate_a also_o because_o the_o same_o person_n who_o be_v the_o son_n be_v the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o short_a question_n be_v this_o whether_o a_o true_a proper_a divine_a person_n be_v incarnate_a in_o the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n if_o not_o than_o christ_n be_v not_o a_o divine_a person_n how_o divine_a soever_o he_o may_v be_v upon_o other_o account_n the_o divine_a nature_n do_v not_o personal_o subsist_v in_o he_o he_o be_v not_o personal_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n and_o then_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o man_n whatever_o divine_a influence_n he_o may_v receive_v from_o god_n but_o if_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v true_o and_o proper_o incarnate_a in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n then_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o single_a divine_a person_n in_o the_o godhead_n but_o one_o divine_a nature_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o one_o single_a person_n than_o the_o whole_a godhead_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v but_o one_o true_a and_o proper_a person_n be_v incarnate_a in_o christ._n this_o be_v the_o true_a difficulty_n and_o he_o be_v so_o wise_a as_o to_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v to_o i_o that_o he_o believe_v one_o word_n concern_v the_o incarnation_n of_o god_n or_o of_o a_o true_a divine_a person_n 38._o he_o say_v he_o that_o be_v in_o scripture_n call_v the_o son_n of_o god_n do_v appear_v in_o the_o likeness_n of_o man_n he_o certain_o be_v a_o true_a man_n but_o that_o be_v not_o our_o present_a dispute_n be_v he_o in_o his_o own_o person_n true_a and_o perfect_a god_n be_v he_o a_o human_a person_n or_o the_o person_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n appear_v in_o human_a nature_n 39_o he_o be_v he_o say_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n before_o he_o take_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n upon_o he_o this_o sound_v well_o but_o why_o do_v he_o not_o speak_v out_o and_o tell_v we_o what_o this_o form_n of_o god_n be_v whether_o the_o true_a divine_a nature_n subsist_v in_o he_o a_o true_a divine_a person_n well_o but_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 the_o 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 now_o all_o this_o may_v have_v be_v spare_v will_v he_o but_o have_v say_v that_o the_o person_n jesus_n 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operation_n necessary_o prove_v the_o distinction_n and_o unity_n of_o essence_n it_o be_v in_o our_o way_n of_o conceive_a thing_n a_o necessary_a effect_n of_o it_o there_o must_v be_v some_o real_a distinction_n in_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o essence_n in_o which_o there_o be_v three_o who_o act_n distinct_o and_o there_o must_v be_v a_o individual_a unity_n of_o essence_n when_o in_o three_o there_o be_v but_o one_o individual_a operation_n and_o though_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v distinguish_v in_o creature_n where_o we_o distinguish_v the_o suppositum_fw-la and_o the_o power_n and_o give_v a_o priority_n of_o nature_n to_o the_o suppositum_fw-la yet_o essence_n and_o energy_n be_v the_o same_o in_o god_n who_o be_v a_o pure_a simple_a act_n there_o can_v be_v no_o priority_n nor_o posteriority_n between_o they_o but_o the_o demonstration_n proceed_v equal_o upon_o nature_n or_o operation_n but_o that_o be_v the_o best_a which_o be_v the_o most_o intelligible_a representation_n of_o this_o distinction_n and_o unity_n for_o this_o reason_n the_o father_n choose_v to_o explain_v the_o distinction_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n by_o the_o distinction_n and_o unity_n of_o operation_n which_o i_o need_v not_o prove_v at_o large_a as_o be_v universal_o own_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o observe_v how_o st._n gregory_n nyssen_n represent_v this_o matter_n in_o his_o answer_n to_o ablabius_n that_o there_o be_v not_o three_o god_n 〈◊〉_d he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o best_a way_n to_o form_v the_o clear_a and_o most_o perspicuous_a notion_n of_o this_o be_v to_o examine_v what_o this_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o godhead_n signify_v now_o whereas_o some_o think_v this_o a_o proper_a name_n to_o signify_v the_o divine_a nature_n and_o essence_n he_o assert_n with_o the_o scripture_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o essence_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o a_o name_n 〈◊〉_d and_o can_v be_v signify_v by_o word_n and_o that_o every_o name_n which_o be_v give_v to_o god_n signify_v something_o essential_a to_o he_o but_o not_o his_o nature_n and_o essence_n itself_o this_o he_o show_v particular_o in_o some_o name_n give_v to_o god_n and_o affirm_v 〈◊〉_d that_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o all_o other_o divine_a name_n that_o either_o they_o remove_v all_o imperfection_n or_o attribute_v all_o divine_a perfection_n to_o he_o but_o do_v not_o declare_v his_o nature_n and_o thus_o he_o add_v it_o be_v in_o the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v god_n be_v a_o sâ—er_n a_o inspector_n who_o behold_v all_o thing_n now_o if_o god_n signify_v he_o who_o see_v and_o know_v all_o thing_n we_o must_v inquire_v whether_o this_o all-seeing_a power_n belong_v only_o to_o one_o of_o the_o divine_a person_n of_o the_o trinity_n or_o to_o all_o three_o for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o true_a interpretation_n of_o the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o it_o be_v a_o all-seeing_a power_n and_o that_o he_o that_o see_v all_o be_v god_n we_o can_v reasonable_o deny_v this_o to_o any_o person_n in_o the_o holy_a trinity_n since_o the_o scripture_n do_v equal_o attribute_v this_o omniscience_n to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n well!_o suppose_v this_o as_o he_o add_v it_o do_v not_o remove_v but_o increase_v the_o difficulty_n for_o though_o god_n be_v not_o a_o name_n of_o nature_n but_o of_o energy_n and_o power_n if_o the_o name_n god_n signify_v a_o seer_n and_o inspector_n and_o there_o be_v three_o who_o thus_o see_v all_o thing_n three_o must_v be_v three_o god_n as_o we_o number_v person_n of_o the_o same_o profession_n who_o all_o do_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o have_v the_o same_o nature_n as_o we_o say_v many_o orator_n mathematician_n and_o the_o lâ—ke_n 〈◊〉_d as_o well_o as_o many_o mâ—n_z now_o this_o he_o answer_v by_o the_o unity_n of_o energy_n and_o power_n which_o be_v in_o each_o of_o they_o but_o be_v but_o one_o indivisible_a inseparable_a power_n not_o as_o it_o be_v in_o man_n who_o each_o of_o they_o act_v separately_z by_o himself_o and_o though_o they_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o kind_n yet_o what_o each_o of_o they_o do_v be_v proper_o his_o own_o do_v and_o not_o another_o they_o act_v separately_z and_o produce_v distinct_a and_o separate_a effect_n and_o therefore_o be_v many_o agent_n 〈◊〉_d but_o it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o as_o to_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o father_n do_v nothing_o by_o himself_o without_o the_o son_n nor_o the_o son_n without_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o each_o divine_a operation_n proceed_v original_o from_o the_o father_n be_v continue_v by_o the_o son_n and_o perfect_v in_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o therefore_o the_o name_n of_o energy_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o a_o number_n of_o agent_n because_o neither_o of_o they_o act_v separately_z by_o himself_o and_o this_o he_o prove_v from_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o effect_n 〈◊〉_d that_o whatever_o good_a thing_n we_o receive_v from_o god_n as_o suppose_v life_n be_v attribute_v to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n but_o though_o it_o be_v give_v by_o three_o that_o which_o be_v give_v or_o do_v for_o we_o be_v not_o three_o we_o do_v not_o receive_v three_o life_n one_o from_o each_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n but_o we_o have_v but_o one_o life_n which_o we_o receive_v from_o they_o all_o now_o where_o there_o be_v but_o one_o undivided_a effect_n there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o natural_a agent_n for_o separate_v agent_n will_v produce_v separate_a effect_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o motion_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n from_o the_o father_n by_o the_o son_n to_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o that_o without_o distance_n and_o succession_n now_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o all_o this_o do_v not_o signify_v a_o mere_a unity_n of_o consent_n as_o may_v be_v between_o three_o distinct_a and_o separate_a mind_n but_o the_o unity_n of_o principle_n which_o act_v distinct_o but_o uniform_o and_o inseparable_o in_o three_o the_o same_o divine_a will_n which_o be_v original_o in_o the_o father_n act_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o with_o one_o indivisible_a motion_n as_o they_o speak_v in_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n which_o unity_n of_o operation_n though_o it_o admit_v of_o distinct_a act_n and_o consequent_o a_o real_a distinction_n of_o person_n yet_o prove_v the_o individual_a unity_n of_o essence_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o unity_n of_o principle_n or_o operation_n but_o in_o the_o same_o individual_a essence_n where_o three_o person_n be_v unite_v in_o the_o same_o individual_a essence_n as_o the_o mind_n its_o word_n and_o spirit_n be_v in_o man._n and_o here_o have_v there_o not_o be_v enough_o already_o say_v about_o it_o be_v a_o proper_a place_n to_o vindicate_v that_o late_a representation_n which_o have_v be_v make_v of_o the_o distinction_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n by_o the_o self-consciousness_n unity_n and_o mutual_a consciousness_n of_o the_o divine_a person_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o no_o body_n yet_o so_o hardy_a as_o to_o deny_v that_o self-consciousness_n be_v essential_a to_o the_o natural_a unity_n of_o a_o person_n and_o that_o three_o person_n can_v be_v natural_o and_o essential_o one_o without_o mutual_a consciousness_n but_o the_o great_a objection_n against_o this_o notion_n and_o which_o i_o be_o amaze_v to_o find_v some_o learned_a man_n insist_v on_o be_v the_o order_n of_o nature_n which_o require_v that_o a_o person_n shall_v be_v one_o by_o a_o unity_n of_o nature_n before_o it_o can_v be_v self-conscious_a and_o that_o three_o person_n must_v be_v one_o by_o the_o unity_n of_o nature_n before_o they_o can_v be_v mutual_o conscious_a for_o the_o unity_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o union_n of_o person_n in_o the_o same_o nature_n must_v be_v before_o all_o act_n of_o self-consciousness_n and_o mutual_a consciousness_n and_o that_o which_o in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n come_v after_o such_o a_o distinction_n and_o union_n can_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o but_o who_o ever_o think_v of_o cause_n of_o distinction_n and_o unity_n in_o a_o eternal_a nature_n which_o have_v no_o cause_n do_v the_o father_n philosophise_v thus_o concern_v priority_n and_o posteriority_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n when_o they_o place_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o energy_n and_o operation_n for_o do_v not_o the_o same_o objection_n lie_v against_o the_o unity_n of_o energy_n and_o operation_n that_o do_v â—gainst_a mutual_a consciousness_n which_o be_v essential_a to_o this_o unity_n of_o energy_n that_o the_o divine_a person_n must_v first_o be_v one_o before_o they_o
consubstantial_a son_n be_v a_o true_a and_o real_a son_n for_o which_o reason_n as_o he_o observe_v the_o arian_n will_v not_o allow_v the_o son_n to_o be_v consubstantial_a because_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v he_o to_o be_v a_o true_a genuine_a son_n 75._o and_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n the_o nicene_n father_n insert_v the_o homoousion_n in_o their_o creed_n but_o yet_o if_o we_o will_v right_o conceive_v of_o god_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n of_o the_o unity_n and_o distinction_n of_o the_o ever_o bless_a trinity_n we_o must_v not_o form_v our_o notion_n by_o the_o idea_n of_o substance_n and_o consubstantiality_n which_o we_o have_v no_o distinct_a conception_n of_o but_o we_o must_v learn_v their_o unity_n distinction_n and_o consubstantiality_n from_o those_o character_n the_o scripture_n give_v of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n this_o rule_n st._n ambrose_n express_o give_v we_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o son_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o the_o other_o divine_a person_n if_o we_o will_v avoid_v error_n say_v that_o father_n 40._o let_v we_o attend_v to_o those_o character_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o to_o help_v we_o to_o understand_v what_o and_o who_o the_o son_n be_v he_o be_v call_v the_o word_n the_o son_n the_o power_n of_o god_n the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n all_o this_o we_o can_v understand_v and_o not_o only_a st._n ambrose_n but_o all_o the_o other_o catholic_n father_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v prove_v the_o consubstantiality_n coeternity_n coequality_n unity_n and_o distinction_n of_o father_n and_o son_n from_o these_o name_n and_o character_n which_o they_o understand_v in_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n for_o a_o live_n subsist_v son_n and_o word_n and_o power_n and_o wisdom_n and_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o conceive_v all_o this_o if_o we_o contemplate_v it_o in_o these_o character_n nay_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v otherwise_o of_o it_o as_o impossible_a as_o it_o be_v to_o form_v any_o notion_n at_o all_o of_o those_o philosophical_a term_n whereby_o this_o mystery_n be_v common_o represent_v when_o we_o abstract_a they_o from_o those_o sensible_a character_n and_o idea_n which_o the_o scripture_n have_v give_v we_o and_o begin_v our_o inquiry_n with_o they_o it_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o represent_v this_o matter_n plain_o that_o every_o man_n may_v see_v what_o it_o be_v that_o obscure_v and_o perplex_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o confound_v man_n notion_n about_o it_o to_o the_o great_a scandal_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o great_a difficulty_n concern_v the_o unity_n and_o distinction_n of_o the_o ever_o bless_a trinity_n that_o they_o be_v real_o and_o distinct_o three_o and_o essential_o one_o and_o this_o be_v represent_v by_o one_o nature_n essence_n and_o substance_n and_o three_o hypostasis_n and_o yet_o hypostasis_fw-la signify_v substance_n and_o every_o divine_a hypostasis_fw-la be_v the_o whole_a divine_a essence_n and_o substance_n now_o if_o we_o immediate_o contemplate_v this_o mystery_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o substance_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o conceive_v one_o substance_n and_o three_o hypostasis_n that_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n three_o substance_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o the_o difficulty_n of_o conceive_v it_o though_o the_o form_n of_o expression_n be_v more_o catholic_n three_o each_o of_o which_o be_v the_o whole_a essence_n and_o substance_n and_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v each_o other_o we_o may_v turn_v over_o our_o mind_n as_o long_o as_o we_o please_v and_o change_v word_n and_o phrase_n but_o we_o can_v find_v no_o idea_n to_o answer_v these_o or_o any_o other_o word_n of_o this_o nature_n but_o now_o if_o instead_o of_o essence_n and_o hypostasis_fw-la we_o put_v mind_n and_o its_o word_n we_o can_v form_v a_o very_a intelligible_a notion_n of_o this_o unity_n and_o distinction_n and_o prove_v that_o unity_n of_o substance_n and_o distinction_n of_o hypostasis_n which_o we_o can_v immediate_o and_o direct_o form_v any_o notion_n of_o for_o eternal_a original_a mind_n and_o its_o live_v subsist_v word_n be_v certain_o two_o and_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v each_o other_o the_o mind_n can_v be_v its_o own_o live_a word_n nor_o the_o word_n the_o mind_n who_o word_n it_o be_v and_o yet_o we_o must_v all_o grant_v that_o eternal_a mind_n be_v the_o most_o real_a be_v essence_n substance_n and_o that_o a_o live_n subsist_v word_n be_v life_n be_v substance_n and_o the_o very_a same_o life_n and_o substance_n that_o the_o mind_n be_v and_o all_o that_o the_o mind_n be_v for_o a_o perfect_a live_a word_n can_v have_v no_o other_o life_n and_o substance_n but_o that_o of_o the_o mind_n and_o must_v be_v all_o the_o same_o that_o the_o mind_n be_v the_o eternal_a generation_n of_o the_o son_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o father_n life_n of_o life_n substance_n of_o substance_n whole_a of_o whole_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v conceive_v as_o immediate_o apply_v to_o the_o notion_n of_o substance_n but_o the_o generation_n of_o the_o word_n whole_a of_o whole_a be_v very_o conceivable_a for_o the_o mind_n must_v beget_v its_o own_o word_n as_o we_o feel_v in_o ourselves_o and_o a_o mind_n which_o be_v perfect_a life_n and_o substance_n if_o it_o beget_v its_o word_n must_v beget_v a_o live_n subsist_v substantial_a word_n 45._o the_o perfect_a image_n of_o its_o own_o life_n and_o substance_n and_o as_o impossible_a as_o it_o be_v to_o conceive_v much_o more_o to_o express_v in_o word_n this_o mystery_n of_o the_o eternal_a generation_n yet_o the_o necessary_a relation_n between_o a_o mind_n and_o its_o word_n prove_v that_o thus_o it_o be_v we_o feel_v it_o in_o ourselves_o though_o we_o be_v as_o perfect_o ignorant_a how_o our_o mind_n beget_v its_o die_a vanish_v word_n as_o how_o the_o eternal_a mind_n beget_v a_o eternal_a living_n subsist_v word_n and_o the_o generation_n of_o the_o word_n include_v in_o it_o all_o the_o property_n of_o the_o divine_a generation_n that_o it_o be_v eternal_a for_o a_o eternal_a mind_n can_v never_o be_v without_o its_o word_n that_o it_o be_v without_o any_o corporeal_a passion_n or_o esslux_n or_o division_n beget_v in_o the_o mind_n and_o inseparable_a from_o it_o now_o if_o we_o conceive_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o the_o eternal_a procession_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n can_v any_o man_n deny_v this_o to_o be_v a_o intelligible_a notion_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n though_o we_o can_v form_v no_o distinct_a idea_n of_o one_o essence_n and_o substance_n and_o three_o hypostasis_n for_o if_o we_o can_v conceive_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n eternal_a original_a mind_n its_o eternal_a word_n and_o eternal_a spirit_n to_o be_v essential_o one_o and_o three_o the_o catholic_n faith_n be_v secure_v though_o we_o do_v not_o so_o well_o understand_v the_o distinction_n between_o those_o abstract_n metaphysical_a term_n of_o nature_n essence_n substance_n hypostasis_fw-la especial_o when_o apply_v to_o the_o unity_n and_o distinction_n of_o the_o eternal_a godhead_n which_o be_v above_o all_o term_n of_o art_n the_o catholic_n faith_n be_v that_o the_o father_n be_v god_n the_o son_n god_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n god_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o three_o god_n but_o one_o god_n and_o this_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o divine_a relation_n give_v we_o a_o very_a intelligible_a notion_n of_o for_o we_o can_v conceive_v otherwise_o of_o the_o eternal_a mind_n its_o eternal_a word_n and_o eternal_a spirit_n but_o that_o each_o of_o they_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n and_o yet_o a_o mind_n its_o word_n and_o spirit_n can_v be_v but_o one_o and_o therefore_o but_o one_o god_n but_o one_o substance_n and_o three_o hypostasis_n be_v but_o a_o secondary_a notion_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n to_o secure_v the_o catholic_n faith_n against_o the_o sabellian_n and_o arian_n heresy_n against_o the_o sabellian_o the_o catholic_n father_n assert_v three_o hypostasis_n against_o the_o arian_n one_a substance_n and_o the_o essential_a relation_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n necessary_o prove_v both_o the_o one_o substance_n and_o three_o hypostasis_n but_o though_o one_o substance_n and_o three_o hypostasis_n be_v the_o catholic_n language_n yet_o those_o man_n begin_v at_o the_o wrong_a end_n who_o think_v to_o form_v a_o intelligible_a notion_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n from_o these_o abstract_n metaphysical_a term_n this_o be_v not_o the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n nor_o have_v we_o any_o idea_n to_o answer_v these_o term_n of_o one_o substance_n in_o three_o distinct_a hypostasis_n when_o we_o consider_v they_o by_o themselves_o without_o relation_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o which_o alone_o these_o
23._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 165._o l._n 17._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 188._o l._n 16._o marg_n r._n ex_fw-la iâ—demutabilis_fw-la p._n 208._o l._n 24._o identity_n p._n 216._o l._n 5._o â—_o man_n r._n man._n p._n 225._o l._n 34._o marg_n r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 230._o l._n 2._o r._n identity_n p._n 236._o l._n 14._o marg_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 245._o l._n 10._o r._n a_o angel_n p._n 304._o l._n 2._o marg_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 322._o l._n 12._o de_fw-fr trin._n l._n 2._o marg_n l._n 15._o de_fw-fr trin._n l._n 7._o &_o l._n 32_o videri_fw-la p._n 347._o l._n 14._o r._n his_o p._n 349._o l._n 12_o 13._o r._n wherever_o p_o 350_o marg_n l._n 8._o r_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o curious_a reader_n may_v observe_v â—ome_o other_o mistake_v which_o i_o hope_v will_v not_o disturb_v the_o sense_n the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o socinian_n controversy_n chap._n i._n sect_n i._o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o socinian_n controversy_n the_o unreasonableness_n of_o it_o and_o how_o to_o reduce_v the_o dispute_n to_o the_o original_a question_n the_o faith_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n be_v so_o fundamental_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o if_o christianity_n be_v worth_a contend_v for_o that_o be_v for_o if_o god_n have_v not_o a_o eternal_a son_n and_o a_o eternal_a spirit_n the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o our_o redemption_n by_o christ_n and_o of_o our_o sanctification_n by_o the_o spirit_n which_o in_o its_o consequence_n be_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o gospel_n and_o distinguish_v it_o from_o all_o other_o religion_n be_v utter_o lose_v those_o various_a heresy_n relate_v to_o the_o divinity_n person_n and_o office_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o begin_v to_o appear_v even_o in_o the_o apostolic_a age_n and_o have_v ever_o since_o under_o several_a form_n and_o disguise_n disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n be_v proof_n enough_o how_o much_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o mankind_n think_v himself_o concern_v by_o all_o possible_a mean_n to_o corrupt_v this_o faith_n and_o that_o great_a unwearied_a unconquerable_a zeal_n wherewith_o the_o catholic_n father_n have_v always_o defend_v this_o faith_n show_v of_o what_o importance_n they_o think_v it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n and_o aught_o to_o give_v no_o scandal_n to_o christian_n that_o these_o dispute_n be_v again_o revive_v among_o we_o with_o as_o much_o fury_n and_o insolence_n as_o ever_o for_o there_o never_o be_v a_o more_o unhappy_a season_n for_o the_o enemy_n to_o sow_v his_o tare_n but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o to_o be_v lament_v be_v that_o the_o lukewarmness_n of_o some_o and_o the_o intemperate_a zeal_n of_o other_o have_v give_v great_a scandal_n to_o the_o world_n and_o more_o shake_v the_o faith_n of_o christian_n than_o all_o the_o opposition_n of_o our_o adversary_n can_v have_v do_v i_o need_v say_v no_o more_o the_o case_n be_v too_o well_o know_v and_o the_o evil_a effect_n too_o visible_a among_o we_o i_o will_v make_v no_o new_a quarrel_n if_o i_o can_v help_v it_o but_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o prevent_v the_o mischief_n of_o what_o have_v already_o happen_v as_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a to_o secure_v the_o faith_n of_o christian_n and_o to_o wrest_v those_o weapon_n out_o of_o our_o enemy_n hand_n which_o some_o profess_a friend_n have_v unwary_o furnish_v they_o with_o to_o do_v this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o restore_v this_o controversy_n to_o its_o original_a state_n and_o take_v off_o those_o vizard_n which_o make_v it_o appear_v very_o frightful_a to_o ordinary_a christian_n this_o dispute_n about_o the_o holy_a and_o ever_o bless_a trinity_n have_v of_o late_o be_v dress_v up_o anew_o with_o some_o old_a school-term_n which_o how_o proper_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v to_o give_v learned_a man_n a_o more_o distinct_a idea_n and_o conception_n of_o that_o adorable_a mystery_n only_o amuse_v common_a christian_n and_o confound_v they_o instead_o of_o teach_v they_o better_o this_o as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o occasion_v by_o heretic_n who_o deny_v or_o corrupt_v the_o christian_a faith_n which_o force_v the_o catholic_n father_n to_o use_v some_o unscriptural_a termâ—_n which_o by_o degree_n improve_v into_o great_a subtlety_n and_o disturb_v the_o church_n with_o very_o nice_a and_o wrangle_a dispute_n so_o our_o modern_a socinian_n at_o this_o day_n place_n the_o main_a strength_n of_o their_o cause_n in_o these_o dispute_n and_o think_v it_o a_o sufficient_a confutation_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o ever_o bless_a trinity_n that_o the_o trinitarian_n themselves_o can_v agree_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o person_n hypostasis_fw-la substance_n nature_n essence_n nor_o in_o what_o sense_n god_n be_v one_o and_o three_o but_o advance_v very_o different_a and_o as_o they_o think_v contrary_a hypothesis_n to_o reconcile_v the_o unity_n of_o god_n 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and_o his_o apostle_n what_o mysterious_a and_o hide_a sense_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n such_o as_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a we_o shall_v never_o have_v find_v in_o they_o have_v not_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n explain_v their_o meaning_n and_o the_o near_a any_o writer_n be_v to_o the_o apostolic_a age_n the_o more_o they_o be_v addict_v to_o these_o mystical_a interpretation_n which_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o learn_v it_o from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o but_o this_o be_v not_o what_o i_o now_o intend_v my_o present_a argument_n reach_v no_o far_a than_o this_o that_o if_o we_o can_v learn_v what_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n concern_v the_o holy_a trinity_n and_o the_o divinity_n and_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n have_v always_o be_v then_o 1._o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o they_o
have_v already_o demonstrate_v this_o that_o one_o god_n signify_v one_o single_a person_n he_o only_o prove_v that_o the_o title_n and_o character_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n belong_v to_o god_n and_o therefore_o that_o these_o term_n must_v all_o be_v so_o understand_v as_o to_o include_v the_o same_o god_n the_o one_o single_a divine_a person_n in_o their_o signification_n 30._o the_o first_o i_o think_v he_o prove_v well_o enough_o that_o these_o title_n and_o character_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n belong_v to_o god_n and_o this_o vindicate_v he_o from_o be_v a_o socinian_n but_o when_o he_o apply_v all_o these_o title_n and_o character_n to_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n that_o be_v in_o his_o sense_n to_o one_o and_o the_o same_o single_a person_n this_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v a_o sabellian_n for_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o noetus_n and_o sabellius_n that_o these_o different_a title_n and_o character_n do_v belong_v but_o to_o one_o single_a 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yet_o if_o i_o judge_v my_o judgement_n be_v true_a for_o i_o be_o not_o alone_a but_o i_o and_o my_o father_n which_o send_v i_o it_o be_v also_o write_v in_o your_o law_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o two_o man_n be_v true_a i_o be_o one_o that_o bear_v witness_n of_o myself_o and_o my_o father_n that_o send_v i_o bear_v witness_n of_o i_o this_o be_v as_o express_v as_o word_n can_v make_v it_o if_o father_n and_o son_n be_v but_o oâ—e_o single_a person_n christ_n can_v not_o have_v say_v i_o be_o not_o alone_a but_o i_o and_o my_o father_n which_o send_v i_o for_o one_o single_a person_n be_v in_o this_o sense_n alone_o how_o many_o name_n soever_o he_o have_v and_o if_o he_o and_o his_o father_n be_v not_o two_o distinct_a person_n they_o be_v not_o two_o legal_a witness_n as_o two_o distinct_a man_n be_v these_o and_o such_o like_a argument_n we_o may_v find_v in_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n who_o have_v engage_v in_o this_o controversy_n and_o from_o hence_o we_o learn_v not_o only_o what_o they_o think_v of_o the_o distinction_n of_o person_n between_o father_n and_o son_n but_o what_o kind_n of_o person_n they_o believe_v the_o son_n to_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o have_v a_o personal_a knowledge_n and_o will_v and_o power_n who_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v send_v of_o receive_v and_o execute_v command_n and_o have_v all_o this_o as_o distinct_o in_o himself_o as_o he_o be_v a_o distinct_a person_n the_o father_n know_v the_o son_n and_o the_o son_n know_v the_o father_n but_o each_o of_o they_o know_v by_o their_o own_o personal_a knowledge_n the_o father_n will_v and_o the_o son_n will_v and_o will_v all_o the_o same_o with_o the_o father_n but_o each_o of_o they_o will_n by_o his_o own_o personal_a will_n the_o father_n work_v and_o the_o son_n work_v and_o they_o inseparable_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n but_o each_o of_o they_o work_v by_o their_o own_o personal_a power_n knowledge_n and_o will_v and_o power_n of_o act_v be_v essential_a to_o 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visibilis_fw-la the_o invisible_a and_o visible_a god_n whereby_o they_o prove_v the_o real_a distinction_n between_o god_n the_o father_n and_o god_n the_o son_n be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o their_o opinion_n in_o this_o matter_n for_o i_o urge_v it_o no_o far_o it_o be_v the_o receive_a opinion_n as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v of_o all_o the_o ancient_a father_n till_o st._n austin_n that_o god_n the_o father_n never_o appear_v in_o any_o visible_a representation_n of_o himself_o for_o he_o tell_v moses_n no_o man_n can_v see_v my_o face_n and_o live_v and_o st._n john_n assure_v we_o no_o man_n have_v see_v god_n at_o any_o time_n but_o the_o only-begotten_a son_n 16._o who_o be_v in_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o father_n he_o have_v declare_v he_o and_o yet_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o frequent_o read_v of_o god_n appear_v to_o man_n which_o they_o therefore_o expound_v of_o god_n the_o son_n and_o that_o his_o appearance_n in_o a_o visible_a form_n be_v a_o praeludium_n to_o his_o incarnation_n this_o we_o may_v see_v large_o prove_v by_o tertullian_n and_o st._n hilary_n and_o observe_v by_o st._n athanasius_n and_o the_o plain_a consequence_n they_o draw_v from_o it_o be_v that_o this_o invisible_a and_o visible_a god_n can_v be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o person_n and_o the_o consequence_n be_v so_o self-evident_a that_o it_o need_v no_o proof_n but_o it_o evident_o prove_v what_o a_o real_a substantial_a as_o well_o as_o distinct_a person_n they_o think_v the_o son_n who_o can_v visible_o appear_v while_o the_o father_n remain_v invisible_a for_o as_o a_o visible_a and_o invisible_a god_n can_v be_v the_o same_o person_n so_o a_o visible_a god_n must_v be_v a_o real_a substantial_a person_n and_o though_o st._n austin_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o those_o three_o man_n which_o appear_v to_o abraham_n be_v the_o three_o person_n of_o the_o sacred_a trinity_n and_o thereby_o reject_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o invisible_a and_o visible_a god_n by_o attribute_v a_o visible_a appearance_n to_o god_n the_o father_n which_o none_o of_o the_o ancient_n have_v do_v before_o he_o yet_o by_o these_o three_o distinct_a appearance_n he_o confirm_v the_o real_a distinction_n of_o the_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v as_o distinct_a person_n as_o they_o appear_v to_o be_v and_o therefore_o as_o distinct_a as_o three_o human_a person_n for_o they_o appear_v as_o three_o distinct_a man_n and_o therefore_o he_o observe_v that_o whereas_o two_o of_o these_o three_o go_v to_o lot_n in_o sodom_n lot_n speak_v to_o they_o as_o to_o one_o 19_o gen._n 18._o and_o let_v say_v unto_o they_o haeres_fw-la oh_o not_o so_o my_o lord_n and_o justify_v lot_n in_o this_o that_o though_o they_o be_v two_o yet_o they_o be_v equal_a and_o he_o will_v not_o divide_v the_o father_n and_o son_n and_o urge_v this_o against_o the_o sabellian_o who_o make_v father_n and_o son_n one_o person_n i_o do_v not_o justify_v st._n austin_n in_o this_o because_o i_o doubt_v whether_o the_o argument_n be_v good_a but_o by_o this_o we_o may_v understand_v st._n augustine_n judgement_n of_o the_o real_a distinction_n of_o person_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n the_o voice_n from_o heaven_n at_o our_o saviour_n baptism_n this_o be_v my_o belove_a son_n in_o who_o i_o be_o well_o please_v and_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n like_o a_o dove_n and_o light_v upon_o he_o be_v urge_v by_o the_o ancient_a father_n to_o prove_v a_o real_a trinity_n of_o divine_a person_n 57_o the_o voice_n from_o the_o father_n in_o heaven_n the_o son_n on_o earth_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n descend_v like_o a_o dove_n which_o be_v three_o distinct_a manifestation_n 6._o and_o all_o at_o a_o time_n must_v represent_v the_o father_n who_o speak_v from_o heaven_n the_o son_n who_o be_v on_o earth_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o descend_v like_o a_o dove_n to_o be_v three_o distinct_a person_n not_o one_o single_a person_n which_o can_v speak_v of_o himself_o in_o the_o three_o person_n nor_o descend_v on_o himself_o in_o a_o distinct_a visible_a appearance_n the_o sabellian_o be_v unable_a to_o maintain_v this_o point_n which_o be_v so_o manifest_o absurd_a and_o so_o irreconcilable_a with_o all_o the_o form_n of_o speech_n use_v in_o scripture_n concern_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n find_v it_o necessary_a to_o allow_v some_o distinction_n between_o they_o but_o yet_o be_v so_o afraid_a of_o tritheism_n that_o they_o keep_v religious_o to_o their_o main_a point_n that_o one_o god_n be_v but_o one_o person_n and_o therefore_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o other_o distinction_n but_o what_o be_v reconcilable_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o a_o person_n 2._o hence_o second_o some_o of_o they_o teach_v that_o the_o son_n be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o father_n not_o as_o one_o person_n be_v distinguish_v from_o another_o but_o as_o a_o man_n word_n or_o wisdom_n which_o be_v in_o his_o heart_n and_o soul_n may_v be_v distinguish_v from_o himself_o that_o be_v that_o the_o son_n be_v not_o a_o live_a substantial_a subsist_v word_n no_o more_o than_o the_o word_n of_o a_o man_n which_o be_v only_o the_o motion_n of_o a_o live_a subsist_v heart_n but_o do_v not_o live_v and_o subsist_v itself_o but_o be_v speak_v it_o vanish_v and_o be_v often_o repeat_v never_o continue_v sabellij_fw-la and_o therefore_o be_v not_o another_o man_n nor_o man_n of_o man_n nor_o with_o man_n as_o the_o divine_a word_n be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n god_n of_o god_n and_o god_n with_o god_n and_o therefore_o they_o make_v god_n and_o his_o word_n but_o one_o person_n as_o man_n and_o his_o word_n be_v one_o man._n in_o answer_n to_o this_o st._n athanasius_n urge_v all_o those_o text_n which_o prove_v christ_n and_o god_n the_o father_n to_o be_v two_o
kind_n but_o as_o actual_o subsist_v in_o particular_n which_o be_v distinguish_v from_o each_o other_o by_o their_o distinct_a subsistence_n or_o by_o such_o other_o property_n and_o characteristical_a mark_n as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o each_o of_o they_o and_o not_o common_a to_o the_o whole_a kind_n as_o the_o person_n of_o peter_n and_o james_n and_o john_n though_o they_o have_v the_o same_o common_a nature_n be_v yet_o distinguish_v from_o each_o other_o now_o if_o the_o one_o divine_a nature_n be_v in_o this_o sense_n a_o common_a nature_n that_o it_o be_v real_o and_o actual_o communicate_v by_o the_o father_n to_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n and_o do_v distinct_o subsist_v whole_a and_o entire_a and_o perfect_a in_o all_o three_o divine_a person_n it_o can_v be_v one_o singular_a solitary_a nature_n which_o can_v subsist_v distinct_o in_o three_o for_o in_o perfect_a singularity_n there_o can_v be_v no_o distinction_n nor_o can_v one_o singular_a nature_n be_v three_o subsistence_n when_o there_o be_v but_o one_o which_o subsist_v athanasius_n or_o whoever_o be_v the_o author_n of_o that_o treatise_n of_o the_o common_a essence_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n prove_v that_o all_o three_o person_n have_v the_o same_o common_a nature_n from_o the_o same_o name_n and_o attribute_n and_o work_n dominion_n and_o power_n ascribe_v distinct_o to_o they_o all_o and_o give_v this_o account_n why_o though_o the_o father_n be_v god_n and_o the_o son_n god_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n god_n yet_o we_o must_v not_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o god_n but_o one_o god_n in_o three_o person_n because_o a_o common_a nature_n have_v a_o common_a name_n as_o he_o show_v that_o all_o mankind_n in_o scripture_n be_v call_v one_o man_n 213._o upon_o account_n of_o their_o common_a nature_n and_o if_o this_o be_v allowable_a among_o man_n to_o unite_v all_o mankind_n in_o one_o name_n and_o to_o speak_v of_o they_o as_o one_o man_n notwithstanding_o all_o that_o diversity_n which_o be_v between_o they_o in_o external_a form_n strength_n will_n 214._o affection_n opinion_n etc._n etc._n how_o much_o more_o reasonable_a be_v it_o to_o call_v the_o three_o divine_a person_n one_o god_n who_o be_v distinguish_v and_o separate_v from_o the_o whole_a creation_n by_o one_o undivided_a dignity_n one_o kingdom_n one_o power_n one_o will_v and_o energy_n and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o suspect_v that_o by_o one_o common_a nature_n they_o mean_v one_o singular_a substance_n and_o nature_n 719._o common_a to_o father_n and_o son_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o form_v any_o notion_n of_o st._n basil_n tell_v we_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o a_o common_a nature_n such_o a_o nature_n as_o have_v the_o same_o notion_n and_o definition_n that_o be_v which_o be_v common_a as_o a_o genus_fw-la or_o species_n be_v common_a as_o for_o example_n if_o the_o father_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o to_o his_o suppositum_fw-la or_o substance_n be_v light_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o essence_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o son_n to_o be_v light_n also_o and_o whatever_o other_o notion_n we_o form_n of_o the_o be_v and_o essence_n of_o the_o father_n the_o same_o we_o must_v apply_v to_o the_o son_n and_o herein_o he_o place_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n or_o the_o one_o divinity_n that_o though_o the_o divine_a person_n differ_v in_o number_n and_o in_o their_o peculiar_a character_n yet_o that_o divine_a nature_n which_o subsist_v distinct_o in_o each_o of_o they_o have_v but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o notion_n and_o definition_n and_o therefore_o be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o all_o if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o specific_a sameness_n and_o unity_n all_o our_o logick_n deceive_v we_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o unity_n of_o a_o individuum_fw-la or_o singular_a nature_n be_v never_o think_v to_o consist_v in_o a_o common_a notion_n or_o definition_n of_o its_o nature_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o account_n which_o the_o father_n unanimous_o give_v of_o the_o one_o common_a divinity_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n no_o man_n who_o understand_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o controversy_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o that_o famous_a dispute_n de_fw-fr ingenito_n &_o genito_n concern_v the_o unbegotten_a and_o the_o beget_v nature_n by_o this_o sophism_n the_o arian_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o son_n can_v not_o be_v homoousios_fw-la consubstantial_a or_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o father_n because_o a_o unbegotten_a nature_n can_v be_v the_o same_o with_o a_o beget_v nature_n now_o have_v the_o catholic_n father_n believe_v the_o singularity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n of_o it_o this_o objection_n have_v be_v unanswerable_a for_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o the_o same_o singular_a nature_n shall_v be_v both_o beget_v and_o unbegotten_a as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v that_o the_o same_o single_a person_n shall_v be_v both_o beget_v and_o unbegotten_a i_o desire_v to_o know_v how_o any_o sabellianist_n who_o acknowledge_v but_o one_o singular_a solitary_a substance_n of_o the_o deity_n will_v answer_v this_o objection_n i_o know_v no_o possible_a way_n they_o have_v but_o to_o deny_v that_o the_o divine_a nature_n of_o the_o son_n be_v beget_v that_o though_o the_o son_n be_v beget_v his_o divine_a nature_n be_v not_o beget_v but_o only_o his_o personality_n or_o mode_n of_o subsistence_n without_o a_o beget_v subsist_v nature_n and_o this_o indeed_o will_v effectual_o answer_v the_o objection_n for_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o beget_v and_o unbegotten_a nature_n the_o foundation_n of_o the_o objection_n be_v lose_v and_o this_o be_v so_o obvious_a a_o answer_n upon_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o singularity_n that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v any_o think_a man_n that_o the_o catholic_a father_n do_v not_o believe_v this_o singularity_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n since_o none_o of_o they_o ever_o give_v this_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n but_o we_o need_v not_o guess_v at_o their_o meaning_n for_o they_o themselves_o express_o reject_v this_o answer_n which_o be_v the_o only_a proper_a and_o pertinent_a answer_n upon_o this_o hypothesis_n and_o give_v such_o other_o answer_v as_o contradict_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o singularity_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n as_o strange_a as_o some_o think_v it_o the_o catholic_n father_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o christianity_n own_v the_o divine_a nature_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o son_n to_o be_v beget_v nothing_o be_v more_o familiar_a in_o all_o their_o write_n than_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d natura_fw-la genita_fw-la deus_fw-la genitus_fw-la unigenitus_fw-la deus_fw-la 1.717_o st._n gregory_n nyssen_n agree_v this_o matter_n with_o eunomius_n that_o the_o divine_a nature_n of_o the_o son_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o beget_v substance_n so_o do_v st._n basil_n so_o do_v the_o other_o father_n when_o eunomius_n object_v that_o god_n be_v unbegotten_a can_v admit_v of_o generation_n st._n basil_n allow_v this_o to_o be_v true_a in_o one_o sense_n viz._n that_o he_o who_o be_v unbegotten_a can_v in_o his_o own_o proper_a nature_n be_v beget_v because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o unbegotten_a nature_n shall_v itself_o be_v beget_v but_o the_o other_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n that_o he_o who_o be_v unbegotten_a himself_o can_v beget_v so_o as_o to_o communicate_v by_o a_o substantial_a generation_n his_o own_o nature_n to_o the_o son_n he_o reject_v as_o blasphemy_n both_o against_o father_n and_o son_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n what_o st._n basil_n judgement_n be_v about_o a_o unbegotten_a and_o beget_v nature_n eunomius_n urge_v that_o unbegotten_a and_o beget_v be_v both_o name_n of_o nature_n and_o therefore_o must_v signify_v two_o nature_n as_o different_a from_o each_o other_o as_o unbegotten_a and_o beget_v be_v now_o to_o prove_v that_o beget_v be_v not_o the_o name_n of_o nature_n and_o substance_n st._n basil_n use_v this_o argument_n that_o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o same_o if_o beget_v and_o substance_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n then_o as_o he_o who_o be_v beget_v be_v the_o beget_v of_o he_o who_o beget_v so_o we_o may_v in_o like_a manner_n say_v 78._o that_o he_o who_o be_v beget_v be_v the_o substance_n of_o he_o who_o beget_v and_o then_o the_o name_v beget_v will_v not_o signify_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o only_o beget_v son_n but_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o god_n of_o all_o that_o as_o the_o son_n be_v the_o beget_v of_o god_n so_o he_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o god_n and_o thus_o the_o beget_v be_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o unbegotten_a which_o he_o say_v be_v ridiculous_a and_o yet_o as_o ridiculous_a as_o st._n basil_n think_v this_o those_o must_v of_o necessity_n
and_o son_n to_o the_o eternal_a spirit_n and_o all_o three_o be_v infinite_a in_o wisdom_n power_n and_o goodness_n and_o all_o other_o divine_a perfection_n this_o be_v but_o one_o divinity_n one_o godhead_n for_o there_o be_v not_o a_o second_o and_o three_o divinity_n in_o the_o son_n and_o in_o the_o holy_a spirit_n but_o the_o one_o divinity_n of_o the_o father_n but_o yet_o we_o must_v confess_v that_o here_o be_v number_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v three_o and_o how_o can_v that_o divinity_n which_o be_v perfect_o and_o distinct_o in_o three_o be_v one_o individual_a nature_n one_o numerical_o one_o as_o human_a nature_n in_o every_o particular_a man_n be_v one_o now_o this_o must_v be_v resolve_v into_o the_o second_o notion_n of_o essential_a for_o essential_a production_n for_o all_o essential_a production_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o nature_n though_o they_o may_v be_v distinguish_v and_o number_v among_o themselves_o be_v but_o one_o individual_a nature_n it_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a to_o seek_v for_o a_o example_n of_o this_o in_o create_v nature_n and_o i_o believe_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o will_v be_v evident_a without_o it_o a_o eternal_a self-originated_n mind_n be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n the_o first_o supreme_a cause_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o have_v all_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divinity_n whole_o in_o itself_o be_v the_o one_o and_o only_a true_a god_n but_o if_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o a_o eternal_a mind_n to_o have_v a_o eternal_a living_n subsist_v word_n and_o spirit_n by_o a_o eternal_a generation_n and_o procession_n than_o this_o eternal_a word_n and_o spirit_n be_v essential_a to_o a_o eternal_a mind_n not_o as_o essential_a perfection_n or_o essential_a part_n but_o as_o essential_a production_n or_o procession_n in_o the_o unity_n and_o identity_n of_o nature_n thus_o the_o scripture_n represent_v this_o mystery_n that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n who_o have_v a_o eternal_a word_n and_o a_o eternal_a spirit_n and_o the_o catholic_n father_n as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v insist_v on_o this_o as_o a_o natural_a demonstration_n of_o a_o trinity_n that_o the_o eternal_a mind_n must_v have_v its_o eternal_a word_n and_o eternal_a spirit_n now_o if_o the_o eternal_a word_n and_o eternal_a spirit_n be_v essential_a to_o the_o eternal_a mind_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n the_o eternal_a mind_n its_o word_n and_o spirit_n be_v but_o one_o individual_a divinity_n every_o thing_n that_o be_v essential_a be_v include_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o individual_a nature_n for_o that_o be_v not_o a_o complete_a and_o perfect_a nature_n nor_o a_o adequate_a notion_n of_o nature_n that_o want_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v essential_a now_o though_o we_o may_v have_v a_o general_a notion_n and_o idea_n of_o a_o god_n that_o he_o be_v a_o absolute_o perfect_a be_v which_o include_v all_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o perfection_n without_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o son_n or_o holy_a ghost_n yet_o if_o we_o consider_v this_o absolute_o perfect_a be_v as_o eternal_a self-originated_n mind_n with_o its_o eternal_a word_n and_o spirit_n as_o essential_a production_n or_o procession_n we_o can_v consider_v they_o no_o otherwise_o but_o as_o one_o individual_a divinity_n this_o eternal_a word_n and_o spirit_n be_v essential_a procession_n of_o the_o eternal_a mind_n which_o can_v never_o be_v separate_v from_o it_o for_o such_o essential_a procession_n be_v not_o only_a coeval_fw-fr and_o consubstantial_a with_o the_o nature_n from_o whence_o they_o proceed_v as_o the_o sun_n its_o light_n and_o heat_n by_o which_o argument_n the_o catholic_n father_n prove_v the_o coeternity_n and_o consubstantiality_n of_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n with_o the_o eternal_a father_n but_o whatever_o distinction_n there_o be_v between_o they_o they_o be_v one_o individual_a nature_n if_o all_o that_o be_v one_o individual_a nature_n which_o be_v essential_a to_o such_o a_o be_v and_o such_o all_o essential_a procession_n be_v as_o well_o as_o essential_a perfection_n these_o be_v two_o very_a different_a question_n and_o of_o a_o very_a different_a consideration_n what_o god_n be_v and_o who_o this_o god_n be_v in_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o we_o form_v the_o idea_n and_o notion_n of_o all_o divine_a perfection_n or_o of_o a_o absolute_o perfect_a be_v which_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o divinity_n and_o whoever_o have_v all_o these_o divine_a perfection_n be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n and_o this_o be_v our_o natural_a notion_n of_o god_n as_o that_o signify_v the_o divinity_n which_o give_v no_o notice_n of_o any_o distinction_n in_o the_o divinity_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o diversity_n in_o absolute_a perfection_n and_o therefore_o no_o distinction_n or_o number_n according_a to_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o father_n but_o when_o we_o consider_v who_o god_n be_v or_o what_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o all_o these_o divine_a perfection_n we_o can_v form_v no_o other_o idea_n of_o it_o but_o a_o eternal_a infinite_a self_n originated_a mind_n this_o the_o wise_a philosopher_n as_o well_o as_o christian_n be_v agree_v in_o that_o god_n be_v a_o infinite_a mind_n and_o this_o right_o explain_v may_v teach_v we_o some_o distinction_n in_o the_o divinity_n for_o all_o man_n must_v grant_v what_o they_o feel_v in_o themselves_o that_o every_o mind_n have_v its_o word_n and_o spirit_n and_o can_v be_v conceive_v without_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o eternal_a mind_n must_v have_v its_o eternal_a word_n and_o spirit_n too_o and_o the_o reason_n why_o this_o do_v not_o lead_v all_o mankind_n into_o the_o natural_a belief_n of_o a_o trinity_n of_o person_n mind_n word_n and_o spirit_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n be_v plain_o this_o because_o they_o find_v that_o their_o own_o word_n and_o spirit_n be_v not_o permanent_a subsist_v person_n but_o be_v the_o perish_a creature_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o be_v no_o soon_o produce_v but_o die_v and_o vanish_v as_o our_o thought_n do_v and_o thus_o they_o conceive_v it_o be_v with_o the_o divine_a mind_n which_o be_v one_o kind_n of_o sabellianism_n as_o i_o observe_v above_o but_o yet_o the_o catholic_n father_n think_v this_o natural_a belief_n that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o divinity_n or_o divine_a mind_n be_v not_o without_o its_o word_n a_o very_a proper_a medium_fw-la to_o prove_v a_o real_a subsist_v word_n in_o the_o divinity_n for_o a_o infinite_a perfect_a mind_n which_o be_v all_o life_n be_v substance_n if_o it_o beget_v its_o own_o word_n as_o every_o mind_n do_v must_v beget_v a_o live_n substantial_a subsist_v word_n the_o perfect_a image_n and_o character_n of_o its_o own_o life_n and_o infinite_a be_v however_o thus_o much_o i_o think_v we_o must_v own_v that_o since_o every_o mind_n must_v have_v its_o word_n and_o spirit_n in_o the_o individual_a unity_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n assure_v we_o that_o god_n who_o be_v the_o most_o perfect_a mind_n have_v his_o word_n and_o spirit_n and_o that_o this_o divine_a word_n and_o spirit_n be_v a_o eternal_a living_n subsist_v word_n and_o spirit_n this_o be_v a_o very_a good_a foundation_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o real_a trinity_n both_o from_o reason_n and_o scripture_n the_o natural_a notion_n and_o idea_n of_o a_o mind_n teach_v we_o this_o distinction_n in_o the_o divinity_n and_o natural_a reason_n strong_o infer_v from_o the_o perfect_a production_n of_o a_o infinite_o perfect_a mind_n that_o the_o divine_a word_n and_o spirit_n must_v be_v a_o eternal_a living_n infinite_a word_n and_o spirit_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n confirm_v all_o this_o and_o therefore_o scripture_n and_o reason_n be_v so_o far_o from_o contradict_v each_o other_o in_o this_o article_n that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o trinity_n though_o it_o be_v ultimate_o resolve_v into_o the_o authority_n of_o revelation_n yet_o have_v reason_n on_o its_o side_n as_o far_o as_o it_o can_v judge_v of_o such_o matter_n which_o prove_v a_o considerable_a authority_n when_o the_o obscure_a and_o imperfect_a conjecture_n of_o reason_n be_v explain_v and_o confirm_v by_o revelation_n for_o though_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o absolute_o perfect_a be_v which_o be_v the_o natural_a idea_n of_o the_o divinity_n teach_v no_o such_o distinction_n yet_o the_o idea_n of_o a_o infinite_o perfect_a and_o self-originated_n mind_n which_o be_v as_o natural_a a_o notion_n of_o god_n do_v 11._o thus_o damascen_n teach_v we_o to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o divinity_n and_o in_o what_o the_o divinity_n be_v or_o to_o speak_v more_o accurate_o what_o be_v the_o divinity_n and_o that_o which_o proceed_v eternal_o from_o this_o first_o cause_n that_o be_v the_o hypostasis_n of_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n the_o first_o teach_v we_o
dispute_n among_o themselves_o which_o their_o common_a adversary_n be_v so_o apt_a to_o improve_v into_o scepticism_n infidelity_n or_o heresy_n and_o therefore_o for_o a_o conclusion_n i_o shall_v only_o take_v a_o brief_a review_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o father_n concern_v this_o article_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n and_o apply_v it_o in_o a_o few_o word_n to_o our_o socinian_n adversary_n the_o faith_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n but_o this_o one_o god_n be_v a_o father_n who_o have_v a_o eternal_a son_n and_o a_o eternal_a spirit_n in_o the_o essential_a unity_n of_o the_o same_o undivided_a and_o undiversify_v godhead_n and_o this_o be_v the_o faith_n which_o all_o the_o catholic_n father_n have_v own_v and_o teach_v in_o their_o several_a age_n the_o whole_a christian_a church_n baptise_n as_o our_o saviour_n command_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n to_o believe_v in_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n a_o plain_a simple_a faith_n can_v man_n have_v be_v content_v to_o believe_v god_n concern_v himself_o let_v our_o socinian_n adversary_n tell_v we_o what_o there_o be_v absurd_a impossible_a or_o contradictious_a in_o this_o faith_n will_v they_o venture_v to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v absurd_a or_o contradictious_a that_o god_n shall_v have_v a_o son_n no_o in_o some_o sense_n they_o will_v allow_v this_o true_a they_o themselves_o believe_v in_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n they_o acknowledge_v jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o he_o be_v frequent_o call_v in_o scripture_n and_o that_o in_o a_o high_a sense_n than_o any_o other_o man_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o that_o he_o be_v but_o a_o man_n after_o all_o though_o advance_v by_o god_n to_o divine_a honour_n above_o all_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o make_v the_o judge_n both_o of_o the_o quick_a and_o of_o the_o dead_a and_o this_o they_o affirm_v to_o be_v all_o that_o the_o scripture_n mean_v in_o call_v christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o present_a dispute_n they_o know_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n believe_v otherwise_o that_o christ_n be_v the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n beget_v of_o his_o father_n before_o all_o world_n god_n of_o god_n very_a god_n of_o very_a god_n and_o they_o know_v also_o that_o thus_o the_o catholic_n father_n expound_v those_o text_n which_o concern_v the_o sonship_n and_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o they_o can_v but_o confess_v that_o they_o be_v very_o capable_a of_o such_o a_o exposition_n nay_o that_o it_o be_v very_o difficult_a to_o put_v any_o other_o sense_n upon_o many_o text_n and_o the_o only_a reason_n why_o they_o reject_v these_o catholic_n exposition_n be_v the_o pretend_a absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n here_o then_o we_o join_v issue_n with_o they_o and_o desire_v they_o to_o show_v we_o what_o be_v impossible_a or_o contradictious_a in_o this_o faith_n that_o there_o be_v something_o incomprehensible_a in_o this_o mystery_n that_o be_v something_o which_o we_o have_v no_o natural_a adequate_a idea_n of_o we_o ready_o acknowledge_v with_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n and_o some_o of_o our_o adversary_n grant_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v 16._o whereof_o we_o have_v no_o idea_n and_o than_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o unreasonable_a to_o add_v but_o we_o be_v no_o way_n concern_v nor_o can_v we_o reason_n or_o discourse_n about_o those_o thing_n whereof_o we_o have_v no_o idea_n for_o the_o direct_a contrary_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o more_o natural_a consequence_n that_o if_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o reveal_v such_o thing_n to_o we_o of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o idea_n we_o be_v concern_v and_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o for_o if_o they_o may_v be_v true_a they_o be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o faith_n though_o they_o want_v the_o evidence_n of_o natural_a idea_n but_o i_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o dispute_v this_o now_o but_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o worcester_n '_o s_o answer_n to_o mr._n lock_v '_o s_z second_o letter_n and_o to_o a_o late_a sermon_n and_o its_o vindication_n concern_v the_o danger_n of_o corrupt_v the_o faith_n by_o philosophy_n what_o i_o have_v now_o to_o say_v be_v of_o another_o nature_n viz._n that_o we_o have_v a_o idea_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n and_o such_o a_o idea_n as_o contain_v nothing_o absurd_a impossible_a or_o contradictious_a in_o it_o that_o very_a idea_n which_o i_o have_v so_o large_o explain_v one_o absolute_a divinity_n with_o two_o eternal_a essential_a procession_n in_o the_o unity_n and_o identity_n of_o nature_n the_o eternal_a father_n eternal_a self-originated_n mind_n with_o his_o eternal_a word_n his_o eternal_a son_n and_o the_o eternal_a spirit_n of_o father_n and_o son_n this_o be_v that_o idea_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o it_o and_o which_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v always_o teach_v every_o man_n may_v understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o jargon_n and_o nonsense_n and_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o vindicate_v it_o from_o tritheism_n and_o contradiction_n and_o have_v no_o more_o to_o say_v of_o that_o nature_n till_o i_o hear_v what_o they_o have_v to_o object_v against_o what_o be_v already_o say_v and_o when_o they_o come_v to_o consider_v this_o matter_n again_o as_o man_n that_o shall_v certain_o be_v call_v to_o a_o account_n for_o it_o in_o this_o world_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o next_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v see_v reason_n to_o grow_v out_o of_o conceit_n with_o their_o own_o philosophy_n about_o emanation_n and_o procession_n a_o priority_n of_o time_n and_o priority_n of_o nature_n self-existence_n and_o necessary_a existence_n and_o such_o like_a arian_n objection_n which_o be_v make_v and_o answer_v many_o age_n since_o and_o which_o they_o may_v find_v sufficient_o answer_v in_o this_o treatise_n this_o bring_v back_o the_o dispute_n to_o scripture_n where_o the_o last_o appeal_n must_v lie_v in_o all_o such_o matter_n without_o appeal_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n to_o natural_a idea_n and_o philosophy_n and_o if_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o catholic_n father_n be_v of_o any_o authority_n with_o these_o man_n i_o have_v already_o show_v how_o they_o expound_v scripture_n which_o will_v always_o be_v a_o venerable_a authority_n to_o modest_a man_n and_o sober_a christian_n how_o much_o soever_o it_o be_v despise_v by_o heretic_n but_o it_o be_v time_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o treatise_n we_o may_v consider_v their_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n some_o other_o time_n the_o end_n dr_n sherlocâ—_n dean_n of_o st._n paul_n vindication_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n three_o edition_n quarto_o apology_n for_o write_v against_o socinian_o quarto_fw-la the_o danger_n of_o corrupt_v the_o faith_n by_o philosophy_n a_o sermon_n quarto_fw-la a_o vindication_n of_o the_o sermon_n in_o answer_n to_o some_o socinian_n remark_n a_o answer_n to_o the_o animad_fw-la version_n on_o the_o dean_n of_o st._n paul_n vindication_n of_o the_o trinity_n by_o i._n b._n a._n m._n quarto_fw-la a_o defence_n of_o the_o dean_n of_o st._n paul_n apology_n for_o write_v against_o socinian_o quarto_fw-la a_o defence_n of_o dr._n sherlock_n notion_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n quarto_fw-la the_o distinction_n between_o real_a and_o nominal_a trinitarian_n examine_v in_o answer_n to_o a_o socinian_n pamphlet_n quarto_fw-la all_o print_v for_o william_n rogers_n quâ_fw-la nec_fw-la dicuntur_fw-la ut_fw-la cogitantur_fw-la nec_fw-la cogitantur_fw-la ut_fw-la sunt_fw-la aug._n de_fw-fr trinit_fw-la l._n 5._o c._n 3._o cum_fw-la ergo_fw-la quaeritur_fw-la quid_fw-la tria_fw-la vel_fw-la quid_fw-la tres_fw-la conferimus_fw-la nos_fw-la ad_fw-la inventendum_fw-la aliquod_fw-la speciale_a well_fw-mi generale_fw-mi nomen_fw-la quo_fw-la complectamur_fw-la haec_fw-la tria_fw-la neque_fw-la occurrit_fw-la animo_fw-la quia_fw-la excedit_fw-la supereminentia_fw-la divinitatis_fw-la usitati_fw-la eloquii_fw-la facultatem_fw-la aug._n de_fw-fr trin._n l._n 7._o c._n 3._o ad_fw-la se_fw-la quip_n pater_n dicitur_fw-la persona_fw-la non_fw-la ad_fw-la filium_fw-la aut_fw-la spiritum_fw-la sanctum_fw-la aug._n de_fw-fr trin._n l._n 7._o c._n 6._o cur_n ergo_fw-la non_fw-la haec_fw-la tria_fw-la simul_fw-la unam_fw-la personam_fw-la dicimus_fw-la sicut_fw-la unam_fw-la essentiam_fw-la &_o deum_fw-la sed_fw-la tres_fw-la dicimus_fw-la personas_fw-la cum_fw-la tres_fw-la deos_fw-la aut_fw-la tres_fw-la essentias_fw-la non_fw-la dicamus_fw-la nisi_fw-la quia_fw-la volumus_fw-la vel_fw-la unum_fw-la aliquod_fw-la vocabulum_fw-la servire_fw-la huic_fw-la significationi_fw-la quâ_fw-la intelligitur_fw-la trinitas_fw-la ne_fw-la emnino_fw-la taceremus_fw-la interrogati_fw-la quid_fw-la tres_fw-la cum_fw-la tres_fw-la esse_fw-la fateremur_fw-la ibid._n
must_v not_o think_v that_o god_n beget_v a_o son_n as_o man_n do_v by_o corporeal_a passion_n or_o division_n of_o his_o substance_n or_o that_o he_o beget_v a_o son_n without_o himself_o or_o separate_v from_o himself_o or_o that_o because_o a_o creature-father_n be_v always_o old_a than_o his_o son_n therefore_o god_n can_v beget_v a_o son_n coeternal_a with_o himself_o for_o all_o these_o circumstance_n do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o essential_a notion_n of_o a_o father_n but_o of_o a_o creature-father_n but_o than_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o notion_n both_o of_o father_n and_o son_n that_o the_o father_n communicate_v his_o own_o nature_n to_o the_o son_n and_o that_o the_o son_n receive_v his_o nature_n and_o be_v from_o his_o father_n that_o father_n and_o son_n do_v true_o and_o real_o subsist_v by_o themselves_o though_o they_o may_v be_v and_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o god_n the_o father_n and_o his_o son_n be_v inseparable_o unite_v to_o each_o other_o that_o the_o son_n with_o respect_n to_o his_o nature_n be_v perfect_o the_o same_o that_o his_o father_n be_v the_o son_n of_o a_o man_n as_o true_a and_o perfect_a man_n as_o his_o father_n be_v and_o therefore_o the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n by_o these_o argument_n the_o catholic_n father_n confute_v both_o the_o sabellian_o who_o make_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n but_o three_o name_n and_o the_o arian_n who_o deny_v the_o consubstantiality_n of_o the_o son_n or_o that_o he_o have_v the_o same_o nature_n with_o his_o father_n for_o both_o these_o heresy_n destroy_v the_o essential_a notion_n and_o idea_n of_o father_n and_o son_n which_o include_v in_o it_o both_o a_o real_a distinction_n and_o sameness_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o be_v as_o real_o two_o but_o infinite_o more_o one_o and_o the_o same_o than_o any_o other_o father_n and_o son_n in_o nature_n be_v now_o i_o can_v see_v but_o that_o as_o these_o name_n and_o character_n be_v better_o understand_v and_o liable_a to_o less_o dispute_n so_o they_o convey_v to_o our_o mind_n a_o more_o distinct_a conception_n of_o god_n the_o father_n and_o his_o eternal_a son_n than_o any_o other_o artificial_a term_n be_v there_o no_o controversy_n about_o nature_n essence_n person_n substance_n hypostasis_fw-la yet_o they_o immediate_o convey_v no_o idea_n of_o god_n the_o father_n and_o his_o eternal_a son_n to_o my_o mind_n much_o less_o give_v i_o a_o more_o distinct_a conception_n than_o these_o term_n father_n and_o son_n do_v for_o they_o neither_o acquaint_v i_o what_o god_n be_v nor_o what_o father_n and_o son_n be_v and_o as_o the_o school_n themselves_o assert_v can_v be_v univocal_o or_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n speak_v of_o creature_n and_o of_o god_n who_o be_v super-essential_a above_o all_o predicament_n and_o term_n of_o art_n that_o be_v nature_n essence_n substance_n hypostasis_fw-la person_n do_v not_o and_o can_v signify_v the_o same_o thing_n when_o speak_v of_o god_n as_o when_o apply_v to_o creature_n and_o this_o have_v occasion_v all_o those_o dispute_n concern_v the_o use_n and_o signification_n of_o these_o word_n when_o apply_v to_o god_n which_o indeed_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o whole_o discard_n these_o term_n which_o the_o perverseness_n and_o importunity_n of_o heretic_n have_v force_v the_o church_n to_o use_v and_o which_o have_v now_o be_v so_o long_o use_v that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a sense_n of_o these_o word_n be_v very_o well_o know_v to_o learned_a man_n if_o they_o will_v be_v content_v to_o use_v they_o in_o that_o receive_v ecclesiastical_a sense_n in_o which_o the_o catholic_n father_n have_v always_o use_v they_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o reason_n not_o to_o clog_v the_o faith_n of_o ordinary_a christian_n with_o they_o who_o be_v not_o skill_v in_o metaphysical_a and_o abstract_a notion_n and_o it_o be_v a_o reason_n to_o reduce_v the_o controversy_n as_o much_o as_o possible_o we_o can_v to_o scripture_n term_n when_o these_o artificial_a and_o metaphysical_a term_n divide_v even_o the_o professor_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o give_v too_o just_a occasion_n to_o the_o vain_a boast_n and_o triumph_n of_o heretic_n to_o represent_v this_o matter_n plain_o i_o observe_v that_o all_o all_o those_o unscriptural_a term_n which_o the_o catholic_n father_n make_v use_v of_o for_o the_o explication_n of_o this_o adorable_a mystery_n be_v intend_v for_o no_o other_o purpose_n but_o to_o give_v we_o some_o distinct_a idea_n and_o conception_n of_o what_o the_o scripture_n teach_v concern_v the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o use_v such_o term_n as_o signify_v something_o in_o creature_n which_o bear_v some_o though_o a_o very_a imperfect_a anology_n and_o resemblance_n to_o what_o we_o be_v to_o conceive_v of_o god_n and_o therefore_o the_o father_n justify_v the_o use_n of_o such_o word_n by_o show_v that_o all_o they_o mean_v by_o they_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n and_o reject_v any_o word_n and_o any_o such_o sense_n of_o artificial_a word_n as_o can_v be_v justify_v by_o scripture_n which_o by_o the_o way_n be_v a_o more_o infallible_a rule_n than_o all_o metaphysical_a subtlety_n to_o find_v out_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o father_n use_v such_o word_n by_o observe_v to_o what_o scripture-notion_n they_o apply_v they_o and_o how_o they_o justify_v their_o use_n from_o scripture_n when_o they_o be_v dispute_v if_o this_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o case_n as_o it_o certain_o be_v than_o the_o catholic_n faith_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o the_o use_n of_o these_o term_n for_o it_o be_v before_o they_o for_o they_o be_v intend_v only_o to_o explain_v and_o illustrate_v the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o to_o comprise_v scripture-notion_n in_o term_n of_o art_n which_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v of_o great_a use_n and_o be_v by_o experience_n find_v to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o dispute_n with_o ancient_a heretic_n while_o the_o father_n agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o term_n but_o when_o these_o term_n themselves_o be_v become_v the_o great_a matter_n of_o dispute_n and_o man_n who_o as_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v agree_v in_o the_o catholic_n faith_n can_v agree_v about_o the_o propriety_n and_o signification_n of_o such_o term_n nor_o how_o they_o be_v to_o be_v apply_v and_o use_v whether_o in_o the_o singular_a or_o plural_a number_n whether_o substantive_o or_o adjective_o in_o recto_fw-la or_o obliquo_fw-la and_o our_o adversary_n abuse_v such_o dispute_n to_o the_o reproach_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n as_o a_o perplex_a uncertain_a contradictious_a riddle_n and_o mystery_n which_o man_n can_v know_v nothing_o of_o or_o can_v never_o agree_v in_o it_o become_v absolute_o necessary_a at_o present_a to_o take_v this_o controversy_n out_o of_o term_n of_o art_n and_o to_o let_v our_o adversary_n see_v that_o our_o controversy_n with_o they_o be_v not_o concern_v in_o these_o dispute_n that_o it_o be_v not_o about_o the_o signification_n and_o use_v of_o such_o word_n as_o essence_n nature_n substance_n person_n etc._n etc._n but_o whether_o the_o supreme_a eternal_a self-originated_n father_n have_v not_o a_o eternal_a son_n eternal_o beget_v of_o himself_o and_o a_o eternal_a spirit_n the_o spirit_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n eternal_o proceed_v from_o they_o and_o whether_o this_o eternal_a son_n and_o eternal_a spirit_n be_v not_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n in_o this_o all_o sincere_a trinitarian_n do_v hearty_o agree_v with_o each_o other_o and_o be_v ready_a to_o join_v issue_n upon_o this_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n with_o all_o their_o adversary_n of_o what_o denomination_n soever_o and_o if_o we_o can_v prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o god_n have_v a_o eternal_a son_n beget_v of_o himself_o and_o that_o this_o eternal_a son_n be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n as_o the_o father_n be_v and_o that_o the_o father_n and_o son_n have_v a_o eternal_a spirit_n who_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n as_o father_n and_o son_n be_v i_o hope_v this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a confutation_n of_o socinianism_n and_o yet_o all_o this_o may_v be_v prove_v without_o concern_v ourselves_o in_o any_o metaphysical_a dispute_n and_o therefore_o such_o dispute_n as_o these_o though_o they_o give_v opportunity_n to_o our_o adversary_n to_o make_v some_o flourish_v and_o to_o cast_v mist_n before_o people_n eye_n be_v not_o of_o that_o moment_n as_o they_o will_v represent_v they_o they_o neither_o prove_v socinianism_n to_o be_v true_a nor_o the_o catholic_n faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n to_o be_v false_a or_o uncertain_a i_o do_v not_o intend_v at_o present_a to_o dispute_v this_o point_n with_o the_o socinian_o whether_o the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o there_o be_v no_o dispute_n about_o the_o father_n be_v not_o each_o of_o they_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n this_o have_v be_v prove_v
often_o enough_o already_o to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o all_o sober_a enquirer_n who_o pay_v a_o just_a veneration_n to_o scripture_n and_o shall_v be_v do_v again_o when_o a_o fair_a occasion_n offer_v but_o the_o question_n under_o debate_n now_o be_v whether_o we_o can_v explain_v and_o defend_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n without_o the_o use_n of_o ecclesiastical_a or_o scholastic_a term_n and_o whether_o the_o dispute_n of_o divine_n about_o the_o use_n and_o signification_n of_o such_o term_n prove_v any_o disagreement_n in_o the_o faith_n when_o they_o all_o consent_n to_o the_o scripture_n explication_n of_o it_o the_o great_a dispute_n be_v about_o the_o distinction_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n and_o by_o what_o term_n to_o express_v this_o wonderful_a distinction_n and_o wonderful_a union_n as_o some_o of_o the_o father_n call_v it_o all_o sincere_a trinitarian_n do_v agree_v that_o god_n be_v vnus_fw-la &_o trinus_fw-la one_o and_o three_o but_o we_o have_v nothing_o in_o nature_n like_o this_o we_o know_v not_o by_o what_o name_n to_o call_v it_o those_o who_o have_v most_o critical_o examine_v the_o force_n of_o word_n find_v they_o all_o upon_o some_o account_n or_o other_o defective_a or_o improper_a for_o this_o purpose_n that_o st._n austin_n well_o say_v that_o in_o these_o sublime_a mystery_n we_o can_v no_o more_o express_v what_o we_o conceive_v of_o they_o in_o word_n 3._o than_o we_o can_v conceive_v of_o they_o as_o they_o be_v when_o we_o profess_v to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v three_o in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n the_o next_o question_n be_v what_o three_z they_o be_v that_o be_v by_o what_o common_a name_n to_o call_v they_o which_o may_v be_v multiply_v with_o they_o or_o speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n which_o st._n austin_n think_v not_o easy_o find_v 3._o the_o greek_n call_v they_o three_o hypostasis_n which_o signify_v three_o individual_a substance_n this_o seem_v hard_o to_o the_o latin_n who_o acknowledge_v but_o one_o substance_n in_o the_o godhead_n and_o therefore_o they_o call_v they_o three_o person_n though_o this_o do_v not_o satisfy_v st._n austin_n 6._o who_o look_v upon_o person_n as_o a_o absolute_a not_o a_o relative_n term_n and_o therefore_o the_o plural_a predication_n will_v not_o agree_v with_o his_o rule_n quae_fw-la ad_fw-la se_fw-la dicuntur_fw-la that_o what_o be_v predicate_v absolute_o must_v be_v predicate_v only_o in_o the_o singular_a number_n and_o in_o truth_n if_o this_o be_v a_o good_a rule_n it_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o common_a name_n for_o these_o three_o for_o whatever_o be_v a_o common_a name_n for_o they_o all_o must_v be_v absolute_o predicate_v of_o each_o of_o they_o and_o therefore_o st._n austin_n can_v give_v no_o other_o reason_n why_o we_o say_v three_o person_n and_o not_o three_o essence_n or_o three_o god_n but_o only_o this_o that_o since_o we_o acknowledge_v there_o be_v three_o it_o be_v fit_v to_o agree_v upon_o some_o common_a name_n to_o denote_v the_o trinity_n by_o and_o ecclesiastical_a use_n have_v give_v this_o signification_n to_o the_o word_n person_n 4._o but_o then_o beside_o this_o the_o great_a dispute_n be_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o a_o person_n when_o apply_v to_o the_o three_o in_o the_o bless_a trinity_n some_o adhere_v to_o the_o old_a approve_a definition_n of_o a_o person_n that_o it_o be_v the_o individual_a substance_n of_o a_o rational_a nature_n which_o be_v the_o very_a definition_n of_o the_o greek_a hypostasis_fw-la christi_fw-la as_o boetius_fw-la own_v other_o be_v afraid_a of_o this_o for_o if_o every_o person_n be_v a_o individual_a substance_n and_o there_o be_v three_o person_n they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o avoid_v the_o consequence_n that_o then_o there_o be_v three_o individual_a substance_n in_o the_o trinity_n and_o consequent_o since_o we_o can_v have_v no_o other_o notion_n of_o the_o divine_a substance_n but_o infinite_a mind_n and_o spirit_n there_o must_v be_v three_o infinite_a mind_n and_o spirit_n in_o the_o godhead_n which_o they_o think_v infer_v three_o go_n and_o therefore_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v a_o person_n to_o be_v a_o substance_n at_o least_o not_o a_o individual_a substance_n but_o a_o mode_n or_o at_o most_o a_o mode_n of_o subsistence_n or_o relation_n or_o property_n or_o a_o person_n in_o the_o tragedian_n or_o comedian_n sense_n of_o a_o person_n as_o one_o represent_v and_o personate_v another_o or_o to_o signify_v a_o office_n or_o magistracy_n and_o so_o one_o man_n may_v be_v as_o many_o several_a person_n as_o he_o have_v office_n i_o can_v answer_v for_o all_o these_o different_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n person_n as_o apply_v to_o this_o sacred_a mystery_n especial_o as_o they_o be_v use_v by_o some_o modern_a writer_n for_o i_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o such_o material_a difference_n between_o the_o father_n and_o the_o school_n as_o some_o man_n imagine_v of_o which_o more_o hereafter_o but_o as_o to_o my_o present_a purpose_n i_o must_v profess_v i_o can_v see_v no_o necessity_n why_o we_o must_v find_v out_o a_o common_a name_n for_o the_o three_o in_o the_o bless_a trinity_n when_o the_o scripture_n have_v give_v we_o no_o common_a name_n for_o they_o much_o less_o why_o we_o shall_v dispute_v eternal_o about_o the_o propriety_n and_o use_n of_o such_o word_n to_o hazard_v the_o catholic_n faith_n at_o least_o the_o honour_n and_o reputation_n of_o it_o together_o with_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n if_o i_o be_o ask_v not_o only_o who_o but_o what_o the_o three_o in_o the_o everblessed_n trinity_n be_v i_o know_v no_o better_a answer_n to_o make_v than_o what_o the_o scripture_n have_v teach_v i_o that_o they_o be_v god_n the_o father_n god_n the_o son_n and_o god_n the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o signify_v all_o that_o can_v be_v express_v by_o any_o artificial_a and_o unscriptural_a word_n be_v a_o answer_n liable_a to_o no_o exception_n or_o misrepresentation_n and_o in_o which_o all_o must_v agree_v who_o believe_v a_o trinity_n and_o it_o shame_v and_o silence_n all_o those_o dispute_n which_o be_v often_o occasion_v by_o other_o word_n though_o never_o so_o wise_o and_o reasonable_o choose_v this_o answer_n show_v we_o what_o their_o nature_n be_v what_o their_o distinction_n be_v and_o what_o relation_n they_o stand_v in_o to_o each_o other_o which_o be_v the_o most_o perfect_a knowledge_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o everblessed_n trinity_n in_o this_o world_n sect_n iii_o that_o the_o title_n of_o god_n attribute_v in_o scripture_n distinct_o to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n give_v we_o the_o best_a account_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o must_v determine_v the_o signification_n of_o ecclesiastical_a word_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o first_o the_o design_n of_o some_o common_a name_n for_o these_o three_o be_v to_o form_v some_o common_a notion_n and_o idea_n of_o they_o in_o which_o they_o all_o agree_v and_o be_v any_o thing_n else_o so_o common_a to_o they_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n else_o which_o be_v common_a to_o they_o but_o the_o name_n and_o nature_n of_o god_n can_v any_o thing_n else_o give_v we_o so_o true_a and_o perfect_a a_o character_n and_o idea_n of_o each_o of_o they_o as_o this_o do_v when_o we_o say_v the_o father_n be_v god_n the_o son_n be_v god_n the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v god_n we_o attribute_v every_o thing_n to_o each_o of_o they_o which_o signify_v any_o perfection_n for_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n comprehend_v all_o possible_a perfection_n and_o we_o reject_v every_o thing_n which_o have_v the_o least_o signification_n of_o imperfection_n we_o abstract_a our_o mind_n from_o all_o material_a and_o creature-image_n which_o name_n common_a to_o creature_n be_v apt_a to_o impose_v upon_o we_o and_o when_o we_o be_v force_v to_o apply_v any_o such_o name_n to_o god_n we_o learn_v from_o hence_o in_o what_o notion_n to_o understand_v such_o word_n when_o apply_v to_o god_n man_n may_v very_o subtle_o distinguish_v between_o the_o formal_a conception_n of_o nature_n essence_n substance_n hypostasis_fw-la existence_n subsistence_n person_n personality_n suppositality_n and_o the_o like_a and_o neither_o understand_v god_n nor_o creature_n much_o the_o better_a for_o it_o but_o let_v they_o but_o tell_v we_o what_o they_o mean_v by_o these_o term_n and_o then_o every_o child_n can_v tell_v whether_o they_o belong_v to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n or_o not_o for_o as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v include_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o signify_v true_a divine_a perfection_n so_o far_o they_o belong_v to_o all_o three_o for_o if_o the_o father_n be_v god_n the_o son_n god_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n god_n than_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n each_o of_o they_o by_o themselves_o be_v whatever_o be_v include_v in_o the_o notion_n and_o idea_n of_o
god_n except_v their_o relation_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n whereby_o they_o be_v distinguish_v into_o three_o as_o for_o example_n if_o by_o nature_n essence_n substance_n existence_n subsistence_n however_o they_o may_v differ_v in_o their_o formal_a conception_n they_o only_o mean_v a_o true_a and_o real_a be_v who_o actual_o perfect_o complete_o be_v what_o it_o be_v god_n be_v essence_n substance_n subsistence_n in_o the_o most_o perfect_a sense_n of_o all_o for_o he_o be_v all_o be_v his_o name_n be_v jehovah_n which_o as_o learned_a man_n most_o probable_o conclude_v signify_v a_o plenitude_n and_o perfection_n of_o be_v which_o be_v such_o a_o perfection_n as_o include_v all_o other_o perfection_n in_o it_o for_o perfect_a be_v be_v every_o thing_n which_o perfect_o be_v this_o be_v the_o peculiar_a name_n and_o essential_a character_n of_o god_n and_o of_o god_n only_o god_n be_v that_o be_v be_v eternal_a essential_a immutable_a life_n and_o be_v in_o which_o 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be_v and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v each_o of_o they_o be_v essence_n substance_n subsistence_n in_o the_o most_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a sense_n of_o these_o term_n for_o if_o each_o of_o they_o be_v and_o each_o of_o they_o be_v god_n each_o of_o they_o be_v only_o in_o that_o notion_n of_o be_v which_o be_v include_v in_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n which_o contain_v the_o most_o absolute_a perfection_n of_o be_v that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a and_o will_v any_o trinitarian_n deny_v that_o the_o father_n be_v the_o son_n be_v and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v and_o then_o i_o know_v not_o what_o other_o dispute_v there_o can_v be_v about_o this_o matter_n if_o the_o father_n be_v god_n the_o son_n god_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n god_n than_o the_o father_n be_v the_o son_n be_v and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v in_o the_o most_o perfect_a notion_n of_o be_v and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v mean_v by_o essence_n substance_n subsistence_n when_o speak_v of_o god_n 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not_o only_o the_o name_n and_o title_n of_o god_n but_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n to_o more_o person_n than_o one._n and_o this_o be_v the_o only_a answer_n that_o need_v be_v give_v and_o the_o best_a answer_n that_o can_v be_v give_v to_o this_o objection_n of_o tritheism_n for_o god_n know_v his_o own_o nature_n and_o his_o own_o unity_n best_o and_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o to_o acknowledge_v god_n to_o be_v one_o as_o the_o scripture_n teach_v he_o to_o be_v one_o that_o be_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n but_o that_o this_o one_o god_n have_v a_o eternal_a only_o beget_v son_n and_o a_o eternal_a spirit_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o same_o godhead_n this_o be_v the_o account_n tertullian_n give_v we_o of_o those_o expression_n 18._o when_o the_o scripture_n assert_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o that_o there_o be_v none_o beside_o he_o for_o without_o deny_v the_o son_n we_o may_v true_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o 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the_o godhead_n and_o make_v other_o god_n of_o they_o and_o though_o the_o son_n when_o he_o be_v name_v alâ—ne_n 19_o be_v call_v god_n this_o do_v not_o make_v two_o god_n because_o he_o be_v god_n only_o by_o his_o unity_n with_o his_o father_n st._n hilary_n give_v much_o the_o same_o account_n of_o it_o fine_a that_o when_o the_o scripture_n teach_v that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n and_o no_o other_o god_n beside_o he_o this_o do_v not_o exclude_v the_o son_n of_o god_n from_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n because_o the_o son_n be_v not_o another_o god_n intelligatur_fw-la he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o substance_n with_o god_n the_o father_n god_n of_o god_n and_o inseparable_o unite_v to_o he_o another_o god_n do_v not_o signify_v another_o divine_a person_n 5._o but_o another_o divinity_n another_o separate_z and_o independent_a principle_n and_o fountain_n of_o deity_n and_o beside_o this_o st._n hilary_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v at_o large_a from_o several_a text_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o this_o very_a expression_n of_o one_o god_n and_o no_o other_o beside_o he_o 4._o be_v apply_v not_o only_o to_o the_o father_n but_o to_o the_o son_n and_o be_v very_o just_o applicable_a to_o each_o of_o they_o because_o each_o of_o they_o have_v a_o personal_a and_o incommunicable_a unity_n the_o father_n be_v the_o one_o god_n and_o there_o be_v none_o beside_o he_o for_o he_o be_v the_o only_a deus_fw-la innascibilis_fw-la the_o only_a god_n who_o be_v god_n of_o himself_o without_o any_o communication_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o he_o from_o any_o other_o divine_a person_n the_o son_n be_v the_o one_o god_n and_o there_o be_v none_o beside_o he_o that_o be_v the_o deus_fw-la vnigenitus_fw-la the_o only_o beget_v god_n and_o there_o be_v no_o other_o beget_v god_n but_o he_o so_o that_o each_o of_o they_o be_v the_o one_o god_n for_o between_o one_o and_o one_o that_o be_v one_o of_o one_o there_o be_v no_o second_o nature_n of_o the_o eternal_a dâ—ity_n i_o shall_v not_o dispute_v these_o matter_n now_o which_o will_v be_v more_o proper_a in_o another_o place_n it_o be_v enough_o at_o present_a that_o we_o learn_v from_o they_o what_o sense_n these_o father_n have_v concern_v the_o unity_n of_o god_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o unity_n of_o a_o sâ—ngle_a person_n so_o as_o to_o exclude_v all_o other_o person_n from_o the_o name_n and_o nature_n of_o god_n but_o a_o unity_n of_o nature_n and_o principle_n that_o there_o be_v not_o two_o different_a divinity_n nor_o two_o principle_n of_o divinity_n which_o have_v no_o communication_n with_o each_o other_o but_o that_o there_o be_v one_o self-originated_n be_v who_o communicate_v his_o own_o nature_n without_o division_n and_o separation_n to_o his_o eternal_a son_n and_o by_o and_o with_o his_o son_n to_o his_o eternal_a spirit_n thus_o st._n hilary_n conclude_v this_o dispute_n that_o to_o confess_v one_o god_n but_o not_o a_o solitary_a god_n that_o be_v 5._o not_o one_o single_a solitary_a person_n be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n which_o confess_v the_o father_n in_o the_o son_n but_o if_o out_o of_o ignorance_n of_o this_o heavenly_a mystery_n we_o pretend_v that_o one_o god_n signify_v one_o single_a divine_a person_n we_o know_v not_o god_n as_o not_o own_v the_o faith_n of_o god_n in_o god_n this_o be_v plain_a sense_n which_o every_o christian_a may_v understand_v and_o what_o every_o one_o must_v believe_v who_o will_v be_v a_o christian_n we_o must_v believe_v in_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n that_o the_o father_n be_v not_o the_o son_n nor_o the_o son_n the_o father_n nor_o the_o holy_a ghost_n either_o father_n or_o son_n and_o that_o each_o of_o these_o three_o be_v in_o himself_o as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o two_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n but_o though_o they_o be_v three_o and_o each_o of_o they_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o three_o god_n because_o there_o be_v but_o 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blasphemy_n and_o contradiction_n may_v and_o have_v be_v impose_v upon_o man_n faith_n under_o the_o venerable_a name_n of_o mystery_n but_o such_o blasphemy_n and_o contradiction_n be_v never_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o present_a enquiry_n which_o only_o concern_v believe_v what_o we_o allow_v to_o be_v reveal_v without_o look_v any_o far_o into_o it_o we_o allow_v all_o man_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o to_o examine_v what_o be_v reveal_v but_o here_o we_o must_v stop_v and_o not_o pretend_v to_o judge_v of_o what_o be_v reveal_v by_o the_o measure_n of_o human_a reason_n which_o be_v so_o inadequate_a a_o rule_n for_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a truth_n this_o be_v all_o very_a plain_a and_o if_o he_o will_v allow_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o he_o must_v confess_v that_o what_o he_o have_v say_v upon_o this_o first_o head_n be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n it_o be_v a_o very_a popular_a 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socinian_o and_o i_o be_v glad_a to_o find_v they_o censure_v and_o reject_v but_o wonder_v how_o they_o come_v to_o be_v number_v among_o those_o man_n who_o have_v labour_v in_o this_o good_a design_n of_o explain_v the_o trinity_n 2._o and_o reconcile_a the_o dispute_n about_o it_o well_o all_o these_o method_n have_v prove_v ineffectual_a let_v we_o then_o to_o omit_v other_o matter_n inquire_v what_o course_n our_o considerer_n take_v to_o make_v himself_o a_o fit_a and_o competent_a judge_n of_o this_o controversy_n take_v the_o account_n of_o it_o in_o his_o own_o word_n i_o have_v endeavour_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 9_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 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instruct_v in_o the_o meaning_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o can_v persuade_v themselves_o to_o be_v thus_o perfect_o indifferent_a whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a but_o this_o indifference_n be_v owe_v to_o a_o secret_a bias_n and_o inclination_n to_o infidelity_n or_o heresy_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v such_o a_o absolute_a freedom_n of_o judgement_n without_o be_v perfect_o indifferent_a which_o side_n be_v true_a or_o false_a for_o if_o we_o wish_v and_o desire_v to_o find_v one_o side_n of_o the_o question_n true_a and_o the_o other_o false_a this_o be_v a_o bias_n and_o our_o judgement_n be_v not_o equal_o poise_v and_o certain_o in_o matter_n of_o such_o vast_a consequence_n as_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o especial_o that_o great_a fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n such_o a_o indifferency_n as_o this_o be_v can_v never_o recommend_v either_o a_o author_n or_o his_o write_n to_o sober_a christian_n will_v this_o considerer_n than_o own_o that_o it_o be_v indifferent_a to_o he_o when_o he_o undertake_v this_o design_n whether_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n shall_v upon_o examination_n appear_v true_a or_o false_a if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o socinian_o will_v tell_v he_o that_o he_o have_v not_o preserve_v a_o freedom_n of_o judgement_n and_o then_o he_o do_v well_o in_o not_o consult_v the_o fratres_n poloni_n for_o he_o have_v condemn_v they_o without_o hear_v or_o if_o he_o be_v persuade_v concern_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v it_o indifferent_a to_o he_o whether_o the_o sabellian_n or_o arian_n or_o true_a catholic_n notion_n of_o a_o trinity_n contain_v in_o the_o nicene_n and_o athanasian_n creed_n be_v the_o true_a faith_n that_o be_v be_v it_o indifferent_a to_o he_o whether_o the_o ancient_a heresy_n condemn_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n or_o that_o faith_n which_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v always_o own_a and_o profess_a be_v the_o true_a faith_n for_o my_o part_n i_o confess_v i_o be_o not_o thus_o indifferent_a i_o will_v never_o shut_v my_o eye_n against_o plain_a conviction_n which_o be_v all_o the_o freedom_n of_o judge_v which_o be_v allowable_a but_o my_o prejudices_fw-la be_v and_o i_o hope_v always_o will_v be_v on_o the_o side_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n no_o wise_a man_n can_v be_v thus_o indifferent_a and_o we_o shall_v find_v this_o considerer_n be_v not_o so_o very_o indifferent_a for_o the_o main_a principle_n he_o reason_n on_o be_v some_o popular_a mistake_v and_o prejudices_fw-la which_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v espouse_v without_o due_a consideration_n but_o let_v we_o allow_v he_o to_o be_v as_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a as_o he_o please_v i_o can_v think_v that_o he_o take_v a_o good_a method_n to_o understand_v this_o sacred_a mystery_n he_o lay_v aside_o father_n schoolman_n and_o other_o late_a treatise_n concern_v this_o controversy_n and_o consult_v nothing_o but_o scripture_n and_o his_o own_o natural_a sentiment_n to_o consult_v scripture_n be_v indeed_o a_o very_a good_a way_n and_o absolute_o necessary_a in_o matter_n of_o pure_a revelation_n which_o can_v be_v certain_o know_v no_o other_o way_n but_o the_o father_n at_o least_o be_v very_o good_a guide_n and_o have_v very_o great_a authority_n in_o expound_v scripture_n and_o our_o natural_a sentiment_n otherwise_o call_v natural_a reason_n be_v a_o very_a bad_a a_o very_a dangerous_a expositor_n of_o scripture_n in_o such_o supernatural_a mystery_n and_o have_v no_o authority_n in_o these_o mattter_n and_o how_o our_o considerer_n have_v be_v mislead_v by_o his_o natural_a sentiment_n will_v soon_o appear_v a_o few_o word_n may_v serve_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o considerer_n but_o since_o this_o be_v the_o great_a pretence_n of_o socinian_o and_o other_o heretic_n to_o set_v up_o scripture_n and_o natural_a reason_n against_o scripture_n and_o the_o traditionary_a faith_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o our_o considerer_n and_o some_o other_o unwary_a writer_n chime_v in_o with_o they_o it_o will_v be_v very_o necessary_a to_o show_v how_o this_o betray_v the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o make_v reason_n and_o criticism_n the_o supreme_a judge_n of_o controversy_n and_o then_o man_n may_v dispute_v on_o without_o end_n and_o believe_v at_o last_o as_o they_o please_v 10._o the_o considerer_n tell_v we_o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v 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 case_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 what_o this_o last_o clause_n mean_n we_o shall_v understand_v better_o hereafter_o but_o his_o deny_v a_o traditionary_a faith_n be_v very_o extraordinary_a for_o if_o we_o can_v prove_v from_o the_o most_o authentic_a record_n what_o the_o constant_a belief_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v be_v especial_o in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o it_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o traditionary_a faith_n nor_o be_v it_o the_o less_o traditionary_a because_o the_o father_n and_o ancient_a writer_n sound_v their_o exposition_n of_o the_o trinity_n whole_o upon_o scripture_n for_o if_o this_o be_v true_a than_o we_o have_v a_o traditionary_a faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o a_o traditionary_a exposition_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o reason_n and_o proof_n of_o that_o faith_n both_o in_o one_o which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o great_a authority_n and_o safe_a guide_n than_o mere_a scripture_n and_o our_o natural_a sentiment_n and_o though_o protestant_n allow_v scripture_n to_o be_v the_o only_a standard_n of_o faith_n yet_o he_o may_v have_v remember_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n require_v we_o to_o expound_v scripture_n as_o the_o ancient_a father_n expound_v it_o but_o this_o whole_o be_v a_o mistake_n for_o the_o primitive_a father_n plead_v tradition_n as_o well_o as_o scripture_n against_o the_o ancient_a heretic_n as_o two_o distinct_a but_o agree_v testimony_n as_o this_o author_n may_v have_v know_v will_v he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o have_v consult_v irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n de_fw-fr praescriptionibus_fw-la with_o divers_a other_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o a_o plain_a revelation_n i_o can_v tell_v it_o make_v it_o somewhat_o plain_o to_o know_v what_o the_o catholic_n faith_n have_v always_o be_v and_o what_o the_o catholic_n interpretation_n of_o scripture_n have_v always_o be_v which_o be_v the_o plain_a and_o strong_a answer_n to_o wit_n and_o criticism_n and_o natural_a sentiment_n when_o they_o contradict_v this_o traditionary_a faith_n but_o to_o discourse_v this_o matter_n more_o particular_o i_o shall_v
inquire_v 1._o what_o that_o catholic_n church_n be_v from_o whence_o we_o must_v receive_v this_o traditionary_a faith_n 2._o what_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o this_o tradition_n concern_v the_o trinity_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n 3._o of_o what_o authority_n this_o aught_o reasonable_o to_o be_v in_o expound_v scripture_n sect_n ii_o concern_v the_o traditionary_a faith_n of_o the_o church_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n first_o then_o let_v we_o consider_v what_o that_o catholic_n church_n be_v from_o whence_o we_o must_v receive_v this_o traditionary_a faith_n now_o since_o christ_n give_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o plant_v church_n to_o his_o apostle_n those_o only_o must_v be_v reckon_v the_o true_a apostolic_a church_n from_o which_o we_o must_v receive_v the_o true_a christian_a faith_n which_o be_v plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o by_o apostolic_a man_n and_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o they_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v any_o doctrine_n to_o be_v the_o true_a primitive_a faith_n that_o it_o be_v preach_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o apostolic_a church_n which_o be_v plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o receive_v their_o faith_n from_o they_o for_o that_o only_o be_v the_o primitive_a and_o apostolic_a faith_n and_o therefore_o though_o arian_n and_o socinian_o can_v prove_v their_o heresy_n to_o be_v as_o ancient_a as_o the_o apostolic_a age_n as_o we_o grant_v something_o like_o they_o be_v this_o do_v not_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v the_o true_a christian_a faith_n if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o apostolic_a church_n and_o this_o be_v very_o visible_a in_o those_o day_n what_o these_o church_n be_v which_o be_v plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o they_o and_o be_v very_o visible_a still_o in_o the_o most_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o heretic_n which_o spring_v up_o in_o that_o age_n separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o thereby_o make_v a_o visible_a distinction_n between_o the_o true_a apostolic_a church_n and_o heretical_a conventicle_n and_o in_o after-age_n they_o either_o separate_v themselves_o or_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n this_o st._n john_n account_v a_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o a_o infallible_a proof_n of_o false_a doctrine_n and_o heresy_n as_o it_o certain_o be_v at_o that_o time_n for_o if_o the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o true_a faith_n those_o who_o separate_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o preach_v another_o gospel_n which_o they_o never_o learn_v from_o they_o must_v be_v heretic_n 1_o joh._n 2.18_o 19_o little_a child_n it_o be_v the_o last_o time_n and_o as_o you_o have_v hear_v that_o antichrist_n shall_v come_v even_o now_o there_o be_v many_o antichrist_n whereby_o we_o know_v that_o it_o be_v the_o last_o time_n they_o go_v out_o from_o we_o but_o they_o be_v not_o of_o we_o for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v of_o we_o they_o no_o doubt_n will_v have_v continue_v with_o we_o but_o they_o go_v out_o that_o they_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o we_o the_o separation_n of_o heretic_n in_o that_o age_n be_v a_o visible_a renounce_v the_o apostolic_a faith_n and_o communion_n and_o therefore_o how_o many_o heresy_n soever_o start_v up_o it_o be_v still_o visible_a where_o the_o apostolic_a faith_n and_o tradition_n be_v preserve_v and_o this_o be_v of_o admirable_a use_n to_o preserve_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n sincere_a and_o uncorrupt_a for_o have_v these_o heretic_n continue_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o apostle_n and_o apostolic_a church_n and_o secret_o propagate_v their_o heresy_n and_o infect_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n without_o divide_v into_o distinct_a and_o opposite_a communion_n it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o great_a dispute_n in_o the_o next_o age_n which_o have_v be_v the_o true_a apostolic_a faith_n when_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n which_o all_o their_o time_n live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o apostle_n shall_v preach_v contrary_a doctrine_n and_o pretend_v with_o equal_a confidence_n apostolic_a tradition_n which_o the_o great_a heretic_n may_v very_o plausible_o have_v do_v have_v they_o always_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o apostle_n but_o they_o go_v out_o from_o we_o say_v st._n john_n that_o they_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o we_o that_o the_o world_n may_v know_v how_o to_o distinguish_v between_o catholic_n christian_n and_o heretic_n and_o between_o the_o true_a catholic_n faith_n and_o the_o corrupt_a innovation_n of_o perverse_a man_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n to_o this_o day_n why_o we_o shall_v keep_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n sincere_a and_o uncorrupt_a and_o not_o set_v our_o door_n open_a for_o arian_n and_o socinian_o and_o all_o sort_n of_o heretic_n to_o mix_v with_o we_o for_o though_o since_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n have_v bâ—en_v so_o break_v and_o divide_v by_o schism_n and_o faction_n and_o heresy_n it_o be_v no_o proof_n of_o the_o true_a apostolic_a faith_n mere_o that_o it_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o such_o a_o church_n though_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n still_o vain_o pretend_v to_o such_o authority_n yet_o it_o will_v soon_o ruin_v the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o christian_a faith_n to_o have_v no_o distinction_n preserve_v between_o true_a apostolic_a church_n and_o the_o apostolic_a faith_n and_o the_o conventicle_n of_o heretic_n the_o impure_a offspring_n of_o cerinthus_n and_o ebion_n of_o photinus_n or_o arius_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o abhor_v that_o accommodating-design_n which_o some_o man_n have_v express_v so_o warm_a a_o zeal_n for_o to_o comprehend_v away_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n in_o some_o loose_a general_a expression_n without_o any_o particular_a determine_a sense_n and_o to_o purge_v our_o liturgy_n of_o every_o thing_n that_o savour_v of_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n that_o arian_n and_o socinian_o may_v join_v in_o communion_n with_o we_o which_o be_v a_o plausible_a pretence_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o christian_a charity_n and_o communion_n to_o betray_v the_o christian_a faith_n not_o express_o to_o renounce_v it_o but_o to_o bury_v it_o in_o silence_n as_o a_o useless_a and_o church-dividing_a dispute_n i_o be_o satisfy_v this_o holy_a faith_n can_v never_o be_v confute_v but_o can_v these_o man_n prevail_v it_o may_v soon_o be_v lost._n but_o to_o return_v this_o be_v a_o sure_a foundation_n for_o our_o inquiry_n into_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n to_o know_v what_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v for_o otherwise_o we_o may_v mistake_v old_a heresy_n for_o the_o primitive_a faith_n but_o those_o church_n which_o be_v plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o 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not_o receive_v their_o faith_n from_o they_o nor_o do_v they_o pretend_v to_o this_o while_o the_o apostle_n live_v though_o they_o forge_v new_a gospel_n and_o act_n and_o revelation_n for_o they_o when_o they_o be_v dead_a and_o thus_o all_o the_o heresy_n of_o simon_n magus_n menander_n cerinthus_n ebion_n valentinus_n and_o all_o those_o other_o division_n and_o subdivision_n of_o heretic_n who_o deny_v or_o corrupt_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n or_o his_o incarnation_n be_v all_o reject_v from_o the_o apostolical_a faith_n for_o these_o heretic_n do_v not_o receive_v their_o doctrine_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o apostolic_a church_n as_o they_o themselves_o own_v by_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o apostolic_a church_n and_o these_o church_n give_v testimony_n against_o their_o corruption_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v know_v and_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o other_o confutation_n of_o they_o if_o we_o allow_v the_o doctrine_n of_o
receive_v this_o doctrine_n from_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o those_o church_n which_o be_v plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n receive_v their_o faith_n from_o they_o and_o always_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o they_o 2._o this_o make_v it_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o this_o very_a faith_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o i_o suppose_v no_o man_n question_n but_o that_o the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o same_o faith_n by_o write_v which_o they_o do_v by_o preach_v and_o then_o this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n against_o all_o such_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n as_o contradict_v the_o catholic_n faith_n whatever_o fine_a colour_n wit_n and_o criticism_n may_v give_v they_o nay_o 3._o it_o be_v a_o certain_a proof_n that_o these_o primitive_a christian_n who_o receive_v these_o inspire_a write_n from_o the_o apostle_n which_o now_o make_v up_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v believe_v that_o the_o same_o faith_n 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fulâ—_n and_o adequate_a idea_n of_o god_n but_o yet_o he_o know_v which_o of_o those_o distinct_a idea_n he_o have_v in_o his_o mind_n be_v applicable_a to_o god_n and_o which_o be_v not_o but_o the_o present_a question_n do_v not_o concern_v the_o idea_n of_o god_n which_o i_o hope_v we_o be_v all_o agree_v in_o that_o god_n be_v a_o be_v infinite_o perfect_a but_o whether_o this_o name_n god_n in_o the_o question_n of_o the_o trinity_n signify_v only_o one_o who_o be_v god_n or_o one_o single_a divine_a person_n or_o whether_o this_o name_n and_o the_o perfect_a idea_n which_o belong_v to_o it_o be_v applicable_a distinct_o to_o three_o to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n that_o each_o of_o they_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n and_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v each_o other_o and_o all_o three_o but_o one_o god_n this_o have_v be_v the_o true_a explication_n of_o the_o term_n god_n as_o apply_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n to_o have_v tell_v we_o what_o be_v 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part_n of_o it_o which_o no_o other_o account_n i_o have_v ever_o yet_o meet_v with_o can_v do_v sect_n v._o a_o examination_n of_o his_o notion_n and_o idea_n of_o unity_n distinction_n person_n etc._n etc._n and_o now_o the_o sabellian_n scene_n open_v apace_o if_o the_o heresy_n of_o sabellius_n be_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o who_o be_v god_n but_o one_o divine_a intelligent_a person_n as_o well_o as_o one_o divine_a nature_n this_o our_o considerer_n express_o own_v and_o do_v his_o endeavour_n to_o prove_v it_o absolute_o impossible_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v that_o the_o catholic_n faith_n assert_v and_o defend_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n against_o sabellius_n be_v absolute_o impossible_a 20._o to_o explain_v the_o word_n person_n he_o tell_v we_o it_o signify_v one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n either_o a_o particular_a intelligent_a be_v or_o a_o office_n character_n or_o some_o such_o complex_fw-la notion_n applicable_a to_o such_o a_o be_v if_o you_o will_v know_v in_o which_o of_o these_o sense_n we_o must_v understand_v the_o word_n person_n when_o we_o say_v there_o be_v three_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n 24._o he_o tell_v we_o plain_o that_o the_o simple_a idea_n of_o god_n can_v be_v apply_v but_o to_o one_o single_a person_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n person_n as_o it_o signify_v a_o particular_a intelligent_a be_v nature_n or_o principle_n and_o that_o all_o the_o personal_a distinction_n we_o can_v conceive_v in_o the_o deity_n must_v be_v found_v on_o some_o accessary_a idea_n extrinsical_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n a_o certain_a combination_n of_o which_o idea_n make_v up_o the_o second_o notion_n signify_v by_o the_o word_n person_n and_o for_o this_o he_o appeal_v to_o natural_a sentiment_n mistake_v heresy_n for_o nature_n and_o if_o we_o fair_o and_o impartial_o examine_v our_o own_o thought_n upon_o this_o subject_a we_o shall_v find_v that_o when_o we_o name_n god_n the_o father_n we_o conceive_v the_o idea_n of_o god_n so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o conceive_v it_o as_o act_v so_o and_o so_o under_o such_o respect_n and_o relation_n and_o when_o we_o name_n god_n the_o son_n we_o conceive_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o same_o idea_n of_o god_n over_o again_o under_o different_a relation_n and_o so_o likewise_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n noetus_n praxeas_n or_o sabellius_n never_o teach_v their_o heresy_n in_o more_o express_a word_n than_o these_o and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v now_o must_v we_o dispute_v this_o point_n over_o again_o with_o the_o considerer_n and_o confute_v a_o heresy_n which_o have_v be_v so_o early_o so_o often_o and_o so_o constant_o condemn_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v pretend_v to_o say_v nothing_o new_a which_o have_v not_o long_o since_o be_v much_o better_o say_v by_o the_o catholic_n father_n and_o therefore_o before_o we_o part_v i_o shall_v acquaint_v he_o with_o their_o judgement_n in_o the_o case_n and_o leave_v it_o to_o rest_v on_o their_o authority_n and_o reason_n but_o it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o mind_v this_o considerer_n that_o he_o have_v all_o the_o schoolman_n as_o far_o as_o i_o have_v hear_v or_o have_v opportunity_n to_o consult_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o catholic_n father_n against_o he_o in_o his_o notion_n of_o a_o person_n for_o they_o all_o receive_v boetius_n definition_n that_o a_o person_n be_v a_o individual_a substance_n of_o a_o rational_a nature_n or_o it_o may_v be_v the_o authority_n of_o melancthon_n may_v be_v more_o considerable_a with_o he_o who_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o church_n in_o this_o article_n of_o the_o trinity_n understand_v by_o person_n a_o individual_a intelâ—â—gentes_fw-la intelligent_a incommunicable_a substance_n and_o add_v that_o the_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a writer_n distinguish_v between_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o essence_n or_o nature_n and_o three_o hypostasis_n that_o be_v three_z real_o subsist_v not_o commentitious_a vanish_v confuse_a but_o distinct_a particular_a intelligent_a person_n and_o the_o censure_n he_o pass_v upon_o servetus_n upon_o this_o score_n be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o fanatical_a fellow_n servetus_n play_v with_o the_o word_n person_n divinitatis_fw-la and_o contend_v that_o in_o latin_a it_o ancient_o signify_v a_o dress_n or_o habit_n or_o the_o distinction_n of_o a_o office_n as_o râ—scius_n be_v sometime_o say_v to_o act_v the_o part_n of_o achilles_n sometime_o of_o ulysses_n or_o the_o person_n of_o a_o consul_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o the_o person_n of_o a_o slave_n be_v another_o as_o cicero_z speaks_z that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a thing_n to_o maintain_v the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n of_o a_o prince_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o
as_o he_o represent_v it_o but_o the_o personal_a union_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n of_o christ_n to_o human_a nature_n he_o be_v not_o only_o as_o conscious_a of_o all_o the_o divine_a perfection_n in_o himself_o 41._o as_o a_o man_n be_v conscious_a of_o his_o own_o thought_n which_o yet_o by_o the_o way_n be_v absolute_o impossible_a without_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n in_o his_o own_o person_n but_o he_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v god_n the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n not_o the_o same_o person_n with_o his_o father_n but_o one_o with_o he_o be_v a_o man_n thus_o regular_o and_o constant_o inspire_v he_o will_v know_v that_o he_o be_v thus_o inspire_v and_o he_o will_v also_o know_v that_o these_o divine_a perfection_n be_v not_o in_o himself_o not_o seat_v in_o his_o own_o human_a person_n nor_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o his_o own_o will_n as_o his_o own_o natural_a power_n be_v and_o therefore_o must_v know_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a man_n still_o not_o god-man_n so_o that_o this_o constant_a and_o regular_a inspiration_n this_o uninterrupted_a presence_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o deity_n which_o be_v all_o he_o allow_v in_o this_o matter_n can_v make_v any_o person_n god-man_n this_o inspiration_n be_v not_o a_o subsist_v person_n be_v not_o the_o person_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v not_o incarnate_a by_o its_o union_n to_o man_n no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v incarnate_a in_o other_o prophet_n the_o man_n be_v the_o person_n and_o therefore_o a_o mere_a creature_n still_o though_o never_o so_o divine_o inspire_v this_o be_v such_o a_o incarnation_n as_o socinian_n themselves_o own_o in_o as_o high_a expression_n as_o the_o considerer_n can_v invent_v cerinthus_n own_v something_o more_o that_o christ_n who_o descend_v on_o jesus_n at_o his_o baptism_n be_v a_o divine_a person_n not_o a_o mere_a inspiration_n and_o rest_v on_o he_o and_o be_v most_o intimate_o unite_v to_o he_o till_o his_o crucifixion_n that_o sect_n of_o the_o noetian_o and_o sabellian_o who_o be_v call_v patripassian_n for_o they_o do_v not_o seem_v by_o the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o they_o to_o have_v be_v all_o of_o that_o mind_n do_v acknowledge_v the_o incarnation_n of_o god_n in_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n as_o the_o catholic_n church_n do_v the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n but_o then_o their_o trinity_n be_v but_o one_o proper_a single_a divine_a person_n distinguish_v by_o three_o name_n or_o personal_a character_n which_o be_v the_o express_a doctrine_n of_o the_o considerer_n their_o whole_a trinity_n be_v incarnate_a suffer_v and_o die_v in_o the_o incarnation_n and_o suffering_n of_o christ_n the_o father_n as_o well_o as_o the_o son_n as_o it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o if_o this_o one_o person_n be_v in_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n incarnate_a but_o this_o the_o catholic_n church_n abhor_v and_o condemn_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o patripassian_a heresy_n other_o of_o they_o be_v sabellian_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n but_o photinian_o or_o samosatenian_o that_o be_v socinian_o as_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o incarnation_n as_o athanasius_n often_o intimate_v and_o if_o i_o understand_v he_o this_o be_v the_o considerer_n way_n who_o believe_v a_o trinity_n in_o one_o single_a person_n and_o a_o inspire_a man_n for_o a_o god_n incarnate_a and_o thus_o we_o have_v lose_v the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n and_o must_v part_v with_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v peculiar_a and_o essential_a to_o christianity_n with_o they_o and_o now_o one_o will_v wonder_v after_o all_o this_o what_o he_o have_v to_o say_v more_o about_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v his_o next_o enquiry_n 41._o what_o the_o scripture_n necessary_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v in_o this_o point_n that_o be_v concern_v the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n though_o he_o have_v be_v careful_a all_o along_o never_o to_o use_v this_o term_n incarnation_n as_o be_v sensible_a that_o all_o he_o say_v about_o god-man_n will_v not_o reach_v the_o catholic_n notion_n of_o incarnation_n when_o i_o meet_v with_o this_o enquiry_n i_o be_v in_o hope_n that_o there_o be_v something_o behind_o to_o unsay_v all_o that_o he_o have_v hitherto_o say_v for_o if_o what_o he_o have_v already_o say_v be_v true_a it_o be_v certain_a the_o scripture_n require_v we_o to_o believe_v nothing_o about_o they_o but_o upon_o examination_n i_o find_v that_o the_o question_n be_v fallacious_o state_v and_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o it_o be_v what_o the_o scripture_n oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v instead_o of_o what_o have_v hitherto_o pass_v for_o the_o true_a catholic_n faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n i_o shall_v not_o dispute_v this_o point_n with_o he_o now_o to_o show_v what_o he_o mean_v will_v be_v confutation_n enough_o 42._o we_o must_v not_o he_o say_v look_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o a_o nice_a abstract_a speculation_n design_v for_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o understand_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 ever_o we_o have_v before_o this_o doctrine_n be_v deliver_v this_o we_o grant_v that_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v not_o design_v mere_o for_o speculation_n but_o for_o practice_n but_o yet_o all_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v matter_n of_o speculation_n and_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o must_v be_v believe_v in_o order_n to_o practice_n or_o else_o the_o revelation_n of_o it_o be_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o the_o question_n than_o be_v whether_o we_o must_v not_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n or_o how_o much_o we_o must_v believe_v of_o they_o must_v we_o not_o believe_v that_o god_n have_v in_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n a_o eternal_a and_o only-begotten_a son_n beget_v from_o eternity_n of_o his_o own_o substance_n his_o true_a perfect_a live_v subsist_v image_n must_v we_o not_o believe_v that_o this_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n do_v in_o a_o true_a proper_a notion_n become_v man_n by_o unite_n human_a nature_n to_o his_o own_o person_n and_o that_o in_o human_a nature_n he_o suffer_v and_o die_v for_o the_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n true_o no_o if_o i_o understand_v he_o all_o this_o be_v a_o nice_a abstract_a speculation_n and_o a_o very_a perplex_v exercise_n of_o our_o understand_n and_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o understand_v no_o more_o by_o god_n give_v his_o own_o son_n to_o die_v for_o we_o but_o his_o love_n and_o gâ—od_n will_v to_o mankind_n as_o it_o be_v a_o great_a motive_n and_o excitement_n to_o piety_n but_o how_o can_v we_o learn_v god_n love_n and_o good_a will_n to_o mankind_n from_o this_o doctrine_n if_o it_o be_v not_o true_a if_o god_n have_v no_o eternal_a son_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o give_v his_o eternal_a son_n to_o become_v man_n and_o to_o suffer_v and_o die_v for_o we_o the_o gospel_n prove_v the_o great_a love_n of_o god_n to_o sinner_n by_o the_o incarnation_n death_n and_o suffering_n of_o his_o son_n that_o if_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v this_o doctrine_n strict_o and_o literal_o true_a we_o lose_v the_o gospel_n proof_n of_o god_n love_n to_o sinner_n and_o of_o the_o virtue_n and_o efficacy_n of_o christ_n death_n and_o sacrifice_n to_o expiate_v our_o sin_n and_o of_o the_o power_n of_o his_o intercession_n as_o the_o eternal_a only-begotten_a and_o well-beloved_a son_n of_o god_n but_o our_o considerer_n will_v not_o allow_v this_o these_o title_n and_o relation_n must_v be_v chief_o consider_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o great_a work_n of_o man_n salvation_n but_o must_v they_o not_o be_v consider_v as_o three_o distinct_a proper_a person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n who_o have_v their_o distinct_a part_n and_o office_n in_o the_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n no_o but_o distinct_a relation_n and_o office_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o single_a divine_a person_n who_o be_v the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o be_v all_o in_o one_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghâ—st_n saviour_n mediator_n comforter_n 43._o but_o how_o then_o can_v these_o title_n and_o relation_n signify_v a_o eternal_a distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n a_o eternal_a fâ—tâ—â—r_n a_o eternal_a son_n and_o a_o eternal_a spirit_n when_o thâ—se_a office_n relate_v only_o to_o man_n salvation_n be_v not_o eternal_a this_o he_o resolve_v into_o the_o eternal_a purpose_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n to_o redeem_v mankind_n by_o the_o death_n and_o constant_a mediation_n of_o a_o man_n choose_v and_o enable_v for_o this_o work_n by_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n dwell_v in_o he_o and_o in_o consideration_n of_o
beget_v of_o his_o father_n substance_n the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o in_o his_o own_o proper_a person_n be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n not_o a_o part_n of_o god_n but_o all_o that_o god_n be_v not_o one_o god_n as_o one_o person_n with_o the_o father_n but_o as_o have_v the_o true_a divine_a nature_n distinct_o in_o his_o own_o person_n this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o the_o nicene_n consubstantiality_n be_v the_o consubstantiality_n of_o two_o real_a substantial_a person_n who_o have_v the_o same_o nature_n distinct_o subsist_v in_o each_o of_o they_o 2_o another_o rule_n for_o expound_v the_o homoousion_n be_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v equipollent_a term_n that_o to_o be_v of_o one_o substance_n and_o to_o be_v in_o all_o thing_n alike_o to_o each_o other_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n i_o know_v the_o father_n condemn_v the_o arian_n homoiousion_n for_o they_o assert_v that_o the_o son_n be_v like_o the_o father_n in_o opposition_n to_o his_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o father_n and_o therefore_o this_o be_v a_o imperfect_a likeness_n and_o resemblance_n or_o indeed_o no_o likeness_n at_o all_o for_o a_o create_v and_o uncreated_a nature_n be_v at_o such_o a_o infinite_a distance_n as_o to_o have_v no_o true_a and_o real_a likeness_n to_o each_o other_o to_o be_v sure_a not_o such_o a_o likeness_n as_o there_o must_v be_v between_o a_o son_n and_o a_o father_n nay_o sometime_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o likeness_n can_v be_v proper_o apply_v to_o two_o individual_a nature_n of_o the_o same_o species_n as_o to_o two_o individual_a human_a nature_n which_o be_v not_o like_a to_o each_o other_o but_o be_v the_o same_o but_o yet_o whether_o it_o be_v proper_a or_o improper_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v upon_o all_o account_n and_o every_o way_n perfect_o alike_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v very_a orthodox_n and_o therefore_o st._n hilary_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr synodis_fw-la approve_v several_a oriental_a creed_n as_o very_a orthodox_n though_o they_o leave_v out_o the_o homoousion_n because_o they_o in_o the_o most_o express_a term_n confess_v the_o perfect_a likeness_n and_o similitude_n of_o nature_n between_o father_n and_o son_n synod_n which_o they_o guard_v with_o the_o utmost_a caution_n against_o the_o perverse_a interpretation_n both_o of_o the_o sabellian_n and_o arian_n heretic_n and_o he_o dispute_v at_o large_a that_o perfect_a similitude_n be_v a_o sameness_n and_o equality_n of_o nature_n and_o call_v god_n to_o witness_v that_o before_o he_o ever_o hear_v of_o those_o word_n homoousion_n and_o homoiousion_n trin._n he_o always_o think_v that_o what_o be_v signify_v by_o both_o these_o word_n be_v the_o same_o that_o perfect_a likeness_n of_o nature_n be_v the_o sameness_n of_o nature_n for_o nothing_o can_v be_v perfect_o alike_o which_o have_v not_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o this_o he_o say_v he_o learn_v from_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n before_o ever_o he_o hear_v of_o the_o nicene_n faith_n which_o he_o have_v not_o hear_v of_o till_o a_o little_a before_o he_o be_v banish_v for_o that_o faith_n this_o observation_n be_v of_o great_a use_n as_o st._n hilary_n note_n to_o confute_v sabellianism_n and_o to_o fix_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o homoousion_n for_o if_o to_o be_v consubstantial_a or_o of_o one_o nature_n signify_v a_o perfect_a likeness_n similitude_n and_o equality_n of_o nature_n consubstantiality_n must_v at_o least_o signify_v two_o who_o be_v thus_o consubstantial_a as_o likeness_n similitude_n and_o equality_n do_v and_o these_o two_o must_v have_v one_o and_o the_o same_o nature_n not_o in_o the_o sense_n of_o singularity_n and_o sabellian_n unity_n but_o of_o likeness_n and_o similitude_n that_o father_n and_o son_n be_v one_o substance_n not_o as_o one_o person_n be_v one_o with_o himself_o but_o as_o two_o person_n be_v one_o by_o a_o perfect_a likeness_n and_o similitude_n of_o nature_n which_o must_v be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o consubstantial_a if_o consubstantiality_n and_o likeness_n of_o nature_n be_v the_o same_o 3._o i_o observe_v far_o that_o the_o catholic_n father_n do_v not_o make_v the_o homoousion_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o whatever_o sense_n some_o critical_a wit_n can_v put_v on_o it_o must_v therefore_o be_v own_v for_o the_o catholic_n faith_n but_o they_o choose_v it_o as_o the_o most_o comprehensive_a word_n to_o comprise_v the_o true_a catholic_n faith_n and_o to_o detect_v the_o fraud_n of_o heretic_n they_o teach_v no_o new_a faith_n by_o this_o word_n but_o what_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v always_o teach_v but_o secure_v the_o faith_n by_o it_o against_o the_o shift_n and_o evasion_n of_o heretic_n this_o be_v the_o defence_n they_o make_v to_o the_o arian_n objection_n that_o it_o be_v a_o unscriptural_a word_n they_o confess_v the_o word_n homoousios_fw-la be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n but_o the_o faith_n express_v by_o that_o word_n be_v 2._o thus_o st._n austin_n answer_v pascentius_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o christ_n himself_o have_v teach_v we_o the_o homoousion_n where_o he_o say_v i_o be_o in_o the_o father_n and_o the_o father_n in_o i_o and_o i_o and_o my_o father_n be_v one_o and_o expound_v this_o of_o the_o unity_n dignity_n and_o equality_n of_o nature_n and_o add_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o word_n but_o the_o thing_n signify_v by_o that_o word_n which_o be_v so_o terrible_a to_o heretic_n and_o if_o they_o will_v dispute_v to_o purpose_n they_o must_v not_o reject_v the_o word_n but_o the_o doctrine_n it_o contain_v and_o thus_o laurentius_n who_o preside_v in_o that_o dispute_n give_v judgement_n in_o this_o controversy_n ibid._n that_o the_o homoousion_n be_v not_o the_o name_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o signify_v the_o equality_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o that_o though_o this_o word_n be_v not_o in_o scripture_n yet_o the_o thing_n signify_v by_o it_o be_v true_a and_o we_o must_v believe_v honourable_o of_o the_o unity_n lest_o we_o injure_v the_o trinity_n we_o may_v find_v enough_o to_o this_o purpose_n in_o athanasius_n de_fw-fr decret_a syn._n nic._n and_o elsewhere_o of_o which_o more_o present_o and_o therefore_o st._n hilary_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr synodis_fw-la which_o he_o write_v to_o some_o catholic_n bishop_n who_o be_v very_a orthodox_n in_o the_o faith_n and_o yet_o doubt_v of_o this_o word_n homoousion_n tell_v they_o finem_fw-la that_o they_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o the_o synod_n intend_v by_o that_o word_n and_o not_o reject_v the_o word_n unless_o they_o reject_v the_o faith_n teach_v by_o it_o and_o will_v profess_v those_o arian_n doctrine_n which_o the_o council_n condemn_v in_o it_o this_o be_v the_o constant_a language_n of_o the_o nicene_n and_o post_n nicene_n father_n when_o the_o dispute_n be_v concern_v the_o use_n of_o this_o word_n which_o give_v we_o this_o certain_a rule_n for_o expound_v the_o homoousion_n that_o we_o must_v understand_v it_o in_o no_o other_o sense_n than_o what_o the_o nicene_n father_n intend_v by_o it_o for_o if_o we_o do_v we_o may_v acknowledge_v the_o homoousion_n and_o yet_o deny_v the_o nicene_n faith_n what_o they_o teach_v by_o this_o word_n that_o we_o must_v own_v and_o what_o they_o reject_v by_o it_o we_o must_v reject_v and_o though_o we_o may_v fancy_v that_o this_o word_n signify_v more_o than_o what_o the_o nicene_n father_n understand_v by_o it_o as_o we_o have_v hear_v what_o perverse_a sense_n the_o heretic_n fix_v on_o it_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o a_o scriptural_a but_o a_o ecclesiastical_a word_n it_o must_v be_v expound_v to_o that_o sense_n and_o no_o other_o which_o place_v it_o in_o the_o creed_n sect_n iii_o what_o the_o nicene_n father_n mean_v by_o the_o homoousion_n and_o this_o bring_v i_o to_o a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o homoousion_n and_o what_o the_o nicene_n father_n understand_v by_o it_o eusebius_n pamphili_n who_o at_o first_o doubt_v about_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o christ_n be_v of_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o father_n and_o consubstantial_a or_o of_o one_o substance_n with_o he_o give_v a_o account_n to_o his_o coesareans_n of_o the_o reason_n which_o move_v he_o afterward_o to_o subscribe_v to_o that_o form_n of_o faith_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o letter_n to_o they_o record_v in_o socrates_n his_o ecclesiastical_a history_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o do_v not_o admit_v these_o word_n without_o due_a examination_n but_o when_o he_o find_v there_o be_v nothing_o mean_v by_o they_o but_o what_o be_v true_o catholic_n and_o orthodox_n he_o comply_v for_o peace_n sake_n 8._o for_o by_o the_o son_n be_v be_v of_o his_o father_n substance_n they_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o
god_n and_o creature_n so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o word_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n common_a to_o they_o but_o then_o this_o only_o require_v a_o accommodation_n of_o word_n to_o divine_a mystery_n by_o way_n of_o analogy_n and_o resemblance_n but_o not_o to_o change_v the_o language_n and_o philosophy_n of_o create_a nature_n which_o after_o all_o our_o attempt_n and_o all_o our_o art_n of_o expression_n will_v fall_v infinite_o short_a of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o give_v we_o but_o a_o very_a imperfect_a image_n of_o it_o and_o if_o by_o such_o attempt_v we_o confound_v our_o notion_n and_o idea_n of_o nature_n too_o we_o shall_v so_o much_o the_o more_o confound_v and_o perplex_v our_o idea_n of_o god_n it_o may_v help_v to_o ease_v man_n mind_n of_o some_o notion_n which_o lie_v cross_a and_o uneven_a brief_o to_o state_n this_o matter_n i_o confess_v i_o be_o not_o satisfy_v of_o that_o absolute_a necessity_n which_o some_o pretend_v of_o state_v nice_o and_o philosophical_o this_o distinction_n between_o nature_n and_o person_n in_o order_n to_o understand_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n this_o be_v the_o catholic_n faith_n long_a before_o this_o distinction_n be_v universal_o receive_v and_o man_n who_o understand_v little_a of_o this_o distinction_n may_v believe_v very_o orthodox_o in_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n without_o it_o nay_o the_o best_a the_o safe_a and_o easy_a way_n to_o understand_v these_o and_o all_o other_o philosophical_a term_n apply_v to_o the_o explication_n of_o this_o faith_n be_v to_o fit_v they_o to_o those_o scripture_n idea_n we_o have_v of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n each_o of_o they_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n and_o all_o three_o but_o one_o god_n as_o i_o have_v show_v at_o large_a in_o the_o first_o chapter_n but_o since_o there_o be_v a_o very_a warm_a dispute_n about_o nature_n and_o â—erson_n and_o have_v be_v for_o many_o age_n and_o this_o distinction_n be_v become_v necessary_a to_o secure_v the_o catholic_n faith_n against_o the_o attempt_n of_o heretic_n on_o both_o side_n as_o the_o church_n have_v find_v by_o long_a experience_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o set_v this_o matter_n in_o as_o clear_v a_o light_n as_o possible_a we_o can_v and_o the_o best_a way_n i_o can_v think_v of_o to_o do_v this_o be_v 1._o to_o consider_v this_o distinction_n of_o nature_n and_o person_n in_o creature_n as_o for_o instance_n in_o a_o man_n what_o the_o distinction_n between_o nature_n and_o person_n be_v in_o man_n and_o to_o show_v which_o way_n soever_o we_o state_n this_o matter_n how_o improper_a all_o these_o notion_n be_v to_o represent_v this_o distinction_n between_o nature_n and_o person_n in_o the_o bless_a trinity_n and_o 2._o to_o show_v how_o the_o catholic_n father_n accommodate_v these_o name_n of_o essence_n and_o person_n to_o the_o explication_n of_o this_o mystery_n and_o what_o unity_n and_o what_o distinction_n they_o intend_v to_o represent_v by_o they_o 1._o as_o for_o the_o first_o if_o the_o infinite_a distance_n between_o god_n and_o creature_n will_v allow_v we_o to_o philosophize_v free_o about_o create_v nature_n without_o incur_v the_o suspicion_n of_o heresy_n i_o must_v confess_v i_o never_o can_v form_v a_o distinct_a notion_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o a_o subsist_v nature_n and_o hypostasis_fw-la or_o person_n in_o man_n but_o do_v what_o i_o can_v i_o can_v conceive_v no_o otherwise_o of_o a_o individual_a subsist_v human_a nature_n but_o as_o of_o a_o individual_a subsist_v human_n hypostasis_fw-la or_o person_n nor_o of_o a_o individual_a human_a person_n than_o as_o of_o a_o individual_a subsist_v human_a nature_n and_o i_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o this_o be_v not_o peculiarly_a my_o case_n for_o beside_o that_o i_o find_v other_o think_v man_n blunder_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o can_v never_o yet_o meet_v with_o a_o clear_a and_o sensible_a explication_n of_o it_o i_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o word_n which_o in_o its_o original_a institution_n signify_v this_o difference_n and_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v as_o to_o create_v nature_n that_o mankind_n have_v no_o notion_n of_o that_o which_o they_o have_v no_o word_n for_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o hypostasis_fw-la original_o signify_v essence_n and_o substance_n not_o person_n as_o distinguish_v from_o nature_n which_o be_v a_o late_a and_o a_o mere_a ecclesiastical_a use_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v confess_v that_o persona_fw-la and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v take_v from_o the_o stage_n and_o when_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o signify_v a_o true_a and_o real_a man_n they_o signify_v only_o the_o man_n himself_o not_o the_o personality_n of_o a_o man_n as_o distinguish_v from_o a_o individual_a subsist_v nature_n and_o which_o be_v much_o more_o considerable_a some_o of_o the_o father_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o confess_v that_o aristotle_n know_v no_o such_o distinction_n but_o in_o his_o philosophy_n essence_n and_o hypostasis_fw-la signify_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o nature_n and_o essence_n which_o be_v his_o first_o substance_n be_v a_o individuum_fw-la which_o subsist_v not_o as_o part_v of_o another_o but_o as_o whole_a and_o complete_a which_o the_o father_n call_v hypostasis_fw-la and_o therefore_o aristotle_n first_o substance_n and_o what_o these_o father_n call_v hypostasis_fw-la be_v in_o creature_n one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o yet_o all_o confess_v that_o no_o man_n ever_o more_o nice_o distinguish_v all_o the_o distinguishable_a notion_n in_o nature_n than_o aristotle_n do_v that_o what_o escape_v his_o observation_n must_v be_v very_o nice_a indeed_o and_o though_o st._n basil_n and_o st._n gregory_n nyssen_n and_o the_o other_o catholic_n writer_n of_o that_o age_n do_v distinguish_v between_o essence_n and_o hypostasis_fw-la that_o they_o differ_v as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d what_o be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o individual_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n which_o be_v a_o common_a nature_n and_o what_o be_v proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o each_o individual_a and_o distinguish_v one_o man_n from_o another_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v that_o they_o quarrel_v with_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n or_o apprehend_v that_o they_o themselves_o teach_v any_o new_a philosophy_n in_o this_o point_n as_o afterward_o theorianus_n and_o other_o do_v nor_o can_v i_o see_v any_o other_o difference_n there_o be_v between_o they_o if_o candid_o interpret_v but_o only_o in_o word_n the_o short_a account_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v this_o aristotle_n first_o substance_n which_o subsist_v by_o itself_o these_o father_n as_o they_o themselves_o own_v call_v hypostasis_fw-la not_o nature_n essence_n and_o substance_n that_o be_v every_o subsist_v individuum_fw-la be_v aristotle_n nature_n essence_n and_o substance_n the_o father_n hypostasis_fw-la now_o when_o they_o mean_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o own_o that_o they_o do_v so_o so_o far_o they_o be_v agree_v in_o the_o thing_n and_o differ_v only_o in_o word_n but_o then_o these_o father_n in_o every_o hypostasis_fw-la distinguish_v between_o the_o common_a nature_n and_o such_o personal_a property_n which_o distinguish_v common_a nature_n into_o individual_n or_o be_v characteristical_a mark_n whereby_o to_o know_v one_o person_n from_o another_o now_o aristotle_n indeed_o never_o make_v such_o a_o distinction_n as_o this_o but_o yet_o all_o that_o be_v material_a in_o it_o be_v include_v in_o his_o notion_n and_o definition_n of_o substance_n for_o when_o these_o father_n distinguish_v in_o every_o hypostasis_fw-la what_o be_v common_a to_o the_o whole_a kind_a and_o what_o be_v proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o each_o individuum_fw-la they_o mean_v no_o more_o by_o it_o but_o that_o peter_n for_o instance_n consider_v as_o a_o man_n be_v perfect_o the_o same_o that_o james_n and_o john_n be_v consider_v also_o as_o man_n though_o there_o be_v something_o so_o peculiar_a to_o peter_n as_o to_o make_v he_o a_o particular_a human_a person_n and_o to_o distinguish_v he_o from_o james_n and_o john_n and_o all_o other_o man_n in_o the_o world_n now_o it_o be_v certain_a neither_o aristotle_n nor_o any_o man_n of_o sense_n will_v ever_o have_v deny_v any_o thing_n of_o all_o this_o for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v something_o wherein_o all_o man_n agree_v and_o something_o proper_a to_o every_o particular_a man._n that_o which_o be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o man_n the_o father_n call_v a_o common_a nature_n and_o so_o do_v aristotle_n a_o common_a specific_a nature_n but_o here_o be_v some_o appearance_n of_o difference_n between_o they_o which_o i_o think_v if_o right_o state_v be_v none_o at_o all_o aristotle_n make_v nature_n as_o actual_o subsist_v by_o itself_o as_o suppose_v human_a nature_n in_o peter_n or_o james_n to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d individuum_fw-la a_o particular_a singular_a
and_o thus_o a_o man_n beget_v a_o man_n in_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o likeness_n and_o the_o son_n which_o be_v beget_v be_v upon_o all_o account_n as_o much_o a_o man_n as_o he_o who_o beget_v and_o father_n and_o son_n be_v two_o man_n and_o to_o beget_v and_o to_o be_v beget_v though_o they_o prove_v their_o person_n to_o be_v distinct_a yet_o be_v but_o external_n relation_n not_o different_a manner_n of_o subsistence_n in_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o thus_o god_n do_v not_o beget_v a_o son_n which_o will_v be_v to_o beget_v a_o second_o god_n for_o to_o beget_v and_o to_o be_v beget_v when_o he_o who_o beget_v beget_v in_o a_o absolute_a sense_n all_o the_o same_o that_o he_o be_v himself_o make_v two_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v the_o personal_a character_n and_o property_n of_o the_o father_n do_v not_o only_o signify_v that_o he_o have_v no_o cause_n of_o his_o be_v and_o nature_n but_o that_o what_o he_o be_v he_o be_v absolute_o in_o himself_o have_v a_o absolute_a not_o a_o relative_n nature_n and_o subsistence_n and_o so_o consequent_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v the_o personal_a property_n of_o the_o son_n signify_v that_o his_o be_v and_o nature_n be_v relative_n not_o only_o that_o he_o receive_v his_o be_v and_o nature_n from_o his_o father_n but_o that_o he_o so_o receive_v it_o as_o to_o be_v a_o relative_n subsistence_n in_o his_o father_n nature_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o procession_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o to_o show_v this_o more_o particular_o god_n beget_v a_o son_n his_o own_o perfect_a image_n and_o likeness_n but_o he_o do_v not_o beget_v his_o own_o absolute_a nature_n in_o his_o son_n as_o man_n do_v though_o he_o beget_v his_o son_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o substance_n as_o for_o instance_n god_n be_v perfect_a absolute_a original_a mind_n not_o only_o as_o original_a be_v oppose_v to_o what_o have_v a_o cause_n and_o a_o beginning_n but_o as_o oppose_v to_o a_o image_n but_o god_n do_v not_o beget_v a_o absolute_a original_a mind_n in_o his_o son_n but_o only_o his_o own_o eternal_a essential_a word_n which_o be_v the_o perfect_a live_v image_n of_o eternal_a self-originated_n mind_n and_o be_v itself_o eternal_a infinite_a mind_n in_o the_o eternal_a word_n but_o be_v in_o its_o own_o proper_a character_n the_o eternal_a word_n of_o the_o eternal_a mind_n not_o original_o a_o eternal_a mind_n itself_o it_o have_v all_o the_o perfection_n of_o a_o eternal_a mind_n as_o a_o perfect_a word_n must_v of_o necessity_n have_v which_o be_v the_o perfect_a sameness_n and_o identity_n of_o nature_n but_o it_o have_v all_o these_o perfection_n not_o as_o original_a mind_n but_o as_o a_o beget_v word_n which_o be_v a_o different_a mode_n of_o subsistence_n and_o a_o sensible_a distinction_n between_o the_o eternal_a mind_n and_o its_o word_n in_o the_o perfect_a identity_n of_o nature_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o true_a and_o intelligible_a account_n of_o these_o different_a manner_n of_o subsistence_n which_o distinguish_v the_o divine_a person_n in_o the_o perfect_a unity_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o have_v all_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o same_o perfection_n but_o after_o a_o different_a manner_n which_o can_v never_o be_v understand_v in_o absolute_a nature_n and_o person_n for_o three_o man_n though_o father_n son_n and_o grandson_n have_v all_o of_o they_o human_a nature_n after_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n but_o in_o a_o absolute_a nature_n and_o relative_n essential_a procession_n this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o prove_v a_o real_a distinction_n and_o perfect_a unity_n it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o man_n that_o the_o mind_n and_o its_o word_n be_v two_o and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o life_n wisdom_n knowledge_n be_v in_o absolute_a original_a mind_n after_o another_o manner_n than_o they_o be_v in_o its_o word_n and_o yet_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o mind_n and_o its_o word_n and_o that_o essential_a relation_n that_o be_v between_o they_o make_v it_o a_o contradiction_n to_o say_v that_o any_o other_o life_n wisdom_n knowledge_n can_v be_v in_o the_o word_n than_o what_o be_v in_o the_o mind_n which_o will_v be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o word_n be_v not_o the_o word_n of_o the_o mind_n if_o it_o have_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o in_o the_o mind_n for_o a_o natural_a word_n can_v have_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v in_o the_o mind_n and_o be_v no_o far_o a_o word_n than_o it_o be_v the_o natural_a image_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v concern_v the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o have_v all_o the_o same_o divine_a perfection_n but_o in_o a_o different_a manner_n from_o original_a mind_n and_o its_o word_n as_o eternal_o proceed_v from_o both_o this_o be_v the_o account_n which_o the_o catholic_n father_n give_v of_o the_o unity_n of_o nature_n and_o distinction_n of_o person_n in_o the_o ever_o bless_a trinity_n which_o answer_v the_o objection_n of_o our_o sabellian_n arian_n and_o socinian_n adversary_n and_o vindicate_v those_o catholic_n form_n of_o speech_n which_o they_o charge_v with_o tritheism_n contradiction_n and_o nonsense_n as_o to_o show_v this_o brief_o in_o one_o view_n for_o each_o part_n of_o it_o have_v be_v sufficient_o confirm_v already_o the_o catholic_n faith_n teach_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o this_o be_v demonstrable_a from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o these_o father_n for_o in_o this_o account_n i_o have_v now_o give_v there_o be_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o absolute_a divinity_n one_o divine_a nature_n and_o therefore_o but_o one_o god_n but_o say_v our_o adversary_n one_o god_n in_o natural_a religion_n and_o according_a to_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n signify_v one_o person_n who_o be_v god_n and_o this_o also_o in_o some_o sense_n have_v always_o be_v own_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o as_o there_o be_v but_o one_o absolute_a divinity_n so_o the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n who_o be_v this_o one_o absolute_a divinity_n be_v this_o one_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o be_v but_o one_o person_n who_o be_v god_n in_o this_o absolute_a sense_n because_o there_o be_v but_o one_o father_n who_o as_o they_o often_o speak_v be_v the_o fountain_n of_o the_o deity_n that_o be_v of_o the_o divine_a procession_n of_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n he_o be_v the_o whole_a absolute_a divinity_n himself_o and_o whatever_o be_v divine_a eternal_o and_o essential_o proceed_v from_o he_o in_o the_o unity_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n but_o at_o this_o rate_n what_o divinity_n do_v we_o leave_v for_o the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a spirit_n true_o the_o very_a same_o by_o eternal_a generation_n and_o procession_n which_o be_v original_o and_o absolute_o in_o the_o father_n for_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o father_n which_o be_v in_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n as_o the_o father_n constant_o own_o and_o as_o of_o necessity_n it_o must_v be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o this_o eternal_a generation_n and_o procession_n have_v always_o be_v own_v as_o a_o ineffable_a mystery_n which_o we_o must_v believe_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n without_o pretend_v to_o know_v how_o god_n beget_v a_o eternal_a son_n or_o how_o the_o eternal_a spirit_n proceed_v from_o father_n and_o son_n which_o we_o confess_v we_o have_v no_o notion_n of_o but_o we_o know_v likewise_o that_o this_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o reject_v this_o faith_n no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v a_o reason_n to_o reject_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o eternal_a self-originated_n be_v because_o though_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o eternal_a first_o cause_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o have_v no_o cause_n of_o its_o own_o be_v but_o a_o eternal_a necessary_a nature_n yet_o we_o can_v no_o more_o conceive_v this_o than_o we_o can_v a_o eternal_a generation_n and_o procession_n suppose_v therefore_o without_o dispute_v that_o matter_n at_o present_a that_o god_n have_v a_o eternal_a son_n that_o eternal_a self-originated_n mind_n have_v a_o eternal_a subsist_v word_n and_o a_o eternal_a spirit_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o eternal_a word_n and_o eternal_a spirit_n must_v have_v all_o the_o same_o perfection_n of_o the_o eternal_a mind_n must_v be_v all_o that_o the_o eternal_a mind_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d except_v its_o be_v a_o absolute_a self-originated_n mind_n now_o if_o he_o be_v god_n who_o have_v the_o whole_a divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n than_o the_o son_n be_v god_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v god_n who_o by_o eternal_a generation_n and_o procession_n have_v that_o same_o