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the_o same_o or_o the_o like_a term_n i_o shall_v not_o insist_v upon_o it_o nor_o do_v i_o think_v such_o a_o trinity_n as_o we_o profess_v to_o believe_v stand_v much_o in_o need_n of_o the_o support_n of_o this_o text_n the_o matter_n and_o subject_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o this_o point_n be_v frequent_o large_o and_o circumstantial_o mention_v and_o as_o it_o appear_v to_o i_o interweave_v into_o the_o very_a design_n of_o the_o scripture_n now_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o that_o the_o scripture_n plain_o and_o express_o teach_v concern_v a_o trinity_n be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o only_a god_n the_o author_n and_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n but_o that_o one_o god_n ought_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o adore_v by_o we_o under_o those_o three_o different_a title_n or_o character_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n which_o term_n whatever_o they_o signify_v according_a to_o my_o judgement_n upon_o a_o fair_a and_o impartial_a consideration_n of_o all_o 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only_o as_o a_o trial_n and_o exercise_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o the_o more_o implicit_a that_o be_v the_o full_a do_v we_o express_v our_o trust_n and_o reliance_n upon_o god_n nay_o far_o there_o be_v those_o who_o do_v not_o scruple_n to_o say_v the_o more_o contradiction_n the_o better_a the_o great_a the_n struggle_v and_o opposition_n of_o reason_n the_o great_a be_v the_o triumph_n and_o merit_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n of_o suppress_v any_o of_o our_o doubt_n or_o dispute_v in_o religion_n this_o way_n for_o beside_o the_o natural_a propension_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o strong_a and_o impatient_a desire_n we_o have_v to_o know_v as_o much_o as_o ever_o we_o can_v of_o what_o immediate_o concern_v we_o it_o be_v general_o and_o very_o just_o look_v upon_o both_o as_o the_o privilege_n and_o duty_n of_o man_n to_o inquire_v and_o examine_v before_o he_o believe_v or_o judge_n and_o never_o give_v up_o his_o assent_n to_o any_o thing_n but_o upon_o good_a and_o rational_a ground_n and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a thing_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o stifle_v and_o restrain_v so_o many_o powerful_a motive_n of_o action_n but_o shall_v they_o be_v far_o prevail_v upon_o to_o go_v direct_o contrary_a to_o their_o reason_n it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o difficult_a to_o conquer_v the_o uneasiness_n of_o the_o reluctance_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v well_o the_o difficulty_n of_o subdue_a the_o understanding_n be_v too_o great_a to_o be_v master_v for_o a_o slight_a reflection_n will_v serve_v to_o convince_v we_o that_o the_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o a_o blind_a resignation_n of_o judgement_n will_v be_v far_o more_o fatal_a to_o christianity_n than_o all_o our_o present_a division_n what_o blasphemy_n and_o contradiction_n may_v and_o have_v be_v impose_v upon_o man_n belief_n under_o the_o venerable_a name_n of_o mystery_n and_o how_o easy_a be_v villainous_a 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as_o well_o as_o a_o unjust_a restraint_n 2._o there_o be_v other_o who_o call_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n a_o incomprehensible_a mystery_n and_o yet_o be_v at_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o bring_v it_o down_o to_o a_o level_n with_o humane_a understanding_n and_o be_v all_o very_a earnest_n to_o have_v their_o own_o particular_a explication_n acknowledge_v as_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o number_n and_o disagreement_n of_o the_o expositor_n plain_o discover_v the_o vanity_n of_o such_o pretence_n this_o have_v prove_v so_o unsuccessful_a a_o way_n that_o instead_o of_o unite_n the_o different_a judgement_n of_o christian_n in_o one_o point_n it_o have_v break_v the_o controversy_n into_o a_o thousand_o more_o for_o zeal_n and_o opposition_n raise_v up_o a_o great_a many_o assertor_n of_o the_o common_a belief_n and_o every_o one_o look_v out_o for_o some_o new_a term_n and_o mode_n of_o speech_n which_o shall_v be_v full_a and_o more_o expressive_a than_o those_o in_o question_n the_o difference_n and_o dispute_n be_v by_o consequence_n proportionable_o multiply_v for_o the_o term_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n make_v use_v of_o be_v capable_a of_o several_a sense_n and_o each_o of_o they_o attend_v with_o other_o accessary_a idea_n mistake_v must_v necessary_o arise_v and_o divers_a new_a thought_n be_v suggest_v to_o such_o who_o head_n be_v employ_v upon_o the_o same_o subject_a and_o thus_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o defence_n and_o vindication_n of_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n produce_v more_o heresy_n wherefore_o in_o all_o such_o matter_n as_o these_o which_o be_v too_o big_a to_o be_v grasp_v we_o have_v better_o sit_v down_o content_v with_o what_o we_o have_v firm_a hold_n of_o than_o tire_v ourselves_o with_o vain_a endeavour_n to_o take_v in_o more_o it_o will_v certain_o be_v the_o true_a and_o the_o safe_a way_n strict_o to_o confine_v ourselves_o to_o scripture_n expression_n and_o never_o speak_v of_o 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infer_v their_o denial_n of_o any_o late_a erroneous_a invention_n set_v up_o against_o it_o 3._o there_o be_v a_o three_o sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n who_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v no_o mystery_n propose_v to_o we_o as_o a_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o in_o order_n to_o make_v this_o of_o the_o trinity_n appear_v to_o be_v none_o they_o bring_v a_o cloud_n over_o the_o whole_a bible_n and_o with_o strange_a force_a criticism_n and_o allegory_n give_v the_o very_o plain_a text_n such_o a_o unusual_a mysterious_a turn_n as_o neither_o the_o language_n will_v bear_v nor_o be_v any_o way_n consistent_a with_o the_o design_n or_o character_n of_o the_o holy_a writer_n but_o this_o be_v a_o very_a odd_a preposterous_a method_n of_o explain_v scripture_n by_o darken_v a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o to_o illustrate_v the_o rest_n and_o as_o ridiculous_a a_o project_n of_o heal_a division_n as_o pull_v down_o a_o whole_a side_n of_o stand_a wall_n to_o mend_v a_o breach_n and_o after_o all_o the_o socinian_n hypothesis_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o have_v more_o of_o mystery_n and_o contradiction_n to_o natural_a reason_n in_o it_o than_o what_o be_v object_v to_o the_o catholic_n doctrine_n i_o be_o not_o for_o clog_a the_o faith_n nor_o multiply_a mystery_n yet_o we_o ought_v not_o present_o to_o deny_v what_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v but_o sober_o and_o impartial_o consider_v how_o much_o we_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v and_o how_o far_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v what_o we_o do_v not_o the_o method_n therefore_o i_o design_v to_o observe_v in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n shall_v be_v different_a from_o any_o of_o those_o now_o mention_v i_o shall_v not_o go_v about_o to_o press_v man_n to_o a_o blind_a veneration_n or_o presumptuous_a belief_n of_o any_o thing_n without_o examination_n or_o in_o defiance_n to_o reason_n i_o shall_v not_o offer_v to_o impose_v any_o new_a arbitrary_a explication_n of_o my_o own_o upon_o other_o man_n conscience_n but_o confine_v myself_o whole_o to_o the_o usual_a warrant_a form_n of_o expression_n i_o will_v not_o wrest_v and_o strain_v scripture_n to_o help_v out_o a_o private_a notion_n nor_o do_v any_o thing_n to_o betray_v the_o just_a right_n and_o privilege_n of_o our_o common_a reason_n but_o careful_o endeavour_v to_o distinguish_v how_o far_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v a_o mystery_n and_o how_o far_o a_o mystery_n may_v become_v a_o object_n of_o faith_n from_o whence_o i_o hope_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o nothing_o hard_a or_o unreasonable_a be_v require_v of_o we_o by_o our_o church_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o article_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v rank_v all_o my_o reflection_n upon_o this_o subject_a under_o these_o three_o head_n of_o enquiry_n i._o what_o it_o be_v that_o perplex_v and_o obscure_v our_o faith_n in_o the_o trinity_n ii_o what_o be_v sufficient_a for_o
themselves_o sufficient_a to_o show_v what_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n be_v for_o who_o but_o one_o that_o believe_v that_o christ_n be_v god_n can_v say_v with_o st._n paul_n i_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n through_o christ_n that_o strengthen_v i_o or_o with_o st._n stephen_n at_o the_o instant_n of_o death_n cry_v out_o lord_n jesus_n receive_v my_o spirit_n from_o these_o and_o many_o other_o text_n it_o seem_v plain_a to_o i_o that_o christ_n be_v worship_v and_o acknowledge_v as_o god_n and_o that_o therefore_o he_o ought_v so_o to_o be_v worship_v and_o acknowledge_v we_o have_v all_o the_o same_o reason_n to_o believe_v as_o we_o have_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a the_o establishment_n of_o a_o false_a worship_n be_v a_o thorough_a disproof_n of_o the_o authority_n that_o command_v it_o suppose_v therefore_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o elude_v this_o argument_n but_o by_o give_v another_o interpretation_n to_o all_o 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they_o choose_v rather_o to_o wrest_v and_o pervert_v the_o plain_a text_n than_o admit_v such_o seem_o inconsistent_a consequence_n here_o therefore_o i_o shall_v examine_v what_o ground_n there_o be_v in_o scripture_n for_o such_o a_o exposition_n and_o what_o we_o be_v oblige_v from_o thence_o to_o believe_v when_o we_o express_v our_o faith_n in_o this_o particular_a manner_n first_o then_o as_o to_o these_o form_n of_o expression_n that_o god_n be_v one_o and_o three_o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o these_o name_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v apply_v to_o god_n in_o scripture_n in_o a_o different_a way_n from_o what_o any_o of_o his_o other_o name_n be_v for_o the_o other_o name_n of_o god_n signify_v only_o partial_a conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n such_o as_o self-existence_n power_n etc._n etc._n and_o be_v all_o contain_v within_o the_o same_o idea_n of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v indifferent_o use_v upon_o any_o occasion_n to_o express_v the_o whole_a idea_n of_o god_n to_o which_o they_o belong_v which_o be_v the_o same_o under_o every_o denomination_n these_o therefore_o can_v be_v the_o foundation_n of_o any_o distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n but_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n according_a to_o our_o way_n of_o conceive_a thing_n signify_v something_o extrinsical_a and_o accessary_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o much_o as_o we_o know_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n by_o reason_n the_o whole_a idea_n of_o god_n be_v conceive_v as_o full_a and_o complete_a before_o the_o application_n of_o these_o term_n and_o though_o all_o of_o they_o are_z separately_z and_o together_o affirm_v of_o god_n yet_o each_o of_o they_o in_o so_o peculiar_a a_o manner_n that_o there_o be_v several_a occasion_n where_o when_o one_o of_o these_o term_n be_v use_v with_o relation_n to_o god_n it_o will_v be_v improper_a to_o use_v either_o of_o the_o other_o from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o these_o three_o name_n of_o god_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n must_v denote_v a_o threefold_a difference_n or_o distinction_n belong_v to_o god_n but_o such_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o unity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o each_o of_o these_o name_n include_v the_o whole_a idea_n we_o have_v of_o god_n and_o something_o more_o so_o far_o as_o they_o express_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n they_o all_o adequate_o and_o exact_o signify_v the_o same_o it_o be_v the_o additional_a signification_n which_o make_v all_o the_o distinction_n betwixt_o they_o what_o particular_a kind_n or_o manner_n of_o distinction_n this_o be_v be_v not_o express_v in_o scripture_n but_o since_o the_o church_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o assign_v a_o name_n for_o it_o that_o of_o person_n seem_v to_o i_o as_o proper_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o whole_a tenor_n and_o design_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n as_o any_o other_o that_o can_v have_v be_v choose_v for_o that_o purpose_n for_o father_n son_n and_o 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not_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o nice_a abstract_a speculation_n design_v for_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o understanding_n but_o as_o a_o plain_a revelation_n of_o god_n love_n and_o good_a will_n towards_o man_n and_o a_o great_a motive_n and_o incitement_n to_o piety_n than_o any_o we_o have_v before_o this_o doctrine_n be_v deliver_v have_v man_n stand_v confirm_v in_o his_o original_a righteousness_n and_o there_o have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o redemption_n it_o be_v high_o probable_a god_n have_v never_o be_v consider_v by_o man_n in_o his_o state_n of_o probation_n under_o any_o such_o distinction_n as_o be_v now_o reveal_v to_o we_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v think_v those_o different_a title_n and_o relation_n by_o which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o express_v that_o eternal_a distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n to_o we_o shall_v be_v chief_o consider_v by_o we_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o great_a work_n of_o man_n salvation_n thus_o far_o then_o the_o scripture_n require_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o one_o only_o supreme_a god_n upon_o his_o foreknowledge_n of_o man_n fall_n do_v from_o all_o eternity_n purpose_n and_o decree_n to_o redeem_v mankind_n into_o a_o capacity_n of_o salvation_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 his_o passion_n and_o intercession_n to_o impart_v such_o gift_n grace_n and_o spiritual_a assistance_n as_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o render_v this_o redemption_n effectual_a to_o the_o save_v of_o much_o people_n and_o moreover_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o god_n have_v according_o execute_v this_o his_o gracious_a design_n towards_o we_o by_o send_v into_o the_o world_n christ_n jesus_n the_o man_n who_o before_o he_o have_v ordain_v shall_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n be_v bear_v and_o suffer_v for_o our_o sin_n in_o and_o by_o who_o as_o have_v already_o be_v show_v god_n act_v in_o a_o wonderful_a manner_n be_v worship_v and_o adore_v and_o acknowledge_v in_o all_o his_o attribute_n and_o with_o who_o he_o abide_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o power_n and_o glory_n for_o ever_o and_o since_o his_o death_n and_o reception_n into_o heaven_n by_o a_o plentiful_a effusion_n of_o spiritual_a grace_n and_o influence_n by_o which_o mean_v a_o great_a many_o have_v embrace_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o become_v heir_n of_o salvation_n and_o more_o from_o henceforth_o to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o thing_n shall_v daily_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v support_v in_o the_o faith_n and_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o purchase_a inheritance_n reserve_v in_o heaven_n for_o those_o that_o be_v sanctify_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n now_o with_o respect_n to_o this_o great_a design_n of_o save_v mankind_n and_o the_o order_n and_o method_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o to_o 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please_v to_o represent_v his_o love_n to_o mankind_n in_o the_o high_a image_n of_o nature_n that_o of_o a_o father_n sacrifice_v a_o only_a well-beloved_a son_n the_o exact_a transcript_n and_o resemblance_n of_o himself_o perfect_o innocent_a and_o obedient_a to_o his_o will_n in_o all_o thing_n we_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o by_o the_o suffering_n and_o death_n of_o christ_n god_n have_v give_v great_a proof_n of_o his_o love_n towards_o we_o than_o any_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o do_v to_o another_o and_o that_o such_o a_o action_n of_o a_o earthly_a parent_n suggest_v the_o near_a and_o like_a conception_n we_o can_v possible_o frame_v of_o what_o our_o heavenly_a father_n have_v do_v for_o we_o though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v it_o come_v infinite_o short_a of_o express_v the_o riches_n and_o fullness_n of_o his_o mercy_n and_o lovingkindness_n and_o the_o same_o use_v and_o spiritual_a improvement_n be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o all_o other_o revelation_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o thus_o we_o have_v see_v how_o far_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o conceive_v a_o trinity_n and_o what_o the_o scripture_n express_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v concern_v this_o point_n all_o that_o be_v beyond_o lie_v far_o out_o of_o our_o reach_n and_o comprehension_n and_o no_o particular_a explication_n can_v add_v any_o thing_n to_o our_o faith_n for_o the_o term_n make_v use_v of_o for_o that_o end_n be_v in_o use_n before_o this_o doctrine_n be_v teach_v must_v either_o signify_v the_o same_o they_o do_v before_o or_o not_o if_o the_o same_o where_o be_v the_o mystery_n if_o not_o what_o do_v they_o signify_v something_o that_o we_o can_v explain_v but_o in_o word_n use_v already_o and_o then_o the_o question_n will_v return_v again_o the_o same_o difficulty_n will_v attend_v new_a term_n invent_v on_o purpose_n for_o either_o they_o will_v have_v no_o meaning_n at_o all_o affix_v to_o they_o or_o else_o they_o will_v be_v understand_v in_o 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convey_v to_o other_o by_o the_o help_n of_o word_n or_o any_o other_o sign_n but_o only_o by_o the_o same_o divine_a impression_n so_o that_o whatever_o idea_n the_o apostle_n and_o inspire_a writer_n may_v have_v of_o a_o trinity_n by_o immediate_a infusion_n the_o term_n they_o have_v make_v use_n of_o can_v give_v we_o but_o this_o imperfect_a discovery_n of_o they_o that_o they_o be_v such_o as_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v without_o the_o like_a assistance_n this_o then_o be_v the_o utmost_a we_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v or_o be_v capable_a of_o believe_v concern_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n viz._n that_o these_o three_o different_a term_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o apply_v in_o scripture_n to_o the_o one_o only_o supreme_a god_n that_o all_o the_o action_n office_n and_o relation_n which_o be_v in_o scripture_n ascribe_v to_o any_o of_o these_o name_n except_v those_o proper_a to_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n be_v there_o plain_o attribute_v and_o do_v true_o belong_v to_o one_o and_o the_o same_o divine_a nature_n that_o there_o be_v such_o frequent_a and_o evident_a assertion_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n and_o yet_o such_o plain_a expression_n of_o distinction_n signify_v by_o these_o term_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n as_o imply_v a_o consistency_n of_o unity_n and_o distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n that_o this_o distinction_n whatever_o it_o be_v be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o that_o we_o conceive_v betwixt_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n which_o be_v partial_a conception_n of_o his_o essence_n nor_o a_o mere_a difference_n of_o name_n office_n or_o relation_n such_o as_o be_v signify_v by_o the_o like_a term_n when_o apply_v to_o man_n though_o these_o be_v all_o the_o difference_n we_o can_v express_o conceive_v as_o applicable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o some_o other_o