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now_o that_o christ_n receive_v the_o honour_n and_o worship_n due_a to_o god_n only_o be_v plain_a from_o abundance_n of_o place_n of_o scripture_n where_o we_o find_v he_o be_v not_o only_o adore_v with_o all_o the_o outward_a expression_n of_o reverence_n and_o devotion_n but_o confess_v and_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v god_n by_o a_o application_n of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n to_o he_o such_o as_o agree_v only_o to_o god_n and_o be_v incommunicable_a to_o any_o other_o as_o may_v be_v prove_v at_o large_a if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v do_v already_o but_o this_o be_v full_o insist_v upon_o by_o other_o i_o shall_v only_o name_v two_o passage_n to_o this_o purpose_n the_o one_o phil._n 4._o 13._o the_o other_o act._n 7._o 59_o which_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o be_v of_o
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they_o choose_v rather_o to_o wrest_v and_o pervert_v the_o plain_a text_n than_o admit_v such_o seem_o inconsistent_a consequence_n here_o therefore_o i_o shall_v examine_v what_o ground_n there_o be_v in_o scripture_n for_o such_o a_o exposition_n and_o what_o we_o be_v oblige_v from_o thence_o to_o believe_v when_o we_o express_v our_o faith_n in_o this_o particular_a manner_n first_o then_o as_o to_o these_o form_n of_o expression_n that_o god_n be_v one_o and_o three_o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o these_o name_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v apply_v to_o god_n in_o scripture_n in_o a_o different_a way_n from_o what_o any_o of_o his_o other_o name_n be_v for_o the_o other_o name_n of_o god_n signify_v only_o partial_a conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n such_o as_o self-existence_n power_n etc._n etc._n and_o be_v all_o contain_v within_o the_o same_o idea_n of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v indifferent_o use_v upon_o any_o occasion_n to_o express_v 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father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n must_v denote_v a_o threefold_a difference_n or_o distinction_n belong_v to_o god_n but_o such_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o unity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o each_o of_o these_o name_n include_v the_o whole_a idea_n we_o have_v of_o god_n and_o something_o more_o so_o far_o as_o they_o express_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n they_o all_o adequate_o and_o exact_o signify_v the_o same_o it_o be_v the_o additional_a signification_n which_o make_v all_o the_o distinction_n betwixt_o they_o what_o particular_a kind_n or_o manner_n of_o distinction_n this_o be_v be_v not_o express_v in_o scripture_n but_o since_o the_o church_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o assign_v a_o name_n for_o it_o that_o of_o person_n seem_v to_o i_o as_o proper_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o whole_a tenor_n and_o design_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n as_o any_o other_o that_o can_v have_v be_v choose_v for_o that_o purpose_n for_o father_n son_n and_o 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three_o infinite_a being_n distinct_a from_o one_o another_o any_o more_o than_o three_o infinite_a power_n or_o three_o infinite_a space_n because_o all_o distinction_n imply_v some_o limitation_n and_o limitation_n be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o infinity_o we_o can_v indeed_o conceive_v infinite_a power_n as_o in_o some_o manner_n bound_v by_o infinite_a wisdom_n justice_n mercy_n or_o the_o like_a but_o in_o no_o wise_a as_o limit_v by_o any_o other_o power_n we_o can_v therefore_o conceive_v one_o infinite_a be_v as_o bound_v by_o another_o infinite_a be_v for_o than_o we_o shall_v conceive_v infinite_a power_n limit_v by_o another_o power_n and_o the_o like_a of_o all_o other_o attribute_n which_o be_v the_o same_o in_o both_o for_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v include_v in_o it_o all_o the_o imaginable_a kind_n of_o infinite_a perfection_n but_o if_o we_o say_v there_o be_v three_o infinite_a being_n and_o all_o the_o perfection_n of_o each_o be_v coincident_a what_o 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next_o enquiry_n which_o i_o be_o persuade_v may_v very_o easy_o and_o quick_o be_v resolve_v for_o if_o we_o be_v full_o satisfy_v from_o revelation_n that_o these_o term_n one_o and_o three_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v affirm_v of_o god_n but_o not_o in_o any_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n we_o be_v here_o in_o this_o present_a state_n capable_a of_o conceive_v and_o moreover_o if_o it_o be_v true_a as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v it_o be_v that_o we_o can_v believe_v a_o thing_n no_o far_o than_o we_o understand_v the_o term_n in_o which_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o hence_o that_o all_o we_o can_v possible_o believe_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n be_v three_o in_o some_o way_n or_o manner_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v and_o if_o we_o be_v sure_o we_o can_v comprehend_v what_o this_o distinction_n be_v whereby_o god_n be_v three_o in_o vain_a do_v we_o look_v out_o for_o term_n to_o 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full_o in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n we_o be_v therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o consider_v how_o far_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o believe_v a_o trinity_n and_o next_o to_o examine_v what_o the_o scripture_n require_v we_o to_o believe_v in_o this_o matter_n now_o there_o be_v two_o condition_n requisite_a to_o make_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n 1._o that_o we_o know_v the_o term_n of_o what_o we_o be_v to_o assent_v to_o 2._o that_o it_o imply_v no_o contradiction_n to_o our_o former_a knowledge_n such_o knowledge_n i_o mean_v which_o be_v accompany_v with_o certainty_n and_o evidence_n first_o then_o we_o can_v believe_v a_o thing_n no_o further_o than_o we_o understand_v the_o term_n in_o which_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o for_o faith_n concern_v only_o the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o proposition_n and_o the_o term_n of_o which_o a_o proposition_n consist_v must_v be_v first_o understand_v before_o we_o can_v pronounce_v any_o thing_n 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action_n to_o proceed_v i_o have_v not_o the_o least_o conception_n of_o for_o all_o that_o i_o conceive_v be_v only_o several_a idea_n of_o different_a particular_a action_n which_o no_o more_o express_v the_o idea_n of_o that_o principle_n from_o whence_o they_o spring_v than_o the_o idea_n of_o several_a particular_a line_n express_v the_o idea_n of_o that_o point_n they_o be_v draw_v from_o all_o that_o we_o can_v perceive_v or_o imagine_v of_o corporeal_a unity_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o connexion_n or_o joint_a position_n of_o several_a body_n which_o according_a as_o it_o be_v more_o or_o less_o perceivable_a according_a to_o the_o simplicity_n or_o multiformity_n of_o the_o figure_n result_v from_o it_o and_o the_o easiness_n or_o difficulty_n of_o separation_n make_v several_a degree_n of_o union_n which_o all_o receive_v the_o common_a denomination_n of_o unity_n now_o as_o extension_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o perpetual_a divisibility_n can_v give_v we_o a_o true_a 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person_n now_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o those_o before-specified_n be_v all_o the_o notion_n we_o be_v able_a to_o frame_v of_o unity_n and_o distinction_n than_o god_n must_v be_v one_o and_o three_o in_o some_o way_n or_o manner_n there_o lay_v down_o or_o else_o in_o some_o other_o way_n or_o manner_n not_o conceivable_a by_o human_a understanding_n first_o then_o let_v we_o see_v how_o and_o in_o what_o manner_n god_n can_v be_v one_o and_o three_o according_a to_o those_o notion_n our_o soul_n have_v frame_v of_o unity_n and_o distinction_n and_o here_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v one_o and_o three_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o respect_n we_o can_v conceive_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v in_o one_o determinate_a position_n or_o vbi_fw-la and_o in_o three_o separate_a vbi_n all_o at_o once_o we_o can_v conceive_v that_o one_o principle_n or_o nature_n shall_v be_v but_o one_o and_o yet_o three_o different_a principle_n or_o nature_n too_o or_o that_o any_o object_n shall_v be_v true_o and_o adequate_o represent_v to_o any_o mind_n or_o understanding_n under_o one_o idea_n and_o true_o and_o adequate_o represent_v under_o three_o different_a idea_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n because_o it_o imply_v a_o plain_a contradiction_n to_o the_o clear_a and_o most_o certain_a knowledge_n we_o can_v have_v of_o unity_n and_o distinction_n so_o that_o if_o one_o may_v be_v three_o in_o the_o same_o respect_n it_o be_v one_o than_o one_o and_o three_o must_v stand_v for_o other_o idea_n than_o we_o conceive_v when_o we_o pronounce_v these_o word_n and_o if_o so_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v other_o name_n and_o not_o be_v call_v one_o and_o three_o since_o therefore_o we_o can_v say_v that_o god_n be_v one_o and_o three_o in_o the_o same_o respect_n in_o the_o next_o place_n let_v we_o inquire_v in_o what_o different_a respect_v this_o may_v be_v affirm_v of_o he_o now_o as_o to_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n this_o be_v easy_o believe_v and_o acknowledge_v as_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o all_o our_o other_o notion_n of_o the_o deity_n the_o chief_a difficulty_n lie_v in_o assign_v the_o distinction_n in_o attempt_v which_o the_o best_a and_o clear_a way_n of_o proceed_v will_v be_v by_o go_v over_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o distinction_n beforementioned_a i_o will_v begin_v with_o that_o of_o position_n and_o here_o it_o be_v plain_a at_o first_o sight_n that_o we_o can_v possible_o conceive_v god_n under_o any_o difference_n of_o position_n we_o can_v exclude_v omnipotence_n from_o any_o imaginable_a point_n of_o space_n it_o be_v the_o limit_a power_n and_o faculty_n of_o create_a being_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o local_a distinction_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o endeavour_v to_o represent_v god_n to_o our_o thought_n in_o this_o manner_n we_o consider_v he_o as_o omnipresent_v and_o i_o can_v no_o more_o conceive_v three_o omnipresent_v than_o i_o can_v conceive_v three_o straight_a line_n draw_v between_o the_o same_o point_n but_o though_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o undivided_a omnipresence_n may_v there_o not_o be_v three_o infinite_a being_n coequal_a to_o one_o another_o and_o commensurate_a to_o one_o infinite_a space_n this_o be_v far_o above_o my_o conception_n too_o infinite_a swallow_n up_o all_o my_o thought_n whatever_o idea_n we_o apply_v this_o term_n infinite_a to_o i_o think_v it_o impossible_a to_o apply_v it_o to_o another_o of_o the_o same_o denomination_n as_o for_o example_n if_o i_o apply_v it_o to_o power_n i_o can_v consider_v it_o as_o applicable_a to_o more_o than_o one_o infinite_a power_n for_o infinite_a power_n include_v all_o the_o possibility_n of_o action_n so_o that_o to_o conceive_v more_o than_o one_o infinite_a power_n will_v be_v to_o conceive_v more_o power_n than_o be_v possible_a which_o be_v a_o gross_a and_o palpable_a absurdity_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v conceive_v
distinction_n which_o we_o have_v but_o a_o confuse_a perception_n of_o and_o can_v comprehend_v or_o explain_v by_o any_o particular_a idea_n which_o unknown_a inexplicable_a distinction_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o these_o difference_n express_o conceive_v by_o we_o and_o since_o the_o church_n have_v think_v fit_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o unity_n and_o peace_n and_o for_o the_o suppress_v all_o private_a dispute_n and_o interpretation_n to_o appoint_v set_v form_n to_o express_v this_o our_o faith_n in_o i_o think_v the_o athanasian_n creed_n as_o rational_a a_o explication_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o can_v well_o be_v make_v the_o worst_a that_o the_o enemy_n of_o this_o doctrine_n can_v say_v of_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o unnecessary_a multiplication_n of_o term_n and_o too_o nice_a a_o endeavour_n to_o explain_v what_o can_v be_v explain_v but_o not_o that_o it_o be_v false_a or_o absurd_a nothing_o be_v there_o assert_v in_o any_o sense_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n or_o the_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n all_o such_o meaning_n and_o signification_n of_o any_o term_n or_o expression_n in_o that_o creed_n be_v very_o improper_a as_o they_o be_v there_o apply_v and_o utter_o disclaim_v by_o the_o church_n that_o enjoin_v the_o use_n of_o it_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v esteem_v a_o unreasonable_a imposition_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v our_o faith_n of_o something_o which_o can_v be_v conceive_v but_o confuse_o and_o indistinct_o nor_o express_v but_o in_o general_a and_o obscure_a term_n for_o where_o be_v the_o hardship_n of_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v believe_v god_n be_v incomprehensible_a in_o his_o nature_n and_o perfection_n but_o be_v we_o not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o be_v incomprehensible_a be_v we_o not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v there_o be_v joy_n in_o heaven_n which_o it_o have_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v and_o to_o repeat_v a_o former_a instance_n may_v not_o a_o blind_a man_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v what_o a_o friend_n of_o unsuspected_a integrity_n tell_v he_o of_o the_o general_a nature_n of_o colour_n though_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o form_v a_o particular_a idea_n of_o it_o and_o if_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v deny_v what_o difference_n can_v be_v assign_v why_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v under_o as_o great_a a_o obligation_n of_o believe_v the_o trinity_n though_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceive_v it_o distinct_o a_o threefold_a distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n consistent_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n be_v as_o plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n as_o any_o other_o article_n of_o faith_n nor_o be_v those_o general_a abstract_a term_n we_o find_v in_o our_o creed_n to_o be_v condemn_v as_o mere_a useless_a and_o perplex_v nicety_n for_o though_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v we_o understand_v the_o trinity_n full_o and_o distinct_o yet_o they_o be_v proper_a limitation_n to_o exclude_v all_o the_o false_a and_o unworthy_a apprehension_n of_o this_o doctrine_n which_o pretender_n to_o a_o more_o particular_a explication_n may_v introduce_v iii_o and_o now_o what_o dangerous_a consequence_n can_v possible_o attend_v such_o a_o faith_n as_o this_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o trinity_n have_v draw_v up_o a_o heavy_a charge_n against_o this_o doctrine_n and_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o liberty_n in_o their_o discourse_n about_o it_o but_o the_o principal_a objection_n that_o have_v be_v make_v by_o any_o of_o they_o be_v but_o three_o to_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n may_v be_v reduce_v and_o these_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v by_o the_o account_n before_o give_v be_v very_o frivolous_a and_o unjust_a 1._o the_o first_o pernicious_a consequence_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n stand_v charge_v with_o be_v the_o introduction_n of_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n but_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a from_o what_o we_o have_v say_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a to_o believe_v a_o trinity_n in_o any_o such_o sense_n as_o imply_v a_o plurality_n of_o god_n for_o according_a to_o the_o notion_n i_o have_v there_o show_v we_o have_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n it_o be_v undeniable_o certain_a to_o every_o man_n experience_n that_o we_o can_v conceive_v more_o than_o one_o god_n all_o our_o endeavour_n to_o comprehend_v more_o be_v only_a repetition_n of_o the_o same_o idea_n let_v those_o therefore_o take_v care_n to_o answer_v this_o accusation_n who_o under_o pretence_n of_o give_v a_o more_o rational_a account_n of_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v in_o this_o point_n set_v up_o create_v subordinate_a god_n to_o be_v partner_n with_o their_o maker_n in_o the_o glory_n and_o worship_n due_a to_o he_o beside_o we_o do_v explicit_o declare_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o make_v profession_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o a_o trinity_n or_o three_o person_n 2._o in_o the_o next_o place_n therefore_o we_o be_v accuse_v of_o believe_a contradiction_n and_o consequent_o of_o destroy_v all_o the_o certainty_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n which_o fence_n be_v down_o there_o be_v no_o error_n so_o gross_a or_o absurd_a but_o may_v be_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o and_o transubstantiation_n have_v as_o good_a a_o pretence_n to_o be_v a_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o the_o trinity_n but_o i_o need_v not_o make_v any_o particular_a answer_n to_o this_o objection_n have_v prove_v at_o large_a already_o that_o we_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v believe_v a_o trinity_n in_o any_o sense_n that_o contradict_v the_o plain_a and_o evident_a principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n we_o do_v not_o believe_v there_o can_v be_v more_o god_n than_o one_o that_o one_o can_v be_v three_o in_o the_o same_o respect_n it_o be_v one_o or_o that_o one_o god_n can_v be_v three_o person_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n three_o man_n be_v three_o person_n or_o any_o other_o proposition_n that_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o those_o natural_a notion_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o our_o other_o knowledge_n but_o the_o patron_n of_o transubstantiation_n can_v make_v this_o plea_n who_o in_o this_o one_o particular_a deny_v those_o very_a principle_n which_o upon_o all_o other_o occasion_n they_o rely_v upon_o with_o the_o great_a assurance_n do_v they_o only_o affirm_v that_o christ_n be_v present_a in_o that_o sacrament_n in_o some_o way_n or_o manner_n they_o can_v not_o comprehend_v but_o in_o no_o way_n repugnant_a to_o the_o plain_a and_o necessary_a dictate_v of_o well-informed_n sense_n and_o right_a reason_n there_o may_v be_v then_o some_o resemblance_n find_v betwixt_o this_o doctrine_n and_o that_o of_o the_o trinity_n but_o at_o present_a the_o comparison_n be_v palpable_o and_o notorious_o unjust_a 3._o but_o three_o it_o be_v further_o object_v that_o though_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o we_o explain_v it_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v to_o contain_v downright_a contradiction_n yet_o at_o least_o it_o must_v be_v count_v and_o esteem_v as_o a_o mystery_n and_o the_o imposition_n of_o mystery_n for_o article_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o very_o ill_a consequence_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o charge_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o as_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n so_o in_o most_o other_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n there_o be_v something_o that_o we_o plain_o and_o certain_o understand_v and_o something_o that_o we_o can_v possible_o comprehend_v thus_o a_o man_n by_o inward_a reflection_n be_v infallible_o conscious_a of_o his_o own_o thought_n and_o he_o judge_n whatever_o he_o perceive_v within_o himself_o to_o proceed_v from_o one_o common_a principle_n which_o he_o call_v his_o soul_n and_o which_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o its_o operation_n he_o be_v full_o persuade_v be_v something_o of_o a_o different_a kind_n from_o his_o body_n though_o it_o always_o act_n in_o consent_n with_o it_o but_o what_o this_o soul_n be_v or_o in_o what_o manner_n unite_v to_o his_o body_n he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceive_v and_o therefore_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o human_a soul_n take_v all_o together_o may_v as_o just_o be_v style_v a_o mystery_n as_o the_o trinity_n we_o ought_v not_o then_o to_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o word_n mystery_n since_o if_o we_o strict_o examine_v our_o thought_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o almost_o every_o thing_n we_o pretend_v to_o know_v come_v under_o that_o name_n even_o those_o thing_n we_o have_v the_o great_a assurance_n of_o our_o very_a soul_n and_o being_n this_o be_v observe_v we_o may_v consider_v the_o trinity_n either_o with_o respect_n to_o what_o may_v be_v understand_v of_o it_o or_o what_o can_v so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o
conceive_v a_o trinity_n it_o be_v no_o mystery_n and_o consequent_o no_o oppression_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o so_o far_o as_o it_o can_v be_v comprehend_v it_o do_v not_o bind_v we_o to_o any_o explicit_fw-la act_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v before_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o person_n oblige_v to_o believe_v this_o article_n for_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v by_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v believe_v any_o far_a than_o the_o term_n in_o which_o it_o be_v propose_v be_v understand_v but_o a_o mystery_n can_v be_v bring_v down_o to_o the_o low_a capacity_n and_o be_v deliver_v in_o term_n that_o be_v plain_o and_o distinct_o understand_v for_o than_o it_o will_v be_v no_o long_o a_o mystery_n so_o far_o therefore_o as_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v be_v no_o mystery_n for_o whatever_o term_n i_o be_o bid_v to_o believe_v a_o thing_n in_o i_o can_v comprehend_v i_o can_v mean_v no_o more_o but_o that_o i_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v in_o some_o manner_n i_o can_v comprehend_v and_o i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n or_o danger_n in_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o find_v out_o or_o comprehend_v these_o be_v the_o reflection_n which_o offer_v themselves_o upon_o a_o careful_a and_o impartial_a consideration_n of_o this_o subject_a but_o here_o i_o foresee_v it_o may_v be_v ask_v what_o do_v we_o understand_v more_o of_o the_o trinity_n now_o than_o we_o do_v before_o what_o new_a hypothesis_n be_v here_o advance_v to_o solve_v all_o the_o difficulty_n of_o that_o doctrine_n by_o in_o answer_n to_o which_o objection_n i_o have_v this_o further_a to_o add_v for_o the_o justification_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n first_o that_o the_o principal_a design_n of_o my_o inquiry_n be_v to_o know_v what_o god_n require_v we_o all_o to_o believe_v in_o order_n to_o our_o salvation_n not_o how_o far_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o discover_v the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n for_o i_o be_o full_o persuade_v that_o there_o may_v be_v thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o yet_o we_o not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o in_o that_o distinct_a particular_a sense_n in_o which_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v explain_v they_o though_o their_o hypothesis_n shall_v be_v very_o rational_a and_o consistent_a and_o perhaps_o real_o true_a and_o therefore_o can_v there_o be_v any_o new_a way_n find_v out_o of_o make_v the_o trinity_n conceivable_a by_o human._n understanding_n i_o do_v not_o think_v we_o shall_v be_v under_o any_o obligation_n of_o believe_v that_o particular_a exposition_n of_o it_o for_o beside_o the_o difficulty_n of_o such_o abstract_a notion_n even_o in_o their_o plain_a dress_n with_o respect_n to_o mean_a capacity_n which_o be_v all_o equal_o concern_v in_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v more_o than_o the_o christian_n who_o live_v before_o we_o be_v that_o more_o shall_v be_v necessary_a to_o our_o salvation_n than_o be_v to_o they_o and_o it_o be_v certain_a their_o faith_n be_v sufficient_a and_o effectual_a for_o obtain_v eternal_a life_n who_o can_v not_o possible_o believe_v what_o we_o suppose_v to_o be_v but_o late_o discover_v but_o two_o consider_v that_o we_o be_v permit_v with_o humility_n and_o reverence_n to_o exercise_n our_o soul_n in_o the_o search_n of_o divine_a knowledge_n and_o moreover_o that_o we_o ought_v as_o christian_n as_o well_o as_o man_n to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o faith_n we_o profess_v and_o defend_v it_o against_o all_o false_a and_o unjust_a imputation_n i_o have_v also_o make_v it_o my_o business_n to_o inquire_v how_o far_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o form_v distinct_a conception_n of_o a_o trinity_n and_o upon_o enquiry_n find_v that_o after_o a_o faithful_a trial_n of_o our_o faculty_n and_o a_o strict_a examination_n of_o all_o the_o simple_a notion_n which_o make_v up_o the_o proposition_n to_o believe_v we_o can_v arrive_v at_o great_a knowledge_n in_o this_o point_n than_o our_o forefather_n have_v do_v and_o that_o so_o much_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o be_v a_o mystery_n to_o they_o be_v like_a to_o be_v so_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o if_o i_o have_v as_o full_o and_o sufficient_o prove_v to_o other_o as_o i_o be_o convince_v of_o it_o myself_o i_o shall_v not_o think_v my_o time_n or_o labour_n lose_v upon_o this_o subject_a for_o next_o to_o understand_v a_o thing_n thorough_o be_v to_o know_v we_o can_v understand_v it_o next_o to_o resolve_v a_o problem_n in_o mathematics_n be_v to_o demonstrate_v it_o can_v be_v do_v our_o soul_n be_v as_o much_o at_o rest_n our_o desire_n as_o quiet_a and_o all_o our_o design_n and_o pursuit_n as_o much_o at_o a_o end_n when_o we_o despair_v of_o victory_n as_o when_o we_o actual_o conquer_v and_o therefore_o if_o these_o be_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a limit_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n which_o i_o have_v assign_v if_o i_o have_v give_v a_o just_a account_n of_o what_o we_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v concern_v the_o trinity_n how_o much_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v of_o it_o and_o how_o far_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o have_v distinct_a conception_n about_o it_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o search_v for_o new_a notion_n and_o hypothesis_n which_o may_v probable_o puzzle_v or_o deceive_v our_o understanding_n but_o can_v never_o lead_v we_o far_o into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o trinity_n but_o i_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o measure_v the_o ability_n of_o other_o man_n by_o my_o own_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v this_o more_o which_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o can_v true_o affirm_v that_o i_o have_v take_v all_o the_o care_n imaginable_a to_o deliver_v my_o judgement_n impartial_o and_o sincere_o and_o have_v not_o dare_v to_o impose_v any_o thing_n upon_o other_o which_o i_o do_v not_o believe_v myself_o or_o be_v any_o way_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n postscript_n these_o paper_n be_v in_o the_o press_n and_o every_o word_n in_o the_o book_n and_o preface_n as_o they_o stand_v now_o be_v write_v before_o his_o majesty_n injunction_n come_v forth_o the_o author_n be_v glad_a to_o find_v that_o he_o have_v not_o transgress_v they_o the_o authority_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o which_o he_o pay_v such_o a_o submission_n to_o that_o if_o he_o have_v not_o prescribe_v to_o himself_o the_o same_o rule_n in_o write_v that_o be_v now_o see_v enjoin_v by_o his_o superior_n he_o will_v have_v show_v his_o obedience_n to_o they_o by_o suppress_v what_o he_o have_v write_v finis_fw-la act_n 14._o ver_fw-la 15._o