A DIALOGUE By Way of Question and Answer Concerning the DEITY All the Responses being taken verbatim out of the Scriptures Q. 1. WHO and what is God They say there are several called GOD's in Scripture besides the Most High GOD if it be so pray give me some examples in the matter A. Exod. 20.28 Thou shalt not revile the GODs nor curse the Ruler of thy people Exod. 7.1 And the Lord said unto Moses see I have made thee a GOD to Pharaoh and Aaron thy Brother shall be thy Prophet 2 Cor. 4.4 In whom the GOD of this world i. e. the Devil hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of GOD should shine unto them Q. 2. But are not all these true Gods then as well as the Supream What say the Scriptures A. 1 Cor. 8.5 6. For though there be that are called GODS whether in Heaven or Earth as there be GODS many and Lords many but to us there is but one GOD the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Q. 3. What say the Scriptures then of these lesser GOD's A. Psalm 97.7 Confounded be they all that serve graven images that boast themselves of idols worship him i. e. GOD all ye Gods Q. 4. They say GOD has forbid our worshipping any other but himself by the First Commandment and other places pray repeat then if there be such places in Scripture A. Exod. 20.2 Thou shalt have no other GOD's before me Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our GOD is one Lord v. also the Emphatick Discourse in the Text that follows it Mat. 4.10 Then said Jesus unto him get thee hence Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy GOD and him only shalt thou serve Q. 5. But is there not a Trinity in Unity in this GOD You said you would shew me a Text that calls the Father the one GOD in opposition to the Son and Holy Ghost pray what is it A. Eph. 4.4 5 6. There is one Body and one Spirit even as you are called in one hope of your calling one Lord one Faith one Baptism one GOD and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Rev. 4.2 And immediately I was in the Spirit and behold a Throne was set in Heaven and one sate on the Throne Cap. 5. Ver. 6 7. And I beheld and lo in the midst of the Throne and of the four Beasts and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb as if he had been slain having seven Horns and seven Eyes which are the seven Spirits of GOD sent forth into all the earth and he came and took the Book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the Throne c. 1 Cor. 3.22 23. Q. 6. I see then that from these places and because that there are no such words in Scripture as Trinity in Unity you are apt to believe that there is no such Doctrine but what say you then to John 10.30 I and my Father are one and 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one you us'd to say that one here only signified a Unity in Record and Testimony and not a substantial Unity but pray what Scripture find you to favour such a Construction A. Joh. 17.21 Christ praying for his Disciples says That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the world may believe that thou hast sent me 1 Cor. 3.6 7 8. I have planted Apollo water'd but GOD gave the increase now he that planteth and he that watereth are one c. Q. 7. You us'd to speak also of a gradative precedency of Stile when there are these three Persons mention'd in Scripture you are in the right in this indeed that the Father is for the most part called GOD the Son only Lord and the Spirit but Holy as in the Apostles Creed but pray what other find you A. 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. Now there are Diversities of gifts but the same Spirit and there are differences of Administrations but the same Lord and there are Diversities of operations but it is the same GOD which worketh all in all 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all Rom. 15.16 That I should be the Minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles ministring the gospel of GOD that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable being sanctified by the Holy Ghost Q. 8. I perceive then by this gradation that you would insinuate as if the Son and Holy Ghost were as Servants to the Father but pray how comes it then that the Son is so often called GOD in Scripture as John 20.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him i.e. Christ my Lord and my GOD Rom. 9.5 Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all GOD blessed for ever Amen and Acts 20.28 Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of GOD which he hath purchas'd by his blood I have repeated these Texts because they seem too considerable to leave Christ among the lesser GOD's if you have any warrant therefore to call the Father the GOD even of Christ's GODhead pray shew us so weighty a Text for we do not deny him to be Christ's GOD as he was Man A. Heb. 1.8 9. But unto the Son he saith thy Throne O GOD is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdom thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity and therefore GOD even thy GOD has anointed thee with the Oyl of Gladness above thy fellows Q. 9. But what have you no other Scriptures to prove the preference of the Father in the Deity that he is the Son 's GOD and that the Son wholly depends on him If you have pray inform me what they are A. Rev. 3.12 wrote as spoke by Christ after his Resurrection Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of GOD and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my GOD and the name of the City of my GOD which is the new Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from my GOD and I will write upon him my new name c. John 10.29 14.28 John 20.17 Jesus saith unto her touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my Father but go to my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my GOD and your GOD. Eph. 1.17 That the GOD of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father
me with thine own self with the glory I had with thee before the world was Acts 2.31 32. 3.35 Mat. 28.18 And Jesus came and spake unto them saying all power is given unto me in heaven and earth Acts 2.24 32. 3. 15 26. 13.32 33. 16.28 1 Pet. 3.22 Who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of GOD Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him Eph. 1.20 Which he wrought in Christ whom he raised from the dead and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places far above all Principality and Power and might and dominion and every name that is nam'd not only in this world but also in that which is to come Q. 22. But pray have you any Texts of Christ which by a Multitudinary or Ubiquitary Power given him shew him to have been more than the Socinian 's meer Man on his Resurrection A. 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates Mat. 18.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Eph. 4.10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might fill all things Mat. 23.37 Phil. 2.11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of GOD the Father Mat. 28.18 Q. 23. I perceive then that you take it for granted that as Christ had all power restor'd to him so he must have been made more than a Man to have possess'd it and so also that his being preferr'd before the Angels is a sure Argument that the Sociuian sense of him as a meer Man is not true but pray give me an account also why you call him the Son of GOD so often and so eminently in Scripture A. Acts 13.32 33. And we declare unto you glad-tydings how that the promise which was made unto the Fathers GOD hath fulfilled the same unto us their Children in that he hath raised up Jesus again as it is also written in the second Psalm thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Rom. 1.4 Heb. 1.4 Luke 11.35 2 Pet. 1.17 For he receiv'd from GOD the Father honour and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory this is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased Heb. 1. Q. 24. But what say you to the Text Phil. 2.6 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with GOD. A. Ver. 7 8 9 10 11. in Context following tell us But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death even the death of the cross wherefore GOD also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of GOD the Father And therein is the Equality in the universal Deputation according to what is said in the Text before Q. 25. But have you no other Texts to give colour to such an interpretation and to shew all absolute power in GOD the Father only A. Mat. 20.23 And he saith unto them ye shall drink indeed of my cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father Barely to forgive sins the Apostles had power as well as himself Mark 13.32 But of that day that is of Judgment knoweth no man no not the Angels which are in heaven neither the Son but the Father Surely Christ was as careless in speaking as the Trinitarians are corrupt in Commenting if this Climax can possibly admit a Coequality of Father and Son 1 Tim. 6.15 The Apostle speaking of the same day says Which in his time he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords c. Acts 1.7 And he Christ saith unto them it is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Q. 26. But there is another Text that presses hard upon you for an answer Mat. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Pray what other Scriptures have you to explain that A. 1 Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are we all baptiz'd into one body whether we be bond or free and whether we be Jews or Gentiles and have been all made to drink into one Spirit c. ver 27. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular 1 Cor. 10.2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea Q. 27. But what say you to the worshipping of Christ which the Scripture mentions Have you any Texts that limit the manner of it I mean when not personally present to us for then as at St. Stephen's death and as he is a Sovereign Lord of all 't is not to be disputed but that there is an extraordinary honour due to him A. Rev. 5.9 c. And they sung a new song saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeem'd us to GOD by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation and hast made us unto our GOD Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth and I beheld and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb that is slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing and every Creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Q. 27. I perceive then that by this you take the honour done to the Lamb or Christ to be but an honour given him by the Father but what say you then to 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of GOD and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all Have you any parallel Text to shew that these words are not a worship to the Son
and Holy Ghost A. Gen. 48.16 The Angel which redeem'd me from all evil bless the Lads and let my name be named on them and the name of my Father Abraham and Isaac and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth That is as if he had said God grant the Angel bless the Lads c. Q. 29. But can you shew me any Text then where we are forbidden to worship either the Son or Holy Ghost if you can pray what is it A. John 16.23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you John 16.26 At that day ye shall ask in my name and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you Q. 30. What Scriptures have you that testifie of the Holy Ghost pray declare them A. John 14.16 17 27. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for be dwelleth in you and shall be in you Eph. 1.13 1 Cor. 12. 6.19 2 Cor. 1.22 John 15.26 But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me Q. 31. But is there any Text that shews you an absolute Duality in the Father and Holy Spirit to confute the Socinians who think them one and the Trinitarians that think them at least Coequal and Essentially one A. Rom. 26 27. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it 's self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be utter'd and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of GOD. Eph. 2.18 For thro' him we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father Q. 32. I perceive then by these Texts that you take the Holy Ghost as well since the Prophets as before Acts 28.25 Luke 2.25 26. to be Christ's Deputy-Angel for I see not how you can suppose Christ to send the power of the Father from the Father as the Socinians imagine pray therefore let me know if there are any other Texts which shew the Son to command the Holy Ghost as his Lord. A. John 16.7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you 13 14 15 Verses following Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come he shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you all things that the Father hath are mine therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shew it unto you John 7.39 14. 12. 20.22 Luke 24.49 Acts 1.2 Vntil the day in which he Christ was taken up after that he thro' the Holy Ghost had given commandment to the Apostles whom he had chosen 1 Cor. 12.13 Eph. 4.11 Acts 1. 8 20 28. Acts 2.33 Therefore being by the right hand of GOD exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which we see and hear Rev. 5.6 Mat 3.11 Q. 33. But how comes it to be so peremptory then to Blaspheme the Holy Ghost according to the words of Christ Mat. 12 31. Mark 3.28 A. Acts 5.3 4. But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost thou hast not lied unto men but unto God i. e. Thou hast studiedly affronted even God himself thro' us and the Holy Ghost for tho' Rev. 1.1 2. 11. Heb. 1.14 compar'd to Acts 2.2 3 4. and Luke 3.21 shew the Holy Ghost to be but an Angel yet as he is that Angel through whom by the Son of GOD he himself bear Record to us 1 John 5.7 So indeed in that respect he is the Representative both of Christ and God himself Q. 34. I perceive then that according to the Texts 1 John 4.6 John 14.17 15.26 which say We are of GOD he that knoweth GOD heareth us he that is not of GOD heareth not us hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of error and Rom. 8.26 1 Thes 5.19 Mark 13.11 Luke 12.12 I say I find that you suppose with these Texts that there are two great Angels an evil one and a good one that help and tempt all Mankind severally at once but pray what Authority have you for Notioning such great Spirits from Scripture A. Rev. 12.9 10. And the great dragon was cast out the old Serpent called the Devil and Satan which deceiveth the whole world he was cast out into the earth and his Angels were cast out with him and I heard a loud voice saying now is come salvation and strength the kingdom of our GOD and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before our GOD day and night Rev. 20.2 3. And he laid hold on the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him a thousand years and cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up and set a seal upon him that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled and after that he must be loosed a little season Eph. 2.2 Wherein in time past we walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Eph. 6.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual witkedness in high places Dan. 10.12 13. Then said he unto me fear not Daniel for from the first day thou didst set thine heart to understand and to chasten thy self before GOD thy words were heard and I am come for thy words but the Prince of the Kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days but lo Michael one of the chief Princes came to help me and I remain'd then with the Kings of Persia Verse 20 21. Then said he knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee and now will I return to fight with the Prince of Persia and when I am gone forth lo the Prince of Grecia