Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	believe_v	divine_a	revelation_n	2,369	5	9.5965	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62586	A seasonable vindication of the B. Trinity being an answer to this question, why do you believe the doctrine of the Trinity? : collected from the works of the most Reverend, Dr. John Tillotson, late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and the right Reverend Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, now Lord Bishop of Worcester.	Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.; Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.; Assheton, William, 1641-1711.	1697 (1697)	Wing T1221; ESTC R10019	21,341	116

they_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v concern_v god_n who_o be_v in_o his_o nature_n incomprehensible_a and_o we_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o he_o have_v reveal_v they_o and_o therefore_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o offend_v we_o that_o these_o difference_n in_o the_o deity_n be_v incomprehensible_a by_o our_o finite_a understanding_n because_o the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o be_v so_o and_o yet_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n in_o nature_n which_o we_o can_v comprehend_v how_o they_o either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v id._n ser._n on_o 1_o tim._n 2._o 5._o pag._n 22._o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o confess_v it_o to_o be_v my_o opinion_n that_o we_o converse_v every_o day_n with_o very_a many_o thing_n none_o of_o which_o we_o comprehend_v who_o be_v he_o that_o comprehend_v either_o the_o structure_n or_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o power_n of_o seminal_a form_n or_o seed_n or_o how_o the_o part_n of_o matter_n hold_v together_o or_o how_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n lifeless_a and_o senseless_a they_o do_v for_o all_o that_o in_o some_o positure_n and_o texture_n acquire_v life_n sensation_n and_o even_o volition_n memory_n and_o reason_n or_o how_o the_o sun_n and_o other_o vast_a heavenly_a fire_n subsist_v for_o so_o many_o age_n without_o any_o nourishment_n or_o fuel_n which_o fire_n of_o all_o other_o body_n most_o require_v or_o how_o when_o the_o sun_n arrive_v at_o the_o tropic_n he_o never_o go_v further_a either_o northward_o or_o southward_o but_o return_v towards_o the_o equator_fw-la and_o thereby_o preserve_v the_o world_n by_o his_o vital_a warmth_n v._o consider_v on_o the_o trinity_n to_o h._n h._n p._n 4._o there_o be_v many_o thing_n likewise_o in_o our_o self_n which_o no_o man_n be_v able_a in_o any_o measure_n to_o comprehend_v as_o to_o the_o manner_n how_o they_o be_v do_v and_o perform_v as_o the_o vital_a union_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n who_o can_v imagine_v by_o what_o device_n or_o mean_v a_o spirit_n come_v to_o be_v so_o close_o unite_v and_o so_o firm_o link_v to_o a_o material_a body_n that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v part_v without_o great_a force_n and_o violence_n offer_v to_o nature_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o operation_n of_o our_o several_a faculty_n of_o sense_n and_o imagination_n of_o memory_n and_o reason_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o liberty_n of_o our_o wi_n and_o yet_o we_o certain_o find_v all_o these_o faculty_n in_o ourselves_o though_o we_o can_v either_o comprehend_v or_o explain_v the_o particular_a manner_n in_o which_o the_o several_a operation_n of_o they_o be_v perform_v and_o if_o we_o can_v comprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o those_o operation_n which_o we_o plain_o perceive_v and_o feel_v to_o be_v in_o our_o self_n much_o less_o can_v we_o expect_v to_o comprehend_v thing_n without_o we_o and_o least_o of_o all_o can_v we_o pretend_v to_o comprehend_v the_o infinite_a nature_n and_o perfection_n of_o god_n and_o every_o thing_n belong_v to_o he_o thus_o you_o see_v by_o these_o instance_n that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n to_o believe_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n to_o be_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o who_o existence_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o give_v a_o particular_a and_o distinct_a account_n and_o much_o less_o be_v it_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n to_o believe_v those_o thing_n concern_v god_n which_o we_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v he_o have_v declare_v concern_v himself_o though_o these_o thing_n by_o our_o reason_n shall_v be_v incomprehensible_a and_o this_o be_v true_o the_o case_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n now_o under_o debate_n we_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o that_o this_o mystery_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v therein_o declare_v to_o we_o now_o that_o we_o can_v comprehend_v it_o be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n not_o to_o believe_v it_o for_o if_o it_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n for_o not_o believe_v it_o than_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n because_o his_o nature_n be_v most_o certain_o incomprehensible_a but_o we_o be_v assure_v by_o many_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o the_o same_o natural_a reason_n which_o assure_v we_o that_o he_o be_v do_v likewise_o assure_v we_o that_o he_o be_v incomprehensible_a and_o therefore_o our_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v so_o do_v by_o no_o mean_n overthrow_v our_o belief_n of_o his_o be_v in_o like_a manner_n we_o be_v assure_v by_o divine_a revelation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o be_v once_o assure_v of_o that_o our_o not_o be_v able_a full_o to_o comprehend_v it_o be_v not_o reason_n enough_o to_o stagger_v our_o belief_n of_o it_o a_o man_n can_v deny_v what_o he_o see_v though_o the_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o admit_v it_o may_v be_v something_o which_o he_o can_v comprehend_v one_o can_v deny_v the_o frame_n of_o this_o world_n which_o he_o see_v with_o his_o eye_n though_o from_o thence_o it_o will_v necessary_o follow_v that_o either_o that_o or_o something_o else_o must_v be_v of_o itself_o which_o yet_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o no_o man_n can_v comprehend_v how_o it_o can_v be_v and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n a_o man_n must_v not_o deny_v what_o god_n say_v to_o be_v true_a though_o he_o can_v comprehend_v many_o thing_n which_o god_n say_v as_o particular_o concern_v this_o mystery_n of_o the_o trinity_n it_o ought_v then_o to_o satisfy_v we_o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n and_o that_o what_o be_v there_o declare_v concern_v it_o do_v not_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n for_o why_o shall_v our_o finite_a understanding_n pretend_v to_o comprehend_v that_o which_o be_v infinite_a or_o to_o know_v all_o the_o real_a difference_n that_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v or_o to_o be_v able_a full_o to_o explain_v this_o mystery_n by_o any_o similitude_n or_o resemblance_n take_v from_o finite_a being_n v._o archbishop_n tillotson_n serm._n on_o 1_o tim._n 2._o 5._o p._n 23._o great_a difficulty_n i_o acknowledge_v there_o be_v in_o the_o explication_n of_o it_o in_o which_o the_o further_o we_o go_v beyond_o what_o god_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o reveal_v to_o we_o in_o scripture_n concern_v it_o the_o more_o we_o be_v entangle_v and_o that_o which_o man_n be_v please_v to_o call_v a_o explain_n of_o it_o do_v in_o my_o apprehension_n often_o make_v it_o more_o obscure_a that_o be_v less_o plain_a than_o it_o be_v before_o which_o do_v not_o so_o very_o well_o agree_v with_o a_o pretence_n of_o explication_n id._n ser._n on_o joh._n 1._o 14._o p._n 119._o and_o therefore_o though_o some_o learned_a and_o judicious_a man_n may_v have_v very_o commendable_o attempt_v a_o more_o particular_a explication_n of_o this_o great_a mystery_n by_o the_o strength_n of_o reason_n yet_o i_o dare_v not_o pretend_v to_o that_o know_v both_o the_o difficulty_n and_o danger_n of_o such_o a_o attempt_n and_o my_o own_o insufficiency_n for_o it_o all_o that_o i_o ever_o design_v upon_o this_o argument_n be_v to_o make_v out_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o thing_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n without_o descend_v to_o a_o more_o particular_a explication_n of_o it_o than_o the_o scripture_n have_v give_v we_o lest_o by_o endeavour_v to_o lay_v the_o difficulty_n which_o be_v already_o start_v about_o it_o new_a one_o shall_v be_v raise_v and_o such_o as_o may_v perhaps_o be_v much_o hard_a to_o be_v remove_v than_o those_o we_o have_v now_o to_o grapple_v withal_o nor_o indeed_o do_v i_o see_v that_o it_o be_v any_o way_n necessary_a to_o do_v more_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o god_n have_v declare_v what_o he_o think_v fit_a in_o this_o matter_n and_o that_o we_o do_v firm_o believe_v what_o he_o say_v concern_v it_o to_o be_v true_a though_o we_o do_v not_o perfect_o comprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o all_o that_o he_o have_v say_v about_o it_o id._n ser._n on_o 1_o tim._n 2._o 5._o p._n 17._o q._n but_o these_o unitarian_n do_v urge_v the_o matter_n much_o further_o and_o pretend_v that_o this_o mystery_n of_o the_o trinity_n now_o under_o debate_n be_v not_o only_o above_o reason_n but_o plain_o contrary_a to_o reason_n for_o thus_o they_o expostulate_v with_o the_o bishop_n of_o worcester_n he_o utter_o mistake_v to_o give_v you_o their_o own_o word_n in_o think_v that_o we_o deny_v the_o article_n of_o the_o new_a christianity_n or_o athanasian_n religion_n because_o they_o be_v mystery_n or_o because_o we_o do_v not_o comprehend_v they_o we_o deny_v they_o because_o we_o do_v comprehend_v they_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n that_o they_o be_v not_o

a_o seasonable_a vindication_n of_o the_o b._n trinity_n be_v a_o answer_n to_o this_o question_n why_o do_v you_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n collect_v from_o the_o work_n of_o the_o most_o reverend_a dr._n john_n tillotson_n late_a lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n and_o the_o right_a reverend_n dr._n edward_n stillingfleet_n now_o lord_n bishop_n of_o worcester_n london_n print_v for_o b._n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n mdcxcvii_o the_o preface_n our_o modern_a socinian_o who_o be_v please_v to_o call_v themselves_o unitarian_n have_v not_o only_o dispute_v but_o most_o blasphemous_o ridicule_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o b._n trinity_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o such_o gainsayer_n and_o the_o confirmation_n of_o other_o it_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o publish_v the_o follow_a discourse_n faithful_o collect_v from_o the_o learned_a work_n of_o archbishop_n tillotson_n and_o bishop_n stillingfleet_n concern_v bishop_n stillingfleet_n i_o shall_v say_v nothing_o because_o he_o be_v alive_a to_o answer_v for_o himself_o but_o as_o to_o archbishop_n tillotson_n i_o hope_v it_o will_v appear_v even_o from_o this_o collection_n that_o his_o grace_n be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v a_o socinian_n however_o his_o memory_n have_v be_v very_o unworthy_o reproach_v in_o that_o as_o well_o as_o other_o respect_n since_o his_o death_n a_o vindication_n of_o the_o b._n trinity_n q._n why_o do_v you_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n a._n because_o it_o be_v a_o very_a rational_a doctrine_n that_o be_v there_o be_v the_o high_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o q._n what_o do_v you_o mean_v by_o this_o word_n trinity_n and_o what_o doctrine_n concern_v it_o be_v propose_v to_o our_o belief_n a._n i_o shall_v answer_v this_o question_n in_o the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n who_o doctrine_n i_o be_o full_o persuade_v be_v orthodox_n and_o catholic_n there_o be_v but_o one_o live_a and_o true_a god_n everlasting_a without_o body_n part_n or_o passion_n of_o infinite_a power_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n the_o maker_n and_o preserver_n of_o all_o thing_n both_o visible_a and_o invisible_a and_o in_o unity_n of_o this_o godhead_n there_o be_v three_o person_n of_o one_o substance_n power_n and_o eternity_n the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n art_n 1._o the_o catholic_n faith_n be_v this_o that_o we_o worship_v one_o god_n in_o trinity_n and_o trinity_n in_o unity_n neither_o confound_v the_o person_n nor_o divide_v the_o substance_n for_o there_o be_v one_o person_n of_o the_o father_n another_o of_o the_o son_n and_o another_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o the_o godhead_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o one_o the_o glory_n equal_a the_o majesty_n coeternal_a the_o father_n be_v god_n the_o son_n be_v god_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v god_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o three_o god_n but_o one_o god_n athan._n creed_n it_o be_v very_o meet_v right_a and_o our_o bind_a duty_n that_o we_o shall_v at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n give_v thanks_o unto_o thou_o o_o lord_n almighty_a everlasting_a god_n who_o art_n one_o god_n one_o lord_n not_o one_o only_a person_n but_o three_o person_n in_o one_o substance_n for_o that_o which_o we_o believe_v of_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o father_n the_o same_o we_o believe_v of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n without_o any_o difference_n or_o inequality_n pref._n on_o the_o feast_n of_o trinity_n o_o holy_a bless_a and_o glorious_a trinity_n three_o person_n and_o one_o god_n have_v mercy_n upon_o we_o miserable_a sinner_n lit._n this_o be_v what_o we_o believe_v concern_v the_o trinity_n and_o that_o this_o be_v very_o rational_a doctrine_n and_o that_o we_o have_v the_o high_a reason_n thus_o to_o believe_v i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o evince_v when_o i_o have_v first_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n in_o general_n by_o show_v what_o it_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o what_o this_o act_n believe_v do_v denote_v when_o apply_v to_o any_o object_n q._n what_o be_v faith_n or_o belief_n in_o general_n a._n belief_n in_o general_n i_o define_v to_o be_v a_o assent_n to_o that_o which_o be_v credible_a as_o credible_a v._o bishop_n pearson_n on_o the_o creed_n p._n 2._o q._n what_o be_v mean_v by_o this_o word_n assent_v a._n by_o the_o word_n assent_n be_v express_v that_o act_n or_o habit_n of_o the_o understanding_n by_o which_o it_o receive_v acknowledge_v and_o embrace_v any_o thing_n as_o a_o truth_n id._n ib._n q._n but_o be_v there_o not_o several_a other_o kind_n of_o assent_n beside_o faith_n by_o which_o the_o soul_n do_v receive_v and_o embrace_v whatsoever_o appear_v to_o be_v true_a a._n this_o assent_n or_o judgement_n of_o any_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a be_v a_o general_a act_n of_o the_o understanding_n be_v applicable_a to_o other_o habit_n thereof_o as_o well_o as_o to_o faith_n id._n ib._n q._n how_o then_o be_v this_o assent_n which_o we_o call_v faith_n specify_v and_o distinguish_v from_o those_o other_o kind_n of_o assent_n a._n it_o must_v be_v specify_v as_o all_o other_o act_n be_v by_o its_o proper_a object_n id._n ib._n q._n what_o be_v this_o object_n of_o faith_n a._n this_o object_n of_o faith_n be_v that_o which_o be_v credible_a as_o credible_a q._n why_o do_v you_o repeat_v the_o word_n credible_a and_o say_v credible_a as_o credible_a a._n to_o denote_v the_o twofold_a object_n of_o faith_n viz._n material_a and_o formal_a q._n what_o be_v the_o material_a object_n of_o faith_n a._n the_o material_a object_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v or_o something_o which_o be_v credible_a q._n what_o be_v the_o formal_a object_n of_o faith_n a._n that_o whereby_o it_o be_v believe_v or_o the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v believe_v q._n what_o be_v it_o to_o be_v credible_a a._n that_o be_v proper_o credible_a which_o be_v not_o apparent_a of_o itself_o either_o in_o respect_n of_o our_o sense_n or_o understanding_n nor_o certain_o to_o be_v collect_v either_o antecedent_o by_o its_o cause_n or_o reverse_o by_o its_o effect_n and_o yet_o though_o by_o none_o of_o these_o way_n have_v the_o attestation_n of_o a_o truth_n v._o bishop_n pearson_n p._n 3._o q._n what_o then_o be_v that_o kind_n of_o assent_n which_o be_v call_v faith_n a._n when_o any_o thing_n propound_v to_o we_o be_v neither_o apparent_a to_o our_o sense_n nor_o evident_a to_o our_o understanding_n in_o and_o of_o itself_o neither_o certain_o to_o be_v collect_v from_o any_o clear_a and_o necessary_a connexion_n with_o the_o cause_n from_o which_o it_o proceed_v or_o the_o effect_n which_o it_o natural_o produce_v nor_o be_v take_v up_o upon_o any_o real_a argument_n or_o relation_n to_o other_o acknowledge_a truth_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o appear_v to_o we_o true_a not_o by_o a_o manifestation_n but_o attestation_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o so_o move_v we_o to_o assent_v not_o of_o itself_o but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o testimony_n give_v to_o it_o in_o plain_a term_n when_o we_o therefore_o acknowledge_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a for_o this_o only_a reason_n because_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o it_o be_v so_o then_o and_o in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o do_v proper_o believe_v it_o and_o the_o assent_n that_o we_o give_v to_o such_o a_o truth_n thus_o attest_v be_v neither_o science_n nor_o opinion_n but_o faith_n id._n ib._n q._n the_o nature_n of_o faith_n in_o general_a be_v thus_o explain_v i_o be_o now_o prepare_v to_o be_v instruct_v by_o you_o in_o this_o important_a question_n why_o do_v you_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n a._n though_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v three_o distinct_a person_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o undivided_a divine_a essence_n be_v neither_o apparent_a to_o my_o sense_n nor_o evident_a to_o my_o understanding_n for_o be_v a_o great_a mystery_n i_o can_v never_o have_v know_v it_o unless_o it_o have_v be_v reveal_v and_o now_o it_o be_v reveal_v i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v it_o yet_o since_o it_o be_v testify_v and_o declare_v by_o a_o all-knowing_a and_o most_o just_a and_o faithful_a god_n who_o can_v neither_o deceive_v nor_o be_v deceive_v i_o do_v therefore_o give_v my_o assent_n unto_o it_o as_o a_o most_o credible_a truth_n and_o as_o such_o i_o do_v firm_o believe_v it_o now_o that_o god_n who_o be_v infinite_a in_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n do_v full_o know_v himself_o and_o perfect_o understand_v his_o own_o nature_n and_o also_o that_o he_o who_o be_v infinite_o good_a and_o faithful_a can_v deceive_v we_o for_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o god_n to_o lie_v this_o i_o shall_v not_o pretend_v to_o prove_v but_o can_v fair_o

no_o mean_n follow_v that_o if_o a_o man_n do_v once_o admit_v any_o thing_n concern_v god_n which_o he_o can_v comprehend_v he_o have_v no_o reason_n afterward_o to_o believe_v what_o he_o himself_o see_v this_o be_v a_o most_o unreasonable_a and_o destructive_a way_n of_o argue_v because_o it_o strike_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o certainty_n and_o set_v every_o man_n at_o liberty_n to_o deny_v the_o most_o plain_a and_o evident_a truth_n of_o christianity_n if_o he_o may_v not_o be_v humour_v in_o have_v the_o absurde_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n admit_v for_o true_a the_o next_o step_n will_v be_v to_o persuade_v we_o that_o we_o may_v as_o well_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n because_o his_o nature_n be_v incomprehensible_a by_o our_o reason_n as_o deny_v transubstantiation_n because_o it_o evident_o contradict_v our_o sense_n id._n ib._n p._n 32._o q._n as_o transubstantiation_n evident_o contradict_v our_o sense_n so_o these_o unitarian_n pretend_v that_o the_o trinity_n as_o evident_o contradict_v our_o reason_n and_o then_o say_v they_o be_v not_o these_o two_o doctrine_n load_v with_o the_o like_a absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n a._n so_o far_o from_o this_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o have_v already_o be_v explain_v have_v no_o absurdity_n or_o contradiction_n either_o involve_v in_o it_o or_o necessary_o consequent_a upon_o it_o but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n be_v big_a with_o all_o imaginable_a absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n as_o the_o unitarian_n themselves_o do_v acknowledge_v and_o therefore_o i_o be_o not_o now_o concern_v to_o prove_v it_o q._n however_o you_o be_v concern_v to_o defend_v the_o trinity_n the_o contradiction_n and_o absurdity_n of_o which_o as_o these_o unitarian_n pretend_v be_v as_o great_a as_o those_o of_o transubstantiation_n a._n i_o can_v help_v their_o pretence_n but_o if_o their_o prejudices_fw-la will_v allow_v they_o to_o examine_v my_o reason_n i_o shall_v yet_o further_o endeavour_v their_o conviction_n and_o that_o i_o may_v do_v it_o the_o more_o effectual_o i_o shall_v desire_v you_o as_o their_o advocate_n and_o in_o their_o name_n to_o produce_v those_o absurdity_n which_o appear_v the_o most_o dreadful_a q._n i_o shall_v reduce_v all_o to_o these_o two_o which_o comprehend_v the_o rest_n 1._o how_o there_o can_v be_v three_o person_n and_o but_o one_o god_n 2._o how_o these_o can_v agree_v in_o a_o three_o and_o not_o agree_v among_o themselves_o for_o the_o first_o it_o seem_v very_o absurd_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v three_o person_n real_o distinct_a whereof_o every_o one_o be_v god_n and_o yet_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v three_o go_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o contradictious_a than_o to_o make_v three_o not_o to_o be_v three_o or_o three_o to_o be_v but_o one._n a._n i_o hope_v now_o you_o will_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o make_v a_o answer_n to_o your_o difficulty_n as_o distinct_a as_o possible_a it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o according_a to_o arithmetic_n three_o can_v be_v one_o nor_o one_o three_o but_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o the_o bare_a numeration_n and_o the_o thing_n number_v the_o repetition_n of_o three_o unit_n certain_o make_v three_o distinct_a number_n but_o it_o do_v not_o make_v three_o person_n to_o be_v three_o nature_n and_o therefore_o as_o to_o the_o thing_n themselves_o we_o must_v go_v from_o the_o bare_a number_n to_o consider_v their_o nature_n we_o do_v not_o say_v that_o three_o person_n be_v but_o one_o person_n or_o that_o one_o nature_n be_v three_o nature_n but_o that_o there_o be_v three_o person_n in_o one_o nature_n if_o therefore_o one_o individual_a nature_n be_v communicable_a to_o three_o person_n there_o be_v no_o appearance_n of_o absurdity_n in_o this_o doctrine_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v three_o god_n where_o there_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o individual_a nature_n for_o three_o god_n must_v have_v three_o several_a divine_a nature_n since_o it_o be_v the_o divine_a essence_n which_o make_v a_o god_n v._o two_o dial._n part._n ii_o p._n 24._o but_o of_o this_o there_o have_v be_v give_v so_o full_a a_o account_n in_o this_o collection_n that_o those_o who_o shall_v serious_o and_o attentive_o consider_v it_o will_n i_o hope_v through_o god_n blessing_n receive_v satisfaction_n q._n but_o yet_o you_o have_v not_o answer_v the_o other_o great_a difficulty_n in_o point_n of_o reason_n viz._n that_o those_o thing_n which_o agree_v or_o disagree_v in_o a_o three_o must_v agree_v or_o disagree_v one_o with_o the_o other_o and_o therefore_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 then_o the_o father_n must_v be_v son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n must_v be_v the_o father_n if_o not_o than_o they_o be_v real_o the_o same_o and_o real_o distinct_a the_o same_o as_o to_o essence_n distinct_a as_o to_o person_n and_o so_o they_o be_v the_o same_o and_o not_o the_o same_o which_o be_v a_o contradiction_n a._n now_o i_o think_v you_o have_v draw_v out_o the_o most_o refine_a spirit_n of_o socinianism_n to_o make_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o transubstantiation_n parallel_v because_o you_o say_v it_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n which_o be_v the_o near_a parallel_n you_o have_v yet_o offer_v at_o but_o this_o terrible_a argument_n be_v ground_v on_o this_o mistake_a supposition_n viz._n that_o the_o divine_a essence_n be_v no_o more_o capable_a of_o communicate_v itself_o to_o three_o distinct_a person_n than_o any_o create_v be_v be_v the_o reason_n of_o that_o axiom_n be_v that_o create_v thing_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o finite_a nature_n can_v diffuse_v or_o communicate_v themselves_o to_o more_o than_o one_o and_o therefore_o those_o which_o agree_v in_o a_o three_o must_v agree_v together_o but_o suppose_v it_o possible_a 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of_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o parallel_n and_o i_o think_v it_o very_o unreasonable_a in_o the_o socinian_o to_o send_v we_o to_o create_v being_n for_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o our_o judgement_n concern_v a_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v infinite_a q._n be_v not_o the_o divine_a person_n infinite_a as_o well_o as_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o therefore_o as_o create_v person_n do_v take_v in_o the_o whole_a nature_n so_o infinite_a person_n will_v do_v the_o infinite_a nature_n a._n no_o question_n but_o the_o person_n be_v infinite_a in_o regard_n of_o the_o nature_n which_o be_v so_o but_o if_o a_o infinite_a nature_n be_v communicable_a to_o more_o person_n than_o one_o every_o such_o person_n can_v appropriate_v the_o whole_a nature_n to_o itself_o q._n if_o the_o difference_n be_v on_o the_o account_n of_o infinity_o then_o there_o must_v be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o person_n in_o the_o divine_a essence_n a._n i_o answer_v 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