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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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matter_n more_o particular_o i_o shall_v
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 sense_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o only_o have_v immortality_n creature_n be_v but_o be_v not_o essential_a life_n and_o be_v be_v be_v not_o include_v in_o the_o formal_a conception_n or_o definition_n of_o any_o create_a nature_n man_n be_v a_o reasonable_a creature_n be_v a_o true_a definition_n of_o human_a nature_n before_o any_o man_n be_v create_v and_o will_v be_v so_o for_o ever_o though_o all_o mankind_n be_v annihilate_v and_o therefore_o we_o may_v reasonable_o enough_o in_o creature_n distinguish_v between_o nature_n substance_n existence_n subsistence_n if_o by_o nature_n we_o understand_v that_o idea_n or_o pattern_n according_a to_o which_o they_o be_v make_v and_o by_o substance_n that_o which_o be_v make_v whatever_o it_o be_v whether_o matter_n or_o spirit_n which_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o those_o moral_a or_o natural_a perfection_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o idea_n of_o such_o a_o creature_n and_o by_o existence_n and_o subsistence_n their_o actual_a be_v which_o they_o receive_v from_o their_o maker_n with_o regard_n to_o their_o complete_a or_o incomplete_a manner_n of_o existence_n but_o now_o we_o can_v form_v no_o idea_n of_o god_n without_o perfect_a life_n and_o be_v for_o whatever_o else_o according_a to_o our_o imperfect_a manner_n of_o conceive_v be_v contain_v in_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n be_v nonsense_n and_o contradiction_n without_o it_o infinite_a wisdom_n infinite_a power_n and_o infinite_a goodness_n be_v the_o idea_n of_o nothing_o without_o eternal_a and_o necessary_a be_v and_o a_o infinite_o perfect_a nothing_o be_v a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o very_a notion_n but_o infinite_a perfect_a life_n and_o be_v include_v all_o other_o perfection_n and_o be_v the_o most_o simple_a and_o comprehensive_a idea_n of_o god_n for_o whatever_o perfect_o be_v be_v whatever_o be_v any_o real_a perfection_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o foundation_n nor_o any_o occasion_n for_o such_o distinction_n of_o essence_n nature_n substance_n existence_n subsistence_n in_o god_n for_o his_o essence_n nature_n substance_n be_v his_o be_v and_o his_o be_v be_v perfect_a existence_n and_o subsistence_n these_o term_n differ_v in_o their_o formal_a conception_n when_o apply_v to_o creature_n but_o in_o essential_a life_n and_o be_v these_o can_v be_v formal_o distinguish_v for_o we_o can_v conceive_v existence_n or_o subsistence_n as_o superad_v to_o nature_n as_o we_o do_v in_o creature_n because_o necessary_a essential_a be_v be_v the_o divine_a nature_n nor_o can_v we_o distinguish_v between_o essence_n nature_n and_o substance_n because_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n in_o god_n between_o the_o subject_a and_o its_o faculty_n and_o power_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o that_o distinction_n in_o creature_n man_n who_o do_v not_o love_v to_o use_v word_n without_o any_o notion_n belong_v to_o they_o find_v themselves_o extreme_o puzzle_v to_o fit_v any_o distinct_a idea_n to_o these_o word_n when_o apply_v to_o god_n when_o the_o father_n and_o schoolman_n apply_v these_o term_n to_o god_n they_o take_v care_n to_o show_v how_o different_o they_o be_v use_v when_o apply_v to_o god_n from_o what_o they_o signify_v when_o apply_v to_o creature_n they_o assert_v the_o most_o absolute_a simplicity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n without_o the_o least_o composition_n and_o indeed_o expound_v all_o these_o term_n to_o the_o sense_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o esse_fw-la to_o signify_v the_o most_o absolute_a be_v or_o the_o most_o perfect_a be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o be_v simple_a perfect_a existence_n one_o st._n austin_n who_o authority_n be_v sacred_a in_o the_o school_n 10._o will_v furnish_v we_o with_o say_n enough_o to_o this_o purpose_n nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a with_o he_o than_o that_o in_o god_n to_o be_v to_o live_v to_o understand_v or_o whatever_o else_o we_o can_v attribute_v to_o god_n be_v all_o the_o same_o be_v perfect_a be_v or_o essence_n and_o therefore_o he_o own_v the_o impropriety_n of_o those_o term_n substance_n 5._o and_o subsistence_n when_o apply_v to_o god_n but_o notwithstanding_o this_o that_o god_n be_v the_o most_o pure_a simple_a be_v without_o any_o imaginable_a composition_n yet_o since_o we_o can_v comprise_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o know_v of_o god_n in_o one_o simple_a uncompounded_a thought_n we_o must_v unavoidable_o conceive_v the_o idea_n of_o god_n by_o part_n under_o different_a formal_a conception_n such_o as_o his_o wisdom_n his_o power_n his_o goodness_n his_o truth_n and_o faithfulfulness_n etc._n etc._n for_o such_o distinct_a representation_n as_o these_o god_n make_v of_o himself_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o be_v what_o we_o can_v distinct_o apprehend_v and_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n and_o to_o know_v what_o we_o be_v to_o expect_v from_o god_n but_o such_o distinction_n as_o we_o can_v frame_v no_o distinct_a conception_n of_o as_o be_v apt_a to_o corrupt_v our_o notion_n of_o god_n with_o corporeal_a representation_n and_o perplex_v our_o mind_n with_o endless_a and_o inextricable_a difficulty_n aught_o to_o be_v cautious_o use_v and_o careful_o explain_v to_o prevent_v all_o mistake_n and_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o such_o plain_a and_o simple_a notion_n as_o come_v near_o to_o the_o absolute_a simplicity_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n and_o now_o i_o suppose_v it_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o dispute_n whether_o the_o father_n who_o be_v god_n be_v essence_n substance_n subsistence_n or_o whether_o the_o son_n who_o be_v god_n be_v essence_n substance_n subsistence_n and_o so_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o holy_a ghost_n for_o this_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o to_o be_v in_o the_o most_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a sense_n of_o be_v which_o be_v the_o first_o and_o most_o simple_a idea_n of_o god_n absolute_a essence_n and_o be_v so_o that_o if_o the_o father_n be_v the_o son_n 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 in_o the_o same_o manner_n we_o may_v examine_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n person_n which_o have_v occasion_v no_o small_a dispute_n we_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o person_n in_o the_o godhead_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o each_o of_o these_o divine_a person_n be_v in_o himself_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n now_o if_o we_o must_v call_v these_o divine_a three_o three_o person_n which_o long_o use_v and_o custom_n have_v make_v reasonable_a and_o in_o some_o measure_n necessary_a the_o most_o certain_a way_n to_o determine_v the_o signification_n of_o person_n when_o apply_v to_o god_n be_v to_o consider_v in_o what_o sense_n one_o who_o be_v true_a and_o perfect_a god_n may_v be_v call_v a_o person_n for_o god_n be_v the_o scripture_n name_n and_o character_n which_o be_v distinct_o attribute_v to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o that_o must_v give_v the_o signification_n to_o all_o other_o word_n of_o human_a use_n
contradiction_n as_o he_o can_v require_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o consequent_o that_o whatever_o be_v plain_o reveal_v imply_v no_o contradiction_n how_o much_o soever_o it_o may_v be_v above_o our_o comprehension_n because_o god_n do_v require_v we_o to_o believe_v what_o he_o plain_o reveal_v this_o have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o dispute_n and_o leave_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o trinity_n possible_a whatever_o difficulty_n we_o may_v apprehend_v in_o conceive_v it_o but_o this_o great_a zeal_n against_o believe_a contradiction_n when_o apply_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v a_o very_a untoward_a insinuation_n as_o if_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o common_o understand_v be_v clog_v with_o contradiction_n and_o that_o we_o must_v cast_v all_o such_o contradiction_n which_o in_o the_o socinian_n account_n be_v the_o doctrine_n itself_o out_o of_o our_o faith_n and_o therefore_o that_o whatever_o the_o scripture_n say_v we_o must_v put_v no_o such_o sense_n on_o it_o as_o imply_v any_o contradiction_n to_o our_o former_a knowledge_n this_o be_v a_o admirable_a foundation_n for_o consideration_n concern_v the_o trinity_n and_o what_o a_o admirable_a superstructure_n he_o have_v raise_v on_o it_o we_o shall_v soon_o see_v i_o may_v possible_o discourse_v this_o point_n of_o contradiction_n more_o at_o large_a elsewhere_o at_o present_a i_o shall_v only_o tell_v this_o author_n that_o as_o self-evident_a as_o he_o think_v it_o this_o proposition_n be_v false_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o believe_v what_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n to_o our_o former_a knowledge_n and_o that_o god_n can_v require_v we_o to_o believe_v it_o i_o grant_v that_o all_o logical_a contradiction_n which_o be_v resolve_v into_o be_v and_o be_v not_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v believe_v because_o they_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v true_a and_o such_o be_v his_o contradiction_n about_o the_o whole_a and_o its_o part_n for_o to_o say_v that_o the_o whole_a be_v not_o big_a than_o any_o of_o its_o part_n be_v to_o say_v that_o a_o whole_a be_v a_o whole_a and_o be_v not_o a_o whole_a and_o that_o a_o part_n be_v a_o part_n and_o be_v not_o a_o part._n but_o contradictory_n idea_n may_v both_o be_v true_a and_o therefore_o both_o be_v believe_v and_o every_o man_n believe_v great_a number_n of_o they_o the_o idea_n of_o heat_n and_o cold_a white_a and_o black_a body_n and_o spirit_n extension_n and_o no_o extension_n eternity_n and_o time_n to_o have_v a_o beginning_n and_o to_o have_v no_o beginning_n be_v contradictory_n ideas_n and_o yet_o we_o believe_v they_o all_o that_o be_v we_o believe_v and_o know_v that_o there_o real_o be_v such_o thing_n who_o nature_n be_v direct_o opposite_a and_o contrary_a to_o each_o other_o now_o when_o there_o be_v such_o contrariety_n and_o contradiction_n in_o create_a nature_n it_o may_v just_o be_v think_v very_o strange_a to_o true_a considerer_n that_o our_o natural_a idea_n shall_v be_v make_v the_o adequate_a measure_n of_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o the_o possibility_n or_o impossibility_n of_o thing_n that_o we_o must_v not_o believe_v what_o god_n reveal_v concern_v himself_o if_o it_o contradict_v any_o natural_a idea_n and_o yet_o i_o challenge_v this_o considerer_n and_o all_o the_o socinian_n sabellian_n arian_n fraternity_n to_o show_v i_o any_o appearance_n of_o contradiction_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n but_o what_o be_v of_o this_o kind_n that_o be_v not_o logical_a contradiction_n but_o contradiction_n to_o our_o other_o natural_a idea_n and_o if_o our_o natural_a idea_n of_o create_a nature_n contradict_v each_o other_o it_o will_v be_v wonderful_a indeed_o if_o the_o divine_a uncreated_a nature_n shall_v not_o contradict_v all_o our_o natural_a idea_n every_o thing_n we_o know_v of_o god_n be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o idea_n we_o have_v of_o creature_n a_o uncreated_a and_o a_o create_a nature_n a_o infinite_a and_o a_o finite_a nature_n be_v direct_a contradiction_n to_o each_o other_o eternity_n without_o succession_n omnipresence_n without_o extension_n part_n or_o place_n a_o pure_a simple_a act_n which_o be_v all_o in_o one_o without_o composition_n a_o omnipotent_a thought_n which_o think_v all_o thing_n into_o be_v and_o into_o a_o beautiful_a order_n these_o and_o such_o like_a idea_n of_o god_n be_v direct_a contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o idea_n we_o have_v of_o creature_n and_o can_v any_o contradiction_n then_o to_o any_o idea_n of_o create_a nature_n be_v think_v a_o reasonable_a objection_n against_o believe_v any_o thing_n which_o god_n reveal_v to_o we_o concern_v himself_o but_o of_o this_o more_o hereafter_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 these_o be_v his_o preliminary_n axiom_n postulata_n all_o in_o the_o strict_a demonstrative_a way_n but_o now_o he_o come_v to_o apply_v all_o this_o more_o close_o to_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n but_o then_o he_o very_o unfortunate_o stumble_v at_o the_o threshold_n the_o proposition_n he_o propose_v to_o examine_v by_o these_o principle_n be_v this_o that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n be_v three_o different_a person_n 14._o where_o he_o meet_v with_o this_o proposition_n in_o these_o very_a term_n i_o know_v not_o i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v no_o such_o proposition_n in_o scripture_n nor_o do_v i_o ever_o meet_v with_o it_o in_o any_o catholic_n writer_n it_o be_v very_o far_o from_o give_v we_o a_o true_a and_o adequate_a notion_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n concern_v the_o trinity_n it_o be_v of_o a_o doubtful_a signification_n and_o in_o the_o most_o obvious_a sense_n of_o these_o word_n which_o i_o fear_v will_v appear_v to_o have_v be_v intend_v by_o this_o considerer_n be_v manifest_a heresy_n for_o if_o by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n he_o mean_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o who_o be_v god_n and_o that_o this_o one_o and_o same_o god_n be_v three_o different_a person_n it_o be_v the_o heresy_n of_o sabellius_n at_o least_o if_o he_o will_v have_v own_v the_o term_n different_a which_o incline_v more_o to_o the_o signification_n of_o diversity_n than_o of_o mere_a distinction_n which_o savour_v of_o arianism_n and_o more_o proper_o relate_v to_o nature_n than_o to_o person_n we_o meet_v with_o different_a form_n of_o speech_n in_o catholic_n writer_n concern_v the_o unity_n and_o trinity_n in_o the_o godhead_n all_o which_o must_v be_v reconcile_v to_o form_v a_o distinct_a and_o complete_a notion_n of_o the_o trinity_n that_o deus_n est_fw-la vnus_fw-la &_o trinus_fw-la god_n be_v one_o and_o three_o be_v very_o ancient_a and_o very_o catholic_n that_o the_o father_n be_v the_o one_o god_n in_o a_o peculiar_a and_o eminent_a sense_n be_v both_o the_o language_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o the_o church_n that_o each_o person_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v by_o 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 they_o as_o to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o the_o considerer_n here_o do_v when_o he_o only_o propose_v to_o inquire_v how_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n be_v three_o person_n but_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v inquire_v also_o in_o what_o sense_n each_o person_n be_v by_o himself_o true_a and_o perfect_a god_n and_o the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n in_o a_o peculiar_a and_o eminent_a sense_n the_o one_o god_n and_o to_o have_v frame_v his_o notion_n of_o unity_n and_o distinction_n with_o a_o equal_a regard_n to_o all_o these_o catholic_n exposition_n which_o will_v have_v secure_v he_o from_o the_o sabellian_n heresy_n which_o now_o his_o word_n be_v very_o guilty_a of_o whatever_o he_o himself_o be_v but_o let_v we_o now_o proceed_v to_o his_o examination_n of_o these_o term_n god_n unity_n identity_n distinction_n and_o number_n and_o person_n 14._o as_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n he_o confess_v he_o have_v not_o a_o