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other_o say_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v as_o essential_o god_n as_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n be_v essential_a to_o a_o man_n if_o one_o have_v leisure_n there_o may_v be_v answer_n enough_o make_v to_o it_o all_o that_o i_o say_v be_v i_o pray_v prove_v it_o 6._o the_o historian_n conclude_v that_o the_o socinian_n faith_n be_v a_o accountable_a and_o reasonable_a faith_n but_o that_o of_o the_o trinitarian_n be_v absurd_a and_o contrary_a both_o to_o reason_n and_o to_o itself_o and_o therefore_o not_o only_o false_a but_o impossible_a on_o the_o contrary_a our_o author_n draw_v up_o against_o the_o socinian_n system_v this_o charge_n 1._o it_o ridicules_a the_o scripture_n 2._o it_o ridicules_a the_o whole_a jewish_a occonomy_n 3._o it_o ridicules_a the_o christian_a religion_n 4._o it_o justify_v at_o least_o excuse_n both_o pagan_a and_o popish_a idolatry_n if_o it_o be_v so_o my_o master_n the_o socinian_o be_v ill_a man_n indeed_o but_o let_v we_o do_v they_o this_o common_a right_n to_o examine_v what_o proof_n there_o be_v of_o this_o indictment_n chap._n vii_o 1._o the_o first_o pretence_n be_v that_o the_o socinian_n doctrine_n ridicules_a the_o scripture_n by_o put_v either_o a_o very_a absurd_a or_o a_o very_a trifle_a sense_n on_o it_o unworthy_a of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n by_o who_o it_o be_v inspire_v he_o instance_n in_o some_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n which_o he_o find_v in_o the_o brief_a history_n of_o the_o unitarian_n for_o example_n the_o historian_n in_o answer_n to_o psal_n 45._o 6_o 7._o which_o the_o apostle_n at_o heb._n 1._o 8._o apply_v to_o christ_n say_v in_o the_o hebrew_n and_o in_o the_o greek_a
how_o unintelligible_a soever_o it_o be_v because_o we_o do_v very_o clear_o conceive_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v our_o dead_a body_n we_o do_v apprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o this_o resurrection_n how_o it_o shall_v be_v perform_v be_v a_o thing_n unintelligible_a to_o we_o but_o however_o it_o be_v altogether_o free_a from_o a_o contradiction_n be_v the_o trinity_n as_o clear_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n and_o as_o free_v from_o contradiction_n we_o will_v not_o disbelieve_v it_o how_o unintelligible_a soever_o it_o appear_v to_o we_o no_o more_o than_o we_o disbelieve_v the_o resurrection_n but_o the_o trinity_n be_v not_o only_o unintelligible_a but_o contradiction_n we_o deny_v it_o be_v teach_v in_o scripture_n which_o be_v altogether_o free_a from_o contradiction_n let_v we_o hear_v the_o author_n a_o little_a far_o we_o must_v not_o indeed_o say_v he_o expound_v scripture_n contrary_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o to_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n in_o such_o matter_n as_o every_o man_n know_v and_o every_o man_n can_v judge_v of_o but_o in_o matter_n of_o pure_a revelation_n which_o we_o have_v no_o natural_a idea_n of_o and_o know_v nothing_o of_o they_o but_o what_o be_v reveal_v we_o must_v not_o pretend_v some_o imaginary_a contradiction_n to_o reject_v the_o plain_a and_o express_a authority_n of_o revelation_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v what_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n who_o nature_n we_o do_v not_o understand_v we_o must_v not_o indeed_o expound_v scripture_n contrary_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n in_o such_o matter_n as_o every_o man_n know_v and_o every_o man_n can_v judge_v of_o i_o grant_v it_o but_o what_o if_o the_o trinity_n do_v contradict_v the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n and_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o every_o man_n know_v and_o every_o man_n can_v judge_v of_o then_o certain_o it_o can_v be_v contain_v in_o 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must_v needs_o perceive_v that_o it_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n that_o one_o be_v three_o and_o three_o one_o that_o one_o god_n be_v three_o intelligent_a infinite_a person_n or_o being_n and_o three_o intelligent_a infinite_a being_n one_a god_n this_o every_o one_o can_v judge_v of_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o expound_v scripture_n say_v the_o author_n contrary_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n in_o such_o matter_n as_o every_o man_n know_v and_o every_o man_n can_v judge_v of_o therefore_o say_v i_o all_o be_v capable_a of_o judge_v whether_o one_o may_v be_v three_o and_o three_o one_o and_o find_v it_o a_o plain_a contradiction_n to_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n all_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o it_o can_v be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n but_o say_v the_o author_n in_o matter_n of_o pure_a revelation_n which_o we_o have_v no_o natural_a idea_n of_o and_o know_v nothing_o of_o they_o but_o what_o be_v reveal_v we_o must_v not_o pretend_v some_o imaginary_a contradiction_n to_o reject_v the_o plain_a and_o express_a authority_n of_o scripture_n and_o revelation_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v what_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n who_o nature_n we_o do_v not_o understand_v now_o what_o do_v the_o author_n mean_v by_o the_o plain_a and_o express_a authority_n of_o revelation_n do_v he_o mean_v that_o he_o have_v find_v somewhere_o in_o scripture_n in_o plain_a and_o express_v word_n that_o there_o be_v three_o person_n in_o one_o divine_a nature_n or_o godhead_n if_o it_o be_v so_o let_v he_o show_v we_o it_o i_o doubt_v he_o call_v plain_a and_o express_a authority_n some_o false_a consequence_n which_o he_o be_v please_v to_o draw_v from_o scripture_n and_o which_o none_o but_o prejudice_v man_n will_v ever_o think_v of_o i_o wish_v we_o can_v show_v a_o chinese_n the_o gospel_n well_o translate_v into_o his_o own_o language_n and_o ask_v he_o after_o a_o serious_a read_n of_o it_o what_o he_o think_v christ_n to_o be_v it_o be_v very_o likely_a i_o think_v that_o he_o will_v not_o take_v he_o to_o be_v the_o supreme_a god_n and_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v tell_v he_o he_o have_v oversee_v so_o great_a a_o mystery_n he_o will_v undoubted_o answer_v that_o he_o be_v sure_a there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o he_o read_v unless_o there_o he_o another_o gospel_n wherein_o such_o a_o notion_n be_v contain_v i_o confess_v there_o be_v some_o matter_n of_o revelation_n which_o we_o have_v no_o natural_a idea_n of_o and_o know_v nothing_o of_o they_o but_o what_o be_v reveal_v such_o be_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a but_o then_o those_o matter_n imply_v no_o contradiction_n and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v reject_v this_o first_o the_o resurrection_n may_v be_v discover_v to_o we_o by_o the_o light_n of_o revelation_n and_o discover_v no_o contradiction_n in_o it_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v it_o the_o second_o the_o trinity_n clash_v altogether_o with_o our_o natural_a idea_n can_v be_v no_o matter_n of_o revelation_n and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v the_o resurrection_n be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o we_o can_v never_o have_v discover_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n yet_o as_o soon_o as_o we_o come_v to_o know_v it_o we_o assent_n to_o it_o because_o we_o clear_o perceive_v the_o possibility_n thereof_o and_o be_v sure_a it_o imply_v no_o contradiction_n at_o all_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o the_o trinity_n such_o a_o mystery_n can_v never_o be_v reveal_v to_o we_o because_o revelation_n can_v be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o therefore_o the_o trinity_n be_v contrary_a to_o this_o can_v be_v the_o matter_n of_o that_o god_n indeed_o may_v reveal_v to_o we_o such_o object_n as_o be_v unknown_a to_o humane_a reason_n but_o let_v they_o be_v never_o so_o much_o above_o our_o reason_n they_o will_v never_o contradict_v it_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v what_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n who_o nature_n we_o do_v not_o understand_v right_n but_o we_o know_v so_o much_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v one_o and_o not_o three_o and_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o trinity_n be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n what_o i_o say_v be_v so_o clear_a and_o so_o notorious_a a_o truth_n that_o the_o author_n himself_o be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v it_o he_o say_v p._n 147._o we_o must_v not_o expound_v scripture_n to_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o contradict_v the_o plain_a and_o express_v maxim_n of_o natural_a reason_n for_o though_o god_n reveal_v such_o thing_n to_o we_o as_o natural_a reason_n can_v not_o discover_v and_o can_v comprehend_v yet_o revelation_n can_v contradict_v plain_a reason_n for_o truth_n can_v contradict_v itself_o what_o be_v true_a in_o revelation_n can_v never_o be_v false_a in_o reason_n and_o what_o be_v true_a by_o natural_a reason_n can_v never_o be_v false_a in_o revelation_n all_o this_o he_o grant_v only_o he_o say_v that_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a there_o be_v such_o a_o contradiction_n it_o must_v be_v evident_a and_o express_a and_o not_o make_v out_o by_o uncertain_a consequence_n which_o many_o time_n be_v not_o owe_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n but_o to_o the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o own_o knowledge_n this_o i_o grant_v too_o but_o the_o author_n will_v allow_v the_o trinity_n to_o be_v such_o a_o contradiction_n and_o endeavour_n to_o prove_v it_o let_v we_o hear_v he_o he_o soon_o perceive_v the_o difficulty_n and_o therefore_o bring_v it_o in_o by_o way_n of_o a_o objection_n yes_o you_o will_v say_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v three_o person_n each_o of_o which_o be_v god_n and_o yet_o but_o one_o god_n be_v a_o contradiction_n but_o what_o principle_n
be_v not_o there_o mean_v this_o i_o shall_v prove_v by_o four_o argument_n 1._o he_o who_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n be_v the_o same_o who_o shed_v his_o blood_n ver_fw-la 14._o for_o the_o redemption_n of_o man_n as_o i_o note_v before_o now_o he_o who_o shed_v his_o blood_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o man_n can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o jesus_n christ_n man_n but_o this_o very_a jesus_n christ_n man_n be_v there_o style_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n by_o who_o all_o thing_n be_v create_v etc._n etc._n as_o we_o translate_v the_o word_n therefore_o this_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n not_o of_o a_o man._n yes_o you_o will_v say_v for_o he_o be_v god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n and_o therefore_o may_v be_v say_v to_o have_v create_v the_o world_n i_o answer_v where_o have_v you_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n i_o know_v he_o be_v call_v man_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o i_o can_v never_o find_v he_o there_o style_v god-man_n as_o he_o shall_v have_v often_o be_v if_o he_o be_v both_o do_v the_o apostle_n make_v a_o distinction_n between_o his_o two_o nature_n do_v he_o say_v we_o have_v redemption_n through_o his_o blood_n as_o he_o be_v a_o man_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o have_v create_v all_o thing_n as_o he_o be_v god_n not_o at_o all_o but_o only_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o same_o jesus_n christ_n in_o who_o we_o have_v redemption_n through_o his_o blood_n be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o by_o who_o all_o thing_n be_v create_v etc._n etc._n why_o shall_v we_o contrive_v a_o distinction_n of_o our_o own_o when_o the_o apostle_n make_v none_o but_o 2._o i_o can_v but_o wonder_n that_o man_n shall_v attribute_v the_o old_a or_o first_o creation_n to_o christ_n since_o we_o have_v no_o warrant_n from_o scripture_n for_o it_o i_o mean_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v never_o say_v in_o express_a word_n that_o christ_n have_v create_v heaven_n and_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a description_n of_o the_o old_a creation_n or_o of_o the_o creation_n strict_o and_o proper_o so_o call_v and_o the_o description_n usual_a in_o scripture_n when_o it_o speak_v of_o that_o creation_n as_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n the_o father_n of_o christ_n have_v i_o do_v observe_v so_o great_a a_o difference_n between_o the_o expression_n of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n by_o god_n and_o those_o expression_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o import_v the_o same_o creation_n by_o christ_n that_o i_o can_v forbear_v allege_v some_o place_n concern_v both_o i_o omit_v those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v so_o many_o and_o will_v insist_v only_o upon_o some_o take_v out_o of_o the_o new_a god_n say_v st._n paul_n act_v 17._o 24._o that_o make_v the_o world_n and_o all_o thing_n therein_o see_v that_o he_o be_v lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n dwell_v not_o in_o temple_n make_v with_o hand_n and_o act_v 4._o 11._o lord_n thou_o be_v god_n which_o have_v make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o sea_n and_o all_o that_o in_o they_o be_v act_n 14._o 15._o we_o preach_v unto_o you_o that_o you_o shall_v turn_v from_o these_o vanity_n unto_o the_o live_a god_n which_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o sea_n and_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v therein_o and_o rev._n 14._o 7._o fear_v god_n and_o worship_v he_o that_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o sea_n and_o the_o fountain_n of_o water_n this_o be_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a description_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v it_o ascribe_v to_o christ_n in_o such_o express_a term_n we_o can_v not_o doubt_v that_o christ_n have_v create_v the_o world_n which_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v believe_v they_o will_v undoubted_o have_v teach_v we_o so_o great_a a_o truth_n and_o that_o both_o in_o express_a and_o plain_a term_n and_o often_o no_o christ_n be_v never_o say_v to_o have_v create_v heaven_n and_o earth_n the_o sea_n and_o all_o that_o be_v therein_o in_o this_o very_a place_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o first-born_a create_a heaven_n and_o earth_n but_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o that_o be_v in_o earth_n and_o the_o all_o thing_n of_o which_o he_o speak_v he_o limit_v to_o all_o throne_n dominion_n principality_n and_o power_n visible_a and_o invisible_a which_o shall_v be_v explain_v hereafter_o this_o second_o reflection_n that_o this_o text_n contain_v not_o the_o proper_a description_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n use_v in_o scripture_n be_v add_v to_o the_o forego_n that_o this_o context_n speak_v of_o christ_n as_o man_n aught_o to_o persuade_v any_o unprejudiced_a man_n that_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o here_o attribute_v to_o christ_n the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v so_o far_o from_o believe_v that_o christ_n create_v the_o world_n that_o as_o the_o father_n only_o be_v call_v god_n in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n so_o he_o only_o be_v style_v maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n 3._o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n be_v a_o excellent_a commentary_n on_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n so_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n must_v be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n the_o design_n and_o scope_n of_o those_o two_o epistle_n be_v the_o same_o so_o that_o we_o must_v look_v into_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o this_o controvert_v text_n in_o the_o colossian_n now_o he_o that_o serious_o compare_v these_o two_o epistle_n with_o one_o another_o will_v find_v that_o coloss_n 1._o 15_o 16_o 17_o 18._o must_v be_v interpret_v by_o ephes_n 1._o 20_o 21_o 22._o and_o ephes_n 1._o 10._o be_v a_o true_a commentary_n on_o coloss_n 1._o 20._o coloss_n 1._o 18._o run_v thus_o and_o he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o body_n the_o church_n who_o be_v the_o beginning_n the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a that_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o may_v have_v the_o preeminence_n to_o which_o answer_v part_n of_o the_o 22d_o verse_n in_o the_o ephesian_n in_o these_o word_n and_o give_v he_o to_o be_v head_n over_o all_o thing_n to_o the_o church_n col._n 1._o 15_o 16_o 17._o run_v thus_o who_o be_v the_o image_n of_o the_o invisible_a god_n the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n for_o by_o he_o be_v all_o thing_n create_v as_o we_o translate_v the_o word_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o that_o be_v in_o earth_n visible_a and_o invisible_a whether_o they_o be_v throne_n or_o dominion_n or_o principality_n or_o power_n all_o thing_n be_v create_v by_o he_o and_o for_o he_o and_o he_o be_v before_o all_o thing_n and_o by_o he_o all_o thing_n consist_v to_o these_o verse_n do_v answer_v the_o 20_o 21_o and_o part_n of_o the_o 22d_o verse_n of_o chap._n 1._o to_o the_o ephesian_n in_o these_o word_n he_o god_n raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o set_v he_o at_o his_o own_o right_a hand_n in_o the_o heavenly_a place_n far_o above_o all_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o may_v and_o dominion_n and_o every_o name_n that_o be_v name_v not_o only_o in_o this_o world_n but_o in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o have_v put_v all_o thing_n under_o his_o foot_n now_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n we_o see_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o the_o creation_n ascribe_v to_o christ_n but_o only_o of_o his_o exaltation_n above_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o all_o earthly_a power_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n mean_v not_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o forecited_a verse_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n nay_o be_v it_o so_o he_o will_v speak_v nonsense_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n he_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o christ_n have_v create_v all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n the_o visible_a and_o invisible_a throne_n etc._n etc._n which_o plain_o show_v that_o he_o be_v thereby_o as_o far_o above_o they_o as_o the_o creator_n be_v above_o his_o creature_n but_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n he_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o christ_n have_v be_v exalt_v far_o above_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o all_o earthly_a throne_n and_o power_n which_o undeniable_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v not_o so_o before_o now_o what_o be_v a_o contradiction_n if_o this_o be_v not_o to_o say_v that_o christ_n create_v they_o and_o that_o the_o father_n set_v he_o far_o above_o they_o we_o must_v therefore_o of_o necessity_n explain_v