Angels are in the presence of God but were not so from everlasting as Christ was The Angel of his presence saved them viz. He who deserved this Title by way of Eminency as being the same that appeared to Moses in the burning Bush Exod. 3.2 4. The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a stame of fire out of the midst of a bush and when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see God called to him out of the midst of the bush The same Angel as conducted them in the Wilderness and spake to the Israelites from Sinai Act. 7.35.37 68. The Angel of whom God himself testified My Name is in him Exod. 23.20 21. Moreover in that fore-quoted Text the Prophet adds They vexed his holy Spirit Here is an acknowledgment of the Third glorious Person denominated his Holy Spirit Him the Seed of Jacob grieved by their frequent murmurings in the Desert by only making the Nations tributary whom God commanded them to destroy and by defying the warnings of the Prophets even till the Babylonish Captivity 2. The New Testament ratifies this Doctrine by sufficient Testimonies 1. At our Saviour's Baptism the present Truth was confirmed Matth. 3.16 17. Jesus when he was baptized went up straitway out of the water and lo the Heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him and lo a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Now the ever-blessed Trinity clearly manifested themselves Voce Pater Natus Corpore Flamen ave He that spake from Heaven was the Father He who was baptized in Jordan was the Son He that came down in the form of a Dove is styled the Holy Spirit The Father at this time made himself known by an audible Voice Jesus Christ the Essential Word in Heaven was now born Witness to by a Word from Heaven and God the Holy Ghost now descending on him in the shape of a Dove Thus these Three glorious Persons revealed themselves Pater auditur in voce Filius manifestatur in homine Spiritus sanctus dignoscitur in Columba Aug. Three several Actions also at this juncture serve to establish our Faith as to this Article of our Creed For one proclaims by a Voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased This was the Declaration of God the Father since it could not be the Speech of Christ for then he would be Son to himself Nor can it be ascribed to the Holy Ghost for then Jesus should be the Son of the Spirit but thus he was never styled in the Scriptures The second Person also was now manifested as invested with the Humane Nature baptized and moreover after that he prayed Luke 3.21 22. The third Person is now signaliz'd as coming down in the resemblance of a Dove and rested upon Jesus Christ John 1.29 c. No wonder now that the Primitive Christians commonly said to any that doubted of the Trinity Abi ad Jordanem videbis Go to Jordan and there you may receive full satisfaction 2. The Institution of Baptism may settle us in the belief of this Truth Go teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Matth. 28.19 The blessed Trinity is written in legible Characters on this Ordinance Here is a Commission or solemn Command for Baptism and the form of Administring this Sacrament in all Ages is now set down and as to the present purpose we might remark 1. The Apostles are ordered to Baptize in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Non in nominibus sed nomine ut trium unitas significetur Consider them Personally then they have Three Characters here mentioned Father Son and Holy Ghost but Essentially they all come under one Name Further if we expound this Clause in the Name i. e. Calling on the Name acting by the Warrant or dedicating to the Service of these Three Hence we must either establish three Gods or confess three Persons in the Godhead But though we grant Deum trinum we abhor Deum triplicem In the Name This one Name is expressed only of one Deity nor can any be the Appointer of Ordinances for the Church the Object of our Prayers or be serv'd and adored but God alone Matth. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve 2. The Twelve Disciples were to Baptize in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost importing an exact Parity in these Three Persons Therefore it is not said by the Son or by the Spirit as if these were unequal in Nature Glory or Dignity to the Father 3. An Article is prefixed thrice or added to every one of them Baptizing them in the Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Father whose Voice you heard from Heaven at my Baptism in Jordan and when Transfigur'd on the Mount 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Son whom you now behold manifested in the flesh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of the Holy Ghost whom you formerly saw descending and remaining on me like a Dove The repeating of the Article encreases the Emphasis 3. That Passage of the Apostle may strengthen our Faith in this Point Rom. 11.36 Of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Here are three Particles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of through to not only to signifie the many Benefits which Creatures especially Mankind do receive from God but also to insinuate the Trinity of the Persons in one God Of him denotes the Father through him discovers the Son as we find it interpreted 1 Cor. 8.6 To us is one God the Father of whom are all things and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things To Him represents the Holy Ghost The Father is a Principle without a beginning the Son is a middle Person through whom Operation received from the Father is transmitted to the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost is as it were the End in the Trinity from whom there is no farther progress to any other Person 4. That Declaration carries in it convincing evidence of this Doctrine 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Here observe 1. Three recorded Witnesses the Father Son and Holy Ghost Necessarily implying Three Persons The matter of their Testimony is That Jesus is the Son of God v. 1.5 And the Author of eternal life to Believers v. 11. 2. The Word and the Holy Ghost are joyned as Attestators with the Father This were an Honour too great for a meer Creature Moreover Christ here styled the Word has the glorious Denomination of the true God v. 20. and the Holy Ghost here mentioned is called Truth it self Verse 6. 3. Each of these Witnesses is God One is not the other yet they are not many Gods they must
therefore be three distinct Persons subsisting in one divine Essence These Three are One i. e agreeing in their Testimony and united in their Nature The Father Son and Holy Ghost enjoy the same Substance in an inseparable equality We have but one God because there is but one Godhead and the Elect are related to One whom we also believe to be Three One is not less God than the other nor are they separated in Will or divided in Power But there is one undivided Deity in several Persons As if there were three Suns cohering there would be one Commixture of Light Jesus Christ did not say I am the Father but I am in the Father Nor did he assert I and the Father am one but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are one John 10.30 That we might not exclude the Son from the Godhead nor confound him with the Father I and my Father are one One in the Dignity of the Deity because God begat God One in Kingdom both reigning over the same Subjects One in Will and Operation Cyril We acknowledge one God the Father of himself and unbegotten One Son begotten of the Father and one Spirit having his Subsistence of God of the same Nature and Glory the same in all things except this That he is not unbegotten as the Father nor begotten as the Son He that begat only knows him that is begotten and none knows the Father but the Son Believe that God had a Son but how do not curiously enquire It suffices to understand that God had only one Son naturally begotten who did not begin to be when born in Bethlehem but was before the World Mic. 5.2 Out of thee shall he come forth that is to be Ruler in Israel whose goings forth have been of old from everlasting More is not revealed nor is the Generation of the Son by the Father described Why should any pragmatically search into what is not mention'd We know not all that is written and do we curiously pry into what is not recorded Nescire velle quae magister maximus non docuit erudita est inscientia It 's no shame to be ignorant of what Christ has not discovered or to expect clearer Revelations in another World Where Saints shall know more by the pure illumination of the glorious Trinity and be more modest adoring then the incomprehensible God Father Son and Holy Ghost 3. Natural Reason may not oppose this Truth so confirmed in Divine Revelations Aquinas indeed notes That he that endeavours to prove the Doctrine of the Trinity by the Light of Nature derogates from the Faith 1. As to the Dignity of its Articles being invisible Objects exceeding Humane Reason Heb. 12.1 Faith is the substance of things not seen 2. As to the likelihood of drawing others to the Faith for when any alledges Arguments which are not cogent he becomes the scorn of Infidels who imagin that we do leaning upon such Reasons subscribe the Doctrines on these accounts However our Minds depending on the Divine Authority of the Sacred Revelations may thereby be fully satisfied in this Truth Arguments from Sense may not be insisted on if contrary to Reason e. g. Though some Stars seem to us like Spangles yet Reason corrects such an Opinion by urging their vast distance from us This necessarily infers them to be great Bodies else they would be wholly invisible The Sun appears greater in the Morning or towards its setting than at Noon but the ground hereof is the thickness of the Air. Now as in these Cases the Dictates of Reason do preponderate to the Suggestions of Sense So in the Mysteries of the Gospel we must prefer the Declarations of Faith above the Sentiments of Reason not presently imagining that if a Truth transcends our Capacity it is contrary to our Understanding Use the Maxims of Philosophy in subservience to Divinity keep the old Rules within their proper bounds never think them to be of equal Authority with the Sacred Oracles Ex nihilo nihil sit a privatione ad habitum non datur regressus Limit these Conclusions to a finite Power Admit the interposings of that Arm which subdueth all things to its self then the Creation or Resurrection will not be thought incredible neither wilt thou be amazed that the same numerical Essence is in three distinct Persons By way of Vse 1. How glorious a God do we serve One who is Infinite and Incomprehensible His Ways are unsearchable and his Works past finding out Far less can his Nature Essence Subsistence receive any bounds or be searched out unto perfection Earthly Diadems only incircle the Heads of Princes God's Laws and Men's fundamental Constitutions should keep their Feet within due limits seeing these Potentates are Creatures though of the fairest Character and are finite Beings though they are highly advanced But the God of Glory is under no Obligations or Articles nor can have any Lines drawn round about him by Men or Angels Arbitrary humane Government is very unsafe but the Most High acteth purely by his own Will as being Commensurate with his Council He needs no Rule and his Pleasure is the Supream Reason Sic volo sic jubeo stat pro ratione voluntas 2. See the necessity of studying something of this Doctrine Without a knowledge of this Truth we cannot worship God aright The Father Son and Holy Ghost are the Object of Divine Faith and of Gospel Adoration Neither may we direct our Addresses to either of these glorious Persons but as united to one another We confess there is but one God yet must be acquainted with Him as he is in Christ else in Prayer we can have no confidence Heb. 10.19 20 21 22. Some knowledge of the Trinity is necessary to Salvation and all baptized Persons profess their belief in the Father Son and Holy Ghost which Declaration implies An acknowledgment that the Father Son and Holy Spirit are one true Coeternal God one in Essence though three in an incom prehensible manner A Confession that Jesus is God-man the Saviour of the World With an hearty yielding up our selves to that God who in his Covenant reveals and offers himself under the Relation of our God as an appeased Father reconciling Redeemer and sanctifying Spirit Or as St. Aug. explains it We believe Father Son and Holy Ghost to be one God the universal Creatour and Sovereign Also that the Father is not the Son nor the blessed Spirit either the Father or the Son Sed Trinitatem relatarum ad invicem Personarum unitatem aequalis essentiae A Trinity of Persons related to one another equally united in the same Nature 3. Bless God for revealing this Mystery it not being discernible by the Light of Nature The Pagan Philosophers had no true Notions of God as the Author Object Matter or Way to Eternal Life nor any right Apprehensions of the blessed Trinity This glorious Article of Vnity in Trinity was hid from them The wiser of the Heathen had some dark and
an Innumerable company of Angels but much more to walk in the love of all the Divine Persons when they come to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to God the Judge of all Heb. 12.23 24. It is ground of Faith and much Support that in their Addresses Believers can go to the Father Son and Holy Ghost feeling the Grace of the Lord Jesus the Love of the Father and Fellowship with the Holy Spirit Tasting the Love of God in bestowing his Son and admiring the Redeemer's Grace in giving himself Christians ought to testifie their Love to each Person in the Glorious Trinity By fearing to Offend being cautious of not provoking the Father who is a Consuming Fire also not to displease our God and Saviour according to the ancient Charge Exod. 23.21 Beware of him obey his voice provoke him not for he will not pardon your Transgressions For my Name is in him Also dreading lest we should grieve the Holy Spirit or quench his Motions Thess 5.19 By discharging Duty from a Principle of Love to all the Three Persons If any love me he will keep my Words By giving Glory to them all Being duly affected with their particular Goodness We are Baptized in their Names and should ascribe Praise and Honour to the Father Son and Holy Ghost Our Love ought to terminate on God more for what he is in himself than for his Benefits to us 3. Our Assurance has for its Object all the Three Persons waiting to be Sealed or to have their Ratification of our Evidences St. John declares That all the Saints shall partake of Eternal Life and hereof there are three Witnesses in Heaven the Father Son and Holy Ghost 1 Joh. 5.7 All these three do affix their Seal to this Record Altho' if we are certain of the Love of the one we need not doubt the Affection of them all Yet this ensurance the Faithful may humbly expect to be enjoy'd by a direct Beam darted into the Soul helping them in Prayer to cry Abba Father or after Self-Examination assisting them to conclude I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine The Soul cannot boast in the Lord nor triumph in him till it be satisfied of a Covenant-Interest in all the Persons 8. Observe the distinct acts of Office undertaken by the Trinity for the benefit of the Saints e. g. 1. In Conversion the Father Begets Calls Draws no Man can come to Christ except the Father draw him The Lord Jesus receives Sinners viz. Such whose Souls the Father gave him These shall come unto him and none else Nor will he cast off any that come unto him The Holy Spirit he Unites God Christ and the Soul or is the Bond of Union betwixt Believers and their Mystical Head Baptizing them all into one Body 2. In Duties performed by the Faithful each Glorious Person is particularly concerned e. g. 1. In Hearing we hear the Truth of God the Father The Gospel hence is called A Mystery hid in God from many Ages The Lord Jesus who sits upon the Throne he opens the Book of the Heavenly Councils for this he is stiled The Word of God or Interpreter of the Father's Mind as words discover our Conceptions By virtue of his Priesthood as he is the Lamb Slain he opens the Book Rev. 5.9 There is not a Truth discover'd but it cost the Blood of Christ Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals for thou wast Slain and hast Redeemed us to God by thy Blood Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ Meritoriously Joh. 1.17 The Blessed Spirit he applies the Eye-Salve to grant us an Understanding of what is Revealed and ingrafts the Word in our Hearts 2. In Prayer God the Father is addressed to to him we look up saying Our Father Not but that Christ and the Spirit may be Prayed to as well as Believed on being equally God But from the distinct Offices of these Blessed Persons we therefore Supplicate God as the Object and hearer of our Petitions We regard the Son as our Advocate and the Holy Ghost as an Intercessor in us The Spirit Indites our Requests and Jesus Presents them with his own Odours Rev. 8.3 And here Note These distinct Offices of the Trinity are only during the administration of Christ's Mediatory Kingdom When that is finished the Father will draw none to Christ The Son will Offer no Sacrifice unto God the Holy Ghost will no longer assist Sanctisie or Seal us in this Life but Grace shall be perfect and the ends of the Covenant be attained Till the Restitution of all Things peculiar Glory redounds to each Divine Person by these Offices The Father reconciles the World to himself The Son took the form of a Servant to purchase Eternal Life therefore he is Glorified in his People's Hearts The Blessed Spirit begins the work of Grace and perfects it All saving habits are Fruits of the Spirit and for this he is distinctly Adored The Hearts of Saints are Ravished with the Love Goodness and kind Offices of the Glorious Trinity Rev. 1.4 5 6. God doth not barely aim at the Glory of his Essence but at an exalting the Excellency of the Persons as well as at the admiring the Attributes of the Deity Rev. 4.8 They rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy By a constantly repeated Acclamation they acknowledge One God and confess him also to be Three Persons FINIS Books Printed for John Dunton at the Raven in the Poultrey 1. PRoposals for a National Reformation of Manners Humbly offered to the Consideration of our Magistrates and Clergy To which is added I. The Instrument for Reformation II. An Account of several Barbarous Villanies detected by the Society for Reformation As the same have been Sworn before two of Their Majesties Justices of the Peace As also the Black Roll containing the Names and Crimes of several hundred Persons who have been lately Prosecuted for Whoring Drunkenness Sabbath-breaking The whole Published by the Society for Reformation Price 6 d. 2. 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