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christ_n phil._n 2._o 21._o they_o that_o love_v riches_n will_v hardly_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o lose_v any_o temporal_a preferment_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o truth_n other_o will_v be_v averse_a from_o acknowledge_v themselves_o in_o a_o mistake_n who_o before_o have_v be_v honour_v with_o the_o repute_n both_o of_o orthodox_n and_o learned_a man_n and_o those_o who_o have_v be_v long_o prepossess_v with_o the_o contrary_a persuasion_n will_v hardly_o relinquish_v it_o though_o the_o best_a of_o reason_n be_v offer_v to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n in_o short_a the_o religion_n of_o mankind_n general_o be_v but_o a_o self-righteousness_n a_o law_n rather_o of_o their_o own_o make_v than_o of_o god_n appoint_v there_o be_v but_o very_o few_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n do_v either_o live_v or_o believe_v as_o the_o gospel_n direct_v they_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v for_o the_o most_o part_n prefer_v some_o senseless_a humour_n before_o sacred_a truth_n and_o that_o immortal_a bliss_n to_o which_o it_o will_v conduct_v they_o the_o end_n
a_o design_v end_n to_o the_o socinian_n controversy_n or_o a_o rational_a and_o plain_a discourse_n to_o prove_v that_o no_o other_o person_n but_o the_o father_n of_o christ_n be_v god_n most_o high_a by_o john_n smith_z father_n this_o be_v life_n eternal_a to_o know_v thou_o the_o only_a true_a god_n john_n 17._o 3._o london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n mdcxcv_o a_o advertisement_n the_o reader_n be_v desire_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o these_o paper_n be_v write_v at_o different_a time_n as_o matter_n do_v offer_v itself_o to_o the_o author_n mind_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n some_o particular_n be_v therein_o touch_v upon_o more_o than_o once_o for_o which_o it_o be_v hope_v however_o that_o there_o will_v need_v little_a excuse_n since_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o whole_a design_n it_o may_v be_v pertinent_a enough_o the_o method_n also_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v somewhat_o unusual_a but_o i_o have_v venture_v however_o to_o let_v it_o pass_v as_o it_o be_v since_o not_o method_n but_o matter_n in_o such_o case_n be_v chief_o to_o be_v mind_v and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o in_o one_o part_n or_o other_o thereof_o every_o part_n of_o the_o controversy_n will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v both_o full_o and_o fair_o discuss_v and_o i_o wish_v none_o that_o read_v it_o may_v be_v of_o that_o evil_a temper_n as_o to_o forbear_v the_o acknowledgement_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o yet_o in_o conscience_n they_o dare_v not_o deny_v like_o those_o jew_n of_o old_a who_o though_o they_o believe_v in_o christ_n yet_o do_v not_o confess_v he_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n joh._n 12._o 42._o a_o design_v end_n to_o the_o socinian_n controversy_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o be_v as_o god_n by_o which_o be_v mean_v one_o eternal_a mind_n essence_n or_o spiritual_a power_n who_o be_v the_o original_a and_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o other_o being_n beside_o be_v manifest_a for_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o any_o other_o be_v whatsoever_o can_v give_v a_o be_v to_o itself_o certain_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o imagine_v that_o a_o thing_n can_v act_v any_o way_n towards_o its_o own_o production_n before_o it_o be_v hence_o it_o follow_v that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o being_n be_v but_o the_o real_a effect_n of_o this_o first_o cause_n that_o have_v a_o be_v before_o it_o and_o this_o first_o cause_n of_o necessity_n must_v have_v be_v eternal_a and_o without_o beginning_n since_o have_v there_o be_v once_o no_o kind_n of_o be_v at_o all_o there_o then_o can_v never_o have_v be_v such_o a_o be_v as_o god_n no_o nor_o any_o other_o be_v beside_o for_o doubtless_o of_o nothing_o nothing_o can_v be_v produce_v that_o this_o god_n be_v but_o one_o in_o nature_n or_o essence_n and_o as_o it_o be_v thus_o plain_a that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n so_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o there_o can_v be_v any_o more_o than_o one_o god_n for_o whoever_o be_v true_o god_n must_v be_v absolute_o infinite_a or_o immense_a that_o be_v his_o divine_a essence_n must_v be_v boundless_a and_o fill_v all_o that_o endless_a and_o inconceivable_a space_n that_o be_v without_o or_o beyond_o the_o limit_n of_o this_o world_n as_o well_o as_o this_o world_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o be_v whatever_o can_v in_o any_o respect_n be_v great_a than_o god_n be_v or_o contain_v he_o for_o than_o he_o himself_o can_v not_o be_v true_o infinite_a nor_o excel_v in_o all_o perfection_n the_o nature_n or_o essence_n therefore_o of_o god_n be_v infinite_a and_o in_o extent_n be_v without_o bound_n and_o it_o be_v self-evident_o impossible_a for_o two_o or_o more_o infinite_o extend_a being_n to_o subsist_v together_o which_o demonstrate_v by_o consequence_n that_o god_n can_v be_v but_o one_o as_o to_o his_o divine_a essence_n or_o nature_n and_o as_o right_a reason_n do_v plain_o teach_v this_o truth_n so_o do_v the_o scripture_n as_o evident_o declare_v the_o same_o to_o instance_n in_o a_o few_o the_o lord_n he_o be_v god_n there_o be_v none_o else_o beside_o he_o deut._n 4._o 35._o see_v now_o that_o i_o even_o i_o be_o he_o and_o there_o be_v no_o god_n with_o i_o deut._n 32._o 39_o there_o be_v none_o like_o thou_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o god_n beside_o thou_o 1_o chron._n 17._o 20._o i_o be_o the_o first_o and_o i_o be_o the_o last_o and_o beside_o methere_o be_v no_o god_n isa_n 44._o 6._o we_o know_v that_o a_o idol_n be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o there_o be_v none_o other_o god_n but_o one_o 1_o cor._n 8._o 4._o to_o we_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n 1_o cor._n 8._o 6._o i_o may_v add_v a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o text_n that_o speak_v to_o the_o very_a same_o purpose_n but_o i_o think_v it_o be_v needless_a in_o a_o case_n so_o plain_a that_o this_o one_o true_a god_n be_v but_o one_o in_o person_n now_o as_o it_o be_v thus_o plain_a that_o god_n be_v but_o one_o as_o to_o his_o nature_n or_o essence_n so_o it_o be_v evident_a likewise_o that_o he_o can_v in_o no_o sense_n be_v any_o more_o than_o one_o in_o person_n for_o if_o as_o some_o affirm_v the_o divine_a nature_n do_v contain_v in_o it_o several_a person_n as_o do_v the_o humane_a nature_n than_o each_o of_o those_o must_v be_v true_o immense_a true_o almighty_a and_o true_o most_o wise_a else_o they_o can_v not_o each_o of_o they_o be_v true_o god_n as_o some_o have_v unwary_o assert_v and_o the_o trinitarian_n notion_n suppose_v for_o whoever_o be_v true_o god_n must_v be_v every_o way_n thus_o qualify_v in_o all_o respect_n for_o if_o that_o person_n that_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v god_n be_v not_o true_o immense_a than_o some_o other_o be_v of_o necessity_n must_v be_v great_a than_o he_o for_o whoever_o be_v not_o infinite_a must_v be_v bound_v by_o some_o other_o be_v which_o in_o that_o respect_n do_v true_o surpass_v that_o bound_v be_v in_o greatness_n but_o as_o i_o say_v before_o nothing_o can_v in_o any_o kind_n or_o respect_n whatsoever_o be_v great_a than_o god_n be_v or_o contain_v he_o and_o by_o consequence_n he_o alone_o be_v true_o immense_a the_o person_n that_o be_v true_o god_n must_v be_v also_o almighty_a that_o be_v he_o must_v be_v able_a to_o do_v more_o than_o any_o or_o than_o all_o other_o being_n together_a can_v do_v for_o doubtless_o none_o be_v the_o most_o high_a but_o he_o that_o in_o may_v and_o strength_n do_v transcend_v all_o other_o touch_v the_o almighty_a say_v job_n he_o excel_v in_o power_n ch_n 37._o 28._o the_o person_n also_o that_o be_v true_o god_n must_v be_v most_o wise_a and_o know_v it_o be_v doubtless_o a_o property_n essential_a to_o the_o true_a god_n to_o know_v more_o than_o any_o other_o be_v beside_o can_v know_v of_o that_o day_n and_o hour_n say_v our_o saviour_n know_v no_o man_n no_o not_o the_o angel_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n neither_o the_o son_n but_o the_o father_n only_o matth._n 24._o 36._o mar._n 13._o 32._o now_o if_o that_o person_n who_o be_v true_o god_n must_v be_v thus_o immense_a in_o his_o person_n almighty_a in_o his_o power_n and_o most_o wise_a in_o his_o knowledge_n than_o it_o follow_v by_o direct_a consequence_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o more_o than_o one_o person_n to_o be_v true_o god_n for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o believe_v or_o affirm_v that_o two_o or_o three_o distinct_a being_n such_o as_o all_o personal_a being_n be_v can_v be_v each_o of_o they_o unlimited_a as_o to_o the_o extent_n of_o their_o personal_a being_n can_v be_v each_o of_o they_o able_a to_o do_v more_o than_o the_o rest_n can_v do_v or_o that_o each_o of_o they_o can_v know_v more_o than_o the_o other_o know_v suppose_v for_o instance_n two_o such_o being_n as_o a_o and_o b_o now_o if_o the_o person_n of_o a_o can_v do_v more_o than_o the_o person_n of_o b_o than_o the_o person_n of_o b_o can_v do_v more_o than_o the_o person_n of_o a_o for_o if_o he_o can_v then_o will_v not_o a_o be_v able_a to_o do_v more_o than_o b_o and_o by_o consequence_n he_o can_v not_o be_v almighty_a again_o if_o the_o person_n of_o a_o be_v most_o wise_a and_o know_v more_o than_o the_o person_n of_o b_o then_z b_o can_v know_v more_o than_o a_o for_o if_o he_o do_v then_o will_v not_o a_o know_v more_o than_o b_o and_o so_o by_o consequence_n will_v not_o be_v most_o wise_a which_o evident_o demonstrate_v that_o no_o more_o than_o one_o person_n can_v be_v true_o god_n since_o no_o more_o than_o one_o can_v be_v true_o infinite_a in_o all_o these_o aforementioned_a divine_a perfection_n that_o this_o one_o person_n who_o
god_n be_v in_o every_o respect_n yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o may_v know_v certain_o what_o indeed_o he_o be_v not_o we_o know_v certain_o that_o he_o be_v not_o a_o man_n or_o that_o he_o be_v make_v of_o a_o woman_n as_o christ_n be_v we_o know_v certain_o that_o he_o be_v not_o mortal_a or_o that_o he_o can_v die_v as_o christ_n do_v and_o we_o know_v certain_o that_o he_o have_v not_o a_o god_n above_o he_o as_o christ_n have_v and_o we_o know_v certain_o that_o he_o have_v not_o receive_v any_o kind_n of_o power_n from_o another_o as_o christ_n jesus_n be_v say_v to_o do_v and_o as_o one_o truth_n natural_o infer_v another_o so_o we_o do_v from_o hence_o assure_o conclude_v that_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n our_o lord_n be_v not_o true_o god_n for_o he_o be_v make_v of_o a_o woman_n gal._n 4._o 4._o he_o die_v to_o redeem_v we_o 2_o cor._n 5._o 14._o he_o have_v a_o god_n above_o he_o 1_o cor._n 11._o 3._o and_o he_o do_v receive_v all_o the_o power_n he_o have_v of_o another_o joh._n 5._o 30._o mat._n 28._o 18._o we_o also_o know_v certain_o that_o if_o the_o divine_a godhead_n do_v consist_v of_o three_o person_n that_o then_o neither_o of_o the_o three_o person_n single_o can_v be_v god_n if_o all_o three_o be_v but_o that_o one_o god_n together_o as_o the_o trinitarian_n assert_v than_o no_o one_o of_o they_o can_v be_v the_o true_a god_n by_o himself_o for_o the_o same_o denomination_n can_v proper_o fit_v each_o person_n single_o as_o do_v fit_v they_o when_o conjoin_v in_o one_o mutual_a relation_n for_o than_o they_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v indeed_o three_o supreme_a godhead_n which_o be_v utter_o impossible_a we_o also_o know_v certain_o that_o if_o any_o of_o the_o three_o person_n say_v to_o be_v in_o the_o godhead_n be_v god_n by_o himself_o as_o we_o have_v prove_v god_n the_o father_n undoubted_o be_v than_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v but_o superfluous_a and_o unnecessary_a as_o to_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o godhead_n for_o one_o infinite_a almighty_a and_o most_o wise_a person_n be_v as_o sufficient_a to_o all_o the_o purpose_n of_o a_o godhead_n as_o ten_o thousand_o deity_n but_o if_o three_o be_v but_o the_o one_o true_a god_n together_o than_o no_o one_o of_o they_o can_v be_v that_o one_o true_a god_n by_o himself_o alone_o last_o we_o may_v be_v infallible_o certain_a that_o if_o doctrine_n ground_v on_o so_o many_o numerous_a and_o great_a evidence_n both_o of_o scripture_n and_o self-evident_a reason_n as_o these_o be_v that_o god_n be_v but_o one_o in_o person_n that_o the_o person_n who_o be_v true_o god_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o father_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o the_o most_o excellent_a of_o man_n even_o jesus_n christ_n be_v only_o a_o man_n be_v false_a then_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o principle_n in_o religion_n if_o the_o evidence_n here_o collect_v do_v deceive_v we_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o hope_v by_o any_o other_o method_n to_o find_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o come_v down_o of_o christ_n from_o heaven_n some_o as_o a_o proof_n of_o our_o saviour_n godhead_n urge_v those_o text_n of_o scripture_n where_o it_o be_v say_v he_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n come_v forth_o from_o the_o father_n and_o ascend_v up_o where_o he_o be_v before_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o these_o prove_v not_o that_o for_o which_o they_o be_v intend_v since_o it_o be_v plain_o infer_v from_o other_o scripture_n that_o christ_n some_o time_n before_o he_o be_v send_v to_o declare_v the_o glad-tiding_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v assume_v or_o take_v up_o from_o the_o earth_n into_o his_o father_n more_o immediate_a presence_n as_o st._n paul_n be_v some_o time_n after_o into_o the_o three_o heaven_n there_o to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v invest_v with_o that_o great_a dignity_n and_o power_n of_o be_v a_o prince_n and_o a_o saviour_n to_o this_o the_o prophet_n daniel_n vision_n plain_o allude_v i_o see_v say_v he_o in_o the_o night_n vision_n and_o behold_v one_o like_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v to_o the_o ancient_n of_o day_n and_o they_o bring_v he_o before_o he_o and_o there_o be_v give_v he_o dominion_n and_o glory_n and_o a_o kingdom_n that_o all_o people_n and_o nation_n and_o language_n shall_v serve_v he_o dan._n 7._o 13._o and_o from_o the_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o he_o ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n before_o he_o come_v down_o to_o declare_v his_o father_n will_n to_o man_n no_o man_n say_v he_o have_v ascend_v into_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n joh._n 3._o 13._o but_o no_o man_n but_o christ_n ever_o come_v down_o from_o thence_o which_o he_o never_o can_v have_v do_v have_v he_o not_o first_o ascend_v up_o thither_o and_o that_o he_o be_v take_v up_o to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o doctrine_n he_o be_v to_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n be_v plain_a also_o the_o father_n say_v he_o that_o send_v i_o he_o give_v i_o a_o commandment_n what_o i_o shall_v say_v and_o what_o i_o shall_v speak_v joh._n 12._o 49._o the_o redemption_n or_o restoration_n of_o mankind_n be_v a_o work_n of_o prodigious_a difficulty_n and_o god_n who_o have_v fore-ordained_n our_o saviour_n for_o the_o performance_n thereof_o do_v for_o his_o great_a encouragement_n present_v to_o his_o view_n the_o glory_n which_o before_o the_o world_n be_v joh._n 17._o 5._o he_o have_v design_v as_o a_o reward_n for_o his_o son_n the_o messiah_n and_o it_o be_v doubtless_o this_o fore-taste_a of_o the_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a happiness_n that_o animate_v he_o with_o courage_n and_o fortitude_n to_o encounter_v all_o the_o difficulty_n that_o stand_v in_o his_o way_n hence_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o for_o the_o joy_n that_o be_v set_v before_o he_o do_v endure_v the_o cross_n and_o despise_v the_o shame_n heb._n 12._o 2._o of_o the_o eternity_n of_o christ_n some_o object_n that_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o be_v before_o abraham_n before_o all_o thing_n and_o that_o he_o have_v glory_n with_o god_n before_o the_o world_n be_v this_o say_v they_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v eternal_a and_o by_o consequence_n god_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o christ_n can_v be_v the_o true_a and_o live_a god_n since_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o work_n that_o no_o person_n be_v true_o god_n but_o the_o father_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o christ_n have_v a_o god_n above_o he_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o christ_n to_o be_v eternal_a for_o if_o god_n be_v his_o father_n as_o all_o acknowledge_v than_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o the_o son_n have_v not_o a_o be_v for_o to_o be_v a_o son_n and_o to_o be_v equal_a in_o duration_n with_o his_o eternal_a father_n that_o beget_v he_o be_v undoubted_o impossible_a beside_o we_o be_v tell_v plain_o that_o the_o son_n be_v first_o fore-ordained_n before_o he_o come_v to_o have_v a_o be_v in_o these_o latter_a time_n 1._o pet._n 1._o 20._o now_o no_o fore-ordained_n be_v can_v possible_o be_v eternal_a since_o he_o that_o do_v ordain_v his_o be_v must_v be_v before_o he_o of_o necessity_n and_o none_o but_o the_o very_a first_o of_o all_o being_n can_v be_v true_o eternal_a how_o can_v he_o have_v a_o be_v before_o abraham_n since_o it_o be_v declare_v he_o be_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n how_o can_v he_o be_v before_o david_n when_o it_o be_v out_o of_o david_n posterity_n that_o god_n raise_v up_o jesus_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n and_o since_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v make_v of_o a_o woman_n gal._n 4._o 4._o he_o can_v not_o be_v more_o ancient_a in_o time_n than_o his_o mother_n that_o bear_v he_o if_o follow_v then_o that_o these_o scripture_n on_o which_o the_o objection_n depend_v be_v pure_o figurative_a and_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o their_o literal_a sense_n and_o mean_v they_o declare_v indeed_o that_o christ_n in_o some_o sense_n or_o other_o be_v before_o all_o thing_n before_o abraham_n and_o have_v glory_n before_o the_o world_n be_v but_o not_o in_o that_o sense_n which_o the_o objector_n suppose_v for_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a they_o shall_v be_v understand_v in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o contradict_v both_o common_a understanding_n and_o the_o great_a and_o plain_a part_n of_o all_o the_o bible_n they_o be_v place_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o those_o which_o st._n peter_n affirm_v be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v 2_o pet._n 3._o 16._o and_o for_o that_o reason_n must_v by_o interpretation_n be_v bring_v to_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o