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A61548 A discourse in vindication of the doctrine of the Trinity with an answer to the late Socinian objections against it from Scripture, antiquity and reason, and a preface concerning the different explications of the Trinity, and the tendency of the present Socinian controversie / by the Right Reverend Father in God Edward, Lord Bishop of Worcester. Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. 1697 (1697) Wing S5585; ESTC R14244 164,643 376

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to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v they_o but_o to_o show_v what_o use_n we_o be_v to_o make_v of_o they_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n do_v meet_v with_o opposition_n very_o early_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n especial_o among_o the_o jewish_a christian_n i_o mean_v those_o who_o strict_o adhere_v to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v declare_v the_o freedom_n of_o christian_n from_o the_o obligation_n of_o it_o these_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v by_o and_o by_o soon_o after_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n gather_v into_o a_o body_n by_o themselves_o distinct_a from_o that_o which_o consist_v of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o be_v therefore_o call_v the_o catholic_n christian_n church_n and_o this_o separate_a body_n whether_o call_v ebionites_n nazarene_o or_o minean_n do_v not_o only_o differ_v from_o the_o catholic_n christian_n church_n as_o to_o the_o necessity_n of_o 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and_o baptism_n 3._o s._n jerom_n observe_v that_o theodotion_n and_o symmachus_n both_o ebionite_n translate_v the_o old_a testament_n in_o what_o concern_v our_o saviour_n like_o jew_n and_o aquila_n who_o be_v a_o jew_n like_o a_o christian_a but_o in_o another_o place_n he_o blame_v all_o three_o for_o the_o same_o fault_n ruffin_n eusebius_n go_v somewhat_o far_a for_o he_o say_v symmachus_n write_v against_o s._n matthew_n be_v gospel_n to_o establish_v his_o own_o heresy_n which_o show_v he_o be_v a_o true_a ebionite_n the_o next_o they_o mention_v as_o one_o of_o their_o great_a light_n be_v paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la bishop_n and_o patriarch_n of_o antioch_n but_o in_o another_o place_n they_o have_v a_o spiteful_a insinuation_n that_o man_n in_o such_o place_n be_v the_o great_a pensioner_n of_o the_o world_n 66._o as_o though_o they_o be_v sway_v only_o by_o interest_n and_o that_o it_o keep_v they_o from_o embrace_v of_o the_o truth_n now_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la give_v great_a occasion_n for_o such_o a_o suspicion_n than_o any_o of_o the_o person_n so_o unworthy_o reflect_v upon_o for_o he_o be_v a_o man_n note_v for_o his_o affectation_n of_o excessive_a vanity_n and_o pomp_n and_o very_o unjust_a method_n of_o grow_v rich_a it_o be_v well_o we_o have_v eusebius_n his_o testimony_n for_o this_o 30._o for_o they_o sleight_v epiphanius_n for_o his_o malicious_a tale_n and_o s._n jerom_n for_o his_o legend_n but_o they_o commend_v eusebius_n for_o his_o exactness_n and_o diligence_n 20._o and_o i_o hope_v theodoret_n may_v escape_v their_o censure_n who_o affirm_v that_o paulus_n samofatenus_fw-la suit_v his_o doctrine_n to_o his_o interest_n with_o zenobia_n who_o then_o govern_v in_o those_o part_n of_o syria_n and_o phoenicia_n who_o profess_v herself_o to_o be_v of_o the_o jewish_a persuasion_n athanasius_n say_v 857._o she_o be_v a_o jew_n and_o a_o favourer_n of_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la what_o his_o opinion_n be_v our_o unitarian_n do_v not_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o inform_v we_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o he_o be_v of_o their_o mind_n eusebius_n say_v 27._o he_o have_v a_o very_a mean_a and_o low_a opinion_n of_o christ_n as_o have_v nothing_o in_o he_o above_o the_o common_a nature_n of_o mankind_n theodoret_n say_v he_o fall_v into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o artemon_n to_o oblige_v zenobia_n and_o artemon_n he_o say_v hold_v that_o christ_n be_v a_o mere_a man_n bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n but_o exceed_v the_o prophet_n in_o excellency_n where_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v to_o express_v the_o opinion_n of_o artemon_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o 150_o because_o our_o modern_a unitarian_n say_v that_o those_o word_n among_o the_o ancient_a writer_n be_v take_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o miraculous_a conception_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la be_v universal_o disow_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o that_o time_n although_o as_o long_o as_o zenobia_n hold_v her_o power_n he_o keep_v his_o see_n which_o be_v for_o some_o time_n after_o he_o be_v first_o call_v in_o question_n for_o his_o heresy_n but_o at_o first_o he_o make_v use_v of_o many_o art_n and_o device_n to_o deceive_v the_o christian_a bishop_n of_o the_o best_a reputation_n 8._o who_o assemble_v at_o antioch_n in_o order_n to_o the_o suppress_v this_o dangerous_a doctrine_n as_o they_o all_o account_v it_o for_o hear_v of_o his_o opinion_n about_o our_o saviour_n they_o run_v together_o say_v eusebius_n as_o against_o a_o wolf_n which_o design_v to_o destroy_v the_o flock_n now_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o argue_v that_o the_o samosatenian_a doctrine_n be_v then_o look_v on_o as_o a_o very_a dangerous_a novelty_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o although_o the_o ebionite_n have_v assert_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o look_v on_o as_o true_a member_n of_o the_o 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be_v come_v a_o three_o time_n to_o antioch_n but_o die_v by_o the_o way_n but_o those_o bishop_n who_o write_v the_o synodical_a epistle_n do_v all_o affirm_v that_o they_o be_v witness_n and_o many_o other_o when_o he_o condemn_v his_o doctrine_n but_o be_v willing_a to_o forbear_v his_o person_n upon_o his_o promise_n of_o amendment_n which_o they_o find_v afterward_o be_v mere_o delusory_a dionysius_n alexandrinus_n they_o say_v will_v not_o write_v to_o he_o but_o send_v his_o mind_n about_o he_o to_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n which_o epistle_n be_v mention_v by_o s._n jerom_n as_o write_v by_o he_o a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n as_o well_o as_o by_o eusebius_n and_o theodoret_n and_o i_o do_v not_o see_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o question_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o which_o fronto_n ducaeus_n publish_v from_o turrian_n copy_n although_o it_o be_v deny_v by_o h._n valesius_fw-la and_o other_o it_o be_v say_v indeed_o that_o he_o do_v not_o write_v to_o he_o i._n e._n he_o do_v not_o direct_v it_o to_o he_o but_o he_o may_v send_v it_o to_o the_o council_n in_o answer_n to_o his_o letter_n which_o he_o mention_n how_o far_o it_o differ_v from_o his_o style_n in_o other_o epistle_n i_o will_v not_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o judge_v but_o the_o design_n be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o a_o epistle_n from_o he_o on_o that_o occasion_n it_o be_v true_a that_o it_o seem_v to_o represent_v the_o opinion_n of_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la after_o a_o different_a manner_n from_o what_o it_o be_v common_o think_v to_o have_v be_v but_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o ●e_v make_v use_v of_o all_o the_o art_n to_o disguise_v himself_o that_o he_o can_v and_o when_o he_o find_v the_o make_v christ_n to_o be_v a_o mere_a man_n will_v not_o be_v bear_v he_o go_v from_o the_o ebionite_n to_o the_o cerinthian_a hypothesis_n viz._n that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v dwell_v in_o he_o and_o that_o
question_n his_o fidelity_n in_o report_v however_o he_o may_v be_v unhappy_a in_o his_o explication_n 3._o tertullian_n himself_o say_v schlichtingius_n in_o other_o place_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v not_o mention_v the_o holy_a ghost_n 12._o and_o therefore_o this_o seem_v add_v by_o he_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o paraclete_n but_o this_o can_v be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o any_o one_o that_o consider_v that_o tertullian_n ground_n his_o doctrine_n not_o on_o any_o new_a revelation_n by_o the_o paraclete_n but_o on_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n receive_v in_o the_o church_n long_o before_o and_o upon_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n prescribe_v by_o our_o saviour_n will_v they_o say_v the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v there_o add_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o montanus_n his_o paraclete_n and_o in_o another_o of_o his_o book_n he_o own_v the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n to_o make_v up_o the_o trinity_n in_o unity_n 4._o wherein_o petavius_n himself_o confess_v that_o he_o assert_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o catholic_n manner_n although_o he_o otherwise_o speak_v hardly_o enough_o of_o he_o the_o next_o i_o shall_v mention_v be_v novatian_n who_o schlichtingius_n allow_v 30._o to_o have_v be_v before_o the_o nicene-council_n 27._o and_o our_o modern_a unitarian_n call_v he_o a_o great_a man_n whoever_o he_o be_v and_o very_o ancient_a and_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n i_o observe_v in_o he_o 1._o that_o he_o oppose_v sabellianism_n for_o before_o his_o time_n praxeas_n and_o noetus_n be_v little_o talk_v of_o especial_o in_o the_o western_a church_n but_o sabellius_n his_o name_n and_o doctrine_n be_v very_o well_o know_v by_o the_o opposition_n to_o he_o by_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n and_o rome_n 31._o he_o stick_v not_o at_o the_o call_n it_o heresy_n several_a time_n and_o dispute_v against_o it_o and_o answer_v the_o objection_n about_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n 2._o that_o he_o own_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n require_v our_o believe_v in_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n 29._o and_o assert_n the_o divine_a eternity_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o must_v hold_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n to_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n contain_v in_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n for_o he_o say_v sociari_fw-la the_o authority_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n admonish_v we_o to_o believe_v not_o only_o in_o the_o father_n and_o son_n but_o in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n therefore_o the_o holy_a ghost_n must_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o object_n of_o faith_n join_v in_o the_o scripture_n with_o the_o other_o two_o which_o be_v no_o where_o more_o express_a than_o in_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n which_o as_o s._n cyprian_n say_v be_v to_o be_v administer_v in_o the_o full_a confession_n of_o the_o trinity_n in_o the_o place_n already_o mention_v and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o s._n cyprian_n reject_v the_o baptism_n of_o those_o who_o deny_v the_o trinity_n at_o that_o time_n 37._o among_o who_o he_o instance_n in_o the_o patripassian_o who_o it_o seem_v be_v then_o spread_v into_o africa_n the_o dispute_n about_o the_o marcionite_n baptism_n be_v upon_o another_o ground_n for_o they_o hold_v a_o real_a trinity_n as_o appear_v by_o dionysius_n romanus_n in_o athanasius_n and_o epiphanius_n etc._n etc._n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o they_o hold_v the_o same_o trinity_n or_o not_o s._n cyprian_n say_v that_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v his_o apostle_n to_o baptize_v in_o the_o name_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o this_o trinity_n they_o be_v to_o baptize_v do_v martion_n hold_v this_o trinity_n so_o that_o s._n cyprian_n suppose_v the_o validity_n of_o baptism_n to_o depend_v on_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o if_o he_o have_v go_v no_o far_o i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o he_o have_v transgress_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n but_o his_o error_n be_v that_o he_o make_v void_a baptism_n upon_o difference_n of_o communion_n and_o therein_o he_o be_v just_o oppose_v but_o the_o marcionite_n baptism_n be_v reject_v in_o the_o eastern_a church_n 47._o because_o of_o their_o doctrine_n about_o the_o trinity_n in_o the_o part_n of_o asia_n about_o ephesus_n noetus_n have_v broach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n which_o praxea_n have_v do_v elsewhere_o for_o which_o he_o be_v call_v to_o a_o account_n and_o himself_o with_o his_o follower_n we_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n communion_n as_o epiphanius_n report_v which_o be_v another_o considerable_a testimony_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n epiphanius_n say_v 1._o he_o be_v the_o first_o who_o broach_v that_o blasphemy_n but_o theodoret_n mention_n epigonus_n and_o cleomenes_n before_o he_o it_o seem_v that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o who_o be_v public_o take_v notice_n of_o for_o it_o and_o therefore_o undergo_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n with_o his_o disciple_n when_o he_o be_v first_o summon_v to_o answer_v he_o deny_v that_o he_o assert_v any_o such_o doctrine_n because_o no_o man_n before_o he_o say_v epiphanius_n have_v vent_v such_o poison_n and_o in_o the_o beginning_n he_o say_v that_o noetus_n out_o of_o a_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n have_v utter_v such_o thing_n as_o neither_o the_o prophet_n nor_o the_o apostle_n nor_o the_o church_n of_o god_n ever_o think_v or_o declare_v now_o what_o be_v this_o unheard_a of_o doctrine_n of_o noetus_n that_o appear_v best_a by_o noetus_n his_o answer_n upon_o his_o second_o appearance_n which_o be_v that_o he_o worship_v one_o god_n and_o know_v of_o no_o other_o who_o be_v bear_v and_o suffer_v and_o die_v for_o we_o and_o for_o this_o he_o produce_v the_o several_a place_n which_o assert_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n 2._o and_o among_o the_o rest_n one_o very_a observable_a rom._n 9.5_o of_o who_o as_o concern_v the_o flesh_n christ_n come_v who_o be_v over_o all_o god_n bless_v for_o ever_o from_o whence_o he_o infer_v that_o the_o son_n and_o the_o father_n be_v the_o same_o and_o the_o same_o he_o affirm_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o from_o hence_o we_o have_v a_o evident_a proof_n that_o the_o most_o ancient_a greek_a copy_n in_o noetus_n his_o time_n which_o be_v long_o before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a have_v god_n in_o the_o text._n epiphanius_n bring_v many_o place_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v the_o distinction_n of_o person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n but_o that_o be_v not_o my_o present_a business_n but_o to_o show_v the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o noetus_n be_v condemn_v by_o a_o general_a council_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o he_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n where_o he_o broach_v his_o doctrine_n and_o no_o other_o church_n receive_v he_o or_o condemn_v that_o church_n which_o cast_v he_o out_o which_o show_v a_o after_o consent_n to_o it_o now_o what_o be_v this_o doctrine_n of_o noetus_n the_o very_a same_o with_o that_o of_o praxea_n at_o rome_n theodoret_n say_v 3._o this_o his_o opinion_n be_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n the_o father_n who_o be_v himself_o impassable_a but_o as_o he_o take_v our_o nature_n so_o he_o be_v passable_a and_o call_v the_o son_n epiphanius_n more_o full_o 2._o that_o the_o same_o person_n be_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n wherein_o he_o say_v he_o plain_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n which_o attribute_v distinct_a personality_n to_o they_o and_o yet_o assert_v but_o one_o godhead_n the_o father_n have_v a_o hypostasis_fw-la of_o his_o own_o and_o so_o have_v the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v but_o one_o divinity_n one_o power_n and_o one_o dominion_n for_o these_o distinct_a person_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o same_o individual_a essence_n and_o power_n but_o epiphanius_n be_v no_o ante-nicene_n father_n however_o in_o matter_n of_o antiquity_n where_o there_o be_v no_o incongruity_n in_o the_o thing_n we_o may_v make_v use_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o i_o think_v no_o one_o will_v question_v that_o noetus_n be_v condemn_v which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o produce_v he_o to_o prove_v but_o although_o noetus_n be_v condemn_v 470._o yet_o this_o doctrine_n do_v spread_v in_o the_o eastern_a part_n for_o origen_n mention_n those_o who_o confound_v the_o notion_n of_o father_n and_o son_n and_o make_v they_o but_o one_o hypostasis_fw-la and_o distinguish_v only_o by_o thought_n and_o denomination_n this_o doctrine_n be_v oppose_v not_o only_o by_o origen_n but_o he_o have_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n concur_v with_o he_o as_o appear_v in_o the_o case_n of_o beryllus_n bishop_n of_o bostra_n who_o fall_v into_o this_o opinion_n and_o be_v reclaim_v by_o origen_n and_o eusebius_n give_v this_o
the_o instance_n of_o solomon_n be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o the_o purpose_n unless_o we_o assert_v three_o person_n found_v upon_o those_o different_a relation_n in_o his_o individual_a nature_n who_o deny_v that_o one_o person_n may_v have_v different_a respect_n and_o yet_o be_v but_o one_o person_n subsist_v where_o do_v the_o scripture_n say_v that_o the_o son_n of_o david_n the_o father_n of_o rehoboam_n and_o he_o that_o proceed_v from_o david_n and_o bathsheba_n be_v three_o person_n distinguish_v by_o those_o relative_a property_n but_o here_o lie_v the_o foundation_n of_o what_o we_o believe_v as_o to_o the_o trinity_n we_o be_v assure_v from_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v three_o to_o who_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o attribute_n be_v give_v and_o we_o be_v assure_v both_o from_o scripture_n and_o reason_n that_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o divine_a essence_n and_o therefore_o every_o one_o of_o these_o must_v have_v the_o divine_a nature_n and_o yet_o that_o can_v be_v but_o one_o but_o it_o be_v a_o most_o unreasonable_a thing_n to_o charge_v those_o with_o sabellianism_n who_o assert_v that_o every_o person_n have_v the_o divine_a nature_n distinct_o belong_v to_o he_o and_o that_o the_o divine_a essence_n be_v communicate_v from_o the_o father_n to_o the_o son_n do_v ever_o n●etus_n or_o sabellius_n or_o any_o of_o their_o follower_n speak_v after_o this_o manner_n be_v the_o divine_a essence_n but_o a_o mere_a name_n or_o a_o different_a respect_n only_o to_o mankind_n for_o the_o assert_v such_o relative_a person_n as_o have_v no_o essence_n at_o all_o be_v the_o true_a sabellian_n doctrine_n as_o will_v be_v make_v appear_v in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n and_o so_o much_o be_v confess_v by_o our_o unitarian_n themselves_o for_o they_o say_v that_o the_o sabellian_o hold_v that_o father_n 18._o son_n and_o spirit_n be_v but_o only_o three_o name_n o●_n god_n give_v to_o he_o in_o scripture_n by_o occasion_n of_o so_o many_o several_a dispensation_n towards_o the_o creature_n and_o so_o he_o be_v but_o one_o subsist_v person_n and_o three_o relative_a person_n as_o he_o sustain_v the_o three_o name_n of_o father_n son_n and_o spirit_n which_o be_v the_o relation_n of_o god_n towards_o thing_n without_o he_o he_o be_v so_o many_o relative_a person_n or_o person_n in_o a_o classical_a critical_a sense_n i._n e._n person_n without_o any_o essence_n belong_v to_o they_o as_o such_o but_o those_o who_o assert_v a_o communication_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n to_o each_o person_n can_v never_o be_v guilty_a of_o sabellianism_n if_o this_o be_v it_o which_o themselves_o affirm_v and_o so_o those_o call_v nominal_a trinitarian_n be_v very_o unjust_o so_o call_v because_o they_o do_v real_o hold_v a_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n 2._o let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o charge_n they_o lie_v upon_o those_o who_o they_o call_v real_a trinitarian_n and_o they_o tell_v we_o 19_o that_o the_o nominal_n will_v seem_v to_o be_v profound_a philosopher_n deep_a sage_n in_o comparison_n with_o they_o these_o be_v very_a oblige_a expression_n to_o they_o in_o the_o beginning_n but_o how_o do_v they_o make_v out_o this_o gross_a stupidity_n of_o they_o in_o short_a it_o be_v that_o they_o stand_v condemn_v and_o anathematise_v as_o heretic_n by_o a_o general_a council_n and_o by_o all_o the_o modern_n and_o be_v every_o day_n challenge_v and_o impeach_v of_o tritheism_n and_o can_v agree_v among_o themselves_o but_o charge_v one_o another_o with_o great_a absurdity_n and_o in_o plain_a term_n they_o charge_v they_o with_o nonsense_n in_o the_o thing_n 32._o whereas_o the_o other_o lie_v only_o in_o word_n because_o these_o assert_v three_o divine_a subsist_v person_n three_o infinite_a spirit_n mind_n or_o substance_n as_o distinct_a as_o so_o many_o angel_n or_o man_n each_o of_o they_o perfect_o god_n and_o yet_o all_o of_o they_o be_v but_o one_o god_n to_o understand_v this_o matter_n right_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o when_o the_o socinian_n pamphlet_n first_o come_v abroad_o some_o year_n since_o a_o learned_a and_o worthy_a person_n of_o our_o church_n who_o have_v appear_v with_o great_a vigour_n and_o reason_n against_o our_o adversary_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o late_a reign_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v forget_v undertake_v to_o defend_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n against_o the_o history_n of_o the_o unitarian_n and_o the_o note_n on_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n but_o in_o the_o warmth_n of_o dispute_v and_o out_o of_o a_o desire_n to_o make_v this_o matter_n more_o intelligible_a he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v carry_v beyond_o the_o ancient_a method_n which_o the_o church_n have_v use_v to_o express_v her_o sense_n by_o still_o retain_v the_o same_o fundamental_a article_n of_o three_o person_n in_o one_o undivided_a essence_n but_o explain_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o make_v each_o person_n to_o have_v a_o peculiar_a and_o proper_a substance_n of_o his_o own_o this_o give_v so_o great_a a_o advantage_n to_o the_o author_n of_o those_o treatise_n that_o in_o a_o little_a time_n 12._o he_o set_v forth_o his_o note_n with_o a_o appendix_n in_o answer_n to_o this_o new_a explication_n wherein_o he_o charge_v he_o with_o heresy_n tritheism_n and_o contradiction_n the_o very_a same_o charge_n which_o have_v be_v since_o improve_v and_o carry_v on_o by_o other_o i_o wish_v i_o can_v say_v without_o any_o unbecoming_a heat_n or_o reflection_n but_o i_o shall_v now_o examine_v how_o far_o these_o charge_n have_v any_o ground_n so_o as_o to_o affect_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a end_n our_o adversary_n aim_v at_o in_o heap_v these_o reproach_n upon_o one_o who_o appear_v so_o early_o and_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n to_o defend_v it_o we_o be_v therefore_o to_o consider_v these_o thing_n 1._o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v very_o right_a in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o article_n itself_o and_o yet_o may_v be_v mistake_v in_o his_o explication_n of_o it_o and_o this_o one_o of_o his_o keen_a adversary_n free_o acknowledge_v for_o he_o plain_o distinguish_v between_o the_o fundamental_a article_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o explain_v it_o and_o affirm_v that_o a_o man_n may_v quit_v his_o explication_n without_o part_v with_o the_o article_n itself_o 309._o and_o so_o he_o may_v retain_v the_o article_n with_o his_o explication_n but_o suppose_v a_o man_n to_o assent_v to_o the_o fundamental_a article_n itself_o and_o be_v mistake_v in_o his_o explication_n of_o it_o can_v he_o be_v charge_v with_o heresy_n about_o this_o article_n for_o heresy_n must_v relate_v to_o the_o fundamental_a article_n to_o which_o he_o declare_v his_o hearty_a and_o unfeigned_a assent_n but_o here_o we_o suppose_v the_o mistake_n to_o lie_v only_o in_o the_o explication_n as_o for_o instance_n sabellianism_n be_v a_o condemn_a and_o explode_a heresy_n 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so_o many_o age_n with_o embracing_z error_n and_o nonsense_n and_o contradiction_n for_o mystery_n of_o faith_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v suppose_v it_o possible_a for_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v so_o early_o so_o general_o and_o so_o miserable_o deceive_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o moment_n by_o what_o light_n they_o have_v discover_v this_o great_a error_n have_v they_o any_o new_a book_n of_o scripture_n to_o judge_v by_o true_o they_o have_v need_v for_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o weary_a of_o the_o old_a one_o because_o they_o find_v they_o will_v not_o serve_v their_o turn_n 30._o therefore_o they_o muster_v up_o the_o old_a objection_n against_o they_o and_o give_v no_o answer_n to_o they_o they_o find_v fault_n with_o copy_n and_o say_v they_o be_v corrupt_v and_o falsify_v to_o speak_v the_o language_n of_o the_o church_n they_o let_v fall_v suspicious_a word_n as_o to_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n as_o though_o it_o be_v insert_v from_o the_o church_n 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by_o seize_v and_o burn_v all_o book_n write_v against_o it_o or_o they_o by_o capital_a punishment_n and_o when_o the_o papacy_n of_o which_o this_o be_v the_o chief_a article_n prevail_v by_o fire_n and_o faggot_n this_o be_v a_o new_a discovery_n indeed_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o it_o be_v general_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v the_o chief_a article_n of_o popery_n although_o it_o be_v embrace_v and_o defend_v long_o before_o popery_n be_v know_v and_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v so_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o popery_n leave_v in_o the_o world_n but_o if_o every_o thing_n which_o displease_v some_o man_n must_v pass_v for_o popery_n i_o be_o afraid_a christianity_n itself_o will_v not_o escape_v at_o last_o for_o there_o be_v some_o who_o be_v build_v apace_o on_o such_o foundation_n as_o these_o and_o be_v endeavour_v what_o they_o can_v to_o remove_v out_o of_o their_o way_n all_o reveal_v religion_n by_o the_o help_n of_o 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doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n not_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o force_n or_o interest_n as_o to_o the_o first_o it_o will_v lead_v i_o into_o a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o to_o this_o doctrine_n long_o before_o popery_n be_v hatch_v and_o at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o main_a force_n of_o imperial_a edict_n be_v against_o christianity_n itself_o at_o which_o time_n this_o doctrine_n be_v own_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o disow_v and_o dispute_v against_o by_o some_o particular_a party_n and_o sect_n and_o the_o question_n than_o will_v be_v whether_o these_o have_v engross_v sense_n and_o reason_n and_o knowledge_n among_o themselves_o and_o all_o the_o body_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n with_o their_o head_n and_o governor_n be_v bereave_v of_o common_a sense_n and_o give_v up_o to_o believe_v nonsense_n and_o contradiction_n for_o mystery_n of_o faith_n but_o in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_v this_o matter_n i_o 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nestorius_n be_v agree_v and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o deny_v the_o word_n to_o be_v con●substantial_a with_o god_n but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o son_n of_o god_n till_o christ_n be_v bear_v in_o who_o he_o dwell_v 128._o by_o which_o we_o see_v how_o little_a reason_n our_o unitarian_n have_v to_o boast_v of_o photinus_n as_o their_o predecessor_n as_o to_o the_o boast_n of_o the_o first_o unitarian_n at_o rome_n that_o they_o be_v the_o general_a doctrine_n before_o the_o time_n of_o victor_n it_o be_v so_o full_o confute_v by_o the_o ancient_a writer_n in_o eusebius_n 28._o who_o mention_n it_o from_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o first_o christian_n writer_n name_v by_o he_o that_o it_o do_v not_o deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o especial_o since_o he_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o hear_v of_o among_o they_o at_o rome_n till_o it_o be_v first_o broach_v there_o by_o theodotus_n as_o not_o only_o he_o but_o tertullian_n affirm_v as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v thus_o i_o have_v clear_o prove_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v embrace_v only_o on_o the_o account_n of_o force_n and_o fear_n that_o i_o have_v show_v there_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n a_o free_a and_o general_a consent_n in_o it_o even_o when_o they_o be_v under_o persecution_n and_o after_o the_o arian_n controversy_n break_v out_o yet_o those_o who_o deny_v the_o pre-existence_n and_o co-eternity_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v universal_o condemn_v even_o the_o arian_n party_n concur_v in_o the_o synod_n mention_v by_o hilary_n but_o our_o unitarian_n be_v such_o great_a pretender_n to_o reason_n that_o this_o argument_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n signify_v little_a or_o nothing_o to_o they_o therefore_o they_o will_v conclude_v still_o that_o they_o have_v the_o better_a of_o we_o in_o point_n of_o reason_n because_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o have_v clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n that_o what_o we_o call_v mystery_n of_o faith_n be_v contradiction_n impossibility_n and_o pure_a nonsense_n and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o reject_v they_o because_o they_o do_v not_o comprehend_v they_o but_o because_o they_o do_v comprehend_v they_o to_o be_v so_o this_o be_v a_o very_a bold_a charge_n and_o not_o very_o become_v the_o modesty_n and_o decency_n of_o such_o who_o know_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o oppose_v the_o religion_n public_o establish_v and_o in_o such_o thing_n which_o we_o look_v on_o as_o some_o of_o the_o principal_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n chap._n v._o of_o their_o charge_n of_o contradiction_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o take_v any_o advantage_n from_o thence_o but_o immediate_o proceed_v to_o the_o next_o thing_n i_o undertake_v in_o this_o discourse_n viz._n to_o consider_v what_o ground_n they_o have_v for_o such_o a_o charge_n as_o this_o of_o contradiction_n and_o impossibility_n in_o my_o sermon_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o these_o expression_n as_o be_v before_o intimate_v i_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o consider_v the_o infinite_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v so_o far_o above_o our_o reach_n god_n may_v just_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v those_o thing_n concern_v himself_o which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v and_o i_o instance_a in_o some_o essential_a attribute_n of_o god_n as_o his_o eternity_n omniscience_n spirituality_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v such_o divine_a perfection_n which_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n to_o believe_v but_o no_o faculty_n sufficient_a to_o comprehend_v there_o can_v be_v no_o ground_n from_o reason_n to_o reject_v such_o a_o doctrine_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v because_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o may_v be_v incomprehensible_a by_o we_o and_o what_o answer_n do_v they_o give_v to_o this_o they_o do_v not_o deny_v it_o in_o general_a that_o god_n may_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v thing_n above_o our_o comprehension_n 8._o but_o he_o never_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v contradiction_n and_o that_o they_o charge_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n with_o and_o for_o this_o they_o only_o refer_v i_o to_o their_o book_n where_o they_o say_v it_o be_v make_v out_o but_o i_o must_v say_v that_o i_o have_v read_v and_o consider_v those_o tract_n and_o be_o very_o far_o from_o be_v convince_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o contradiction_n in_o this_o doctrine_n as_o it_o be_v general_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o as_o it_o be_v explain_v in_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n and_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o charge_n from_o these_o thing_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o a_o contradiction_n in_o number_n and_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v no_o contradiction_n to_o assert_v three_o person_n in_o one_o common_a nature_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v no_o contradiction_n to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o distinct_a person_n in_o the_o trinity_n and_o not_o three_o go_n if_o i_o can_v make_v out_o these_o thing_n i_o hope_v i_o may_v abate_v something_o of_o that_o strange_a and_o unreasonable_a confidence_n wherewith_o these_o man_n charge_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n with_o contradiction_n 1._o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o they_o and_o i_o shall_v draw_v up_o the_o charge_n in_o their_o own_o word_n in_o one_o of_o their_o late_a book_n they_o have_v these_o word_n 7._o they_o they_o say_v 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 but_o wherein_o lie_v this_o impossibility_n that_o they_o soon_o tell_v we_o because_o we_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v three_o person_n who_o be_v several_o 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the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n and_o majesty_n for_o ever_o and_o another_o of_o dionysius_n alexandrinus_n in_o his_o 2d_o epistle_n to_o dionysius_n of_o rome_n to_o god_n the_o father_n and_o his_o son_n our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n and_o power_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o amen_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o considerable_a because_o he_o say_v he_o do_v herein_o follow_v the_o ancient_a custom_n and_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n and_o he_o join_v with_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d praise_v god_n in_o the_o same_o voice_n with_o those_o who_o have_v go_v before_o we_o which_o show_v how_o early_o these_o doxology_n to_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n have_v be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o to_o let_v we_o the_o better_a understand_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o they_o s._n basil_n have_v preserve_v some_o passage_n of_o dionysius_n alexandrinus_n which_o do_v explain_v it_o viz._n that_o either_o the_o sabellian_o 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trinity_n in_o unity_n 〈◊〉_d but_o before_o dionysius_n he_o quote_v a_o passage_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n concern_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n which_o attribute_n life_n distinct_o to_o they_o now_o life_n can_v belong_v to_o a_o name_n or_o energy_n and_o therefore_o must_v imply_v a_o person_n but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o material_a to_o our_o purpose_n be_v the_o public_a doxology_n in_o the_o church_n of_o neo-caesarea_n bring_v in_o by_o gregory_n thaumaturgus_n s._n basil_n give_v a_o very_a high_a character_n of_o he_o as_o of_o a_o person_n of_o extraordinary_a piety_n and_o exactness_n of_o life_n and_o a_o great_a promoter_n of_o christianity_n in_o those_o part_n and_o by_o he_o the_o form_n of_o doxology_n be_v introduce_v into_o that_o church_n be_v chief_o form_v by_o he_o there_o be_v but_o seventeen_o christian_n when_o he_o be_v first_o make_v bishop_n there_o which_o be_v