the_o context_n of_o the_o colossian_n by_o that_o of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o put_v such_o a_o sense_n upon_o it_o as_o import_v no_o true_a and_o proper_a creation_n 4._o coloss_n 1._o 19_o 20._o be_v interpret_v by_o ephes_n 1._o 10._o be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v hitherto_o the_o former_a coloss_n 1._o 19_o 20._o run_v thus_o for_o it_o please_v the_o father_n that_o in_o he_o shall_v all_o fullness_n dwell_v and_o have_v make_v peace_n through_o the_o blood_n of_o his_o cross_n by_o he_o to_o reconcile_v all_o thing_n to_o himself_o by_o he_o i_o say_v whether_o they_o be_v thing_n in_o earth_n or_o thing_n in_o heaven_n to_o which_o answer_v the_o other_o text_n eph._n 2._o 10._o in_o these_o word_n that_o in_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n he_o may_v gather_v together_o in_o one_o all_o thing_n in_o christ_n both_o which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o which_o be_v in_o earth_n even_o in_o he_o no_o man_n i_o hope_v will_v deny_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n which_o we_o render_v to_o reconcile_v aught_o to_o be_v interpret_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o text_n of_o the_o ephesian_n which_o signify_v to_o gather_v together_o in_o one_o or_o to_o sum_n up_o so_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o both_o place_n be_v this_o that_o it_o please_v god_n in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n to_o unite_v both_o angel_n and_o man_n under_o one_o head_n even_o christ_n who_o he_o set_v up_o lord_n and_o king_n over_o they_o now_o this_o do_v perfect_o agree_v with_o what_o st._n paul_n say_v to_o the_o ephesian_n concern_v christ_n exaltation_n above_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o his_o be_v head_n of_o the_o church_n for_o his_o argument_n run_v thus_o god_n have_v exalt_v christ_n above_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o make_v he_o head_n of_o the_o church_n for_o he_o have_v decree_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n to_o unite_v both_o angel_n and_o man_n under_o one_o head_n christ_n but_o if_o the_o text_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n be_v mean_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n this_o will_v be_v perfect_a nonsense_n for_o thus_o it_o ought_v to_o run_v christ_n have_v create_v all_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o all_o power_n on_o earth_n and_o be_v make_v head_n of_o the_o church_n for_o god_n have_v decree_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n to_o unite_v both_o angel_n and_o man_n under_o one_o head_n christ._n no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v speak_v great_a nonsense_n than_o this_o will_v be_v be_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n ascribe_v to_o christ_n in_o the_o controvert_v text._n i_o desire_v the_o author_n to_o reconcile_v his_o explication_n of_o these_o word_n that_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o may_v have_v the_o preeminence_n with_o what_o follow_v that_o be_v say_v he_o at_o p._n 157._o that_o he_o may_v be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o upon_o all_o account_n before_o the_o world_n and_o the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a so_o the_o whole_a argument_n according_a to_o the_o author_n must_v run_v thus_o christ_n be_v the_o first_o upon_o all_o account_n before_o the_o world_n and_o the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a for_o god_n be_v please_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n to_o unite_v both_o angel_n and_o man_n under_o christ_n as_o their_o head_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v say_v more_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a the_o author_n skill_n in_o scripture_n and_o reason_n be_v i_o think_v alike_o 2._o have_v thus_o prove_v that_o the_o old_a creation_n or_o the_o creation_n proper_o so_o call_v be_v not_o ascribe_v to_o christ_n in_o this_o context_n of_o the_o colossian_n i_o come_v now_o to_o explain_v its_o true_a sense_n as_o clear_o as_o possible_o i_o can_v ver._n 15._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 the_o meaning_n of_o these_o last_o word_n be_v not_o that_o christ_n be_v beget_v before_o all_o creature_n as_o this_o author_n will_v have_v it_o but_o that_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n and_o king_n of_o every_o intelligent_a creature_n in_o allusion_n to_o the_o first-born_a of_o a_o family_n who_o be_v heir_n of_o all_o thing_n this_o i_o prove_v by_o the_o 17_o and_o 18_o verse_n ver._n 17._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o he_o be_v before_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o explication_n of_o the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o signify_v not_o that_o he_o be_v before_o all_o creature_n in_o order_n of_o time_n but_o of_o dignity_n and_o power_n be_v by_o god_n set_v over_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o over_o the_o church_n as_o their_o head_n and_o king_n but_o if_o you_o do_v rest_n satisfy_v with_o this_o parallel_a place_n the_o 18_o verse_n will_v afford_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o what_o i_o say_v there_o you_o find_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v right_o render_v in_o our_o bibles_n that_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o may_v have_v the_o preeminence_n both_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n among_o angel_n and_o in_o the_o church_n i_o say_v now_o these_o last_o word_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o explication_n of_o the_o two_o beforementioned_a expression_n to_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o to_o be_v before_o all_o thing_n aught_o to_o be_v interpret_v by_o his_o have_v the_o praeeminence_n in_o all_o thing_n so_o that_o he_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n be_v this_o he_o have_v the_o preeminence_n over_o every_o creature_n thus_o by_o the_o context_n itself_o we_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o in_o the_o english_a we_o translate_v first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o thus_o too_o be_v these_o word_n interpret_v by_o the_o principal_a critic_n among_o the_o orthodox_n as_o they_o be_v call_v gomarus_n camero_n piscator_fw-la drusius_n vorstius_n davenant_n dally_n grotius_n for_o they_o will_v have_v he_o also_o to_o be_v orthodox_n hammond_n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o next_o verse_n for_o by_o he_o be_v all_o thing_n create_v i_o have_v full_o prove_v they_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o old_a creation_n the_o creation_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o sea_n and_o of_o the_o thing_n in_o they_o which_o be_v the_o creation_n proper_o so_o call_v therefore_o to_o reconcile_v this_o verse_n with_o the_o forego_n and_o with_o the_o word_n before_o cite_v out_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n he_o god_n set_v he_o at_o his_o own_o right-hand_n far_o above_o all_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o every_o name_n that_o be_v name_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o we_o render_v create_v aught_o to_o be_v render_v model_v dispose_a or_o reform_v into_o a_o new_a order_n so_o that_o the_o sense_n will_v run_v thus_o christ_n be_v the_o lord_n of_o every_o creature_n for_o by_o he_o be_v all_o both_o visible_a and_o invisible_a creature_n even_o all_o man_n and_o angel_n model_v or_o dispose_v into_o a_o new_a order_n be_v subject_v to_o he_o and_o his_o command_n as_o for_o angel_n all_o the_o order_n of_o they_o whether_o they_o be_v throne_n or_o dominion_n none_o of_o they_o be_v exempt_v from_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n he_o rule_v over_o they_o which_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o ver._n 17._o and_o they_o be_v all_o as_o it_o be_v compact_v in_o one_o body_n under_o his_o conduct_n as_o for_o man_n as_o he_o be_v the_o beginning_n and_o the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a so_o he_o be_v also_o make_v head_n of_o the_o church_n his_o body_n so_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o have_v the_o preeminence_n he_o rule_v in_o heaven_n and_o on_o earth_n over_o angel_n and_o over_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o ver._n 18._o this_o i_o hope_n make_v a_o clear_a sense_n agreeable_a to_o the_o whole_a context_n and_o to_o the_o text_n in_o the_o ephesian_n i_o observe_v that_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o he_o be_v before_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o explication_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n or_o he_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o and_o by_o he_o all_o thing_n consist_v or_o be_v compact_v into_o one_o body_n aught_o to_o be_v the_o explication_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o by_o he_o be_v all_o thing_n not_o create_v as_o it_o be_v render_v in_o the_o english_a but_o model_v or_o reform_v i_o know_v not_o why_o dr._n sherlock_n have_v call_v this_o a_o socinian_n explication_n as_o if_o it_o be_v devise_v by_o they_o to_o serve_v their_o hypothesis_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o
a_o defence_n of_o the_o brief_a history_n of_o the_o unitarian_n against_o dr._n sherlock_n answer_n in_o his_o vindication_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n m._n dc_o xci_o observation_n on_o dr._n sherlock_n answer_n to_o the_o brief_a history_n of_o the_o unitarian_n chap._n i._o contain_v some_o general_a observation_n when_o i_o see_v man_n argue_v against_o the_o trinity_n methinks_v i_o hear_v a_o papist_n inveigh_v against_o luther_n or_o calvin_n for_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o transubstantiation_n indeed_o it_o appear_v to_o i_o very_o strange_a that_o protestant_n shall_v stand_v to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o reformation_n only_o when_o they_o serve_v their_o turn_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v ready_a to_o part_v with_o they_o when_o they_o be_v not_o otherways_o able_a to_o defend_v a_o particular_a opinion_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o succeed_a age_n fall_v short_a of_o her_o first_o purity_n in_o respect_n of_o doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o manner_n now_o what_o other_o remedy_n can_v be_v apply_v to_o such_o a_o depravation_n than_o a_o sincere_a and_o careful_a examination_n of_o the_o point_n suspect_v of_o falsehood_n according_a to_o reason_n and_o scripture_n this_o prove_v so_o effectual_a a_o course_n that_o transubstantiation_n and_o some_o other_o canonize_v opinion_n be_v find_v to_o be_v mere_a human_a invention_n and_o according_o be_v reject_v as_o contrary_a to_o the_o two_o abovementioned_a rule_n and_o who_o can_v assure_v we_o that_o the_o reformation_n leave_v no_o error_n behind_o and_o that_o the_o trinity_n be_v such_o a_o opinion_n as_o aught_o neither_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o nor_o to_o be_v reform_v shall_v we_o trust_v man_n bare_o on_o their_o word_n or_o be_v it_o impossible_a that_o the_o trinity_n shall_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o several_a other_o false_a opinion_n our_o principle_n therefore_o allow_v we_o to_o examine_v it_o and_o to_o inquire_v whether_o it_o be_v found_v on_o undeniable_a argument_n especial_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o it_o contradict_v reason_n and_o by_o confession_n of_o all_o trinitarian_n be_v no_o where_o set_v down_o in_o holy_a scripture_n in_o express_a word_n why_o shall_v man_n call_v we_o heretic_n and_o libertine_n because_o we_o inquire_v after_o truth_n and_o will_v have_v our_o faith_n build_v upon_o a_o solid_a foundation_n be_v the_o reformation_n so_o proper_a to_o luther_n and_o calvin_n etc._n etc._n that_o it_o ought_v no_o more_o to_o be_v think_v of_o or_o be_v those_o reformer_n so_o infallible_a that_o they_o purge_v the_o church_n from_o all_o error_n this_o i_o think_v will_v be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o prove_v let_v therefore_o no_o protestant_a be_v scandalize_v if_o have_v some_o scruple_n about_o the_o trinity_n we_o endeavour_v to_o free_v ourselves_o from_o they_o by_o a_o sincere_a inquiry_n into_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o i_o begin_v with_o reason_n and_o find_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o trinity_n do_v contradict_v it_o as_o much_o as_o transubstantiation_n according_a to_o transubstantiation_n the_o same_o numerical_a body_n may_v be_v in_o a_o million_o of_o different_a place_n at_o the_o same_o time_n according_a to_o the_o trinity_n three_o divine_a person_n that_o be_v to_o say_v three_o intelligent_a infinite_a being_n each_o of_o which_o be_v god_n make_v but_o one_o god_n i_o can_v believe_v the_o first_o because_o reason_n teach_v i_o that_o one_o numerical_a body_n can_v occupy_v or_o be_v in_o but_o one_o place_n at_o one_o time_n i_o can_v believe_v the_o other_o because_o reason_n tell_v i_o that_o three_o be_v three_o and_o not_o one_o and_o that_o it_o imply_v no_o less_o a_o contradiction_n that_o three_o divine_a person_n shall_v be_v but_o one_o god_n than_o that_o one_o body_n be_v a_o million_o now_o who_o shall_v not_o scruple_n a_o opinion_n perfect_o parallel_v with_o transubstantiation_n and_o equal_o fruitful_a in_o incongruity_n and_o contradiction_n i_o come_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o examine_v whether_o the_o trinity_n be_v well_o ground_v in_o scripture_n indeed_o three_o be_v there_o mention_v the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n but_o how_o come_v man_n to_o fancy_n that_o they_o three_o be_v but_o one_o god_n who_o teach_v they_o so_o do_v the_o holy_a scripture_n plain_o say_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n yet_o there_o be_v three_o person_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n in_o the_o godhead_n one_o will_v think_v indeed_o that_o such_o a_o mystery_n and_o so_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o salvation_n be_v set_v down_o in_o scripture_n in_o plain_a or_o express_v word_n but_o the_o scripture_n be_v perfect_o silent_a about_o it_o there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o bible_n of_o three_o hypostasis_n or_o person_n in_o the_o godhead_n the_o father_n be_v in_o a_o thousand_o place_n call_v god_n distinct_o from_o the_o son_n nay_o the_o only_a true_a god_n the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v no_o where_o style_v god_n and_o the_o son_n be_v so_o call_v in_o a_o few_o place_n as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o way_n and_o in_o such_o manner_n as_o plain_o show_v that_o the_o title_n god_n be_v bestow_v on_o he_o upon_o the_o same_o account_n as_o upon_o moses_n even_o because_o of_o the_o dignity_n and_o power_n to_o which_o he_o be_v exalt_v by_o the_o father_n liberality_n indeed_o it_o can_v have_v no_o other_o meaning_n the_o holy_a scripture_n teach_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o if_o so_o how_o can_v the_o son_n be_v that_o one_o god_n the_o father_n of_o this_o we_o be_v sure_a by_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o christ_n be_v a_o man._n the_o gospel_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n birth_n life_n death_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n who_o will_v have_v think_v that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v account_v the_o supreme_a god_n without_o any_o such_o intimation_n from_o scripture_n nay_o against_o the_o whole_a current_n of_o it_o we_o find_v in_o the_o gospel_n that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n one_o son_n of_o god_n send_v into_o the_o world_n to_o be_v the_o revealer_n of_o his_o father_n will_n and_o a_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n even_o christ_n and_o one_o holy_a ghost_n who_o distribute_v and_o work_v all_o sort_n of_o miraculous_a gift_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o father_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o one_o true_a god_n christ_n be_v only_o his_o minister_n and_o interpreter_n the_o holy_a ghost_n whether_o it_o be_v god_n power_n or_o his_o minister_a angel_n or_o angel_n the_o instrument_n which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o work_v miracle_n none_o certain_o but_o man_n blind_v or_o prejudice_v can_v think_v that_o god_n minister_n and_o ambassador_n be_v god_n himself_o and_o that_o two_o so_o opposite_a being_n as_o god_n and_o christ_n shall_v be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n it_o be_v just_a as_o if_o one_o shall_v say_v there_o be_v one_o king_n william_n and_o one_o viceroy_n in_o ireland_n the_o lord_n sidney_n and_o the_o viceroy_n be_v that_o one_o king_n william_n indeed_o this_o be_v a_o doctrine_n so_o unreasonable_a and_o contradiction_n and_o so_o opposite_a to_o holy_a scripture_n that_o i_o think_v have_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o platonic_a philosophy_n the_o trinity_n shall_v never_o have_v be_v hear_v of_o i_o desire_v therefore_o the_o trinitarian_n to_o abate_v a_o little_a of_o their_o confidence_n let_v they_o examine_v with_o a_o unprejudiced_a mind_n upon_o what_o foundation_n they_o build_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o trinity_n and_o they_o will_v soon_o perceive_v how_o weak_a and_o frail_a it_o be_v let_v they_o at_o last_o confess_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o threaten_v eternal_a damnation_n to_o those_o who_o disbelieve_v a_o trinity_n and_o then_o if_o themselves_o will_v part_v with_o their_o darling_n opinion_n let_v they_o abstain_v from_o persecute_v other_o three_o trinitarian_n lay_v so_o much_o stress_n upon_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n concern_v the_o trinity_n that_o i_o think_v it_o worth_a while_n to_o undeceive_v they_o by_o show_v that_o there_o never_o be_v so_o great_a a_o variation_n in_o the_o church_n as_o about_o this_o point_n i_o shall_v divide_v into_o three_o period_n all_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n the_o first_o reach_n to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a the_o second_o from_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o the_o schoolman_n and_o the_o three_o from_o the_o schoolman_n to_o our_o time_n and_o one_o that_o be_v never_o so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o three_o first_o century_n can_v deny_v
his_o opinion_n that_o in_o this_o clause_n god_n shall_v be_v interpret_v as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o forego_n indeed_o it_o will_v be_v strange_a nonsense_n for_o then_o the_o word_n be_v god_n shall_v signify_v the_o second_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v with_o the_o three_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n therefore_o in_o his_o hypothesis_n the_o word_n be_v god_n signify_v the_o word_n be_v a_o divine_a person_n in_o the_o godhead_n pag._n 216._o but_o this_o interpretation_n be_v no_o less_o absurd_a than_o the_o other_o for_o by_o the_o word_n he_o understand_v a_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v call_v the_o word_n and_o by_o god_n too_o he_o mean_v a_o divine_a person_n in_o the_o godhead_n therefore_o his_o interpretation_n of_o these_o word_n the_o word_n be_v god_n amount_v only_o to_o this_o the_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v call_v the_o word_n be_v a_o divine_a person_n but_o to_o give_v we_o a_o right_a and_o full_a understanding_n of_o this_o place_n he_o think_v sit_v to_o paraphrase_n it_o thus_o in_o the_o beginning_n be_v the_o word_n and_o the_o word_n be_v with_o god_n and_o the_o word_n be_v god_n that_o be_v in_o the_o beginning_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o divine_a person_n who_o name_n and_o character_n be_v the_o word_n this_o word_n be_v inseparable_o unite_v to_o that_o supreme_a be_v who_o we_o call_v god_n and_o be_v himself_o god_n a_o divine_a person_n subsist_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n not_o a_o power_n and_o faculty_n as_o reason_n be_v in_o man._n i_o hope_v the_o author_n will_v not_o take_v it_o ill_o if_o i_o paraphrase_n his_o paraphrase_n to_o make_v it_o clear_a to_o vulgar_a understanding_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o second_o divine_a person_n of_o the_o trinity_n who_o name_n and_o character_n be_v the_o word_n this_o second_o divine_a person_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v inseparable_o unite_v with_o the_o three_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n who_o we_o call_v god_n and_o consequent_o with_o himself_o and_o this_o second_o person_n be_v a_o divine_a person_n not_o a_o power_n and_o faculty_n as_o reason_n be_v in_o man._n our_o author_n be_v so_o take_v with_o this_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n of_o st._n john_n that_o he_o can_v not_o for_o bear_v break_v out_o into_o these_o word_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o easy_a and_o obvious_a and_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n i_o confess_v it_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n 2._o tho'_o i_o have_v show_v already_o the_o inconsistency_n of_o the_o trinitarian_n hypothesis_n with_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o st._n john_n gospel_n by_o confute_v the_o author_n explication_n yet_o i_o intend_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v far_o by_o these_o few_o consideration_n 1._o that_o to_o be_v in_o the_o beginning_n can_v here_o signify_v to_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n have_v be_v prove_v already_o because_o the_o scripture_n do_v never_o describe_v eternity_n by_o such_o a_o expression_n nor_o do_v the_o expression_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n denote_v eternity_n st._n john_n will_v not_o have_v express_v so_o great_a a_o mystery_n and_o so_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o all_o in_o improper_a and_o unsuitable_a word_n 2._o for_o the_o word_n to_o be_v with_o god_n and_o to_o be_v god_n can_v never_o bear_v the_o sense_n which_o the_o trinitarian_n put_v upon_o it_o when_o john_n say_v the_o word_n be_v with_o god_n if_o by_o god_n we_o must_v understand_v the_o three_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o by_o the_o word_n a_o divine_a person_n in_o that_o trinity_n this_o interpretation_n make_v as_o i_o have_v show_v this_o absurd_a sense_n the_o second_o divine_a person_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v with_o the_o three_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o consequent_o with_o himself_o but_o if_o by_o god_n we_o must_v understand_v the_o father_n only_o why_o do_v st._n john_n omit_v the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o be_v god_n as_o well_o as_o the_o father_n and_o with_o who_o the_o son_n be_v no_o less_o than_o with_o the_o father_n in_o a_o word_n as_o the_o historian_n speak_v how_o come_v the_o father_n to_o engross_v here_o the_o title_n of_o god_n to_o the_o exclusion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 3._o the_o word_n be_v god_n must_v signify_v in_o this_o hypothesis_n that_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v call_v the_o word_n be_v a_o divine_a person_n 4._o all_o trinitarian_n confess_v that_o st._n john_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o gospel_n speak_v of_o the_o new_a creation_n wrought_v by_o the_o gospel_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o old_a and_o tho'_o they_o do_v not_o agree_v among_o themselves_o about_o the_o place_n where_o he_o begin_v to_o treat_v of_o this_o new_a creation_n or_o regeneration_n yet_o they_o do_v all_o grant_n that_o he_o discourse_n of_o it_o before_o ver._n 14._o and_o the_o word_n be_v make_v flesh_n they_o all_o take_v those_o word_n he_o come_v unto_o his_o own_o ver._n 11._o to_o be_v mean_v of_o christ_n converse_v among_o man_n and_o teach_v they_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n but_o if_o the_o word_n be_v make_v flesh_n at_o ver._n 14._o signify_v christ_n incarnation_n as_o trinitarian_n pretend_v it_o be_v unaccountable_a that_o st._n john_n write_v the_o history_n of_o christ_n life_n shall_v first_o tell_v we_o what_o christ_n incarnate_a have_v do_v and_o then_o that_o he_o be_v incarnate_a this_o be_v just_a as_o if_o one_o write_v the_o life_n of_o alexander_n shall_v say_v he_o overcome_v darius_n and_o then_o that_o he_o be_v beget_v by_o philip_n king_n of_o macedon_n or_o that_o christ_n be_v tempt_v of_o the_o devil_n and_o then_o that_o he_o be_v conceive_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n indeed_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o evangelist_n do_v not_o very_o much_o observe_v the_o order_n of_o time_n in_o relate_v several_a discourse_n and_o miracle_n of_o christ_n but_o this_o be_v of_o no_o great_a moment_n and_o do_v not_o destroy_v the_o proper_a and_o essential_a order_n of_o history_n the_o former_a have_v be_v do_v by_o the_o evangelist_n as_o well_o as_o by_o other_o historian_n but_o never_o the_o latter_a they_o never_o tell_v we_o that_o christ_n go_v about_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o then_o that_o he_o be_v bear_v or_o that_o he_o be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o then_o that_o he_o die_v this_o will_v be_v to_o invert_v the_o true_a order_n of_o history_n and_o make_v nonsense_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o sufficient_o prove_v that_o these_o word_n the_o word_n be_v make_v flesh_n come_v after_o he_o come_v unto_o his_o own_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o christ_n incarnation_n thus_o ver._n 6_o 7._o john_n be_v say_v to_o bear_v witness_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o that_o he_o be_v incarnate_a the_o like_a we_o may_v observe_v on_o ver._n 10._o he_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o he_o if_o those_o word_n the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o he_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o proper_a sense_n of_o creation_n the_o apostle_n shall_v have_v say_v first_o that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o he_o and_o then_o that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o world_n 5._o this_o evangelist_n plain_o tell_v we_o chap._n 20._o ver._n 21._o the_o design_n he_o aim_v at_o when_o he_o write_v his_o gospel_n these_o thing_n be_v write_v that_o you_o may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o believe_v you_o may_v have_v life_n through_o his_o name_n it_o be_v not_o therefore_o to_o teach_v the_o divinity_n and_o consubstantiality_n of_o christ_n as_o trinitarian_n pretend_v he_o write_v that_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n not_o that_o he_o be_v god_n how_o come_v he_o then_o to_o forget_v the_o most_o essential_a thing_n which_o induce_v he_o to_o write_v and_o publish_v his_o gospel_n viz._n the_o assert_v of_o christ_n divinity_n no_o no_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o only_o design_v to_o teach_v and_o prove_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o son_n of_o god_n can_v no_o more_o be_v god_n than_o a_o son_n can_v be_v his_o father_n thus_o i_o think_v it_o appear_v clear_o that_o this_o beginning_n of_o st._n john_n gospel_n do_v not_o favour_v the_o trinitarian_n opinion_n but_o from_o ver._n 1_o to_o ver._n 15._o be_v only_o a_o abridgement_n of_o his_o whole_a book_n be_v the_o trinitarian_n hypothesis_n clear_o set_v down_o in_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n i_o will_v not_o wonder_v to_o see_v man_n lay_v so_o much_o stress_n upon_o this_o place_n but_o since_o the_o scripture_n throughout_o teach_v we_o that_o christ_n be_v but_o a_o man_n it_o stand_v to_o reason_n