Some considerations concerning the Trinity and the ways of managing that controversie
         Gastrell, Francis, 1662-1725.
      
       
         
           1696
        
      
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             Some considerations concerning the Trinity and the ways of managing that controversie
             Gastrell, Francis, 1662-1725.
          
           [10], 52 p.
           
             Printed and sold by E. Whitlock ...,
             London :
             1696.
          
           
             Written by Francis Gastrell. Cf. DNB.
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. -- Vindication of the doctrine of the holy and ever blessed Trinity.
           Trinity -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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             Some
             Considerations
          
           Concerning
           the
           TRINITY
           :
           AND
           The
           WAYS
           of
           Managing
           that
           CONTROVERSIE
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           ;
           and
           Sold
           by
           
             E.
             Whitlock
          
           ,
           near
           Stationers-Hall
           .
           MDCXCVI
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           THIS
           Discourse
           was
           Written
           some
           time
           ago
           for
           the
           Private
           Satisfaction
           of
           the
           Author
           ,
           who
           thought
           that
           a
           proper
           Season
           for
           an
           Impartial
           Enquiry
           into
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           when
           several
           Persons
           of
           different
           Opinions
           in
           that
           Point
           had
           just
           before
           appeared
           in
           the
           Controversie
           about
           it
           ,
           and
           their
           Printed
           Papers
           being
           canvas'd
           over
           again
           in
           Conversation
           ,
           
           had
           produced
           many
           New
           Remarks
           upon
           the
           same
           Subject
           .
           Which
           Advantages
           ,
           together
           with
           what
           he
           had
           formerly
           read
           ,
           having
           ,
           as
           he
           judged
           ,
           given
           him
           a
           pretty
           full
           comprehension
           of
           the
           Matters
           in
           Dispute
           ,
           he
           took
           the
           following
           Method
           of
           Re-examining
           that
           part
           of
           his
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Justifying
           what
           he
           believed
           to
           his
           own
           Reason
           and
           Conscience
           .
           Some
           Persons
           to
           whom
           he
           communicated
           what
           he
           had
           writ
           ,
           advised
           him
           to
           Print
           :
           Which
           he
           had
           done
           before
           now
           ,
           upon
           the
           Judgment
           of
           a
           Great
           and
           Learned
           Man
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           lately
           dead
           ,
           who
           was
           pleased
           to
           approve
           the
           Papers
           ,
           without
           knowing
           to
           whom
           they
           belonged
           :
           But
           Occasion
           being
           given
           him
           to
           fore-see
           some
           little
           Objections
           ,
           which
           might
           ,
           probably
           ,
           at
           that
           particular
           time
           ,
           have
           in
           some
           measure
           obstructed
           his
           Good
           Intentions
           in
           Printing
           them
           ,
           he
           thought
           fit
           to
           defer
           the
           Publication
           of
           them
           till
           a
           more
           convenient
           Opportunity
           ,
           such
           as
           he
           judges
           this
           to
           be
           ,
           when
           the
           Controversie
           of
           the
           
           Trinity
           is
           managed
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           to
           offend
           a
           great
           many
           ,
           and
           satisfie
           very
           few
           ;
           and
           the
           Church
           is
           like
           to
           suffer
           very
           much
           by
           the
           too
           Adventurous
           Attempts
           made
           by
           some
           to
           Vindicate
           her
           Doctrines
           .
        
         
           Those
           who
           pretend
           to
           Explain
           the
           Distinction
           in
           the
           Godhead
           by
           
             Modes
             ,
             Offices
             ,
             Relations
          
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           are
           censured
           as
           saying
           too
           little
           ,
           and
           coming
           much
           below
           the
           Characters
           of
           Distinction
           to
           be
           found
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           though
           ,
           at
           the
           same
           time
           they
           use
           these
           Terms
           ,
           they
           acquaint
           us
           that
           they
           use
           them
           in
           a
           different
           Sense
           from
           any
           they
           are
           taken
           in
           ,
           when
           applied
           to
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           sense
           importing
           greater
           Difference
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           is
           not
           conceivable
           by
           Human
           Understanding
           .
        
         
           And
           some
           of
           those
           who
           call
           the
           Three
           
             Divine
             Persons
          
           Three
           Infinite
           
             Minds
             ,
             Spirits
          
           ,
           or
           Substances
           ,
           would
           not
           be
           thought
           
           to
           mean
           by
           these
           Expressions
           ,
           That
           the
           Three
           Persons
           in
           the
           Godhead
           are
           as
           much
           distinguished
           from
           one
           another
           as
           Three
           Men
           ,
           or
           Three
           Angels
           are
           ;
           but
           that
           the
           Distinction
           betwixt
           them
           is
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           no
           other
           Terms
           can
           reach
           it
           ,
           though
           these
           do
           somewhat
           exceed
           what
           they
           would
           signifie
           by
           them
           :
           Which
           Distinction
           ,
           less
           than
           these
           Expressions
           ,
           in
           the
           common
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           do
           import
           ,
           and
           higher
           than
           any
           other
           can
           come
           up
           to
           ,
           is
           acknowledg'd
           likewise
           to
           be
           inconceivable
           .
        
         
           Which
           being
           observed
           by
           the
           Author
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           he
           thought
           it
           more
           Advisable
           to
           use
           no
           
             New
             Terms
          
           with
           a
           Design
           of
           Explaining
           what
           ,
           by
           the
           Confession
           of
           Persons
           of
           different
           sides
           in
           the
           Dispute
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           be
           rendred
           more
           conceivable
           .
           And
           ,
           to
           Justifie
           his
           Opinion
           in
           this
           Matter
           ,
           he
           has
           endeavoured
           to
           prove
           that
           no
           New
           Terms
           can
           be
           used
           to
           any
           such
           purpose
           .
           And
           this
           ,
           he
           thinks
           ,
           he
           has
           made
           very
           Evident
           by
           the
           Account
           he
           
           has
           given
           of
           what
           we
           can
           
             distinctly
             conceive
          
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           can
           
             confusedly
             believe
          
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ;
           which
           ought
           carefully
           to
           be
           distinguish'd
           in
           all
           Disquisitions
           upon
           Subjects
           of
           this
           Nature
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           those
           who
           will
           allow
           only
           a
           pure
           Nominal
           Distinction
           in
           the
           Godhead
           ;
           or
           that
           apply
           the
           Terms
           Son
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           to
           meer
           
             Created
             Beings
          
           ,
           he
           has
           only
           the
           Language
           and
           Design
           of
           Scripture
           to
           oppose
           to
           them
           ;
           which
           seem
           to
           him
           utterly
           irreconcileable
           to
           such
           Notions
           ,
           and
           he
           hopes
           those
           general
           Reflections
           he
           has
           drawn
           from
           thence
           will
           make
           this
           appear
           :
           so
           to
           others
           .
           But
           the
           Opinion
           of
           those
           who
           make
           the
           Persons
           in
           the
           Godhead
           
             as
             distinct
          
           as
           
             Three
             Men
          
           ,
           or
           
             Three
             Angels
          
           ,
           he
           is
           sure
           ,
           both
           from
           Revelation
           and
           Reason
           ,
           is
           false
           :
           And
           that
           advancing
           any
           such
           Explications
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           as
           will
           fairly
           bear
           this
           Construction
           ,
           is
           of
           such
           dangerous
           Consequence
           ,
           that
           he
           hopes
           he
           has
           done
           some
           Service
           to
           Religion
           by
           proving
           ,
           That
           
             Three
             Persons
             
             in
             the
             Godhead
             as
             distinct
             as
             Three
             Men
             ,
             or
             Three
             Angels
             ,
          
           is
           not
           only
           an
           
             Incomprehensible
             Notion
          
           ,
           but
           an
           
             Impossible
             Thing
          
           ;
           which
           implies
           a
           manifest
           Contradiction
           to
           the
           plainest
           and
           surest
           Principles
           of
           Knowledge
           .
        
         
           Having
           given
           this
           short
           Account
           of
           the
           Author
           ,
           and
           
             his
             Performance
          
           in
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           I
           have
           only
           this
           further
           to
           acquaint
           his
           Readers
           with
           ,
           That
           he
           desires
           they
           would
           believe
           him
           to
           be
           a
           sincere
           Man
           ,
           that
           has
           a
           serious
           Regard
           for
           Religion
           and
           no
           other
           aims
           behind
           what
           he
           professes
           :
           For
           ,
           whatever
           his
           Arguments
           are
           ,
           he
           is
           sure
           his
           Design
           is
           good
           :
           And
           ,
           that
           his
           Reasoning
           may
           appear
           so
           too
           ,
           he
           would
           be
           glad
           that
           They
           who
           take
           up
           these
           Papers
           would
           give
           them
           the
           Reading
           over
           ,
           before
           they
           pass
           any
           Judgment
           upon
           what
           is
           advanced
           in
           them
           ;
           For
           ,
           the
           Discourse
           being
           written
           in
           the
           
             Demonstrative
             way
          
           ,
           where
           the
           
             Main
             Conclusions
          
           are
           establish'd
           by
           a
           long
           Train
           of
           
             Preparatory
             Proofs
          
           ,
           no
           true
           Judgment
           can
           be
           made
           but
           upon
           the
           whole
           together
           .
        
         
         
           May
           it
           please
           God
           to
           make
           these
           Endeavours
           of
           the
           Author
           successful
           to
           Satisfie
           and
           Unite
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           in
           their
           Belief
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ;
           or
           may
           He
           direct
           some
           abler
           Persons
           to
           find
           out
           more
           Effectual
           Methods
           of
           Establishing
           the
           
             Primitive
             Faith
          
           ,
           and
           settling
           the
           
             Present
             Peace
          
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           SOME
           CONSIDERATIONS
           CONCERNING
           THE
           TRINITY
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           THere
           's
           no
           part
           of
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           has
           produced
           so
           many
           Disputes
           and
           Controversies
           ,
           such
           a
           numerous
           Variety
           of
           Opinions
           and
           Sects
           ,
           as
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Blessed
           Trinity
           .
           If
           we
           consult
           the
           large
           Catalogues
           of
           Primitive
           Heresies
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           the
           far
           greatest
           Number
           of
           them
           nothing
           else
           but
           so
           many
           several
           Modes
           and
           Ways
           of
           Explaining
           the
           Common
           Undivided
           Nature
           and
           Essence
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           and
           the
           different
           Offices
           and
           Operations
           of
           each
           Person
           .
        
         
           How
           far
           the
           uncertainty
           of
           our
           Faith
           in
           these
           Points
           ,
           the
           many
           Absurd
           and
           Blasphemous
           Expositions
           that
           have
           been
           made
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           warm
           and
           indiscreet
           Management
           of
           contrary
           Parties
           ,
           have
           contributed
           to
           the
           Prejudice
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Scandal
           of
           its
           Professors
           ,
           has
           been
           a
           common
           Observation
           and
           Complaint
           in
           all
           Christian
           Ages
           .
           And
           several
           Expedients
           have
           been
           proposed
           for
           the
           Redressing
           of
           this
           Mischief
           ,
           but
           all
           Attempts
           of
           this
           kind
           have
           hitherto
           miscarried
           .
           
           The
           principal
           Reason
           of
           which
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           to
           be
           this
           :
           That
           those
           who
           have
           laboured
           in
           this
           good
           Design
           ,
           have
           for
           the
           most
           part
           proceeded
           upon
           wrong
           Measures
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           the
           Methods
           that
           have
           been
           generally
           and
           chiefly
           insisted
           upon
           ,
           are
           Three
           ,
           which
           are
           all
           improper
           ,
           or
           insufficient
           ,
           and
           have
           therefore
           proved
           ineffectual
           ,
           as
           will
           plainly
           appear
           upon
           a
           particular
           Examination
           of
           each
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           then
           ,
           There
           are
           some
           who
           are
           for
           Reverencing
           the
           Mystery
           of
           the
           Trinity
           without
           ever
           looking
           into
           it
           at
           all
           ,
           who
           think
           it
           not
           to
           be
           the
           Subject
           either
           of
           Dispute
           or
           Enquiry
           ;
           imagining
           every
           thing
           of
           this
           high
           and
           transcendent
           Nature
           is
           proposed
           to
           us
           only
           as
           a
           Tryal
           and
           Exercise
           of
           our
           Faith
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           implicit
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           fuller
           do
           we
           express
           our
           trust
           and
           relyance
           upon
           God.
           
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           farther
           ,
           There
           are
           those
           who
           do
           not
           scruple
           to
           say
           ,
           the
           more
           Contradictions
           the
           better
           ;
           the
           greater
           the
           Struggle
           and
           Opposition
           of
           Reason
           ,
           the
           greater
           is
           the
           Triumph
           and
           Merit
           of
           our
           Faith.
           
        
         
           But
           there
           's
           no
           likelihood
           of
           suppressing
           any
           of
           our
           Doubts
           or
           Disputes
           in
           Religion
           this
           way
           :
           For
           besides
           the
           Natural
           Propension
           of
           the
           Soul
           to
           the
           search
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           the
           strong
           and
           impatient
           desire
           we
           have
           to
           know
           as
           much
           as
           ever
           we
           can
           of
           what
           immediately
           concerns
           us
           ,
           't
           is
           generally
           and
           very
           justly
           look'd
           upon
           both
           as
           the
           Priviledge
           and
           Duty
           of
           Man
           to
           Enquire
           and
           Examine
           before
           he
           believes
           or
           judges
           ;
           and
           never
           give
           up
           his
           assent
           to
           any
           thing
           but
           upon
           Good
           and
           Rational
           Grounds
           :
           And
           therefore
           't
           would
           be
           a
           very
           hard
           thing
           to
           perswade
           the
           World
           to
           stifle
           and
           restrain
           so
           many
           Powerful
           Motives
           of
           Action
           :
           But
           should
           they
           be
           farther
           prevailed
           upon
           to
           go
           directly
           contrary
           to
           
           their
           Reason
           ,
           't
           would
           be
           much
           more
           difficult
           to
           Conquer
           the
           uneasiness
           of
           the
           Reluctance
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           't
           is
           well
           the
           difficulties
           of
           subduing
           the
           Understanding
           are
           too
           great
           to
           be
           master'd
           ;
           For
           a
           slight
           Reflection
           will
           serve
           to
           convince
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           necessary
           Consequences
           of
           a
           blind
           Resignation
           of
           Judgment
           would
           be
           far
           more
           Fatal
           to
           Christianity
           than
           all
           our
           present
           Divisions
           .
        
         
           What
           Blasphemies
           and
           Contradictions
           may
           and
           have
           been
           imposed
           upon
           mens
           belief
           ,
           under
           the
           Venerable
           Name
           of
           Mysteries
           ?
           And
           how
           easie
           are
           Villainous
           Practices
           derived
           from
           an
           absurd
           Faith
           ?
           This
           is
           matter
           of
           common
           Observation
           ,
           and
           has
           brought
           a
           just
           Scandal
           upon
           a
           large
           Party
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           given
           occasion
           to
           Men
           of
           light
           ,
           undistinguishing
           Capacities
           ,
           to
           deny
           and
           scoff
           at
           the
           Saving
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           because
           they
           were
           accompanyed
           with
           a
           ridiculous
           mixture
           of
           Errors
           .
        
         
           No
           doubt
           therefore
           we
           may
           ,
           and
           ought
           carefully
           to
           Examine
           the
           Faith
           and
           Principles
           we
           design
           for
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Lives
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           understand
           all
           our
           Religion
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           able
           to
           Justifie
           it
           ,
           both
           to
           our Selves
           and
           Unbelievers
           .
        
         
           We
           ought
           indeed
           to
           proceed
           with
           all
           the
           Caution
           and
           Humility
           imaginable
           ,
           and
           take
           a
           just
           Estimate
           of
           our
           Task
           and
           Abilities
           :
           But
           to
           deny
           us
           the
           Liberty
           either
           of
           using
           or
           obeying
           our
           Reason
           ,
           is
           a
           suspicious
           as
           well
           as
           an
           unjust
           Restraint
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           There
           are
           others
           ,
           who
           call
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           an
           Incomprehensible
           Mystery
           ,
           and
           yet
           are
           at
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           pains
           to
           bring
           it
           down
           to
           a
           Level
           with
           Humane
           Understanding
           ;
           and
           are
           all
           very
           earnest
           to
           have
           their
           own
           particular
           Explications
           acknowledged
           as
           necessary
           Articles
           of
           Faith
           :
           But
           the
           number
           and
           
           disagreement
           of
           the
           Expositors
           plainly
           discover
           the
           vanity
           of
           such
           Pretences
           .
        
         
           This
           has
           proved
           so
           unsuccessful
           a
           way
           ,
           that
           instead
           of
           uniting
           the
           different
           Judgments
           of
           Christians
           in
           one
           Point
           ,
           it
           has
           broke
           the
           Controversie
           into
           a
           Thousand
           more
           :
           For
           Zeal
           and
           Opposition
           raising
           up
           a
           great
           many
           Assertors
           of
           the
           Common
           Belief
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           looking
           out
           for
           some
           new
           Terms
           and
           Modes
           of
           Speech
           ,
           which
           should
           be
           fuller
           and
           more
           expressive
           than
           those
           in
           Question
           ,
           the
           Differences
           and
           Disputes
           were
           by
           consequence
           proportionably
           multiplyed
           .
           For
           the
           Terms
           and
           Forms
           of
           Speech
           made
           use
           of
           being
           capable
           of
           several
           sences
           ,
           and
           each
           of
           them
           attended
           with
           other
           Accessory
           Idea's
           ,
           Mistakes
           must
           necessarily
           arise
           ,
           and
           divers
           new
           Thoughts
           be
           suggested
           to
           such
           whose
           Heads
           were
           employed
           upon
           the
           same
           Subject
           :
           And
           thus
           it
           came
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           Defences
           and
           Vindications
           of
           the
           Orthodox
           Faith
           produced
           more
           Heresies
           .
        
         
           Wherefore
           in
           all
           such
           Matters
           as
           these
           ,
           which
           are
           too
           big
           to
           be
           grasp'd
           ,
           we
           had
           better
           sit
           down
           contented
           with
           what
           we
           have
           firm
           hold
           of
           ,
           than
           tire
           our selves
           with
           vain
           Endeavours
           to
           take
           in
           more
           .
           'T
           would
           certainly
           be
           the
           truest
           ,
           and
           the
           safest
           way
           ,
           strictly
           to
           confine
           our selves
           to
           
             Scripture
             Expressions
          
           ,
           and
           never
           speak
           of
           
             Supernatural
             Things
          
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           
             Language
             of
             Revelation
          
           ;
           which
           being
           the
           proper
           Standard
           of
           all
           other
           words
           that
           shall
           be
           used
           on
           these
           Occasions
           ,
           't
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           shift
           the
           Measure
           ,
           when
           there
           's
           never
           another
           to
           be
           found
           which
           can
           or
           ought
           to
           reach
           farther
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           ,
           however
           ,
           sometimes
           be
           necessary
           to
           change
           this
           Method
           ,
           and
           introduce
           
             New
             Terms
          
           to
           secure
           the
           True
           Faith
           against
           the
           False
           Interpretations
           of
           such
           as
           pervert
           Scripture
           .
           For
           if
           Hereticks
           will
           make
           use
           of
           New
           Expressions
           to
           contradict
           the
           received
           Doctrine
           ,
           we
           
           must
           have
           New
           Terms
           to
           express
           the
           same
           Truth
           in
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           their
           Heresie
           .
           And
           in
           this
           case
           the
           Church
           may
           very
           reasonably
           require
           her
           Members
           to
           shew
           their
           steady
           continuance
           in
           the
           
             Ancient
             Faith
          
           ,
           by
           the
           use
           of
           such
           Terms
           as
           plainly
           infer
           their
           denyal
           of
           any
           later
           erroneous
           Inventions
           set
           up
           against
           it
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           There
           are
           a
           Third
           sort
           of
           Men
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           who
           pretend
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           no
           Mystery
           proposed
           to
           us
           as
           an
           Object
           of
           Faith
           ;
           and
           in
           order
           to
           make
           this
           of
           the
           Trinity
           appear
           to
           be
           none
           ,
           they
           bring
           a
           Cloud
           over
           the
           whole
           Bible
           ,
           and
           with
           strange
           forc'd
           Criticisms
           and
           Allegories
           give
           the
           very
           plainest
           Texts
           such
           an
           unusual
           Mysterious
           turn
           ,
           as
           neither
           the
           Language
           will
           bear
           ,
           nor
           is
           any
           ways
           consistent
           with
           the
           Design
           or
           Character
           of
           the
           Holy
           Writers
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           is
           a
           very
           odd
           preposterous
           Method
           of
           Explaining
           Scripture
           ,
           by
           darkening
           a
           great
           part
           of
           it
           to
           illustrate
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           as
           ridiculous
           a
           Project
           of
           healing
           Divisions
           ,
           as
           pulling
           down
           a
           whole
           side
           of
           standing
           Wall
           to
           mend
           a
           Breach
           .
        
         
           And
           after
           all
           ,
           the
           
             Socinian
             Hypothesis
          
           seems
           to
           me
           to
           have
           more
           of
           Mystery
           ,
           and
           Contradiction
           to
           Natural
           Reason
           in
           it
           ,
           than
           what
           is
           objected
           to
           the
           
             Catholick
             Doctrine
          
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           not
           for
           clogging
           the
           Faith
           ,
           nor
           multiplying
           Mysteries
           ;
           yet
           we
           ought
           not
           presently
           to
           deny
           what
           we
           do
           not
           understand
           ,
           but
           soberly
           ,
           and
           impartially
           consider
           how
           much
           we
           are
           
             able
             to
             Comprehend
          
           ,
           and
           how
           far
           we
           are
           
             obliged
             to
             Believe
          
           ,
           what
           we
           do
           not
           .
        
         
           The
           Method
           therefore
           I
           design
           to
           observe
           in
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ,
           shall
           be
           different
           from
           any
           of
           those
           now
           mentioned
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           go
           about
           to
           press
           Men
           to
           a
           
             Blind
             Veneration
          
           ,
           or
           
             Presumptuous
             Belief
          
           of
           any
           thing
           
             without
             Examination
          
           ;
           or
           
             in
             Defiance
             to
             Reason
          
           :
           I
           shall
           
           not
           offer
           to
           impose
           any
           
             New
             Arbitrary
             Explications
          
           of
           my
           own
           upon
           other
           mens
           Consciences
           ,
           but
           confine
           my self
           wholly
           to
           the
           usual
           
             warranted
             Forms
          
           of
           Expression
           .
           I
           will
           not
           wrest
           and
           strain
           Scripture
           to
           help
           out
           a
           Private
           Notion
           ,
           nor
           do
           any
           thing
           to
           betray
           the
           Just
           Rights
           and
           Priviledges
           of
           our
           Common
           Reason
           ;
           but
           carefully
           endeavour
           to
           distinguish
           
             How
             far
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Trinity
             is
             a
             Mystery
             ,
          
           and
           
             how
             far
             a
             Mystery
             may
             become
             an
             Object
             of
             Faith.
          
           From
           whence
           I
           hope
           to
           make
           it
           appear
           ,
           that
           nothing
           hard
           or
           unreasonable
           is
           required
           of
           us
           by
           our
           Church
           for
           the
           belief
           of
           this
           Article
           .
        
         
           In
           order
           to
           which
           ,
           I
           shall
           rank
           all
           my
           Reflections
           upon
           this
           Subject
           ,
           under
           these
           Three
           Heads
           of
           Enquiry
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             What
             it
             is
             that
             perplexes
             and
             obscures
             our
             Faith
             in
             the
             Trinity
             .
          
           
             II.
             What
             is
             sufficient
             for
             Christians
             to
             believe
             concerning
             this
             Point
             ?
          
           
             III.
             What
             ill
             Consequences
             can
             attend
             such
             a
             Faith.
             
          
        
         
           First
           then
           ,
           I
           am
           to
           Enquire
           ,
           What
           it
           is
           that
           perplexes
           and
           obscures
           our
           Faith
           in
           the
           Holy
           Trinity
           .
           For
           before
           I
           enter
           upon
           a
           distinct
           and
           particular
           Consideration
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           it self
           ,
           't
           is
           necessary
           to
           point
           out
           some
           of
           the
           Principal
           Causes
           which
           have
           occasioned
           so
           many
           False
           ,
           Absurd
           ,
           and
           Ineffectual
           Expositions
           of
           it
           .
           And
           they
           are
           these
           four
           :
        
         
           
             The
             Prejudice
             and
             Bigottry
             of
             Men
             indiscreetly
             Pious
             .
          
           
             The
             Vanity
             and
             Design
             of
             such
             as
             value
             themselves
             upon
             inventing
             New
             Notions
             ,
             or
             laughing
             at
             the
             Old
             ones
             .
          
           
             The
             not
             discerning
             or
             considering
             the
             Bounds
             and
             Limits
             of
             our
             Knowledge
             .
          
           
             
             And
             lastly
             ,
             An
             imprudent
             Choice
             of
             improper
             ways
             of
             Expression
             .
          
        
         
           The
           two
           first
           of
           these
           have
           a
           general
           Influence
           upon
           all
           Religious
           Controversies
           ,
           but
           are
           more
           especially
           concerned
           in
           this
           :
           For
           there
           's
           never
           more
           room
           for
           Superstitious
           and
           Rigorous
           Impositions
           ,
           nor
           fairer
           Advantages
           for
           Cavilling
           ,
           and
           drawing
           absurd
           Consequences
           ,
           than
           where
           a
           Mystery
           is
           the
           Subject
           of
           Debate
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           some
           who
           are
           apt
           to
           be
           concerned
           ,
           and
           cry
           out
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           very
           Foundations
           of
           all
           Religion
           were
           overturning
           ,
           when
           any
           particular
           Scheme
           or
           Notion
           they
           are
           fond
           of
           ,
           is
           called
           in
           Question
           .
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           I
           have
           no
           small
           Reason
           to
           believe
           there
           are
           several
           who
           strike
           at
           Christianity
           it self
           ,
           under
           the
           Pretence
           of
           bringing
           down
           the
           value
           of
           Mysteries
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           general
           Temper
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           't
           is
           no
           wonder
           that
           there
           's
           more
           Superstition
           and
           Infidelity
           in
           the
           World
           than
           
             True
             Religion
          
           :
           For
           believing
           every
           thing
           ,
           and
           believing
           nothing
           ,
           a
           sudden
           Veneration
           or
           Contempt
           of
           whatsoever
           is
           proposed
           to
           us
           ,
           equally
           gratifie
           the
           lazy
           Inclinations
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           which
           loves
           an
           easie
           undisturbed
           course
           of
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           is
           very
           difficultly
           brought
           to
           endure
           the
           Labour
           of
           Attention
           and
           Enquiry
           .
           Nay
           ,
           of
           those
           who
           seem
           to
           have
           conquer'd
           this
           Trouble
           ,
           there
           are
           few
           who
           lay
           themselves
           out
           in
           a
           free
           and
           impartial
           search
           of
           Truth
           ,
           but
           are
           wholly
           employed
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           some
           Notion
           they
           have
           before-hand
           taken
           up
           ,
           and
           are
           resolved
           to
           maintain
           :
           They
           are
           already
           determined
           what
           to
           believe
           ,
           and
           only
           seek
           out
           Arguments
           to
           Justifie
           or
           Recommend
           their
           Opinions
           to
           others
           .
        
         
         
           How
           far
           these
           general
           Reflections
           are
           applicable
           to
           the
           present
           Case
           ,
           has
           been
           hinted
           already
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           where
           't
           is
           very
           discernible
           from
           the
           Ways
           and
           Methods
           made
           use
           of
           for
           settling
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           that
           Prejudice
           and
           Vanity
           ,
           a
           false
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           an
           ill-grounded
           Contempt
           have
           had
           a
           large
           share
           in
           the
           Management
           of
           this
           Controversie
           .
        
         
           Another
           Reason
           why
           our
           Endeavours
           of
           Expounding
           this
           Point
           have
           been
           vain
           and
           unsuccessful
           ,
           is
           the
           want
           of
           discerning
           or
           considering
           the
           Bounds
           and
           Limits
           of
           our
           Knowledge
           ;
           from
           whence
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           oftentimes
           we
           strive
           to
           soar
           above
           our
           pitch
           ,
           and
           imagine
           we
           understand
           some
           things
           better
           than
           really
           we
           do
           .
           But
           especially
           Men
           of
           abstracted
           Thinking
           are
           very
           apt
           to
           deceive
           themselves
           with
           false
           Idea's
           ,
           and
           are
           firmly
           perswaded
           they
           conceive
           things
           distinctly
           ,
           which
           they
           have
           but
           a
           confused
           Notion
           of
           .
           As
           for
           instance
           ;
           It
           has
           been
           delivered
           down
           ,
           as
           the
           constant
           Faith
           of
           a
           long
           Succession
           of
           Eminent
           Philosophers
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           
             Substance
             ,
             Nature
          
           ,
           and
           Essence
           of
           the
           Soul
           is
           wholly
           and
           entirely
           in
           
             all
             the
             Body
          
           considered
           together
           ,
           and
           
             wholly
             and
             entirely
          
           in
           
             every
             single
             Particle
          
           of
           it
           .
           And
           this
           is
           a
           Notion
           which
           at
           first
           view
           has
           a
           great
           appearance
           of
           truth
           and
           clearness
           ,
           and
           is
           such
           as
           the
           Understanding
           readily
           closes
           with
           :
           But
           if
           we
           would
           strictly
           and
           distinctly
           Examine
           our selves
           ,
           what
           we
           mean
           by
           those
           Terms
           ,
           I
           believe
           we
           should
           be
           able
           to
           give
           but
           a
           very
           obscure
           Account
           of
           our
           Opinion
           ;
           and
           at
           last
           ,
           be
           forced
           to
           confess
           we
           understand
           no
           more
           than
           this
           by
           them
           ,
           That
           the
           
             Soul
             is
             the
             Principle
             of
             all
             the
             Operations
             performed
             in
             the
             Body
             .
          
           But
           so
           it
           sometimes
           happens
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           transported
           too
           far
           in
           our
           Enquiries
           after
           hidden
           Truths
           ,
           till
           we
           are
           lost
           in
           Speculation
           ,
           and
           vainly
           think
           to
           Fathom
           the
           depths
           of
           Knowledge
           
           and
           Wisdom
           ,
           without
           considering
           the
           shortness
           of
           our
           time
           .
           Whereas
           we
           ought
           rather
           to
           examine
           ,
           and
           find
           out
           the
           Bounds
           of
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           know
           the
           just
           extent
           and
           compass
           of
           our
           Understanding
           ,
           and
           then
           rest
           satisfied
           with
           what
           we
           are
           Capable
           of
           ,
           without
           
             desiring
             to
             know
             more
             than
             we
             can
             ,
          
           or
           
             pretending
             to
             know
             more
             than
             we
             do
             .
          
        
         
           But
           further
           ,
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           has
           suffered
           very
           much
           by
           the
           Discourses
           made
           about
           it
           upon
           another
           Account
           ;
           And
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           some
           of
           the
           Authors
           of
           such
           Discourses
           have
           imprudently
           made
           choice
           of
           improper
           ways
           of
           Expression
           :
           Either
           perplexing
           plain
           Revelation
           too
           much
           with
           Philosophical
           Terms
           and
           Niceties
           ,
           or
           exposing
           the
           Faith
           to
           contempt
           ,
           by
           homely
           indecent
           Similies
           ,
           and
           disproportionate
           Comparisons
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           to
           keep
           clear
           of
           all
           those
           Rocks
           I
           have
           discovered
           others
           to
           have
           split
           upon
           ,
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           ,
           what
           I
           could
           ;
           to
           deliver
           my self
           from
           Prejudice
           and
           confusion
           of
           Terms
           ,
           and
           to
           speak
           Justly
           and
           Intelligibly
           :
           And
           not
           being
           yet
           prepossest
           in
           favour
           of
           any
           particular
           Explication
           ,
           the
           better
           to
           preserve
           my
           freedom
           of
           Examining
           the
           Subject
           in
           hand
           ,
           I
           have
           purposely
           forborn
           to
           search
           the
           
             Fathers
             ,
             Schoolmen
          
           ,
           or
           
             Fratres
             Poloni
          
           ,
           or
           read
           over
           any
           
             later
             Treatises
          
           concerning
           this
           Controversie
           while
           I
           was
           composing
           the
           present
           Essay
           ,
           resolving
           to
           consult
           nothing
           but
           Scripture
           and
           my
           
             own
             Natural
             Sentiments
          
           ,
           and
           draw
           all
           my
           Reflections
           from
           thence
           ,
           taking
           only
           such
           which
           easily
           ,
           and
           without
           constraint
           offered
           themselves
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           thus
           having
           cleared
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           removed
           every
           thing
           which
           I
           thought
           might
           obstruct
           or
           misguide
           my
           Enquiries
           ,
           I
           come
           ,
           in
           the
           second
           place
           ,
           to
           consider
           the
           Doctrine
           it self
           ;
           and
           Faithfully
           and
           Impartially
           to
           Examine
           what
           is
           
             sufficient
             for
             Christians
             to
             
             believe
             concerning
             the
             Trinity
             ,
          
           or
           ,
           which
           is
           all
           one
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           
             what
             is
             necessary
             to
             be
             believed
             :
          
           For
           certainly
           he
           believes
           enough
           ,
           and
           cannot
           in
           reason
           be
           taxed
           for
           a
           narrow
           defective
           Faith
           ,
           who
           believes
           as
           much
           as
           is
           required
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           better
           proceeding
           in
           which
           Enquiry
           ,
           I
           shall
           lay
           down
           this
           as
           an
           evident
           Truth
           ,
           which
           every
           Man
           will
           grant
           me
           ,
           that
           nothing
           is
           
             necessary
             to
             be
             believed
          
           ,
           but
           1.
           
             what
             's
             possible
             to
             be
             believed
          
           ;
           and
           2.
           
             what
             's
             plainly
             revealed
          
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           I
           would
           be
           understood
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           last
           part
           of
           the
           Assertion
           ,
           only
           of
           such
           matters
           which
           are
           known
           to
           us
           no
           other
           way
           than
           by
           Revelation
           .
           For
           in
           several
           other
           cases
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           obliged
           to
           believe
           meerly
           upon
           
             Humane
             Testimony
          
           :
           Nay
           ,
           even
           Revelation
           it self
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           Fact
           ,
           claims
           our
           Assent
           upon
           no
           higher
           a
           ground
           .
        
         
           But
           further
           ,
           I
           shall
           take
           this
           for
           granted
           too
           in
           a
           Protestant
           Country
           ,
           that
           Scripture
           is
           the
           only
           Standard
           of
           all
           Necessary
           Revealed
           Truths
           :
           Neither
           in
           the
           present
           Instance
           is
           there
           any
           room
           for
           a
           
             Traditionary
             Faith.
          
           For
           besides
           that
           ,
           all
           the
           Fathers
           and
           Ancient
           Writers
           ground
           their
           Expositions
           of
           the
           Trinity
           wholly
           upon
           Scripture
           ,
           I
           cannot
           conceive
           that
           the
           Subject
           is
           capable
           of
           a
           plainer
           Revelation
           ,
           as
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           shew
           more
           fully
           in
           the
           following
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           therefore
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           to
           consider
           how
           far
           't
           is
           
             possible
             to
             believe
             a
             Trinity
          
           ;
           and
           next
           ,
           to
           examine
           
             what
             the
             Scripture
             requires
             us
             to
             believe
          
           in
           this
           matter
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           there
           are
           two
           Conditions
           requisite
           to
           make
           it
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           believe
           a
           thing
           .
           1.
           
           That
           we
           know
           the
           Terms
           of
           what
           we
           are
           to
           assent
           to
           .
           2.
           
           That
           it
           imply
           no
           contradiction
           to
           our
           former
           Knowledge
           ;
           such
           Knowledge
           I
           mean
           which
           is
           accompanied
           with
           Certainty
           and
           Evidence
           .
        
         
         
           First
           then
           ,
           we
           can
           believe
           a
           thing
           no
           further
           than
           we
           understand
           the
           Terms
           in
           which
           it
           is
           proposed
           to
           us
           :
           For
           Faith
           concerns
           only
           the
           
             truth
             and
             falshood
             of
             Propositions
          
           ;
           and
           the
           Terms
           of
           which
           a
           Proposition
           consists
           must
           be
           first
           understood
           before
           we
           can
           pronounce
           any
           thing
           concerning
           the
           Truth
           or
           Falshood
           of
           it
           ;
           which
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           
             agreement
             or
             disagreement
             of
             its
             Terms
             ,
             or
             the
             Idea's
          
           expressed
           by
           them
           .
           If
           I
           have
           
             no
             Knowledge
             at
             all
          
           of
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           terms
           used
           in
           a
           Proposition
           ,
           I
           cannot
           exercise
           any
           Act
           of
           my
           Understanding
           about
           it
           ,
           I
           cannot
           say
           ,
           
             I
             believe
             or
             disbelieve
             any
             thing
             ,
          
           my
           Soul
           is
           perfectly
           in
           the
           same
           state
           it
           was
           before
           ,
           without
           receiving
           any
           new
           Determination
           .
           If
           I
           have
           but
           
             a
             general
             confused
             Notion
             of
             the
             Terms
             ,
          
           I
           can
           give
           only
           
             a
             general
             confused
             Assent
             to
             the
          
           Proposition
           .
           So
           my
           Faith
           will
           always
           bear
           the
           same
           Proportion
           to
           my
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Subject-matter
           to
           be
           believed
           .
        
         
           To
           make
           this
           plainer
           by
           an
           Instance
           ,
           suppose
           I
           am
           required
           to
           believe
           that
           A.
           is
           equal
           to
           B.
           If
           I
           don't
           know
           either
           what
           A.
           or
           B.
           stands
           for
           ;
           or
           have
           no
           Notion
           of
           Equality
           ,
           I
           believe
           nothing
           more
           than
           I
           did
           before
           this
           was
           proposed
           to
           me
           ;
           I
           am
           not
           capable
           of
           any
           new
           determinate
           Act
           of
           Faith.
           All
           that
           I
           can
           believe
           in
           this
           case
           can
           amount
           to
           no
           more
           than
           this
           ,
           That
           
             Something
             has
             some
             respect
             to
             something
             else
          
           ;
           that
           the
           Matter
           I
           am
           required
           to
           believe
           ,
           is
           affirmed
           by
           a
           Person
           of
           great
           Knowledge
           and
           Integrity
           ,
           who
           ought
           to
           be
           credited
           in
           what
           he
           says
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           Proposition
           here
           laid
           down
           is
           probably
           true
           in
           that
           sense
           the
           Author
           means
           .
           And
           what
           am
           I
           the
           wiser
           for
           all
           this
           ?
           What
           addition
           is
           there
           made
           to
           my
           Faith
           or
           Knowledge
           by
           such
           a
           Proposition
           ?
           But
           farther
           ,
           suppose
           I
           know
           that
           A.
           and
           B.
           stand
           for
           
             two
             Lines
          
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           
             Equal
             Lines
          
           is
           meant
           
             Lines
             of
             the
             same
             length
          
           ;
           such
           Knowledge
           
           can
           produce
           only
           a
           
             general
             confused
             belief
          
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           some
           certain
           
             Line
             imaginable
          
           just
           of
           the
           
             same
             length
             with
             some
             other
             Line
             :
          
           But
           if
           by
           A.
           and
           B.
           are
           meant
           
             two
             right
             Lines
          
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           sides
           of
           a
           
             given
             Triangle
          
           ,
           and
           I
           take
           a
           Mathematician's
           Word
           for
           it
           ,
           without
           demonstration
           that
           they
           are
           equal
           ,
           or
           of
           
             the
             same
             length
          
           ,
           this
           is
           a
           
             particular
             distinct
             Act
             of
             Faith
          
           ;
           by
           which
           I
           am
           satisfied
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           something
           which
           I
           did
           not
           believe
           or
           know
           before
           .
        
         
           From
           whence
           it
           follows
           ,
           that
           Terms
           and
           
             simple
             Idea's
          
           must
           be
           clearly
           and
           distinctly
           understood
           first
           ,
           before
           we
           can
           believe
           any
           thing
           particular
           of
           the
           respects
           and
           relations
           they
           bear
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           only
           
             proper
             Object
             of
             Faith.
          
           
        
         
           Another
           Condition
           necessary
           to
           render
           a
           thing
           capable
           of
           being
           believed
           is
           ,
           that
           it
           implies
           no
           Contradiction
           to
           our
           former
           Knowledge
           .
           I
           cannot
           conceive
           how
           't
           is
           possible
           to
           give
           our
           assent
           to
           any
           thing
           that
           contradicts
           the
           plain
           Dictates
           of
           our
           Reason
           ,
           and
           those
           evident
           Principles
           from
           whence
           we
           derive
           all
           our
           other
           Knowledge
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           Example
           :
           I
           do
           not
           see
           how
           any
           Authority
           of
           Revelation
           can
           overthrow
           the
           Truth
           of
           this
           Proposition
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Whole
             is
             bigger
             than
             any
             of
             its
             Parts
             .
          
           For
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           cannot
           more
           clearly
           and
           distinctly
           perceive
           any
           external
           Impressions
           made
           upon
           my
           Soul
           ,
           nor
           be
           more
           certain
           that
           such
           Impressions
           proceed
           from
           God
           ,
           than
           I
           can
           perceive
           and
           be
           assured
           that
           the
           Idea's
           I
           have
           of
           Whole
           and
           part
           bear
           this
           relation
           to
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           nature
           and
           constitution
           of
           things
           makes
           it
           impossible
           that
           this
           Proposition
           should
           be
           false
           ;
           for
           such
           and
           such
           Things
           or
           Notions
           being
           supposed
           ,
           such
           and
           such
           Habitudes
           and
           Respects
           must
           necessarily
           result
           
           from
           them
           .
           So
           long
           therefore
           as
           I
           have
           the
           same
           Idea's
           of
           whole
           and
           part
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Faculties
           of
           Perception
           ,
           I
           shall
           always
           perceive
           the
           same
           relation
           betwixt
           them
           :
           And
           if
           my
           Idea's
           of
           whole
           and
           part
           were
           changed
           ,
           or
           a
           new
           Texture
           and
           Frame
           of
           Soul
           given
           me
           ,
           I
           should
           indeed
           perceive
           different
           :
           relations
           betwixt
           these
           new
           
           Idea's
           ;
           but
           this
           would
           by
           no
           means
           destroy
           the
           Truth
           of
           my
           former
           Conceptions
           ,
           't
           would
           still
           be
           certain
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Idea's
           I
           had
           before
           of
           whole
           and
           part
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           was
           bigger
           than
           any
           of
           its
           parts
           :
           Which
           Idea's
           will
           always
           unalterably
           have
           the
           same
           relation
           to
           one
           another
           .
           But
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Was
           it
           possible
           this
           Proposition
           could
           be
           false
           ,
           considering
           only
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           things
           themselves
           ,
           the
           Nature
           of
           God
           furnishes
           us
           with
           other
           Arguments
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           Certainty
           of
           it
           .
           And
        
         
           1st
           .
           It
           is
           not
           consistent
           with
           the
           Justice
           ,
           Wisdom
           ,
           or
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           require
           us
           to
           believe
           that
           ,
           which
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Frame
           and
           Make
           he
           has
           given
           us
           ,
           't
           is
           impossible
           for
           us
           to
           believe
           :
           For
           however
           some
           Men
           have
           advanced
           this
           absurd
           Paradox
           ,
           that
           God
           can
           make
           Contradictions
           true
           ,
           I
           am
           very
           certain
           ,
           that
           upon
           an
           impartial
           Trial
           of
           their
           Faculties
           ,
           they
           would
           find
           't
           were
           perfectly
           out
           of
           their
           power
           to
           believe
           explicitly
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           common
           Sense
           of
           the
           Terms
           ,
           that
           a
           Part
           can
           be
           bigger
           than
           the
           Whole
           it
           is
           a
           Part
           of
           .
           But
        
         
           2dly
           ,
           Admitting
           it
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           be
           deceived
           in
           such
           Propositions
           which
           have
           a
           constant
           ,
           uniform
           ,
           and
           universal
           appearance
           of
           Truth
           and
           Evidence
           ,
           this
           would
           destroy
           all
           manner
           of
           Certainty
           and
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           leave
           us
           wholly
           in
           Darkness
           ,
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           Despair
           ;
           or
           ,
           which
           is
           more
           Injurious
           to
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           to
           imagine
           ,
           under
           an
           absolute
           necessity
           of
           being
           deceived
           :
           For
           't
           is
           not
           only
           impossible
           for
           me
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           such
           
           a
           Proposition
           as
           this
           ,
           That
           the
           
             VVhole
             is
             bigger
             than
             any
             of
             its
             Parts
          
           is
           false
           ;
           but
           I
           cannot
           deny
           my
           
             positive
             express
             assent
          
           to
           it
           as
           true
           :
           The
           Light
           and
           Evidence
           in
           this
           Case
           is
           so
           clear
           and
           strong
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           not
           at
           Liberty
           so
           much
           as
           to
           suspend
           my
           Judgment
           .
        
         
           3dly
           ,
           'T
           is
           Blasphemy
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           God
           can
           contradict
           himself
           ;
           and
           therefore
           
             right
             Reason
          
           being
           the
           Voice
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Revelation
           ,
           they
           can
           never
           be
           directly
           contrary
           to
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           Now
           to
           apply
           all
           this
           to
           the
           present
           Case
           ;
           suppose
           I
           am
           required
           to
           believe
           ,
           That
           
             One
             and
             the
             same
             God
             is
             Three
             different
             Persons
             :
          
           I
           only
           suppose
           it
           here
           ,
           because
           I
           have
           not
           yet
           proved
           
             how
             far
          
           ,
           and
           
             in
             what
             sense
          
           ,
           we
           are
           
             obliged
             to
             believe
             a
             Trinity
          
           .
           If
           this
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           be
           the
           Proposition
           I
           am
           required
           to
           give
           my
           assent
           to
           ,
           't
           is
           plain
           ,
           by
           what
           has
           been
           proved
           before
           ,
           that
           I
           can
           believe
           it
           no
           farther
           than
           the
           Terms
           ,
           of
           which
           it
           is
           made
           up
           ,
           are
           known
           and
           understood
           ,
           and
           the
           
           Idea's
           signified
           by
           them
           consistent
           .
        
         
           In
           order
           therefore
           to
           form
           a
           
             determinate
             Act
             of
             Faith
          
           in
           this
           Point
           ,
           I
           must
           carefully
           examine
           my self
           what
           Notions
           I
           have
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           Vnity
           and
           
             Identity
             ,
             Distinction
          
           and
           Number
           ,
           and
           Person
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Notion
           of
           a
           Deity
           ,
           't
           is
           true
           indeed
           I
           have
           not
           a
           
             full
             and
             adequate
             Idea
             of
          
           God
           ,
           neither
           is
           my
           Soul
           capable
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           what
           Conceptions
           I
           have
           of
           his
           Nature
           and
           Perfections
           ,
           are
           ,
           according
           to
           my
           Apprehension
           ,
           so
           far
           clear
           ,
           as
           to
           enable
           me
           truly
           and
           justly
           to
           determine
           which
           of
           those
           distinct
           Idea's
           ,
           I
           have
           in
           my
           Mind
           ,
           are
           applicable
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           not
           .
           And
           such
           a
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           as
           this
           ,
           is
           a
           sufficient
           direction
           of
           my
           Faith
           in
           any
           Proposition
           concerning
           God
           ,
           where
           I
           clearly
           understand
           all
           the
           Idea's
           attributed
           to
           him
           .
        
         
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           therefore
           ,
           I
           am
           to
           consider
           what
           Notions
           I
           have
           of
           Vnity
           and
           
             Identity
             ,
             Distinction
          
           and
           Number
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           I
           confess
           I
           am
           at
           a
           Loss
           how
           to
           deliver
           my self
           ,
           these
           being
           some
           of
           our
           
             first
             and
             most
             simple
             Idea's
          
           which
           are
           so
           clear
           of
           themselves
           ,
           that
           I
           cannot
           find
           clearer
           to
           explain
           them
           by
           .
        
         
           For
           this
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           every
           Man
           is
           conscious
           to
           himself
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           a
           power
           of
           perceiving
           and
           
             comparing
             his
             Perceptions
          
           ,
           and
           consequently
           must
           know
           when
           any
           thing
           is
           presented
           to
           his
           Mind
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           perceivable
           at
           
             one
             entire
             view
          
           ,
           and
           whether
           the
           Object
           have
           
             one
             uniform
             appearance
          
           or
           not
           :
           He
           must
           be
           also
           sensible
           in
           a
           succession
           of
           Idea's
           ,
           when
           the
           same
           Appearances
           are
           repeated
           again
           ,
           and
           how
           often
           the
           Representation
           is
           varied
           .
        
         
           However
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           Clearness
           of
           these
           Notions
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           what
           passes
           in
           our
           own
           Minds
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           make
           true
           and
           distinct
           Judgments
           of
           the
           unity
           or
           multiplicity
           of
           things
           without
           us
           :
           For
           it
           does
           not
           follow
           ,
           that
           what
           is
           represented
           to
           the
           Soul
           at
           once
           ,
           under
           one
           Idea
           or
           Appearance
           ,
           should
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           
             reality
             of
             things
          
           ,
           be
           
             one
             undivided
             nature
          
           ,
           neither
           can
           it
           be
           inferred
           ,
           that
           what
           is
           represented
           to
           the
           Soul
           under
           
             different
             Idea's
          
           are
           so
           many
           
             distinct
             real
             Beings
          
           :
           For
           there
           are
           some
           Idea's
           purely
           of
           the
           Soul
           's
           own
           making
           ,
           and
           not
           copied
           from
           any
           external
           Patterns
           ,
           where
           there
           are
           a
           great
           many
           particular
           real
           Beings
           ,
           of
           different
           kinds
           and
           natures
           ,
           comprehended
           under
           one
           Representation
           :
           Thus
           all
           the
           Hills
           ,
           Plains
           ,
           Rivers
           ,
           Trees
           ,
           and
           Towns
           ,
           &c.
           which
           the
           Eye
           can
           reach
           from
           such
           or
           such
           a
           Point
           ,
           we
           put
           into
           one
           Picture
           ,
           and
           call
           it
           a
           Landskip
           or
           Prospect
           .
           Thus
           does
           the
           Soul
           enlarge
           its
           View
           to
           all
           the
           Works
           of
           God
           and
           
           Nature
           ;
           it
           takes
           in
           the
           whole
           Creation
           at
           a
           Thought
           ,
           and
           calls
           it
           World.
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           the
           
             real
             Natures
          
           ,
           and
           
             Essences
             of
             Things
          
           ,
           which
           are
           allowed
           to
           consist
           in
           a
           
             simple
             undivided
             Vnity
          
           ,
           are
           not
           conceivable
           by
           us
           at
           once
           ,
           but
           at
           
             different
             Views
          
           ,
           by
           
             different
             partial
             Conceptions
          
           ,
           which
           the
           Soul
           afterwards
           compounds
           and
           calls
           by
           
             one
             Name
          
           .
           Thus
           when
           we
           endeavour
           to
           comprehend
           the
           Nature
           and
           Essence
           of
           what
           we
           call
           Man
           ▪
           we
           form
           ,
           at
           different
           times
           ,
           several
           confused
           Notions
           of
           
             Substance
             ,
             Body
             ,
             Life
             ,
             Sense
             ,
          
           and
           Reason
           ;
           every
           one
           of
           which
           is
           a
           
             complicated
             Idea
          
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           resolved
           into
           a
           great
           many
           others
           more
           simple
           and
           distinct
           :
           As
           for
           instance
           ,
           I
           must
           form
           a
           great
           many
           
           Idea's
           of
           particular
           Actions
           ,
           and
           the
           Modes
           ,
           Differences
           ,
           and
           Relations
           of
           them
           ,
           before
           I
           can
           have
           any
           tolerable
           knowledge
           of
           what
           Reason
           is
           ;
           and
           so
           for
           the
           rest
           .
        
         
           All
           therefore
           that
           we
           understand
           of
           the
           unity
           of
           things
           without
           us
           ,
           is
           this
           :
           When
           we
           perceive
           any
           Object
           in
           a
           
             continued
             Position
          
           ,
           bounded
           and
           fenced
           out
           from
           other
           things
           round
           about
           it
           ,
           all
           within
           such
           Terms
           and
           Limits
           we
           call
           One
           :
           And
           then
           again
           ,
           observing
           a
           great
           many
           different
           Actions
           ,
           produced
           in
           and
           by
           such
           an
           Object
           ,
           we
           judge
           all
           these
           Actions
           and
           Operations
           to
           proceed
           from
           one
           
             common
             Principle
          
           ,
           in
           some
           such
           manner
           as
           Streams
           from
           a
           Fountain
           ,
           or
           several
           Lines
           from
           the
           same
           Centre
           .
           And
           whatever
           we
           thus
           judge
           to
           be
           One
           ,
           tho'
           a
           great
           many
           Thoughts
           and
           Conceptions
           go
           to
           the
           forming
           of
           such
           a
           Judgment
           ,
           we
           endeavour
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           to
           represent
           to
           our selves
           under
           
             one
             Idea
             or
             Appearance
          
           ,
           tho'
           the
           Representation
           be
           often
           very
           confused
           and
           indistinct
           .
           And
           this
           we
           do
           ,
           as
           supposing
           it
           wholly
           and
           uniformly
           conceivable
           at
           one
           single
           View
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           the
           Imperfection
           of
           our
           Faculties
           :
           Which
           Supposition
           is
           not
           without
           good
           Ground
           ;
           for
           
           this
           we
           have
           plain
           Experience
           for
           ,
           that
           when
           any
           visible
           Object
           is
           of
           such
           a
           magnitude
           ,
           or
           in
           such
           a
           situation
           that
           the
           Eye
           cannot
           receive
           the
           whole
           Image
           of
           it
           at
           once
           ,
           we
           take
           it
           in
           at
           different
           times
           ,
           from
           different
           points
           of
           Sight
           ;
           and
           yet
           for
           all
           this
           ,
           we
           find
           no
           more
           Reason
           to
           doubt
           of
           the
           real
           Unity
           of
           such
           an
           Object
           ,
           than
           of
           any
           other
           ,
           whose
           Image
           came
           into
           the
           Soul
           entire
           at
           one
           Act
           of
           Vision
           ;
           for
           we
           easily
           conceive
           there
           may
           be
           other
           Organs
           of
           Sight
           ,
           which
           would
           reflect
           the
           whole
           Object
           together
           :
           And
           from
           thence
           we
           conclude
           further
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           also
           some
           other
           Mind
           more
           perfect
           than
           ours
           ,
           which
           perceives
           that
           as
           one
           simple
           Idea
           which
           we
           cannot
           apprehend
           ,
           but
           by
           a
           union
           of
           several
           different
           Conceptions
           :
           From
           whence
           it
           follows
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           perfect
           Mind
           ,
           which
           is
           God
           ,
           is
           the
           only
           true
           and
           proper
           Standard
           of
           all
           Unity
           and
           Distinction
           .
        
         
           The
           Summe
           of
           all
           my
           Thoughts
           is
           this
           :
           What
           is
           meant
           by
           one
           or
           more
           ,
           the
           same
           or
           
             different
             Idea's
          
           is
           better
           to
           be
           conceived
           by
           inward
           Reflexion
           ,
           than
           can
           possibly
           be
           explained
           by
           Words
           .
        
         
           Such
           an
           Idea
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           distinguishable
           into
           different
           Appearances
           ,
           I
           call
           a
           
             simple
             Idea
          
           .
        
         
           When
           I
           have
           any
           Thought
           or
           Perception
           ,
           which
           is
           resolvable
           into
           several
           Idea's
           ,
           I
           call
           this
           a
           complex
           or
           
             compounded
             Notion
          
           .
           And
           hence
           I
           term
           any
           Being
           simple
           or
           compounded
           ,
           according
           as
           it
           is
           perceivable
           by
           some
           Mind
           ,
           under
           one
           
             simple
             Appearance
          
           ,
           or
           a
           
             complex
             Idea
          
           .
        
         
           Whether
           
             my
             Idea's
          
           are
           agreeable
           to
           the
           
             real
             Natures
             of
             Things
          
           ,
           or
           those
           
             original
             Fatterns
          
           in
           the
           Mind
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           cannot
           certainly
           know
           ;
           but
           when
           they
           are
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           differ
           from
           one
           another
           ,
           I
           plainly
           perceive
           ,
           tho'
           I
           cannot
           always
           judge
           of
           the
           Identity
           or
           Distinction
           of
           Things
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           are
           represented
           
           to
           my
           understanding
           ,
           under
           the
           same
           or
           different
           Appearances
           :
           For
           here
           I
           should
           be
           sometimes
           mistaken
           too
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           plain
           I
           often
           must
           ,
           if
           I
           judged
           of
           the
           
             real
             unity
          
           or
           multiplicity
           of
           Things
           by
           my
           own
           Idea's
           .
        
         
           The
           Notions
           we
           have
           of
           the
           unity
           of
           Things
           without
           us
           ,
           come
           the
           nearest
           that
           can
           be
           imagin'd
           to
           our
           Idea's
           of
           Point
           ,
           and
           
             continued
             Extension
          
           ;
           one
           of
           which
           represents
           simple
           unity
           ,
           the
           other
           compounded
           ;
           the
           one
           we
           apply
           to
           what
           we
           call
           spiritual
           Beings
           ,
           the
           other
           to
           material
           :
           For
           't
           is
           certain
           the
           Conception
           we
           have
           of
           Body
           ,
           can
           never
           furnish
           us
           with
           any
           Idea
           of
           simple
           Unity
           .
        
         
           By
           a
           Spirit
           then
           we
           mean
           something
           without
           extension
           ,
           and
           consequently
           indivisible
           ,
           capable
           of
           performing
           some
           such
           kind
           of
           Actions
           ,
           which
           do
           ,
           in
           some
           manner
           or
           degree
           ,
           resemble
           those
           we
           are
           conscious
           of
           :
           But
           what
           that
           is
           ,
           from
           whence
           I
           suppose
           such
           Actions
           to
           proceed
           ,
           I
           have
           not
           the
           least
           conception
           of
           ;
           for
           all
           that
           I
           conceive
           ,
           is
           only
           several
           Idea's
           of
           different
           particular
           Actions
           ,
           which
           no
           more
           express
           the
           Idea
           of
           that
           Principle
           from
           whence
           they
           spring
           ,
           than
           the
           Idea's
           of
           several
           particular
           Lines
           express
           the
           Idea
           of
           that
           Point
           they
           are
           drawn
           from
           .
        
         
           All
           that
           we
           can
           perceive
           or
           imagine
           of
           
             corporeal
             Vnity
          
           ,
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           Connexion
           or
           joint
           Position
           of
           several
           Bodies
           ,
           which
           ,
           according
           as
           it
           is
           
             more
             or
             less
             perceivable
          
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           simplicity
           or
           
             multiformity
             of
             the
             Figure
          
           resulting
           from
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           easiness
           or
           
             difficulty
             of
             Separation
          
           ,
           makes
           several
           degrees
           of
           Vnion
           ,
           which
           all
           receive
           the
           common
           Denomination
           of
           Vnity
           .
        
         
           Now
           as
           Extension
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           its
           
             perpetual
             divisibility
          
           ,
           cannot
           give
           us
           a
           true
           Notion
           of
           
             simple
             Vnity
          
           ,
           so
           neither
           can
           I
           have
           any
           distinct
           knowledge
           of
           Vnion
           or
           
           Composition
           ,
           abstracted
           from
           all
           Considerations
           of
           Extension
           .
           I
           do
           not
           understand
           how
           a
           Mind
           and
           Body
           are
           united
           ,
           any
           otherwise
           than
           that
           I
           perceive
           such
           and
           such
           spiritual
           Actions
           produced
           within
           the
           Compass
           of
           such
           a
           Body
           which
           I
           call
           One
           :
           Neither
           am
           I
           able
           to
           comprehend
           the
           Union
           or
           Separation
           of
           Two
           
             spiritual
             Beings
          
           ,
           without
           considering
           them
           as
           in
           the
           same
           or
           different
           Localites
           ;
           for
           I
           have
           not
           distinct
           Idea's
           of
           several
           
             spiritual
             Natures
          
           ,
           nor
           ,
           if
           I
           should
           perceive
           the
           several
           Operations
           of
           different
           Spirits
           ,
           could
           I
           distinguish
           the
           several
           
             individual
             Beings
          
           ,
           or
           Principles
           ,
           they
           proceeded
           from
           :
           For
           who
           is
           there
           that
           ,
           if
           all
           the
           Thoughts
           and
           Motions
           of
           the
           Souls
           of
           several
           Men
           were
           communicated
           to
           him
           ,
           could
           tell
           which
           proceeded
           from
           which
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           we
           cannot
           tell
           what
           
             difference
             of
             Actions
          
           is
           sufficient
           to
           determine
           the
           
             different
             kinds
             of
             Principles
          
           they
           proceeded
           from
           ;
           neither
           can
           any
           Co-operation
           ,
           or
           
             Consent
             of
             Actions
          
           ,
           make
           us
           conceive
           a
           
             spiritual
             Vnion
          
           ,
           without
           conceiving
           the
           
             same
             Term
             of
             Action
             too
          
           .
           For
           suppose
           
             two
             Souls
          
           were
           so
           exactly
           framed
           alike
           ,
           that
           they
           always
           thought
           and
           will'd
           the
           same
           Things
           at
           the
           same
           times
           ,
           and
           were
           conscious
           of
           each
           other's
           Thoughts
           and
           Actions
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           put
           into
           
             different
             Bodies
          
           ,
           't
           is
           plain
           we
           could
           not
           properly
           say
           they
           were
           united
           or
           
             made
             one
          
           :
           And
           again
           ,
           supposing
           they
           were
           in
           the
           
             same
             Body
          
           ,
           we
           could
           not
           possibly
           conceive
           them
           to
           be
           two
           ,
           any
           otherwise
           than
           we
           knew
           them
           capable
           of
           a
           
             separate
             Existence
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           we
           examine
           our
           Thoughts
           honestly
           ,
           of
           a
           separate
           Vhi
           ,
           in
           different
           Bodies
           ,
           or
           elsewhere
           :
           Not
           that
           I
           think
           
             local
             Presence
          
           ,
           or
           Determination
           ,
           is
           any
           way
           contained
           within
           the
           Idea
           of
           a
           
             spiritual
             Being
          
           ,
           but
           it
           helps
           us
           to
           conceive
           it
           better
           ,
           and
           discourse
           more
           distinctly
           about
           it
           .
           And
           ,
           if
           we
           observe
           
           it
           ,
           there
           are
           several
           cases
           where
           our
           Conceptions
           and
           Judgments
           must
           necessarily
           differ
           .
        
         
           These
           then
           are
           all
           the
           kinds
           of
           Vnity
           and
           Distinction
           I
           can
           possibly
           imagine
           ;
           namely
           ,
           in
           
             Idea
             ,
             Principle
          
           ,
           and
           Position
           .
           Whatever
           else
           is
           called
           Unity
           ,
           is
           more
           properly
           termed
           Agreement
           ,
           the
           very
           Notion
           of
           which
           implies
           a
           distinction
           in
           some
           of
           the
           fore-mentioned
           kinds
           .
        
         
           Identity
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           repetition
           of
           Vnity
           ,
           as
           Number
           is
           of
           Difference
           ,
           with
           the
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Understanding
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           What
           
             Personal
             Vnity
          
           and
           Distinction
           are
           ,
           will
           be
           easily
           understood
           by
           explaining
           the
           word
           Person
           ,
           which
           signifies
           one
           of
           these
           two
           things
           ;
           either
           a
           
             Particular
             ,
             Intelligent
             Being
          
           ,
           or
           an
           
             Office
             ,
             Character
          
           ,
           or
           some
           such
           
             complex
             Notion
             applicable
             to
             such
             a
             Being
             .
          
           In
           the
           first
           sense
           
             one
             Man
          
           ,
           or
           Angel
           ,
           is
           
             one
             Person
          
           ,
           and
           
             several
             Men
          
           or
           Angels
           are
           
             several
             Persons
          
           .
           In
           the
           second
           sense
           of
           the
           word
           there
           may
           be
           so
           many
           Persons
           as
           there
           are
           different
           Combinations
           of
           the
           Actions
           ,
           Relations
           ,
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           Intelligent
           Beings
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           having
           given
           an
           Account
           of
           the
           meaning
           and
           signification
           of
           the
           Terms
           in
           which
           we
           are
           required
           to
           express
           our
           Faith
           ,
           we
           are
           next
           to
           Examine
           ,
           how
           far
           ,
           and
           in
           what
           sense
           we
           can
           believe
           this
           Proposition
           ,
           That
           
             One
             and
             the
             same
             God
             is
             Three
             different
             Persons
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           if
           those
           before-specified
           are
           all
           the
           Notions
           we
           are
           able
           to
           frame
           of
           Vnity
           and
           Distinction
           ,
           then
           God
           must
           be
           One
           and
           Three
           in
           some
           way
           or
           manner
           there
           laid
           down
           ,
           or
           else
           in
           some
           other
           way
           or
           manner
           not
           conceivable
           by
           Human
           Understanding
           .
        
         
           First
           then
           ,
           let
           us
           see
           how
           and
           in
           what
           manner
           God
           can
           be
           One
           and
           Three
           ,
           according
           to
           those
           Notions
           our
           Souls
           have
           framed
           of
           Vnity
           and
           Distinction
           .
        
         
         
           And
           here
           't
           is
           granted
           on
           all
           hands
           ,
           that
           nothing
           can
           be
           One
           and
           Three
           in
           the
           
             same
             manner
          
           and
           respect
           :
           We
           cannot
           conceive
           a
           thing
           to
           be
           in
           One
           determinate
           Position
           or
           Vbi
           ,
           and
           in
           Three
           separate
           Vbi's
           all
           at
           once
           ;
           We
           cannot
           conceive
           that
           One
           Principle
           or
           Nature
           should
           be
           but
           One
           ,
           and
           yet
           Three
           different
           Principles
           or
           Natures
           too
           ;
           or
           that
           any
           Object
           should
           be
           truly
           and
           adequately
           represented
           to
           any
           Mind
           or
           Understanding
           under
           One
           Idea
           ,
           and
           truly
           and
           adequately
           represented
           under
           Three
           different
           Idea's
           .
           'T
           is
           impossible
           to
           believe
           any
           thing
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           because
           it
           implies
           a
           plain
           Contradiction
           to
           the
           clearest
           and
           most
           certain
           knowledge
           we
           can
           have
           of
           Unity
           and
           Distinction
           ;
           so
           that
           if
           One
           may
           be
           Three
           in
           the
           same
           respect
           't
           is
           One
           ,
           then
           One
           and
           Three
           must
           stand
           for
           other
           Idea's
           than
           we
           conceive
           when
           we
           pronounce
           these
           words
           ;
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           they
           ought
           to
           have
           other
           Names
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           called
           One
           and
           Three
           .
        
         
           Since
           therefore
           we
           cannot
           say
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           One
           and
           Three
           in
           
             the
             same
             respect
          
           ;
           in
           the
           next
           place
           let
           us
           Enquire
           ,
           In
           
             what
             different
             respects
          
           this
           may
           be
           affirmed
           of
           him
           .
           Now
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Vnity
           of
           God
           ,
           this
           is
           easily
           believed
           and
           acknowledged
           ,
           as
           being
           very
           agreeable
           to
           all
           our
           other
           Notions
           of
           the
           Deity
           .
           The
           chief
           difficulty
           lyes
           in
           assigning
           the
           Distinction
           :
           In
           attempting
           which
           ,
           the
           best
           and
           clearest
           way
           of
           proceeding
           will
           be
           by
           going
           over
           the
           several
           kinds
           of
           Distinction
           before-mentioned
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           begin
           with
           that
           of
           Position
           :
           And
           here
           't
           is
           plain
           at
           first
           sight
           that
           we
           cannot
           possibly
           conceive
           God
           under
           any
           
             difference
             of
             Position
          
           ;
           we
           cannot
           exclude
           Omnipotence
           from
           any
           imaginable
           point
           of
           space
           :
           'T
           is
           the
           limited
           Powers
           and
           Faculties
           of
           created
           Beings
           which
           are
           the
           Foundation
           of
           all
           
             Local
             Distinctions
          
           :
           And
           therefore
           when
           we
           endeavour
           to
           represent
           God
           to
           our
           
           thoughts
           in
           this
           manner
           ,
           we
           consider
           him
           as
           Omnipresent
           ;
           and
           I
           can
           no
           more
           conceive
           
             Three
             Omnipresents
          
           ,
           than
           I
           can
           conceive
           Three
           straight
           Lines
           drawn
           between
           the
           same
           Points
           .
        
         
           But
           though
           there
           can
           be
           but
           
             One
             undivided
             Omnipresence
          
           ,
           may
           there
           not
           be
           
             Three
             Infinite
             Beings
             Co-equal
          
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           Commensurate
           to
           
             One
             Infinite
             Space
          
           ?
           This
           is
           far
           above
           my
           Conception
           too
           :
           Infinite
           swallows
           up
           all
           my
           thoughts
           .
           Whatever
           Idea
           we
           apply
           this
           Term
           Infinite
           to
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           impossible
           to
           apply
           it
           to
           another
           of
           the
           same
           Denomination
           :
           As
           for
           Example
           ;
           If
           I
           apply
           it
           to
           Power
           ,
           I
           cannot
           consider
           it
           as
           applicable
           to
           more
           than
           One
           Infinite
           Power
           :
           For
           Infinite
           Power
           includes
           all
           the
           Possibilities
           of
           Action
           ;
           so
           that
           to
           conceive
           more
           than
           One
           Infinite
           Power
           ,
           would
           be
           to
           conceive
           more
           Power
           than
           is
           possible
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           gross
           and
           palpable
           Absurdity
           .
           And
           therefore
           we
           cannot
           conceive
           
             Three
             Infinite
             Beings
             distinct
          
           from
           one
           another
           ,
           any
           more
           than
           
             Three
             Infinite
             Powers
          
           ,
           or
           
             Three
             Infinite
             Spaces
          
           ,
           because
           all
           Distinction
           implies
           some
           Limitation
           ,
           and
           Limitation
           is
           a
           Contradiction
           to
           Infinity
           .
           We
           can
           indeed
           conceive
           Infinite
           Power
           ,
           as
           in
           some
           manner
           bounded
           by
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           Justice
           ,
           Mercy
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           ;
           but
           in
           no
           wise
           as
           limited
           by
           any
           other
           Power
           .
           We
           cannot
           therefore
           conceive
           one
           Infinite
           Being
           as
           bounded
           by
           another
           Infinite
           Being
           ;
           for
           then
           we
           should
           conceive
           Infinite
           Power
           limited
           by
           another
           Power
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           of
           all
           other
           Attributes
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           same
           in
           both
           :
           For
           the
           Notion
           of
           an
           Infinite
           Being
           includes
           in
           it
           all
           the
           imaginable
           kinds
           of
           
             Infinite
             Perfection
          
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           we
           say
           ,
           there
           are
           
             Three
             Infinite
             Beings
          
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Perfections
           of
           each
           are
           coincident
           ,
           what
           ground
           can
           we
           have
           for
           
             such
             a
             Distinction
          
           ?
           Not
           so
           much
           ,
           to
           use
           the
           former
           Instance
           ,
           as
           for
           that
           of
           three
           
           straight
           Lines
           between
           the
           same
           Points
           ;
           for
           there
           the
           different
           times
           of
           describing
           the
           same
           Line
           may
           in
           some
           manner
           help
           us
           to
           form
           a
           confused
           Conception
           of
           different
           Lines
           :
           But
           't
           is
           not
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Soul
           to
           represent
           to
           its
           self
           
             Three
             Eternal
             Beings
          
           of
           
             Coincident
             Perfections
          
           .
           Here
           's
           nothing
           for
           the
           Imagination
           to
           lay
           hold
           of
           ,
           no
           manner
           of
           ground
           to
           deceive
           our selves
           into
           a
           confused
           belief
           of
           such
           a
           Distinction
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           do
           not
           see
           how
           't
           is
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           believe
           there
           are
           
             Three
             distinct
             Principles
             or
             Natures
          
           all
           of
           
             the
             same
             Infinite
             Perfections
          
           ,
           which
           together
           we
           call
           God.
           
        
         
           And
           if
           there
           be
           but
           
             One
             Omnipresent
             ,
             Infinitely
             Perfect
             Being
             ,
          
           how
           can
           he
           be
           truly
           and
           fully
           represented
           to
           any
           Mind
           under
           
             Three
             different
             Idea's
          
           ?
           The
           truth
           of
           an
           Idea
           consists
           in
           its
           Agreement
           and
           Conformity
           to
           the
           Original
           it
           represents
           ;
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           how
           is
           't
           possible
           there
           should
           be
           Three
           Idea's
           exactly
           and
           adequately
           conformable
           to
           the
           same
           Original
           ,
           and
           yet
           different
           from
           one
           another
           ?
           Either
           these
           Differences
           found
           in
           the
           Idea's
           are
           not
           in
           the
           real
           Pattern
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           Representation
           is
           false
           ;
           or
           they
           are
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Object
           is
           destroyed
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           indeed
           we
           do
           often
           apply
           different
           Idea's
           to
           the
           same
           individual
           Object
           ;
           but
           these
           are
           either
           
             Partial
             and
             Inadequate
             Conceptions
          
           of
           the
           
             Nature
             and
             Essence
          
           of
           it
           ;
           or
           Expressive
           of
           something
           Accessory
           and
           Extrinsecal
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           such
           as
           
             Modes
             ,
             Circumstances
          
           ,
           and
           Relations
           .
        
         
           Those
           Partial
           Conceptions
           we
           frame
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           are
           what
           we
           call
           the
           Attributes
           of
           God
           :
           Which
           ,
           how
           different
           soever
           from
           one
           another
           in
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           are
           all
           necessarily
           included
           in
           the
           simple
           Idea
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           be
           the
           ground
           of
           such
           a
           Distinction
           as
           we
           are
           now
           enquiring
           after
           .
           For
           when
           I
           say
           ,
           that
           God
           
           is
           Holy
           ,
           Wise
           ,
           or
           Powerful
           ,
           I
           only
           say
           that
           
             explicitly
             and
             in
             part
          
           ,
           which
           I
           said
           
             implicitly
             and
             in
             full
          
           ,
           when
           I
           pronounced
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           the
           meaning
           of
           such
           Propositions
           is
           no
           more
           but
           this
           ,
           That
           a
           Holy
           ,
           Wise
           ,
           Powerful
           Being
           ,
           of
           all
           other
           Infinite
           Perfections
           is
           Holy
           ,
           Wise
           ,
           Powerful
           ,
           &c.
           
           All
           which
           Perfections
           ,
           though
           considered
           separately
           under
           different
           Appearances
           by
           our
           imperfect
           Faculties
           ,
           being
           really
           but
           one
           simple
           Idea
           ,
           can
           be
           applyed
           to
           but
           one
           
             Single
             Person
          
           in
           the
           first
           sense
           of
           the
           word
           Person
           ,
           as
           it
           signifies
           a
           particular
           
             Intelligent
             Being
             ,
             Nature
          
           ,
           or
           Principle
           ;
           and
           that
           for
           the
           Reasons
           just
           now
           mentioned
           concerning
           the
           Conformity
           of
           Idea's
           with
           their
           Patterns
           .
        
         
           From
           whence
           it
           follows
           ,
           that
           according
           to
           the
           Notions
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           framing
           of
           Vnity
           and
           Distinction
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           particularly
           examined
           ,
           with
           Reference
           to
           the
           Holy
           Trinity
           ,
           all
           the
           
             Personal
             Distinction
          
           we
           can
           conceive
           in
           the
           Deity
           must
           be
           founded
           upon
           some
           Accessory
           Idea's
           Extrinsecal
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ;
           a
           certain
           Combination
           of
           which
           Idea's
           makes
           up
           the
           Second
           Notion
           signified
           by
           the
           word
           Person
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           we
           fairly
           and
           impartially
           Examine
           our
           own
           Thoughts
           upon
           this
           Subject
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           ,
           that
           ,
           when
           we
           name
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           we
           conceive
           the
           Idea
           of
           God
           so
           far
           as
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           conceiving
           it
           ,
           as
           Acting
           so
           and
           so
           ,
           under
           such
           Respects
           and
           Relations
           ;
           and
           when
           we
           name
           God
           
             the
             Son
          
           ,
           we
           conceive
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           same
           Idea
           of
           God
           over
           again
           under
           different
           Relations
           ;
           and
           so
           likewise
           of
           the
           Holy-Ghost
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           this
           be
           all
           that
           is
           meant
           by
           
             Trinity
             in
             Vnity
             ,
             Three
             Persons
             ,
             and
             One
             God
             ,
          
           where
           is
           that
           stupendious
           Mystery
           so
           much
           reverenced
           and
           adored
           by
           some
           ?
           What
           becomes
           of
           the
           great
           Difficulty
           and
           Obscurity
           complained
           of
           by
           others
           ?
           What
           is
           it
           that
           has
           puzled
           
           the
           Understandings
           ,
           and
           staggered
           the
           Faith
           of
           so
           many
           Learned
           and
           Inquisitive
           Men
           in
           all
           Ages
           since
           this
           Doctrine
           was
           first
           delivered
           ?
           This
           is
           an
           invincible
           Prejudice
           against
           the
           Account
           now
           given
           ,
           and
           indeed
           against
           any
           other
           Explication
           whatsoever
           that
           has
           nothing
           in
           it
           hard
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           or
           believed
           :
           For
           how
           can
           it
           be
           imagined
           that
           what
           has
           passed
           for
           a
           Mystery
           these
           Sixteen
           Hundred
           Years
           ,
           should
           now
           at
           last
           be
           comprehended
           as
           plainly
           as
           a
           common
           ordinary
           Notion
           ?
        
         
           But
           if
           this
           Account
           of
           the
           Trinity
           be
           too
           easie
           ,
           and
           falls
           far
           short
           of
           those
           High
           Expressions
           of
           Distinction
           found
           in
           Scripture
           (
           as
           I
           think
           it
           does
           )
           and
           no
           other
           grounded
           upon
           any
           Notions
           our
           Souls
           have
           framed
           of
           Vnity
           and
           Distinction
           can
           be
           true
           or
           consistent
           (
           as
           I
           have
           before
           particularly
           proved
           )
           then
           it
           necessarily
           follows
           ,
           that
           God
           must
           be
           
             One
             and
             Three
          
           in
           some
           way
           or
           manner
           not
           conceivable
           by
           Humane
           Understanding
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           we
           are
           to
           believe
           in
           this
           case
           is
           the
           Subject
           of
           my
           next
           Enquiry
           ;
           which
           I
           am
           perswaded
           may
           very
           easily
           and
           quickly
           be
           resolved
           :
           For
           if
           we
           are
           fully
           satisfied
           from
           Revelation
           ,
           that
           these
           Terms
           ,
           
             One
             and
             Three
          
           ,
           may
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           affirmed
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           not
           in
           any
           sense
           of
           the
           words
           we
           are
           
             here
             in
             this
             present
             state
          
           capable
           of
           conceiving
           .
           And
           moreover
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           true
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           already
           shewn
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           can
           believe
           a
           thing
           no
           farther
           than
           we
           understand
           the
           Terms
           in
           which
           it
           is
           proposed
           to
           us
           ;
           't
           is
           plain
           from
           hence
           that
           all
           we
           can
           possibly
           believe
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           the
           Trinity
           is
           ,
           That
           
             One
             and
             the
             same
             God
          
           is
           Three
           in
           some
           way
           or
           manner
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           comprehend
           .
           And
           if
           we
           are
           sure
           we
           cannot
           comprehend
           what
           this
           Distinction
           is
           whereby
           God
           is
           Three
           ,
           in
           vain
           do
           we
           look
           out
           for
           Terms
           to
           express
           something
           which
           we
           have
           no
           
           manner
           of
           Conception
           of
           .
           Whatever
           words
           we
           use
           ,
           whether
           
             Person
             ,
             Hypostasis
          
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           we
           can
           invent
           ,
           or
           Languages
           furnish
           us
           with
           ,
           they
           all
           signifie
           the
           same
           thing
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           some
           kind
           of
           Distinction
           we
           do
           not
           understand
           .
           And
           we
           may
           rack
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           tire
           our
           Imaginations
           ,
           and
           break
           all
           the
           Fibres
           of
           our
           Brain
           ,
           and
           yet
           never
           be
           able
           to
           deliver
           our selves
           clearer
           .
        
         
           All
           therefore
           that
           we
           can
           know
           of
           the
           Trinity
           by
           Reason
           ,
           can
           amount
           to
           no
           more
           than
           an
           
             Obscure
             confused
             Knowledge
          
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           forced
           to
           express
           in
           general
           and
           abstracted
           Terms
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           sure
           no
           other
           reach
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           though
           these
           are
           not
           sufficient
           to
           explain
           all
           we
           mean
           by
           them
           .
        
         
           Nor
           is
           this
           to
           be
           wonder'd
           at
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           have
           confused
           Notions
           of
           things
           which
           no
           particular
           Idea's
           our
           Minds
           are
           furnish'd
           with
           can
           render
           clearer
           to
           us
           :
           For
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           Degrees
           and
           Limits
           of
           our
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           take
           a
           strict
           Survey
           of
           our
           whole
           stock
           of
           Thoughts
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           there
           are
           very
           few
           things
           that
           we
           know
           fully
           and
           distinctly
           .
           Most
           of
           our
           Notions
           differ
           only
           as
           more
           or
           
             less
             confused
             ,
             more
             or
             less
             general
             .
          
           There
           is
           a
           certain
           Scale
           of
           Knowledge
           ,
           wherein
           every
           thing
           is
           so
           fitted
           and
           proportioned
           to
           our
           Faculties
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           descend
           below
           such
           a
           determinate
           pitch
           in
           our
           Conceptions
           or
           Explications
           of
           any
           Object
           proposed
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           instance
           ;
           suppose
           a
           Blind-Man
           has
           a
           desire
           to
           know
           what
           Colour
           is
           ;
           't
           is
           certain
           he
           can
           never
           form
           a
           true
           distinct
           Idea
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           yet
           he
           is
           capable
           of
           a
           general
           confused
           Knowledge
           ,
           which
           wants
           but
           one
           degree
           of
           Particularity
           to
           be
           clear
           and
           perfect
           Conception
           .
           He
           may
           know
           that
           Colour
           is
           not
           any
           Substance
           ,
           but
           some
           Mode
           or
           Determination
           which
           owes
           its
           Existence
           
           and
           Support
           to
           some
           other
           Being
           ;
           that
           it
           is
           not
           Extension
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           Accident
           or
           Quality
           perceivable
           by
           any
           of
           the
           Senses
           he
           enjoys
           :
           He
           may
           further
           be
           made
           to
           understand
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           some
           kind
           of
           Sensation
           ,
           produced
           by
           the
           impression
           of
           other
           Bodies
           upon
           that
           part
           of
           a
           Man's
           which
           is
           called
           
             the
             Eye
          
           ,
           which
           other
           Men
           perceive
           though
           he
           does
           not
           .
           Now
           't
           is
           plain
           that
           such
           a
           Man
           knows
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           Colour
           ,
           more
           by
           far
           than
           another
           Blind-Man
           who
           has
           not
           made
           the
           same
           Enquiries
           and
           Reflections
           about
           it
           ;
           and
           so
           much
           as
           will
           secure
           him
           from
           having
           any
           other
           Idea
           imposed
           upon
           him
           for
           that
           of
           Colour
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           distinguished
           and
           circumstantiated
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           ,
           should
           he
           now
           receive
           his
           sight
           ,
           he
           would
           presently
           acknowledge
           the
           marks
           before
           described
           to
           him
           .
           And
           yet
           after
           all
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           truly
           said
           ,
           while
           he
           continues
           blind
           ,
           he
           has
           no
           manner
           of
           Idea
           of
           Colour
           ,
           because
           he
           has
           no
           distinct
           Idea
           of
           that
           particular
           kind
           of
           Sensation
           to
           which
           his
           general
           Idea's
           are
           applyed
           .
           And
           therefore
           he
           can
           go
           no
           lower
           in
           his
           Explications
           of
           the
           Notion
           he
           has
           of
           Colour
           :
           For
           if
           he
           explains
           it
           by
           any
           Sensation
           which
           he
           receives
           from
           his
           other
           Senses
           ,
           the
           Idea's
           he
           has
           then
           in
           his
           Mind
           are
           indeed
           more
           particular
           and
           distinct
           ,
           but
           the
           Judgment
           he
           makes
           upon
           them
           must
           be
           utterly
           false
           ,
           whereas
           before
           ,
           his
           Knowledge
           was
           only
           general
           and
           confused
           ,
           but
           yet
           true
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           made
           choice
           of
           this
           plain
           ,
           familiar
           Instance
           of
           Sense
           ,
           to
           shew
           the
           unreasonableness
           of
           those
           who
           in
           higher
           Speculations
           complain
           that
           the
           terms
           brought
           to
           explain
           them
           are
           too
           
             general
             and
             abstracted
          
           ;
           and
           demand
           a
           further
           Explication
           of
           what
           we
           cannot
           possibly
           know
           beyond
           such
           a
           degree
           of
           Particularity
           ,
           which
           the
           Terms
           already
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           do
           express
           .
        
         
         
           In
           vain
           therefore
           ,
           and
           unjustly
           ,
           are
           we
           urged
           to
           explain
           the
           
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Trinity
          
           more
           particularly
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           brought
           it
           down
           to
           the
           utmost
           Particularity
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           conceiving
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           same
           time
           freely
           acknowledge
           ,
           we
           don't
           know
           it
           so
           distinctly
           as
           't
           is
           capable
           of
           being
           known
           .
        
         
           For
           then
           only
           is
           the
           Use
           of
           
             general
             abstracted
          
           Terms
           to
           be
           condemned
           ,
           either
           when
           the
           subject
           we
           are
           upon
           will
           admit
           of
           a
           more
           particular
           and
           sensible
           Explication
           ;
           or
           ,
           if
           it
           will
           not
           ,
           when
           by
           too
           much
           Refining
           and
           Abstracting
           ,
           we
           deceive
           our selves
           ,
           and
           think
           some
           Terms
           we
           have
           found
           out
           make
           the
           Thing
           clear
           to
           us
           ,
           tho'
           we
           have
           not
           really
           more
           distinct
           Conceptions
           of
           it
           than
           we
           had
           before
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           same
           time
           these
           very
           Terms
           make
           it
           more
           obscure
           and
           difficult
           to
           others
           .
           And
           this
           is
           what
           I
           remarked
           before
           as
           a
           Prejudice
           to
           be
           avoided
           in
           an
           impartial
           Search
           after
           Truth
           .
        
         
           But
           so
           long
           as
           we
           acknowledge
           we
           have
           only
           a
           
             general
             confused
             Notion
          
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           or
           such
           a
           
             Three-fold
             Distinction
             in
             the
             Godhead
          
           ,
           as
           is
           consistent
           with
           the
           
             unity
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
          
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           allowed
           to
           explain
           this
           Notion
           in
           
             general
             abstracted
             Terms
          
           ;
           because
           we
           lay
           no
           greater
           a
           Stress
           upon
           the
           Terms
           than
           they
           will
           truly
           bear
           ,
           and
           require
           only
           a
           Faith
           proportionate
           to
           our
           Knowledge
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           a
           
             general
             confused
             Faith
          
           ,
           which
           we
           expect
           a
           clearer
           and
           more
           distinct
           Revelation
           of
           hereafter
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           I
           have
           dispatched
           the
           first
           Branch
           of
           my
           Discourse
           ,
           wherein
           I
           proposed
           to
           consider
           how
           far
           't
           was
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           believe
           a
           Trinity
           .
        
         
           II.
           I
           come
           now
           to
           my
           Second
           General
           Enquiry
           ,
           viz.
           What
           it
           is
           the
           Scripture
           requires
           us
           to
           believe
           in
           
           this
           Matter
           ?
           For
           a
           distinct
           Resolution
           of
           which
           Question
           ,
           I
           shall
           observe
           the
           following
           Method
           :
        
         
           
             First
             ,
             I
             shall
             barely
             and
             positively
             lay
             down
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Trinity
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             I
             judge
             it
             expresly
             contained
             in
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             I
             shall
             endeavour
             to
             prove
             the
             Truth
             of
             what
             I
             assert
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             I
             shall
             consider
             the
             particular
             Additional
             Explications
             that
             have
             or
             may
             be
             given
             of
             the
             Scripture-Account
             of
             this
             Article
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           speaking
           to
           the
           First
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           allowed
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           such
           Proposition
           as
           this
           ,
           That
           
             One
             and
             the
             same
             God
             is
             Three
             different
             Persons
             formally
             ,
          
           and
           
             in
             Terms
          
           ,
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Sacred
           Writings
           either
           of
           the
           Old
           or
           
             New
             Testament
          
           :
           Neither
           is
           it
           pretended
           that
           there
           is
           any
           Word
           of
           the
           same
           Signification
           or
           Importance
           with
           the
           Word
           Trinity
           ,
           used
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           with
           relation
           to
           God.
           There
           is
           one
           Text
           which
           plainly
           enough
           affirms
           ,
           without
           the
           help
           of
           Inference
           or
           Deduction
           ,
           that
           
             God
             is
             Three
             and
             One
          
           :
           But
           this
           being
           a
           disputed
           Passage
           ,
           and
           no
           where
           else
           repeated
           in
           the
           same
           or
           the
           like
           Terms
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           insist
           upon
           it
           .
           Nor
           do
           I
           think
           such
           a
           Trinity
           as
           we
           profess
           to
           believe
           ,
           stands
           much
           in
           need
           of
           the
           Support
           of
           this
           Text
           ;
           the
           Matter
           and
           subject
           of
           our
           Faith
           in
           this
           Point
           being
           frequently
           ,
           largely
           ,
           and
           circumstantially
           mentioned
           ;
           and
           ,
           as
           it
           appears
           to
           me
           ,
           interwoven
           into
           the
           very
           Design
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Summ
           of
           all
           that
           the
           Scriptures
           plainly
           and
           expresly
           teach
           concerning
           a
           Trinity
           ,
           is
           this
           :
           That
           there
           is
           but
           
             One
             only
             God
          
           ,
           the
           Author
           and
           Maker
           of
           All
           Things
           ;
           but
           that
           
             One
             God
          
           ought
           to
           be
           acknowledged
           
           and
           adored
           by
           us
           ,
           under
           those
           
             Three
             different
             Titles
          
           or
           Characters
           of
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           .
           Which
           Terms
           ,
           whatever
           they
           signifie
           ,
           according
           to
           my
           Judgment
           ,
           upon
           a
           fair
           and
           impartial
           Consideration
           of
           all
           Circumstances
           that
           can
           determine
           their
           Sense
           ,
           are
           evidently
           applied
           to
           God
           in
           many
           Places
           of
           Holy
           Writ
           ;
           and
           consequently
           are
           truly
           and
           properly
           applicable
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Proof
           of
           which
           Assertion
           is
           the
           Second
           Thing
           I
           undertook
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           I
           find
           my self
           forestalled
           by
           the
           successful
           Endeavours
           of
           a
           great
           many
           Learned
           Men
           ,
           who
           have
           carefully
           and
           nicely
           examined
           every
           Text
           that
           can
           be
           brought
           ,
           either
           for
           the
           Establishment
           ,
           or
           Confutation
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           therefore
           trouble
           my
           Reader
           with
           a
           particular
           detail
           of
           all
           their
           Arguments
           ;
           but
           only
           acquaint
           him
           truly
           and
           fairly
           what
           were
           the
           chief
           Motives
           which
           influenced
           and
           disposed
           me
           to
           make
           such
           a
           Judgment
           as
           I
           have
           ,
           just
           before
           ,
           declared
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Reasons
           which
           determined
           my
           Opinion
           in
           this
           Matter
           ,
           were
           such
           as
           freely
           offered
           themselves
           upon
           an
           unprejudiced
           reading
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           considering
           the
           Design
           ,
           Connexion
           ,
           and
           Analogy
           of
           those
           Writings
           :
           And
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           believe
           ,
           if
           any
           Man
           else
           took
           the
           same
           Method
           ,
           and
           considered
           Things
           togegether
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           in
           loose
           Texts
           and
           Passages
           ,
           the
           first
           Result
           of
           his
           Thoughts
           would
           be
           the
           same
           ,
           viz.
           These
           Terms
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           must
           all
           be
           so
           understood
           ,
           as
           to
           include
           the
           same
           God
           in
           their
           Signification
           ;
           and
           that
           any
           other
           Sense
           or
           Explication
           of
           the
           Words
           ,
           would
           be
           attended
           with
           greater
           Difficulties
           .
        
         
         
           But
           this
           being
           a
           Reflexion
           which
           is
           founded
           upon
           the
           Agreement
           and
           Coherence
           of
           all
           the
           Parts
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           't
           would
           be
           a
           very
           improper
           and
           ineffectual
           Design
           to
           go
           about
           to
           confirm
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           from
           some
           particular
           Passages
           .
           Omitting
           therefore
           all
           those
           Texts
           ,
           which
           are
           a
           great
           many
           ,
           where
           any
           of
           these
           Terms
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           or
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           appear
           to
           be
           directly
           affirmed
           of
           God
           ,
           according
           to
           a
           fair
           Construction
           of
           the
           Words
           ,
           I
           shall
           only
           observe
           Two
           or
           Three
           Passages
           from
           the
           History
           of
           our
           Saviour
           and
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           ,
           to
           my
           Apprehension
           ,
           do
           as
           strongly
           prove
           what
           I
           have
           advanced
           as
           the
           most
           formal
           Expressions
           ,
           and
           are
           less
           liable
           to
           be
           perverted
           by
           the
           Criticisms
           of
           Language
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           Observation
           I
           have
           to
           make
           ,
           concerns
           the
           common
           Forms
           of
           
             Baptism
             ,
             Salutation
          
           ,
           and
           Blessing
           ,
           used
           in
           several
           Places
           of
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           .
        
         
           Now
           these
           are
           Matters
           no
           way
           controverted
           :
           That
           our
           Saviour
           commanded
           his
           Disciples
           
             to
             go
             and
             teach
             all
             Nations
             ,
             baptizing
             them
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             Son
             ,
             and
             Holy
             Ghost
             .
          
           That
           St.
           Paul
           makes
           use
           of
           such
           Salutations
           as
           these
           :
           
             The
             Lord
             be
             with
             you
             ;
             The
             Grace
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             be
             with
             you
             all
             ;
             Grace
             be
             to
             you
             ,
             and
             Peace
             from
             God
             the
             Father
             ,
             and
             from
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             :
          
           And
           particularly
           closes
           his
           Second
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Corinthians
           with
           this
           〈◊〉
           and
           fuller
           Blessing
           ;
           
             The
             Grace
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Communion
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             be
             with
             you
             all
             .
          
           From
           whence
           I
           infer
           ,
           that
           all
           these
           Terms
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           signifie
           God
           ;
           because
           I
           cannot
           possibly
           conceive
           't
           is
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           that
           the
           Ministers
           of
           it
           should
           
             Teach
             ,
             Baptize
          
           ,
           or
           Bless
           the
           People
           in
           any
           other
           Name
           but
           God's
           .
        
         
         
           It
           cannot
           be
           imagined
           but
           the
           People
           must
           equally
           believe
           in
           those
           ,
           in
           whose
           Names
           they
           are
           Baptized
           or
           Bless'd
           :
           They
           must
           believe
           that
           those
           ,
           who
           are
           call'd
           upon
           to
           bestow
           Graces
           and
           Blessings
           upon
           them
           ,
           are
           able
           to
           give
           what
           they
           are
           called
           upon
           for
           .
           And
           whatever
           is
           meant
           by
           
             Baptizing
             in
             the
             Name
          
           of
           the
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           it
           seems
           very
           plain
           that
           these
           Three
           are
           all
           equally
           concerned
           in
           what
           's
           done
           in
           that
           Sacrament
           .
           Whether
           by
           this
           Form
           of
           Baptism
           be
           signified
           on
           the
           Minister's
           Part
           ,
           the
           Authority
           or
           Commission
           by
           which
           he
           acts
           in
           his
           Administration
           ;
           or
           whether
           on
           the
           Part
           of
           the
           Person
           baptized
           ,
           be
           meant
           any
           Acknowledgment
           or
           
             Confession
             ,
             Submission
          
           or
           Dedication
           of
           himself
           ;
           or
           whether
           this
           Phrase
           
             in
             the
             Name
          
           ,
           or
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Greek
           ,
           
             into
             the
             Name
          
           ,
           does
           imply
           all
           this
           ,
           and
           more
           ,
           the
           whole
           Force
           and
           Importance
           of
           the
           Expression
           ,
           does
           in
           the
           same
           Extent
           belong
           to
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           .
           The
           Power
           and
           Authority
           here
           received
           ,
           is
           derived
           from
           all
           Three
           :
           They
           are
           all
           to
           be
           acknowledged
           as
           
             Authors
             of
             our
             Salvation
          
           ;
           all
           infallible
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           believed
           in
           what
           they
           Teach
           ;
           have
           all
           the
           same
           Title
           to
           our
           Submission
           and
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           are
           Joint-Parties
           in
           that
           Covenant
           we
           make
           in
           Baptism
           .
        
         
           The
           Inference
           from
           hence
           is
           very
           Plain
           and
           Easie
           :
           That
           if
           
             any
             one
          
           of
           these
           Terms
           signifie
           God
           ,
           they
           must
           
             all
             Three
          
           signifie
           God
           ;
           and
           if
           all
           Three
           signifie
           God
           ,
           they
           must
           all
           Three
           signifie
           
             one
             and
             the
             same
             God
          
           ;
           for
           God
           is
           but
           One.
           Now
           that
           the
           
             One
             Supreme
             God
          
           ,
           the
           Lord
           and
           Maker
           of
           All
           Things
           ,
           is
           here
           meant
           by
           the
           Word
           Father
           ,
           is
           a
           Thing
           not
           questioned
           ;
           and
           therefore
           Son
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           are
           Terms
           expressive
           of
           the
           same
           
             Divine
             Nature
          
           .
        
         
           Should
           we
           but
           suppose
           the
           contrary
           ,
           That
           by
           Son
           was
           meant
           only
           a
           
             meer
             Man
          
           ,
           or
           some
           
             Heavenly
             Being
             ,
             
             of
             highest
             Rank
             under
             God
          
           ;
           and
           by
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           was
           signified
           only
           some
           
             created
             Spirit
             ,
             inferior
          
           to
           the
           Son
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Power
             ,
             Efficacy
             ,
             Love
             ,
             Favour
             ,
          
           or
           Vertue
           of
           God
           how
           strange
           would
           such
           a
           Form
           of
           Baptism
           appear
           ?
           
             I
             Baptize
             thee
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             God
             ,
             Peter
             the
             Apostle
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Power
           or
           
             Love
             of
             God
          
           ;
           or
           ,
           
             I
             Baptize
             thee
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             God
             ,
             Michael
             the
             Archangel
             ,
          
           and
           
             Raphael
             a
             Ministring
             Spirit
          
           .
           There
           needs
           no
           more
           but
           a
           bare
           Mention
           of
           such
           an
           Exposition
           to
           shew
           the
           Falshood
           of
           it
           :
           What
           absurd
           Consequences
           may
           be
           drawn
           from
           it
           ,
           I
           shall
           leave
           to
           every
           Man
           's
           particular
           Reflexion
           .
        
         
           Another
           Thing
           which
           mightily
           confirmed
           me
           in
           this
           Belief
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           so
           often
           named
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           are
           
             One
             and
             the
             same
             God
          
           ,
           under
           those
           
             Three
             different
             Appellations
          
           ,
           was
           this
           ,
           That
           the
           Son
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           same
           with
           him
           that
           is
           in
           other
           Places
           called
           
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           and
           
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           only
           Jesus
           ,
           or
           Christ
           ,
           was
           worship'd
           with
           a
           
             Religious
             Worship
          
           by
           those
           that
           followed
           him
           and
           embraced
           his
           Gospel
           :
           For
           if
           he
           that
           was
           called
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           or
           Christ
           ,
           was
           thus
           to
           be
           worship'd
           ,
           it
           plainly
           and
           evidently
           follows
           from
           hence
           ,
           according
           to
           all
           the
           Notions
           we
           have
           of
           God
           and
           Religion
           ,
           either
           from
           Nature
           or
           Revelation
           ,
           that
           the
           Son
           was
           also
           God
           ,
           the
           
             same
             true
             and
             only
             God
          
           with
           the
           Father
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           the
           Son
           be
           allowed
           to
           be
           God
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Father
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           easily
           admitted
           that
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           is
           so
           too
           ,
           who
           appears
           in
           Scripture
           invested
           with
           all
           the
           same
           Characters
           of
           Divinity
           :
           For
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           are
           as
           consistent
           with
           the
           Vnity
           of
           the
           Godhead
           ,
           as
           Father
           and
           Son
           only
           ;
           and
           besides
           ,
           there
           's
           greater
           difficulty
           in
           conceiving
           the
           Son
           to
           be
           God
           ,
           than
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           because
           of
           his
           
             Humane
             Nature
          
           .
           But
           
           that
           he
           was
           
             God
             manifest
             in
             the
             Flesh
          
           ,
           is
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           apparent
           from
           the
           
             divine
             Worship
          
           that
           was
           pay'd
           to
           him
           :
           For
           that
           God
           only
           is
           to
           be
           worship'd
           ,
           is
           an
           evident
           Principle
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           an
           indispensable
           Duty
           ;
           and
           I
           can
           as
           soon
           believe
           a
           thing
           
             to
             be
          
           ,
           and
           
             not
             to
             be
          
           ,
           as
           that
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           
             not
             God
          
           should
           be
           worshipped
           as
           God.
           
        
         
           Now
           that
           Christ
           received
           the
           Honour
           and
           Worship
           due
           to
           God
           only
           ,
           is
           plain
           from
           abundance
           of
           Places
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           where
           we
           find
           he
           was
           not
           only
           adored
           with
           all
           the
           outward
           
             Expressions
             of
             Reverence
          
           and
           Devotion
           ,
           but
           confess'd
           and
           acknowledged
           to
           be
           God
           by
           an
           Application
           of
           the
           
             Divine
             Attributes
          
           to
           him
           ,
           such
           as
           agree
           only
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           are
           incommunicable
           to
           any
           other
           ,
           as
           might
           be
           proved
           at
           large
           if
           it
           had
           not
           been
           done
           already
           :
           But
           this
           being
           fully
           insisted
           upon
           by
           others
           ,
           I
           shall
           only
           name
           Two
           Passages
           to
           this
           Purpose
           ;
           the
           one
           ,
           Phil.
           4.
           13.
           the
           other
           ,
           Act.
           7.
           59.
           which
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           no
           other
           ,
           are
           of
           themselves
           sufficient
           to
           shew
           what
           the
           Faith
           of
           the
           first
           Christians
           was
           :
           For
           who
           ,
           but
           one
           that
           believed
           that
           Christ
           was
           God
           ,
           could
           say
           with
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
             I
             can
             do
             all
             things
             through
             Christ
             that
             strengthneth
             me
          
           ;
           or
           ,
           with
           St.
           Stephen
           ,
           at
           the
           instant
           of
           Death
           ,
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             Lord
             Jesus
             receive
             my
             Spirit
          
           .
        
         
           From
           these
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           Texts
           ,
           it
           seems
           plain
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           Christ
           was
           worshipped
           ,
           and
           acknowledged
           as
           God
           ;
           and
           that
           therefore
           he
           ought
           so
           to
           be
           worshipped
           ,
           and
           acknowledged
           ,
           we
           have
           all
           the
           same
           Reasons
           to
           believe
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           that
           the
           Scriptures
           are
           True
           ;
           the
           Establishment
           of
           a
           False
           Worship
           being
           a
           thorough
           Disproof
           of
           the
           Authority
           that
           Commands
           it
           .
        
         
           Supposing
           therefore
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           there
           's
           no
           way
           of
           eluding
           this
           Argument
           ,
           but
           by
           giving
           
           another
           Interpretation
           to
           all
           those
           Places
           which
           seem
           to
           ascribe
           divine
           Honour
           to
           Christ
           ;
           which
           can
           no
           otherwise
           be
           done
           ,
           than
           by
           framing
           a
           particular
           Dialect
           for
           this
           Purpose
           ,
           and
           giving
           new
           Significations
           to
           Words
           ,
           when
           applied
           to
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           which
           they
           never
           had
           before
           ,
           when
           used
           upon
           other
           Occasions
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           enter
           upon
           a
           particular
           Proof
           of
           this
           ,
           but
           pass
           on
           to
        
         
           Another
           Argument
           I
           observ'd
           from
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           gave
           me
           further
           Assurance
           of
           the
           Divinity
           of
           the
           Son
           ,
           and
           consequently
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           whole
           Proposition
           before
           advanced
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           The
           Character
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           considered
           
             meerly
             as
             a
             Man.
          
           Now
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Man
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ,
           the
           
             Son
             of
             David
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Flesh
             ,
          
           is
           represented
           by
           all
           the
           Evangelists
           ,
           as
           having
           his
           Conversation
           in
           this
           World
           with
           all
           Lowliness
           ,
           and
           Humility
           ,
           and
           with
           perfect
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           Unblameableness
           of
           Life
           .
           And
           it
           is
           not
           imaginable
           ,
           that
           a
           Person
           of
           this
           Character
           should
           have
           suffered
           any
           Titles
           to
           have
           been
           given
           him
           ,
           any
           Honour
           or
           Respect
           to
           have
           been
           pay'd
           him
           ,
           which
           were
           not
           strictly
           and
           indispensably
           due
           to
           him
           ;
           much
           less
           have
           taken
           the
           Honour
           and
           Worship
           ,
           peculiar
           to
           God
           only
           ,
           to
           himself
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           been
           infallibly
           conscious
           that
           of
           a
           Truth
           God
           dwelt
           in
           him
           .
           I
           cannot
           possibly
           conceive
           that
           one
           ,
           who
           declined
           all
           Appearance
           of
           Grandeur
           ,
           Dominion
           ,
           and
           Authority
           ,
           should
           have
           allowed
           of
           any
           thing
           that
           look'd
           like
           Worship
           ,
           or
           Adoration
           ,
           or
           might
           have
           been
           mistaken
           for
           it
           ;
           or
           that
           he
           ,
           who
           knew
           he
           was
           believed
           to
           be
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           Sense
           which
           some
           thought
           Blasphemy
           ,
           would
           not
           have
           undeceived
           his
           Followers
           ,
           and
           justified
           himself
           to
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           had
           he
           not
           really
           been
           what
           't
           was
           Blasphemy
           to
           have
           pretended
           to
           be
           ,
           if
           he
           were
           not
           .
        
         
         
           I
           might
           easily
           pursue
           these
           Reflections
           a
           great
           deal
           further
           ,
           and
           bring
           more
           Arguments
           to
           confirm
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           I
           have
           asserted
           ,
           that
           these
           Names
           or
           Titles
           of
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           are
           applyed
           in
           Scripture
           to
           the
           
             One
             True
             God
          
           ;
           but
           I
           judge
           it
           altogether
           unnecessary
           ,
           not
           only
           because
           it
           has
           been
           fully
           made
           out
           already
           in
           several
           set
           Discourses
           upon
           this
           Subject
           ,
           but
           because
           it
           is
           so
           plainly
           and
           expresly
           revealed
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           verily
           perswaded
           every
           Man
           that
           reads
           would
           believe
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           the
           additional
           Explications
           such
           a
           Belief
           is
           charged
           with
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Which
           is
           the
           next
           thing
           to
           be
           considered
           :
           And
           indeed
           here
           lyes
           the
           whole
           difficulty
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           the
           main
           stress
           of
           the
           Controversie
           .
           For
           that
           God
           should
           be
           called
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           is
           as
           easily
           to
           be
           believed
           ,
           as
           that
           he
           should
           be
           called
           
             Adonai
             ,
             Elohim
          
           ,
           and
           Jehovah
           ;
           That
           the
           same
           thing
           should
           be
           signified
           and
           expressed
           by
           several
           names
           ,
           is
           no
           such
           incredible
           Mystery
           :
           But
           if
           we
           allow
           that
           these
           Terms
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           are
           all
           applyed
           to
           God
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           thought
           sufficient
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           these
           are
           three
           several
           Names
           which
           signifie
           God
           ;
           but
           we
           are
           further
           required
           to
           believe
           that
           
             God
             is
             One
             and
             Three
             ,
             the
             same
             God
             ,
             but
             three
             different
             Hypostases
             or
             Persons
          
           ;
           And
           that
           
             one
             of
             these
             three
             Hypostases
             or
             Persons
             ,
             is
             both
             God
             and
             Man.
          
           These
           are
           the
           hard
           sayings
           which
           puzzles
           some
           Mens
           Understandings
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           chuse
           rather
           to
           wrest
           and
           pervert
           the
           plainest
           Texts
           ,
           than
           admit
           such
           seemingly
           inconsistent
           Consequences
           .
        
         
           Here
           therefore
           I
           shall
           Examine
           ,
           what
           grounds
           there
           are
           in
           Scripture
           for
           such
           an
           Exposition
           :
        
         
           And
           what
           we
           are
           obliged
           from
           thence
           to
           believe
           when
           we
           express
           our
           Faith
           in
           this
           particular
           manner
           .
        
         
         
           First
           then
           ,
           as
           to
           these
           forms
           of
           Expression
           ,
           That
           
             God
             is
             One
             and
             Three
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           It
           is
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           that
           these
           Names
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           are
           applyed
           to
           God
           in
           Scripture
           in
           a
           different
           way
           from
           what
           any
           of
           his
           other
           Names
           are
           :
           For
           the
           other
           Names
           of
           God
           signifie
           only
           
             Partial
             Conceptions
          
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           such
           as
           Self-Existence
           ,
           Power
           ,
           &c.
           and
           are
           all
           contained
           within
           the
           same
           Idea
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           so
           are
           indifferently
           used
           upon
           any
           occasion
           to
           express
           the
           whole
           Idea
           of
           God
           to
           which
           they
           belong
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           same
           under
           every
           denomination
           .
           These
           therefore
           cannot
           be
           the
           Foundation
           of
           any
           distinction
           in
           the
           Godhead
           :
           But
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           way
           of
           conceiving
           things
           ,
           signifie
           something
           
             Extrinsecal
             and
             Accessory
          
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           we
           know
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           by
           reason
           ,
           the
           whole
           Idea
           of
           God
           being
           conceived
           as
           full
           and
           compleat
           before
           the
           application
           of
           these
           terms
           ;
           And
           though
           all
           of
           them
           are
           separately
           and
           together
           affirmed
           of
           God
           ,
           yet
           each
           of
           them
           in
           so
           peculiar
           a
           manner
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           several
           occasions
           where
           when
           one
           of
           these
           terms
           is
           used
           with
           relation
           to
           God
           ,
           't
           would
           be
           improper
           to
           use
           either
           of
           the
           other
           .
           From
           whence
           it
           follows
           ,
           that
           these
           three
           Names
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           must
           denote
           a
           
             three-fold
             difference
          
           or
           distinction
           belonging
           to
           God
           ;
           but
           such
           as
           is
           consistent
           with
           the
           Vnity
           and
           Simplicity
           of
           the
           
             Divine
             Nature
          
           .
           For
           each
           of
           these
           Names
           includes
           the
           whole
           Idea
           we
           have
           of
           God
           and
           something
           more
           ;
           so
           far
           as
           they
           express
           the
           Nature
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           all
           adequately
           and
           exactly
           signifie
           the
           same
           ;
           't
           is
           the
           additional
           signification
           which
           makes
           all
           the
           distinction
           betwixt
           them
           .
        
         
           What
           
             particular
             kind
          
           or
           
             manner
             of
             distinction
          
           this
           is
           ,
           is
           not
           expressed
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           but
           since
           the
           Church
           has
           
           thought
           fit
           to
           assign
           a
           Name
           for
           it
           ,
           that
           of
           Person
           seems
           to
           me
           as
           proper
           and
           agreeable
           to
           the
           whole
           Tenor
           and
           Design
           of
           the
           Holy
           Writings
           ,
           as
           any
           other
           that
           could
           have
           been
           chosen
           for
           that
           purpose
           .
           For
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           whether
           we
           consider
           the
           Primitive
           sense
           and
           intention
           of
           the
           words
           ,
           the
           general
           and
           constant
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           the
           particular
           Connexion
           and
           Circumstances
           in
           which
           they
           are
           mentioned
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           have
           plainly
           a
           
             Personal
             Signification
          
           ;
           each
           of
           them
           ,
           without
           any
           figure
           of
           Speech
           ,
           being
           determined
           to
           signifie
           
             some
             intelligent
             Being
          
           Acting
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           is
           there
           related
           .
        
         
           There
           needs
           no
           Proof
           of
           this
           ,
           the
           plain
           distinction
           of
           Persons
           imported
           by
           those
           Terms
           being
           the
           chief
           Argument
           made
           use
           of
           to
           shew
           that
           they
           cannot
           all
           be
           applied
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           must
           necessarily
           signifie
           
             Three
             distinct
             Beings
          
           :
           But
           that
           they
           are
           all
           applyed
           to
           God
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           has
           been
           proved
           already
           ;
           And
           therefore
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           may
           be
           considered
           as
           Persons
           or
           
             Personal
             Characters
          
           ,
           which
           do
           not
           imply
           any
           
             distinction
             of
             Being
          
           or
           Nature
           .
        
         
           The
           Greeks
           are
           supposed
           to
           have
           meant
           the
           same
           by
           Hypostases
           as
           we
           do
           by
           Person
           ;
           this
           word
           being
           sometimes
           the
           very
           Translation
           of
           the
           other
           ;
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           there
           's
           the
           same
           ground
           for
           the
           use
           of
           both
           :
           But
           if
           they
           meant
           any
           thing
           else
           ,
           they
           could
           hardly
           have
           so
           good
           Warrant
           for
           it
           from
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           that
           one
           of
           these
           Persons
           or
           Hypostases
           should
           be
           
             both
             God
             and
             Man
          
           ,
           there
           is
           this
           Foundation
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           for
           .
           He
           who
           is
           there
           called
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           did
           certainly
           appear
           in
           the
           
             likeness
             of
             Men
          
           ,
           being
           in
           all
           respects
           ,
           Sin
           only
           excepted
           ,
           truly
           and
           properly
           Man
           ;
           as
           his
           
             Birth
             ,
             Necessities
             ,
             Sufferings
          
           ,
           and
           Death
           sufficiently
           testifie
           .
           'T
           is
           certain
           also
           that
           the
           same
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           
           who
           was
           called
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           and
           was
           made
           in
           
             the
             likeness
             of
             Man
          
           ,
           is
           affirmed
           by
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           Phil.
           3.
           7
           ,
           8.
           to
           have
           been
           in
           the
           
             form
             of
             God
          
           ,
           when
           he
           took
           the
           Nature
           of
           
             Man
             upon
             him
          
           .
        
         
           But
           besides
           this
           and
           many
           other
           Texts
           to
           the
           same
           effect
           ,
           't
           is
           plain
           ,
           from
           what
           before
           has
           been
           proved
           ,
           that
           God
           did
           suffer
           himself
           to
           be
           worshipped
           and
           adored
           in
           and
           by
           the
           Man
           Christ
           Jesus
           :
           The
           least
           that
           can
           be
           inferred
           from
           which
           is
           ,
           that
           God
           was
           more
           immediately
           and
           peculiarly
           
             present
             in
             Christ
          
           ,
           than
           ever
           he
           is
           said
           to
           have
           been
           any
           where
           else
           :
           As
           in
           the
           
             Heavens
             ,
             Jewish
             Temple
             ,
             between
             the
             Cherubims
             ,
          
           in
           Prophets
           and
           
             Holy
             Men
          
           ,
           who
           spake
           as
           they
           were
           moved
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God.
           What
           created
           Object
           was
           ever
           allowed
           to
           intercept
           the
           Worship
           paid
           to
           God
           ,
           or
           share
           with
           him
           in
           it
           ?
           Were
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           the
           Temple
           ,
           the
           Cherubim
           or
           Prophets
           to
           be
           adored
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           has
           not
           God
           taken
           a
           particular
           care
           to
           preserve
           Men
           from
           Idolatry
           ,
           by
           forbidding
           them
           to
           Worship
           him
           in
           or
           by
           any
           sensible
           Representation
           ?
           Did
           not
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           who
           worship'd
           Christ
           ,
           forbid
           others
           to
           Worship
           Men
           of
           like
           Passions
           with
           
           themselves
           ,
           commanding
           them
           to
           direct
           all
           their
           Devotion
           to
           the
           Living
           God
           ,
           who
           made
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ?
           How
           then
           can
           we
           suppose
           that
           Christ
           was
           only
           a
           
             meer
             Man
          
           ,
           or
           some
           other
           Creature
           ,
           and
           not
           rather
           believe
           that
           he
           had
           the
           
             Fulness
             of
             the
             Godhead
          
           dwelling
           in
           him
           bodily
           ?
        
         
           But
           here
           it
           is
           Objected
           ;
           How
           can
           God
           and
           Man
           be
           united
           ?
           And
           to
           this
           I
           must
           fairly
           Answer
           ,
           that
           I
           cannot
           tell
           .
           I
           have
           confessed
           already
           in
           the
           Account
           I
           have
           given
           of
           those
           Notions
           of
           Vnity
           and
           Distinction
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           not
           any
           just
           or
           distinct
           Conceptions
           of
           the
           Vnion
           of
           
             Spiritual
             Beings
          
           ,
           either
           
             with
             Bodies
          
           ,
           or
           with
           
             one
             another
          
           :
           But
           this
           I
           will
           venture
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           I
           can
           as
           well
           
           conceive
           
             God
             and
             Man
          
           together
           
             under
             one
             Idea
          
           ,
           at
           one
           view
           ,
           as
           I
           can
           conceive
           a
           Soul
           and
           Body
           so
           united
           .
        
         
           All
           that
           I
           know
           of
           the
           
             Vnion
             of
             Soul
             and
             Body
          
           is
           ;
           that
           there
           is
           some
           Intelligent
           Power
           that
           makes
           use
           of
           the
           Organs
           of
           my
           Body
           ,
           and
           Acts
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           Motions
           there
           produced
           .
           And
           I
           may
           as
           well
           consider
           God
           united
           to
           Man
           ,
           when
           he
           so
           Acts
           by
           the
           Ministry
           and
           Operation
           of
           Man
           ,
           that
           the
           Actions
           of
           God
           seem
           conveyed
           to
           us
           the
           same
           way
           as
           the
           Actions
           of
           one
           Man
           are
           to
           another
           .
           Had
           those
           who
           upon
           some
           occasions
           spake
           by
           the
           extraordinary
           Assistance
           of
           a
           Divine
           Power
           been
           constantly
           so
           directed
           ,
           and
           assisted
           ,
           how
           would
           they
           have
           distinguished
           the
           
             Motions
             of
             their
             Souls
          
           from
           the
           
             Impressions
             of
             God
          
           ?
           And
           why
           then
           should
           not
           we
           think
           such
           an
           
             Extraordinary
             Power
          
           as
           this
           as
           much
           united
           to
           such
           Men
           ,
           as
           that
           
             Common
             ordinary
             Power
          
           we
           call
           the
           Soul
           is
           to
           those
           Bodies
           in
           which
           it
           acts
           and
           exerts
           it self
           ?
        
         
           Some
           have
           been
           of
           Opinion
           ,
           that
           what
           we
           call
           the
           Soul
           ,
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           
             constant
             regular
             Inspiration
          
           ,
           or
           a
           determinate
           Concurrence
           of
           God
           Almighty
           with
           such
           and
           such
           Motions
           and
           Capacities
           of
           Matter
           :
           But
           whether
           this
           be
           so
           or
           no
           ,
           as
           most
           probably
           it
           is
           not
           ,
           it
           seems
           to
           me
           very
           plain
           from
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           Power
           which
           we
           ascribe
           to
           God
           ,
           did
           as
           Constantly
           and
           Regularly
           Act
           in
           and
           through
           Christ
           ,
           as
           the
           Human
           Soul
           is
           perceived
           to
           do
           in
           any
           other
           Man
           :
           As
           appears
           from
           his
           absolute
           security
           from
           all
           manner
           of
           Sin
           and
           Error
           ,
           from
           his
           constant
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Thoughts
           and
           Designs
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           Will
           and
           Decrees
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           from
           his
           Readiness
           and
           Ability
           to
           work
           Miracles
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           and
           upon
           any
           occasion
           .
           All
           which
           are
           manifest
           Tokens
           of
           an
           uninterrupted
           Presence
           and
           Concurrence
           of
           the
           Deity
           :
           Especially
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           Calmness
           and
           
           Evenness
           of
           Spirit
           observable
           in
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           entirely
           free
           from
           all
           the
           transports
           of
           over-ruling
           Impressions
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           further
           Argument
           that
           he
           did
           not
           receive
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           
             at
             times
          
           ,
           or
           
             by
             measure
          
           ;
           but
           was
           as
           conscious
           of
           all
           the
           Divine
           Perfections
           in
           himself
           as
           a
           Man
           is
           conscious
           of
           his
           own
           Thoughts
           .
        
         
           Such
           are
           the
           Grounds
           we
           find
           in
           Scripture
           for
           those
           particular
           Explications
           of
           the
           Trinity
           before-mentioned
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           Enquire
           what
           the
           Scriptures
           necessarily
           oblige
           us
           to
           believe
           in
           this
           Point
           .
        
         
           But
           before
           this
           Question
           can
           be
           resolved
           ,
           there
           are
           two
           things
           to
           be
           premised
           :
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           whatever
           Articles
           of
           Faith
           are
           absolutely
           necessary
           to
           Salvation
           ,
           all
           Persons
           of
           every
           Rank
           and
           Condition
           are
           equally
           obliged
           to
           believe
           them
           .
           There
           is
           not
           one
           Religion
           for
           the
           Peasant
           ,
           and
           another
           for
           the
           Scholar
           :
           We
           have
           the
           same
           general
           Rule
           to
           walk
           by
           ,
           though
           particular
           Obligations
           may
           be
           greater
           or
           lesser
           ,
           fewer
           or
           more
           ,
           according
           to
           different
           Circumstances
           and
           Relations
           .
           And
           whatever
           Principles
           and
           Duties
           are
           of
           general
           Necessity
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           so
           plainly
           revealed
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           easily
           understood
           by
           ordinary
           Capacities
           upon
           a
           fair
           and
           careful
           Examination
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           in
           order
           to
           this
           end
           it
           seems
           to
           have
           been
           the
           Design
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           to
           represent
           God
           in
           a
           
             sensible
             manner
          
           ;
           though
           at
           the
           same
           time
           they
           take
           care
           to
           assure
           us
           that
           God
           is
           in
           his
           own
           Nature
           a
           Being
           of
           different
           Perfections
           not
           conceivable
           by
           Human
           Understanding
           :
           And
           is
           thus
           represented
           only
           in
           condescention
           to
           our
           weakness
           ,
           for
           the
           help
           and
           assistance
           of
           our
           Devotion
           .
           So
           that
           all
           Expressions
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           where
           God
           is
           the
           Subject
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           understood
           in
           a
           higher
           and
           
             more
             Spiritual
          
           sense
           ,
           but
           still
           with
           some
           Analogy
           to
           
           what
           they
           properly
           and
           usually
           signifie
           .
           Thus
           ,
           to
           use
           a
           common
           Instance
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           God
           
             looks
             down
          
           and
           beholds
           what
           's
           done
           among
           the
           Children
           of
           Men
           ;
           that
           he
           hears
           the
           Cries
           of
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           and
           the
           Blasphemies
           of
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           to
           be
           imagined
           that
           he
           sees
           as
           Man
           sees
           ,
           that
           he
           makes
           use
           of
           any
           Organs
           of
           Sense
           ;
           but
           't
           is
           thus
           expressed
           to
           give
           us
           more
           lively
           Notions
           and
           Impressions
           of
           the
           certainty
           of
           God's
           
             Vniversal
             Knowledge
          
           ;
           to
           assure
           us
           that
           God
           more
           
             plainly
             ,
             fully
          
           ,
           and
           infallibly
           knows
           whatever
           is
           done
           in
           all
           the
           Earth
           ,
           than
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           knowing
           those
           things
           which
           fall
           within
           the
           reach
           of
           our
           Senses
           .
        
         
           This
           being
           premised
           ,
           it
           seems
           very
           plain
           to
           me
           that
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           is
           not
           to
           be
           look'd
           upon
           as
           a
           nice
           abstracted
           Speculation
           designed
           for
           the
           Exercise
           of
           our
           Understandings
           ;
           but
           as
           a
           plainer
           Revelation
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Good
           Will
           towards
           Men
           ,
           and
           a
           greater
           Motive
           and
           Incitement
           to
           Piety
           than
           any
           we
           had
           before
           this
           Doctrine
           was
           delivered
           .
        
         
           Had
           man
           stood
           confirmed
           in
           his
           
             Original
             Righteousness
          
           ,
           and
           there
           had
           been
           no
           need
           of
           Redemption
           ,
           't
           is
           highly
           probable
           God
           had
           never
           been
           considered
           by
           Man
           in
           his
           
             state
             of
             Probation
          
           under
           any
           such
           Distinction
           as
           is
           now
           revealed
           to
           us
           ;
           And
           therefore
           I
           should
           think
           those
           
             different
             Titles
          
           and
           Relations
           by
           which
           God
           has
           been
           pleased
           to
           express
           that
           
             Eternal
             Distinction
          
           in
           the
           Godhead
           to
           us
           ,
           should
           be
           chiefly
           considered
           by
           us
           with
           reference
           to
           the
           great
           Work
           of
           Man's
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           Thus
           far
           then
           the
           Scriptures
           require
           us
           to
           believe
           ;
           That
           the
           
             One
             only
             Supream
             God
          
           upon
           his
           fore-knowledge
           of
           
             Man's
             Fall
          
           ,
           did
           from
           all
           Eternity
           Purpose
           and
           Decree
           to
           Redeem
           Mankind
           into
           a
           capacity
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           by
           the
           Death
           and
           constant
           Mediation
           of
           a
           Man
           chosen
           and
           enabled
           for
           this
           Work
           by
           
             the
             fulness
             of
             the
             Godhead
             
             dwelling
          
           in
           him
           :
           And
           in
           consideration
           of
           his
           Passion
           and
           Intercession
           ,
           to
           impart
           such
           
             Gifts
             ,
             Graces
          
           ,
           and
           
             Spiritual
             Assistances
          
           ,
           as
           would
           be
           sufficient
           to
           render
           this
           Redemption
           effectual
           to
           the
           Saving
           of
           much
           People
           .
        
         
           And
           moreover
           we
           are
           to
           believe
           that
           God
           has
           accordingly
           executed
           this
           his
           Gracious
           Design
           towards
           us
           :
           By
           sending
           into
           the
           World
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ,
           the
           Man
           who
           before
           he
           had
           ordained
           ,
           should
           in
           the
           Fulness
           of
           Time
           
             be
             born
          
           ,
           and
           suffer
           for
           our
           Sins
           ;
           in
           and
           by
           whom
           ,
           as
           has
           already
           been
           shewn
           ,
           God
           acted
           in
           a
           wonderful
           manner
           ,
           was
           
             worshipped
             and
             adored
          
           ,
           and
           
             acknowledged
             in
          
           all
           his
           Attributes
           ;
           and
           with
           whom
           he
           abideth
           in
           the
           Fulness
           of
           Power
           and
           Glory
           for
           ever
           :
           And
           ,
           since
           his
           Death
           and
           Reception
           into
           Heaven
           ,
           by
           a
           plentiful
           Effusion
           of
           
             Spiritual
             Graces
             and
             Influences
          
           ;
           by
           which
           means
           a
           great
           many
           have
           
             embraced
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           and
           become
           
             Heirs
             of
             Salvation
          
           ,
           and
           more
           from
           henceforth
           to
           the
           end
           of
           all
           things
           shall
           daily
           be
           
             added
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
          
           be
           
             supported
             in
             the
             Faith
          
           ,
           and
           be
           made
           
             Partakers
             of
             the
             purchased
             Inheritance
          
           reserved
           in
           Heaven
           for
           those
           that
           are
           Sanctified
           by
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             God.
          
           
        
         
           Now
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           this
           great
           Design
           of
           Saving
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           the
           Order
           and
           Method
           of
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           in
           the
           Execution
           of
           it
           ;
           To
           give
           us
           as
           full
           and
           distinct
           Apprehensions
           as
           our
           Souls
           are
           able
           to
           conceive
           of
           the
           Misery
           of
           our
           sinful
           Condition
           ,
           the
           difficulty
           of
           Deliverance
           ,
           and
           the
           unspeakable
           Mercy
           of
           God
           in
           restoring
           us
           to
           the
           Happiness
           we
           had
           justly
           forfeited
           ;
           and
           to
           raise
           our
           Souls
           to
           the
           highest
           pitch
           of
           Veneration
           ,
           Love
           ,
           and
           Gratitude
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           expressing
           for
           such
           an
           inestimable
           Blessing
           ;
           God
           has
           been
           pleased
           to
           reveal
           himself
           to
           us
           under
           several
           
             Personal
             Characters
          
           and
           Relations
           :
           Such
           as
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
             ;
             Saviour
             ,
             Mediator
             ,
          
           and
           Comforter
           .
           By
           which
           
           Names
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           Expressions
           consequent
           thereupon
           ,
           we
           are
           directed
           to
           consider
           some
           such
           
             kind
             of
             Distinction
          
           ,
           and
           Subordination
           of
           Offices
           and
           Relations
           in
           God
           ,
           as
           the
           Terms
           made
           use
           of
           do
           commonly
           import
           .
        
         
           Thus
           when
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           represent
           his
           Love
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           in
           the
           highest
           Image
           of
           Nature
           ;
           that
           of
           a
           Father
           sacrificing
           an
           only
           well-beloved
           Son
           ,
           the
           exact
           Transcript
           and
           Resemblance
           of
           himself
           ,
           perfectly
           Innocent
           ,
           and
           Obedient
           to
           his
           Will
           in
           all
           Things
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           believe
           that
           ,
           by
           the
           
             Sufferings
             ,
             and
             Death
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           God
           has
           given
           greater
           Proofs
           of
           his
           Love
           towards
           us
           than
           any
           Man
           is
           capable
           of
           doing
           to
           another
           ;
           and
           that
           such
           an
           Action
           of
           an
           Earthly
           Parent
           suggests
           the
           nearest
           and
           likest
           Conception
           we
           can
           possibly
           frame
           ,
           of
           what
           our
           
             Heavenly
             Father
          
           has
           done
           for
           us
           ;
           tho'
           at
           the
           same
           time
           we
           must
           acknowledge
           it
           comes
           infinitely
           short
           of
           expressing
           the
           Riches
           and
           Fulness
           of
           his
           Mercy
           and
           Loving-kindness
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           same
           Use
           and
           Spiritual
           Improvement
           is
           to
           be
           made
           of
           all
           other
           Revelations
           of
           this
           nature
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           we
           have
           seen
           how
           far
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           conceiving
           a
           Trinity
           ,
           and
           what
           the
           
             Scriptures
             expresly
             oblige
             us
             to
             believe
          
           concerning
           this
           Point
           .
        
         
           All
           that
           is
           beyond
           ,
           lies
           far
           out
           of
           our
           Reach
           and
           Comprehension
           ,
           and
           no
           
             particular
             Explications
          
           can
           add
           any
           thing
           to
           our
           Faith
           ;
           for
           the
           Terms
           made
           use
           of
           for
           that
           End
           ,
           being
           in
           use
           before
           this
           Doctrine
           was
           taught
           ,
           must
           either
           signifie
           the
           same
           they
           did
           before
           ,
           or
           not
           :
           If
           the
           same
           ,
           where
           's
           the
           Mystery
           ?
           If
           not
           ,
           what
           do
           they
           signifie
           ?
           Something
           that
           we
           cannot
           explain
           but
           in
           Words
           used
           already
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           Question
           will
           return
           again
           .
           The
           same
           Difficulty
           would
           attend
           new
           Terms
           invented
           on
           purpose
           ;
           for
           either
           they
           would
           have
           no
           meaning
           at
           all
           affixed
           to
           them
           ,
           or
           else
           they
           
           would
           be
           understood
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           some
           other
           in
           use
           before
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           had
           the
           very
           same
           Terms
           and
           Forms
           of
           Expression
           been
           found
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           as
           are
           now
           in
           our
           Creeds
           ,
           the
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Trinity
           had
           been
           no
           plainer
           ,
           nor
           we
           obliged
           to
           believe
           any
           farther
           than
           the
           present
           Language
           does
           import
           :
           For
           upon
           a
           fair
           and
           distinct
           Examination
           both
           of
           Scripture
           and
           Reason
           ,
           it
           plainly
           appears
           ,
           that
           what
           's
           already
           revealed
           amounts
           to
           as
           much
           as
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           conceiving
           ,
           and
           does
           besides
           imply
           something
           more
           which
           we
           can
           not
           comprehend
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           not
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           Language
           to
           make
           us
           understand
           any
           thing
           better
           :
           For
           't
           is
           utterly
           impossible
           to
           frame
           any
           Notions
           above
           our
           own
           Level
           .
           And
           should
           God
           be
           pleased
           to
           stamp
           some
           new
           Idea's
           upon
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ▪
           they
           could
           not
           be
           conveyed
           to
           others
           by
           the
           help
           of
           Words
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           Signs
           ,
           but
           only
           by
           the
           same
           Divine
           Impressions
           :
           so
           that
           whatever
           Idea's
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           Inspired
           Writers
           ,
           might
           have
           of
           a
           Trinity
           by
           
             immediate
             Infusion
          
           ,
           the
           Terms
           they
           have
           made
           use
           of
           can
           give
           us
           but
           this
           imperfect
           Discovery
           of
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           such
           as
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           comprehend
           without
           the
           like
           Assistance
           .
        
         
           This
           then
           is
           the
           utmost
           we
           are
           
             required
             to
             believe
          
           ,
           or
           are
           capable
           of
           believing
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           viz.
           That
           these
           
             Three
             different
             Terms
             ,
             Father
             ,
             Son
             ,
          
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           are
           all
           applied
           in
           Scripture
           to
           the
           
             One
             only
             supreme
             God
          
           ;
           That
           all
           the
           
             Actions
             ,
             Offices
          
           ,
           and
           Relations
           ,
           which
           are
           in
           Scripture
           ascribed
           to
           any
           of
           these
           Names
           ,
           (
           excepting
           those
           proper
           to
           the
           
             Humane
             Nature
          
           of
           Christ
           )
           are
           there
           plainly
           attributed
           ,
           and
           do
           
             truly
             belong
             to
             one
             ,
             and
             the
             same
             Divine
             Nature
          
           ;
           That
           there
           are
           such
           frequent
           and
           evident
           Assertions
           of
           the
           
             Vnity
             of
             God
          
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           yet
           such
           plain
           Expressions
           of
           distinction
           ,
           signified
           by
           these
           Terms
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           as
           imply
           a
           
             consistency
             of
             unity
             and
             distinction
             in
             the
          
           Godhead
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           Distinction
           ,
           whatever
           it
           be
           ,
           is
           
             not
             the
             same
          
           with
           that
           we
           conceive
           betwixt
           the
           Attributes
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           are
           partial
           Conceptions
           of
           his
           Essence
           ,
           nor
           a
           
             meer
             difference
          
           of
           Name
           ,
           Office
           ,
           or
           Relation
           ,
           such
           as
           is
           signified
           by
           the
           like
           Terms
           ,
           when
           applied
           to
           Men
           ,
           (
           tho'
           these
           are
           all
           the
           Differences
           we
           can
           
             expresly
             conceive
          
           ,
           as
           applicable
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           )
           but
           some
           
             other
             Distinction
          
           ,
           which
           we
           have
           but
           a
           
             confused
             perception
             of
          
           ,
           and
           cannot
           comprehend
           or
           explain
           by
           any
           particular
           Idea's
           ;
           which
           
             unknown
             inexplicable
             Distinction
          
           is
           the
           Foundation
           of
           all
           these
           Differences
           
             expresly
             conceived
          
           by
           us
           .
        
         
           And
           since
           the
           Church
           has
           thought
           fit
           ,
           for
           the
           Sake
           of
           Unity
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Suppressing
           all
           Private
           Disputes
           and
           Interpretations
           ,
           to
           appoint
           
             set
             Forms
          
           to
           express
           
             this
             our
             Faith
          
           in
           ,
           I
           think
           the
           
             Athanasian
             Creed
          
           as
           rational
           an
           Explication
           of
           the
           Trinity
           as
           can
           well
           be
           made
           .
           The
           Worst
           that
           the
           Enemies
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           can
           say
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           an
           unnecessary
           Multiplication
           of
           Terms
           ,
           and
           too
           nice
           an
           Endeavour
           to
           Explain
           what
           cannot
           be
           Explained
           ;
           but
           not
           that
           't
           is
           False
           ,
           or
           Absurd
           ;
           nothing
           being
           there
           asserted
           in
           any
           sense
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           
             Vnity
             of
             God
          
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Principles
             of
             Right
             Reason
          
           :
           All
           such
           Meanings
           and
           Significations
           of
           any
           Terms
           or
           Expressions
           in
           that
           Creed
           being
           very
           improper
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           there
           applied
           ,
           and
           utterly
           disclaimed
           by
           the
           Church
           that
           enjoins
           the
           Use
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Nor
           can
           it
           be
           esteemed
           an
           unreasonable
           Imposition
           ,
           That
           we
           should
           be
           obliged
           to
           profess
           our
           Faith
           of
           something
           which
           cannot
           be
           conceived
           ,
           but
           confusedly
           and
           indistinctly
           ;
           nor
           expressed
           ,
           but
           in
           
             general
             and
             obscure
             Terms
          
           .
           For
           where
           's
           the
           Hardship
           of
           being
           required
           to
           believe
           as
           far
           as
           we
           can
           believe
           ?
           God
           is
           Incomprehensible
           in
           
           his
           Nature
           and
           Perfections
           ,
           but
           are
           we
           not
           obliged
           to
           believe
           there
           is
           a
           God
           who
           is
           Incomprehensible
           ?
           Are
           we
           not
           obliged
           to
           believe
           there
           are
           Joys
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           which
           it
           has
           not
           enter'd
           into
           the
           Heart
           of
           Man
           to
           conceive
           ?
           And
           ,
           to
           repeat
           a
           former
           Instance
           ,
           may
           not
           a
           Blind
           Man
           be
           obliged
           to
           believe
           what
           a
           Friend
           of
           unsuspected
           Integrity
           tells
           him
           of
           the
           
             general
             nature
          
           of
           Colour
           ,
           tho'
           he
           is
           not
           able
           to
           form
           a
           
             particular
             Idea
          
           of
           it
           ?
           And
           ,
           if
           these
           Things
           cannot
           be
           denied
           ,
           What
           difference
           can
           be
           assigned
           why
           we
           should
           not
           be
           under
           as
           great
           an
           Obligation
           of
           believing
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           tho'
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           conceive
           it
           distinctly
           ?
        
         
           A
           Threefold
           Distinction
           in
           the
           Godhead
           ,
           consistent
           with
           the
           Unity
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           as
           plainly
           revealed
           in
           Scripture
           as
           any
           other
           Article
           of
           Faith
           :
           Nor
           are
           those
           
             general
             Abstracted
             Terms
          
           we
           find
           in
           our
           Creeds
           ,
           to
           be
           condemn'd
           as
           meer
           useless
           and
           perplexing
           Niceties
           ;
           for
           tho'
           they
           are
           not
           sufficient
           to
           make
           us
           understand
           the
           Trinity
           fully
           and
           distinctly
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           
             proper
             Limitations
          
           to
           exclude
           all
           the
           False
           and
           Unworthy
           Apprehensions
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           which
           Pretenders
           to
           a
           more
           particular
           Explication
           might
           introduce
           .
        
         
           III.
           And
           now
           what
           dangerous
           Consequences
           can
           possibly
           attend
           such
           a
           Faith
           as
           this
           ?
           'T
           is
           true
           indeed
           ,
           the
           Adversaries
           of
           the
           Trinity
           have
           drawn
           up
           a
           heavy
           Charge
           against
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           taken
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           Liberty
           in
           their
           Discourses
           about
           it
           :
           But
           the
           principal
           Objections
           that
           have
           been
           made
           by
           any
           of
           them
           are
           but
           Three
           ;
           to
           which
           all
           the
           rest
           may
           be
           reduced
           :
           And
           these
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           shew
           ,
           by
           the
           Account
           before
           given
           ,
           are
           very
           Frivolous
           and
           Unjust
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           first
           Pernicious
           Consequence
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           stands
           charged
           with
           ,
           is
           ,
           the
           Introduction
           
           of
           a
           
             Plurality
             of
             Gods
          
           :
           But
           't
           is
           very
           plain
           from
           what
           we
           have
           said
           in
           the
           former
           part
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           utterly
           impossible
           to
           believe
           a
           Trinity
           in
           any
           such
           sense
           as
           implies
           a
           Plurality
           of
           Gods
           :
           For
           according
           to
           the
           Notions
           I
           have
           there
           shewed
           we
           have
           of
           the
           Nature
           and
           Attributes
           of
           God
           ,
           't
           is
           undeniably
           certain
           to
           every
           Man's
           Experience
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           conceive
           more
           than
           One
           God
           :
           All
           our
           Endeavours
           to
           comprehend
           more
           are
           only
           repetitions
           of
           the
           same
           Idea
           .
        
         
           Let
           Those
           therefore
           take
           care
           to
           Answer
           this
           Accusation
           ,
           who
           ,
           under
           pretence
           of
           giving
           a
           more
           Rational
           Account
           of
           what
           we
           are
           to
           believe
           in
           this
           Point
           ,
           set
           up
           
             created
             subordinate
             Gods
          
           to
           be
           Partners
           with
           their
           Maker
           in
           the
           Glory
           and
           Worship
           due
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           we
           do
           explicitly
           declare
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           but
           
             One
             God
          
           at
           the
           same
           time
           we
           make
           Profession
           of
           our
           Faith
           in
           a
           Trinity
           ,
           or
           
             Three
             Persons
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           therefore
           we
           are
           accused
           of
           believing
           Contradictions
           ;
           and
           consequently
           of
           destroying
           all
           the
           certainty
           of
           Natural
           Knowledge
           :
           Which
           Fence
           being
           down
           ,
           there
           's
           no
           Error
           so
           gross
           or
           absurd
           but
           may
           be
           obtruded
           upon
           us
           ;
           and
           Transubstantiation
           has
           as
           good
           a
           Pretence
           to
           be
           an
           Article
           of
           our
           Faith
           as
           the
           Trinity
           .
           But
           I
           need
           not
           make
           any
           particular
           Answer
           to
           this
           Objection
           ,
           having
           proved
           at
           large
           already
           ,
           that
           we
           neither
           do
           nor
           can
           believe
           a
           Trinity
           in
           any
           sense
           that
           contradicts
           the
           plain
           and
           evident
           Principles
           of
           Natural
           Reason
           .
           We
           do
           not
           believe
           there
           can
           be
           
             more
             Gods
             than
             One
          
           ,
           that
           
             One
             can
             be
             Three
             in
             the
             same
             respect
             't
             is
             One
          
           ;
           or
           that
           
             One
             God
             can
             be
             Three
             Persons
             in
             the
             same
             sense
             three
             Men
             are
             three
             Persons
          
           ;
           or
           any
           other
           Proposition
           that
           's
           inconsistent
           with
           those
           Natural
           Notions
           which
           are
           the
           Foundation
           of
           all
           our
           other
           Knowledge
           .
           But
           the
           Patrons
           of
           Transubstantiation
           cannot
           
           make
           this
           Plea
           ,
           who
           in
           this
           one
           Particular
           deny
           those
           very
           Principles
           which
           upon
           all
           other
           occasions
           they
           rely
           upon
           with
           the
           greatest
           Assurance
           .
           Did
           they
           only
           affirm
           ,
           that
           Christ
           was
           present
           in
           that
           Sacrament
           in
           some
           way
           or
           manner
           they
           could
           not
           comprehend
           ,
           but
           in
           no
           way
           repugnant
           to
           the
           plain
           and
           necessary
           Dictates
           of
           well-informed
           Sense
           ,
           and
           right
           Reason
           ,
           there
           might
           be
           then
           some
           Resemblance
           found
           betwixt
           this
           Doctrine
           and
           that
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ;
           but
           at
           present
           the
           Comparison
           is
           palpably
           and
           notoriously
           unjust
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           But
           Thirdly
           ,
           't
           is
           further
           Objected
           ,
           That
           though
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           as
           we
           explain
           it
           ,
           could
           not
           be
           proved
           to
           contain
           down-right
           Contradictions
           ;
           yet
           at
           least
           it
           must
           be
           counted
           and
           esteemed
           as
           
             a
             Mystery
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Imposition
           of
           Mysteries
           for
           Articles
           of
           Faith
           ,
           is
           a
           thing
           of
           very
           ill
           Consequence
           .
        
         
           In
           Answer
           to
           which
           Charge
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           that
           as
           in
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           so
           in
           most
           other
           Objects
           of
           Faith
           and
           Knowledge
           ,
           there
           's
           something
           that
           we
           plainly
           and
           certainly
           understand
           ,
           and
           something
           that
           we
           cannot
           possibly
           comprehend
           :
           Thus
           a
           Man
           by
           inward
           Reflection
           is
           Infallibly
           conscious
           of
           his
           own
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           he
           judges
           ,
           whatever
           he
           perceives
           within
           himself
           ,
           to
           proceed
           from
           one
           
             Common
             Principle
          
           ,
           which
           he
           calls
           his
           Soul
           ;
           and
           which
           ,
           from
           the
           Nature
           of
           its
           Operations
           ,
           he
           is
           fully
           perswaded
           is
           
             something
             of
             a
             different
             kind
          
           from
           his
           Body
           ,
           tho'
           it
           always
           Acts
           in
           consent
           with
           it
           :
           But
           
             what
             this
             Soul
             is
          
           ,
           or
           in
           
             what
             manner
             united
             to
             his
             Body
             ,
          
           he
           is
           not
           able
           to
           conceive
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Human
             Soul
          
           ,
           taken
           all
           together
           ,
           may
           as
           justly
           be
           stiled
           a
           Mystery
           ,
           as
           the
           Trinity
           .
           We
           ought
           not
           then
           to
           be
           offended
           at
           the
           word
           Mystery
           ,
           since
           ,
           if
           we
           strictly
           examine
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           that
           almost
           every
           thing
           we
           pretend
           to
           know
           ,
           comes
           under
           
           that
           name
           ,
           even
           those
           things
           we
           have
           the
           greatest
           Assurance
           of
           ,
           our
           very
           Souls
           and
           Beings
           .
        
         
           This
           being
           observed
           ,
           we
           may
           consider
           
             the
             Trinity
          
           either
           with
           respect
           to
           what
           may
           be
           understood
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           what
           cannot
           :
           So
           far
           as
           we
           are
           
             capable
             of
             conceiving
             a
             Trinity
          
           ,
           't
           is
           
             no
             Mystery
          
           ,
           and
           consequently
           no
           Oppression
           of
           our
           Faith
           ;
           And
           so
           far
           as
           it
           
             cannot
             be
             comprehended
          
           ,
           it
           does
           not
           bind
           us
           to
           any
           
             Explicit
             Act
             of
             Faith
          
           :
           As
           is
           plain
           from
           what
           has
           been
           said
           before
           concerning
           the
           
             Nature
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Persons
             obliged
             to
             believe
          
           this
           Article
           :
           For
           all
           things
           necessary
           to
           Salvation
           are
           to
           be
           believed
           by
           all
           sorts
           of
           Men
           ;
           and
           nothing
           can
           be
           believed
           any
           farther
           than
           the
           terms
           in
           which
           it
           is
           proposed
           are
           understood
           :
           But
           a
           Mystery
           cannot
           be
           brought
           down
           to
           the
           lowest
           Capacities
           ,
           and
           be
           delivered
           in
           Terms
           that
           are
           plainly
           and
           distinctly
           understood
           ,
           for
           then
           it
           would
           be
           no
           longer
           a
           Mystery
           :
           So
           far
           therefore
           as
           we
           are
           
             obliged
             to
             believe
          
           ,
           is
           
             no
             Mystery
          
           ;
           For
           whatever
           Terms
           I
           am
           bid
           to
           believe
           a
           thing
           in
           I
           cannot
           comprehend
           ,
           I
           can
           mean
           no
           more
           but
           that
           I
           believe
           it
           to
           be
           in
           some
           manner
           I
           cannot
           comprehend
           :
           And
           I
           am
           sure
           there
           's
           no
           difficulty
           or
           danger
           in
           believing
           that
           there
           are
           some
           things
           which
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           find
           out
           ,
           or
           comprehend
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           the
           Reflections
           which
           offered
           themselves
           upon
           a
           careful
           and
           impartial
           Consideration
           of
           this
           Subject
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           I
           fore-see
           it
           may
           be
           asked
           ,
           What
           do
           we
           understand
           more
           of
           the
           Trinity
           now
           than
           we
           did
           before
           ?
           What
           new
           Hypothesis
           is
           here
           advanced
           to
           solve
           all
           the
           Difficulties
           of
           that
           Doctrine
           by
           ?
           In
           Answer
           to
           which
           Objection
           ,
           I
           have
           this
           further
           to
           add
           for
           the
           Justification
           of
           the
           foregoing
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           the
           Principal
           Design
           of
           my
           Enquiries
           was
           ,
           to
           know
           ,
           what
           God
           required
           us
           all
           to
           believe
           in
           
           order
           to
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           not
           how
           far
           the
           Soul
           of
           Man
           was
           capable
           of
           discovering
           the
           deep
           things
           of
           God
           :
           For
           I
           am
           fully
           perswaded
           ;
           that
           there
           may
           be
           things
           necessary
           to
           be
           believed
           ,
           and
           yet
           we
           not
           obliged
           to
           believe
           them
           in
           that
           
             distinct
             particular
             sense
          
           in
           which
           some
           Learned
           .
           Men
           have
           explained
           them
           ;
           Though
           their
           Hypothesis
           should
           be
           very
           Rational
           and
           Consistent
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           really
           true
           .
           And
           therefore
           could
           there
           be
           any
           new
           way
           found
           out
           of
           making
           the
           Trinity
           conceivable
           by
           Human.
           Understanding
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           think
           we
           should
           be
           under
           any
           Obligation
           of
           believing
           that
           particular
           Exposition
           of
           it
           :
           For
           besides
           the
           difficulty
           of
           such
           abstracted
           Notions
           ,
           even
           in
           their
           plainest
           dress
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           mean
           Capacities
           ,
           which
           are
           all
           equally
           concerned
           in
           necessary
           Articles
           of
           Faith
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           imagined
           that
           we
           should
           be
           obliged
           to
           believe
           more
           than
           the
           Christians
           who
           lived
           before
           us
           were
           ;
           that
           more
           should
           be
           necessary
           to
           our
           Salvation
           than
           was
           to
           theirs
           :
           And
           't
           is
           certain
           their
           Faith
           was
           sufficient
           and
           effectual
           for
           obtaining
           Eternal
           Life
           ,
           who
           could
           not
           possibly
           believe
           what
           we
           suppose
           to
           be
           but
           lately
           discovered
           .
        
         
           But
           2dly
           ,
           Considering
           that
           we
           were
           permitted
           with
           Humility
           and
           Reverence
           to
           Exercise
           our
           Souls
           in
           the
           search
           of
           Divine
           Knowledge
           ;
           And
           moreover
           that
           we
           ought
           as
           Christians
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Men
           ,
           to
           give
           a
           Reason
           of
           the
           Faith
           we
           profess
           ,
           and
           defend
           it
           against
           all
           false
           and
           unjust
           Imputations
           ;
           I
           have
           also
           made
           it
           my
           business
           to
           enquire
           ,
           how
           far
           we
           were
           capable
           of
           forming
           distinct
           Conceptions
           of
           a
           Trinity
           ;
           And
           upon
           Enquiry
           found
           that
           after
           a
           Faithful
           Tryal
           of
           our
           Faculties
           ,
           and
           a
           strict
           Examination
           of
           all
           the
           simple
           Notions
           which
           make
           up
           the
           Proposition
           to
           believed
           ,
           we
           cannot
           arrive
           at
           greater
           Knowledge
           in
           this
           Point
           than
           our
           fore-fathers
           have
           done
           ;
           And
           that
           so
           much
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Trinity
           as
           
           was
           a
           Mystery
           to
           them
           ,
           is
           like
           to
           be
           so
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Which
           if
           I
           have
           as
           fully
           and
           sufficiently
           proved
           to
           others
           as
           I
           am
           convinced
           of
           it
           my self
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           think
           my
           Time
           or
           Labour
           lost
           upon
           this
           Subject
           .
           For
           next
           to
           understanding
           a
           thing
           throughly
           is
           to
           know
           we
           cannot
           understand
           it
           ;
           next
           to
           resolving
           a
           Problem
           in
           Mathematicks
           ,
           is
           to
           demonstrate
           it
           cannot
           be
           done
           .
           Our
           Souls
           are
           as
           much
           at
           rest
           ,
           our
           Desires
           as
           quiet
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           Designs
           and
           Pursuits
           as
           much
           at
           an
           end
           when
           we
           despair
           of
           Victory
           ,
           as
           when
           we
           actually
           Conquer
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           if
           these
           be
           the
           
             true
             and
             proper
             Limits
          
           of
           our
           Faith
           and
           Knowledge
           which
           I
           have
           assigned
           ;
           If
           I
           have
           given
           a
           Just
           Account
           of
           what
           we
           are
           
             required
             to
             believe
          
           concerning
           the
           Trinity
           ;
           How
           much
           't
           is
           possible
           for
           us
           
             to
             believe
          
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           how
           far
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           having
           
             distinct
             Conceptions
          
           about
           it
           ;
           't
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           search
           for
           new
           Notions
           and
           Hypotheses
           ,
           which
           may
           probably
           puzzle
           or
           deceive
           our
           Understandings
           ,
           but
           can
           never
           lead
           us
           farther
           into
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Trinity
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           will
           not
           pretend
           to
           measure
           the
           Abilities
           of
           other
           Men
           by
           my
           own
           :
           I
           shall
           only
           say
           this
           more
           ,
           which
           I
           am
           sure
           I
           can
           truly
           affirm
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           taken
           all
           the
           care
           imaginable
           to
           deliver
           
             my
             Judgment
             impartially
          
           and
           sincerely
           ,
           and
           have
           not
           dared
           to
           impose
           any
           thing
           upon
           others
           ,
           which
           I
           do
           not
           
             believe
             my self
          
           ,
           or
           is
           any
           ways
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Principles
           of
           right
           Reason
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           POST-SCRIPT
           .
        
         
           
             These
             Papers
             were
             in
             the
             Press
             ,
             and
             every
             Word
             in
             the
             Book
             ,
             and
             Preface
             ,
             as
             they
             stand
             now
             ,
             was
             Written
             before
             His
             Majesty's
          
           Injunctions
           
             came
             forth
             :
             The
             Author
             is
             glad
             to
             find
             that
             he
             has
             not
             transgress'd
             'em
             ;
             the
             Authority
             and
             Reasonableness
             of
             which
             he
             pays
             such
             a
             Submission
             to
             ,
             that
             if
             he
             had
             not
             prescribed
             to
             himself
             the
             same
             Rules
             in
             Writing
             ,
             that
             be
             now
             sees
             enjoyned
             by
             his
             Superiours
             ,
             he
             wou'd
             have
             shewed
             his
             Obedience
             to
             'em
             ,
             by
             Suppressing
             what
             he
             had
             written
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A42447-e570
           
             Acts
             14.
             ver
             .
             15.