opinions, as have from the beginning been witneffed againft, and condemned by Christ himfelf, his apostles, and all that followed them in their faith and ways in all generations; fo others, whofe hearts may tremble for the danger they apprehend that these facred truths may be in, of being corrupted or defamed, by the prefent oppofition against them, may know that it is no other, but what the church, and faith of profeffors hath already been exercised with, and through the power of him that enables them have conftantly triumphed over. And for my part, I look upon it as a bleffed effect of the holy, wife providence of God, that those who have long harboured these abominations of denying the holy Trinity, the perfon and fatisfaction of Chrift in their minds; but yet have fheltered themselves from common obfervation under the fhades of dark, obfcure, and uncouth expreffions, with many other fpecious pretences; should be given up to join themfelves with fuch perfons, and to profefs a community of perfuafion with them in thofe opinions, as have rendered themfelves infamous from the first foundation of Chriftianity, and wherein they will affuredly meet with the fame fuccefs, as thofe have done, who have gone before them.

For

For the other head of oppofition, made by these persons unto the truth, in reference unto the fatisfaction of Chrift, and the imputation of his righteousness thereon unto our justification, I have not much to fay, as to the time paft. In general, the doctrine wherein they boast, being first brought forth in a rude mishapen manner by the Pelagian heretics, was afterwards. improved by one Abailardus, a fophiftical fcholar in France; but owes its principal form and poifon unto the endeavours of Fauftus Socinus, and those who have followed him, in his fubtle attempt to corrupt the whole doctrine of the gospel. Of thefe men are thofe amongst us, who at this day fo bufily difpute and write about the Trinity, the deity of Chrift, and his fatisfaction, the followers and difciples. And it is much more from their mafters, who were fome of them men learned, diligent, and fubtle, than from themselves, that they are judged to be of any great confideration. For I can truly fay, that upon the fedate examination of all that I could ever yet hear, or get a fight of, either spoken or written by them, that is, any amongst us, I never yet obferved an undertaking of fo great importance, managed with a greater evidence of incompetency and inability, to

C 3

give

give any tolerable countenance unto it. If any of them fhall, for the future, attempt to give any new countenance or props to their tottering errors; it will doubtless be attended unto by fome of thofe many, who cannot but know, that it is incumbent on them to contend earneftly for the faith ⚫ once delivered unto the faints.' This prefent brief endeavour is only to affist and direct thofe, who are lefs exercised in the ways of managing controverfies in religion; that they may have a brief comprehenfion of the truths oppofed, with the firm foundations whereon they are built; and have in a readiness to fhield their faith, both against the fiery darts of Satan, and secure their minds against the cunning fleights of men who lie in wait to deceive. And wherein this difcourfe feems in any thing to be too brief, or concife, the author is not to be blamed; who was confined unto thefe ftrait bounds, by those whofe requests enjoined him this fervice.

THE

THE

DOCTRINE

OF THE

HOLY TRINITY

EXPLAINED AND VINDICATED.

THE doctrine of the blessed Trinity may be confidered two ways: First, in refpect unto the revelation and propofal of it in the fcripture, to direct us unto the author, object, and end of our faith, in our worship and obedience: Secondly, as it is farther declared and explained, in terms, expreffions, and propofitions, educed from the original revelation of it, fuited thereunto, and meet to direct and keep the mind from undue apprehenfions of the things it believes; and to declare them unto farther edification.

In the first way, it confifts meerly in the propofitions wherein the revelation of God

is

is expreffed in the fcripture. And in this regard two things are required of us: First, To understand the terms of the propofitions, as they are enunciations of truth: And Secondly, To believe the things taught, revealed, and declared in them.

In the first inftance, no more, I fay, is required of us, but that we affent unto the affertions and teftimonies of God concerning himself, according to their natural and genuine fenfe, as he will be known, believed in, feared, and worshipped by us, as he is our Creator, Lord, and rewarder; and that because he himself hath by his revelation not only warranted us fo to do, but alfo made it our duty neceffary and indifpenfable. Now the fum of this revelation in this matter is: That God is one; that this one God is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; that the Father is the Father of the Son, and the Son the Son of the Father, and the Holy Ghost the Spirit of the Father and the Son; and that in respect of this their mutual relation, they are distinct from each other.

This is the fubftance of the doctrine of the Trinity, as to the first direct concernment of faith therein. The firft intention of the fcripture, in the revelation of God towards us is, as was faid, That we might

fear