122 THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE Or THE TRINITY. gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as there be gods many and lords many ; but to us there is but one God, Me Father, of whom are all things. We must, therefore, take care in searching out and expressing the Doctrine of the Trinity, that we do not make two or three distinct gods, lest we break in upon the foundation of all religion, whether natural, Jew- ish, or christian. 'Poor. IV. Since there can be but one God, the peculiar, and divine distinguishing Characters of Godhead cannot belong to any other Being. This proposition is so evident, thatIhave to spend no time in proving, that the essential anddistinguishing marks and qualities of any one being can never belong to another: For otherwise there could be no certain distinction betwixt any two different beings in nature; and we should run into perpetual mistakes hourly, and take one for the other. If the distinguishingcha- racters of fire could belong to earth or water, or the peculiar marks of human nature could be found in plants or bruteanimals, this would bring everlasting confusion into the affairs of life, and common language. Muchmore necessary is it that there should be the most evident marks of distinction between God and a creature, lest we should bring the same confusion into all our religion and worship, by mistaking the creature for God, and God for thecreature. .PRor. V.God himself, is so jealous of his own Honour, and so concerned to maintain the Dignity of his God- head, as never to suffer these peculiar distinguishing Characters of Godhead to be ascribed to anyother besides himself. It is fit that godhead should support its own dignity, and bear its character high above all creatures ; otherwise God could not be just and true to himself. It is necessary that the almighty Maker and sovereign Governor of all, should maintain his state and majesty, and suffer nothing, which is: net God, to approach too near thegrandeur of godhead; nor will he bear it without, high resentment and divine indignation. This is what is properly called his jealousy in scripture. He is often described as a jealous God, and will not suffer creatures to share with him in his incommunicable glories. Ex. xx. 3, 4, 5. " Thou shalt have no other gods before me ;, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth ; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them, for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God." Dent. iv. 23, 24.. " Take heed to yourselveß
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