168 THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. " Doctrine of the Trinity," third edition, 8vo. p. 18. he bath these words. " The sum 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 distinctfrom eachother. This is the substance pf the doctrine of the 'l'rinity, as to thefirst direct concernment of faith therein." And a little after, " This is the whole of faith's concernment in this matter, as it respects the direct reve- lation of God made by himself in the scripture, and the first proper general end thereof. Let this be clearly confirmed by direct and positive divine testimonies containing the declaratioú and revelation of God, concerning himself, and faith is secured as to all its concerns. For it bath both its proper formal object, and is sufficiently enabled tobe directive of divine worship and obedience. The explication of this doctrine unto edification; suitable unto the revelation mentioned, is of another considers" tion: ' And page 75. when he has finished his proofs of the god- -head and personality of the sacred Three, he sums up all in these words, viz. as Our conclusion from the whole is ; that there is nothing more expressed in the scripture, than this sacred truth, is ; that there isone God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost aredivine, distinct, intelligent, voluntary, omnipotent prin- ciples of operation and working, which whosoever thinks him- self obliged to believe the scripture, must believe ; and concern- ing others in this discourse, the are not solicitous: ^This is that which was first proposed ; namely, to manifest what is expressly revealed in the scripture, concerning God the ,Father, Son; and .holy Ghost,; so as that we may duly believe in him, yield obe- dience unto him, enjoy communion with him, walk in his love and fear, -and so come at length to be blessed with him for ever- more. Nor doth faith for its security, establishment'-and- diree- tion,.absolutely stand in need of any farther expositionor expla- .nation of these things." And after (lie author lias given a brief explication of essence, substance, unity, distinction, personality, &c. in a few pages he adds page 79, as Nor are those brief explications themselves" before-mentioned, so proposed as tobe .placed immediately in the same rank and order with the original revelations before insisted on, but-only are pressed as proper ex ,pressions of what is revealed, to increase our light, and further our edification." The-next authors I.shall cite on this subject; are the " four London ministers, mite stated and defended the doctrine of the blessed Trinity," in a book lately ,published by their concurrent labours, and who are persons of undoubted, piety; and zeal for thechristiau faith.
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