ISO THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. city and power in many places of scripture; though in other places the person of the Spirit is represented as acting in a way of deputation, and, as it were, by commission received from the Fattier or the Son. Still we must remember, that under whatsoever inferior characters or offices the Son or Spirit are represented in scrip- ture, yet their communion in and with the divine nature ceases not, true godhead belongs to them still. And wheresoever true godhead is, there are all the attributes, honours, and preroga- tives of godhead, whatsoever other or lower characters that per- son may alsoassume and sustain. PaAr. XX.We are bound therefore to pap divine honours to each of the Sacred Three, viz. the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, according to their distinct Characters and Offices assigned them in Scripture. Though each person of the blessed Trinity ought to have divine honours paid to him, yet these honours are generally distinguished, and expressed in such a manner, as is suited to their distinct personal characters, and operations, as they are re- vealed to us in the word of God, which is the only rule of our duty and worship. Let it always be observed and kept in mind, that the only ground and foundation, and formal reason of the divine worship and honours that are paid to each of the sacred Three, is their godhead, or communion in the divine nature ; yet the special forms of the worship and honour which is paid them, arise chiefly from those special offices and characters, which the scripture as- signs to them. Now in order to skew clearly, what are their distinct honours, together with the reasons of them, let us consider, iu what manner the scripture represents their distinct characters and offices. First, Of the Father.God the Father, is represented in scripture generally as the first or supreme Agent, but as acting by his word or Son, and through his Spirit, and that sometimes in the works. of creation and providence, as well as in the works of redemption and salvation. In ," creation," this is sufficiently evident ; Ps. xxxiii. 6. " By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath, [or Spirit,] of his mouth." Eph. iii. 9. " God who created all things by Jesus Christ." I3eb, i. 2. " By whom, [that is, his son,] he made the worlds." TheSpirit also bath his share of agency herein. Thus, Job xxvi. 13. " By his Spirit he garnished the heavens; and his " Spirit moved on the face of thewaters ;" Gen, ì. Q.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=