212 rttó4'Aeli, I conclude the preface with one request to my readers of every kind, whether Arian or Athanasian; and that is, that they would not make all their former, nor their present opinions aneverlasting standardof truth, and a test whereby to judge of every thing they read : And that they wouldnot sud- denly pronounce nonsense or heresy upon every sentence that differs from their former belief. I entreat them on one side, that they would search and examine honestly, whether it be not possible that such a sublime and mysterious doctrine as the deity of Christ, may be true, when some of the more indefensible append- ages of it are lopped off; which doctrine, when mingled with these append ages, was very hard to believed or defended : And on the other hand, L desire that my readers would consider impartially, whether so difficult a doc- trine as this of theSacred Trinity may not be better defended in itself, and more effectually let into the mind of disbelievers, by granting those things which seem to be the obvious sense of some scriptures, and removing other things which scripture does not assert, and which were some of the chief bars against their belief of it. In the mean time, ;while we all employ a diligent and impartial search after these sacred truths, and are seeking to grow in grace, and in the know- ledge of ChristJesus our Lord, let us with daily and importunate requests implore the assistancesof the blessed Spirit, since our Saviour has promised to send him as a guide into those very truths which relate to himself John 14. , He shall glurifÿ me : For he shall receive of mine and chew it áI!ß you."
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