276 Pn.E ACl. against assaults on every side. To conclude, I havenothing'more to request of my readers, but that theywouldgive themselvesleave to peruse these dis- sertations with due attention, and without prejudice, or not to peruse¡them at all. That they would not take offence at every inaccurate expression, and condemn the whole work for some incidental mistakes. I entreat that they would not set their inventionat work, to oppose as fast as they read, lest such a.temper should bar all the avenues of the soul against conviction and evi- dence. That mustbe glaring evidence indeed, and an argument of prodigi. ous power, that forces its way into an unwilling mind ; I pretend to no such skill or demonstration.. If I have set any partof this subject in an easy light, agreeable to rea. son and scripture, I hope there may be some readers disposed to receive it. Lentreat them to believe that it is possible for some of them to have been mistaken, as well as myself, in our former modes and scheme of explication of this great Doctrine of the Trinity, though the doctrine itself stand un- shaken, and our assent to . it as firm as ever. It is possible that an article which has had so many difficulties and obscurities attending it in all ages,. may be a littlefurther cleared and disentangled by labour and prayer. and the daily study, of the holy scriptures. And if the blessing of God shall so far attend these feeble endeavours, as to lead any of my fellow-Christians into clearer and more defensible ideas of these deep things of God, let them join with me, and give the glory to God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, who, according to the divine economy, instructs humble enquirers by the blessed Spirit. But if it appear that I am mistaken in this hypothesis, I shall be very ready to receive a happier scheme of explication, wherein the doctrine of the sacred Three may he represented, both in their divine nature, and distinct personality, in a clearer light, and whereby this doctrine maybe rescued with . more glory and power from all the attacks that have been made upon it. Happy are the souls above, who " see God face to face," who behold the sacred Three in that divine light, where objections and darkness arebanished for ever, and " the shadows are fled away !" The noise of controversy and wrangling isnever heard in thoseregions; but if it were possible for thehap- py inhabitants to differ in sentiment, and controversy could ascend thither, I am persuaded it would be managed without wrangling or noise. The gentle- nessand benevolence, the sweet serenity and candour that adorn every Spirit there, would reign through all their sacred reasonings ; and wheresoever a mistake was found, and rectified, among those holy disputants, the voice ofjoy and triumph would be heard on all sides at the bright and lovely appearance of truth. O that the disputes of Christians on earth might be carried on with the same heavenly candour, and might end in the same bar- fumy and joy! Amen. MAY SI 1725.
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