That composition is consistent with itself. Its parts were intended to agree with each other, as parts in one system, and as deduced from one source: and the first, the very head of all, was certainly kept in view, while those which follow, especially those which immediately follow, were composed. The question is not of the number of Gods, but of the number of Persons who exist in one sole Godhead. Nor does the incomprehensibility of the doctrine at all affect its truth. The whole subject of the controversy stands totally distinct from the question, whether a Trinity in Unity be, or be not, comprehensible to us; for both parties hold alike that it is not. But we have to examine whether the objections made to that doctrine be or be not well founded; and the whole matter turns on its divine authority, not on our capacity of comprehending it.

They assert, secondly, that our blessed Saviour was a mere human being; and they deny that, which our Church never asserted, a subordinate Creator, &c.

And

farther, they positively reject the most important doctrine of the Atonement.

Thirdly, they reject the personality of the Holy Spirit.

After these shall have been discussed, I propose to examine their admission, that Jesus Christ is to be the universal Judge, he yet being according to them a mere

man.

Fifthly, we will consider their doctrine as to the inspiration of the holy Scriptures, and the respect which they have in reality shewn to them.

And lastly, we will consider their denial of the eternity of punishment to condemned sinners.

I have followed, throughout this arrangement, the order of that confession which was published by one of their present leaders', in his Letter to the present Bishop of London; wherein it is fair to conclude, that the avowed doctrines of the sect are contained. I propose now to now to pro

1 Belsham.

ceed, with God's help, to the examination of those doctrines regularly and minutely. But I hope to avoid that offensive levity and indecency of style, which is too often perceptible in their pamphlets; a style, in which it is unbecoming to treat any question acknowledged by all parties to be of the highest importance; and which has too often betrayed them into language, shocking to the ears of all right-minded persons, because it is offensive and blasphemous to the majesty of the Almighty.

To him, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons in one God, we render and ascribe all might, majesty, adoration and praise, now and for ever.

SERMON II.

ON THE HOLY TRINITY.

Go

MATT. Xviii. 19.

ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

IN these words we hear the original institution of that rite, by which the followers of our blessed Saviour have in all times been initiated into the profession of the Christian faith; and it is especially to be observed, that the Apostles are herein commanded by our Lord's own mouth to administer baptism in the names of all the three Persons who exist in the unity of the Godhead. In opposition to this, however, the first article with which the Socinian, or Unitarian, Creed commences, is, that

"a there is one God, in one Person only." Herein consists the whole peculiarity of their doctrine, as to this point. For that which is subsequently asserted, namely, that he is the "sole Creator and Governor "of the universe, absolute in all perfection, " and the sole object of religious worship," is the same which we and all Christians hold. The question therefore as to this article turns on the assertion, that God exists"in one Person only;" contrary to the received opinion of the whole Christian Church, which agrees generally with our Article, wherein the Catholic doctrine is thus expressed: "There is but one living " and true God, everlasting, without body, "parts, or passions, of infinite power, wis"dom, and goodness; the Maker and Pre"server of all things both visible and invi"sible; and in the Unity of this Godhead, "there be three Persons of one substance, "" power, and eternity, the Father, the "Son, and the Holy Ghost."

a Belsham, p. 5.

b XXXIX Articles. Art. I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity, &c.