Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/194

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trinity however is a trinity of three Gods, and therefore not a divine trinity, will be proved hereafter; but that a trinity, consisting of father, son, and holy ghost, which was provided, and made, after God's incarnation, consequently after the creation of the world, is a divine trinity, inasmuch as it existeth in one God, is evident from all that hath been said above. The reason why this divine trinity existeth in the Lord God, the redeemer and saviour Jesus Christ, is, because the three essentials, of one God, which constitute one essence, are in him. That in him dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead, according to Paul, is evident also from the Lord's own words, where he saith, that all that the father hath is his, and that the holy ghost doth not speak of himself, but from him; and also from this circumstance, that at his resurrection he took with him from the sepulchre his whole human body entire, both as to flesh and bones, Matt, xxviii. 1, to 8. Mark, xvi. 5, 6. Luke xxiv. 1, 2, 3, John xx. 11, to 15, contrary to the manner of other men; which also he testified openly to his disciples, saying, Behold my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have, Luke xxiv. 39. From hence every man may be convinced, if he be so disposed, that the humanity of the Lord is divine, and consequently that in him God is man, and man is God.

The trinity which the present Christian church embraceth, and admitteth into its articles of faith, is, that God the father begat a son from eternity, and that then the holy ghost proceeded from both, and that each by himself is God. Of this trinity no other possible conception can be formed in the minds of men, than as of a triarchy, or as of the government of three kings in one kingdom, or three generals over one army, or three masters in one house, each of whom hath