wrath and the reprobate. I appeal to the learned, both clergy and laity, whether they entertain in their minds any other conception of the trinity but this, inasmuch as the doctrine they embrace occasioneth a spontaneous influx of this conception, as may be seen in the Memorable Relation above, No. 16. It is attended also with a curiosity of conjecture, what was the subject of their conversation together before the world was created; whether they discoursed about the creation intended, or about those that were to be predestinated, and justified, according to the opinion of the Supralapsarians, or about the work of redemption; and also, what is the subject of their conversation since the world was made;[1] what the father saith, by virtue of his authority, and power of imputation, and what the son saith, by virtue of his power of mediation; supposing thus, that imputation, which is election, is a consequence of the son interceding in mercy for all mankind in general, and for individuals in particular; and that the father is moved to shew favour out of love towards his son, and by reason of the sufferings which he endured on the cross. But who cannot see that all such notions are founded in a delirium of the mind concerning God? And yet these are the notions which are held to be most holy in every Christian church, which however are only to be kissed with the lips, but not to be examined with the eye of the understanding, because being supposed to be above the sphere and comprehension of reason, if they should be raised up from the memory into the higher regions of the under-
- ↑ That such is really the case, may be seen most clearly from many publications of this age, and particularly Milton's Paradise Lost, (a book with which most people are acquainted) in which frequent discourses between the father and the son, who are there represented as two single persons, are to be met with.
