3. This Doctrine therefore of the Trinity is purely an object of faith, 1and cannot be demonstrated by reason. The Schoolmen do well declare, That the same things in Divinity may be demonstrated by reason, and believed by faith, as that there is a God; this may be known both ways; so that though faith and science cannot have the same formal motive, yet they may be conversant about the same object, we know there is a God by demonstrations of reason, we believe by authority and testimony from Scripture: But now this truth about the Persons in the Divine Nature, is only to be believed: It cannot be demonstrated by reason. Indeed when once this revelation is made, then it is not hard to find out such reasons and consequences grounded on Scripture, that may serve to answer all the objections of any adversaries; for nothing revealed to be believed, is contrary to reason, though it may be above it. Therefore when Scripture hath laid the foundation, then reason may make a superstruction, yet we must take this Caution; although reason be allowed to be a servant to faith, we must look she grow not imperious, as Hagar to Sarah, for then we are to cast her out of doors, then the Rule is, Mulier ista ratio, taceat in Ecclesiâ. This Doctrine therefore is to be adored with humble believing, and not to be searched into by curious or furious rashness; and certainly the devil is very ready to tempt in this point, sometimes he prevaileth to seduce in this point, as appeareth by the multitude of Arians of old, and Socinians of late, sometimes he cannot seduce, yet he doth shake and disturb the minds of the godly exceedingly by suggestions; so that their temptations about dogmatical faith, sometimes are as grievous, as about justifying faith. But now although we have a two fold light, the light of reason, and the light of faith, and the latter ought to correct & direct the former, yet such is our corruption, that we make the light of reason to correct the light of faith, as if we should make the Sun to borrow its light from the stars. But these two lights are as superior and inferior; so that although nothing can be false by the light of reason, which is true by the light of faith, yet the light of faith comprehends many things, which the light of reason cannot, as nothing can be false to sense, and true to reason, yet reason can comprehend many things which sense cannot:
3. This Doctrine therefore of the Trinity is purely an object of faith, 1and cannot be demonstrated by reason. The Schoolmen do well declare, That the same things in Divinity may be demonstrated by reason, and believed by faith, as that there is a God; this may be known both wayes; so that though faith and science cannot have the same formal motive, yet they may be conversant about the same object, we know there is a God by demonstrations of reason, we believe by authority and testimony from Scripture: But now this truth about the Persons in the Divine Nature, is only to be believed: It cannot be demonstrated by reason. Indeed when once this revelation is made, then it is not hard to finde out such reasons and consequences grounded on Scripture, that may serve to answer all the objections of any adversaries; for nothing revealed to be believed, is contrary to reason, though it may be above it. Therefore when Scripture hath laid the foundation, then reason may make a superstruction, yet we must take this Caution; although reason be allowed to be a servant to faith, we must look she grow not imperious, as Hagar to Sarah, for then we are to cast her out of doors, then the Rule is, Mulier ista ratio, taceat in Ecclesiâ. This Doctrine therefore is to be adored with humble believing, and not to be searcht into by curious or furious rashness; and certainly the devil is very ready to tempt in this point, sometimes he prevaileth to seduce in this point, as appeareth by the multitude of Arians of old, and Socinians of late, sometimes he cannot seduce, yet he doth shake and disturb the mindes of the godly exceedingly by suggestions; so that their temptations about dogmatical faith, sometimes are as grievous, as about justifying faith. But now although we have a two fold light, the light of reason, and the light of faith, and the latter ought to correct & direct the former, yet such is our corruption, that we make the light of reason to correct the light of faith, as if we should make the Sun to borrow its light from the stars. But these two lights are as superiour and inferior; so that although nothing can be false by the light of reason, which is true by the light of faith, yet the light of faith comprehends many things, which the light of reason cannot, as nothing can be false to sense, and true to reason, yet reason can comprehend many things which sense cannot:
- 13. This Doctrine of the Trinity is an object of faith, and cannot be demonstrated by reason.
