A calm and sober enquiry concerning the possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead…

LETTER III.

I Am very loath troublesomely to importune you. But the very little time I had for the view of your 8th. Letter, before I wrote mine by the last Post not allowing me fully to write my sense as to that part which concerned my former Letter; I take leave now to add, ⟨p. 132⟩that my design in it (as well as the profest design of the Letter it self) was to offer you the occasion of employing that clear understanding, wherewith God hath blest you, above most, in considering whether a greater latitude cannot be allowed us in conceiving the distinction of the three in the Godhead consistently with the Unity thereof, than your notion of a person will extend to. And if it can, whether it ought not to be represented (at least as possible) to give a less exceptionable ground to the Doctrines of the incarnation and satisfaction of the second Person, in order whereto it seems to me highly requisite. This was that I really intended, and not the vindicating the Sentiments of that Author, which you might observe that letter animadverts upon. The Scripture seems to allow a greater latitude, by the ground it gives us to apprehend three hypostases; which so much differ from the notion you give of persons, that one hypostasis may sustain three such persons as you describe. The ⟨p. 133⟩