A brief declaration and vindication of the doctrine of the Trinity as also of…

In the same manner it is come to pass with them who have denied the Deity of the Holy Ghost. They could never find where to stand or abide; but one hath cried up one thing, another another. At first they observed that such things were every where ascribed unto him in the Scripture, as uncontrollably evidenced him to be an intelligent voluntary Agent. This they found so plain and evident, that they could not deny, but that he was a person or an intelligent subsistence. Wherefore seeing they were resolved not to assent unto the Revelation of his being God, they made him a created spirit, chief and above all others. But ⟨p. 88⟩still whatever else he were, he was only a Creature. And this course some of late also have steered.

In the same manner it is come to pass with them who have denyed the Deity of the Holy Ghost. They could never find where to stand or abide; but one hath cryed up one thing, another another. At first they observed that such things were every where ascribed unto him in the Scripture, as uncontroulably evidenced him to be an intelligent voluntary Agent. This they found so plain and evident, that they could not deny, but that he was a person or an intelligent subsistence. Wherefore seeing they were resolved not to assent unto the Revelation of his being God, they made him a created spirit, chief and above all others. But ⟨p. 88⟩still whatever else he were, he was only a Creature. And this course some of late also have steered.

The Socinians on the other hand, observing that such things are assigned and ascribed unto him, as that if they acknowledge him to be a person, or a substance, they must upon necessity admit him to be God, though they seemed not at first at all agreed what to think or say concerning him positively, yet they all concurred peremptorily in denying his personality. Hereon, some of them said he was the Gospel, which others of them have confuted; some that he was Christ. Neither could they agree whether there was one Holy Ghost or more; whether the spirit of God and the Good spirit of God, and the holy spirit, be the same or no. In general now they conclude that he is vis Dei, or virtus Dei, or efficacia Dei; no substance, but a quality that may be considered either as being in God, and then they say it is the spirit of God; or as sanctifying,