A53669:198
A brief declaration and vindication of the doctrine of the Trinity as also of…
A brief declaration and vindication of the doctrine of the Trinity as also of the person and satisfaction of Christ / accommodated to the capacity and use of such as may be in danger to be seduced, and the establishment of the truth by J. Owen.
London: printed by R.W. for Nath. Ponder, 1669
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I. The things, they say, which we teach concerning the Trinity, are contrary to Reason; and thereof they endeavour to give sundry instances, wherein the sum of the opposition which they make unto this truth doth consist. But first, I ask what Reason is it that they intend? It is their own, the carnal reason of men. By that they will judge of these Divine Mysteries. The Scripture tells us indeed, that the Spirit of a man w•ich is in him knows the things of a man. A mans Spirit, by natural Reason, may judge of natural things. But the things of God, knoweth no man but the spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2. 11. So that what we know of these things, we must receive upon the Revelation of the Spirit of God merely; if the Apostle may be believed. ⟨p. 125⟩And it is given unto men to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God. To some, and not to others; and unless it be so given them they cannot know them. In particular, none can know the Father, unless the Son reveal him. Nor will, or doth, or can, flesh and blood reveal or understand Jesus Christ to be the Son of the living God, unless the Father reveal him, and instruct us in the truth of it, Matth. 16. 18. The way to come to the acknowledgement of these things, is that described by the Apostle, Ephes. 3. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named, that he would grant ye, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all Saints, &c. As also Col. 2. 2. That ye might come ⟨p. 126⟩unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the Mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It is by faith and prayer, and through the Revelation of God, that we may come to the acknowledgement of these things; and not by the carnal reasonings of men of corrupt minds.