The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

In the Explication of the doctrine of the Trinity, we must be wise to sobriety, because it is wholly secret, rather to be believed, then to be demonstrated, or described. It is a doctrine may be apprehended, but never comprehended, no not by the light of grace, nor fully and wholly by the light of glory, as being above the reach, not only of men but of Angels. A mystery to be adored by humble faith and piety, not to be searched, without curious yea furious temerity: For it is so admirable as Reason cannot express it, and so singular that example cannot declare it to us: for the Images or Similitudes borrowed out of the book of Nature, may rather show that the doctrine of the Trinity doth not destroy Nature, then give us any pattern which can sample out the thing it self; and besides to err here, is the most dangerous of all errors. For, as nothing is sought with more difficulty, or found with more profit, so nothing can be mistaken with more peril. And ¹therefore as a Father said well, seeing we cannot find out what God is, we must take heed, that we think not that of him which he is not; yet must we not wholly neglect the doctrine, because a necessity lies upon us to believe: and therefore, though men and Angels have cause to stand and wonder at this secret, that God should beget a Son, and that from that Father and Son should proceed that Spirit the Sanctifier, yet because God will be so acknowledged of us, we must make use of our faith to believe, what our reason cannot describe to us.

In the Explication of the doctrine of the Trinitie, we must be wise to sobriety, because it is wholly secret, rather to be belieued, then to be demonstrated, or described. It is a doctrine may be apprehended, but neuer comprehended, no not by the light of grace, nor fully and wholly by the light of glorie, as being aboue the reach, not onely of men but of Angells. A mystery to be adored by humble faith and piety, not to be searched, without curious yea furious temerity: For it is so admirable as Reason cannot expresse it, and so singular that example cannot declare it to vs: for the Images or Similitudes borrowed out of the booke of Nature, may rather shew that the doctrine of the Trinitie doth not destroy Nature, then giue vs any pattern which can sample out the thing it selfe; and besides to erre here, is the most dangerous of all errors. For, as nothing is sought with more difficulty, or found with more profit, so nothing can bee mistaken with more perill. And ¹