SERMON III. ON THE TRINITY, JOHN. V. 7. THERE ARE THREE THAT BEAR RECORD " IN HEAVEN, THE FATHER, THE WORD, THE Doctrine of a co-equal and coeternal Trinity, is the peculiar and diftinguishing Doctrine of Christianity; the Foundation upon which the whole Revelation depends. We cannot, therefore, but conclude, that is a Matter of the highest Confequence, to entertain a right Belief of this Doctrine, fince it is the Effence of our most holy Religion. It is interwoven in the very Frame and Texture of it; and P4 with with all due Modefty and Reverence be it fpoken, one might be tempted to conclude, from the whole Tenor of the Holy Scriptures, that the whole Scheme of our Redemption was laid with this chief Intent, to bring Mankind by Degrees into the Knowledge and Acquaintance of the three divine Perfons, by whom this great Work was to be accomplished, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, one God blessed for ever. If we would weigh this Matter carefully in our Minds, we should find great Reafon to admire and adore the wonderful Economy of the divine Perfons in the bleffed Trinity, by which every Perfon hath (as it were) by a diftinct Title, bound Mankind to his Government. The Father is worshipped as the Creator of this world, who by that very Act was made known unto Men; for, as the Apostle faith, the invifible Things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly feen, even his eternal Power and Godhead. The Son is worshipped under the Title of Redeemer and Saviour of Mankind, whofe divine Glory and Dominion were not mani fefted fefted until the Work of Man's Redemption and Salvation was accomplished on Earth, And the Holy Ghost is adored under the Title of our Comforter, Illuminator, and Sanctifier, whofe divine Majefty shone forth moft confpicuously upon his Defcent upon the Apostles and first Christians, by a plenteous Effufion of the most noble and illuftrious Gifts. Indeed, this Doctrine is fo often, and fo plainly taught in the Writings of the New Teftament, that we cannot but confefs, that a right and firm Belief of it is highly neceffary to every one to whom it is revealed. The facred Form of Benediction wherewith St. Paul concludeth his Epistle to the Corinthians, runneth in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; the Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghoft, be with you all evermore thus putting thofe to whom he writeth under the Influence and Protection of the ever-bleffed Three in One. The divine Titles and Attributes in their full and ftrongest Signification, are frequently afcribed 2 afcribed to the Son and Holy Spirit. The Son is called God, the Lord God, the mighty God, and over all God blessed for ever; and the Angels, and the whole Creation are called upon to worship him. Lying to the Holy Ghoft, is faid to be lying to God; and Christians are called the Temples of God, becaufe the Holy Ghoft dwelleth in them. Now we are fure, both from Scripture, and from Reason, that there is, and can be, but one God. Yet, fince Scripture affirmeth, and Reafon doth not contradict it, that in the Godhead, there are three Perfons, who fubfift under the different Diftinctions of Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft; what can we conclude from hence, but that (as our Creed expreffeth it) the Father is God, the Son God, and the Holy Ghoft God; and yet, that they are not three Gods, but one God; and that the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft is all one, the Glory equal, the Majefty co-eternal. Into this Faith we are baptized, and by a Profeffion of it are admitted into Covenant with God, by the exprefs Command of our |