CHAP. V

Objections removed, and vulgar Mistakes rectified.

1. Objected, that insisting upon the Doctrine as

important, is running into an extreme

97

98

- ibid.

2. That a wicked Life is the worst Heresy. The

Fallacy of that saying laid open and confuted 102

A Life of Heresy a wicked Life

102, 110

3. That Heretics may be sincere. Allowed with
Distinction, and the Plea shown to be wide and
foreign

4. That there can be no Certainty on the Trini-

tarian Side, without Infallibility, denied

Certainty maintained against Papists

Against Sceptics

5. That such Zeal in this matter is Persecution

and Popery

Denied

Retorted

III

122

- 123

127

- 136

6. That it is assuming Dominion over Men's

Faith, &c. denied and disproved .

Retorted

-

7. That censuring others may provoke them to

make Reprisals

Admitted, and justified

The Use to be made of that Consideration

8. That none should be censured who are ready to

declare their Faith in Scripture Terms

Allowed in one Sense

Denied in another

141

143

144

ibid.

148

9. That censuring of Heretics is encouraging san-

Containing the Judgment of the primitive Churches,

with respect to the Importance of the Doctrine of the

Trinity

1. Shewn from Creeds

- 157

- 158

2. From Censures passed upon the Impugners of it 174

Upon Cerinthus

Upon Ebion

Upon Theodotus

Upon Paul of Samosata

Upon Arius

3. From the Sentiments of particular Fathers

Ignatius

Justin Martyr

Irenæus

Athenagoras

Tertullian

Cyprian

Novatian

Dionysius of Rome

Dionysius of Alexandria

Alexander of Alexandria

CHAP. VII.

Showing the Use and Value of Ecclesiastical Anti-

quity in Controversies of Faith

2. The true State of the Case premised

3. The Use of the Ancients explained in eight

particulars

4. Objections answered in ten particulars

CHAP. VIII.

The Catholic Interpretation of John i. 1. and He-

brews i. vindicated, and shown to be preferable to

THE INTRODUCTION.

a

THERE has appeared, very lately, a small pamphlet a of seventy-six pages, entitled, A Sober and Charitable Disquisition concerning the Importance of the Doctrine of the Trinity; endeavouring to show, that "those in the "different schemes should bear with each other in their "different sentiments, and should not separate commu"nions." The treatise appears to be written in a good manner, and with a Christian spirit; on which account it deserves the more notice: and the question debated in it is undoubtedly important in every view, whether with regard to peace in this life, or happiness in the next. And as I have formerly spent some time and pains in discussing the truth of that high and holy doctrine, from Scripture, reason, and antiquity; so now I think it concerns me the more, to debate, in like manner, the importance of it: which I shall, by God's assistance, endeavour to do, fully and fairly, with all due care and attention, and with all becoming reverence for the subject, as well as respect towards the reader.

Before I enter upon the main debate, it will be proper

Printed for John Gray, at the Cross Keys in the Poultry, near Cheapside, 1732.

N. B. There were several other pieces which preceded, or soon followed it, relating to the same cause.

1. Mr. Nation's Sermon, preached Sept. 8, 1731.

2. A Letter to Mr. Nation, by P. C. 1732.

3. A Vindication of Mr. Nation's Sermon: with a Letter from Mr. Nation.

4. A Letter to the Author of the Vindication: with a Second Letter to Mr. Nation, by P. C.

5. A Reply to Mr. P. C.'s Letter.

6. A Postscript, or a Third Letter to Mr. Nation, by P. C.