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souls. No doubt the Anti-Trinitarians are fully aware of this; and are thereby excited to make every possible ef fort to subvert the text in view.

It is extremely unwise, therefore, to retreat before them from an inch of ground, that can be maintained by an ingenuous contest. Unless more evidence can be produced than I have yet seen, I must remain in the belief, that there is no need of surrendering 1 John 5. 7, into the hands of its enemies. It is too precious to be sacrificed in this manner.

4. From what has been said on this subject, we may be convinced that the Trinity in Unity is a doctrine that rests on evidence as solid as the throne of God,

The text that has been vindicated in these discourses, and many others, are incontestible proofs of its truth, There are, however, some general facts, clearly revealed in the Holy Scriptures, which more strongly prove the doctrine, than this text, or any other single passage. Many texts might, indeed, be selected, confirming the Trinity in the view of candid minds; but artful reasoners will invent ways of evading their force. 1 John 5. 7 is the most conclusive proof of a Triune God of any one text in the Bible; but it is construed by many in such a way as to impose silence on it, in respect to that doctrine.

But, there are certain leading facts revealed in the Scriptures, whose force cannot be evaded, namely, that there are three agents, called "the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost;" whose names, perfections, works and worship, prove the proper Deity of each, in connexion with the repeated declarations of the Bible, that there is only one God. On strict Unitarian principles, these facts form a paradox; but on Trinitarian grounds, they are of easy explication.

In relation to this subject, Anti-Trinitarians have no other alternative, but to argue, that the names, perfections,

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works and worship, ascribed to Christ and the Holy Spirit, are not proper evidences of their supreme divinity. But, this course is extremely arduous and difficult; and their united labors evince, that they feel the pressure of these obstacles to their system. To explain away all the testimony which the Scriptures present, in relation to the Supreme Deity of Christ and his atonement, the personality and divinity of the Holy Ghost, requires talents and exertion. It is surprising that they can satisfy their own minds on the subject, or convince their hearers of the practicability of supporting such a baseless scheme on the ground of Scripture testimony. But, after all their elaborate and subtile reasoning, we must believe an inspired apostle, when he says of Christ, "This is the true God, and eternal life." 1 John 5. 20.

It will not be expected that I can enter, at present, into a discussion of the great facts, which have been briefly mentioned. Let it be remembered, however, that in va-rious sermons, these things have been amply supported from this desk. In three discourses from Rev. 1. 8, it was clearly shown, that Christ is eternal, almighty, omniscient, omnipresent, the creator of all things, forgives sin, rules the universe, receives supreme worship, will ultimately raise the dead, and judge accountable agents with a judgment from which there is no appeal. No higher evidence of his supreme Deity can be consistently required. To men in whose minds this point is established, no doubt can suggest itself concerning the personality and Deity of the Holy Ghost. As there can be no more than one God, these great facts prove, the Unity of three persons, agents or subsistencies, in one undivided essence. The doctrine of the Trinity in Unity, therefore, is capable of being maintained, if 1 John 5. 7 should fall. But I think, we have great reason to believe that if St. John were now en

earth, he would freely declare that it was, either written with his own hand, or by his amanuensis. It has been fully shown, in what has been said, that the text rests on ample testimony.

You, however, my-hearers, must weigh the evidence that has been adduced in its favor for yourselves. But, remember, that you are accountable to God for the judgment you form on this important question.

The Trinity of persons in one God, is a truth, on which, the whole plan of redemption is founded. If it is not true, then Christ is no more than a creature-no atonement has been made for sin-the Spirit is only a name of the Father-or one of his attributes, or modes of his operation. The infinite evil of sin-the total depravity of the human heart-the necessity of regeneration by the Spirit -the eternal punishment of finally impenitent sinners, are points which must fall to the ground with that doctrine. We are warranted, therefore, in believing that Anti-Trinitarian principles subvert the plan of salvation from the foundation to the top stone. If I know my own heart, I have no unkind feelings towards those people who are believers in that doctrine; but christian fidelity requires me to vindicate the truth, and oppose dangerous errors.

'The doctrine of the Trinity is not a matter of mere speculation. No; it is of a highly practical nature. Receiving or rejecting it, is an expression of moral character, and holds a connection with consequences of unlimited magnitude. The difference between Trinitarians and Anti-Trinitarians, as a certain writer states, "respects the object of worship-the ground of hope-and the rule of duty." Surely, these are momentous considerations. If I am not greatly deceived, however, I as ardently desire the salvation of my Anri-Trinitarian fellow creatures, as any other class of mankind. God grant, that any cause

of hardness, which they may give to me, on account of my opposition to their peculiar sentiments, may never alter my feelings towards them in that respect.

It is our indispensable duty, christian brethren, ever to remember that divine saying, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind." It is perfectly consistent with stedfastness in the faith, and a persevering defence of all its doctrines. "If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his." Love to his glorious name will lead us to believe and defend his doctrines, to obey his commands, and to love our worst enemies. The Trinity in Unity, is laid down as an article of primary importance, in almost all the creeds in Christendom. In the defence of it, many fell a sacrifice in the fifth century, when the dark cloud of Arianism, overspread the christian horizon. That doctrine has been correctly understood, firmly believed, ably defended, and adhered to by an overwhelming majority in the church in all ages; with the exception of the greater part of the fourth and fifth centuries. Truth, however, is not always on the side of the multitude; yet, it is no small degree of evidence in favor of the Trinity, that the Bible is so calculated, as to make a deep impression of it on almost every mind.

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“Dr. Buchanan, in his tour through Hindostan, in the year 1806, found in the interior of that country, a body of Christians who have been settled there from the early ages of Christianity." They gave him this account of themselves;-"We are of the true faith, whatever you may be from the West, for we came from the place where the followers of Christ were first called Christians." The Dr. states, "At that time they had 55 churches, and their number was estimated at 23,000 souls." They informed him, that Christianity was first planted there by the apos

tle Thomas. He says, in their system of faith, the article of the Trinity is thus expressed,"

"We believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three persons in one God; neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance; one in three, and three in one. None before or after the other: In majesty, honor, might and power, co-equal; Unity in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity." See Dr. Buchanan's Christian Researches in Asia; the sixth American edition, page 175.

In this article of their belief, there is a remarkable coincidence with the faith of christians in general, of whom, it appears, they had no knowledge. This is a strong evidence, that the Trinity in Unity is the doctrine of Scripture, and that they derived their faith in it from that fountain.

5. In the view of this subject, we learn the importance of examining closely the ground of our faith and hope. "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." We have no right to think, that any doctrine of the Bible is obscurely revealed. It is incumbent on us, therefore, to study the Scriptures with great care; and in understanding them, admit their true meaning, without being influenced by any man or denomination of men. In this respect, we are taught by Jesus Christ to "call no man father upon earth; for one is our Father, who is in heaven." Math 23. 3. The only rule of judging of doctrines, is the word of God; and it is "able to make us wise unto salvation.". 2 Tim. 3. 15. In relation to this, our souls are at stake. It will appear at the day of judgment, that doctrinal errors were connected with the depravity of the heart-are of a moral nature, and render us accountable.

If we abandon our belief in the Trinity, we can have no hope on the ground of Christ's atonement; and, there

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