THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY TRINITY ASSERTED, &c. In necessariis, Unitas: in non-necessariis, Libertas: in omnibus, Prudentia et Charitas. He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John iii. 18. CONTENTS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY TRINITY ASSERTED, &c. AN Introduction, briefly intimating the Occasion of the Work, and treating severally, I. Of those that deny the Importance of the Doctrine of the Trinity, being, 1. Either such as disbelieve the Doctrine.... 2. Or such as suspend their Faith in it 3. Or such as believe its Truth. . . . . . ...... II. Of those that assert the Importance of the Doctrine, conceiving, 396 ..ibid. .397 1. That some Scripture Doctrines are more important than others.. 399 2. That Faith in the Gospel is necessary to Salvation 3. That we are obliged to preserve it whole and entire.. 400 .ibid. 4. That in the slighter matters Christians should bear with each other; but in the necessaries, must insist upon conformity CHAP. I. 403 Shewing that the Doctrine of the Trinity is sufficiently clear to be admitted as a fundamental Article.... 1. Clear with Regard to the Matter of it 2. Clear with Respect to the Proofs on which it rests CHAP. II. 405 ibid. 411 Shewing that the same Doctrine is sufficiently practical to be a Fundamental..... 416 1. As containing a right Knowledge of God, and regulating our Worship..... .ibid. 2. As forming proper Dispositions of Mind 421 3. As raising and strengthening the Motives to Christian Practice ..422 4. As having a close connection with the Doctrine of Satisfaction ..425 5. As having the like Connection with the Doctrine of Grace.... 431 6. As belief is Obedience, and all Obedience practical 434 But this to be understood of the main Doctrine, not of the minute Cir. cumstances or Appendages ..... CHAP. III. .... · 437 Shewing that the Doctrine is sufficiently insisted on in Scripture to be judged a Fundamental 440 1. Episcopius's Sentiments on this Head considered and confuted.. ibid. 2. Limborch's Sentiments on the same examined and disproved.... 450 CHAP. IV. Shewing that Communion ought not to be held with Persons who openly reject and impugn the fundamental Doctrines of the Gospel, and persist in so doing. Proved 1. Objected, that insisting upon the Doctrine as important, is running into an extreme Denied Retorted 474 . ibid. ...476 2. That a wicked Life is the worst Heresy. The fallacy of that saying laid open and confuted A Life of Heresy a wicked Life 478 ibid. 3. That Heretics may be sincere. Allowed with Distinction, and the Plea shewn to be wide and foreign 485 4. That there can be no Certainty on the Trinitarian side, without Infallibility, denied ..... 494 Certainty maintained against Papists 495 Against Sceptics.... 498 5. That such Zeal in this matter is Persecution and Popery... ..506 Denied...... .507 Retorted.... .ibid. 6. That it is assuming Dominion over Men's Faith, &c. denied and disproved... .510 Retorted 511 7. That censuring others may provoke them to make Reprisals .... 512 513 The Use to be made of that Consideration ...516 8. That none should be censured who are ready to declare their Faith in 9, That censuring of Heretics is encouraging sanguinary proceedings ..519 Denied and disproved .. 520 CHAP. VI. Containing the Judgment of the primitive Churches, with respect to the Importance of the Doctrine of the Trinity 523 Shewing the Use and Value of Ecclesiastical Antiquity in Contro 3. The Use of the Ancients explained in eight particulars. .607 4. Objections answered in ten particulars 624 CHAP. VIII. The Catholic Interpretation of John i. 1. and Hebrews i. vindicated, and shewn to be preferable to the Arian Of John i. I. Of Hebr. i.... ...666 668 674 |