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PREFACE.

THE Author, in first attempting to Elucidate the Unity of the Deity, had no other than an anxious desire of coming at Truth, and satisfying himself: and in the resolution since of Publishing the result, sincerely professes, that he has not the most distant intention of fomenting divisions amongst his Christian Brethren*; but, on the contrary, is solicitous to promote their

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* The Maxim that we ought not to expose our Religious Opinions to the World, however just they may be, if repugnant to those which Prevail (lest we should thereby officiously disturb the Consciences of others, and perhaps endanger the tranquillity of our Country), is certainly false; for on this Principle neither the Reformation, nor the original promulgation of the Gospel itself, can possibly be justified.

inward Peace, and to forward the right understanding of the holy Scriptures. Not handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the Truth commending himself to every man's conscience, in the sight of God. For which purpose, he has endeavoured to point out plainly, and as concisely as a pretty full inquiry would allow, the pure tenets of primitive Christianity, as they were delivered by its heavenly Author and his Apostles on this most important Subject; and to free their Doctrines from an unnatural mixture of Gentile Philosophy; from the distracting remains of ancient Bigotry and Superstition, the gloomy springs of that Charge of Inconsistency and Contradiction, which has

* 2 Cor. iv, 2.

"Christianity itself has very much suffered by being "blended up with Gentile Philosophy. The Platonic System first taken into Religion, was thought to have "given matter for some early heresies in the Church.”Dean Swift, Works, vol. xvi, p. 64.

been so often and so profanely cast upon them.

By an impartial inspection into Scripture, it will be found, that the absolute Unity of GOD is clearly shown in that unsullied Fountain ;-that it must be our own prejudices which distort our view of this glorious and momentous Truth;-that our blessed Saviour expressly taught it, and never assumed Divine Worship to himself, nor left it in command that he should receive such after his departure hence; but instructed Mankind (most justly) to believe in him and his Precepts, as the sacred and anointed Messenger of the Most High, The Mediator, the Son of God, as he is emphatically named in the Scriptures*. And his Apostles, we find, firmly accord with him; asserting, with the utmost pre

*The Angel says (Luke i, 35), he shall be called the Son of God. This illustrious Denomination, however,

cision and simplicity, as the knowledge of

by no means implies any Equality of the Son, to his God and Father.-See Heb. v, 7, 8.

The Terms, Gods, Sons of God, Children of God, &c., so frequently found in Scripture, are, in general, Figurative, or Comparative, and, of course, will not admit of a literal Construction; as may be observed in Exod. vii, 1; Matt. xxiii, 9; Luke vi, 35; Acts xvii, 29; 1 Cor. viii, 5; 2 Cor. vi, 18, &c. Our blessed Master, in his present Exalted State, may, indeed, be called a God, or Lord, in the Inferior or Subordinate Sense. (We even find such Titles sometimes applied, but in a more Inferior Sense, to other highly Dignified Characters in Scripture, as before, Exod. vii, 1; and again, 1 Kings xviii, 7; John x, 34, 35). But the Appellation, thus properly taken, conveys no Idea of any Equality with the Father of All, Who is the ONLY True God, The Supreme LORD of lords, and GOD of gods; and as Such, most certainly, would our Saviour have his Father considered. Matt. xi, 25. The Heathen had Gods many, and Lords many; but We (Christians) have but One GOD, even the FATHER; and but One Lord-Mediator, or Intercessor, between GoD and Man, even JESUS CHRIST.

Thus much may be further observed, that the Angel evidently grounds our Saviour's Title (Son of God) on his miraculous Conception, and the great Dignity and Importance of the Spiritual Office which God was pleased afterwards to confer upon him; as may be seen in Luke i, 30-35.

the Truth, that There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.-1 Tim. ii, 4, 5.

Convinced that these Principles form the basis of the Gospel, the writer has endeavoured in all humility to vindicate those sacred Doctrines, which declare, that Religious Worship, in the proper Sense, is due to Almighty God alone, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Parent of All! in whom we live, and move, and have our Being; and upon whom only, the Preservation, Comfort, Peace, and Happiness of the whole Universe eternally depend. For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things*, To Whom be Glory for ever. Amen.-Rom. xi, 36.

* Viz. "From Him all Things derive their Being, by "Him (through His Care and Providence) all Things "are Preserved and Governed, to His Glory all Things "shall terminate."-Dr. Clarke.

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