hich we find in the old articles, make the point ve would wish to defend, more plain and exlieit.

We shall wave many remarks on these articles, or two reasons, viz. 1st. we have already briefly considered them in the body of this work in anwer to Doct. Clarke's notes. 2dly. The articles hemselves, are so clear and explicit, that comment would throw very little, and probably, no additional light on them. And we are well assured, that every unprejudiced mind, must see that the ehurch of England considered, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in his divine nature, and that he partook of human nature in the wormb of the Virgin,

CATECHISM.

We now invite the reader to notice and consider the decision of the Assembly of Divines, in their eatechism.

They ask, "how many persons there are in the Godhead?-Answer, there are three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," &c. "Question.-How did Christ the Son of God become man?

"Answer.-Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul; being conceived in the womb of the Virgin, and born of her." &c.

Remark-We refrain from further copying the articles of faith of different churches, simply observing that the Dutch reformed church and many

of the Baptist churches of our country, perfectly agree in all the leading principles of the articles of faith, recited.

Remarks. We do not undertake to defend every expression made use of by these bodies of divines, in their articles on the Trinity. There are, also, some ideas included in them, upon which we neither remark upon in favor, or against. But we do presume to say, that in all the points we have been desirous to establish in this little volume, they harmoniously agree with our views.

Definition of Trinity.-vide Mr. Buck's The ological Dictionary, vol. 2, page 466.

"TRINITY.-The union of three in one, gene rally applied to the ineffable mystery of three persons in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.' &c. In support of his definition, Mr. Buck refers his readers to the works of Messrs. Owen, S. Brown Fawcett, A. Taylor, J. Scott, Simpson, Wesley Price, and others.

RECAPITULATION.

WE have thought it suitable to recapitulate, the points, upon which we have written."

In order to ascertain whether Jesus Christ is the Son of God in his divine nature, or whether he is only the Son of God in his human nature. We have searched and considered the scriptures, of both the old and new testament, as the only written and infallible rule, by which to decide this weighty point of faith and doctrine; and we hope, we have acquitted ourselves, without partiality, and with a single eye to the truth, as it is in Jesus Christ. After seeking for light from the oracles of God, and pondering our path, we trust, with that temper, sincerity, and love of truth, which alone ought to mark and excite the enquiries of every professed believer in the redeeming love of our Lord. And having taken some pains to learn, in respect to the points under consideration, what were the views and opinions of the Fathers, who lived in the three first centuries of christianity. And further, having taken notice of the articles of belief of several of the reformed churches of the three last centuries, who have taken the most general spread, both in Europe and America. Having also made copious extracts, from the writings of the most learned, wise, and pious divines of the last century, of the Calvinist, and other sectaries; and having submitted our views and opinions, we refer the

whole to the charitable and dispassionate reader, hoping in the result, that the christian may be strengthened, and that our earnest and humble efforts may become the medium of good, and not evil, to the family of man.

We presume to say, that unless we are grossly blinded through prejudice and superstition, it satisfactorily appears, from the scriptures of the old and new testament, the early fathers in the church of Christ, the articles of the reformed churches, with their most excellent divines, all speak forth one language, and echo this most sublime and heart-cheering truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in his divine nature.And as such, none inferior to the Father, God of God, light of light, the eternal of the eternal, and the invisible of him which is invisible, the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person; upholding all things by the Word of his power; for by him all things were created, whether visible or invisible, whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers; and he is the heir of all things.

We think our attention is now very directly called to consider this character as the author of our redemption, and our eternal salvation. It is evident, we apprehend beyond a doubt, that the propriety or necessity of man's redemption, consists in the belief of our apostacy, and human depravity. We have ever considered, that if man had not apostatized from God, and had not be-come degenerated in his nature, redemption of course must be out of the question. Moses informs us, that when God had finished his works, he pronounced them "very good ;" consequently there would have been no need of a ransom, or

redemption, from that state of innocency and holiness, in which we believe man stood, in his primeval state.

It will be proper to make a few brief remarks on man's apostacy. We say a few, because this subject might occupy more time, than we can devote to it in this place. If Moses has given us a true history of the facts, and it is not doubted, as they transpired, and the manner of his apostacy, they open a field or scope for many important reflections.

Man was created in the image of God, and pronounced very good, from the mouth of his maker. We have a right to suppose his body was sound in all its parts, his soul in all its powers, and his affections pure from every stain, or blemish. He was, therefore, a proper and fit subject to be placed under the government of a holy and just law. And Moses has informed us, that God placed him in the pleasant and good garden, which he had planted for him," to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shall surely die." And the Lord God made "him an help meet for him." And they transgressed this very plain and express law, known and acknowledged to be such, at the time our first parents violated it. The penalty of this law, was equally known, understood, and acknowledged, by the woman at the time the serpent tempted her; to his offered temptation, she replied, "But of the fruit of the tree, which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ye shall not eat of it,