Ghost. The word Trinity is not to be found in the Bible, but is a scholastic term, derived from the Latin word Trinitas, denoting a threefold unity. Calvin himself reprobates the term, as being barbarous, and of human invention. The most learned writers entertain such various and contradictory sentiments respecting this mystery, that it is difficult to know to whom the term Trinitarians is justly applicable. Waterland, Howe, Sherlock, Pearson, Burnet, Beveridge, Wallis, and Watts, have each of them separate opinions on this subject. Some think Trinitarians reducible to two classes; those who believe that there is no proper divinity in Christ, beside that of the Father; and the class of Tritheists, who maintain that there are three equal and distinct Gods. This representation, however, has been called in question by the opposite party; but, the truth is, that being professedly a mystery, there appear to be no definite ideas on the subject.

ATHANASIANS.

NEARLY allied to this latter class are the Athanasians, a name derived from Athanasius, a father of the Christian church, who lived in the fourth century. The creed which bears his name in the Common Prayer-Book, is not of

his composition; and so little attached was Archbishop Tillotson to it, that in writing to Dr. Burnet, the historian, he says, "I wish we were well rid of it." The episcopal church in America has rejected it.-Were the account of the doctrine of the Trinity contained in this creed ever so just and satisfactory, yet its damnatory clauses are highly exceptionable, and have given just offence to some of the more sensible and worthy members of the established church. On this subject, Dr. Prettyman, in his Elements, speaks with candour and moderation :-" Great objection has been made to the clauses of this creed, which denounce eternal damnation against those who do not believe the Catholic faith, as here stated; and it certainly is to be lamented, that assertions of so peremptory a nature, unexplained and unqualified, should have been used in any human composition." The prelate then endeavours to account for the introduction of such clauses into the creed; and then adds,"We know that different persons have deduced different and even opposite doctrines from the words of scripture, and consequently there must be many errors among Christians; but since the gospel no where informs us, what degree of error will exclude from eternal happiness, I am ready to acknowledge that, in my judgment, notwithstanding the authority of former times, our church

would have acted more wisely and more consistently with the general principles of mildness and toleration, if it had not adopted the damnatory clauses of the Athanasian creed! Though I firmly believe, that the doctrines of this creed are all founded in Scripture, I cannot but conceive it to be both unnecessary and presumptuous to say, that "except every one do keep them whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly."

Mr. Broughton, in his Dictionary of all Religions, under the article Trinity, has the following paragraph, which may assist the reader on this most abstruse subject: "The doctrine of the TRINITY, as professed in the Christian church, is briefly this: that there is ONE GOD in THREE distinct PERSONS, FATHER, SON, and HoLY GHOST; person signifying here the same as essence, with a particular manner of subsistence, which the Greek fathers called hypostasis, taking it for the incommunicable property that makes a person. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are believed to be three distinct persons in the divine nature; because the Holy Scriptures, in speaking of these three, so distinguish them from one another, as we use in common speech to distinguish three several persons. There are many instances to this purpose, particularly the form of administering the sacrament of baptism, which

runs, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and that solemn benediction with which St. Paul concludes his second epistle to the Corinthians: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. And the three Witnesses in heaven, mentioned by St. John*.

"Each of these three persons is affirmed to be GOD, because the names, properties, and operations of God, are in the Holy Scriptures attributed to each of them. The divinity of the Father is out of the question. That of the Son is proved from the following texts, among many others: St. John says, The word was God: St. Paul, that God was manifested in the flesh; that Christ is over all, God blessed for ever. Eternity is attributed to the Son: The Son hath life in himself. Perfection of knowledge-As the Father knoweth me, so know I the Father. The Creation of all things-All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. And we are commanded to honour the Son as we honour the Father. The divinity of the Holy Ghost rests upon the following proofs, among others:-Lying to the Holy Ghost is called lying to

* This passage has for some time been deemed an interpolation, and Dr. Prettyman gives it up in his Elements of Theology. Mr. Porson, a profound Greek scholar (now librarian to the London Institution) has, it is thought, in his controversy with Archdeacon Travis, settled the subject.

God. Because Christians are the temples of the Holy Ghost, they are said to be the temples of God. His teaching all things, his guiding into all truth, his telling things to come, his searching all things, even the deep things of God, &c. are alledged as plain characters of his divinity. Besides, he is joined with God the Father, as an object of faith and worship, in baptism and the apostolical benediction. This doctrine is called a mystery, because we are not able to comprehend the particular manner of existence of the three persons in the Divine Nature." Dr. Jeremiah Taylor remarks with great piety, that "He who goes about to speak of the mystery of the Trinity, and does it by words and names of man's invention, talking of essences and existences, hypostases and personalities, priorities in co-equalities, and unity in pluralities, may amuse himself and build a tabernacle in his head, and talk something he knows not what; but the good man, who feels the power of the Father, and to whom the Son is become wisdom, sanctification, and redemption, in whose heart the love of the Spirit of God is shed abroad-this man, though he understands nothing of what is unintelligible, yet he alone truly understands the Christian doctrine of the Trinity."

It were well, if before we made up our minds on this intricate article of faith, we were cares