A Scriptural Defence of the Doctrine of the Trinity

BEFORE entering upon our main design, we invite attention for a few moments to the importance and general bearing of the subject. From the days of Arius it has been a chosen scheme with his disciples to represent the doctrine of the Trinity as a matter of mere speculation, and consequently of little importance. The first step in almost every effort to disseminate Arianism, is, if possible, to induce the belief that the opposite doctrine has no practical bearing, that we may believe or disbelieve it, without in the least affecting our Christian experience, or impeding our progress in the way to heaven.

If such is the nature of the subject, the prođuction of the following pages is a criminal waste of time and paper; and no person should participate in our guilt, by reading what we have written. But should the reader conclude to proceed, the attentive perusal of these pages will be expected of those only who have proper views of the nature and importance of the subject; as no wise man will spend much time or thought on a matter of little or no consequence. This question, then, should be

settled at the outset. If, as has been alleged, the doctrine of the Trinity is of little importance, and has no necessary connection with our present or future happiness, this work should be thrown aside at the close of the first chapter; and the whole subject consigned to forgetfulness. On the other hand, should it be made to appear that this doctrine is so far fundamental in Christianity, and so interwoven with its whole frame-work, as to involve in its rejection the rejection of the saving truth of God, and the blood of atonement, and consequently the hope of salvation by Jesus Christ, no reasonable man will dismiss the subject with a superficial examination; or rest contented till he has learned the truth as it is in Christ.

I. That this doctrine has been considered and de

fended as a doctrine of vital importance, by a majority of Christians in all ages, few will deny. It is impossible to account for the long and earnest controversies that have been kept up from the time of Arius, upon this subject, without supposing that one party, at least, considered the point in dispute a matter of great interest. It would be an invidious reflection upon the Church, to suppose that she has contended thus long and earnestly about nothing. It is too late now, after centuries of polemic warfare, to throw this doctrine aside as a matter of mere speculation. Besides the general sentiment of the Church for eighteen hundred years, it is a consideration of no small weight, as it respects this point, that nine-tenths of all the professed Christians in the land consider it a doctrine of vital importance, and as lying at the very foundation of the Christian system. So deeply are they impressed with this belief, that they not only discard the opposite error as false, and ruinous in its tendencies,

but they even refuse to fellowship those who understandingly embrace it; or to admit that they have built upon the rock Christ Jesus. Metho

dists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Orthodox Quakers, Episcopalians, Reformed Dutch, and Lutherans, all agree that the doctrine of the Trinity is an essential doctrine of Revelation. Now were the above churches Romanists-were they grossly ignorant or corrupt, or even if they all belonged to the same ecclesiastical organization, the case would be different. But this is not the fact. They are all Protestants and students of the Holy Scriptures, and have learning and ability to understand them; and as to their piety, the most conscientious Arians themselves will readily fellowship them as the children of God. Besides, each church has its peculiarities in doctrine and government, and its separate interests; and yet, on the point in hand they unite in a common verdict, not only that the doctrine of the Trinity is true, but that those who understandingly reject it, "deny the Lord that bought them."

But allowing that this doctrine has no intrinsic importance; does not the fact that it is generally believed by the Church of Christ, invest it with an importance that should secure for it a candid and prayerful consideration? If it is considered fundamental, by any body of Christians, must they not in consistency reject all from their communion who deny it? and ought we to complain of their exclusiveness, till we have inquired whether or not they have sufficient warrant for their course. they are wrong in proscribing the opposite sentiment, then indeed the Arians have cause to complain; but if, on the other hand, they are justifiable in so doing, we should not only cease to brand them

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A Scriptural Defence of the Doctrine of the Trinity: Or a Check to Modern ...