The danger of concessions to the adversaries of truth. . . ib.

Conclusion of Gerhard, with the opinion of Rabbi Hunna. . . 335

Opinion of Buddeus 336

CHAPTER III.

On the error of the Romanist and the Socinian, who both allege that

in the opinion of the Fathers and the Primitive Church, the doctrtne

of the Trinity is not set forth in Scripture.

Chillingworth, misrepresented by Mr. Jared Sparks. . . 339

Probable cause of this misrepresentation. .... 340

Assertion of the same writer that the ancient Fathers did not

believe the doctrine of the Trinity or the Deity of Christ was

plainly taught in Scripture ib.

Charge brought by Mr. Sparks against the Church Litany, that it

inculcates the worship of four Gods. .... 341

Error of Petavius, accounted for by Bishop Bull. . . . 342

Reasons why various controversial writers, although differing in

other respects, have agreed to vilify the ancient Fathers. . 344

Quotation from Dr. Channing. .... . 345

The fidelity of the Prot. Ep. Church to the Primitive system. . ib.
Proofs from the ancient Fathers to show the total error of Mr.

Sparks' assertions. . ...... 34G

From Ignatius. 846

From the Epistle of Smyrna on the death of Polycarp. . 347

From the Shepherd of Hcrmas. . . - ... it.

From Justin Martyr. . ...... ib.

From Irenaeus. 349—353

From Tertullian 354—357

From Cyprian 357—360

From the first Council of Antioch. ..... 361

From Eusebius' Eccl. History. 362

From the address of the Emperor Constantino before the Council

of Nice .364

From the Fathers of the Council of Nice 365

From Athanasius 367—372

Chapter IV.
Quotations from other anti-trinitarian writers.'

Dr. Priestly's assertion that man possesses no soul. . . 374

""that Chrtst was a mere mortal. . 375
Dr. Priestly's commendation of his systept, as being acceptable to

Jews and Mahometans. .... ib.

"preference of reason before Scripture. . . ib.

"charge of duplicity against the Ptimitive Church. 376

"charge of unprincipled hypocrisy against all the

Protestant clergy of his own day. tb.
The Christian Examiner's assault on the Prophetic Scriptures,

and on the inspiration of the Evangelists. . . . . 378—9

The Christian Examiner shewn to be in conflict with the words

of Christ himself. 380—3

The declaration in a subsequent number of the same work, that

the time has arrived for a new form of Christianity. . 385

Pride of intellect, the governing spirit of anti-trinitarianism. 386

Our only safeguard lies in an adherence to Scripture, as interpreted

by the Primttive Church 387

CHAPTER V.

Professor Norton's assault upon the doctrine of the Trinity. 388

His assertion that Christ inculcated erroneous doctrines, in order

to accommodate himself to the popular notions of the Jews. 389—391

Legitimate consequences of such a proposition. . . 391—393

t

CHAPTER VI.

Professor Norton's argument against the Deity of Christ, derived from
the supposed conduct of the Apostles. . . . 394—7

CHAPTER VII.

Professor Norton's assertion, that the source of the doctrine of the Trini-

ty was the philosophy of Plato, examined and disproved—Quotation

from Eusebius to show that Plato derived his knowledge from the Old'

Testament Scriptures—Another on the same subject, from Coquaeus

—Another from St. Augustin—The assertion of the Professor shewn to

bo not only unfounded, but absurd—Quotation fromCudworth, declar-

ing the true state of the question. . . . 397—404

CONCLUSION.

The substantial accordance of all Trinitarians, tn their explanation of th«
Trinity—Cause of regret that the orthodox Professor Stuart should dis.
lent from the language or the doctrine of the Primitive Church on this
subject—His objections to the term, Person, unsatisfactory—Disposi.
lion to make needless concessions, dangerous, and unwise—His dis.
sent from the doctrtne of the Eternal Sonship, and his contempt for the
ancient Fathers—His recommendation of the heterodox German di-
vines censured—The opinion of Bishop Bloomfield on this question—
The ancient Fathers recommended to the students of Theology—Elo-
quent passage from Bishop Jebb, in which he cites the language of
Daille, and states the opinions of many celebrated divines--Conclusion.

405—115

DISCOURSE I.

John Ix. 39.
Lord, I Belteve.

It was a weighty assertion of the great Apostle of the Gentiles, my brethren, that, 'with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness, but with, the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.' And so highly does the Church esteem this confession of belief, that she has appointed a form of sound words, called the Creed, for the express purpose of engaging the hearts and the lips of all her children, in the constant acknowledgment of the great principles of the Gospel.

The origin of this comprehensive and admirable formulary, called the Apostles' Creed, is so ancient, that it may be found substantially in the earliest records of the Christian faith ; and there can be no doubt that it was in use soon after the Apostolic, age, amongst those who derived it from the custom of the first churches. Some similar exposition of Divine truth is supposed to have been referred to by St. Paul, where he saith to Timothy, 'Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus;' and many believe, not without reason, that this is the precise form or summary of the faith, which was left to the Church of Rome, by the Apostles Peter and Paul.

Belonging, as we have the happiness to do, my brethren, to a Church which traces her doctrine, her government, and her forms, to the earliest and purest days of Christianity,