A Synopsis of Quakerism, Notice – Errata
AN ADVERTISEMENT.
ONe of W. Pens Arguments againſt the Trinity, I had almoſt omitted (it being out of its proper Place, in his Book, viz. that in p. 10.) If the God-head ſubſiſt in Three diſtinct Manners or Forms, then one of them cannot be a compleat Subſiſtence without the other two, and ſo parts, and ſomething ſinite would be in God; or if in finite, then Three diſtinct in finite Subſiſtences, and by conſquence Three diſtinct Gods.
Anſw. Not to Quarrel at the Impropriety of Pens Phraſe, nor at the Coincidence, in effect of this with his Third Arguments. I anſwer, by denying the conſequence, For as every Perſon is compleat, In eſſe quid ditativo, per Eſſentiam; i. e. is truly God by having the Divine Nature: So is every Perſon compleat In eſſe Perſonali per Subſiſtentiam, (as the Schools ſpeak;) i. e. is a compleat Subſiſtent or Perſon, by his proper manner of Subſiſting. And I wonder he ſhould not ſee, that his Argument may be retorted upon him thus. If the God-head be in Three Manners or Forms, then the God-head in one manner, muſt needs be a compleat Subſiſtent, and diſtinct from the God-head in the other two manners: Or more plainly thus; If the ſame God-head be in Father, Son, and Spirit, then they muſt needs be diſtinct one from another, and any one compleat without the other two. God the Father cannot be God the Son, nor can God the Son be God the Father: Though both Father and Son are one God. For the Perſons are formally Conſtituted by their relative Properties, and ſo the God-head conſidered with its Three relative Properties, admits of a Three-ſold distinction from it ſelf abſolutely conſidered.
If any ſhall wonder at the Diſtance of Time, between the Date of the Epiſtle and Publication, he may pleaſe to know, that the Whole Book (except the Advertiſement) was flniſhed before the Epiſtle; but by reaſon of ſome intervening Accidents (not needful, nor altogether Convenient to be mentioned) could not get through the Preſs till now.
ERRATA.
Title page, dele Collected. Ep. to Reader, p. 1. l. 15. for referd r. refin'd, l. 19. for charitably devout, r. charitable and devout, p. 4. l. 4. for and like this, r. as in this inſtance. Book. p. …. l. 3. dele or, p. 14. l. 4. dele the properties of, and after attributes, r. among themſelves, and with their Subjects, p. 17. l. 7. for of Perſons in the nature Three, r. Three Perſons in the nature, p. 24. l. 1. far counterpriae r. counterprice. p. 35. l. 8. dele had. The Literal Faults may eaſily be ſeen, and amended.
End of the text · Thomas Danson, A Synopsis of Quakerism (1668)