Letter Concerning the Trinity Number 7, Title page
A Seventh LETTER, Concerning the Sacred Trinity; Occasioned by a Second Letter From W. I.
By IOHN WALLIS, D. D. Professor of Geometry, in Oxford.
LONDON: Printed for Tho. Parkhurst, at the Bible and Three Crowns, in Cheapside, 1691.
A Seventh LETTER Concerning the Sacred Trinity.
IN a Postscript to my Sixth Letter (which should have been Printed with it; but came, it seems, too late, after all the Sheets were Printed off,) I gave notice, That I had received from London the Night before (March 27.) another Letter from W. I. of a like import with his former; but somewhat fuller.
That, what in it did directly concern me, was but Expressions of Thanks, Respect, and Approbation. For which I knew not how otherwise (than by such a way) to return him my acknowledgment: Because he did neither signifie who he is that writes; nor do I know any in London, to who's Name the Letters W. I. do belong.
That, there were Reflections in it, on some Expressions of a Learned Author: which Expressions I do not see that I am at all engaged to defend: And did therefore wave them.
That, to say, The three Divine Persons, are Three Intelligent Beings (three substantial Beings, three Spirits,) Really Distinct, (though mutually conscious,) is more, he thinks, than that Learned Author needed to have said; (And I think so too:) And that it is more Safe, to be less Positive and Particular, as to what the Scripture leaves in the dark. And his Answer (I think) would not have been less valid, (against those he undertakes to answer,) though such Expressions were omitted.
That, I did forbear to publish that Letter without his Order; because I was loth to engage the Learned Writer thereof in a Publick Dispute against that Learned Author, unless he please.
Since which time; considering, that the Postscript came too late to be Printed with that Letter of mine; and, that the Letter of this Reverend Divine (for such I take him to be by the contents of it,) seems to be penned with that care and caution, as if he were willing to have it publick; and without any intimation of Dislike for my having published his former Letter in like Circumstances: I have thought not amiss (nor unagreeable to his mind) to publish this also. Which is as followeth: (supplying the Date from the Post-mark at London, denoting what day it was given-in to the Post-Office there.)