A glimpse of God, or, A treatise proving that there is a God discovering the grounds of atheism, with arguments of divers sorts against atheists : shewing also, the unity of the Godhead, and the trinity of the persons ... / by ... Mr. Thomas Byrdall ...

CHAP. 1.

THe coherence of these words is this: The Apostle St. John sets forth the excellency of two main graces, Love and Faith, in respect of the object of both: God is the prime object of Love, and Christ the sole ob∣ject and matter of justifying Faith, from whence salvation is onely to be expect∣ed, and so Faith apprehends him as the Author and finisher of our salva∣tion.

Now that our Faith may rest upon Christ alone for salvation, the Apostle bringeth heaven and earth to witnesse the same, whose testimony are without all possible exception; God the Fa∣ther,

God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost do give this testimony, that Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and that life Eternal is in his Son; these three do bear record in heaven: and in earth the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood. The Spirit] that is the sanctifying efficacy of God's Spi∣rit, purging and renewing our hearts. Water] put here for remission of Sins, typified by the legall purifications, and now sealed to us in Baptism: and Blood] put here for the infinite expi∣atory price of our Redemption from Sin; all these testifie that salvation is onely from Jesus Christ.

The mention of the three Heavenly Witnesses are in the Text; the three Witnesses on earth are mentioned, ver. 8. Now to open the words of my Text.

There be three that bear record, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, do witnesse or give testimony: The testimony or record is expressed, ver. 11. that life eternall is freely gi∣ven to us of God, in his onely begot∣ten

Son: This is the record that God hath given to us eternall life, and this life is in his Son; to him must all the ends of the earth look for salvation.

In heaven] These words are left out in seven antient Copies, as the learned Beza observeth; but yet they are to be retained, that these three in heaven may answer the three in earth; and Jerome thinks, they were left out more through malice, then errour. 'Tis said in Heaven] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, be∣because in heaven the glorious God displaies the full brightnesse of his glo∣ry, there he reigneth like a Glorious King.

1 The Father] here is taken 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for the first Person of the Trini∣ty: God is the Eternal Father of his Eternal Son Jesus Christ, by an E∣ternal generation; he is the Father of all the Elect in Christ; the Father of all men by Creation.

He bears record of Christ: Take one Testimony for all, Matth. 3. 17. This (Jesus Christ whom John Baptist

did baptize before your eyes) is my well-beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

2. The second witness is the Word] that is, the eternall Son of God: The Son of God hath many titles in the Scripture, and this is one, he is called The Word: many of the Antients en∣deavour to give reasons of this title; but among all I will give but this one: he is called the Word.

The reason is, because Jesus Christ is the main subject of the Oracles of God, and of the whole Word: Moses, the Prophets, and Apostles do all preach Christ: our Saviour himself saith of Moses, that he wrote of him. Joh. 5. 45. To him also gave all the Prophets Witness: Search the Scriptures saith Christ (of the writings of the Prophets) they are they which testifiy of me, John 5. 39. the Apostles all preached Christ also; Thus Paul to King Agrippa; Having obtained help of God, saith he, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great

saying no other things, then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come; That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles, Acts 26. 22, 23. Christ is the main subject of the Scriptures; hence Count Anhalt said of the Scriptures, They were the swadling bands of the holy Child Jesus, who is found in every page.

Now Christ bears record of himself: his testimony of himself are his own words and Miracles; how hath he testified to the World, that he came to call Sinners to repentance, to seek and save that which is lost, and whosoever beleeveth on him should have, or, hath life everlasting.

3. The third witnesse is the Holy Ghost] the third person in the Trini∣ty, called so ab officio, because he san∣ctifieth God's Elect, and worketh all spirituall graces and motions in them.

He bears record of Jesus Christ.

Mat. 3. 16. as soon as he was bapti∣zed the heavens were opened to him, and the Spirit of God descended like a Dove, and lighted upon him. Act. 2. by his Apparition of fiery clo∣ven tongues upon his Apostles; then the blessed Trinity proclaims Jesus Christ the onely Saviour, and from him we must by faith expect life eter∣nal.

And these three are one.] There is a double exposition of these words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, That is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ad unum sunt: they agree in one, as if they were one and the same wit∣nesse: so Calvin and Beza expound it.

Or else this: These three are one respectu essentiae, in respect of their essence; these three persons that bear record in heaven, are but one in es∣sence. From these words I will briefly and soberly handle the doctrine con∣cerning the glorious and undivided Trinity.

Notes

• Beza in loc.
• Hieron.
• A worthy saying of the Count Anhalt on the Scrip∣tures.