Prometheus Christianus, or, A treatise shewing the folly and vanity of atheism: and containing the solution of the main arguments of the Socinians, the Arrians, the deists, and other unitarians ... : whereunto is annex'd the refutation of some dogmatical points of a modern author relating to the trinity / by John Sauvage ...

SECT. VII. Two other Opinions of the same Author are Pro∣pos'd and Solv'd.

A THIRD Opinion I find in this Author, whereby he affirms to be contained in the Deity Three Infinite Minds, not proving nor at∣tempting to prove his Position by any Argu∣ment.

This Doctrine, and the Consequence of it, I can∣not brook; for, by admitting Three Infinite Minds in GOD, he will hardly avoid the admitting of Three GODS: which were Blasphemy to assert, and which I thus prove:

The Mind is a Vital Faculty, belonging and ap∣pertaining to the Ʋnderstanding; a Term not notio∣nal nor relative, but absolute and singular in the Deity; and therefore to admit Three Infinite Minds, is the same as to admit Three Infinite Ʋnderstand∣ings, which being an Absolute Attribute, can no more be multiply'd than the Godhead itself, which is common to all the Absolute Attributes of the Deity, which all together make but one Substance

with GOD himself; whence I conclude, that the admitting of Three Infinite Minds in GOD, is of dangerous consequence, and not easily to be main∣tained, for it hath a direct Tendency to Pa∣ganism.

A Fourth Opinion of this Author is, That the Unity of the Three Divine Persons consists essenti∣ally in the Mutual Consciousness of them to each o∣ther, whereby the Three Divine Persons are made One by their mutual correspondence and exact agreeing in the Faculties of their Understanding and Will with each other.

This Opinion is no more prov'd by Reason nor Authority than his former Opinions, but meerly as∣serted, which Opinion I thus impugn: Separate at least with your Understanding this Mutual Conscious∣ness from the Three Persons, and there will remain Three Substances without their Unity: These Three Substances are either created or increated; if the first, then the Three Persons are meer Creatures; which is rank Socinianism: if the second, then they must be really identified with the Divine Nature; and if so, then in vain do you seek for another Unity, for you have here the strictest Unity that pos∣sibly can be, namely, by a real Identity with the Divine Nature, which is precedent to your Mutual Con∣sciousness. And this is the True Notion and Orthodox Doctrin of the Divine Trinity.

Besides, this Unity that you affix to the Divine Persons is only moral or metaphorical, no better than it would be between three Men or three Angels; which is a great Indignity to the Infinite Perfecti∣on

of the Great God, who has in himself all Per∣fections possible, and no Defect.

Note briefly here, That an Object of Three Substan∣ces or Persons must first have its compleat Being be∣fore it is capable of your Mutual Consciousness: Con∣sider it therefore in its original Existency, which was from all Eternity, and ponder with your self if there were not in that state an Ʋnity in the Trinity, and Trinity in Ʋnity, without the least mention or co∣operation of your Mutual Consciousness.

And here I conclude this Treatise of the Ever Blessed and Most Sacred Trinity; all which, and every part thereof, I humbly submit to the Judgment and Censure of Those upon whom it is incumbent to regulate the Faith, Belief and Doctrine of the Protestant Church of England.

FINIS.