A Discourse In Vindication Of The Doctrine Of The Trinity

This small treatise has no other design but thy good, and establishmentin the truth. And therefore, as laying aside that consideration alone,I could desirously have been excused from the labour of those hourswhich were spent in its composure; so in the work itself I admitted noone thought, but how the things treated of in it might and ought to bemanaged unto thy spiritual benefit and advantage. Other designs mostmen have in writing what is to be exposed to public view, and lawfullymay have so; in this I have nothing but merely thy good. I have neitherbeen particularly provoked nor opposed by the adversaries of the truthhere pleaded for; nor have any need, from any self-respect, to publishsuch a small, plain discourse as this. Love alone to the truth, and thewelfare of thy soul, has given efficacy to their importunity whopressed me to this small service.The matters here treated of are on all hands confessed to be of thegreatest moment, such as the eternal welfare of the souls of men isimmediately and directly concerned in. This all those who believe thesacred truths here proposed and explained do unanimously profess andcontend for; nor is it denied by those by whom they are opposed. Thereis no need, therefore, to give thee any especial reasons to evince thyconcernment in these things, nor the greatness of that concernment,thereby to induce thee unto their serious consideration. It were well,indeed, that these great, sacred, and mysterious truths might, withoutcontention or controversies about them, be left unto the faith ofbelievers, as proposed in the Scripture, with that explanation of themwhich, in the ordinary ministry and dispensation of the gospel, isnecessary and required.