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is positively nothing . Consequently the word thing always implies a compound of three elements in one—a triad of principles , or in fact a Trinity in Unity . Secondly , if we think of a material object , it is quite evident that it must consist of matter , or parts which fill up Space and occupy Time , that is to say , the thing must be an object of experience , and can only be known by its
addressing the Senses : for instance , a house , a horse , a tree , and so on . The materials of which the thing consists , as the bricks which compose the house , are the matter ; the arrangement of these parts of matter constitutes its shape , as round , square , or oval , and is the form of the house . But this form could not be given to nothing ; hence the necessity of the matter : and neither of these can
be annulled without totally annihilating the thing , with this inseparable condition - —that these particular bricks constitute this identical house , with this determined form . So that these two elements necessarily imply connexion ; a third , and
the three together , constitute the thing called a house . This reasoning applies to the whole of nature , and quite exhausts tke entire mundane system , which is composed of an endless series of triads . Now , as matter is divisible ad infinitum , it must consist of an infinite number ot
parts ; and no one part , strictly speaking , can exist by itself , otherwise the division would not be infinite : the least number of parts that can be connected is two ; but , if these two parts were not connect * ed , there would not be a thing . The elements here are two parts , and their union , making three necessary elements , none of which can be annulled . It is
quite obvious that every object of nature which fills up time and space conforms to this law of a Trinity in Unity . Let us carry this parity of reasoning to mental things which exist in time only . Thus , all mathematical figures equally conform to this law : take a line for instance ; it consists of parts in connexion , and is ,, in
fact , a series of triads ; for the smallest possible part of a mental line must consist of two mathematical points and their uniou—a triangle must consist of three lines united Ht three points , yet forming only one conception . A circle consists of a centre , periphery , and radius—three necessary elements , none of which caw be annulled . This law holds with all
mental operation * , a » substance and projterttes ijn connexion constitute a thing ; Cause , Effect , and the necessary dependence of the one on the other ; for that ia no cause which lias not produced an
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effect , and there can be no effect without a cause : so that all mental things -obey this law . We have only to ascend one step higher in the scale of reasoning , and carry this notion of a Trinity in Unity to the infinite , and the Christian doctrine will be fully displayed .
" Iufinite uothiugness is a nonentity . Therefore , if the mind of man is to be occupied with a rational thought , it must think of an infinite something ; but this must consist of some infinite parts , or it would be an iufinite nothing . Now the least possible number of infinite parts that can be united is two , but , unless these two are connected b y a third , they could not constitute au infinite
something . Hence , even in the infinite , the same process of reasoning is required to constitute a thing , namely , three elements united in one oy a Trinity in Unity . te Having now satisfactorily accounted for the mystical number three in one , it only remains to shew that these infinities are pure and holy , and Christ ' s theory of the Trinity will blaze forth with the effulgence and permanence of truth itself . "—Pp . xxii . —xxv .
That the New Testament is divisible into doctrine and history is a tolerabl y obvious fact ; but that ' by disencumbering the principles of the Christian Religion from Historical Facts , their universal adoption is facilitated , " we more than doubt . If we were obliged to relinquish one of the portions of the New Testament which are here exhibited
separately , we should prefer to take tha . t which the Author leaves ; inasmuch as there is apostolic authority for regarding the Historical Fact of the resurrection of Christ as the sum and substauce of the Gospel .
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198 Critical Notices . — Theological .
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Art . II . — Unitarian Christianity suited to make Men Holy . A Discourse delivered at the Ordination of Rev . A . B . Muzzeif . By E . JS . Gannett . Boston . 1830 .
We all remember how this preacher was cousecrated to his office ; how that office was propounded to him ; how solemnly and affectionately he was welcomed iuto it , while its manifold requisitions were exhibited in the noblest perhaps of * Chatiuihg ' s pulpit efforts which
have been sent over to us . if any have , like ourselves , watched for tokens of the progress of the young minister thus inducted , they will welcome this discourse as a proof that he is worthy of the glory with which he was ushered into notice . It is of the American fraternity ; earnest ,
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1831, page 198, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2595/page/54/
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