Trinity-Sunday — On the blessed Trinity

Consider, first, that, on this day, the church sets before th» eyes of our souls this principal mystery of the Christian faith, by which we believe one eternal God in three several persons; which we call the mystery of the blessed Trinity, or of three in one, three persons in one God. This is the great object of the Christian’s worship. This we ought to adore every day and ev ery hour. Every Sunday in the year might be called Trinity Sunday; because every Sunday is set aside for the worship of this adorable Trinity, our Lord and our God. Yea, all our time belongs to him; and the great sacrifice, that is offered daily, on millions of altars, throughout the world, is principally designed to give sovereign adoration, homage, praise, and glory, to the most holy Trinity. But then this day is more particularly appointed by the church, (which has now just finished the celebrating the other great festivals, relating to the mysteries of our redemption and sanctification, wrought by the three divine persons,) in order to honour, in a more particular manner, this chiefest mystery of our religion. Come then, my soul, and come all ye Christian souls with me this day, and let us bow down all our powers to adore this incomprehensible mystery. The more it is above our reach, the more worthy it is both of our faith and veneration.

Consider, secondly, more in particular, what our faith teaches us with relation to this mystery. We believe there is but one true and living God, and no more; eternal, incomprehensible, omnipotent, and infinite in all his attributes and perfections. In this one God, we believe three distinct persons, of the same substance and essence, and perfectly equal in age, in power, in wisdom, and in all perfections; the Father who has no beginning, and proceeds from no one; the Son, who proceeds from the Father, by an eternal and ineffable generation, as his living word, and wisdom, the brightness of his glory, and the most perfect image of his person; and the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, who proceeds eternally from the Father and the Son. We believe that these three are one, by having all three the same Godhead, that is, the same divine nature. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Ghost is God; and yet they are not three Gods, but one God, one Lord, one Almighty, in three several persons. This is the true Christian catholic belief of the mystery of the blessed Trinity, essentially necessary for our eternal salvation. Let us, then, make frequent acts of faith concerning this sovereign truth; let us cast down every proud thought, that offers to rebel against it: God himself has taught it, who neither can deceive nor be deceived.

Consider, thirdly, that it is not our faith alone, but our lives also, that must render proper homage to this adorable mystery of the eternal Trinity. What will it avail thee to discourse pro foundly of the Trinity, saith a servant of God, if, through want of humility, thou he disagreeable to the Trinity 7 Humility of mind and heart is the most agreeable homage that man can pav Learn also from the Epistle of this day, as a part of the homage thou owest to the most sacred Trinity, to adore in silence the depth of the sepret counsels and judgments of God, and the wisdom of his unsearchable ways; and, in all events, to give glory to him. For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him he glory for ever: Amen, Rom. xi. 36.

Conclude to come daily before the throne of the eternal Trinity with thy best homage of faith, love, and humility. Adore the almighty power of the Father, the infinite wisdom of the Son, and the incomprehensible gocness and love of the Holy Ghost And give up the three powers of thy soul, and thy whole being, without reserve, to be ruled and disposed of, for time and eternity, by this infinite power, wisdom, and goodness.