For instance, some
say--How can there be three persons in one God? It is contrary to
reason. One cannot be many. Three cannot be one. That is
unreasonable.
I think, that if you will use your reason for yourselves, you will
see that it is those words which are unreasonable, and not the
doctrine of the Trinity.
First. A thing need not be unreasonable--that is, contrary to
reason--because it is above and beyond reason--or, at least, beyond
our human reason, which at best (as St. Paul says) sees as in a glass
darkly, and only knows in part.
Consider how many things are beyond reason which are not contrary to
it. I say that all things which God has made are so: but, without
going so far, let us consider these simple examples.
Is it not beyond all reason that among animals, like should bring
forth like? Why does an eagle's egg always produce an eagle, and a
dove's egg a dove, and so forth? No man knows, no man can give any
reason whatsoever. If a dove's egg produced an eagle, ignorant men
would cry out at the wonder, the miracle. Wise men know that the
real wonder, the real miracle is, that a dove's egg always produces a
dove, and not any and every other bird.
Here is a common and notorious fact, entirely above our reason.
There is no cause to be given for it, save that God has ordained it
so.
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