64. The devout Christian considers the mystery of the Holy Trinity

EXHORTATION.

"There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one."—1 John v. 7.

If a believer desires to enter a sanctified contemplation of the Holy Trinity, he must do like one who desires to derive light and heat from the sun, and make use of them. If he looks straight into the sun he blinds himself, sees darkness, sees nothing, but if he keeps his eyes cast down, and thus avails himself of the light and brilliancy of the sun, he sees much—indeed, all he should see. 1. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is a mystery incomprehensible to reason. For this reason many have taken offence at this article of faith, and argue like the Jews even to this day. 2. Nevertheless it is a mystery clearly described in Holy Writ; the most beautiful texts of the Old and New Testaments speak of it. The works and attributes of the triune God are also plainly pointed out. The devout Christian believes this word of life, until believing shall be changed to seeing in the life eternal. 39*

THE DEVOUT CHRISTIAN CONSIDERS

3. Meantime he prays to the thrice holy God in humility of heart. He praises his Creator for all the benefits lavished upon him in soul and body. He thanks his Redeemer for having released him from death, from sin, from the devil, and from the power of hell. Unto his Sanctifier he dedicates his heart, and all his life, endeavors to obey the triune God, and is assured that he shall come to see in glory what here he believes. For happy are they who do not see, and yet believe. Holy, Holy, Holy is God the Lord of Hosts, all the earth is full of his glory. Thus, O triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I join in the hymn of the seraphim and Cherubim, to exalt thy honor and thy majesty. O thou inscrutable and incomprehensible being! my faith clings solely and alone to the Holy Word, in which thou hast revealed thyself to us. This is the eternal life, to know thee, the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I pray to thee, I honor and praise thee, O father of all grace and mercy, thou who hast acquitted thyself as a loving father to me, Not only didst thou beget thy only son, Jesus Christ, from all eternity, but thou art the true father of all who are called children in heaven and on earth. As a gracious and loving father thou THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

hast hitherto nourished, provided for, guarded, and kept me, and dost nourish, provide for, and keep me to this very hour. Merciful father!

look upon me in fatherly kindness as thy child.

Lord Jesus, the Son of God! I have learned to know thee in thy holy word as the other person of the holy trinity, begotten of the heavenly father from all eternity, God of God, Light of

Light, generated in an incomprehensible manner;

I have learned to know thee as my brother and kinsman, who assumed human nature to redeem me and all men from sin, death, the devil, and hell. Therefore I rejoice in thee, and adore thee; thou art my righteousness, my redeemer, advocate, high priest, mediator, Immanuel, beatifier, and shepherd, in thee I have life and the fulness of life. Thou art the sacrificial lamb offered up for my sins; thy blood is the purification of my evil deeds; by thee I have access to grace and life. In thee I am happy here temporally, and there eternally. Most precious

Holy Ghost! Thou hast revealed thyself in thy word, as the third person of the deity, issuing from the father and the son, a spirit of the father and the son, of like essence, of like majesty and glory. Thou hast regenerated me in holy baptism; by thee I have been brought to grace, to light, and to the life that is from God.

Thou art my sanctifier, who enlightens me,

THE DEVOUT CHRISTIAN CONSIDERS sanctifies me, and keeps me in the true faith. Thou dost comfort me in all suffering, thou dost make me rejoice in sadness, and dost give me refreshment in tribulation. O spirit of grace and of prayer! seal upon my heart the comfort that I am in grace, bear witness unto my spirit that I am a child of God. Rouse me to prayer, give me devotion in prayer, give me peace after prayer. Come, let us pray, and kneel down, and prostrate ourselves before the Lord, the triune God, who made us, for we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture; he is inscrutable in his ways, and incomprehensible in his acts. Of him and through him, and in him are all things; unto him be praise, honor and glory for evermore. O triune God and Lord! grant that I may seize thee in faith, and hold fast to thy holy word as the rule of my faith and practice, until from believing I shall come to seeing. Meantime, my father! cover me with the wings of thy grace, and bless me. Jesus wash me with thy holy blood, and bless me; make me just and eternally happy. Lord God! Holy Ghost, enlighten and bless me, that I may walk in thy light, and perceive the eternal joys which are beyond. Here we must believe and trust what God says of himself; there seeing begins, true belief admits no doubt. Have I not been baptized in God the father, son, and Holy Ghost? His THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

words conduct me to Jordan, where from the open gates of heaven the voice of God testifies of Jesus, and the spirit hovers down. Amen.

1. I trust in God, of whom the Scripture teaches,

That his descent eternity outreaches;

Who called creation out of nothing forth,

A God of endless power and greatest worth.

2. To give this God his rightful nomenclature,

Go ask his word, trust not unwritten nature;

He is the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;

As such his true disciples him accost.

3. The father of all heaven and earth made tissue,

The son from out the father's self did issue;

From both alike the Holy Ghost comes forth,

Equal to both in power, and bliss, and worth.

4. The father gave the world and us existence,

The son poured out his blood for our assistance

The Holy Ghost enlightens and befriends,

And thus the kingdom of his grace extends.

5. Upon a single throne they all are seated,

Alike eternal, great, and unrepeated;

Their common majesty we all adore,

God is, and was, and shall be evermore.

THE DEVOUT CHRISTIAN MEDITATES UPON