[
96]
answer to which
Mr. Whiston referred him to Novatian, whose opinions certainly savour strongly of Arianism, as most nearly agreeing with his views.
It was not, however, till some time after the publication of
Dr. Clarke's celebrated treatise on the
Scripture Doctrine of the
Trinity, that
Mr. Peirce applied himself in earnest to the further study of this subject.
“They who most dislike the
Doctor's notion, must own the method he took to treat of the subject was the best that could be thought of. I confess,” (says
Mr. Peirce,) “I was charmed with it; and cannot but wonder that writers on the other side have not attempted to vindicate their notion the same way. I soon saw the controversy was too hard for me, and that I was eased of a design that would have put me to abundance of trouble.
I could not fall in with the
Doctor in every thing; but saw clearly that I must part with some beloved opinions, or else quit my notions of the authority of the
Holy Scriptures.”
The reader will easily imagine that this must