The Protestants Plea for a Socinian Justifying His Doctrine from Being Opposite to Scripture or Church Authority; and Him from Being Guilty of Heresie, or Schism

A diligent reader of seventeenth‑century theology will find this compact yet thorough tract framed as five “Conferences.” Its author, a Socinian defender, sets out a systematic plea to prove that his denial of the Trinity does not place him at odds with Scripture or the authority of the historic church. The opening sections lay out a methodical appeal to the plain sense of the biblical text, insisting that a sincere, industrious study of the Word should be enough for faith and salvation, without reliance on later doctrinal formularies.

The work proceeds with detailed argumentation on key Christological points, highlighting how the Socinian writer interprets passages that traditional Protestants read as affirming the Son’s consubstantiality. Throughout, the author stresses a rigorous, text‑focused approach, contrasting it with what he sees as the more speculative claims of established confessions. The dense marginal notes and careful spelling choices reveal a scholarly effort to preserve the original argument’s nuance, inviting listeners to engage with a spirited early‑modern debate on Scripture, authority, and orthodoxy.