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    ought to remain silent and inaetive when they perceived the whole of their credeitda , so boldly as well as openly attacked by one of their own order , and one who at the same time was

    enjoying his share of those temporal emoluments which holy church has so amply provided , and annexed , ( at least ostensibly ) to strict obedience and outward

    conformity ? . If however any needless display of sacerdotal authority , or any effort of " vengeance" has been resorted to on the occasion , it can admit of no apology or vindication . It would likewise appear equally improper or

    unfairif any of tne chief actors in this tragedy , were so much as suspected of harbouring any doubts concerning the system or doctrines they are in so unusual a manner

    defending . He , and he alone who is without the inconsistency of such duplicity and prevarication , is the only one duly qualified to sit in in dement , and ** cast the first stone ' * His

    orthodo . ^ ought to be above all suspicion ; his conformity strict and universal . He ought thoroughly to believe that the whole of our ecclesiastical constitution , can be proved * by express

    warrant oi hoiv scripture : " and more especially that whoever refuses or neglects" faithfully to believe , hold and keep whole and undefiled " the Creed of the great St .

    Athajftasms , " shall without doubt perish everlastingly . " He ought to believe too , that this dreadful fate will accompany all unbelievers , without the least regard to their mere temporal distinctions ; whether their rank in the church is

    that of the humble , drudging curate , or tUu lazy personage who

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    is foad of displaying c ^ his mitred front in courts and parliaments . " Trie most obvious principles of reason and equity , demand this as absolutely needful to check , and

    as far as may be , destroy every appearance of rancour , or , personal animosity ' from the minds and decrees of the judges . The practice is invariably admitted in all our temporal courts ; nor is the most attrocious criminal ever

    refused the privilege oi excepting against any of his peers or jurymen whom he suspects . An important step is thus taken that the unavoidable prejudices of judges or juries shall be rendered as far

    as 'may be , of no injury to- the prisoner , but that he may have a fair and impartial trial . If then the civil part of the " British constitution , " has devised and

    adopted such an admirable plan , to secure even felons , or other pests of society , from the baneful effects of prejudice or malice ; surely the ecclesiastical part ought

    implicitly to copy such a disinterested model , and to cause its courls to be equally eminent For the equity of their decrees , and the mildness of their censures .

    The church not only affect ^ but openly asserts herself to be the best constituted church ever established , and frequently appeals to the scriptures ijn proof thereof . Surely then , as she is " the light of the world" —a city so elevated and conspicuous , the

    whole of her judicial proceedings ought to be conducted in perfect obedience to this heavenly code ! then , and then only , will she prove that her daily prayer to be delivered " from envy , hatred ., and all uncharitableness , " is heard and granted .

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    724 The Case of Mr . Stone .

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• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1808, page 724, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1706/page/32/