On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
back something which was profitable ;' Whether it was grateful , or no . It is but protracting the time through fear , a little longer , thought I ; I was ^ s good do it now : and I -shall have passed my te ^ t with men the soon er ; and I shall see , whether G 6 d hafc any work for me
to do , or no , in his vineyard . And I did indeed , long to lenow , what was , to be hiy lot . I was , resolved not to go . out of my way to meet it : and I could not tell how to go out of my way to avoid
it . I will trust God with myself and with the success of his own truths . It Was ungrateful work to flesh and blood , I am sure ; and I would gladly , God knows , have been excused , if I had thought it right . "
In that sermon , he delivered , he tells us , his sentiments freel y and fully ; and referred the matter to the judgment of his hearers . Upon this several of his small congregation left him . Some ministers used their influence to
Create uneasiness in those who refnained . Mr . Stogdon took oc . casion therefore , in about a quarter of a year afterwards , to preach one Lord's-day morning on these words ; The greatest of these is charity ; " and , in the afternoon , on this passage , It cannot be but offences will come : but woe be to those , by whom they come . " After the sermons , he desired them to consult among themselves , u whether he might be useful to them any longer or no ; he understood two were
dissatisfied , and knew not how rnany ihorc . ** He added , " You know iny life , my preaching a , nd nay principles . If I can dono good , 1 will do *\ o hurt . I am ready to give place to any other that
you shall think will be more pro * Stable to you than myself */ Now consider ojtxce for all and take notice of this , I vyill have no more t > 9 uWe . from you herpaft ^ r Qjrx this keacf . " lie withdrew , apd
Untitled Article
they unanimously agreed to acquiesce in him . On winch he wrote to his friencj : " I have heard no more of it since . I am
not solicitous about what may be ; I labour to keep a conscience void of offence towards God and to-7 wards all men ; therefore comforts ably look for the mercy of God to eternal life . "
Mr . Stogdon was once persuaded to disavow A rian principles * , without mentioning his opinion concerning the subordination of the Son . This was alledged against him as a sejf-contradiction . He was convinced , that both were
manifestly consistent , and that he did himself justice in discl a iming the peculiar sentiments of Arius , and endeavouring to wipe off aspersions for opinions which he did not believe : yet , as an appearance of selt-conticidictiori was
afforded , he found , to those who knew nothing of the matter , or had no correct ideas on it , he judged what he had done inexpedient , and could never reflect on it without regret as a blemish on his conduct : so tenderly
concerned was he to avoid every appearance of insincerity and guile . An abhorrence of every thing mean and base , and contrary to the ' excellent rule of doins ; " a 5 ? he would be done bv * marked also his ori-— ¦
, / / 1 vate life ; in which he showed himself a wise and prudent , a steady and faithful friend and the most generous adversary .
Th £ liberty of inquiry * md of judging for himself , whicd Mr . Stogdon claimed in his own case , be liberally granted to others . He deemed it unri g hteous to judge rashly of the opinions as well a $ of the practices of others , especially of ininiaters : and ho
Untitled Article
124 Memoir of the Mev . Hubert Stosdan *
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1809, page 124, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1734/page/4/
-