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odkira of avowed infidelity . Their position * it tna ^ t be confessed , has been not unskilfully choaen : little ground lias been lost in their retreat : the lme of separation between the contiguous systems is often indiscernible , and * ^^ feintl . y >» ar ^ ed : and in return fur the sacrifice of a name they
baveobtained afacilityofdifFusingtheir pernicious principles with less suspicion- The Unitarian system , it is true , having little to captivate the affections , and disgusting the unsophisticated reason by its obvious contradiction to scripture , has been hitherto regarded nith cool indifference by the mass of
the community . Its influence has generally been confined to men of some education , whose thoughts have been little employed on the subject of religion ; or who , loving rather to question than learn , have approached the oracles of divine truth without that
humbte docility , that prostration of the understanding and wilt , which are indispensable to proficiency in Christian instruction . On this account the general advancement in knowledge , which ordinarily checks
the growth of error , may be considered as favourable to the progress of this sect , , which , inspirited and encouraged by opportunity , has long been straining every nerve to increase
m number of its pros # jrte& . The reflections naturally fcuggerftM by the pteefcditig remarks ,, whifet they are creditable to the religious character of ah age in which infidelity is re-< tacad to . sue for admittance in the
garb of Christianity , afford the contolfctory assurance , that , if the minds -of bur youth are secured froiri infection , we may easily frustrate the machinations of this enemy by detecting * Ws fallacies , and exhibiting- his principles ih their true colours .
_ We now proceed to consider thfe ^ n g ^ rs which threaten the peace of *™ e fchurch from an opposite quartet , ^ ring the course of the last twenty ^ # the ihfluencfc < of reiigious sentient on the people of this country " ^ befen increasing ; with progressive ^ Wdity . The portentous excesses of to * « L an ( i cala 1 [ llriit ^ Which followed tk wtibte experiment of adopting Jfe pritici plen of liribelief for the genej * J *<* les of action , awakened the ^ as of men to setioua * t * ftection on h » - ' ! Ji * * ^ neve ^ was there a Fwiotl m our history , in which so
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strong a disposition prevctiled to study the truths of Hevelation , and to appreciate their value in the direction of human conduct . But , since good is not to be found without an admixture of evil , the irregular action of this feeling has given birth to a
multiplicity of errors , which are more extensively received , and more pertinaciously cherished , as the transports of passion and the dreams of enthusiasm have greater attractions for human corruption , than the dull uniformity of sober belief , and the strictness of reasonable obedience . To enumerate
the eccentricities of undisciplined affection , to mark the gradations of heresy from simple mist-ike or absmtfity tp gross corruption of faith , or mischievous principles of action , would be an endless task . Suffice it to
observe , that intemperate effervescence of zeal is hardly consistent with the dominion of charity , or the love of truth , in-the heart ; and tliat deeper wounds have been inflicted on the church by the madness or folly of enthusiasts and fanatics , than by the malice of her most inveterate enemies .
I do not affect to dread a renewal of the excesses committed by the Donatists of old , or even-of ' lme troubles excited by the Puritans m later times . The evil to be reasonably apprehended is a / gradual diminution of attachihent to ttie national church , which in its
immediate effects would abridge fchfe sphere of her beneficial influence , and might lead in its possible cotisequetrces to the subversion of ah E&tablishttient , the firmest support , and the noblest ornament of Christianity . That such is the ultimate object , ' 1 do not iay , of rational and sober Dissenters of
any denomination ; but of that prorhiscuous multitude of confederated sectaries who Have imbibed the ipitft of malignant dissent , which ill the prosecution of hostility against thb established faith , forgtets its attachment to a particular creed ; there is
the strongest reason to believey The views of this dangerous faction are Unintentionally seconded by k far ttt i > re respectable desenptioti of rtien , whb rightly Conceiving : that sound
faith and sincere piety arc the essentials of pure religion , entertain anindifference to ordinances and forms ; overlooking the necessity of pfcfina-H « ttt fences for tWe protection of the ftoik , of regular channels for the 4 &-
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Extracts from the Bishop &f London ' s Charge . S 07
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1815, page 307, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1760/page/43/
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