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It is a point which requires due deliberation , by the person who wishes to act in every respect becoming a consistent Christian , whether conformity to such an establishment of religion , interferes with the allegiance
due to Jesus Christ , who is appointed by God his heavenly Father , " the head over all things to the Church , ' and the sole lawgiver in his spiritual kingdom . To myself it appears in that light . Should you , however , my
dear Madam , see no force in this objection , you surely are not disposed to give up your right of private judgment respecting what the Church really determines , and whether or not this accords with the Christian
revelation . For this purpose , may I be permitted to recommend to you to read over its articles with serious attention , and impartially bring them to the test of the sacred scriptures .
Compare also the Athanasian Creed with the Nicene , and both with what is called the Apostles ' , and I am much mistaken if you do not perceive an inconsistency in point of doctrine of the one with the other . Sure I am
that you will determine the damnatory clauses of the first , to be totally inconsistent with any authority which man has a right to assume , and with the mild , amiable and liberal spirit of the gospel of grace and love .
These objections to the established Church , you may conceive , in a more peculiar manner to respect the Clergy , who are obliged to subscribe its articles , to embrace its creeds , and to conduct its services . Let this be
admitted ; but does it therefore follow , that the laity have no concern , in giving their countenance to a system thus established , and attending a service in which two of these creeds are statedly read every Lord ' s Day , and the other ( erroneously attributed to St . Athanasius ) enjoined to be sung or said
four-Prince and the Priest , one is our master even Christ j" and whether we reside in a palace or a cottag-e , whether denoniinated clergy or laity , all of us who call ourselves after his name- " are brethren , "
and have no ( spiritual dominion over one another . We would " render to Csesar * he things wliicli are Caesar's , " and vene-* 'ate the ministers of religion so long- as they are humble , unassuming ' , diligent * nd faithful , but we must " render to God the things which are God's . "
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teen times a year ? You , 1 doubt not will agree with me , that the prayers in which all the persons present are supposed to join , should be as much as possible unobjectionable , and formed on the plan of Christian worship laid down in the New Testament . That which heretofore you
have been in the habit of attendinc . is the worship of the one God the Father , through the one mediator the man Christ Jesus . For this we think we can plead the authority of those sacred scriptures , to which all
Protestant Christians appeal , as the guide of their faith and worship , and the rule of their conduct , to both the precepts and examples of our blessed Lord and his holy apostles . In proof of this
position give me leave , among innumerable other passages , to refer you to Matt . iv . 10 , " Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God , and him only shalt thou serve . " John iv . 2 S , " The hour cometh , and now is , when the
true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth , for the Father seeketh such to worship him . ' * John xvi . 23 , " In that day , " says Christ to his disciples , " ye shall ask
me nothing ; verily I say unto you , whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name , he will give it you . " See also Matt . vi . 9 , Mark xi . xxv , John
xviu 1 , 2 and 3 , 1 Cor . viii . 6 . Can any declarations be plainer and more express thaw those contained in the above passages ? May I be permitted , my dear Madam , to recommend to vour serious consideration *
whether some parts of the public service of the Established Church , be not inconsistent therewith . I refer you particularly to the Litany , which is read , if I mistake not , every Lord ' s Day . " O God the Father of heaven , have mercy upon us miserable sinners I O God the Son , Redeemer of
the world , have mercy upon us , miserable sinners ! O God the Holy Ghost , proceeding from the Father and the Son , . have mercy upon us miserable sinners ! O holy blessed and glorious Trinity , three Persons and one God , have mercy upon us miserable sinners !
Divine revelation teaches us the unity , perfections and providence of the Creator and Governor of Uic Universe , unrivaled in majesty ami glory , but the Litany places two other beings in the rank of Godhead , bliaring
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Letter on Confomiity to the Established Church . § 91
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1815, page 691, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1766/page/27/
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