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    and of the portions of the apostolic history in wftfcli they 6 cfcui % the forriier atid the k&J * cbfrsiderable part of the discourse is occupied : in the remainder Mr . W . endeavours to illustrate add establish three propositions , «« I . That the coto Version of Christians ,

    that is , of those who are not idolaters or disciples of Moses , or conversion from a state of moral depravity and guilt to a state of righteousness , is not like the conversion of Jews or Pagans to Christianity , instantaneous ; it is in its own nature a progressive thing ; , 2 . Conversion of Jews and Gentiles

    to the faith of Christ , is a conversion that admits of no degrees , but conversion from sin to holiness admits of almost infinite degrees , 3- The conversion of Jews and Gentiles to the Christian faith Was equally necessary for all : but conversion from sin to

    holiness , though necessary for all , is hot to all alike necessary , " From the whole the preacher draws the conclusions , that the doctrine of instantaneous and supernatural conversion is a dangerous delusion ; that the articles of faith which pass for orthodoxy are inconsistent with truth : that the

    ordinance of infant baptism , about which so many keeft disputes are now carried on , is Wholly destitute of the efficacy so commonly ascribed to it ; and that fidelity , zeal * benevolence , and a supreme regard to personal holiness , should dictate and accompany bar profession of what we deem to be the pure gospel of Jesus Christ .

    We are mistaken if this short analysis of the sermon undei our review will not give our readers a strong desire to make themselves better acquainted with its reasonings . But we

    shall not have discharged our duty to the author and "to the public without adding some observations suggested by an attentive perusal of his discourse .

    Did he need any authority besides that of the Christian Scriptures for the sentiments which he has advanced , he might find it in one part of Dr . Paley ' s writings ; * although the sentences we shall transcribe from them do not appfear to Express his latest opinions : f * Sermons and Tracts , ( 1811 , ) pp . 5 ^ 59 . f Mom . Ktepo * . IV , 44 $ , 451 . voi ., xiv . - c

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    " It k manifest , " he remarks , « ttit no changfe eq « &l or similar to the 66 ny&r-Sion of a Heathen can be experienced by us , or by any one educated in a Christian country , and to whom the facts , precepts and hopes of Christianity , have been froia his infancy familiar . "

    Then to the question , « . What do the scriptural terms conversion , the new-birth , &c , rbean , if they do not mean what modern religionists suppose ? ' he answers €€ nothing : nothing , that is , to us 5 nothing to be found , or sought for , in the present circumstances of Christianity , "

    We cannot but be of opinion that be and Mr . W . are substantially cor * rect : nor may it have been useless to shew that the characteristic sentiments of a sermon preached , in thfc year 1818 , before an association of Unitarian Christians , had occurred to

    such a man as Paley at least as long since as the year 1777 . Reference rtright indeed be made to a far higher antiquity in their favour , as well as to other illustrious names among the clergy of the Established Church .

    Such an appeal however would be justifiable solely for the purpose of disarming that prejudice Which refuses to read Dissentingand still more Unitarian divinity . The labour employed fc > y Mr . W . in an elucidation of the point which

    he amis at establishing , and his copiousness in treating of his subject , entitle him to gr £ at praise . His arguments are excellently calculated to set the matter in dispute for ever at rest ; though no one who has any acquaintance with the World and with human

    nature , will be sanguine enough to expect that this will speedily be th 6 result of even the strongest reasoning and the most perspicuous illustrations . Still , much may be hoped for from controversy conducted with knowledge and ability and temper , qualities which this' discourse assuredly exhibits .

    Perhaps we ihay be * allowed td intimate that in opposing one extrctarte it becomes us to gu&rd with the utmost care agairifct the other , and to i emdmber how near is Scj / lla to CKarMdiK We should not have been sorry had Mr . W . qualified" in some degree tW ^ following observation ( p , 6 ) : a Even the history of our Lord himself ^ fruitful as it is of the most admirable \

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    ZleQ&w . ^ Wtlllfeldvecl on Conversion . 1 $ 5

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1819, page 185, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1770/page/49/