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strong evidence that there was no collusion , no unfair understanding between him and our Saviour . , And this opinion appears to me to be much confirmed by the context 5 for the Evangelist Matthew expressly informs us , that when John heard in prison of the works of Jesus , he sent
two of tiis disciples to him , who were to say , •* Art thou he that should come , or do we look for another ? " Not the least intimation is given that John ' s disciples had any doubt that Christ was the Messiah , or any desire of being further informed . On the other hand , the most natural construction of these
words is , that John -wanted to have his own scruples removed . Arid accordingly our . Lord instructs the messengers to deliver this answer to John : u , shew John the things which ye do hear and see , " &c . John himself
could not come in person to receive the satisfaction he wanted , because he was in prison ; and our JLord might not think it prudent to have a personal interview with him , because he was
Iiis near relation , and had been his avowed advocate and friend , lest a plausible handle might be given his enemies , for pretending their interview was contrived to concert
measures to carry on a fraud and imposture between them , John , therefore , sends two of his disciples , and Christ gave them the amplest satisfaction . But our Lord was so apprehensive , when they were gone , that the multitude would make reflections on these
scruples of John to his disadvantage * that he . first takes occasion frankly to animadvert on his fickleness and want of faith , and irresolution as a man , and then , notwithstanding , to bear a most honourable testimony to the greatness of his character as a prophet . And as
soon as John ^ s disciples were departed , the historian informs us , that Christ began to speak to the multitude concerning John . " And what went ye put in the wilderness to see ? A reed shaken with the wind ? And what out to
> Ye ^ t : see ? A man clothed in soft raiment ? Behold , they who w ^ ajr soft cloathipg are in kings ' houses . " As if he had said—See the weakness of human nature , even in ttie greatest and b $ rt of men . Surely 4 ? VM *> ^ een greasy irtaggeral with this storm of adversity into which he
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has fallen . Has it not caused him to waver and fluctuate like a reed shaken with the wind ? If he had expected to meet v ^ ith no trial of his faith and resolution , he should not have clothed himself in the raiment of camels * hair , and put on a leathern girdle , and
trusted for his food to the provisions of the wilderness . They who require delicacies , and would be treated with tenderness , should seek a residence in the palaces of princes . But they who go out on so arduous an enterprise as John , should be prepared to meet
with trials , and to bear up under disappointments with unshakea resolution . Nevertheless , though John ' s faith has been ready to fail him , yet do not let this induce you to disregard the testimony he has already borne concerning me , and to overlook the past labours of his life , which deserve
high commendation . " For what went ye out for to see ? A prophet ? Yea , I say unto you , and more than a prophet : for this is he of whom it is written , Behold , I send my messenger before thy face , which shall prepare the way before thee ; and verily I say unto you , among them that arc born of women , there has
not risen a greater than John the Baptist I . " would not be too confident I am right in this interpretation ; but it appears to me the most natural and the least forced and constrained , and as such I submit it to the consideration of your Correspondent . JAMES MANNING . I ^ M
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Liverpool ,, Sik , June 28 , 1819-WITH my friend Mr . Fullagar , [ p . 302 , ] I rejoice at the establishment of whatever has a tendency
to promote the cause of Unitarianism , and to produce that union of exertion which has long been felt to be essential to its dissemination . Much has certainly been done towards this great point , but 1 think a most important measure remains to be adopted , before
the same facilities arc afforded tq us as are possessed by other sects . Mr * Fullagar suggests t ' ^ e yii ) ity of **^ he publication of a list of alj the r ^ ligiou 3 societies n \ , pur cQnppxipn ^ With , tfie names 9 / j ^ heir ijMiiiHters , ajjd a ipotice where Fellowship Funds 'Ittve toeea
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672 On a General Unitarian Association *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1819, page 672, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1778/page/20/
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