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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.
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stake , should be passed over , in any Lre , without reprehension . Let it be considered , however , that whatever apology their circumstances mav plead for the narrow views of
religious liberty ehtertained by the early Reformers , and the persecutions fata which their principles betrayed tfostn , QQ excuse of a similar kind cqti justify or even pajliate the same princonduct in the t
ciples and presenage . I'hapJfs to the ameliorating influence of Christianity , which has been silently and gradually , but , at the § ame time , flffectuaJJy improving" the h uman heart , and correcting the institutions of civil
society , it is now no longer a question to be argued , at least among Protestants , whether it be lawful to pat reputed heretic ? to death . JUet it be hpped that tjre time is not far distant when it will also be deemed absurd
and monstrous * a gross vicjation of Christian freedoms , and of Jjie rights pf humat * nature , to subject uaeu £ 9 any degree of inconvenience and £# fferiog , to civil disabilities and penalties , for the opinions they , m ^ y cop scieijtiously hold on the subject of religion .
It may be remarked , in conclusion , th ^ t the firs t and fata } £ rror of the early Reformers , and the cause of ail tfreir subsequent mistakes . concerning religious liberty , yvas to ^ ll y religion jn
with the state ^ ^ jrid call the aid of the civil magistrate to maintain their creqd ( ind worship . This should operate as q . wariung and admonition to after times . For it in not too much
to say , that perfect ^ reedpm , which is every ^ an ' s birthright , will in vnin be hoped for until religion shall Jiave been repudiated from her unholy union with political authority ; until she sihall be permitted to sta ^ d ^ ad to n \ h inctepencjent and alone ; swaying her mild sceptre with all her native
gWe and benignity , inspiring every breast with love , and diffusing ground universal harpipny and peace »
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§ stabJished for th § circulation pf Books , it is s ^ id , th ^ t iti tjif ? 9 rig ) B ^ formation of th ^ Society thp vy ordt ** idolatrous" occasioned considerable discussion . The adoption of it ,
accprding to th $ statement of th ^ write * v who represents himself as tjip originator of the Society , " post the Society several ofits most respectable members , and particularly the whole Jbpdy ' qf Unitarians then existing in the University of Cambridge , amongst whom were Mr . Jones , the late
celebrated tutor of Trinity , and Mr . Tyrwhitt , of Jesus College / ' Mr . Jones had been my private tutor , and we ever after lived on most intimate terms of friendship , of which a public testimonial was given in the University , and it will never be erased from
my mind . In a similar manner I was connected with Mr . Tyrwhitt , with whom 1 was particularly intimate for the greater part of the time that I was a resident member of Jesus College , and afterwards our intercourse
was kept up by letter and occasional visits to the University . I might add here that his friendship to me wsy » marked at his death by the kind notice taken of me in his will . I remember perfectly well our secession from the Unitarian Society for the distribution of Books , and I can
confidently state that my two friepds above-mentioned and myself left it on other grounds besides those stated in your Repository . I have not before me the prospectus which w ^ s then in our hands , but I recollect thus
much , that it did not agree with tfre views which , we entertained of oi | r Saviour ' s character . We certainly did abject to the term idolatrous , not only because wfe thought it not a proper term to be used , when it is strictly analyzed , but also because it was an offensive term , and introduced
without any necessity . M r , Tyrwhitt retained the same opiniofi to his de ^ tb , and 1 ha , ve n $ t altered mine . In sqmeqf your J > r $ - ceding Kun ^ fyers I have gi y Pn HOJT reasons for differing from Mr . I ^ elshjuri in his definition of Unitarians : ^^>
according to his descriptiou of them * Mr . Tyrwhitt and myself are equally excluded froiqa belonging to that body . Indeed , Mr . Tyrwhitt would have e ^ pr ^ sed hinisd f wi ^ h gome degree < $ WP ^ i 4 & < $ * m % e IBPJV '
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M ^ Frend on Orfyin ofXIiiitw " 743
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bl ! t 43 tUe naoa ^ s tf two 9 f wiy mptf . m % \ j ( mUi friends , who cannqt J !! r j w ^ fyr fUnwfid ^ me mmtotu r * l very * $ mMe $ ef > Q * if « f ™** myAim ^ t fr 4 ta * giijen , ln flwOu ^ ^ Wnfi ^ sSqW
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1819, page 743, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1779/page/27/
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