On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
In connection with metaphysics , it was natural enough to introduce the name of that enlightened philosopher , that most able and strenuous advocate of rational Christianity , Dr . Priestley , of whom ray friend coldly remarks , in a note , p . 60 , that " he was a firm believer in Christianity , and wrote many tracts to prove its divine origin . " 1 am sorry that he has thought fit to add , f * yet it may be questioned whether his writings have not made as manv unbelievers as converts / ' By whom . may it be
questioned ? Not , I am sure , by any one who has the smallest pretension to candour or to information . It can only be questioned by the grossest ignorance , or the most contemptible bigotry . If ever there was a person raised up by divine Providence to counteract , with energy and with effect , the rapid and alarming progress of infidelity , in an age of political apxl theological revolutions , Dr . Priestley was the man : he was the . en-• a m *~~ L _ _ _
. lightened advocate who , by exhibiting the Christian religion , in its genuine simplicity , divested of those adventitious ab- ? surdities by which it was inc umbered , and with which it was confounded , baffled the objections of unbelievers , and dis- * armed scepticism of her principal weapon ; an < i who , by stating the evidences , both of natural and revealed religion ,
with a simplicity , perspicuity , and precision before unequalled ^ has established the faith of the unprejudiced inquirer upon an immoveable foundation . That a few , who attended carelessly upon his instructions , or who hastily glanced over his masterly reasonings , may , by some obliquity of intellect , or inveteracy of prejudice , have failed to have been convinced by
ins arguments , is not impossible * But as to his general success , it has greatly surpassed his own most sanguine expectations . I have indeed no hesitation in stating it as my firm persuasion , that in consequence of his personal exertions , and his admirable writings , in connection with those of his able and learned associate in the same cause , the venerable Theophilus Lindsey , whom I am proud to call my revered friend , . 1 «> « - ¦ ^ - ^ • • •
tne numbers of converts to a pure and rational Christianity have been multiplied a hundred fold , and are daily increasing amongst all ranks ' of society . And of these 1 have no doubt , that whatever Pharisaic ignorance and arrogance may insinuate to the contrary , there arc at least as great a proportion , whose temper and character are truly exemplary and ornamental to their profession , as are to be found in anv other denomination of Christians , how pompous and how self-complacent soever * TThat my turn of rebuke should succeed to Dr P . iestley ' s
Untitled Article
fifr . Belsharri ' s Strictures on Carpenter ' s Lectures ; $ 55
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1807, page 255, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2380/page/31/
-