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Untitled Article
ous how far this honorable appellation ought to be extended while others perhaps circumscribe its use more than is either just or charitable . Suffer me , Sir , to offer my individual qpinion .
I think that all those who reject the notion of a plurality of persons in the Godhead , ( as it is expressed , ) are evidently entitled to the appellation of Unitarians . No other question is agitated between the Trinitarians and
Unitarians , considered as stich ,, but the number of persons in the J ) ciiy ; and as they decide on this one painty ought they to assume respectively the title qF Trinitarian or Unitarian . 1 rnust confess that I cannot deem it j ^ jst or liberal ^ or eligible in any respect , to narrow the pale of Unitarianism , by restricting its application to those alone , who arc further distinguished by other tenets not immediately connected With .
this general question . What if like the Arians , a person . believe in tTie Doctrine of the atonement , or in the pre- * existence of Christ- —provided hfc do not believe him to be a person equal to the Father , add worthy of equal regard and worship ; is he not still an Unitarian if hfc hold .,
that " unto us there is but one God , even the Father ?" The doctrine of the atonement indeed , at least the-ortho * dox notion of it ^ I deem a worse error than that of the
Trinity ^ inasmuch as it more immediately effects morality . But here again , it is but justice to observe , that some Arians do not believe this doctrine under any modification ; while others understand it lpodified in such a way , as to lose all credit with the Orthodox . See Dr . Magee ' s opinion of the author of Ben Mordecai's letters , in p .. 109 ,. and of Dr , Taylor ^ of Norwich , in p . 120 , of the work above quoted . I
therefore regard the title Unitarian as a generic term , including ali specific differences , such as Socinian , Arian , &c . I acknowledge , Mr . Editor , that it is not wise to dispute about outvies , but as all -Christians are neither wise
nor good nun ; as many through prejudice or malevolence make use of names as the instruments of reviling and persecution , both in politics and religion ; and as I understand there has been a difference of . opinion among Unitarians themselves concerning the proper application of that title ,
I have endeavoured to set this subject in its true light , as well as to wipe oft Dr . Magee ' s sneering and illiberal aspersion I . have dwelt too long upon the former part of my text to pay due attention to the latter at present , but if I find
Untitled Article
360 On the Application of the Term cf Unitarian . '
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1807, page 360, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2382/page/20/
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